Editorials
EDITORIAL: Tread carefully on state reform
The abysmal failure of the current state government in Albany has provoked an understandable outcry for reform.
In the heat of debate, irate citizens have offered remedies running the gamut from “throw-all-incumbents-out and start over” to a constitutional convention to rewrite the coveted document that has shaped New Yorkers lives for centuries.
The tumult and shouting over the dysfunctional structure that has virtually paralyzed activity on Capitol Hill for months is thoroughly justified.
The very voters screaming that they’re fed up and won’t take it anymore are in the position to spur long-overdue change.
Recent polls make it abundantly clear that nearly 50 percent of the eligible voters are so upset by all the shenanigans in Albany that they would not hesitate for a moment to turn their own state senator out of office in 2010.
That’s a refreshing change from earlier times when dissatisfied voters were often reluctant to vote against their own senator. After all, many voters convinced themselves their representative in Albany was doing the best possible job.
Things could change, of course, within the next 14 months, but the lawmakers in both houses would have to adopt an entirely different attitude toward the way they conduct business.
Today, those same voters are apparently weighing yet another approach to fixing the broken system: a constitutional convention.
At a glance that might seem a viable option but voters need to be wary of the inherent pitfalls as well.
In 1997, the last time that voters even considered the proposal for a convention, the measure was trounced by a coalition of conservative activists, labor unions and environmental groups encouraged by state lawmakers who traditionally abhor any idea of changing the power structure in Albany.
If voters really believe that a constitutional convention would bring needed reform, they should at least demand incumbent lawmakers be excluded from the process.
Since the delegates are paid — as they should be — the incumbents would end up with a second salary, hardly what a state mired in a fiscal crisis needs.
A constitutional convention is bound to fail if professional politicians are put in charge.
- Editorials
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EDITORIAL: Timing for park cuts is terrible
The nation’s oldest state park here will be impacted as part of Gov. Paterson’s budget-slashing strategy to deal with the staggering fiscal crisis in the Empire State.
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EDITORIAL: Wanted: BOE seekers
Each year, we’re amazed to see a multitude of hot issues coming out of local school districts but hardly any new faces competing for open board seats.
Maybe the apathy is created by a feeling that one person can’t make a difference -
CHEERS & JEERS: March 12's best — and worst — of the week
For more than a century, Holy Trinity has been a landmark to Falls residents. Now, it’s official.
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EDITORIAL: Why stop with the Blues?
We are pleased to see that the Niagara Falls City Council has attached a few strings to the $30,000 allocation it approved this week for the 2010 Blues Festival.
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EDITORIAL: NYPA could energize Experience Center
Back in October of 2008 we wrote on this page of “experiencing the disappointment” on the future of the proposed Niagara Experience Center.
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CHEERS & JEERS: Feb, 12's best — and worst — of the week
When tragedy strikes, Western New Yorkers are known for opening their hearts and wallets. Last month’s devastating earthquake in Haiti is no exception.
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CHEERS & JEERS: Jan. 29's best — and worst — of the week
Kudos to Falls resident Jan DiFranco who not only didn’t fall for recent mail scam but made sure to let everyone else in on it.
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EDITORIAL: Read our lips: No new taxes
When The Associated Press has to put out a whole sidebar on proposed taxes from Gov. David Paterson and his 2010-11 budget, you know there’s a problem.
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CHEERS & JEERS: The best and worst news of the year
Special Year-End Edition of Cheer & Jeers
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CHEERS & JEERS: Nov. 27's best — and worst — of the week
It’s always good to see the governor stop by for a visit. Monday was no different as the David Paterson held a press event Monday at the recently reopened Globe Specialty Metals plant on Highland Avenue.
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EDITORIAL: Timing for park cuts is terrible
