COUNCIL ELECTION: Walker runs on record

<!--Rick Forgione--><table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Rick Forgione</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:rick.forgione@niagara-gazette.com">rick.forgione@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>

Charles Walker has seen plenty of good times and bad times in his 11 years on the City Council.

But he’s confident the city’s best days are ahead.

“We’re moving in the right direction and with a few more changes, we’re going to do some really good things,” Walker said. “I want to be here to help that.”

Walker is asking residents to elect him to a fourth consecutive term in Tuesday’s election so he can finish what he says he and his colleagues have spent the last several years building. To continue serving, he will need to be among the top three vote-getters in a field that also includes fellow council incumbent Samuel Fruscione and challengers Kristen Grandinetti, Kenneth Pawlukovich and Candra Thomason.

“I think it’s going to be a good race, we’re all pretty good candidates,” Walker said. “But I believe I am the best candidate. I’ve worked hard to make decisions that have been positive and tried to bring some respect back to the city.”

The ability to work peacefully with different personalities is one of the qualities Walker believes sets him ahead of the pack. It’s come in handy over four mayors and dozens of different councilmembers with various political agendas.

“I’m willing to give everyone a fair shot and try to work together,” he said. “You might not always agree but you have to respect each other. Once things get out of hand, things aren’t getting done.”

It is what has or hasn’t been done in the city during his tenure that will likely determine Walker’s fate Tuesday. As the longest serving member of the council, he’s taken the brunt of the criticism this election year about the city’s dwindling population, high taxes, deteriorating housing stock, damaged roads and struggles attracting economic development.

But for Walker, those issues are hardly new.

“A lot of the anger and things people are talking about are things I’ve been talking about for 11 years,” he said. “It’s been very frustrating sitting here and seeing how we do things when I know it can be done better.”

Pointing out the council does not manage day-to-day operations, Walker said a strong administration is needed to be affective in moving the city forward. He believes Mayor Paul Dyster is now filling that key role — and will continue if surrounded by the right people.

Another point of criticism Walker has found himself addressing is whether his run for re-election is being fueled by the possibility of becoming eligible for lifetime health insurance benefits paid for by city taxpayers. Completing another four-year term will draw Walker close to eligibility.

Walker insisted that hasn’t been a motivating factor and pointed out he already has health insurance benefits in his role as community outreach manager for Niagara Falls Medical Center. He believes the topic is just a campaign issue being pushed by his detractors in an attempt to discourage votes.

“Judge me on where the city is, or votes I have made,” he said. “Criticize me for those things, not whether or not I’m getting lifetime health insurance.”

Walker said he stands proudly by his voting record. Among the accomplishments he listed are his work to promote the area’s ties to the Underground Railroad, reorganizing the Human Rights Commission, spending millions of dollars in non-taxpayer money on new equipment and vehicles for the public works, police and fire departments and the surge of street repairs in the past year.

Making the right decisions to benefit the city hasn’t always been popular or easy, he added. As a rookie councilmember, he had to vote on personnel cuts to help balance the budget.

“Anytime I vote to eliminate a job, it’s a tough one,” he said.

That doesn’t mean Walker lacks the will to do what’s necessary. In recent weeks, he and his council colleagues have publicly criticized Economic Development Director Peter Kay and hinted they will either be cutting his salary or eliminating his position all together in the mayor’s 2010 budget.

“Economic development is key to this city,” he said. “If something is not working, you’ve got to fix it. I am always willing to make changes for the betterment of the city.”

If re-elected, Walker said he plans on putting a stronger emphasis on community outreach by expanding the number of public forums to gain resident feedback and address concerns. He will also continue voting to use casino money to improve infrastructure and assist businesses in hopes of creating jobs.

“My major goal is to continue the process of rebuilding the city and that includes aggressively pursuing programs and initiatives to bring people back to the city,” he said. “I am proud the citizens of Niagara Falls gave me the opportunity to serve. I hope I can continue.”



Charles Walker

AGE: 50

STREET: 16th Street

FAMILY: He and his wife Linda have a son, Charles IV, 20, and a daughter, LaTora, 30

EDUCATION: Graduated from Niagara Falls High School. Has taken courses at Bryant & Stratton College

EMPLOYMENT: Community outreach manager for Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. He also does consulting work for Roswell Park

POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Democrat

EXPERIENCE: Has served on the City Council for the past 11 years, including three years as chairman.