UNDERGROUND RAILROAD: Mark Onesi named to Underground Railroad panel

Local News

November 18, 2009

<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 Mark Scheer</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com">mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table> The Niagara Gazette Wed Nov 18, 2009, 11:08 PM EST

A Niagara Falls Republican who came up short in his attempt to secure a seat in the Niagara Legislature earlier this year has been appointed to a commission that will oversee the development of local attractions related to the area’s connection to the Underground Railroad.

Mark Onesi, a first-time candidate who challenged incumbent Democrat Dennis Virtuoso in this year’s race for the Legislature’s Fourth District, has been appointed to the Niagara Falls Underground Heritage Commission by state Assembly minority leader and fellow Republican Brian Kolb. As Assembly minority leader, Kolb was allowed to nominate one person to serve on the panel.

Onesi said his name was submitted for consideration to the post by former Niagara County GOP Chairman Henry Wojtaszek. Onesi, who works as a dean at ITT Technical Institute and has a background as a history teacher, said he welcomed the chance to take part in the process of developing and promoting the area’s links to the Underground Railroad.

“I think it would be a real positive step to help tourism in the area,” Onesi said. “I’m looking forward to be a part of it.”

The 13-member commission is the first of its kind in New York. It will work with sub-committees to implement a master strategy to promote cultural heritage and oversee projects. The group is slated to receive $350,000 in casino funds annually through 2010.

Another Republican nominee to the commission — Niagara Falls Democratic county lawmaker Renae Kimble — caused a bit of a stir earlier this month when the leader of the local Underground Railroad development project made it known that he was not pleased to have her aboard.

Kimble’s appointment was made by state Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos at the recommendation of State Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane.

Kevin Cottrell, a state parks employee who serves as project coordinator of the so-called Northstar Initiative, has made it clear that he’s concerned Kimble will attempt to undermine the overall effort, in part because the project is being funded with casino dollars some county and state officials would rather spend elsewhere.

On Wednesday, Cottrell welcomed Onesi to the fold and said he knew very little about him personally, other than what he read about him in newspaper accounts in the days leading up to the election.

“I’m glad that we have a member who has a background in higher education,” Cottrell said. “I really am delighted that we have a person with his qualifications.”