Governor Pataki Visits North Buffalo

Eric Ortner
North Buffalo Rocket

From L to R: Delaware District Councilmember Marc Coppola, County Executive Joel Giambra, Mayor Anthony Masiello, Governor George Pataki, Hertel-North Buffalo Business Association President Roberta Mustachia Dig in at a Ceremonial Ground Breaking on Hertel Avenue on Monday, May 15. photo: Eric Ortner

Community leaders, business owners, and curious passersby gathered in front of Lombardo's Restaurant on Monday, May 15. They were anxiously awaiting the arrival of Governor George E. Pataki. The Governor paid a visit to North Buffalo for a groundbreaking to celebrate the long awaited Hertel Improvements. 

Mayor Anthony M. Masiello was Master of Ceremonies for the ground breaking. He was clearly enjoying the visit from the Governor, as was Delaware District Councilmember Marc Coppola. County Executive, Joel A. Giambra and Congressman Thomas M. Reynolds also stood by while the Mayor and the Governor gave their speeches.

Governor Pataki proudly stated, "This project will continue the successful growth of this vital economic corridor in North Buffalo." He continued, "The cooperation between the State Department of Transportation and the City of Buffalo will provide more potential for economic growth, while also preserving the neighborhood's distinctive architectural look." 

Streets in Buffalo always seem to be under construction in one way or another. So why did the state's executive officer make a special trip to the Queen City to dig a shovel into a pile of gravel before an entourage of media? Simple! This $10 million project is considered one of the largest public work enhancements to have taken place in the city for quite some time. Mayor Masiello believes that this is the largest streets project since the Metro Rail was installed. 

As most North Buffalo Residents are well aware, the project is expected to last until the Fall of 2001. The first of six phases of construction will take place between Starin and Admiral. 

Both Governor Pataki and Mayor Masiello commended the concept of the Citizens' Advisory Committee. The committee was formed during planning stages to allow residents and merchants of the area to have a say in the way the improvements were handled. Those who run into problems because of the project have the continued opportunity to voice their concerns. The field office located at 1296 Hertel Avenue is open to the general public every Monday morning at 9 a.m. "We have a list of utility company people, and city people, like Frank Poincelot from Rodent Control. So we've sent out invitations to all these people and also to Roberta Mustachia from the North Buffalo Business Association to attend the meetings. But, the meeting is open to the general public," said Tom Lotempio. 

Mr. LoTempio oversees the Hertel Improvements in his position as Senior Project Engineer. He was one of the many people on hand at the ground breaking. He said, "I thought that it was great for the community to have such a large turnout of public officials. From the Governor, Mayor, County Executive, State DOT Commissioner, Regional Director to the Commissioner of Public Works from the city; that they all felt that this project was important enough for them to make an appearance was great."

A major issue concerning these improvements will be parking. Tom LoTempio said, "We're looking at what we're going to do to accommodate parking. We are hoping the business community comes forward and opens their parking lots to the rest of the community."

However, Mayor Masiello advocated some different approaches. He suggested that people use public transportation, ride a bike or just walk to the area under construction to avoid the problems of parking. 

After the Governor gave his speech, the public officials wandered over to a pile of gravel and dug in a couple times for the media. Following the ceremony, the Governor took a short stroll down Hertel with the other elected officials. They stopped at La Marina where the public officials had a quick meeting. They were served by the restaurants proprietor, Rosalie Morreale.

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