Dear Islanders;
Tolls: I’m guessing you saw the news
“A good idea has many parents. A bad idea is an orphan.” It’s an old phrase. But so many of
those old phrases hold timeless truths.
Many (most) of the ideas my office first put forward a year ago—including cleaning up the
Boulevard, stopping apartments, supporting farms—that were once attacked now have broad
support. That's the way it usually goes with good ideas. First everyone says "no" and then it
becomes "go."
One of the ideas that's gained support is rethinking the tolls. About a year ago, we had a press
conference to oppose the status quo on the bridges. Some people laughed at us and our “Home
Free” message. I knew the message was brash, but it was meant to get the conservation going.
And it did.
Over the last year I have been all up and down Western New York speaking to leaders and
citizens about why having people out there collecting dollar bills makes no sense. And what
started off with finger pointing and snickering is now a movement with real momentum and
bipartisan support. Congressman Brian Higgins, Mayor Brian Kulpa, Mayor Rick Davis,
Senator Chris Jacobs, Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator Rob Ort, and many others including
passionate and determined citizens are all on board. Most importantly, I’ve been speaking to
representatives in the Governor’s office who want a solution.
Cashless tolls solve a huge part of the problem
In a nutshell, the tolls cause thee main problems: 1. negative economic impact; 2. traffic jams;
and 3. Increased pollution from idling cars. Cashless tolls solve 2 out of 3. It’s not a perfect
answer, but it’s a start. And it was one of the requests we made from the very get go. If they are
installing cashless tolls and LED lighting in other parts of the state, why ignore Grand Island?
Make no mistake, I still believe as a host community the negative impact of the tolls cannot be
ignored. And that’s why I have said over and over again that some of that money should stay
here. It’s something that I believe we can achieve—not over night, but we can do it. The case
must be made logically and deliberatively, and I am working on that now. It’s glad to see local
politicians jumping on the bandwagon and saying that Grand Island as a host community should
get part of the funds.
Politicians wait and pounce; leaders get up and bounce
I'm proud that we are providing leadership. Having been in office for over a year now, I fully
understand the issues with politics—lack of leadership. No politician wants to take a stand until
they know darn well they won’t pay a price for it. No one leads, because they are not rewarded
for it. So it’s a giant waiting game to see when an issue gels enough with public support, and
then there is a feeding frenzy to take credit. But nothing happens first without someone having
the courage to stick their neck out.
Like it or hate it, I’m not afraid to lead. I say what I think and let my actions reflect my beliefs. I
may not be much of a politician, but I think I’m a pretty darn good leader, and I know I’m a heck
of deal maker. No, I’m not an independently wealthy tycoon. But I am the guy the tycoons hire
to get their deals done. I don't just speak business talk, I know how that world works. And in the
private sector, I’ve proven myself as the one who sets things up for the big handshakes and fancy
pens.
As your Supervisor, I’ve been using all of those skills to make things happen, even in the most
trying of circumstances. And mark my words, after 80 years, change is coming at the bridges.
We may not get everything we want right way, but the day with the handshakes and pens is
coming. We have to be patient. But it’s coming.
The Boulevard
I’ve received a ton of positive feedback on the changes at the old gas station across from NOCO.
It’s just a start. But it's a great piece.
Some have said we should push for more retail space there. Well, I’d hate to break it to you, but
we have a lot of empty retail space on the Boulevard as it is. Putting in another strip mall that can
fail (like the Ransom gas station), is a short-term fix, but not the right answer.
I worked with the owner to get the old smelly tank removed and the place cleaned up, but the
way to make the Boulevard business-friendly is not more strip malls and big box stores. That
stuff can stay off-Island. We need to create an inviting, walkable, district that is pretty enough to
make people want to stay and roam. That long-term approach will help Grand Island Boulevard
fill in with the right style of business. I’m thrilled that my goal of a better Boulevard is now
shared by many on both sides of the political aisle. But the beautification of the Boulevard will
only be successful if we think about ten years from now, not ten days when we are planning it
out.
The Schools
We had a very productive joint Town Board/School Board meeting. It was real, full of open
discussions, considerate debate, and meaningful plans. We discussed Title 9 issues, Broadband,
485-b, a School Resource officer, and even getting Mandarin Lessons at the school. It was great.
We hope to have those meetings twice a year going forward. We are still a small town--hopefully
we always will be. We will inevitably disagree, but with respect and compromise, we can
accomplish great things if we work together. We are all in this for the better of Grand Island, and
our meeting showed the best of Grand Island.
With highest regards,
Nate