Republican council candidates face off in 3rd Ward primary race
Both 3rd Ward candidates are graduates of Lockport High School who say they are proud to live in their district. Safety, streets, sewer lines, code enforcement and parks were priority issues that voters mentioned to both candidates.
'They want more, they want better,' DiPasquale said of residents. 'We need more attention paid to the west end. It's quite disheartening, honestly, but I'm up for the challenge. I'm invigorated by my neighbors. This has been the best part, getting to know them.'
O'Malley said economic development was a theme that ran through many of his conversations.
'A lot of them mentioned to me that they'd like to see more growth in the 3rd Ward,' he said. 'One of the key things for the city is to be fiscally responsible. Everybody wants to keep their taxes in tow.'
Grants can be a tool to gaining the resources needed to upgrade the west and north ends, O'Malley said, and to bring in businesses and get vacant properties occupied.
'I would push for grant money,' he said. 'There's infrastructure money around to get help and subsidize these things.'
O'Malley said people also spoke to him about the need for code enforcement and police patrols.
'There's a lot of homes just sitting,' he said. 'When you're a neighbor to one of these places, it's challenging.'
O'Malley said these issues, and a desire for better maintenance at Outwater Park, add up to fostering a family environment.
'I've had some people wish for a splash park for kids. Most of the communities surrounding us have something like this.'
When asked what he would do to move projects forward, if elected, DiPasquale said it starts with taking the community's issues seriously and acting on them.
'We pay our taxes but we're left out in the cold when it comes to city issues,' he said. 'I want to bring accountability back to city hall. You voice concerns and follow through. You make changes so that things run more smoothly so that things get resolved.'
DiPasquale mentioned his involvement with addressing emissions from Candlelight Cabinetry a few years ago as an example of how he would work on behalf of the 3rd Ward.
'When I moved back to Lockport it was horrifying,' he said of the fumes. 'You could not go outside and shovel the snow without getting a headache and getting dizzy.'
DiPasquale said he worked with Assemblyman Paul Bologna to address the issue.
'You get into politics to make change,' DiPasquale said. 'These positions need to get engaged on a level that is more serious than it has been taken in the past. No more same old same old. I am not of that mentality. I want to make things work more efficiently.'
O'Malley said as an alderman, he would pull from his professional experience as a manager working with a board of directors.
'I do all my homework and make sure my bases are covered,' O'Malley said. 'My job is to figure out how to get it done. That's what we need to do in the city. If you put together a proposal, that is pretty hard to say no to. My goal would be to try to move things forward. If it's the right thing for the City of Lockport and we can afford it, we need to find a way to get it done.'
Early voting is currently taking place at Cornell Cooperative Extension at 4487 Lake Ave. in Lockport. On Primary Election Day this Tuesday, voters must go to their regular polling site to cast a ballot.
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