"Patience" and "Perseverance"

Will Niagara Falls ever break away from it's tainted image like James Starks has broken away from adversity?

     A few weeks ago I attended the Annual Niagara Falls Block Club Meeting thanks to a generous invite from Kay Mirabella, secretary of the organization. During this meeting there were strong notions made by the lively Block Club President Roger Spurback and Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster. Spurback pointed to the recovery he has seen in the neighborhoods in Niagara Falls since the Block Club’s inception. He credited the city’s Z.O.O.M initiative with cleaning up our neighborhoods and holding property owners accountable while also praising the efforts of the neighborhood block clubs. He reinforced the concept of “Being a salesman for the community”, which calls for advocating the good and not highlighting the negatives; something that has hindered this community for far too long according Mark Gristanti. The newly elected New York State Senator mimicked this concept and stressed that Niagara Falls “Builds on its positives” moving forward into the future. Meanwhile Mayor Paul Dyster, boldly suited up in his son’s former Niagara Falls Wolverine jersey, had a different message to share. He spoke about a young man, Niagara Falls High School standout and current Green Bay Packers Running Back James “Buck” Starks. In his speech he used Stark’s continually struggle through mountains of adversity towards success as a symbolic representation of the city of Niagara Falls. “Patience” and “Perseverance” were two words he ascribed to their respective journeys. However, this raises many questions: Is Niagara Falls truly heading in the right direction? Are we being fooled again by promises and developments that never seem to pan out? One thing is for certain, James Starks will discover the fate of his path to prosperity  this coming Sunday; will Niagara Falls soon follow in the footsteps of this local hero? Will Niagara Falls finally defeat our tainted legacy and grasp the reigns of prosperity once again?