DiPasquale, O'Malley to face off in 3rd Ward Republican primary

Yahoo

01-05-2025

Two Republican candidates are destined to face off in a primary for the 3rd Ward alderman's seat. Joe DiPasquale and Rowland O'Malley, both graduates of Lockport High School, have declared themselves candidates for the seat, with incumbent Mark Devine choosing not to run again.
DiPasquale previously ran for New York's 144th state Assembly District in 2018 as a Democrat, losing to Mike Norris.
'I decided to switch parties,' DiPasquale said. 'I'm thrilled that I have. There was more opportunity in serving, I felt. And I think serving is serving, regardless of the letter by your name. What matters most is understanding your constituents. The party has been warm and embracing.'
DiPasquale said he was motivated to run for alderman because of his interest in revitalizing the 3rd Ward.
'It's the gateway from the west and it should look better,' he said. 'We really should have just spruced up that side of town with the canal anniversary. This is very important to me because I live here.'
He said abandoned buildings at the split of Park Avenue and West Avenue need to be addressed.
O'Malley said he joined the race for 3rd Ward alderman because he wants to find ways to raise the tax base, provide housing, address empty buildings, and improve parks.
'It's not about raising taxes,' O'Malley said. 'It's about figuring out what we can go do to generate new tax dollars in the city. What can we do to support the businesses we have.'
DiPasquale does see the potential to recruit new businesses to the city.
'In terms of the economic growth, I see plenty of opportunity for the city,' he said. 'Let's throw the net out and see and who we can attract.'
He said he would like to recruit Paula's Donuts to the west side and envisions a Barnes & Noble downtown.
The west side has had its share of environmental concerns, and DiPasquale said he was an effective advocate for the area. He said by speaking out, he made sure that several industrial sites, including Simons Saw and Steel on Ohio Street, and Candlelight Cabinetry on Park Avenue, were on the federal government's agenda.
'We underestimate our voices,' DiPasquale said. 'I met with the Army Corps project manager several times about the clean up of radioactivity,' at Simons.
DiPasquale said emissions from Candlelight Cabinetry were an important issue to the community. Referring to odors from the company, he said, 'I think it contributed to the decline and eventual closure of more than one restaurant on the west side.' He said he was able to get the state Department of Environmental Conservation involved, which reduced emissions.
O'Malley said during the petition process for candidacy he learned about the ward's priorities. 'When I went around and got signatures from people, I heard a lot about empty buildings — empty homes and empty businesses.' He said this includes the vacant former Eastern Niagara Hospital complex.
O'Malley said code enforcement is another issue he would explore.
'I've been asked by a lot of taxpayers about houses with gutters falling down. We should do the best we can do to get answers for them. And I think that's been a challenge for them.'
'Every community is challenged with potholes,' he said. 'Everybody deals with it. Let's deal with the experts who deal with asphalt work to see what we can do for preventive maintenance. How fast do we need to get on it? I think it got very difficult to keep up with it.'
A former TV and movie producer in Los Angeles, DiPasquale said he moved back to Lockport and became a professor of film studies at the University of Buffalo. He said his professional experience can transfer to the city office.
'With students, you have to relate to every person individually to be effective,' he said. 'And the fiscal responsibility of producing a film for a network — you're handling a $3 million budget.'
As general manager at Lockport's Town and Country Club, O'Malley said he has experience with a wide range of issues that aldermen encounter. He said he has routinely dealt with remodeling projects, plumbing, sewers, irrigation systems, green maintenance, and upkeep of storage buildings.
'I'm in the golf course and country club business that touches on all these things.' He said he has dealt with both the town and city because the country club's property is split between them.
'We deal with most of your government agencies,' he said.
With 400 dues-paying country club members, O'Malley said it's like interacting with taxpayers.
'When they ask me something, I always keep track of it,' he said. 'And I follow up when people need something.'