By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
SALAMANCA — Candidates in the Salamanca mayoral race met in a debate moderated by the League of Women Voters at the Ray Evans Seneca Theater Wednesday.
Mayor Sandra Magiera and challenger Michael R. “Smitty” Smith sat at desks far apart on the stage.
Moderator Lori Robinson of the League of Women Voters sat between the candidates, asking more than a dozen questions voters had emailed.
Smith, a former city mayor from 2017-2021 and local radio personality, won the coin flip and started the debate with his opening statement. He is running with a full slate of aldermen candidates on the Salamanca Proud party line.
Smith highlighted his achievements as the former mayor including Highland Avenue Playground, a collaboration with the Salamanca School District and Seneca Nation to revive War Vets Park and successfully navigating both Covid 19 and the loss of local casino revenues. He said he also helped develop the senior center, helped the cavity survive a three-day power outrage and got the state DOT to move up its city streets paving schedule by two years.
As the city’s first Native American alderman and mayor, Smith vowed to work with the Seneca Nation to improve the city.
“Is the city better off than it was six years ago?” Smith asked. “I think not.”
Magiera kept her opening short. She thanked the audience of about 200 people for coming to the debate. The mayor said her answers to questions would help people understand the situation the city finds itself in: tax erosion, utility costs, empty houses and businesses. “Let’s get started,” she said.
The first question was about the Salamanca Public Library, which is separate from the city, but receives financial support in the city budget.
“My team supports the Salamanca Public Library,” said Smith. He said he has spoken with Seneca friends about possibly merging the city library with the Seneca Nation Library. “The library is one of the few things remaining in Salamanca that we have to be proud of, like this theater, like the senior center, like the Allegheny River,” he said.
Magiera said she met with the board of the Salamanca Public Library. While the city hasn’t always given the library the full amount they asked for, “what we do give them pretty much funds most of the library for them. She made no promises in her most recent meeting with the board — it depends on who is elected.
In response to a question about communications, Magiera said the city had recently hired a media person, who mostly posts to Facebook. “She does a great job trying to get the communications out there.” In addition, the council meetings are livestreamed. “I don’t know any way to communicate with people.” The mayor noted her door was always open and that she returns phone calls.
No stranger to a microphone, Smith said, “I don’t have any problem communicating,” in response to the question. He said he has been thinking about a way the city can communicate with people who are not on Facebook. One thing he’s considering is a low-power FM station the city could use to communicate with those off Facebook and the internet.
On a question about Flock cameras, both candidates agreed. Both support the Salamanca Police Department and the Flock cameras. Smith said the cameras “helped police solve two murders,” and Magiera said, “They have solved several crimes and they come in handy in certain situations.”
Asked about local police cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Magiera said they met with Salamanca police officials some time ago, but Salamanca Police “did not want to enter into that.” Smith said he supports Salamanca Police as well as Sheriff Eric Butler, who did enter into an agreement with ICE. Smith said his message to immigrants was if they come to Salamanca, they will find help to become a citizen. “We have room,” he added, referring to the number of empty houses in the city.
Both candidates vowed to continue to work with the Seneca Nation.
On a question about city finances, Smith reminded the audience that he was mayor when the casino money first dried up over a disagreement between the state and Seneca Nation. The city remained open. To raise funds for the city, Smith said he would propose a curb fee subject to every homeowner. “It’s not a tax,” he said, adding. “It’s not fair that I get my sidewalk plowed for free and Mayor Magiera has to pay to get hers plowed.”
On high electric bills, Magiera said the Common Council “can’t control the electric rates.” In the past, she said, the city dropped the sewer rate to offset the electric rates. It doesn’t look like the prices will come down soon, she said. The city has even considered a solar farm off State Park Avenue, but it would not benefit local electric ratepayers, she explained.
“We will investigate every way to lower your electric bill,” Smith promised. He suggested finding a way to make the cigarette factories reduce their electric use because it comes from the city Board of Public Utilities allotment. Once the city goes over the allotment, they pay the same top dollar to National Grid that everyone else does, Smith added.
Asked about needs in the city and what the mayor and council can do to get involved in volunteering to fill the needs, Smith cited his work as mayor in planting gardens downtown and in getting veterans banners on display. At 70, he said he still coaches basketball. The mayor said she volunteers for the Falling Leaves Festival, with planning starting in March. She also helps on the bike parade and trunk or treat and other events to keep the kids busy for free. “I’m just a big volunteer, so your age doesn’t matter.” She also explained that she “doesn’t have a health issue” and she walks with a cane, after surgery last year “messed up my leg.”
Responding to the question of their most significant accomplishment as mayor, Magiera said the answer was “to sit down and work with the Seneca Nation. Without working together, this community will not survive. They can get grants we can’t.” Smith said he considers the Highland Avenue Playground, the senior center and War Vets Park to be his biggest accomplishments. He said his administration was also involved in helping the Seneca Theater.”
Both candidates said they are supportive of the Ray Evans Seneca Theater and both said they were supportive of the arts. Smith said he would encourage music and the arts to help generate more tourism. He proposed a music stage for concerts and a place in Triangle Park for regular music performances in the summer. Magiera said she likes the Ray Evans Theater mural and said others are going on in the city soon. The city is also working on a grant for the theater, she said. “I remember coming here as a kid to see a movie for 50 cents,” the mayor said.
On a question regarding strategies, Magiera said, “Right now, I think we have a good team at City Hall. For the most part, we all work together once a month. We have a department head meeting. They bring their concerns, anything they need help with.” She denied that she is a micromanager. Smith replied that he is a team builder. My job is to help my team do their job rather than saying ‘you do this.’” He said that when he was mayor, “every department head would stick their head in my office and say, ‘Hey, what’s going on.’” Then they would sit down and talk.
Another question involved what the candidates would do to develop a workforce for young people who would otherwise move away.
Smith said there are over 100 job openings at the Seneca Casino, there are jobs in the school system and jobs in the Ellicottville hospitality industry. “We have to give them a reason, make them Salamanca proud enough to stay in our city and grow with our city. The mayor didn’t address the question.
In reply to a question on mental health intervention services, the mayor said staffing would be an issue. “Mental health is a big problem,” Magiera said, adding that “the Seneca Nation is working on getting something started.” Smith said there is a need for local outpatient services for those addicted to drugs.
The last question dealt with transportation, especially with the Rite Aid pharmacy closing. “There is a huge need for a pharmacy,” Smith said, adding that the Seneca Nation, which owns the Rite Aid building, is trying to interest Walgreens into locating here. “There are buses going back and forth to Olean, he said. We need to communicate this.”
Magiera said the transportation issue includes people coming to the city from other areas and “hanging out, causing trouble outside their stores.” It’s gotten better since we moved the bus stops,” she added.
In her closing remarks, the mayor said she wishes there had been more time for rebuttal of statements that made her administration look bad. “I appreciate my administration and they all know it. Are there problems every once in a while? Sure, just like any other workplace.” She reminded voters: “This isn’t a popularity contest.” The city’s problems are going to take a lot of time and dedication, she said “with honesty, integrity and respect for all that are involved.” She added: “Don’t forget to vote on Nov. 3.”
In his closing statement, Smith said he created the Salamanca Proud Party “to get away from the current Republican-Democrat issues going on in the country.” He said his Salamanca Proud team will propose “refurbishing and saving abandoned homes rather than letting them rot away and then demolishing them, that costs nearly $100,000.” He also called for developing a North Side Trail connecting Prospect and Crowley parks and to the West End. He suggested using the city property off State Park Avenue as a bike park and the river as a kayak route. He vowed to reinvigorate the underused Crowley Park with city-run softball, basketball and horseshoe leagues. “We want to rebuild Salamanca one family at a time. We will save housing. We have an award-winning school system. We have hundreds of (local) job openings,” Smith said.
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