Sirianni announces candidacy for Niagara Town Board

Richard Sirianni, a local organized labor leader and Niagara-Wheatfield School Board trustee, formally announced his candidacy for the Niagara Town Board on Monday, saying that the town needs "hard-working leaders committed to fixing what's broken."

Sirianni, who served three years as financial officer for the P.A.C.E. Region Two Council, which spans four states, said he wants to "roll up (his) sleeves and get this town back on track." He identified a number of top issues he hopes to target on the Town Board.

"I will focus on long-term road repair and improvement, because our town's transportation infrastructure is critical, especially as we expand our commercial areas," Sirianni said.

He also pointed to what he terms "Niagara's greatest shortcoming" as an area he wants to address quickly. 

"I will zero in, especially, on the flooding in our communities, and also work to ensure that new development doesn't result in even more flooding problems," Sirianni said. "Our residents should feel confident that the town's infrastructure is working for them and protecting their homes.

"There have been too many flooding issues in our whole community and especially the Tuscarora Road and Belden Center areas. These residents have been patient for way too long, and we need to put in place a plan to prevent this and help those residents who live there."

Sirianni also said that, with planned expansion at the Fashion Outlets and along the Military Road corridor, concerns about public safety and living-wage jobs need to be addressed.

Sirianni has spent more than 30 years in private industry. He is a Niagara-Wheatfield School Board member and has served on the audit and policy committees. He is also a member of the Town of Niagara Recreational Committee, and president and financial officer of Niagara Wheatfield Credit Union board of directors. A member of LaSalle Sportsmen Club, he has been a life member of the NRA for 38 years.

Sirianni's labor organization experience includes 28 years as a union officer and eight years as union president of O.C.A.W, P.A.C.E International Union, and serving as a member of Steel Workers Organization of Action Retirees. He is also a member of the Niagara Orleans Labor Council PAC.

Sirianni lives on Miller Road with his wife, Cheri, and son, Richard J.

He is seeking the Democratic, as well as the Republican, Independence and Conservative lines in November.