City of North Tonawanda Common Council President Eric Zadzilka will ask voters to allow him to continue several efforts in the city that have "made North Tonawanda an even better place to raise a family and make a life," Zadzilka recently announced.
He also vowed to "fight to keep our neighborhoods safe and clean, our environment healthy, for our families and especially for NT's children."
Zadzilka, who represents the Third Ward in city government, succeeded the late Alderman Russ Rizzo as council president - a role where he has helped set the city's agenda.
"In my five years on the council, we have never raised taxes, and as the leader of the council, I intend to keep it that way," he said in a press release put out by the North Tonawanda Republican Party.
The council president noted that city policies under Mayor Arthur G. Pappas and his predecessor, New York State Sen. Robert G. Ortt, were strongly pro-economic growth, and that projects initiated when he first entered office five years ago were now bearing fruit.
"Our city government has, over the last several years, made a concerted push for economic development," Zadzilka said. "There has been a real resurgence of business downtown. We also helped bring about the relocation of Ivy Lea Construction and the relocation and expansion of Platters Chocolates, both of which represent positive new economic growth for our city."
Zadzilka noted that he has also been a strong proponent of a planned 72-unit residential development on River Road.
"The River Road development is a major accomplishment that should bring young, upwardly-mobile people close to downtown," he said. "We are working to make sure that the reinvigorated NT we've seen the last few years continues to prosper, and can continue to be a good place for family life."
Zadzilka also vowed a long-running city effort would reach a successful conclusion this year. "I'm committed - our city government is committed - to finishing the marina, and finishing it this year," he said.
Zadzilka, a professional lens technician at an ophthalmological practice in addition to his role administering city government, admitted that City Hall policies are just part of that effort, however, and community-oriented efforts have been equally important.
"NT is a city of volunteers, and I'm glad to work with so many great neighbors and to volunteer myself," he said. "In particular, I'm proud of what we've done right in my own Third Ward neighborhood with the city's Botanical Gardens. We've made an effort to restore, maintain, and sustain a long-neglected city park at Sweeney and Old Falls Street - including securing a new gazebo for park visitors to enjoy."
Zadzilka praised neighbors who have worked alongside him planting, mulching, and cleaning the park. To make that happen, Zadzilka organized more than 60 local residents, including Scouts and adults, into a huge volunteer work crew.
"The best part is, our community did that - we took over the Botanical Gardens, we restored them, and we did it without costing the city taxpayers a dime," Zadzilka said. "I'm just glad I got to be one of the guys out there with a rake, watching my own community show so much pride."
Zadzilka stressed to supporters that he would continue to pay close attention to environmental concerns tied to decades-old industrial pollution.
"Our homeowners deserve strong property values. Our families deserve to see their kids grow up safe and healthy," Zadzilka said. "I'm working closely with partners in county government to keep the state Department of Environmental Conservation accountable for their cleanup and monitoring obligations."
The former security guard and martial arts instructor also promised to continue focusing on preserving a strong public safety infrastructure in the city.
"Our police, our neighborhood watches, our merchants all need to continue working together to keep our neighborhoods safe," Zadzilka said. "NT is a safe city, and we're going to keep it that way."
