On Thursday, Seth Piccirillo announced his candidacy for the 2019 Niagara Falls mayoral election.
"I am running for mayor of my hometown to effect positive change, not for a title. Our campaign will focus on what all of us can accomplish in our neighborhoods, together. We are running for mayor," Piccirillo said.
Instead of slogans and talking points, Piccirillo's campaign will focus on specific neighborhood issues, including a real property tax reform plan to help residents and small businesses; participatory budgeting to make more spending decisions; comprehensive community policing; more trades/manufacturing job training within the city limits; and full overhaul of the IN-REM tax foreclosure and tax PILOT processes.
"I am making this announcement 13 months before the election to have a real conversation about all community issues and ideas with my neighbors," Piccirillo said.
Piccirillo is currently the director of Niagara Falls Community Development and acting director of Niagara Falls Code Enforcement. He said he has always been dedicated to volunteer service. Piccirillo has worked in local, regional and state government for the past 13 years, and has a Master's Degree in public administration from SUNY Brockport.
Recent projects Piccirillo said he is proud to be a part of include the Niagara Falls home ownership auction, participatory budgeting (PB) 360, zombie property fight project, the "Summer In Your City" series, citywide park/playground improvements, the Hyde Park inclusionary play project, NF "Pints for Progress," Jingle Falls USA and the African Heritage Food Co-op.
Piccirillo is a lifelong resident and he and his wife, Kelly, are proud to be raising their two young daughters, Tessa and Nola, in the City of Niagara Falls.
"With this announcement, I am becoming a politician for the first time, and that does not feel natural for me. So, I am going to do what I know: Create a sense of community in this campaign," Piccirillo said.
He invited readers to his first campaign neighborhood cleanup in LaSalle, at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct.16. An informal launch party will follow at 6 p.m. will meet at the St. John De LaSalle Church's St. Charles Borromeo Parish Center (8477 Buffalo Ave.). Details are available at
www.sethforNF.com.
