Only The Shadow Knows

For those of you who think that the new bridge in Windsor ought to be run by a "public authority," here is an interesting perspective out of Buffalo about the workings of the Peace Bridge Authority and several others there. Perhaps Brian Masse and others can explain the advantage of this kind of an operation here because I am having difficulty seeing it.

The following stories from WGRZ TV in Buffalo are not some theoretical discussion but outline the problems with public authorities that many of us here in Windsor have not heard before

Thanks but no thanks if this is what going "public" may mean!

Shadow Governments in Western New York

It's one of the biggest complaints Western New Yorkers have. How come nothing ever gets done around here? Some say an obstacle to real change are "Shadow Governments." They are boards funded by our taxes and tolls but, we don't elect the people who serve on them.

Shadow Government: The Peace Bridge Authority

Posted by: Aaron Saykin, Reporter
Updated: 11/30/2005 11:42:36 PM

The first public authority or "shadow government" 2 On Your Side investigated is the Peace Bridge Authority. While the group doesn't appear to have any major financial problems, some say it's a far different story when it comes to making real progress.

The Peace Bridge Authority is run by government appointees from both sides of the border, and is responsible for the bridge, its traffic, and its future. Its annual budget is $26 million, and all of the money comes from tolls.

But for nearly two decades they've been unable to get anything done on their most important project -- building a new bridge.

2 On Your Side spoke to board chairman John Lopinski.

Reporter: "The public looks and says, we've been promised a bridge for 15 years. We've seen at least four different designs. What's taking so long?"
Lopinski: "It is the process that the public has requested us to go through… The delay is not because of us. We're bogged down in red tapes between the governments and as soon as that gets cleared we will carry on and we will end up building the best bridge that we can."

Lopinski says he's referring to red tape like repeated environmental studies. Every time they change plans, it requires a new study. The authority has changed plans several times.

Something the board's vice chairman told 2 On Your Side earlier this year could appear to be emblematic of the repeated delays.

"We should have a shovel in the ground by the end of 2007," said Vice Chairman Paul Koessler in January of 2005.

Apparently, that's no longer the timetable.

Reporter: "When I was here in January, we were told that you'd have a shovel on the ground by the end of '07. Is that still the timetable?"
Lopinski: "I don't believe that we promised you that at that time. If we can't get a record of decision until some time in 2007 we would be hard pressed to get a shovel in the ground."
Reporter: "We've got it on tape."
Lopinski: "Okay."
Reporter: "That was the promise."

Meantime, a private business from Detroit, The Ambassador Bridge Company, is trying to build a second bridge here with its own money. So far, the Peace Bridge Authority and Canadian Government have blocked them.

"They've been working on another bridge for 20 years without any success," said Ambassador Bridge President Dan Stamper, who is quick to criticize the inactivity of the Peace Bridge Authority. "They've pointed the finger at everybody else except themselves."

Reporter: "Why should the public take you seriously this time?
Lopinski: "Look at what we have done. Look at the changes we have made."

Lopinski is referring to two major reforms that have improved the flow of traffic across the bridge: moving all of the tolls to the Canadian side to prevent deadly back-ups on the 1-90, and adding customs booths for trucks on the American side.

But when it comes to the one thing they've set out to do for nearly two decades...

Reporter: "When will we see a shovel in the ground?
Lopinski: "I can't tell you that."


And some excerpts from other stories about Public Authorities there

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority operates the Metrorail, buses, and the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

"Five decades of lost opportunity,” said Represenative Brian Higgins, 27th district. “Virtually every city in this nation that had an industrial base through the 20th century has redeveloped their waterfront, Buffalo has not.

"State Comptroller Alan Hevesi says often times, authorities are not responsive to taxpayers' concerns because their members are appointed, not elected.

"Independence has come to mean in some cases, a kind of arrogance that they don't have to listen to the public," Hevesi said...

And so finally, after fifty years of missed steps, false starts, and broken promises, Buffalo may finally get it right.... And do what cities like Portland and Baltimore and Cleveland were able to do decades ago.


The Erie County Water Authority provides water for most of Western New York.

2 On Your Side’s Stefan Mychajliw: "There are political people on the payroll?"

Swiatek: "Are there people on the payroll because they knew somebody? Yes, I guess you can say that."

A 2 On Your Side analysis of Water Authority payroll records show at least 29 workers with various political ties pulling in salaries totaling almost $2 million dollars. The political ties range from being relatives of politicians, Republican and Democratic committee members and former politicians themselves...

Mychajliw: "What do you say to people who still believe there is a strong political influence in hiring here at the Water Authority?"

Mendez: "I would disagree with that. Is there some political influence? Absolutely. No one is that naive. And nor will I tell anybody that."