Outgoing Niagara Falls mayor reflects on 16 years in office ahead of handover

This week marks the final days in power for dozens of outgoing mayors across the province who were unseated in last month’s municipal election.

That includes Niagara Falls, with mayor-elect Lori Lococo set to replace Mayor Jim Diodati.

Diodati has been the mayor of Niagara Falls for 16 years. He says he is proud of the work he has done, but wished he was given one more term to finish what he had started.

“It’s difficult because I put a lot of effort in for the last 16 years. I put it all in, I didn’t hold back,” says Diodati, reflecting Thursday on his time as mayor of the Honeymoon Capital.

“You know, I feel like I bleed Niagara Falls, so it’s been the greatest honour to be able to serve the residents of Niagara Falls.”

Diodati came in second in the municipal election last month, losing to city councillor Lori Lococo in what’s considered a big upset.

He says he’s proud of what he has done with his time as mayor, with the new South Niagara Hospital at the top of his list.

“$3.5 billion hospital, delivering that for the residents makes me feel good, because it’s going to touch all our lives at some point,” he said. “You know, bringing the GO train to Niagara Falls, which was a dream. Renegotiating the hosting agreement with the casinos brought another $200 million into our community, which is the reason we’ve got lower property taxes than most cities.”

Still, Diodati says there’s more he wanted to do, like raising money to build a hospice next to the South Niagara Hospital, which he says he will continue to do, and improve a few of the things he’s proud of.

“I was able to bring GO train, but three trains a day, I want to see it hourly,” he said. “And of course, Destination Niagara.”

The province has been pushing the Destination Niagara strategy, most recently with a plan to build three new casinos in the city, which Lococo wants to put the brakes on until residents can be consulted.

Premier Doug Ford saying recently that Niagara Falls is in decline and needs the momentum of the casino strategy.

“We can do a better job. We haven’t had a hotel built in Niagara Falls in 17 years,” Diodati said. “I mean, there is an opportunity to do a better job with better attractions. The idea is leverage gaming. It’s not about gaming, it’s leveraging gaming so we can build more hotels, attractions, convention space, performance theatres, spas.”

Without the title of mayor, Diodati says he has to decide what to do next, and that decision hasn’t been made yet.

“I got a lot of gas in the tank, I’m excited, I’ve had a lot of people come forward with offers and opportunities. I’m going to take my time right now,” he said. “You know they say measure twice and cut once, so I’m measuring now, and I will cut, and I’m going to do something, but whatever I do, I want to serve the public.”

Lococo will take the oath of office next week, and it’s looking like her first challenge will be negotiations with the province over moving those three casinos into the city.

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