Hello and welcome to NiagaraFallsPolitics.com, the Cataract City and Niagara County’s internet place for local politics. Unlike many other sites, NFP is dedicated to the mission of getting YOUR views out, not ours. Accordingly, our intention is to give Democrats and Republicans, Liberals and Conservatives, and everyone else…the chance to express their opinons herein, without comment from us and then let the people of this community decide who is right and who isn’t. We feel that it is only by letting one and all tell their story will we ever begin to solve the problems of the Niagara region.

So here we go…

Next Sunday’s “Hard Line With Hardwick Show” on WBEN 930 will feature a debate between two heavyweights of Niagara County politics: NYS Senators Antoine Thompson, a fervent Democrat, and George Maziarz, a very dedicated Republican. Hearing these two spar over current issues next Sunday at 10am should be fascinating. Certainly, it will be must listening for all political junkies hereabouts. Just hearing their differing views on the recently passed state budget should be worth the price of admission.

Of course, both of them know that the outcome of this debate, state-wide, could decide the question of which one of them will be in the majority and which in the minority in the Albany Senate in January of 2011.

Speaking of Canisius College History Professor Kevin Hardwick and Senator Maziarz, the former will be the featured speaker this Thursday night at the Niagara County Republican Party’s big “Spring Into Action” fundraiser at the LaSalle Yacht Club while the latter will serve as master of ceremonies for the event. Getting both of them to headline his big spring fundraising event was clearly a major coup for Niagara County GOP Chairman Henry Wojtaszek. Through good times and bad, Chairman Wojtaszek has been an able leader for his party in recent years as both his political friends and adversaries would readily attest.

Getting back to Dr. Hardwick, as mentioned on his show this week, he is being feverishly courted to run for the Erie County Legislature in Kenmore/Tonawanda by the Republican leadership just across the border. Some Democrats we know are wondering how the good Doctor could be serving as an impartial host every week on his show when he is really such a partisan Republican. Then again, the Doc has never really made any bones about his continung GOP political affiliation, so we guess no one has any beef.

Here’s hoping for a prosperous summer tourist season for everyone!