Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - If there is one thing all three Buffalo mayoral candidates agree on, it is that a new, pro-business attitude and mindset is needed within all the city's departments.
That issue, which was already a key talking point leading up to next month's general election, has moved to the forefront following repeated comments made by developer Douglas Jemal, who said the current mindset within the walls of Buffalo City Hall, is not very business-friendly.
"I'm not as bullish as I once was," Jemal said. "Things are slow."
To all three mayoral candidates - State Sen. Sean Ryan (the endorsed Democrat Party candidate); attorney James Gardner (the endorsed Republican Party candidate) and independent candidate Michael Gainer - Jemal's recent comments serve as a red flag on an issue that should not be easily dismissed.
"Buffalo needs a new attitude," Gardner said.
Gardner said he supports and will encourage anything that will break through what he calls the "city hall labyrinth."
Ryan, last month, introduced a four-point plan to help downtown Buffalo - and, by extension, projects to advance in a less cumbersome way.
Gainer said he will work with developers.
"We have to stop demonizing developers," Gainer said.
A more welcoming, pro-business Buffalo City Hall may serve as a counter balance where developers and business owners are facing a litany of issues ranging high interest rates, workforce issues and shifting from a work-from-home attitude to bringing people back into the office.
"The bottom line, developers and business owners are facing enough issues," Gainer said. "We have to remove politics from the equation. What's happening now is not the way government should work."