Paul Dyster
Encyclopedia
Paul A. Dyster is the incumbent mayor of Niagara Falls, New York
. He is a Democrat
.
In the Democratic Primary in September 2007, Dyster won by a narrow margin over Councilman Lewis Rotella, who was considered the favorite to win the primary. Then-Mayor Anello could not run for reelection due to his violation of state election law by having volunteers who were not in his political party nor registered to vote pass out petitions. Anello went on to be indicted on charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and scheme to defraud and was sentenced to federal prison in January of 2011 for a separate charge of filing false documents.
On Election Day in 2008, Dyster won the city election by a landslide. More than 70 percent of voters voted for Dyster, who defeated Republican
Former City Councilwoman Candra Thomason. Preceding him is a succession of four one-term mayors; Jacob A. Palillo, James C. Galie, Irene J. Elia and Vincenzo V. Anello.
Under the Dyster Administration, a new courthouse and public safety building was finished and received LEED certification.
In December 2010, Dyster announced that he would seek re-election in 2011. Dyster ran in the primary against former Niagara Falls lawmaker and insurance executive John Accardo (endorsed by the Conservative Party of New York State), community activist Carnell Burch, and former United States Postal Service employee Norton Douglas. In May 2011, the Niagara Falls Democratic Committee endorsed Dyster. In the September 13, 2011 Democratic Primary, he had a resounding victory, garnering 56% of the vote in a four-person field.
In the general election, Dyster defeated Republican challenger Johnny G. Destino and Conservative Party candidate John Accardo, the latter of whom he had defeated in the primary and had not actively campaigned since the primary, winning 52% of the vote against 45% of the vote going to Destino. The remaining 3% went to Accardo. Dyster is the first mayor after a succession of four one-term mayors spanning from 1991 to 2007 to win re-election.
*Appointed by a previous administration
in Lewiston, New York
.
He also served as Director of the Graduate Program in International Affairs at The Pentagon
from September 1989 to August 1994, and assistant professor for the Department of Politics from January 1989 to December 1993 at Catholic University of America.
Dyster was a Fellow of International Affairs for the Council on Foreign Relations
from 1987 to 1988.
Dyster was a program coordinator and lecturer from September 1980 to May 1981 at Johns Hopkins University
.
.
He is currently a Board Emeritus for the Buffalo-Niagara Riverkeeper and a spokesman for the Niagara River
Environmenttal Coalition. He is a member of the Oversight Board for Advancing Arts and Culture Buffalo Niagara. He is a founding member and spokesman for the Niagara Waterfront Revitalization Task Force. He sits on the Board of Directprs for the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center in the Former Niagara Falls High School
, and served as the Board President from 2005 to 2007. He is the Board President for the Niagara Experience Center. Dyster is a member of the advisory committee for Save Our Sites Niagara. He served as the Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scouts of America
Troop 801 Niagara Falls from 1996 to 2004 and as the Scoutmaster from 2004 to 2005, and as a basketball coach for the Whirlpool Park Little League from 1995 to 1996. Dyster is a group leader for the Life Workshops program at SUNY Buffalo, and is a member of the Niagara River Anglers Association.
Dyster was named Citizen of the Year in 2006 by the Niagara Gazette
, the Conservationist of the Year by the Adirondack Mountain Club's Niagara Frontier Chapter in 2006, and was presented with the Good Neighbor Award by the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center in 2006.
in Niagara Falls, New York
in 1972. He was valedictorian and Student Council president, and was active on the school's Debate Team and the soccer team. He graduated summa cum laude in 1976 from SUNY Buffalo with a B.A.
, majoring in Political Science and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University
in 1979 with an M.A.
, majoring in Political Science. He later obtained a PhD
in 1984 in International Relations and Law.
, the oldest of 10 children, to Dr. Melvin B. Dyster and the late Mary C. Dyster, both of whom were community activists.
He married Rebecca (neé Lucchetti) in 1980 and has two sons aged 20 and 21.
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...
. He is a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
Political career
Dyster became a city councilman in 2000 under Mayor Irene Elia. He then gave up his council seat after one term to run for mayor and was one of four Democratic candidates, who were Dyster, Niagara County Legislator Sam Granieri, Niagara Falls Water Board employee Glenn Choolokian, and City Councilman Vince Anello. Anello won the primary narrowly and went on to win in a landslide against then-Mayor Irene Elia, who was running for a second term.In the Democratic Primary in September 2007, Dyster won by a narrow margin over Councilman Lewis Rotella, who was considered the favorite to win the primary. Then-Mayor Anello could not run for reelection due to his violation of state election law by having volunteers who were not in his political party nor registered to vote pass out petitions. Anello went on to be indicted on charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and scheme to defraud and was sentenced to federal prison in January of 2011 for a separate charge of filing false documents.
On Election Day in 2008, Dyster won the city election by a landslide. More than 70 percent of voters voted for Dyster, who defeated Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Former City Councilwoman Candra Thomason. Preceding him is a succession of four one-term mayors; Jacob A. Palillo, James C. Galie, Irene J. Elia and Vincenzo V. Anello.
Under the Dyster Administration, a new courthouse and public safety building was finished and received LEED certification.
In December 2010, Dyster announced that he would seek re-election in 2011. Dyster ran in the primary against former Niagara Falls lawmaker and insurance executive John Accardo (endorsed by the Conservative Party of New York State), community activist Carnell Burch, and former United States Postal Service employee Norton Douglas. In May 2011, the Niagara Falls Democratic Committee endorsed Dyster. In the September 13, 2011 Democratic Primary, he had a resounding victory, garnering 56% of the vote in a four-person field.
In the general election, Dyster defeated Republican challenger Johnny G. Destino and Conservative Party candidate John Accardo, the latter of whom he had defeated in the primary and had not actively campaigned since the primary, winning 52% of the vote against 45% of the vote going to Destino. The remaining 3% went to Accardo. Dyster is the first mayor after a succession of four one-term mayors spanning from 1991 to 2007 to win re-election.
The Dyster Administration
| Department | Position | Name | Years serving |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Administrator | Donna D. Owens | 2008- | |
| Assessment | Assessor | Dominic Penale, Jr.* | 2008-2011 |
| James R. Bird | 2011- | ||
| Code Enforcement | Director | Guy A. Bax* | 2008-2010 |
| Dennis F. Virtuoso | 2010- | ||
| Office of the City Clerk | City Clerk | Carol Antonucci* | 2008- |
| Finance | Controller | Maria Brown* | 2008- |
| Economic Development | Director | Peter F. Kay | 2008-2011 |
| Frances Iusi (Acting) | 2011- | ||
| Engineering | City Engineer | Ali Marzban | Mar. 2009-Jul. 2009 |
| Thomas Radomski | 2010- May 2011 | ||
| Jeffrey Skurka | Jul. 2011- | ||
| Equal Employment Opportunity Office | EEO Officer | Ruby A. Pulliam | 2010- (Position Created) |
| Fire Department | Fire Marshal | William MacKay* | 2008-2010 |
| Roger Melchior | Nov. 2010-Jan. 2011 | ||
| Human Resources | Director | Joyce Mardon-Serianni* | 2008-Aug. 2011 |
| Department of Law | Corporation Counsel | Craig H. Johnson | 2008- |
| Management Information Services | Lead Systems Engineer | John Cahill* | 2008- |
| Planning and Environmental Services | Senior Planner | Thomas DeSantis* | 2008- |
| Police Department | Superintendent | John Chella* | 2008- |
| Public Works | Director | David L. Kinney | 2008- |
| Purchasing | Purchasing Agent | Dean W. Spring* | 2008- |
*Appointed by a previous administration
Education and public relations
He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Environmental Leadership Institute at Niagara UniversityNiagara University
Niagara University is a Catholic university in the Vincentian tradition, located in the Town of Lewiston in Niagara County, New York. Originally founded by the Congregation of the Mission in 1856 as Our Lady of Angels Seminary, it became Niagara University in 1883. The University is still run by...
in Lewiston, New York
Lewiston, New York
Lewiston is a village in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 2,781 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Morgan Lewis, an early 19th-century governor of New York. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.The Village of Lewiston,...
.
He also served as Director of the Graduate Program in International Affairs at The Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
from September 1989 to August 1994, and assistant professor for the Department of Politics from January 1989 to December 1993 at Catholic University of America.
Dyster was a Fellow of International Affairs for the Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
The Council on Foreign Relations is an American nonprofit nonpartisan membership organization, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs...
from 1987 to 1988.
Dyster was a program coordinator and lecturer from September 1980 to May 1981 at Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
.
Business and community experience
Dyster was a columnist for the Home Wine & Beer Trade Association's (HWBTA) newspaper. He is a nationally certified beer judge, and owns Niagara Tradition, a homebrewing supply store in Tonawanda, New YorkTonawanda, New York
Tonawanda may refer to:*Glacial Lake Tonawanda*North Tonawanda, New York, a city in Niagara County, north across Tonawanda Creek from the City and Town*Tonawanda , New York, consisting of the Town of Tonawanda less the Village of Kenmore...
.
He is currently a Board Emeritus for the Buffalo-Niagara Riverkeeper and a spokesman for the Niagara River
Niagara River
The Niagara River flows north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. It forms part of the border between the Province of Ontario in Canada and New York State in the United States. There are differing theories as to the origin of the name of the river...
Environmenttal Coalition. He is a member of the Oversight Board for Advancing Arts and Culture Buffalo Niagara. He is a founding member and spokesman for the Niagara Waterfront Revitalization Task Force. He sits on the Board of Directprs for the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center in the Former Niagara Falls High School
Former Niagara Falls High School
Former Niagara Falls High School is a historic high school located at Niagara Falls in Niagara County, New York, USA. It was built in 1923-1924 and added to the existing gymnasium structure, and designed by local architect Simon Larke, who also designed the James G. Marshall House. The original...
, and served as the Board President from 2005 to 2007. He is the Board President for the Niagara Experience Center. Dyster is a member of the advisory committee for Save Our Sites Niagara. He served as the Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
Troop 801 Niagara Falls from 1996 to 2004 and as the Scoutmaster from 2004 to 2005, and as a basketball coach for the Whirlpool Park Little League from 1995 to 1996. Dyster is a group leader for the Life Workshops program at SUNY Buffalo, and is a member of the Niagara River Anglers Association.
Dyster was named Citizen of the Year in 2006 by the Niagara Gazette
Niagara Gazette
The Niagara Gazette is a morning daily newspaper published in Niagara Falls, New York, USA, which covers several towns and villages of Niagara County, including Niagara, and the City of Niagara Falls. It was bought by Community Newspaper Holdings Inc., along with other area newspapers such as the...
, the Conservationist of the Year by the Adirondack Mountain Club's Niagara Frontier Chapter in 2006, and was presented with the Good Neighbor Award by the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center in 2006.
Education
Dyster graduated from Bishop Duffy High SchoolNiagara Catholic High School
Niagara Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Niagara Falls, New York. It is the only Catholic high school in Niagara County.-Background:...
in Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...
in 1972. He was valedictorian and Student Council president, and was active on the school's Debate Team and the soccer team. He graduated summa cum laude in 1976 from SUNY Buffalo with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
, majoring in Political Science and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
in 1979 with an M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
, majoring in Political Science. He later obtained a PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in 1984 in International Relations and Law.
Other
Dyster was born April 21, 1954 in Niagara Falls, New YorkNiagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...
, the oldest of 10 children, to Dr. Melvin B. Dyster and the late Mary C. Dyster, both of whom were community activists.
He married Rebecca (neé Lucchetti) in 1980 and has two sons aged 20 and 21.