Niagara Falls Thunder Alley

OPINIONS

My Niagara Falls

Point of View
 

April 28th 2010

I support the Niagara Parks Police Service. I have had the pleasure to have worked with the many fine members of the Niagara Parks Police on many occasions for more than three and a half decades. They are second to none when comparing police services within the Province. They are equal to any member of the NRP in training, ability, use of force and professionalism. They are armed as is any other police officer in the province.

Accountability has never been an issue until now because even though not governed by the SIU, they have always complied with all the rules regulations and general orders issued by NRP or the province. They are held accountable for their respective actions by NRP Police Services Board by virtue of securing their special constable status as well as being governed by the existing various federal and provincial statutes (i.e. Criminal Code of Canada etc). The SIU issue is not a new issue. It’s been around for a number of years and has not been overly problematic.

 
With the sudden change of support and sponsorship of the Niagara Parks Police Service, I can't help but to think that the NRP Police Services Board has a hidden agenda or is empire building. Maybe they need a place for their overpriced and useless equestrian unit. I can see stables in the park already.

It seems that the NRP Police Services Board has a tendency to act like a rogue nation. It’s time for the dog to start wagging it’s own tail. The Government of the Province of Ontario needs to wake up, smarten up and take control before it’s too late. It is time for the government to revise the Police Services Act to bring all armed special constables under the SIU umbrella and to protect the right of existence of the Niagara Parks Police Service. Otherwise the citizens of Niagara and the millions of visitors from around the world will lose a valuable and highly recognized institution.

- Rick 10/04/28

February 13th 2010

For many years, tourism operators have said they have worked for the common good of promoting tourism in Niagara with one voice. They talk the talk but seldom walk the walk. Lip service is cheap and pats on the back are plentiful.

In times of economic difficulty, the industry is the first to point the finger of blame at anyone and everyone including each other or anything in order to deflect any responsibility. In the meantime, prices keep increasing while the quality of tourist services and value suffers.

It has gotten to the breaking point where people simply cannot afford to visit or stay for longer periods of time  because of exorbitant prices for meals, attractions and accommodations.

In Niagara, the tourist has become  nothing more than a "cash-cow" rather than a valued visitor. Quite often tourists leave Niagara Falls with negative feelings of being "ripped-off".

In truth, the tourism industry acts like a dysfunctional family, driven by greed and the cut-throat nature of their competition. Rather than working harmoniously for the common good of all tourists, the industry thrives itself on self-preservation at the expense of each other and especially every visitor to Niagara.

Some in the industry have forgotten two very simple facts. Firstly, visitors for the most part come to Niagara to see the mighty cataracts. The rest of the tourism industry is the financial beneficiary; a fact the industry often forgets.

Everyone in the tourism business seems to want to take credit for the successes of tourism in Niagara Falls.

Some have suggested the Festival of Lights has been the catalyst, while others would differ and suggest it is the marketing genius of the hotel owners or Niagara Falls tourism promotions while others would have you believe it is the result of the casinos' or city politicians. To some degree, all this is true.

While I agree, everyone involved in the tourism industry needs to take a well deserved bow for their respective contribution, let us not forget the most important anchor behind all Niagara Falls tourism.

The true success of Niagara Falls tourism is the waterfalls. Pure and simple. Without nature's gift of the majestic waterfalls and the gorge, there would be little or no tourism, no hotels, no casinos', no attractions nor any noteworthy festivals. Our twin cities wouldn't be known around the world as it is today as a world class destination.

Without the waterfalls the tourism house of cards would fall flat. There would be no money and very little new development.

The same cannot be said of the Falls. It is the diamond in the Niagara tourism tiara, for even without all the supporting development, money, casinos', hotels' and attractions - nature's Falls of Niagara will continue well into the future to be the center piece of all tourism along the Niagara Frontier.

Today, the industry of tourism has the tools and resources to make a tremendous impact and impression on every single visitor to Niagara Falls. The question is whether or not the tourism industry is prepared to put their own self interests behind those of our guests in order to make every visit an affordable and enjoyable event. 

Perhaps one day in the not too distant future, the industry will put side their greedy self interests and realize the collective benefits of working together in a unified tourism industry.

They might even create a positive and balanced climate where they can still make money and the visitor will be treated royally with an affordability that encourages them to return again and again. Then and only then will the true winner be the tourist and the tourism industry in Niagara Falls.
 

- Rick 10/02/13

The preceding locations and facts about them are but a few of many famous sites & attractions to be found in Niagara Falls. The best of it is FREE to see...so think of Niagara Falls when planning your next vacation. If you have questions of a current or historical nature about the Niagara Falls area or suggestions feel free to e-mail Rick at:  niagarahistory@gmail.com

THANK YOU FOR VISITING

The 
My Niagara Falls
OPINIONS
 

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