Restaino Slams Niagara Gazette Over 'Reckless' and 'Irresponsible' Coverage of Tree Removal

Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino has gone on the offensive against the Niagara Gazette, accusing the publication of fueling misinformation over the removal of trees near his College Avenue home.

In a statement posted Wednesday to his office’s official Facebook page, Restaino addressed growing controversy over the tree work carried out by M2 Tree Services, Inc., a company contracted by the city council last spring under a $151,657 agreement. He argued that the Gazette’s reporting on the issue has been both “irresponsible” and “reckless.”

Restaino explained that one of the trees at the center of the debate had been identified as a hazard by the city’s forestry department. According to him, the tree was flagged for removal after a branch fell onto College Avenue in February.

He stressed that he had nothing to do with the decision.

“I can assure you that I’ve been at that house now for over a couple of decades,” Restaino said. “I’ve never contacted the department of public works and parks. I’ve never asked for a tree to be evaluated. I’ve never filed any 311 complaint. Nothing.”

The mayor insisted that the call was made strictly by forestry officials, not his office.

Restaino’s comments came after Councilman Donta Myles publicly requested documentation regarding the inspection and removal process. More than a week later, Restaino said his office had finished searching for information tied to the matter, while taking aim at what he described as biased reporting aimed specifically at creating a story where none existed.

“We apologize if we can’t be responsive within five minutes or five hours of a request,” Restaino said. “I happen to think that the people working in our departments are working hard and they are accomplishing not only the tasks of the day but the tasks they have ahead of them. When I ask them to do these things, they respond, but they can’t drop what they are doing to respond. Contrary to what others may think, that’s not how it operates here.”

Restaino argued that his staff is stretched with ongoing responsibilities and cannot instantly respond to demands for records.

The mayor then sharpened his criticism of the Niagara Gazette.

“As far as the print media is concerned, you know, allegations of something nefarious or suggesting that these things were done on private property with public funds is just irresponsible,” Restaino said. “It’s irresponsible reporting and, unfortunately, it lends itself to multiple articles and editorials and anything else that can allow the print media to try to drive a wedge into this community.”

The mayor suggested that allegations made in print have escalated tensions unnecessarily, characterizing the coverage as a distraction from substantive city business.

Restaino Slams Niagara Gazette Over 'Reckless' and 'Irresponsible' Coverage of Tree Removal