City of Niagara Falls
Mayor, City of Niagara Falls
Robert M. Restaino has served as the Mayor of Niagara Falls, New York since January 1, 2020. He is a native of the city and was raised there, later attending Niagara Catholic High School, earning his Associate degree from Niagara County Community College, a Bachelor of Arts from Niagara University in 1981, and a Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo Law School in 1985. Before his election as mayor, Restaino built a lengthy legal and judicial career in Western New York. He practiced law starting in the mid-1980s and then served more than a decade as a full-time Municipal Judge for the Niagara Falls City Court, including assignments in the Juvenile Justice and Domestic Violence Courts, along with interim appointments in other Western New York courts. As mayor, his administration has emphasized fiscal turnaround—securing consecutive budget surpluses, removing the city from New York State’s “fiscally distressed” list, and shifting the focus to accountability, partnerships, and economic development.
In the spirit of community, Robert has volunteered and participated in many civic activities and community organizations over the years. He continues that civic engagement today, while also enjoying the occasional game of golf, cooking, and spending time with family – especially his four-year-old granddaughter, Kennedy.