Local politicians, political analysts recall impact President Jimmy Carter left on WNY

BUFFALO N.Y. (WIVB) - President Jimmy Carter died Sunday at the age of 100. During his time in office, he made several stops in Western New York and even played a pivotal role in cleaning up Love Canal in Niagara Falls.

"He was very intellectually honest, there's no question about that and he was a pleasure to work with and he had terrific staff, too," said former congressman John LaFalce.

LaFalce had a front row seat to history. During his time in congress, he met six U.S. presidents, including President Jimmy Carter. LaFalce is now in his 80s but his memory of the president is still as sharp as ever.

"He called me on a Sunday morning and I answered the phone and he said, 'well John I don't want to speak with you right now I want to speak to your wife.' We had just gotten married so he talked to my wife and that won me over," LaFalce said.

The former congressman worked around the clock with President Carter to solve the enormous problems with Love Canal. The landfill became an environmental disaster following decades of toxic chemical dumping.

In 1978, President Carter declared the area a federal health emergency and hundreds of families were relocated for their safety. The EPA set up a superfund and LaFalce was right there when Carter signed the bill.

"In 1978 finally we did pass the superfund bill providing billions of dollars for comprehensive clean ups for formerly abandoned hazardous waste sites," LaFalce said.

Local political analyst Len Lenihan met President Carter twice.

"He served the world, he served the country, and he served Western New York," Lenihan said.

The first time Lenihan met Carter was in 1976 at the old Western Electric Plant in Tonawanda.

"We greeted him, we got to shake his hand and the guy next to me, who I didn't know, said 'I need a job.' Carter, who was a candidate at the time, said, 'don't worry, I'll get you a job no problem.' It was just that enthusiasm and spontaneity that moved us as we watched him campaign," Lenihan said.

That brief interaction left a lasting impression.

"I'm glad, certainly proud I got a chance to meet him but also happy for our country, that he came our way, served us and was our president," Lenihan said.