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Adelino Gonzalez running for Third Ward council seat

Adelino (Andy) Gonzalez Jr. announces his bid for re-election to the Third Ward council seat, in the Nov. 7 Dunkirk election.

“This decision to serve my community and the city of Dunkirk, is both a personal passion and a spiritual calling to continue to be the voice of the people, standing firmly for a safer, attractive and desired community to live in,” he said. “For those new to Dunkirk, let me start by sharing highlights of my dedication, as I am not novice to politics and service.”

In the years of 1992-1999 Gonzalez had the distinct privilege and honor to serve the community as a member and president of the Board of Education, prior to being elected to his third term as city councilman for this city that he loves so much. In keeping with his commitment to serve, several years ago, he was able to obtain certification as a minister for the Assemblies of God, and serves as assistant pastor for Iglesia Getsemany on Central Avenue.

“The city of Dunkirk has been my home; where within its boundaries I played, grew and loved. I have lived in this city for over 50 years. In 1962, my mother, seven brothers and sisters, and I moved here from Puerto Rico in search of a new home with the same qualities that I stand for. Since then, I have been able to establish myself in this community as student, adult, public official and advocate for betterment,” he said. “However, I have not achieved these accomplishments alone. I have had the fortune of knowing and walking with my beautiful wife, Aida L. Gonzalez, on this journey for the past 43 years. Together we raised three amazing children with the same sense of community. My son Gamaliel (Jimmy) Gonzalez is an associate professor at Broward College in Florida and an ordained minister working for Hospice; my daughter Meraris Gonzalez-Reyes is a speech-language pathologist in Georgia; and my youngest daughter Rebecca Gonzalez is perusing a career in education. All three grew and studied here and come home to Dunkirk often, as it will always be home to them.”

Throughout the years, Gonzalez has been actively involved in the community, serving on various boards throughout the city, including the Dunkirk Local Development Committee (DLDC), Housing Authority, United Way, Brooks Hospital, Lake Shore Savings and Loan Community Reinvestments Committee, HOPE organization, Assemblies of God church as a certified minister.

“One of my biggest accomplishments and honors was when I was asked to finish the work that, my beloved late Rose Floramo started as Third Ward Council lady. One of her biggest concerns was absentee landlords — or as she called them, slum lords in the city — homeowners that do not take care of their properties and out of state owners who neglect their rental properties. The community of Dunkirk elected me to the Dunkirk Board of Education in 1992 for three consecutive terms, as well as for my last three terms on this city council.

“We were a catalyst for change and accountability, Rose and me. Although, not always liked, we questioned every petition that was presented before us. We demanded accountability and responsibility in all schools and city actions, from teachers’ contracts to the school budget and its process. We had a charge to represent the taxpayers’ money.

“This position has helped me to identify problems and situations and formulate solutions both individually and as a member of a team. I have been able to handle sensitive and confidential information in this capacity and I am able and continue to make objective decisions for our community,” Gonzalez explained.

A lot has been accomplished in this city in his past three terms, including starting and finishing the seawall on Lakefront Boulevard and completing most of the consent orders with the waste treatment plant and water plant.

“We are now the suppliers to the North Chautauqua Water District, supplying clean water to all our neighbors. We have also settled with three of our unions and are now working on the last one. As you can see we work well together.

“We as council members wanted to be part of the decisionmakers with Brooks Hospital, but we were not permitted or even asked to be involved, we are now on the verge of breaking ground on the Athenex project that’s going to employ 1,200 people when it’s completed. Together with the Mayor, we have been able to get back most of the money owed to us due to the mothballing of NRG by going with him to Albany and asking for help from our Governor. Time and time again he has come through for us. This was something that was not done before by prior mayors, but we are willing to do whatever it takes to get what this city rightfully deserves,” he said.

“I bring these qualities and experience to the table on Nov. 7. Our community has seen many changes in population according to the Census. We have a charge to educate new citizens in our community and to hold homeowners accountable for their properties as well as appreciate and celebrate those that have. We need to identify neglected properties and enforce penalties on its absentee landlords. Thanks to the ideas of Rose and her forward vision, by the end of this yr. or beginning of the next, we will implement those law’s that she wanted me to continue to fight for.”

Gonzalez has seen this neighborhood grow from the beginning stages and has met wonderful neighbors; some who have left and others who have remained. All have struggled through issues of discontent and mistrust, but have pulled together before, and he is confident Dunkirk won’t stop until it’s satisfied with results!

“As time has passed, I’ve developed a strong sense of pride in my community and I am determined to make it be the place I envisioned: one where we all live in a secure, peaceful environment that we are happy to call home,” he added.

“This year I will be facing an opponent who served on Common Council once before, but when things got tough, after two months into his term he bailed out and quit the council, he has served as county legislator also with nothing to show for it. He has a business in Fredonia and lives in Fredonia, but since he also has a home in Dunkirk, he now wants to use that address in order to run against me for Third Ward council. He would not debate me, saying he was going to be out of town on that day. You have not herd anything about him running, because from what I hear, he is going to go all out in the last few weeks before the election in order to maximize his run for the office, or to try to fool the public.”

“My question is, do you want to put someone back in office, who, when things get tough again, like they usually do, will call it quits again and walk away, leaving an empty seat again? Or do you want someone who when things get tough, he gets tougher? Someone who is not afraid say it like it is, even when it’s not popular, but necessary?”

Gonzalez asks for your vote on Nov. 7.

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