Are you looking to fill some free time? If that is the case, the Greater Dunkirk Area Harbor Commission is looking for another member to round out its prescribed roster of seven.
That, and the commission's recommendation of James Nichols to be its new chairman, were topics for discussion as the commission met Wednesday. And while the commission recommends Nichols as its chairman, the final say on the matter is up to Mayor Richard Frey, according to the City Code. Nichols would replace Kurt Warmbrodt, who resigned from the commission Jan. 1.
The mayor also appoints members but the committee is looking for interested persons for the mayor to select from, if the decision has not been made already. A representative from the Yacht Club was the hope of several members of the committee.
In the absence of a chairman, member Al Zurawski conducted the meeting. Zurawski said Development Director Kory Ahlstrom would attend a future meeting to give an update on the bike path project. Zurawski was also going to check on possible weed cutting in the harbor this summer. In 2009, the city rented a cutter from the Cassadaga Lakes Association and members agreed the job was well done.
The commission also expressed some concern that a replacement for former harbormaster Brownie Skubis, who resigned last summer, has not been named by Frey.
Member Michael Rosing reported the state Department of Environmental Conservation has secured funding to repair the Probst Fishing Platform located in the harbor at the NRG warm-water outlet. The work will be done when the weather is suitable. The platform, which is reportedly under camera surveillance, is still off limits.
New member Shaun Heenan is also the District 2 county legislator and suggested the group put together an agenda of items.
"Call it our wish list, make a list of things we would like to see the administration and the council accomplish here," Heenan said. "I think it's important we put something together so that we don't, by the time we address it, it's already behind us."
The commission plans to hold meetings at various harborfront locations once the weather is better.
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