Submitted Photo Chautauqua County Executive candidate Mike Ferguson addresses those in attendance at the recent Dunkirk Democratic Committee annual Chicken Barbecue at Point Gratiot.

The Dunkirk Democratic Committee held its annual Chicken Barbecue at Point Gratiot recently. City Committee chairman Ned Divine served as Master of Ceremonies and introduced featured speaker Mike Ferguson, Chautauqua County Executive candidate. Also speaking were County Clerk candidate LeAnn Lazarony and Mayor Willie Rosas.

Ferguson congratulated Mayor Rosas on the success Dunkirk has experienced and was positive about the potential for the Dunkirk Harborfront.

“Mayor Rosas and the City Council have made great strides in beginning to redevelop the city of Dunkirk,” Ferguson said. “The foundation is being laid and I see Dunkirk as a tourist destination and business hub, as well as improving the quality of life that will attract residents. We only need to look to the city of Buffalo, Canalside and all their growth, then think back to that area 15 years ago. It was far behind where we are in Dunkirk and with Athenex as a cornerstone, we will be able to attract business and their employees as residents of Dunkirk.

“But we still need more quality jobs,” Ferguson continued. “We must be prepared and currently, we are not ready. Mayor Rosas and his team brought us a businessman ready to break ground on a facility that needs an 18-acre site and, found that our shovel ready sites were not ready at all. Now we are waiting for a cleanup project on a site that should have been prepared years ago. We need true 21st century shovel ready sites, and we can’t point to two and three acre parcels and call them legitimate building sites.”

Mayor Rosas introduced the city team and highlighted several of the recent successes. He urged city residents to get out to vote this November. Dunkirk City Councilmen, Andy Woloszyn, Andy Gonzalez, Don Williams, Jr. and Marty Bamonto, were also in attendance. New York 23rd District Congressional candidate, Rick Gallant, also made the trip to the event. Democratic Party Chairman, Norm Green was also in attendance.

County Clerk candidate Leann Lazarony spoke of her customer service background and her commitment to improving service to the residents of the County. She also spoke of accomplishments both in her current role as Coordinator of The Drug Court program and as Mayor of the village of Cassadaga.

“We were able to deliver substantial savings to the residents of Cassadaga and the excellent results to the individual and families of Drug Court speak for themselves,” Lazarony said.

Judge candidates John Kuzdale, James Scott Dimmer and Rachel Roberts spoke to the crowd in preparation of the Sept. 12 primary. Chairman Divine spoke about the opportunity, with an open seat, to elect a City Court Judge for the first time in 30 years.