OBSERVER Photo New Dunkirk Housing Authority Executive Director Elizabeth Cardona, right, talks to a tenant following this month’s meeting.

OBSERVER Staff Report

Dunkirk Housing Authority has a new executive director. At this month’s meeting, board members approved Elizabeth Cardona to fill the top spot at the agency.

“I see this as an opportunity to be working with residents,” Cardona said in accepting the appointment. “I come from a housing background for many, many years.”

Cardona officially takes over in her new post, according to the board, on Sept. 17. It starts a new chapter for the agency that had been reeling during the summer months.

In July, the board terminated its previous director after failing to announce a special meeting in June. It was then, members decided to end its relationship with the former director.

Cardona, who is bilingual, was welcomed to the position with a round of applause from the Housing Authority board as well as about 14 tenants who were in attendance for the meeting. She had been at Chautauqua Opportunities Inc. for nearly 20 years and has worked with the senior population and families in poverty.

Fittingly, Cardona’s daughter and granddaughter were there when the appointment was announced. “I thank my mom in heaven who told me always, always work hard and go to school,” she said. “No one can ever take your education away from you.”