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Governments stay flexible during crisis

OBSERVER Photo Dunkirk City Hall.

City Hall in Dunkirk and Village Hall in Fredonia are still open for the time being. As other municipalities around the area continue to shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic these two governments continue to function for the most important necessities their residents need.

“City Hall is slow, but busy,” Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas stated. “We’ve cut down all nonessential staff per the governor’s order and those that can work from home are. I encourage the public to stay home if they don’t need to go anywhere, this is a very serious time, but the city will be here if they need us for as long as we are able.”

“Everything is in a fluid movement right now,” Fredonia Mayor Doug Essek told the OBSERVER on Thursday. “We have closed code enforcement and the water department and are encouraging residents to mail in their payments. We have a response team and we meet every day, whether in person or teleconferencing to discuss what we need to do.”

Essek’s comments came soon after state Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued non-essential workforce cut down by an additional 25% and the village of Fredonia is weighing their options.

“We are re-evaluating necessary staff. Everything is changing daily,” he said.

Right now both municipalities want to encourage their citizens to stay home, limit unnecessary travel and adhere to the state and CDCs recommendations for things such as social distancing and sanitation.

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