Photo submitted by Randy Woodbury A firework goes off from the Dunkirk Pier during the city Independence Day celebration Sunday night.

Dunkirk’s mayor and police chief think the city’s official Independence Day fireworks show was a big success this year. One resident, however, told the city Common Council Tuesday the unofficial shows were a little too successful.

Second Ward resident Linda Stolinski — who is running for council in November against incumbent Marty Bamonto — said there were at least two illegal fireworks displays in the area of Dunkirk Middle School and Brooks Memorial Hospital on the night of July 4. She complained that fireworks were going off until 2 a.m.

“I have dogs I have to medicate,” she said, adding the illegal fireworks in the area “go on from July 4 to Labor Day.”

Stolinski directly asked Police Chief David Ortolano what his force is doing to catch users of illegal fireworks. “We have to see them doing it to arrest them,” he said, adding that Stolinski should file a complaint if she sees someone shooting off fireworks. Stolinski responded by saying she could see them shot off from her front porch.

“We receive hundreds of fireworks complaints on the Fourth of July. Hundreds,” Ortolano said.

As for the city’s official show, which featured fireworks shot off the Dunkirk Pier, the police chief was more than pleased.

“This was one of the largest crowds, if not the largest crowd, we’ve ever had,” he said. Complimenting his offices and other city officials who helped organize the event, Ortolano added, “We moved 10,000-plus people in and out of this community with limited issues.”

“For the most part I think the weekend went well,” said Mayor Wilfred Rosas, who also thanked city employees for their help.