Jill Meaux

For the third time in less than a year, the city of Dunkirk is looking for a new director of planning and development. During this week’s Common Council meeting, Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas announced that Jill Meaux is resigning.

“I have sadly accepted her letter of resignation,” he said. “It was my joy and my treat to be working with her.”

Meaux cited a “political work environment” as a reason for her resignation, according to her letter, which Rosas shared with the OBSERVER Tuesday night.

“I will forever be grateful to you and the city for giving me the opportunity to move my family back to my hometown so they can grow up in this same beautiful place I did,” Meaux wrote to the mayor. “Unfortunately, the stress of this political work environment is more than I am willing to continue to shoulder. I have been offered another opportunity elsewhere that I have accepted.”

Like Rosas, other city officials spoke highly of Meaux and wished her well.

“I’m sorry, saddened to see you leaving,” said Marty Bamonto, Second Ward councilman. Bamonto said she did a good job and wished her and her family the best.

Third Ward Councilman James Stoyle echoed Bamonto. “Thank you for your service. I wish you the best,” he said.

Rosas said the city is now looking for a new director of planning and development.

Meaux, a resident of Fredonia, was named Dunkirk’s interim planning and development director in January after her predecessor, Rebecca Wurster, left for a job with Chautauqua County.

She had the interim tag taken off April 20 by the Common Council. The council resolution that did so stated her salary would be $60,000 per year.