By M.J. STAFFORD

mstafford@observertoday.com

This year’s race for the Dunkirk Common Council First Ward seat is a rematch of the 2021 election. Incumbent Don Williams lost to Natalie Luczkowiak. Williams also lost to Luczkowiak in a June primary to determine the Democratic Party nominee for the seat that year.

Now, Williams wants a third try at Luczkowiak. There is little love lost between the two. Recently, Luczkowiak complained that Williams’ campaign signs, which ask people to “re-elect” him, are misleading because this year, she is the incumbent.

Don Williams

The OBSERVER asked all Common Council candidates the same questions about the city of Dunkirk and their campaigns.

The responses of Luczkowiak and Williams are below, edited for clarity and space.

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1. What are some of the goals or reasons you are running for Common Council?

Luczkowiak: I would like to continue assisting with the difficulties that our city of Dunkirk is facing. For example, we’ve had a decades-long problem with a massive and unclean seagull infestation in our commercial sector. We did, in fact, find a solution with my desire for clarity and my determination. There are still many other issues.

Williams: I believe I have experience as a council member and I understand how government and the role of a council member works. I also believe that council members are there to serve the residents and taxpayers. They’re not there to just vote how the mayor would like them to vote. Council needs to hold all elected officials to accountability, even if the accountability needs to come from someone in your same political party.

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2. Name some positive events or accomplishments that have taken place in the city of Dunkirk in the last two years (that does not include the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award from New York state)?

Luczkowiak: The City of Dunkirk Hero Banner Program has been established. I truly enjoyed organizing this program and look forward to its continuance, noticing everyone enjoy it too. After COVID, the fact that everyone needed to look upward toward the sky while viewing the banners, I believe, was a positive

Williams: The partnership with different organizations such as Revitalize Dunkirk has produced great results over the past two years and much more. Several streets have been paved and new separate accountable funds have been created for accountability for the Boardwalk and garbage/refuse.

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3. What is your vision for the city of Dunkirk? What should it be in 10 years?

Luczkowiak: Safety is number one, because without it, who will want to live here? We need to continue with economic growth, housing for all types of income levels, and an aesthetically pleasing to capitalize on the progress that has been accomplished and will be with the DRI development about to happen. Also, we have a diverse city; I know we can live together kindly, we can get there.

With the ground-up approach needed now, we can meet the great accomplishments that have been made. I see a clean and well-manicured city, along with plenty of housing for all types of income levels. I see citizens walking around with pride in their city and appropriately treating it as such. I see many job and business opportunities, along with a healthy and willing workforce. I see a city that can be a shining example for others to look to.

Williams: My vision for Dunkirk is to best utilize Dunkirk’s natural resource, Lake Erie. We should work on securing funds to construct segmented offshore breakwaters off the eastern Dunkirk coast (from the high-rise to the wastewater treatment plant) that would allow sandy beach to fill in along that stretch in front of the sea wall on Lakefront Boulevard. This would protect the wall and Lakefront Boulevard while also providing a tourist destination second to none.

We also need to make all of our beaches more accessible for handicapped people. There’s a way to do it and there are investors out there willing to match dollar for dollar to provide such access.

I also would like to have an infrastructure assessment and rehabilitation plan so we’re not constantly digging up our streets small sections at a time. We’re flush in the water fund, let’s start investing in the water lines.

In 10 years, I picture a city that is hustling with business in the downtown area year round while attracting tourists from all over during our short summer season. We are so blessed to live on the shore of a Great Lake. Let’s stop just looking at it and talking about it and let’s start utilizing it like other lake/ocean front locations do. I also picture a lower tipping fee.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY: Council at-large.