Dunkirk Common Council is responding to the mayor's plan to not attend its meetings.

Dunkirk Common Council is “surprised” and “disappointed” at Mayor Kate Wdowiasz’s recent decision to skip its meetings.

Councilman-at-large Nick Weiser issued a statement Friday on behalf of “the united city council.” He also addressed Wdowiasz’s declaration that she might hold her own city meetings.

“We understand from news reports that the mayor is upset that the council is seeking to encourage citizens to attend council meetings and freely voice concerns without fear of being served legal papers,” Weiser wrote.

“The council believes that the city attorney (Elliot Raimondo), who may or may not have been acting in his capacity as a city official, sent the wrong message recently when he served a lawsuit on a person (Jennifer Sasso) while they were addressing the council during their meeting in council’s chambers.”

Weiser continued, “The council wants to hear from residents. That incident could cause people to feel unwelcome at council meetings and restrict the residents’ free exercise of their constitutional rights.”

He agreed with Wdowiasz that “There is no requirement that the mayor attend council meetings.” However, he noted, “It has been a long-standing tradition that the mayor attend and provide reports and updates to the council.”

Weiser went on, “Our department heads are required to attend council meetings and share information and respond to council questions. This must continue, so the mayor’s absence will be missed but our operation as a council should not be affected.”

He said the council is “surprised at the mayor’s reaction and disappointed that she will no longer attend meetings. There are so many issues that the council has been working on and we have tried to work collaboratively with the mayor.”

Weiser lectured that the city has many important issues which require collaboration.

“The city continues to confront serious financial issues; collective bargaining contracts are expiring with three of our four unions and the council has a role in negotiations and contract approvals; residents are concerned about the delivery of city services and the impact of taxes; the Wells expansion is progressing, but it’s necessary for the mayor and council to work together to aid in this and similar economic development; and the downtown revitalization and improvements at the marina and waterfront also require the council and mayor to collaborate. These are only a few of the major issues demanding the mayor and council’s undivided attention.”

Weiser concluded that “The council’s sincere desire is that the mayor will reconsider. The mayor is always welcome to attend our meetings and participate as she and previous mayors have done so until now. And, despite this current stance, the council will continue to reach out to work with the mayor to benefit our city and residents.”