I’d like to reintroduce the community of Dunkirk to the Citizen’s Advisory Committee. The mission of the CAC is to meet and discuss issues of concern and offer suggestions and ideas to the Common Council and mayor for the betterment of the residents of Dunkirk.

The CAC serves as another set of eyes and ears for neighborhood concerns and emerging issues in the city of Dunkirk. The CAC performs in a positive and collaborative manner of gathering information and formulating opinions, advice, non-binding recommendations and suggestions of local concern to the elected officials of Dunkirk.

The CAC is only an advisory committee, but can provide the city with a forum for plans, projects, programs and services for review if asked by the mayor, council or other official boards or commissions of the city.

The CAC is asking for the people of Dunkirk to attend and participate in discussions at our meetings every second Wednesday of the month in the mayor’s conference room at city hall. The CAC was instrumental in suggesting the repairs be done to the Whispering Giant Native American wooden art sculpture last year and with cooperation with business leader, Gina Kron, and the citizens and officials of Dunkirk, we were able to save the Giant. At our last meeting in September we decided to provide the Dunkirk DPW with a sealant to protect the statue from the elements during the winter.

We have decided in our last two meetings, after inviting and speaking to City Attorney Ron Szot and Councilman Bill Rivera, to endorse a Landlord and Rental Regulations Law that was created by former Councilwoman Rose Floramo. We feel the city is having a hard time regulating the safety of the occupants and appearance of the houses that are rented by some landlords in the city, especially those owners whom do not live in the area.

The CAC has also approved to move forward with recommendations that Dunkirk begin exploring the path to becoming a Certified Local Government, which eventually allows the residents of historic homes in Dunkirk to receive tax credits for modern upgrades made to the inside and restoration for the outside of their homes. It also makes the residents of Dunkirk eligible for grants to restore the outside of their homes to reflect the original look of the structure.

We feel the occupants of these older homes would be more willing to work on the outside of their homes if they had financial help since older homes are so much more expensive to restore. The first step of the process requires a historical and architectural survey to be done by experts and the CAC is willing to look for funding to pay for this survey to be done. We will be looking for grants and possibly donations from individuals, organizations and businesses.

Our next meeting is today at city hall at 6:30 and we would love to see those with positive comments and suggestions to attend. We will be discussing the painting and maintenance of the railroad underpasses, creation of nature trails along high tension electric wires and the progress with our ongoing projects.

Mike Civiletto is chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee.