I would like to tell you a story.

It’s not some fable that’s printed in a hardcover book.

It’s a fact.

In the spring of 2011 my late husband, as chairperson for Dunkirk’s Harbor Commission, could be found driving around our city dock after his hard day of work.

It was after one of these drive arounds that he saw a need for a small green space to the North side of the fish cleaning station.

He could envision walk abouts sitting at picnic tables just resting for a spell, people watching the fishermen, families watching the sunset, people having lunch or supper, fishermen waiting to get into the station to clean the catch of their day or people just admiring boaters out on our beautiful lake.

So he took this idea to our then mayor. Jim explained that it would not cost the city any money nor would there be a need to apply for a grant to create this space.

Jim would be contacting a few local taxpaying businesses to see if they would “buy” into the idea.

The businesses all agreed that it was workable for them. They loved the idea.

To make a long story short, work began in May 2011.

Concrete slabs were poured, picnic tables were secured into the slabs and in 93-degree weather our family cleaned up the small weed infested area on the North side of the building.

We planted either donated and/or purchased flowers along with low laying shrubs. Then we spread mulch to conceal the rat traps that needed to be there.

Just to remind you, not one of us wore hard hats, had suits on or had our pictures taken and published in the paper. We felt that was not necessary. We did it as a community service for the people of our city, for those visiting our dock and our fishermen.

To look there now, that wonderful place no longer exists. Instead of working around that area, you chose to destroy what blood, sweat and local money created. Because it didn’t fit into your plan.

To add insult to injury, an appointment was made to fill my husband’s position on the Harbor Commission by a person that is not qualified to fill those shoes.

I’m not upset nor am I angry. I’m disappointed.

All I can say, “Is shame on you.”

Nancy Nichols is a Dunkirk resident.