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All five Common Council seats are being challenged in the city of Dunkirk. Those running for office include some familiar faces as well as others who are new to politics.
Here are our choices for Wards One, Two and Three.
≤ WARD ONE - In a rematch of the 2021 race, Don Williams is aiming to regain a seat he held for three terms. During his last two years, he began to reveal his selfish tendencies. As a key union official in the county, he had no trouble being one of two council members who created a hostile work environment for two highly regarded city development directors. Additionally, he was the ringleader for granting himself - and the other council members - a more than $2,600 bonus in 2021 from Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Securities Act. Incumbent Natalie Luczkowiak, while not as forceful, is more likely to do what's in her constituents' best interest, not her own. She spearheaded the Dunkirk Hero Banner Program that highlights a number of city veterans while being at the forefront of city park improvements. We back the incumbent.
≤ WARD TWO - Martin Bamonto may be the quietest of all the current council members. He is seeking his fifth term and while he has been an important cog in a number of improvements in recent years at the lake front, we believe a stronger voice is needed. We back newcomer Abby Yerico, who brings a fresh and enthusiastic attitude to the race. Yerico, a 15-year city resident, is hoping to build on the recent momentum while promising to be fiscally responsible. That's a tough task that many elected officials - not just in Dunkirk - have shied away from.
≤ WARD THREE - Republican candidates consistently ran two previous campaigns on the issue of being transparent. However, last December three of them - including incumbent James Stoyle - were holding illegal meetings on the budget. That may seem harmless, but they were still in violation of the open meetings law. So much for being transparent. Stoyle, for all intents and purposes, is a follower. Dunkirk needs leaders and we back Jack Pasquale as someone who vows to seek honest and open communication while using a common sense approach to challenges. Those ideals, for the most part, are not being embraced by the current council.