There is a bright spot to Dunkirk’s recent fiscal failures since 2024 that have begun to appear. It is simply this: those connected to the city, want to come back and help out.

That was the case more than a month ago when the neighboring town by the same name. Jennifer Jakubowski resigned as deputy clerk there and is compelled to rebuild the struggling municipality..

“I have witnessed what it takes to run a municipality effectively, and the positive impact it has on the residents who are fortunate to call this town home,” Jakubowski said in her letter to the town, noting she can “no longer sit back and watch (the city of Dunkirk) continue its current path.”

Newly appointed last week, Tracy Smith-Dengler comes to Dunkirk as a comptroller. Though she has yet to speak publicly on the position, council members indicated her wishes to assist.

“I’m not sure if we can come up with anybody more qualified than her — in fact, I was wondering why she even wanted to apply for a job here in the city of Dunkirk (government), and asked that question,” Councilman Frank Torain said. “Her answer, which was also impressive, was she saw a need in the city of Dunkirk to come in and help.”

Having that dedication is sometimes tough to find. Dunkirk, at the moment, is lucky to have those who want to right the ship.