Council caucus set for tonight

Dunkirk will soon have two new members of the city council members selected by the local Democratic Party.

A party caucus is scheduled for this evening to select a replacement for former councilman Raymond Pettus Sr. who resigned due to health reasons recently, while applications are being accepted to fill a vacancy left recently by the death of veteran councilman Larry Joe Smith.

Dunkirk City Democrat Chairperson Pam Bunch said tonight's caucus at Dunkirk City Hall will begin at 6 p.m.

Casting votes for Pettus' replacement will be Dunkirk Democratic precinct committee representatives Ann Wilmore and Bunch.

Bunch said the caucus is open to the public.

Pettus, who was the council member in charge of the street department, represented northeast Dunkirk.

The term in office for his seat expires Dec. 31, 2011.

His selection to the council was marked by some controversy over whether he actually lived in the district he represented.

Smith served more than a dozen years on the council, and about three years remain on his term. He supervised the wastewater treatment department and represented the council district on the northwest section of town.

Bunch said that letters of application for Smith's council seat should be postmarked no later than Saturday, May 2.

A caucus to decide on Smith's replacement is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, at 6 p.m. in city hall.

Pettus was elected to his first term, and veteran councilman Smith was re-elected to his fourth term on the council in the city election of November 2007. Their terms started in January of 2008.[[In-content Ad]]