Mayoral critics air complaints

DUNKIRK - "I'm not resigning," Mayor Ron Hunt said seconds after bringing a volatile city council session to a close Monday.

The meeting saw area resident Rick Davis escorted from council chambers by city police at the direction of Hunt, as well as a flurry of heated comments by Dunkirk resident and local businessman Bill Blankenbaker, who is circulating a petition calling for Hunt's resignation. That petition, which Blankenbaker says has been signed by about 300 people, carries no legal authority.

A standing-room-only crowd of about 50 persons was on hand.

Sitting in the first row directly in front of the mayor, Blankenbaker patiently waited for his turn on the agenda while regular business items were conducted.

Once given the floor, Blankenbaker launched into a barrage of questions and criticisms - all leveled at the mayor.

Blankenbaker at first indicated he planned to present the petition to the mayor and council members Monday night, but he later rejected that idea, saying he was going to continue to hold onto it, allowing more time for people to sign it.

Blankenbaker criticized several actions by Hunt during his first 18 months in office. These complaints focused on personnel moves, actions by the city zoning board of appeals, and the mayor's overall administrative qualifications.

Blankenbaker asked if Hunt had ever held political office or been in a supervisory capacity before. Hunt said he had never held office before, but did serve as an assistant foreman when he was working in Florida.

Blankenbaker criticized Hunt for not having definite office hours or returning telephone calls. "These people are paying you," Blankenbaker told the mayor.

Hunt later disagreed with the phone call allegations, saying: "I do call people back."

Morale is a big problem with city employees, Blankenbaker charged. "You've ruined that. In my estimation, you're doing a poor job. Morale is terrible," Blankenbaker said.

Blankenbaker questioned the mayor about rumors that Hunt wanted to appoint a new fire chief to replace Steve Fields, and possibly name his son-in-law Patrolman Robert Johnson to the police chief position once he has enough tenure on the department.

"I have never seen a mayor's office run like this one," Blankenbaker said.

"If you are still here in December, are you going to put your son-in-law in the chief's office?" Blankenbaker asked.

"No," Hunt replied without hesitation, adding that current Police Chief Dane Mumbower "is doing a great job."

Blankenbaker said that persons eligible to sign the petition include Dunkirk city residents, persons owning property and paying taxes in the city, as well as all the members of the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department - including those who live outside the city limits.

Regarding how quickly the meeting came to an end, Hunt said he felt things were getting out of hand. "It was time to hit the gavel," he said.

In other action at Monday night's meeting, council members:

•Approved a recommendation from the Dunkirk Downtown Revitalization Revolving Loan Committee to make a five-year loan of $15,000 at 4 percent interest to the Second Chance Bar and Grill. Owners Terry and Valarie Ridgway plan to make improvements to the business. The annual payment on the loan will total $3,315, city officials said.

•Heard Marcus Myers, a resident of Dunkirk for 40 years, criticize the "deplorable" condition of some of the dilapidated buildings in town, calling for enforcement of city codes. Myers added that he would be willing to take on the job of city health and safety enforcement officer.

On another point Myers said he also didn't believe the city police needed a canine unit which is something the mayor strongly supports.

•Learned from councilman Tom Johnson that the Dunkirk City Pool will remain open through the Labor Day weekend. Once school resumes, the pool will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and in the afternoons on Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day, Johnson said.

•Congratulated wastewater treatment plant supervisor Tim Kesler on passing his certified operator's test.

•Heard a report from city clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler that more than $2,000 worth of repairs were needed to fix the city hall air-conditioning system which failed over the weekend. She said Wilson Electric Heating and Cooling, Dunkirk, had agreed to start on the repairs this week.[[In-content Ad]]