Watson praises recent events

DUNKIRK — City council heard praise from Mayor Dan Watson on Monday evening about a visit from Indiana’s lieutenant governor on Friday and a turkey drop held Saturday.
Watson invited Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann to visit Bill and Marilynn Blankenbaker, longtime owners of W.E. Gaunt Jewelry, who will be closing the store in December. Ellsperman grew up working at her father’s jewelry store in Ferdinand.
“She was kind enough to swing through Dunkirk on her way from Steuben County back to Indianapolis and had a very nice visit with Bill and Marilynn. They were very surprised,” Watson said of her visit to the store.
Ellspermann stayed for a half hour and took a tour of the store.
“Well we certainly will miss Gaunt’s Jewelry. It’s a landmark downtown,” councilman Judy Garr said.
Watson also spoke about the turkey drop that was held Saturday morning in Dunkirk. Watson threw 15 rubber turkeys from inside a bucket truck with people catching them having the chance to win a free frozen turkey.
“The turkey drop I thought went well,” Watson said.
“Hopefully next year we can double that,” Garr said of the number of turkeys.
In other business, council members Garr, Tom Johnson, Lisa Street and Jack Robbins, absent Jesse Bivens:
•Made a water bill adjustment of $781.64 to CRI Construction, a contractor that was working at the Dunkirk Depot. Council decided not to make an adjustment at 235 Walnut St., because there was no underground leak.
•Accepted a bid of $1,603.12 to Dragway Equipment in Albany to replace an injection pump for the diesel truck for the Dunkirk Water Department.
•Heard from Johnson that the next park board meeting has been changed to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3.
•Heard that Robbins issued a permit for a new home at 216 E. Commerce St.
•Agreed to allow Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department to have a boot drive at the stop light in Dunkirk. Council was unsure of the date.
•Approved claims 2272 to 2357 totaling $141,644.65.