Dan and J.T. will be missed

As the year winds down, it’s hard not to feel a little sad that two familiar faces at Dunkirk City Hall will be missing in 2016.
Mayor Dan Watson has served his city with dedication, expertise and genuine affection for the community. His successor has a big job ahead trying to fill Dan’s shoes.
The good news is that Watson will continue to be a part of county leadership through his role as county engineer, and we suspect Dunkirk’s best interests will always be on his mind as he does his job for the county.
The other loss will be not seeing John T. Phillips in the clerk-treasurer’s office.
J.T. was tapped to fill in when incumbent Phonnie Kesler left city hall for another job, and in a matter of months he’s made a tremendous impression on the residents of his home town.
Folks might arrive at city hall with a gripe or a complaint; but after Phillips has greeted them with a smile, an ear willing to listen to their problem and a measure of empathy, they tend to leave city hall in a better mood. That’s just what J.T. does.
It would be easier to go into 2016 knowing Watson and Phillips were at the helm. But that’s not to be.
So instead, we’ll wish their successors the best of luck and offer our thanks to Dan and J.T. for a job well done. Dunkirk’s proud of you both. — J.R.