Tensions between Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowaisz and the Common Council reignited during Tuesday's council meeting at City Hall, and resulted in Wdowiasz walking out during the middle of the meeting. It began when Wdowiasz blamed council members for "continued inaction," as well as "underfunding" of the city budget, which she says has placed the city in a position it can no longer sustain. Specifically, she cited the employee shortage in the Clerk-Treasurer's Office, which has led to a strain on those working in that department...
Kate Wdowiasz: grievances were created by your decisions
Council members Natalie Luczkowiak, Frank Torain and Mike Civiletto took exception to the Mayor's comments. Torain said it's misleading to cite the current council for the city's current issues...
Frank Torain: cannot blame this council
Civiletto echoed Torain's comments, and the situation came to a head when he told Wdowiasz that neither she nor her office reached out to him...
Mike Civiletto: have not been called by the Mayor
Wdowiasz then walked out of the meeting. Afterwards, Civiletto said, "If anyone is to blame for a toxic environment...in the [Clerk-Treasurer's] Office, it is sure as heck not me. And it sure as heck is not Mr. Torain, Mrs. Luczkowiak, Mr. Frederickson, or our Councilman at Large. We are not here every day, we do not set the tone. I've had enough. I've tried, I've tried, and I've tried to be on her side, but this last bit of storming out and unprofessionalism is not going to be tolerated by me anymore."
