Wdowiasz and Borrello Remain 'At Odds' Over City Finances

The back-and-forth between Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz and New York State Senator George Borrello continued this week over Governor Kathy Hochul's recent signing of legislation authorizing a $13.7 million loan to assist with the city's financial struggles. Both officials were guests on separate editions of WDOE's "Viewpoint" program. Wdowiasz, who was our guest on Wednesday, indicated a lack of communication between her and Borrello, who has been advocating to have a control board put in place for the city. Wdowiasz said Borrello "chose" not to ask her why a loan was needed, adding that she hasn't heard from his colleague in the Assembly...

Kate Wdowiasz: Borrello chose not to contact me

The Mayor also stated that Borrello, in a Zoom call in late May, could not provide a timeline on when a control board would be set up...

Kate Wdowiasz: we don't have months or weeks

Meanwhile, Borrello, who was a guest on "Viewpoint" on Thursday, said he has done everything he can to try and be collaborative with Wdowiasz, but noted that the only time she reached out to him on the issue was when she "reversed course" on her support for a control board in December...

George Borrello: there need to be honesty and transparency

Borrello also spoke about the May conversation with Wdowiasz. He says if that meeting had "been productive," a compromise plan could have been worked out...

George Borrello: could have had a bridge loan and a control board

Borrello says there was no indication on that Zoom call that the city would not be able to meet the requirements from the State Comptroller's Office under the City of Dunkirk Fiscal Recovery Act, which was approved last year. The $13.7 million loan will be used to pay off a $12.7 million Revenue Anticipation Note, plus $1 million interest.

Click here to listen to both "Viewpoint" interviews with Kate Wdowiasz and George Borrello.

File photos