Wdowiasz Will Not Attend Future Council Meetings, Citing Inaction on 'Relevant Matters'

Those who attend or watch meetings of the Dunkirk Common Council will no longer see the city's current mayor in attendance. During Tuesday's council meeting, Kate Wdowiasz briefly announced that it would be the last such meeting she will be attending. WDOE News reached out to Wdowiasz on Wednesday, and she says her decision is due to her frustration over what she calls lawmakers' failure to take action on "relevant matters"...

Kate Wdowiasz: not taking action on relevant matters

In her announcement, she said that the City Charter does not require the Mayor to attend Common Council meetings. Wdowiasz says she will consider exercising an executive right and call special council meetings to discuss items she believes lawmakers should be acting on...

Kate Wdowiasz: time for council members to step up

Meanwhile, First Ward Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak has a different take on the situation. In an e-mail to WDOE News, Luczkowiak said the Mayor's decision to stop attending council meetings is about a resolution by the council prohibiting the service of legal papers during those meetings. When asked about that statement, Wdowiasz said that had nothing to do with it...

Kate Wdowiasz: had no bearing on my decision

That resolution was put forth after former Dog Control Officer Jennifer Sasso was served during a council meeting in April. The measure passed unanimously.

Image from Dunkirk Access