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Residents raise housing affordability, criticize council remarks; council member apologizes to community
Summary
During public comment at the May 20 Dunkirk Common Council meeting, residents urged compassion on housing and homelessness issues and criticized recent council remarks; a council member apologized later in the meeting and pledged to focus on solutions.
Residents used the May 20 public-comment period to raise concerns about housing affordability and the city’s treatment of people experiencing homelessness, and a council member apologized during committee reports for remarks the member said failed to show compassion.
Melissa Zastrow, a Dunkirk resident, told the council the city faces a housing crisis and said recent tax increases and local short-term rental policies worsen affordability. "The 84% property tax increase implemented by the city raises rent and makes home ownership a financial impossibility for many," Zastrow said during public comment; she also said about 25% of Dunkirk residents live in poverty and warned of broader federal policy changes she said could cut programs the community relies on.
In separate public remarks, Jim Ensor of Sisson Street reported on Revitalize Dunkirk’s third annual garden cleanup event, thanking National Fuel, the city Department of Public Works and volunteers; Ensor provided participation numbers and listed seven cleanup sites including the Dunkirk City Pier, Bicentennial Park and the Dunkirk Lighthouse grounds.
Later in the meeting, a council member identified in the record as Council member Lisgowiak offered a public apology for remarks made at a prior meeting about a homeless individual on Central Avenue. "My comments did not reflect the compassion, empathy, or understanding that this situation deserves," the council member said, adding a commitment to work with city departments and service providers to connect individuals to shelter and services.
Other speakers urged reflection by the council and expressed concern about council members appearing to "hop on a bandwagon" after earlier remarks. The comments were made during the public-comment period and committee reports; the council did not record new policy decisions during the meeting in direct response to the remarks or the public comments.
