John Whittaker
Pictured are some police officers and municipal leaders in Chautauqua County giving their support to Sheriff James Quattrone and his efforts to address on Executive Order 203 â Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative.
Editor’s Note: Today, the OBSERVER continues its look back at the top stories of 2020 and the way they will shape the coming year. Today, 20 for 2020 looks at the municipal matters that were among the most-read stories in the newspaper this year.
The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office is working on its New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative plan due to the state by April 1.
jward@observertoday.com
Councilman-at-large Paul VanDenVouver ordered Mayor Wilfred Rosas leave Tuesdayâs council meeting because Rosas spoke without being called upon.
Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas was thrown out of the Common Council meeting for the second time since July on Tuesday. It began when Fiscal Affairs Officer Marsha Beach was questioned by the council about comments made Monday on the radio.
“You mentioned that garbage and refuse was $1,180,000-plus and in our budget we’re only budgeting $506,807,” First Ward Councilman Don Williams Jr. started. “I’m just trying to figure out where that other number came from when we didn’t hear that at the budget meetings.”
Paul VanDenVouver
A rift between Dunkirk Common Council and Mayor Wilfred Rosas has just become larger. On Wednesday morning, Councilman-at-large Paul VanDenVouver told the OBSERVER he is banning Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas from attending all the Common Council meetings in 2021.
“Willie is banned from every council meeting for the year 2021,” VanDenVouver wrote to the OBSERVER. “I just made the decision.”
There has been strong animosity between the two individuals since January of 2020 with Rosas being thrown out of two Council meetings in the last six months.
The first time was during a ZOOM meeting this summer and the second was on Tuesday.
jdagostino@observertoday.com
Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas had someone in mind to replace outgoing develoment director Rebecca Wurster. Without naming the individual, Rosas said the candidate was someone who is qualified and experienced.
On Thursday, however, that individual withdrew his name after Rosas was met with opposition over the potential appointmet from Dunkirk Common Council.
Despite the Dec. 1 meeting where council allowed for walk-in resolutions regarding the $24 million budget which goes against city policy, members would not be as forgiving if Rosas attempted that same maneuver.
Rosas admitted frustration with not being able to have a second Common Council member sponsor the resolution naming the individual. Neither council members Don Williams Jr., James Stoyle or Nancy Nichols would back the proposal that had the support of Martin Bamonto.