Editor’s note: This is the last in a series of articles on the upcoming Common Council races.
Jack Pasquale
James Stoyle
The city of Dunkirk’s Third Ward has a couple of direct, hometown guys running to represent it on Common Council.
Incumbent James “Jidge” Stoyle, a Republican, has strong opinions and is not afraid to share them. His Democratic challenger, Jack Pasquale, seemed well-spoken and showed an ability to “get to the point” during a League of Women Voters council candidates forum that Republicans did not attend.
The OBSERVER asked all Common Council candidates the same questions about the city of Dunkirk and their campaigns. The responses of Pasquale and Stoyle are below, edited for clarity and space.
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James Stoyle
1. What are some of the goals or reasons you are running for Common Council?
Pasquale: I am running for City of Dunkirk Common Council because I care about Dunkirk.
I care about the people of Dunkirk, it’s my hometown and we all deserve the best representation possible in our city’s government.
Stoyle: Just a few of the reasons I’m running again for Common Council are I have lived here all my life and I’d like the city to succeed in getting back on track with getting a downtown again. There really hasn’t been any movement past Third Street. Also, I’d like to continue the work I’ve been involved in with updating our infrastructure and public safety.
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2. Name some positive events or accomplishments that have taken place in the city of Dunkirk in the last two years that does not include the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant from New York state?
Pasquale: Positive events include Music on the Pier, Point Gratiot Concert Series, National Night Out, Juneteenth celebrations and the Hispanic Heritage Festivals. Improvements to Dunkirk include the new Farmer’s Market site, Lake Shore Drive appearance enhancements and pedestrian crossings, multi-unit housing construction, demolition of existing unsafe, dilapidated structures, expansion of Wells Enterprises, opening of Chautauqua Center Comprehensive Health Care Center, expansion at Nestle Purina Production Facility, adding Wi-Fi capabilities along the waterfront, with more to follow. And the fact that Dunkirk is getting noticed by other communities interested in implementing some of our ideas in their own communities.
Stoyle: Some positive things that have taken place the last two years include, while not visible to the public, the placement and replacement of 13 major water shut-off valves on Lakeshore Drive and throughout the city.
See THIRD WARD,
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THIRD WARD
The valves on Lakeshore will allow us to control what parts of the city would be shut off in an emergency. Not like when we had the major water break last year. Another project is the adding or replacing of fire hydrants in the city. This gives our firefighters water supply that they need to protect life and property. We have also made sure our police and fire departments have the equipment they need to do the job better.
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3. What is your vision for the city of Dunkirk? What do you think it should be in 10 years?
Pasquale: My vision of Dunkirk in the next 10 years would include additional affordable housing, redevelopment of the NRG site, new businesses and expansion at the D&F Plaza, improvements to city parks, additional playgrounds and family activity facilities, a renaissance of small businesses and shops along Central Avenue, as well as our waterfront, a passenger train station and welcome center and expanded services for people in need.
Stoyle: Hopefully in the next 10 years we will remember our senior citizens and provide housing they can retire to when they are ready. Also, that there be an improvement in the way the federal and state governments handle things. And that there will good paying jobs and the people to fill those jobs.
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