“The arrest and indictment of Mark Woods, former treasurer of the City of Dunkirk, exposes years of mismanagement and wrongdoing that were repeatedly swept under the rug. Allegations that Woods misappropriated over $120,000 in city funds and falsified records to cover it up are shocking, unacceptable, and a betrayal of public trust.
I have had concerns about potential wrongdoing in Dunkirk for some time and have been among those pushing for a full investigation. This is why I personally reached out to the New York State Attorney General and the New York State Comptroller to ensure proper oversight.
What makes this situation even more troubling is that it is not an isolated incident. Dunkirk’s financial records have long been disorganized and incomplete, and a lack of effective oversight allowed mismanagement—and allegedly criminal conduct—to persist for years. The city’s residents and taxpayers deserve better, and it is clear that deep, systemic problems must be addressed.
I fully support Senator George Borrello and Assemblyman Andrew Molitor’s proposed legislation to establish a control board for the City of Dunkirk. In my view, a control board is the most effective path forward to restore accountability, rebuild trust, and ensure responsible management of the city’s finances. Over the past two years the City of Dunkirk has had to raise their tax rate by over 90%. Dunkirk’s residents deserve transparency, integrity, and a government they can rely on, and Chautauqua County will do everything possible to help the city achieve that.”
-Paul M. Wendel Jr. Chautauqua County Executive
