A couple weeks ago, the Dunkirk Marina’s future was sunny. It’s now shrouded in heavy fog.

Officials aren’t saying so far what they are going to do after new leaseholder Peter Smith got caught in a two-front war of allegations. He faces criminal charges for allegedly firing a gun at, and painting the threat “Confes (sic) or die” on, the house of someone he believes stole something from him. Then Smith was accused of stuffing fish July 30 to win a Bart’s Cove tournament. He was disqualified the next day.

Dunkirk City Attorney Michael Bobseine didn’t have much information last week when asked about the marina and Smith.

“The city is working with Mr. Pete Smith and his family to continue the marina’s operations as expected and required by the city,” Bobseine stated. “We understand that necessary steps are being taken to ensure this. The City expects to have more to share as these steps are taken.”

The Dunkirk Common Council had nothing to say publicly about the Marina or Smith’s criminal case at its last workshop and session July 31. Council did have a brief executive session that was apparently about the issue, between the workshop and the meeting.

Mark Geise, Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency Chief Executive Officer, called the marina’s future “clouded” in a statement last week.

“It is impossible to predict circumstances that lead to criminal charges against Mr. Smith,” he said. “While the marina’s future operation under Smith’s ownership is clouded, the CCIDA and partners are committed to continuing work that identifies and backs projects supporting development not just within Dunkirk’s waterfront neighborhood, but also, across the city of Dunkirk and northern Chautauqua County as a whole.”

Smith offered a wide-ranging vision for the marina at a Common Council workshop prior to the announcement of his charges. He spoke of plans for new docks, short-term rentals, electrical upgrades, and additions and renovations to existing buildings.

“This has actually been in the works for over a year,” said Vince DeJoy, city planning and development director, at that workshop. “We hope to use Pete’s vision for the transformation of this marina to a destination as one of the best small boat marinas in all of Lake Erie from Buffalo to Cleveland. He’s hired some really top-notch designers and professionals that have helped him put his vision on paper, and helped to develop the scope of the work and the projects that will be happening.”