State Sen. George Borrello has denied Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz’s accusation of poor communication, and criticized her suggestion for a regional control board.

Wdowiasz hit back Tuesday at a Common Council meeting against recent calls by Borrello and State Assemblyman Andrew Molitor for a Dunkirk control board.

Borrello called her comments “disappointing, but they do not change the facts.”

He stated, “Over the past two years, I have made every effort to maintain open lines of communication with the mayor’s office. In fact, I initiated every meeting or call in an effort to be helpful and stay informed. During a call in the spring with the mayor and her attorney, we were assured that everything was under control. Yet just weeks later, a high-interest bailout loan was introduced in the Senate without any warning or consultation and carried by downstate legislators who have never set foot in Dunkirk. That sequence of events was both concerning and avoidable.”

Borrello said a regional control board is unworkable because “Dunkirk’s situation is unique.”

He said the broader scope of a regional board “risks diluting the focused oversight and corrective action that this city specifically requires. Dunkirk is not simply facing budget pressure; it is the only municipality in this region experiencing this level of fiscal stress, coupled with active embezzlement and corruption investigations and deeply compromised historical financial data. The State Comptroller has repeatedly warned about Dunkirk’s deteriorating fiscal condition, deficient recordkeeping, and the inability to obtain a clear and reliable picture of the city’s true financial status.”

Borrello continued, “Despite the rhetoric and lack of cooperation from the mayor, we have continued to try to work constructively. We partnered with the Chautauqua County Executive (PJ Wendel) about the cost burden of a control board, and he has agreed to assist in addressing the financial impact on taxpayers.”

The senator said his call for a state-administered city financial control board “is not political; it is about protecting Dunkirk taxpayers. It is a proven tool used across New York to restore stability, ensure transparency, and rebuild public trust. Independent oversight would provide the expertise, fiscal discipline, and accountability necessary to put the city on a sustainable path forward.”

Wdowiasz demanded in her remarks that state politicians “step up” to help Dunkirk. Borrello replied, “I have and always will ‘step up’ for Dunkirk. To me, that means advocating for real solutions, transparency, and long-term fiscal stability. Our responsibility is to the taxpayers and residents who deserve honest government and sound financial management.”