By M.J. STAFFORD mstafford@observertoday.com

Someone apparently did not want to wait for the city of Dunkirk to cover Mayor Wilfred Rosas’ name on the Memorial Park sign.

The mayor’s name, on both sides of the sign, was spray-painted with black paint sometime Friday or Saturday.

“I don’t take any personal offense to that,” Rosas said Monday. “As mayor, I’m disappointed someone would damage city property in that way.”

The mayor said a report has been filed with the city police and he has directed them to investigate. He added that the incident might cost city taxpayers money, as it appears insurance will not cover repairs to the sign. The Department of Public Works will attempt to remove the paint.

The Common Council voted in December to remove Rosas’ name from the sign at the Lake Shore Drive park. The intention was to cover it with a plaque dedicating the park “to all our fallen heroes.” The park contains several memorials to veterans from Dunkirk who were killed in action.

Rosas’ name is on the sign simply because it was installed during his administration, his supporters say.

Despite the vote in December, Rosas’ name has remained on the sign since then. Councilwoman Nancy Nichols, a Rosas opponent who helped enact the sign change resolution, said at a committee meeting in March that workers were going to be installing the plaque when the weather improved.

Nichols was upset about the vandalism Monday morning.

“I don’t know who took it upon themselves to do that,” she said. “It’s a little disturbing.”

She added, “I’m very upset that people took it upon themselves when a professional is coming in to redo that sign.”

Nichols explained that Southpaw Signs and Stripes of Fredonia is supposed to alter the sign. They are waiting for three days of similar temperatures to do the job properly, she said.

Southpaw was originally going to remove the sign, but chose to keep it in place because it is anchored securely and would require additional work and cost to reinstall, Nichols added.

“I’m upset that someone was that vindictive to do that,” she concluded.

Rosas noted that the city has seen other incidents of spray paint vandalism in the past year or so, at the lake wall and at a skate park that had just been refurbished by an Eagle Scout for a project.

“These are things that cost taxpayers money,” he lamented.