Dunkirk Assessor Erica Munson was a calming voice in a chasm of anger regarding the 84% property tax hike recently approved in the city. She spoke during the Common Council meeting last week.

“First and foremost to our residents: I see you, I hear you, I appreciate the calls, I appreciate the emails, social media. … Please reach out,” she said. “I can’t stress enough how much I don’t want our residents to have to live in fear. There’s a lot of misunderstanding and there’s a lot of misinformation. Our percentage is such a high number that it’s automatically torturing a lot of our residents. I want to help alleviate some of that.”

Munson said if city residents have questions about assessments or ramifications of the tax raise they can call her at 716-366-9836, or email her at emunson@cityofdunkirk.com.

While that’s all well and good, she still needs to do her job. Most importantly, she must get the NRG Energy Inc. site back on the city tax rolls.

When the plant was in operation, it made $4 million for city coffers. Now, the property — through a payment in lieu of taxes — pays $134,000.

That major parcel is next to the lake. It has to be worth much more than that. For the record, the payment in lieu of tax agreement expired in 2023.

Munson can be sympathetic to residents all she wants. She can help them even more by getting that massive property to pay its fair share.