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It could have been a simple Niagara Falls Council meeting with an emotional farewell from councilpersons Kenny Tompkins and Vincent Cauley, honor a couple worthy citizens and move on with a quick night.
It was not, however, to be so.
Eliza May Peagler Laster was to be feted for her 100th birthday. She donned a glorious purple velvet hat for the occasion. A well-respected and well-dressed member of the African American community was joined by a full chamber of church family dressed to honor the anniversary of her birth.
Into what should have been a crisp celebration the murky waters of political morass invaded.
A resolution from Tompkins intended to refocus the council on its duties as defined by the City Charter. Tompkins resolution called Council Chairperson David Zajac to task for unilaterally negotiating with Niagara Falls Redevelopment over the proposed two-project solution for Centennial Park and the Urbacon Data Center.
Tompkins didn’t expect the resolution to pass but did it to make a point – negotiations are the purview of the executive branch of city government, not something in which the council chairperson is unilaterally empowered to engage with our without the support and encouragement of a council majority.
The meeting was plagued with sound issues, as an annoying buzz filled the air every time someone spoke. It could have been easily eliminated by making it a special session, when no feedback is allowed.
Joking aside, Cauley drew Tompkins into an argument over how the charter is written. Cauley saw language enabling the mayor to negotiate all contracts as not prohibiting the council from engaging in negotiation.
Deputy Corporation Counsel Thomas DeBoy stepped into the void to challenge Cauley.
“Your legal interpretation, and you are not an attorney, contradicts legal advice from legal counsel and corporate counsel” DeBoy said.
The argument went down a pointless rabbit hole that seemed like it would cycle forever until Pastor Raymond Allen of Bethany Missionary Baptist Church rose from his seat and brought sense back to the chaos demanding petty disputes be set aside so Mrs. Laster could be honored. His plea included the observation she was falling asleep.
Speaker Pro Tem Donta Myles respected his elder, called a pause to the meeting and brought forth Mrs. Laster so the council could honor her.
The celebration of her life, achievements and role in the church community calmed the tension of the debate between Cauley and Tompkins. With his point made, Tompkins pulled his resolution from consideration. Councilmember Traci Bax was ready to speak on the issue but never got the chance. Tompkins pulled the resolution.
The meeting ended with Mrs. Laster very much awake, being properly celebrated and one of the last people left. Maybe she wasn’t sleeping but at least Rev. Allen rose to quell the chaos and Myles had the sense to listen.
One other note:
In the “For the Good of the Community” segment, Jeannine Gallo of the Town of Tonawanda addressed the council about substandard conditions at the new animal shelter on Grand Island the city started using several months ago.
She talked about the shelter not having appropriate space for dogs to exercise, not having its floors properly sealed and other deficiencies.
The city retained the services of Pit Chic after the Niagara County SPCA terminated its relationship.
Gallo said she is attempting to purchase an appropriate space for a shelter on Military Road in Niagara Falls.
At least two council members after the meeting said they would visit the current facility and check things out.
