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As the Niagara Falls City Council devolved into chaos Wednesday night, and headed into recess rather than continuing to endure the rancor of the galley, one observer sat halfway back on the northside of the room tastefully adorned in her Hijab, taking it all in.
Sylvana Rahman (pronounce it “Rockmon”) sat patiently. When she made eye contact I said “hello.”
“Are you a Democrat? Would you sign my petition?”
I told her I wasn’t a registered Democrat but asked her if we could chat.
She handed me a palm card with her image inviting voters to support her in the June 24th primary for city council.
“Change starts now,” it says. “Let’s build a safer, stronger, Niagara Falls - Together.”
Rahman said she interviewed with the Democratic committee, was not endorsed, and decided to run a primary anyway. She is trying to gather 1,000 signatures and expects her petitions to be challenged.
Sources tell the Express that despite the presence of other qualified candidates, Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino, at the endorsement meeting, moved to support Noah Munoz, Bridgette Myles and John Kinney.
Other committee persons tried to stand up for the good of the community but were overwhelmed by forces supporting the mayor. Rahman has nothing to do with this paragraph or the previous.
Rahman said she has been in Niagara Falls for 5 or 6 years since moving here from Brooklyn.
“Everything is so expensive in Brooklyn,” she said. “I took all my life savings and I invested in Niagara Falls.”
Rahman, the daughter of Bangledeshi immigrants, said with her residence and other investments she is part of a portfolio of 9 properties in the Falls so far.
“My goal is for the people,” she said.
Rahman said she is a graduate of Kingsboro Community College and works as a software engineer both for Wells Fargo and on private contracts.
