Censure resolution makes all councilmembers look bad

To say that the relationships among some city councilmembers is strained is an understatement.
Normally, the ebb and flow of interpersonal relations among city officials don’t rise to something worth reporting about.
But there was a recent incident that occurred during a closed meeting to discuss a pending lawsuit that veered off the rails.
It is said that Councilmembers Ian Perrotta, Saad Almasmari and Anam Miah came close to physical combat. We know Perrotta filed a police report as did Miah and Almasmari.
There is an investigation into the allegations. In the meantime Councilmembers Almasmari, Miah, Abu Musa and Fadel Al-Marsoumi passed a resolution “censuring” Perrotta for his behavior.
That was a reckless thing to do.
Why?
The city is in a partnership with the public school board with a goal to win a major multi-million dollar grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to fund an extensive renovation of the city’s historical baseball stadium and improve Veterans Park.
One of the key conditions of winning the grant is the ability of school and city officials to work together and provide stability.
The censure resolution could sabotage this effort.
Whatever differences councilmembers have with each other, we advise them to work them out behind the scenes. You were elected to better the community – not blow a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because of your petty differences.
Get your act together, folks.

Feb. 1, 2019