At the organizational meeting of the Common Council tonight, it was revealed who would be the majority leader and minority leader. Dominic Merante, who is beginning his third term as an alder representing the Fifth Ward, will serve as majority leader, and Ryan Wallace, who is beginning his sixth month as an alder representing the Third Ward, will serve as minority leader.
Tonight's meeting also provided some clarity about the process for filling the vacancy on the Council. It is rumored that Calvin Lewis has officially made known his intention not to take office. Tonight, in response to a question from Merante, Council president Tom DePietro said they would be "acting on that in the immediate future, probably at the next meeting." So far, only Amber Harris, who ran a write-in campaign in November that garnered 84 votes, is the only person to express interest in filling the vacancy. Tonight, as he has done in the past, DePietro invited any Third Ward resident interested in serving on the Council to contact him.
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Amber Harris won the write-in contest by a convincing margin If she doesn't end up representing the 3rd Ward, this Council will be starting the New Year on the wrong foot.
ReplyDeleteIs Tom D waiting as long as possible in the hope that someone, ANYONE, will step forward so he can deny Amber the position she seems to deserve. This should have been dealt with and finalized this evening. What a circus, and not a very rewarding one.
ReplyDeleteRob Perry, Jr. didn't bother sticking around the meeting while his DPW commissioner introduced himself to the new council. Nor did he avail himself for public comment time. Such a gentleman and decent public servant that $100,000 man Perry is. B Huston
Amber Harris won the vote and should be the other alderperson in the Third Ward. What is the legitimate reason for denying this. Shenanigans? It's already 11th January and she should be in position. Anyone else not elected is faulty.
ReplyDeleteI appears that Mr.D does not want Miss Harris on the council. Makes one wonder why and who he might be in bed with. QC? The request for possible candidates has been out there now since shortly after the election and to this point no one has stepped forward. This is just more of the political bullshit that now seems to be the norm in the City Of Hudson. Shame on DiPietro and the council for allowing this to happen. I guess it doesn't matter what the voters want any more.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct that Amber Harris should be voted to the seat by the Council at the earliest opportunity. You are also correct that steaming bullshit is the norm in Hudson politics, and very often Tom is the one stirring the pot and demanding we bask in the scent of his new potpourri.
DeleteHowever, this is not Tom's fault, so far as I can tell. BOE commissioner Ken Dow laid out the process for appointing a new alder to fill the vacancy, and the process allowing the Council to step in is triggered by either a 30 day vacancy or, I believe, a letter of declination, which Lewis just sent.
I will further add that while I wholeheartedly support Harris and think she should be appointed to the Council, the process is open and putting out a call to gauge interest is the right thing to do whether you support one candidate or not.
So, who is the minority member representing anyway? Is there a stipend for being named minority leader?
ReplyDeleteQuintin Cross is not against Amber or anyone taking that seat. I don't believe if someone comes in 3rd they automatically should get a seat. I want all BLACK people to win :)
ReplyDeleteLetting your racist flag fly yet again, Quintin? You know no low.
Deletehttps://truthout.org/articles/no-black-people-cant-be-racists/
ReplyDeleteMorally and intellectually bankrupt I see. Such squandered potential.
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