EASTON, Pa. — An attempt to recognize Asian American and Pacific Islander-owned businesses in Easton derailed into an argument over proper procedure during the city’s council meeting Wednesday night.
Councilmember Taiba Sultana made an effort to issue certificates of appreciation to several Asian American and Pacific Islander-owned businesses throughout the city during her administrative committee report, and even though the action was harmless — and, in many instances, supported by fellow councilmembers — the presentation resulted in a bit of an uproar over proper procedures.
May is recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, when “we take time to reflect and celebrate the important role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) have played in our shared history,” according to the AAPI organization.
“It's not me, actually, the city officials embarrassed themselves. All those council members of the city of Easton, all those council members and the mayor, they embarrassed themselves.”Easton City Councilmember Taiba Sultana
“Today, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have played a vital role in shaping the rich tapestry of American society. It is very important to recognize and celebrate the diverse cultures, traditions and experiences of the Asian Americans’ and Pacific Islanders’ communities and to continue to work toward creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all,” Sultana said.
When questioned as to the source of the certificates, Sultana said they were from the council, to which Mayor Sal Panto Jr. responded “Council has to approve that first.”
What followed was a debate over proper procedures for such an action, with Panto suggesting the matter should have been introduced to the entire council earlier in the month, and Sultana stating that the matter did not involve any legislative action, and as such, it was acceptable.
After reiterating to solicitor Joel Scheer that there was no actionable matter akin to a resolution or piece of legislation, Sultana presented certificates to the owners and operators of PL Asian Market, Hana Sushi and Teppanyaki, SOGO Restaurant, Aman’s Artisan Indian Cuisine, Love Pho and PL Café, Imperial Garden, Tokyo Sushi, 1001 Thai, Tandoor Grill, Magic Wok, Indian Bazaar, Takkii Ramen, Mi Casa, and CJ Grocery.
Mi Casa co-owners Saurabh Passi and Xiomara Morales were present at city hall for the ceremony Wednesday, among a few other individuals who were also recognized.
“It feels good to be recognized, and to have some representation,” Passi said, offering no comment on the conflict among councilmembers.
Council conflicts
Toward the end of the meeting, the subject flared up yet again, with councilmembers repeatedly commending the individuals who had attended the meeting for their contributions while questioning Sultana’s approach to the presentation.
Vice Mayor Ken Brown said certificates of recognition tend to go through the mayor’s office to ensure everyone is aware of the matter before they sign off on it.
Scheer reiterated no one was against the idea of recognizing those business owners, though respecting a particular process for such matters was preferable.
Panto concurred with Brown, stating “I'm not saying anything about the recipients of those certificates. What we're talking about is the process that you use, again, by yourself, to present something on behalf of seven people.”
Councilmember Frank Pintabone also noted his support behind the idea, but his issue with the way it was rendered.
“Unfortunately, none of us had an idea of what award we're giving or for what,” Pintabone said, adding the certificates were not from the city council, but from Sultana alone, before addressing the attendees directly.
“The proper way would have been to say, ‘Hey, guys, I want to award these people,’ we would have known; it would have been fine. You would have gotten a legit city certificate with a legit signature. All we're asking is to follow the procedure – not for you guys, you did nothing wrong.”
Councilmember Crystal Rose expressed that the council should discuss the proper process for awarding certificates soon, telling Sultana “I would not have an issue if your name was the only one on there right now.”
Pintabone and Rose both said they would not have had any issue if the awards were presented exclusively by Sultana, but noted how she presented them, it could be assumed to be a certificate from the city or the council – which it was not.
Sultana stated the awards were not resolutions or bills, and as such, they did not require review from the mayor before appearing on the budget.
“The resolution was pulled out. And the certification was, you know, mentioned under my committee reports agenda, and they went through exactly what it was, as mentioned on the agenda,” Sultana said.
Pintabone and Rose also pointed out that copies of the certificates were not included in the agenda packet the council received that week.
“How are we supposed to know what is going out? And I’m sorry, but you put these business owners in a weird position,” Rose said
Brown also made a point that the intent behind the certificates was appreciated, though the proper procedure was not followed.
“But in the interim, all council members must know what's coming. It's a process. And the certificate should say who is the chairperson of that committee.”
Pintabone again expressed he would have been open to supporting the certificates – even going so far as to say they could have been made by the city with an official seal on them – but he would have appreciated being kept in the loop.
Toward the end of the meeting, when Sultana noted herself as the “first elected Asian American [in Easton],” Panto interjected.
“I’m the first Italian mayor. Does that make me any better than you? No! Cheese and crackers, we’re all Americans!” Panto said.
Brown also voiced his frustration with the matter quite bluntly.
“Mrs. Sultana, I have served this city for over 27 years in different capacities. In all my years, I’ve not ever dealt with what I’ve dealt with over the last two years. It’s to the point right now that I, Ken Brown, have no more confidence in you,” Brown said.
Code of conduct addition?
On Thursday, Sultana pointed out that there is “no procedure” for handing out certificates, noting “everything was correctly done.”
Sultana added she was disappointed by the conflict among council members as it presented attendees with a negative view of city politicians.
“[T]he very first time [they visited] they have seen a bad side of the city,” Sultana said.
“It's not me, actually, the city officials embarrassed themselves. All those council members of the city of Easton, all those council members and the mayor, they embarrassed themselves.”
The same day, Scheer clarified that Sultana’s conduct did not necessarily break any council rules, though it could have been handled more appropriately, even given the fact that just about everyone on the council approved of the intent for the certificates.
“You would think that an appropriate process would be to share it with other people and talk to other people, but it's not legislation, and I can't say it’s anything illegal, it has no impact whatsoever,” Scheer said.
“But at this point in time, the mayor is going to be introducing a code of conduct, and now he might have to now add to it, that individual council people should not be presenting their own certificates.”
