Sultana Excoriated, Extolled in Final Meeting on Easton City Council

Easton City Council had a busy agenda at last night's meeting, which likely is its last of the year. It adopted a pro-immigrant resolution after numerous drafts and discussions. Most importantly, it adopted a budget for next year that keeps property taxes at the same millage rate. The meeting room was packed, not for those things, but because it was Taiba Sultana's last meeting as the south side's representative. A few of them had some things to say. Jeremy Joseph, band leader of the 50-strong Big Easy Easton Brass Band, excoriated Sultana. He was joined by Patty Hitzel, a south side activist. Sultana was extolled, too. Mark Rosenzweig praised her. And she also spent a good five minutes patting herself on the back as the meeting ended. 

Here's what Joseph had to say:

My name is Jeremy Joseph. Before I begin, I want to share where I come from. My family has been part of Easton for more than a century. My grandmother, Emily Boulos Joseph, was descended from the earliest Lebanese settlers who arrived here in Easton in the early 1900s. Her husband, my grandfather, Jacob, Abraham Joseph, opened Jacob's Fruit and Produce in 1935. My story, my family story is Easton's story. Immigrants, who worked hard, built businesses, raised families, and believed truth and integrity were the only things should pass from one generation to the next. So when I stand here tonight, I don't just speak for myself.

I speak for the people who built this community, entrusted that Easton's leaders would deal honestly with its citizens. And that is why what happened at the Christmas parade matters. At the parade, a freezing event I pour my heart into every year, I was publicly accused in the press and online of threatening and harassing councilwoman Sultana. A police report was filed, and everyone who was there knows the truth. And so do the police, the press, and the public at this point. 

Within a single day, East the Police Department confirmed the reality. No threat, no harassment, no crime, no charges. Their words not mine. Describe it as a disagreement over political stances.

So, yes, I became the latest person in this city to be publicly misrepresented by a council member on her way out the door, and I'll be honest, it stung. It was unfair.

So, yes, this is when I realized something. I'm not special. I'm not unique. I am one of many. Because over the last four years, a long list of people have been accused, targeted, and dragged into unnecessary conflict. The mayor, her fellow members of city council, the East, the Police Department, Representative Bob Freeman, city staff, and countless residents. And now even a community band leader.

So when it happened to me, I wasn't joining a scandal. I was joining the club. A club nobody has to be in. It was created because basic disagreement kept being turned into danger. Criticism, in the conspiracy, in public service, in the public conflict.

But here's the good news. This is the final month of that era. Your term ends in January, and when that gavel drops, Easton closes this chapter for good. 

So let's be clear. We can't change the last four years, but we can certainly control the next four. And I think I'm done. We're done with conflict, division, drama, because this moment, right now, is the moment Easton gets to exhale. 

For four years, this city has been pulled into arguments that had nothing to do with progress. For four years, we reacted to drama instead of building momentum. But tonight, we stop looking backward. A new chapter begins and we write it together. We have three new council members, Frank, Julie, and Susan, and they deserve a clean state slate. They deserve a council that works together. Not one constantly defending itself. 

They deserve a chamber focused on solutions, not social media. And we, the community, deserve the same.

Easton is a special place.People here still show up for one another. And let's say this help out. Easton has never been defined by a one term council person. It has always been defined by the people that show up without ego or headlines. Our teachers, police officers, small business owners, volunteers, organizers, neighbors, artists, and musicians. That is Easton, that's the Easton Worth building. And no matter what anybody says or posts, come January, we will still be here.

So here's what I plan to do to move us forward.By turning frustration into action and doing what I've always done, build something for Easton. I am starting a drum line for kids in the West Ward, no title, no salary, no politics, just service. If you're a drummer and you want to join my mission, I have the drum sets for kids. Bring your own drum and help teach. Our open house is March 15th, 5 to 7 at the East Area Community Center. And every kid who attends gets a free pair of drumsticks.

I promise...

Councilwoman Sultana, at the West Ward Christmas Lightning last week, gave kids bar darts. Bar darts, weapons. I'm gonna' give the kids drumsticks. 

So, I invite everyone in this city to do the same in your own way. Lead without holding office. Serve without seeking credit. Build without needing permission. If you love this city, the city will love you back. Let's all go build the city we deserve.

Thank you.

During his speech, Sultana interrupted Joseph several times. She did the same to Patty Hitzel when she complained about being blocked on both Sultana's personal and official page. 

Mark Rosenzweig defended Sultana. "To attack like this, in a planned way, at this open meeting, a person who's been a public servant, serving the community of the Eastern, as best she can, and adhering to her values, and her ideals in this matter, is nothing but appalling, uh, misogyny. Oh, racism."

If you think Sultana's life in politics is over, think again. She's told several people that she plans to run for State Senator Lisa Boscola's seat when her term expires next year.