POUGHKEEPSIE – The Poughkeepsie Common Council’s time dealing with a non-binding resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza has expired after the bill was rejected during a vote Tuesday night.
The resolution has been the cause of heated debates among the public at council meetings, with many of the speakers focusing on the resolution that has no legal standing.
Earlier this month Council Chairman Da’Ron Wilson adjourned a council meeting after lengthy public comment on the merits of the non-binding resolution. Despite having a meeting agenda that included resolutions directly related to city business, Wilson adjourned the meeting before the council voted on any city business as the crowd grew unruly.
Second Ward Councilman Evan Menist brought the resolution up for a vote at the Tuesday meeting, but it failed with Menist, Sixth Ward Rep Christopher Grant, Seventh Ward Councilwoman Nedra Thompson, and Eighth Ward Councilwoman Megan Deichler voting for the resolution.
First Ward Councilman Ernest Henry abstained.
“I believe that this is an international issue and I was elected to take care of city matters.”
His reasoning was echoed by Third Ward Councilwoman Terriciena Brown and Ondie James, who represents the Fifth Ward.
Fourth Ward Councilman and Vice-chair, Nathan Shook voted no and was joined by Council Chairman Wilson.
“There has been no clear consensus across the community,” by the people who have spoken out, Wilson said.
After the vote, Menist admitted that the non-binding resolution has consumed a considerable amount of the council’s time but did not rule out bringing it up again.
“As a descendant of Holocaust survivors, you know my position – that I believe that this injustice cannot stand and we must speak against it.”
Following the meeting, Councilman Shook told Mid-Hudson News that he wasn’t expecting Menist to bring the resolution up because it had not been placed on the agenda. “While the vote was unexpected, I am pleased that the City of Poughkeepsie Common Council voted the resolution down tonight,” he said.
“While myself and Chairman Wilson certainly join our colleagues in mourning the loss of innocent life and pray for a lasting peace, this resolution was, and always will be, simply beyond our purview as a city council. We look forward to fully focusing again on the matters that our constituents put us into office to address.”
