NIAGARA FALLS – The hiring of a former city judge as special counsel for ongoing efforts to finalize city charter reforms on Monday night drew accusations from a city lawmaker of the appearance of impropriety.
Councilwoman Kristen M. Grandinetti objected to the hiring of attorney and current city School Board member Robert M. Restaino by the City Council, which ended up being approved despite her concerns.
“To pay him to work on reforming the city charter not only creates the appearance of impropriety and patronage, but it creates a real conflict of interest,” Grandinetti told her colleagues.
Grandinetti attempted to table the proposal, but it was not voted on because no other lawmaker seconded her motion. Restaino was hired at a rate of $1,500 per month. The vote was 4-1, with Grandinetti casting the only vote against it.
Grandinetti said her intent was not to discredit Restaino, but to question a move to hire an active political figure for a job without time for any real public scrutiny.
She said Restaino has supported political campaigns of City Council members, including hers.
She also noted that Restaino ran for the Assembly less than two years ago, and is an elected member of the Board of Education of a school district for which she and Councilman Andrew P. Touma work.
Restaino may best be known for a 2005 incident in which, as a city judge, he jailed nearly 50 people from his courtroom after he believed a cell phone went off and no one admitted to possessing it.
He was later removed from the bench.
Grandinetti said she supported the Council’s efforts to complete the long-contemplated charter reform, but called for a public hearing on the issue.
“I think it’s only right that we should talk to the community before taking this step,” she said, noting the issue only became public when the Council’s agenda was released Thursday.
Chairman Charles A. Walker said he was surprised by Grandinetti’s comments.
“I wish Councilwoman Grandinetti would have discussed this with us a little further before she made her comments,” Walker said.
“I do think Mr. Restaino is qualified. No underhanded deal has happened here.”
Walker said he expects Restaino to work about 10 to 12 hours per month and the charter reform effort to continue until about September.
In another matter, the Council voted, 4-0, to give $250,000 of the city’s share of casino revenue to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center for its planned $3.4 million cardiac/stroke center.
The awarding of city funds will allow the hospital to collect a $750,000 matching grant from the John Oishei R. Foundation.
Walker abstained from the vote because he is employed as the hospital’s manager of community outreach.
email: abesecker@buffnews.com
Councilwoman Kristen M. Grandinetti objected to the hiring of attorney and current city School Board member Robert M. Restaino by the City Council, which ended up being approved despite her concerns.
“To pay him to work on reforming the city charter not only creates the appearance of impropriety and patronage, but it creates a real conflict of interest,” Grandinetti told her colleagues.
Grandinetti attempted to table the proposal, but it was not voted on because no other lawmaker seconded her motion. Restaino was hired at a rate of $1,500 per month. The vote was 4-1, with Grandinetti casting the only vote against it.
Grandinetti said her intent was not to discredit Restaino, but to question a move to hire an active political figure for a job without time for any real public scrutiny.
She said Restaino has supported political campaigns of City Council members, including hers.
She also noted that Restaino ran for the Assembly less than two years ago, and is an elected member of the Board of Education of a school district for which she and Councilman Andrew P. Touma work.
Restaino may best be known for a 2005 incident in which, as a city judge, he jailed nearly 50 people from his courtroom after he believed a cell phone went off and no one admitted to possessing it.
He was later removed from the bench.
Grandinetti said she supported the Council’s efforts to complete the long-contemplated charter reform, but called for a public hearing on the issue.
“I think it’s only right that we should talk to the community before taking this step,” she said, noting the issue only became public when the Council’s agenda was released Thursday.
Chairman Charles A. Walker said he was surprised by Grandinetti’s comments.
“I wish Councilwoman Grandinetti would have discussed this with us a little further before she made her comments,” Walker said.
“I do think Mr. Restaino is qualified. No underhanded deal has happened here.”
Walker said he expects Restaino to work about 10 to 12 hours per month and the charter reform effort to continue until about September.
In another matter, the Council voted, 4-0, to give $250,000 of the city’s share of casino revenue to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center for its planned $3.4 million cardiac/stroke center.
The awarding of city funds will allow the hospital to collect a $750,000 matching grant from the John Oishei R. Foundation.
Walker abstained from the vote because he is employed as the hospital’s manager of community outreach.
email: abesecker@buffnews.com