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Ethnic slur issue resurfaces in Sloan
Whether or not a Village of Sloan board member used an ethnic slur against another trustee eight months ago is still not known, although the accused board member vehemently again denied at Tuesday's meeting his use of the offensive term.
Village Trustee and Deputy Mayor James Niwinski was referring to the June 12 meeting in which fellow trustee Anthony Sisti accused Niwinski of insulting his Italian heritage on April 12 in the Sloan Village Hall parking lot.
Tuesday, Niwinski announced during the "old business" session of the meeting that he intended to "clear my good name" following an investigation conducted by Sloan Attorney Paul Murak.
"After six months, I need to put an end to this," Niwinski stated. "I did not use an ethnic slur. (The accusation) is uncalled for and wrong."
Murak stated that he interviewed both Niwinski and Sisti after the June accusation and came to inconclusive results, stating a village hall employee had witnessed the April confrontation through a window but did not hear words exchanged.
"The indication I got from the information heard was that were was a heated exchange, with a good deal of gesturing by Trustee Sisti and backing off from Niwinski," Murak said. "There was some admission (by Niwinski) of 'off-color' remarks. My own conclusion is that it was not creditable conduct by both trustees."
Murak added that the interviews were not taken under oath, something Sisti adamentally favors. Sisti openly asked Niwinski to take a lie detector test, adding that he'd pay for both tests.
"I don't understand why you won't take (the test)," Sisti said to Niwinski. "You could make me a fool, Jim. I'm giving you a chance to clear your name...My family's been hurt. My ethnic background's been hurt."
Niwinski replied by stating, "Stop your childish rants. You're a child. Grow up. You lie all the time....This isn't the Jerry Springer show."
Sloan Mayor Leonard Szymanski attempted to quiet the trustees several times, stating that the matter was an out-of-public event.
Niwinski admitted to the Times after the meeting that he used profanity toward Sisti during the April confrontation but denied using any ethnic slurs, adding, "I don't know where he got that from."
Niwinski added that Sisti threatened him with physical violence.
Niwinski stated that events leading to the confrontation included his refusal to approve a $300 pay increase for the village's budget director- a position handled by Sisti last year- as well as refusal to comply in helping to "shut down" a village business.
Sisti said he wanted the budget director salary hike for anyone handling the job's duties, not just because he was in the position. He added that he does not favor closing the disputed business, he just wants it to comply with parking regulations.
Sisti stated that Niwinski proposed salary increases for nearly all village employees prior to last budget's discussions.
"I don't have an axe to grind," Sisti told the Times. "My record is clean."
In other action Tuesday, Sloan Fire Chief Barry Ping announced that Phillip Spider would take over the position of chief.
Ping, who served as chief the last two years, thanked the Sloan board, code enforcement officer (Vincent Ferrarraccio), highway superintendent (Sean McGee) and residents for their support.
"The last two years working with the village has been a whole new book," Ping said. "Many goals were accomplished, especially with getting a new pumper and upgrades to the fire hall truck room. It got us up to par with any fire department today."
Spider has been a member of the fire company since entering the Explorer program as a volunteer in 1996, most recently serving as first assistant chief.
The board approved Local Law 2007-4, which includes a program enforcing a Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, as well as regulating hazardous structures.
Murak said the ordinance incorporates state-mandated requirements.
"Basically, this gives us more weapons in the arsenal." Murak said. "The biggest area of discretion had been having limited options with hazardous structures (in the village). This new law covers that."
Ferrarraccio said a recent case involving a hazardous structure in Sloan was at a property at 2275 Broadway- calling the address a "blight on the community"- where children frequented the location. After a lengthy process, Ferrarraccio said, Town Justice Thomas S. Kolbert signed an order to vacate to be delivered to the property owner.
The next Sloan Board meeting will take place January 8, 2008 at 7 p.m. in Sloan Village Hall.
Sloan Fire Company #1 announces 2008 officers
(Firematic officers)
• Phillip Spider - Chief
• Alan Wieberg - 1st assistant chief
• Anthony Bienas - 2nd assistant chief.
• Kevin Jajkowski - Fire captain.
• Craig Pawlowski - Fire lieutenant.
• Kevin Lombardo - EMS captain.
• Debora Striewing - EMS lieutenant.
• John Wieberg - Fire police captain.
(Social officers) • Jack Bienas - President. • Barry Ping - Vice President. • Jannine Hughes - Secretary.
• Anthony Sisti - Chaplain.
• Gene Besczcynski, Raymond Bienik and Robert Jajkowski - Trustees.
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