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Lorain City Council honored the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at its meeting Jan. 21 through passage of a resolution.

King was born Jan. 15, 1929, and “dedicated his life to the pursuit of equality, justice, and freedom for all individuals regardless of race, creed, or background,” according to a resolution passed by council.

“Dr. King was a tireless advocate for nonviolent protest, inspiring millions through his leadership during the Civil Rights Movement to challenge discrimination, segregation, and inequality,” the resolution stated. “Dr. King’s unwavering commitment to justice led to the passage of landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which transformed the nation’s legal framework and safeguarded the rights of countless citizens; and Dr. King’s iconic ‘I Have a Dream’ speech delivered during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963 continues to resonate across generations as a powerful call to action for equality and unity.”

In other news, council members ran into a scuffle while voting on appointing a resident to the City Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.

Mayor Jack Bradley asked council to vote on appointing Brandon Wysocki to both of the boards.

However an allegation from 2023 where he was accused of bringing a firearm to a Lorain City Schools field trip was brought up by some council members.

Wysocki wasn’t convicted of the crime, but the matter could be pursued in an appeals court, said Bradley.

“I believe in a citizen’s right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Bradley told council.

The court found during a suppression hearing that the police search of Wysocki was improper, said Bradley, who also is an attorney.

“There really is no case against him at this point unless the Court of Appeals reverses that,” he said.

Bradley didn’t need council’s consent to appoint Wysocki to the Planning Commission, said Law Director Pat Riley.

“I’ll make that appointment as I see fit,” Bradley said.

Councilwoman-at-large Mary Springowski took issue with the allegation against Wysocki saying that it didn’t seem proper “just for the sake of appearances.”

Springowski made a motion to hold the matter until the court case officially was resolved, with Ward 1 Councilwoman Beth Henley seconding the motion.

However, Council President Joel Arredondo didn’t recognize the motion, which upset Springowski, who promptly closed her computer and sat back in her chair.

“Excuse me, are we Robert’s Rules of Order or Joel’s Rules of Order?” Springowski asked before refusing to vote on the appointment.

Her vote was considered an abstention while eight members voted to “receive and file” Wysocki’s appointment to the Planning Commission.

Council voted against appointing Wysocki to the Board of Zoning Appeals, with Springowki again refusing to vote.

Two council members were absent, five members voted to approve the appointment, three voted against it and Springowski’s refusal was counted as an abstention.

On Jan. 22, Wysocki said being accused of a crime has been a source of distress since it occurred.

“It haunts me constantly,” he said. “I had nothing but the best of intentions and at least to my knowledge, no student expressed any concern or issued any complaint about me during the field trip.

“In fact, it was quite the opposite.”

Wysocki said he also feels that some council members displayed a “double standard” by declining to approve his appointment to the Board of Zoning Appeals, pointing out that other members of council, past and present, have been convicted of domestic violence and operating a vehicle while impaired.

“Why is a criminal charge now a concern when it comes to ‘appearances’ for these council members, when, to my knowledge, they expressed no such concerns when their colleagues and fellow elected officials, past and present, were accused and found guilty of, or plead no contest to, crimes along the lines of operating a vehicle while impaired and domestic violence,” he said. “I understand their concerns.

“I just wish they would’ve spoken with me before casting their vote.”