By Terry Schrimscher
IRONDALE, Ala.–While the Irondale City Council intended to focus on the city receiving a $300,000 recycling grant and other items of new business during its regular meeting yesterday, Sept. 3, most of its discussion centered on controversial comments made online by one of its members.
In her newsletter, Councilor Cindy Cuellar alleged that Mayor James D. Stewart, Jr. intimidated her, questioned her integrity, and defamed her at a previous council meeting after she gave a report on an invoice from Williams Blackstock Architects which he said was only a proposed amount and that she was not being truthful in her report.
Cuellar also wrote on Facebook, “The men in our administration have difficulty with the fact that a Hispanic woman can think for herself. And I am not going to put up with their bullying and their discriminatory racism against me.”
During last night’s meeting, Stewart responded to Cuellar’s statement.
“Before I get into my report, I want to address a comment that was made that the mayor discriminates against Hispanic women, that the mayor is a bully, that the mayor discriminates against individuals, and that the mayor is basically a racist,” Stewart said.
“I am appalled that someone would have the nerves to be able to make that statement and not have anything to be able to back it up,” he added.
“Making comments like that only causes confusion in the community,” he said. “If we don’t agree with each other, that doesn’t mean that you’re a bully, it doesn’t mean that you discriminated against anybody, it doesn’t mean that you are a racist and it doesn’t mean that you do not like Hispanic women,” Stewart said.
Stewart went on to explain that he is the only male working in his offices at City Hall and added that his top three staff members are white women.
“When you use these words, please use them in the proper context,” Stewart continued. “There are people who have died from bullying. There’s really people that have died from discrimination and there’s people that have lost their life over racism. So, going forward, please do not throw these out here for shock value because it doesn’t work.”
In his report to the council, Councilor John London continued the response to comments made online by fellow council member Cindy Cuellar.
“Last week during all of my excitement, citizens started contacting me about some statement that they read and they were angry because they knew it was far from the truth,” London said. “I was shocked and equally outraged when I read Councilwoman Cuellar’s quote,” he said.
“This is unbelievable. The only thing that is correct about her statement is that none of the council will vote for anything without all of the information and having our questions answered,” London said, addressing Councilor Cuellar directly.
“I am here to comment on your bullying and racial discrimination claim towards me. First, you are misusing the two words to play victim and divert attention from the fact that you consistently vote and work against the progress of the city and are angry that we are not following your footsteps. So, let me define racism since you seem to be confused about the definition. Racism [is] oppression of a racial group to have social, economic or political advantage over another race,” he continued.
London gave examples from his own experience as an African American experiencing discrimination and racism and again addressed Cuellar who sits beside him.
“The only place I have seen racism on this council comes from the seat that I sit next to,” London said.
“I have watched for four years. You mistreat our mayor because of the color of his skin. I have also watched you mistreat our mayor because the guy you campaigned for didn’t win the mayor’s race. I’ve watched you have racial agenda toward black contractors by questioning them like they were on trial,” he added.
“For the last four years, you have sat here and voted against progress and when we vote for progress you claim racism and bullying,” London said to Cuellar. He continued to express his opinion on her voting record and his goals for the city.
Cuellar posted similar comments in a newsletter posted on the Councilor Cuellar, District 3-Irondale Facebook page on August 22. Her report to the council followed London’s.
“No one knows my heart but God, and yet he was allowed to claim all of these things against me that he knows my heart,” Cuellar said speaking to Council President Spivey.
“For you to allow it, sir, is totally disgusting, despicable, and it is unbecoming of a council president to be allowing this kind of tone. I have sat through council meetings where I have been spoken to in a condescending tone and yes, it is bullying,” she said.
“What is at issue here is when there are issues that come before the council and we do not have the information that we have a right to have before making the decision and were not given that information, I’m going to ask for it and I will not be bullied,” Cuellar said.
“Just because I do not agree with a proposal does not mean I am against an individual,” she added.
Councilors Box, Sims, and Spivey also added comments in their reports about the public posts on Facebook.
In his report to the city, Mayor Stewart also presented a check for $300,447 from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for a Fiscal Year 25 ARF grant. The city explained the grant in a statement to the Trussville Tribune after the meeting.
Michael Wallace (left) received the ADEM recycling check for Irondale. Photo courtesy City of Irondale.
“Assistant Public Works Director Michael “Boo” Wallace attended the Alabama Recycling Coalition Conference to receive a grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management today. The City of Irondale was awarded $300,447 to continue expanding our recycling program,” the statement read.
“The funds will be used to purchase a new truck and to promote educational programs about how and why to recycle. Irondale’s grant award was the second largest amount awarded to a municipality. Eighteen grants were awarded for a total of over $2.5 million.”
In his report, Stewart also updated the council on plans for a new storm shelter for the city.
“The county was going to give us $400,000 to get the storm shelter but the one we’re going to get for the city is going to be able to house over 200 people,” Stewart said.
“The cost is going to be $453,000 which I will be bringing a resolution in the next month to the council to be able to supplement it with the $53,000.”
Stewart added the city would like to find two more locations to install shelters in the future.
In other business, the council approved:
- Amended the budget and scope of the proposed work by Williams Blackstock Architects for the Irondale Civic Center by a 4-1 vote, with Cuellar opposed.
- An agreement with Cintas for uniforms.
- A special event license for Marty’s GM.
- An agreement with Ingenuity for vehicle registration services.
- Approved $112,000 for Countryfest by a 4-1 vote, with Cuellar opposed.
- Amended municipal code related to emergency transport services.
- Approved payment of current bills in the amount of $540,320.65 by a 3-1-1 vote with London opposed and Cuellar abstaining.
The next meeting of the Irondale City Council will be held at 6 p.m. on September 17 at Irondale City Hall.
An agenda for the meeting can be found on the City of Irondale’s website prior to the meeting.
