Paterson council can do more in the Jameek Lowery case
By Corey Teague
Published: July 25, 2019
I wish to address a hot button topic that has gripped the heart of community. Just to refresh the readers, during a recent city council workshop, we all gathered in the council chambers to find out if there were any new developments in Jameek Lowery’s case. We were informed by council president Maritza Davila that the Council sent a letter to the New Jersey Attorney General urging his office to provide an update to the family and the community.
While I appreciate the quick response and a copy of the letter, I still feel the council hasn’t pressed the administration enough for answers regarding what took place the night of January 5th. Or at least pressing for more information concerning procedural issues with what took place. I believe the city council has the fiduciary right under the Faulkner Act, plan D, to hold a committee of the whole and to investigate this issue on their own as the city’s legislative governing body.
In talking with community leader, Chauncey I. Brown, III, it was brought to my attention that the council has several ordinances or codes which permits this governing body to act on behalf of the family as the council.
CITY CODES AS FOLLOWS:
40:69A-36 (c) of the municipal code expressively gives the city council the right to conduct a legislative inquiry or investigation.
40:69A-37 (a) of the municipal code expressively gives the city council the right to require any municipal officer, in its discretion, to prepare and submit sworn statements regarding his official duties in the performance thereof, and otherwise to investigate the conduct of any department, office or agency of the municipal government.
In closing, I strongly believe the council is concerned about this issue. However, it is time for the council to enact their legislative investigation powers to help shed light on Jameek’s murder. The time for “passing the buck” must end here. We the residents of the city of Paterson will not rest until Jameek gets justice.
Corey Teague
Activist