On Monday evening, the La Marque city council chambers were filled with residents seeking an end to the political tensions that have been causing trouble within the city’s government.
Residents voiced their concerns over the ongoing drama that has surrounded the council in recent weeks, urging for unity and peace among officials.
Tensions at the Council Meeting
The meeting began with a prayer by Mayor Pro Tem Joe Compin, who prayed for unity within the community. He asked the Lord to help “unite (his) divided family,” referencing the ongoing conflicts between council members.
Residents expressed their frustration during the meeting. La Marque resident Laura Divine urged the council to “stop all hatefulness,” while Amber Ferguson called out the council for its behavior, stating, “All of this foolishness, it’s time to stop.”
Former City Manager’s Legal Troubles
As of the meeting on Monday, former City Manager J.B. Pritchett was wanted on five warrants related to serious allegations. Pritchett is accused of falsifying military service records and educational qualifications on his job application. He is also suspected of staging an arson by setting fire to a fence around his home.
Council Member Joseph Lowry made a startling statement, claiming that Pritchett wrote “F-you Lowry rules” before setting the fire. According to La Marque Police Chief Randall Aragon, Pritchett may have been trying to frame Lowry for the incident, as Lowry was the first to publicly raise concerns about Pritchett’s qualifications.
Pritchett resigned from his position last Monday, and charges were filed shortly afterward. The police have been unable to contact him since then.
Problems With Interim City Manager and City Clerk
The troubles continued when the interim city manager, who had taken over after Pritchett’s resignation, also resigned within a week. Council member Lowry noted how quickly the resignation occurred.
The council also met in a closed-door session to discuss the vacant city manager position. At the same time, Lowry raised concerns about City Clerk Kierra Nance’s actions, accusing her of failing to follow laws regarding open records. Nance defended herself, saying that Lowry had requested documents that did not exist.
Seizure of Phones and More Allegations
In a further twist, several hours before the meeting, La Marque Police confirmed that they had seized cellphones from Texas City employees at City Hall.
The police department is investigating whether these phones are linked to Derek Miller, a Texas City employee who was arrested last month for allegedly impersonating Lowry on Facebook. These fake posts supported Texas City officials whom Lowry had criticized.
Meanwhile, some La Marque residents accused Lowry of targeting them online. One resident, David Hall, claimed that Lowry had threatened him, saying he would “whip his butt.” Lowry denied the accusation, saying his online activities were never meant to harass anyone.
The La Marque City Council’s meeting on Monday highlighted the continued political tension within the city. With ongoing investigations and accusations, the situation remains volatile. Residents are calling for an end to the conflict and hope that the council can find a way to restore peace and stability.
The resignation of city officials, police investigations, and legal troubles surrounding the former city manager show the depth of the current crisis, leaving the community wondering what the next steps will be.
