In a heated four-hour meeting, the La Marque City Council blocked Councilman Joseph Lowry’s attempts to remove Mayor Keith Bell, calling his accusations “meritless.” The council ultimately dismissed Lowry's claims, expressing frustration over the distractions they said diverted attention from city priorities.
The La Marque City Council, in a tense four-hour meeting on Monday night, acted to obstruct Councilman Joseph Lowry's efforts to depose Mayor Keith Bell. The council characterized Lowry's actions as "meritless" and disruptive. Lowry's accusations, directed at numerous council members and municipal officials, catalyzed a protracted meeting that ultimately concluded with the council dismissing his accusations as unfounded.
Lowry had attempted to initiate a vote to remove Mayor Bell, citing purported misconduct. Nevertheless, council members contended that his assertions were unsubstantiated, with several members emphasizing Lowry's propensity to make accusations without adequate evidence. The motion to contemplate the mayor's removal was unsuccessful, and the council expressed its support for the preservation of unity and the emphasis on city governance.
The council was "deeply disappointed" by Lowry's approach, which diverted attention from critical issues confronting La Marque. It stated, "We must uphold the interests of the people we serve."
The council concluded the meeting by dismissing additional motions to address Lowry's claims and reiterating a call for collaborative governance, indicating that the commission intends to move forward from the incident. Mayor Bell maintained his position despite the controversy, as council members expressed their confidence in his leadership and dedication to the community.
