If Lowell is your home, this is your place

Regarding Flock, while I fully believe in “citizen power” and “resident questions” at the local level, or any level for that matter, that advocacy has to include ALL of the local decision-makers. The Lowell City Council is the ultimate decision-maker, but a successful local process absolutely must include and require involving the City Manager and the Police Chief as well. Yes, the City Council controls the budget, but the City Manager approves the contract and the Police Chief dictates the actual police department policies, like data retention limits and sharing rules. By engaging all three, the residents can be well assured that the City Council is providing and including the citizens input and oversight, while the administration ensures operational transparency and the very important community protections. Because in understanding and adhering to Lowell’s “Plan E” governmental structure, that’s how we should all be moving forward. Together, collaboratively and constructively. That’s the blueprint!