Newark Council Faces Backlash Over Affirmative Action Review Failures

The Newark Municipal Council held a regular meeting on April 2, 2025, where significant concerns regarding affirmative action and resident employment policies were raised. The meeting began with public comments highlighting ongoing issues related to the Newark Resident Employment Policy and the effectiveness of the Affirmative Action Review Council.

A prominent speaker, who has been advocating for Newark residents since 2003, expressed frustration over the lack of progress in ensuring local employment on construction projects. He noted that despite the implementation of tax abatements and economic incentives, there has been no record of Newark residents working on construction sites over the past decade. The speaker emphasized that the Affirmative Action Review Council had only met once in the previous year and had not convened at all in 2025, raising concerns about compliance monitoring.

The speaker also pointed out that a sitting councilman had refused to attend meetings of the review council, which he described as a significant red flag. He urged the council to take immediate action to address these issues and protect the interests of Newark residents, who he claimed are being overlooked in favor of developers.

Another speaker criticized the current and past administrations, labeling them as failures in addressing poverty, unemployment, and housing crises in Newark. She called for accountability and suggested that audits of city departments and programs be conducted to uncover potential corruption and inefficiencies.

The meeting concluded with a call for the council to hold a special conference to discuss the pressing issues raised by the public. The ongoing dialogue reflects a community deeply concerned about the effectiveness of local governance and the need for tangible improvements in employment opportunities for Newark residents.