Paterson has a new city clerk. This is how the City Council appointed her
PATERSON — After months of behind-the-scenes wrangling, the City Council on Tuesday appointed popular City Hall employee Jacqueline Murray to become Paterson’s new municipal clerk.
Who is the new Paterson clerk?
Murray's background: She had been the city's deputy clerk for more than five years, and her supporters on the council expressed concerns that she would be passed over for someone with political connections.
What Murray will earn: The position comes with a maximum salary of $130,000, but officials have not revealed what Murray would be paid.
What did the City Council say?
What they said: Councilwoman Ruby Cotton said it wouldn’t have been right for the city to hire someone else who would make more money than Murray while the deputy would “do all the work.”
“You were God’s choice,” Councilwoman Lilisa Mimms said as she cast her vote for Murray on Tuesday.
How long did the search take?
City clerk search: After former Clerk Sonia Gordon retired in November, city officials went through a three-month search process and received about 40 applications. Most of the people who sought the job lacked the requisite credentials, officials have said.
Murray’s supporters said Tuesday night that several other finalists for the position dropped out of the running for the job amid the speculation that Murray was being passed over.
Earlier:Paterson needs a new city clerk. Here is why most of the applicants aren't qualified
How did the City Council vote?
It's unanimous: The council ended up voting unanimously for Murray. Councilman Luis Velez, one of the mayor’s allies on the governing body, denied that any members were “in cahoots” to select someone else. Velez also dismissed community residents’ speculation that the selection of the clerk divided the council along racial lines.
“When it comes to a decision like this, I’m colorblind,” Velez said.
Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press.
Email: editor@patersonpress.com
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ Jackie Murray appointed as new city clerk
