The Southside Economic Development District (SEDD) has been officially notified that it can no longer hold its board meetings in the Monroe City Council Chambers, ending a months-long practice that often turned routine meetings into public spectacles—some even broadcast live on social media.
The announcement came in a formal letter sent Monday, July 14, from Monroe City Council Chairman Rev. Rodney McFarland to SEDD President Tony Little. The letter gave no specific reasons for the decision but stated that “per directive of Chairman Rodney McFarland,” the council chambers would no longer be available for SEDD use. McFarland suggested that SEDD could continue holding meetings at other venues, including community recreation centers, but emphasized they “will no longer have use of the council chambers in City Hall.”
SEDD has frequently met in the council chambers for both regular and special meetings—a practice that elevated the visibility of the board’s internal disputes and contentious debates.
The use of the city’s seven-seat council podium created an awkward scene, as SEDD’s ten board members crowded into a space designed for fewer people, with some forced to sit off to the side.
McFarland previously expressed frustration directly to the SEDD board, criticizing what he called a pattern of divisiveness within the group that, in his view, led to little meaningful action for the Southside community.
While SEDD committee meetings have traditionally been held in smaller neighborhood recreation centers, the full board’s move to the formal council setting drew increased public attention and scrutiny—a situation McFarland appears eager to end.
It’s a beautiful thing people can gather together in a unified manner. Outside organizations should have their own accommodation for their meetings. There is already enough disstain among some citizens about the issues of the southside of Monroe. May be some day there will be progress on the south end.