The recent elections in Monroe have ushered in a new era of political representation, with the addition of Bishop Rodney McFarland and Minister Verbon Muhammad to the city council. These two new councilmembers, along with incumbent Juanita Woods, form a majority bloc that promises to advocate for the needs of Monroe’s Southside and its minority communities.
For too long, the Southside has been neglected, leading to a steady exodus of families seeking safer neighborhoods in North Monroe. The 2020 Census showed more than 1,500 families left South Monroe, leaving behind neglected neighborhoods, rising crime, and failing schools.
Southside residents want to stop the steady decline, which has fueled the election of three advocates to the council. It is clear that the status quo is unsustainable and that change is needed.
The Ellis Administration must recognize the importance of working cooperatively with the new Southside advocates on the council.
In the past, the administration has avoided engaging with advocacy groups such as the NAACP, the Black Chamber of Commerce, Ministers Alliances, and the South Southside Economic Development District. This lack of collaboration has only served to widen the divide between the Northside and Southside communities.
It is time for the administration to embrace the “Southside Dream” and work towards developing South Monroe in ways that promote safe neighborhoods and attract economic development that includes minorities.
This is not a zero-sum game; the advocates are not opposed to the administration’s plans for downtown development and expanding business opportunities. Rather, they seek to ensure that Monroe’s Southside is not excluded and that racial minorities are proportionately included in all of the city’s plans.
The path forward is clear: the administration and the Southside advocates must find common ground and work together to achieve their shared goals. The advocates cannot achieve their objectives without the mayor’s support, but the mayor also cannot achieve his goals without the backing of the Southside advocates on the council.
Monroe stands at a crossroads, and the decisions made in the next four years will shape the city’s future for generations to come. It is essential that all stakeholders – the administration, city council, advocacy groups, and residents – come together to build a more inclusive and equitable Monroe.
Only by working collaboratively can we ensure that every neighborhood thrives and that no community is left behind.
The changing of the guard in Monroe’s city council presents a unique opportunity to bridge the divide between the Northside and Southside communities and to create a brighter future for all residents. Let us seize this moment and work towards a Monroe that is united, prosperous, and just.
