Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

As expected, emotions were flying high at Tuesday night's May 24, 2022 Monroe City Council meeting. On the council's agenda was a resolution by the Southside Economic Development District(SEDD) to financially help local businesses create or expand business. Before council members officially heard the proposal, there was chatter that there was opposition from the Ellis administration. The proposed resolution was brought up at the May 17 meeting during audience participation at the end, and the public was told that the proposal had been scheduled for the May 24 meeting. Just before the meeting began, Council chairman Carday Marshall(Dist. 4) told the audience about threats that he said he received, as there was a noticeable law enforcement presence in council chambers. Marshall, becoming emotional with a tinge of anger, said that whoever it was that threatened him also threatened his family. "You know who you are," said Marshall, adding that he "is prepared and on guard." The threats allegedly were made because Marshall was accused of lack of care for the Black community. The $100,000,000 economic 25-year plan by SEDD was met with some opposition from council members who questioned the specifics and the securement of needed funds. District 1 Councilwoman specifically asked what was the number one goal for SEDD, what the group wanted to achieve, and where the funding mechanism would come from. SEDD Board President Tony Little said they were looking to secure a $100,000,000 grant to start their proposed project. Little said that it "is the board's intent" to begin with housing but believed that they could walk and chew bubble gum at the same time. District 5 Councilwoman expressed concerns that SEDD did not look to partner with the city or outside groups. Little countered, saying that it would be "impossible with our form of government in the city of Monroe to not have the administration on board". The fact remains that if SEDD gets the millions of dollars, they still would be $9 million short.

Board President Little thanked Marshall for his cooperation in helping bring the resolution, saying that there is a chance "to make history" if the board did a few things to get their house in order. "We have labored because we had issues such as a small revenue stream which we corrected, and we have more issues in districts 3,4 and 5 than we have money." Little said. He also shared that they plan to address infrastructure and housing, and they will address crime, and he is ready to answer their question.

"It's a plan, an idea, it's the start of a conversation, and it is not the end." said Little. In an answer to the question from Councilwoman Ezernack, Little said that starting with housing is essential because they want to see people settle in Districts 3,4 and 5 to live and raise families, which will help attract businesses.

The city's legal counsel told council members that they had three options. The city could accept the plan as is or two, reject the plan sending SEDD back to the drawing board, and submit a new plan. The third option would be for the council to "modify" the plan in whole or in part, make additions, and then vote on it. Councilwoman Juanita Woods(Dist. 3) brought up that the Kansas Connection has been an economic project for about as long as the proposed SEDD 25-year plan is still not finished. Though there has been a change in administration (Mayo to Ellis), the Kansas Lane Connection Plan is still ongoing, and the plan that SEDD has in place can be changed and still go on.

Things became heated when community activist Marie Brown told councilwoman Ezernack of her long tenure on the council being "a part of the crowd saying that we want to do something".

"What we want in Districts 3,4 and 5 seems to be far fetched for you guys, as we hear you say that things have been duplicated, but I don't see anything done," Brown said. Ezernack said that it is the council's responsibility to look the plan over as it is their responsibility to make sure the public understands what is done. Councilwoman Dawson said that she has no problem with the plan if "it is intact".

"I want District 5 to grow", said Dawson. Chairman Marshall called order after Brown was ordered to leave the podium, saying that no one had said they were against the plan. After modifications were made with no local tax dollars used, the council voted 5-0 for passage to a round of applause.