Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Although the Monroe City Council election is not until March 2024, Verbon R. Muhammad Sr. is making his intentions known a year early, confirming he will run for the Monroe City Council District 5 seat. Brother Muhammad, a well-known community organizer and leader, is well-connected in south Monroe. He has been seen standing on the side of the poor and speaking for the voiceless for several years. He has been in intimate conversations with stakeholders, religious leaders, civic leaders, and community leaders. Muhammad has regularly attended city council meetings and recorded how votes are being cast, particularly in District 5. "We continue to see water being carried downtown and in north Monroe. I am for development and growth, however, no development or growth is taking place in our community other than fixing sewer lines, gas lines, and water lines or partially paving a road or parking lot. We are thirsty and need water to be carried to District 5. We have been keeping a report card on District 5, and the grade thus far is a failing mark." Verbon vows to return the seat to the people of District 5. Muhammad says, that the area's citizens have seen or received next to nothing in South Monroe for the last three years.

"Our representative in District 5 will not listen to us and continues to cast votes that are not in the best interest of south Monroe. They vote to support downtown projects but pick apart SEDD in public view in council meetings. They have thrown or removed citizens of our community out of council meetings. They rush through and refuse to meet with the community and listen to us concerning important issues such as redistricting. They say or do nothing about crime. They say or do nothing when we are killed by the police. I will bring a plan and a platform with benchmarks and a time frame to see progress in District 5." said Muhammad. "We are currently in fundraising mode to secure the necessary money to mount a campaign."

Muhammad, a lifelong resident of Bryant's Addition, was born Verbon R. Hill of the famous Hill's Bar B Que family in Newtown. He received his B.S. degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge and is a Wossman alum. Muhammad has been married for 24 years and has two children. He is the Student Minister of Muhammad Mosque #99, 1st Vice President of the NAACP Monroe/Ouachita branch, member of the Concerned Citizens of Monroe, member of SEDD's Safe Neighborhoods Committee, past president of the Wossman Alumni Association, past member of the YMCA and past member of the Monroe City School Board where he served on several committees including budget, policy, curriculum, and transportation and served as President of the Board for a year during his tenure. Verbon is an associate member of Allen Chapel AME Church. He is a member of Moses Lodge #19, AF&AM, and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Rayville Alumni Chapter. Muhamad contends that prayers are most important, but he can also use financial support. Interested donors can get involved now to support Muhammad for city council by making a financial contribution to the Verbon Muhammad, Sr Campaign Fund.

Muhammad's campaign theme is "Let's All Pull Together". Email your concerns and ideas to [email protected]; mailing address, Verbon Muhammad, Sr Campaign Fund, PO Box 472, Monroe, LA 71210.

Photo Verbon R. Muhammad Sr.