Local Blacks Get Taxed But Nothing Else

Death, sorrow, tragedy, grief, suffering, hurt, and pain have been the nightmare experiences of the numerous pedestrians killed and injured along U.S Highway 165 South in the town of Richwood corporate limits, and their loved ones and families have been left behind to cherish their memories. The calls from the community and concerned citizens for needed highway improvement have been ignored for many years by local and state officials, and those Black elected/voted into office (i.e., Police Jurors, State Senator and Representatives, Southside Economic Development District, Ouachita Parish/City of Monroe School Board, Richwood elected officials, etc.). As a result, the public safety of citizens, voters, and taxpayers living in the Highway 165 South area that are local pedestrians or motorists are basically non-existent.

Too many lives have been lost, too many Black lives both young and old, too much blood and sacrifice, and unnecessary human loss. Many southern Monroe and town of Richwood citizens, voters, and taxpayers express their dismay at apparent racism and discrimination, both past and present, that have been exercised against southern Monroe, Richwood, and Ouachita Parish Black communities bordering U.S. Highway 165 South, by the Louisiana and U.S. Departments of Transportation, and aforementioned governing bodies, and applicable Black/White local, state, federal elected officials. While U.S. Highway 165 South is being neglected, other multi-million dollar highway and street improvement projects have been completed or are in progress in Monroe, West Monroe, and Ouachita Parish.

They benefit mostly White communities and citizens (North 18th St. widening and turn lane, Arkansas Road improvement project, Tower/Armand, 19th St., and 18th St. extension and improvements projects, Lamyville connector, DeSiard Street, and other major projects). Improvements to U.S. Highway 165 South should include erection of highway lighting,

construction of sidewalks on both sides of Highway 165 South, an erected stoplight at the intersection of 165 South, and entrance to Richwood High/Junior High Schools reduced speed below 50 mph, erect walk/don’t walk signals, etc.