Water Plant Expansion, Tribute to Pierce

Groundbreaking was held at the site of the city's water treatment plant on North 10th Street, Tuesday, July 10, 2021, as the city of Monroe is set to begin work at the plant that as city engineer Kim Golden indicated, will retrofit and bring the plant up to future standards. It is a project that was looked at during the Mayo administration, as Golden said that the city now has the "contract and funding to proceed with the project". Current Mayor Friday Ellis speaking to those gathered said that the project "was first on his list" when he took office a year ago and he stressed the need for sound infrastructure needs such as water, flooding and sewer and its importance to the community. When the project is completed in about 30 months, 12 million gallons of water will be added to the plant, and when finished will be "like new", according to Public Works Director Tom Janway. Golden said that "a new part" will be installed and once it's in service, the old part will be removed, as there will be a rehab/upgrade process with new technology. Ellis said that residents can expect their water bills to increase about four dollars a month, a small price to pay for cleaner water. Also, at its regular Tuesday, July 10 meeting, a resolution to rename the Monroe Convention Center the Abe Pierce III Convention Center sponsored by Mayor Ellis and District 3 Councilwoman Juanita Woods was presented. Pierce was Monroe's first Black mayor who served from 1996 to 2000. Pierce, who recently died, had a long distinguished career as a public servant, as he was also the first Black man to be elected to the Ouachita Parish Police Jury and equally more impressive, served as its first Black president. Voting to pass the resolution were Councilwomen Gretchen Ezernack, Juanita Woods and Kema Dawson of Districts 2,3 and 4 respectively. District 4 Council chairman Corday Marshall voted yes while District 2 councilman Doug Harvey abstained. There were congratulations extended to the Monroe Fire Department by Council chairman Marshall on behalf of the city council to Chief Terry Williams for maintaining its top fire rating. The fire department is rated every five years, as Williams said that with the onset of covid that greatly affected his personnel, they still were able to do the work necessary to maintain the standards that they have met in the past. Williams said that hard work paid off because the department scored a 93.88 rating. That