Street Open, Library Safe, for Now

If any of you look at the city's Facebook page, you will notice announcements of various street closings, as much anticipated work is slated to begin. That way, motorists that frequently travel in certain areas will not be inconvenienced by having to turn around, seek new routes, and maybe lose time if they need to go somewhere at a specific time. That's how things are done and are done in the public's interest. Now imagine a roadway that traveled through the heart of Monroe and is a major north-south roadway that will have major work done. Also, imagine that a road project travels through a significant Black neighborhood in the city, but the people most affected would appear to be left in the dark about changes to their community.

Rumors continue to circulate that road work is pending on HWY 165 S and its by-pass roads. If done, the project would cut off Renwick and Louberta Streets that cross Hwy 165 from the east-west travel routes in Black neighborhoods. The project was slated to be done with "road safety" in mind, but many believed that the Ouachita Parish Police Jury may have had something else in mind concerning Hwy 165 S. One of the concerns aimed at parish and city officials was why the public hasn't heard from them. A road project proposed to run through a major artery in the city certainly would have been shared with parish and city officials. There seems to be "missing" information, as from rumors that are being circulated, only our state representatives knew exactly what was going on since the project would be done with the assistance of federal funding. In the meantime, there haven't been many comments from parish and city officials. Many in the community believe that a disservice has been done to them.

In the last couple of weeks, the public appears to be misinformed, and hopefully, this has not been deliberate. It does shine a light on the importance of attending meetings convened by local elected officials. The public is encouraged to participate in those meetings so that they will be informed of any future plans concerning them. Then, after hearing the facts straight from those officials, there are no predetermined decisions made after hearing from the public. Some believe that some elected officials already know how they will vote at the announcement of a certain project. The public should want to be an integral part of decision-making that involves knowing the facts well before it is time for a vote and not just moments before. This tactic does not serve the public's interest or build the community. Go to all the meetings you can, and listen intently to state representatives and local leaders. Also ask local and city officials if they were "missing in action" when word of Renwick and Louberta Streets being closed, as only a "by chance" moment, a community would learn of changes that could have caught everyone by surprise. That can't happen again. The Carver-McDonald library should teach all of us a valuable lesson. Hold our officials accountable to the public.