MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Without an incumbent in the district 4 city council race, voters will see four new candidates on their ballots for the district that covers much of the city's south side.
Of the four is democrat Carday Marshall, a Carroll High and ULM graduate who currently works as a food service manager at Grambling state university. "It was just put on my heart to step in and say it's time for someone to step in and take care of these things that have been longstanding." said Marshall.
If elected, the candidate says he will focus on building sidewalks, fix drainage issues, and reduce crime in his district. "I want to try to bring in sub stations in the areas, to kind of have a presence, a police presence in the area so that will reduce crime as well."
Also on the ballot, independent Charles Wayne Hackney, a Ouachita Parish High graduate and a retired grocery store owner and farmer. "I figured if I ran for city council and was lucky enough to get elected, then my voice would be heard louder than it's heard now" Hackney says his goals are to fix drainage issues and make South Monroe a better place to live by beautifying the district by cleaning up litter. "That trash is contributed to the people who live there, because they don't care and you can't get anything done until you get everybody working together" said Hackney.
Democrat Frederick or "Freddie Bear" McHenry, a Monroe native, who has worked as a high school athletic director for 46 years. "I decided to run because district 4 has been neglected for some time now it's almost like a step child" said McHenry.
If elected, the candidate says he wants to reduce flooding, build sidewalks, and beautify neighborhoods; specifically South Grand and Lee Avenue. "Put flowers and green shrubbery all around it. You know make it look how it used to look. You know district 4, had never been like this before, district 4 was one of the areas, before you looked at north side or anywhere else." said McHenry.
Also on the ballot, Democrat Kenneth Wilson, an atmos energy employee and president of non-profit called P.E.E.P. He's run twice before and he's hoping third times a charm. "The citizens of district four know I've been involved in the community for years and they know I'm a servant and that's all I want out of it" said Wilson.
The Monroe native says his goals are to pump up south side economic development, fix drainage issues, and improve the recreation centers. "We need to do a different thing in recreation, we need to be more about education and I would love to see ipads installed in all of the rec centers, especially district 4" said Wilson.
