City Council, Candidates, debate, forum - KNOE 8 News; KNOE-TV; KNOE.com |

MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Most of the City Council candidates were gathered at one forum to debate the important issues.

"We've heard this one say this, and this one say that," says Yvette Smith, "We want to put them all together in one room and hear exactly the facts."

Smith and her Women United for a Successful Change did exactly that. Well, they got some of the candidates together.

"Each district is represented it's just not as many as we wanted it to be because so many activities are going on because of the educational conferences," says Smith, "We even had other elected officials were here...so we had other people stepping in for other officials."

Public Relations Director Yvette Smith says the main goal is to educate members for the upcoming election.

"On the north side of Monroe, on the central side of Monroe, and on the southside of Monroe...  So we have a diverse group of women, who are here wanting to know what's important to them and how they plan on fixing some of the issues that effect the city of Monroe," says Smith.

Moderator of the debate and ULM professor, Dr. Joshua Stockley, asked questions about some of the hot button issues facing the city, and each candidate had the chance to respond.

This group forum allowed Monroe residents to hear how issues facing their district, might be a problem in others.

"Even if it's not in your district is still in the city of Monroe. So we want to bridge the gap between Monroe, West Monroe, and Richwood. If we could work together as one, we can do so much better," says Smith.

Staying true to their name, Smith and the women's group believe being united is key for a successful change.