Community Accountability Network

Category: City of Monroe

  • Local Rescue Raises Alarm Over Deadly Cat Virus at Shelter

    In an exclusive interview, a West Monroe cat rescue owner is speaking out after losing dozens of kittens to panleukopenia, a highly contagious and often fatal cat virus. She says the local shelter did not disclose that some cats were exposed, and several kittens she rescued died despite strict care.

    She also warns that members of the public adopting cats from the shelter could unknowingly bring home the virus, putting their families and pets at risk. Rescue operators say multiple kittens have died this year under similar circumstances, and the outbreak may have been kept quiet.

    At the time of publication the Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter was unavailable for comment. I will continue to reach out for a statement. This story is ongoing.

  • Monroe Moccasins Rolex Raffle — Questions Remain

    The Monroe Moccasins ran a paid raffle for a Rolex watch, with a goal of $35,000. Fans were told the drawing would happen at the December 20th game after it was postponed once in November, and very little information has been shared since.

    I now know a winner exists, but to my knowledge no official announcement was made, and it’s unclear who won or how the raffle was handled.

    I reached out to the Louisiana Office of Charitable Gaming, and their response was:

    “I am unable to locate The Monroe Moccasins in our system.”

    In Louisiana, raffles must follow strict rules and licensing requirements, and at this time there’s no public record confirming this raffle was legally authorized under the Monroe Moccasins name.

    If you purchased a ticket or know someone who did, please DM me. Any receipts, screenshots, or info will help clarify what happened to provide more information to those who participated in this raffle.

    The public deserves clarity, transparency, and accountability.

    I reached out to the Monroe Moccasins, but did not receive any response.

  • Forsythe Park Update & The Bigger Picture

    After speaking with several families who raised safety concerns about Forsythe Park, I had the opportunity to sit down with Hillary Sirmon, the organizer behind the inclusive playground vision for the park.

    Hillary shared that her passion for inclusive play spaces began with her own child with special needs. She has helped fundraise and plan multiple park projects before, and her mission has always been simple: create spaces where all children, regardless of ability, can play together.

    Forsythe Park is part of the City of Monroe’s broader Parks & Recreation Master Plan — a long-term strategy approved by City Council to revitalize parks across the city. The plan includes upgrades, expanded recreational amenities, and improvements intended to make parks more functional and welcoming for families.

    However, Hillary explained that the Forsythe project is still approximately $25,000 short of full completion.

    Forsythe Park has the potential to be one of Monroe’s most beautiful and inclusive gathering spaces. The goal now is ensuring that it is not only accessible — but safe.

    Donations for the nonprofit raising money for this project can be made at:
    John Clarke Perry Foundation on Venmo

  • Growing Safety Concerns at Forsythe Park

    Location: Monroe, LA

    Forsythe Park has long been a cherished space in Monroe — a place where families gather, children play, and the community comes together. But growing safety concerns are causing some parents to think twice before bringing their children there.

    Local residents report multiple hazards throughout the park’s play areas, including unstable and fading slides, loose and deteriorating guard rails, and connective bridges designed for children that lack any guard rails at all. Parents have also pointed out uneven ground and patchwork repairs that appear worn and unsafe.

    One mother shared a particularly alarming experience, saying she had to physically move her child off a platform after noticing he was about to fall through what appeared to be rotten wood. “Our kids deserve better,” she said. “Why isn’t Monroe addressing this?”

    While Forsythe Park remains full of potential, these safety issues are raising serious concerns among families. Parents say the park should be a place of peace and play, not constant vigilance and fear of injury.

    Many are now calling on the City of Monroe to inspect the park, address the reported hazards, and prioritize repairs to ensure the space is safe for the children it was built to serve. Until then, some families say they’re staying away, hoping that attention and action will restore Forsythe Park to the welcoming community space it once was.

    I would love the opportunity to meet with Mayor Friday Ellis to discuss these concerns and how we can create a fun, safe environment for the community to come together.

    Update from Mayor Ellis:

    “The playground is about to be demolished and a new playground/family area will be in place. Should be about 2-3 months before construction begins. Shoutout to Miracles to Milestone for spearheading and fundraising for the new playground.

    Those rails consistently are an issue. Thanks for the heads up. I’ll send our folk out to brace them up.”

  • Meeting With the Mayor: A Conversation on Transparency

    Meeting With the Mayor: A Conversation on Transparency

    I met with Mayor Friday Ellis today to discuss transparency, public communication, and how information moves between the city and its residents. While he originally opened his office to me, I decided on a video chat due to potential inclement weather. We started on a light note — the irony of my first meeting Mayor Friday on a Friday wasn’t lost on either of us — before moving into more substantive discussion.

    In his office hangs a sign that reads, “Do good recklessly,” a phrase that stuck with me throughout our conversation as I listened to his approach on politics.

    The mayor emphasized that his approach to leadership is rooted in efficiency and governance rather than popularity. He shared that he understands not every decision will be well received, but his focus remains on what he believes best serves the community, even when that isn’t immediately clear to the public.

    Transparency was the central theme of our conversation. He did not shy away from the topic and was ready to address it head on. Mayor Ellis explained that the city operates within a system of checks and balances designed to prevent misuse of power, but that structure can also mean he isn’t always directly aware of every concern as it arises. He asked for the benefit of the doubt from the public while acknowledging the importance of transparency and communication.

    We discussed how grants, budgeting and fund allocation are often confusing for residents despite being public record. He shared that the city is actively working to simplify its website to make information more accessible and easier to understand.

    As an independent journalist, I was offered a line of communication with the mayor’s office to help clarify concerns more efficiently when questions arise. He expressed openness to transparency and a willingness to engage in ongoing dialogue, something that I believe is a great demonstration of dedication to transparency.

    The public can expect me to continue reporting on city matters as they arise — asking questions, seeking clarification, and sharing information as accurately and neutrally as possible.

    I would like to thank the Mayor for meeting with me and dedicating himself to further conversations and transparency. One thing we can all agree on is that we can’t all agree. But we can move forward together with progressive conversations, grounded in accountability and transparency.

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