Councilman Hosts Town Hall Meeting in Monroe
By: Staff
Updated: March 4, 2013
MONROE -- On Sunday evening, Monroe City Councilman Ray Armstrong hosted a town hall meeting to discuss community concerns.
"We are interested in our community, what's going on, some things just need to be done," said community member and town hall attendee, Richard Harrison.
The meeting took place at the Neville high school auditorium. Topics discussed included school safety and flooding -- especially in some areas during heavy rainfall.
Armstrong invited Ron Haisty, with a local engineering firm, to speak to the audience.
Haisty addressed the shortage of stations on the south part of town, but also said clogged ditches are a problem as well. Armstrong said that people need to be mindful of cleaning out their ditches to allow full drainage.
Sterlington police chief Barry Bonner also presented ideas on an active neighborhood watch program. Armstrong says he's interested in starting one in the area to help prevent crime.
"But it's not only crime, it's graffiti and vandalism anything that goes wrong in the area," he said. "We stop that with an appropriate neighborhood watch."
About 40 people attended tonight's meeting.
Harrison and his wife, Jean, said they would like to see more town hall meetings and for more people to come out.
"These neighbors have the same problems we do, the same concerns as we do," Harrison said. "Getting together at town halls is a good way to do it."
Armstrong says he plans to implement ideas or solutions found through discussions in the meetings.
He says he wants to hold these town hall events every three or four months, and encourages more people to attend.
"We are interested in our community, what's going on, some things just need to be done," said community member and town hall attendee, Richard Harrison.
The meeting took place at the Neville high school auditorium. Topics discussed included school safety and flooding -- especially in some areas during heavy rainfall.
Armstrong invited Ron Haisty, with a local engineering firm, to speak to the audience.
Haisty addressed the shortage of stations on the south part of town, but also said clogged ditches are a problem as well. Armstrong said that people need to be mindful of cleaning out their ditches to allow full drainage.
Sterlington police chief Barry Bonner also presented ideas on an active neighborhood watch program. Armstrong says he's interested in starting one in the area to help prevent crime.
"But it's not only crime, it's graffiti and vandalism anything that goes wrong in the area," he said. "We stop that with an appropriate neighborhood watch."
About 40 people attended tonight's meeting.
Harrison and his wife, Jean, said they would like to see more town hall meetings and for more people to come out.
"These neighbors have the same problems we do, the same concerns as we do," Harrison said. "Getting together at town halls is a good way to do it."
Armstrong says he plans to implement ideas or solutions found through discussions in the meetings.
He says he wants to hold these town hall events every three or four months, and encourages more people to attend.
