Mayor Friday Ellis and Monroe Council Members sworn in at Inaugural Ceremony

MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — Mayor Friday Ellis begins his second four-year term having his first four under his belt. He spoke to a large crowd at the Jack Howard theater across from city hall.

Ellis cited many accomplishments on stage as reasons why he was re-elected in a back in March. The independent got 64 percent of the vote defeating former Mayor Jamie Mayo and former School Board Member Betty Ward Cooper. Ellis said he’s proud of infrastructure improvements such as fixing sewage and rainfall drainage, landing new businesses such as the Amazon warehouse and new pay raises for police that he says will make the city safer.

He was encouraged by what some recent graduates of the police academy had to say.

“You had a couple of seniors tell us how they were afraid to call the police, for one way or another, but now that they’ve come through this (the police academy) they’ve created friendships with Monroe Police and it’s just been wonderful. So, finding those ways to unite our city.”

Ellis says he was in high spirits throughout the day.

“Any time you’re surrounded by family and friends just here to support you it’s a great feeling. It’s a serious charge that the community has placed in my care and I look forward to continuing to serve. It really has been a pleasure these last 4 years and what a privilege to get up every day and help your community.”

Five members of the city council were also sworn in by various judges in front of the enthusiastic crowd.

They are: Councilman Doug Harvey, District 1; Councilwoman Gretchen Ezernack, District 2; Councilwoman Juanita Woods, District 3; Councilman Rodney McFarland, Sr., District 4; and Councilman Verbon Muhammed, Sr., District 5.