Changes

Economic growth in Monroe is virtually invisible. Mayo says he’s in charge of economic development for the city. Accordingly, he bears responsibility for Monroe’s abysmal economic activity, which without a doubt has fueled the city’s loss in population for the past two decades, now far below 50,000 residents.Since the mid-2000s we have witnessed the closing of the Guide plant, State Farm’s Mid South Regional office and most recently, Monroe’s only Fortune 150 company, CenturyLink, began moving employees out of the city at a fast clip to CenturyLink offices in other cities in other states. In the not-too-distant past, CenturyLink employed more than 2,300 people here. Today, that figure is possibly as low as 1,500 workers and declining. There’s no denying it. There’s also no denying that while CenturyLink claims Monroe is home for its corporate headquarters, the decision makers. …<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hannapub.com/ouachitacitizen/opinion/editorials/editorial-monroe-needs-friday-ellis/article_faa431bc-b0a3-11ea-a502-3b69ac09b7bc.html|title=Editorial: Monroe needs Friday Ellis|publisher=''The Ouachita Citizen'' (hannapub.com)|date=June 17, 2020|accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref> </blockquote>

Economic growth in Monroe is virtually invisible. Mayo says he’s in charge of economic development for the city. Accordingly, he bears responsibility for Monroe’s abysmal economic activity, which without a doubt has fueled the city’s loss in population for the past two decades, now far below 50,000 residents.Since the mid-2000s we have witnessed the closing of the Guide plant, State Farm’s Mid South Regional office and most recently, Monroe’s only Fortune 150 company, CenturyLink, began moving employees out of the city at a fast clip to CenturyLink offices in other cities in other states. In the not-too-distant past, CenturyLink employed more than 2,300 people here. Today, that figure is possibly as low as 1,500 workers and declining. There’s no denying it. There’s also no denying that while CenturyLink claims Monroe is home for its corporate headquarters, the decision makers. …<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hannapub.com/ouachitacitizen/opinion/editorials/editorial-monroe-needs-friday-ellis/article_faa431bc-b0a3-11ea-a502-3b69ac09b7bc.html|title=Editorial: Monroe needs Friday Ellis|publisher=''The Ouachita Citizen'' (hannapub.com)|date=June 17, 2020|accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref> </blockquote>

Friday's oath was administered by his long-term friend from Start in Richland Parish,  Judge Will Rhymes Barham of the Louisiana 5th Judicial District, a Republican. Ellis said that he will try to heal the division between the northern and southern portions of Monroe and represent all citizens equally. He became emotional as he spoke of his expectations for a united Monroe:  

Friday's oath was administered by his long-term friend from Start in Richland Parish,  Judge Will Rhymes Barham of the Louisiana 5th Judicial District, a Republican. Ellis said that he will try to heal the division between the northern and southern portions of Monroe and represent all citizens equally. In the 2010 census, the city was 64 percent black. Ellis became emotional as he spoke of his expectations for a united Monroe:  

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Today, we are all embarking on a new journey together – one that some of us have dreamed about, some of us believed would never take place, and some of us have never given up the hope. I share high hopes today with you, high hopes for a city that is safe, high hopes for a city that is prospering and high hopes for a city that provides the best service for all of its residents.”<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/news/|title=Friday Ellis inaugurated as new mayor of Monroe|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=July 21, 2020|author=Ashley Mott|accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref></blockquote>

Today, we are all embarking on a new journey together – one that some of us have dreamed about, some of us believed would never take place, and some of us have never given up the hope. I share high hopes today with you, high hopes for a city that is safe, high hopes for a city that is prospering and high hopes for a city that provides the best service for all of its residents.”<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/news/|title=Friday Ellis inaugurated as new mayor of Monroe|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=July 21, 2020|author=Ashley Mott|accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref></blockquote>