A look at the Monroe City Council. Who's back and who's new.

Ian Robinson, Monroe News-Star
·2 min read

The Monroe City Council will look a little different come July's swearing-in ceremony, welcoming two fresh faces to its ranks.

Here's a look at the incoming Monroe City Council.

District 1

Monroe City Councilman Doug Harvey, District 1
Monroe City Councilman Doug Harvey, District 1

Incumbent Doug Harvey ran unopposed in the March 24 primary. He was originally appointed in 2020 to serve the remainder of Representative Mike Echols' term before winning his first election to the seat later that year. Harvey is the Senior Vice-President of Highland Pellets and serves on the boards of the Northeast Louisiana Boys & Girls Club and the Louisiana Delta Foundation.

District 2

Monroe City Councilwoman Gretchen Ezernack
Monroe City Councilwoman Gretchen Ezernack

The longest serving councilmember, Gretchen Ezernack has served on the Monroe City Council since 2010. She was selected to serve the remainder of Ben Katz's term following his death and was elected by District 2 voters later that year. Ezernack has worked in real estate since 1982, currently serving as Real Estate Director at NAI Faulk & Foster.

District 3

Monroe City Councilwoman Juanita Woods
Monroe City Councilwoman Juanita Woods

Incumbent Juanita Woods ran unopposed in the March 24 primary. Woods has served on the Monroe City Council since 2016 defeating then-incumbent Betty Blakes in the April 9, 2016 runoff. She is the Executive Director of the NOVA Workforce Institute of Northeast Louisiana and serves on the board of directors of the Extra Mile and the Strauss Little Theater.

District 4

Board president Rodney McFarland settles into his seat before Tuesday’s Monroe City School Board meeting.
Board president Rodney McFarland settles into his seat before Tuesday’s Monroe City School Board meeting.

Newcomer Rodney McFarland defeated incumbent Carday Marshall in the March 24 primary. He previously served on the Monroe City School from 2002 to 2018. McFarland is the owner of McFarland Funeral Homes and the senior pastor of Greater Free Gift Missionary Baptist Church in Monroe.

District 5

Newcomer Verbon Muhammad, Sr. defeated incumbent Kema Dawson in the April 27 runoff. Muhammad served on the Monroe City School from 2014 to 2018. He is the student minister of the Muhammad Mosque No. 66, a local affiliate of the Nation of Islam and is the first Vice-President of the Monroe-Ouachita branch of the NAACP.

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This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: What will be the composition of the Monroe City Council in July?