MONROE - Mayor Louis Armstrong decided on his replacement Tuesday, appointing former mayor Ron Marsh as Ward 7 alderman.

Armstrong won both the mayor seat and his seat as alderman in the April 5 election. The district encompasses city blocks from 14th Avenue to 22nd Avenue between 6th Street and 13th Street.

Alderman Reid Stangel questioned Armstrong how he decided to appoint Marsh. In the past, Stangel said, the position had been filled through interviews with council. Armstrong said he is required to find someone to serve in the office who resides in Ward 7 and said he had talked to people in the area looking for someone who expressed interest in being alderman.

Marsh said he was happy to take the job.

"I love my city," Marsh said. "I really enjoy Monroe and I am willing to serve the city in any way I can."

He added that city officials "need to be a little bit more conservative when it comes to the taxpayers' money" and hopes to help the community as a whole rather than serve the needs of a select few.

Marsh served as mayor of the city from 2006 to 2010 when he was defeated by the last sitting mayor Bill Ross.