MONROE — The Monroe Common Council has been missing a familiar face recently — local businessman Chris Schindler, who officially resigned from his alderman post on March 8.

According to Schindler, he could no longer serve due to conflicts of interest involving his ownership of two parcels of land the city is interested in, including one adjacent to the site of the new high school. 

“I definitely did it (resigned from the council) for the right reasons,” Schindler said, reflecting recently on his roughly two-and-a-half-year tenure on the Common Council.

Schindler said it is difficult for citizens to interact with the city, a circumstance that is especially true for business people trying to forge mutually beneficial relationships with Monroe. Schindler said he thinks the city is in worse shape than before he started on the council. And it is a sentiment other members of the council share but may not vocalize.

“I do feel worse off, I feel like people are pushing an agenda,” he said. “We are not given all the tools to make decisions…the city can be a very difficult place to work if we disagree,” with the city’s position on issues.

Mayor Donna Douglas was unsure why Schindler stopped attending meetings.

“It was a surprise to me,” said Douglas. “I think the world of Chris, and he’s a very good businessman.”

Schindler said he was asked by the city administrator not to attend recent meetings because of the conflicts he has in the land negotiations. Efforts to reach Rindy for comment on Schindler’s assertion Monday were unsuccessful.

In addition to his land holdings, Schindler’s other business include Friendly Inn and a storage facility.

Douglas is expected to name a replacement to serve out his term on the council, although she said there is no time frame for making the appointment.