After reading many online comments in the newspaper and hearing from people on the street, I would like to address those who are criticizing the Monroe City Council, the mayor, and the chief of police regarding recent sexual allegations and the dismissal of the city administrator.
The reason we go into a closed session is to discuss subjects of a sensitive nature. When situations are being discussed that could potentially be destructive to individuals' lives and their families' lives, this is not for public discussion. When we come out of a closed meeting and say "no comment," that is for several reasons ... we may not have enough information or because matters are still pending that should not be openly discussed.
I can assure everyone, there is NO cover-up by anyone on the city council. As alderpersons, we cannot address the pending allegations by any action, however we can address other matters in the operation of job performance. Necessary steps were taken to ensure a smooth operation of City Hall. Every single council member has struggled over the decisions that have been made. I cannot speak for other alderpersons, but I can tell you this has affected me deeply, through lack of sleep and some tears. I know the families of everyone involved, and my heart is saddened by all of this and how their lives are being torn apart.
The chief of police is not involved in any of this - it is not his position to do so because of the nature of the allegations. This is a state issue and is being treated as such.
The mayor, the head of the Salary and Personnel Committee, and the city attorney have spent countless hours dedicated to working on these issues. I would like to commend all three of them for the exemplary way in which they have been handling this.
Everyone on the City Council has asked that all questions be addressed to the mayor and not them, because he is the one who is speaking for all of us. This was by their choice and not requested by the mayor.
So, when you see your alderman or alderwoman in your daily activities, please remember that all of them are deeply affected by this and are not covering up anything. They, like you, all are trying to do their jobs to the best of their abilities through counsel. Through time, there may be things that may be made more clear, but until then I would hope that no one jumps to conclusions about the parties involved and the job that the council is doing in this regard. There always are two sides to a story, and we are continuing to be objective in all matters.
- Jan Lefevre represents Ward 4 on the Monroe City Council.
The reason we go into a closed session is to discuss subjects of a sensitive nature. When situations are being discussed that could potentially be destructive to individuals' lives and their families' lives, this is not for public discussion. When we come out of a closed meeting and say "no comment," that is for several reasons ... we may not have enough information or because matters are still pending that should not be openly discussed.
I can assure everyone, there is NO cover-up by anyone on the city council. As alderpersons, we cannot address the pending allegations by any action, however we can address other matters in the operation of job performance. Necessary steps were taken to ensure a smooth operation of City Hall. Every single council member has struggled over the decisions that have been made. I cannot speak for other alderpersons, but I can tell you this has affected me deeply, through lack of sleep and some tears. I know the families of everyone involved, and my heart is saddened by all of this and how their lives are being torn apart.
The chief of police is not involved in any of this - it is not his position to do so because of the nature of the allegations. This is a state issue and is being treated as such.
The mayor, the head of the Salary and Personnel Committee, and the city attorney have spent countless hours dedicated to working on these issues. I would like to commend all three of them for the exemplary way in which they have been handling this.
Everyone on the City Council has asked that all questions be addressed to the mayor and not them, because he is the one who is speaking for all of us. This was by their choice and not requested by the mayor.
So, when you see your alderman or alderwoman in your daily activities, please remember that all of them are deeply affected by this and are not covering up anything. They, like you, all are trying to do their jobs to the best of their abilities through counsel. Through time, there may be things that may be made more clear, but until then I would hope that no one jumps to conclusions about the parties involved and the job that the council is doing in this regard. There always are two sides to a story, and we are continuing to be objective in all matters.
- Jan Lefevre represents Ward 4 on the Monroe City Council.
