The challenges of rapid growth hit hard in Monroe, where the population has tripled in the past decade.
The convergence of three highways makes traffic a constant headache. The influx of people and lack of available land has made affordable housing increasingly scarce. And as growth continues, maintaining the small-town charm that has long endeared citizens to Monroe becomes more difficult.
The good news is that to this point, the city has done a creditable job of addressing these and other challenges. A competent city administration, led by Mayor Donnetta Walser, and a capable City Council are leading Monroe in a positive direction.
That’s why in this fall’s two contested City Council races, we endorse the incumbents, Tony Balk for Position 4 and Chad Minnick for Position 6. Two other sitting council members, David Kennedy in Position 2 and John Stima in Position 5, are unopposed. Likewise, Kurt Goering has no opponent for the open at-large seat being vacated by Robert Zimmerman.
Balk, who is seeking a third term, is a particularly effective member of the council, bringing a wealth of volunteer experience and public service know-how to the job. He has co-chaired school bond and levy campaigns, chaired the east county chapter of Housing Hope, overseen the allocation of community grants and trained leaders of nonprofit community organizations. His passion for community service is inspiring, and serves the council well.
He’s a strong and smart advocate for affordable housing. He knows that the city must change its mix of zoning to accommodate the mix of housing needs, and proposes partnering with nonprofits like Housing Hope to draw more state and federal grant money for housing.
Balk is challenged by Brandy Knight, a relative newcomer to Monroe who owns and operates a real estate company. She argues that fresh eyes are needed on the council, and has big ideas for redeveloping the downtown area as a destination spot where people can live, work and play. Knight is a bright candidate with obvious energy who can play a positive role in the city, but Balk is simply too good a council member to let go.
In the race for Position 6, Minnick has worked hard in his first term to become a knowledgable force on city issues. He understands the details of growth issues, and as chair of the council’s Transportation Committee, he has pushed for a new east-west connection running parallel to U.S. 2. He provides a much-needed conservative voice in support of Proposition 1, the regional roads and transit measure on the fall ballot.
Minnick is a capable council member, but at times is too quick to get into a political battle. He needs to make a greater commitment to seeking common ground and avoiding short-term political tussles, which will make him a more effective leader.
His challenger is Margie Rodriguez, a former assistant principal at Monroe High School and now co-principal at Frank Wagner Elementary. Rodriguez is thoughtful and compassionate, and her background as school administrator shows an ability to make tough decisions. But her vision for the city’s economic development seems simplistic, with an emphasis on drawing more retail choices to town that would provide mostly part-time jobs. Those are already coming with the new, well-planned North Kelsey development.
If Monroe is to become a community where more people and live and work, higher-paying industrial and manufacturing jobs must be a high priority. Minnick understands that, and that the city must work assertively with the county to expand its urban growth area to accommodate industrial growth.
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