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Councilwoman Kema Dawson
ema Dawson-Robinson was born and raised in Monroe, Louisiana. From 1993 through 1997 Kema attended Neville High School. During her time at Neville High School Kema participated in a few different organizations. She was a member of Renaissance, the Band, and the Clean Team. Upon graduation, Kema received a scholarship in vocal music which she used to attend University of Monroe (ULM). While at ULM Kema participated in Student Government Association. She felt called to help out her peers and wanted to help make their voices heard. She graduated from ULM with a degree of Bachelor of Business Administration focused on computer information systems. Kema is also currently studying to earn her Doctor of Biblical Exposition. Kema was sworn in as councilwoman for District 5 of the city of Monroe in July of 2020. Growing up Kema always noticed her parents helping others. Kema’s father was a politician, so helping others and being there for others runs in Kema’s blood. Kema believes it is most important to help those in need, take care of the city, and working to achieve the greater good. Kema believes it is more important to reach those goals than to be interested in politics. She saw a need in the community that she grew up in. Not only that, but Kema choose to continue live in the same community that she grew up in. She realized that the city can be so much better and have so much more if it is managed and run properly. Being the Executive Director at the Ouachita Multi-Purpose Community Action Program allows Kema to assist people in the Parish daily. She felt that she could meet more needs and reach more people being a council member. Kema plans to do whatever she can to better her community and meet the needs of those living in the community. Kema is a Christian and a strong believer in Christ. She believes that the word of God is true. The word tells us to give and it shall be given unto you; so Kema’s main goal is to give back to her community. Kema is currently working to beautify and revitalize the Southside of Monroe. Her biggest project is the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo. Kema has been working along with the Zoo, the Zoological Society, and Monroe’s Director of community affairs to make Monroe’s Zoo a place where families can be entertained and enjoy a nice outing. Residents should expect nothing but Kema’s best now and in the future. She is committed to making our city a beautiful place that residents are proud to call home. Find Kema on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ kema.dawson
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a weekend. Do as much research as you can on the nursing home by going on their website and reading the comments and reviews. If you go to the courthouse in the city where the nursing home is you can see if the nursing home has been sued, how many times they have been sued, and the reasons they have been sued. A lot of times nursing homes will settle out of court to keep people quiet, and they will ask the judge to place a gag order so that you cannot talk about what happened. You have the right to document if you see something out of place or mistreatment of the patients. Documentation includes photographs, videos, or contracts that have been signed by both parties. Otherwise, without the documentation, it will be your word against theirs, and while you are fighting this battle, alone the nursing home staff and their management will stick together. You are able record conversations if the conversation is about you or the person in interest. Make sure that while you are recording you put date and time stamps on everything. People put their loved ones in nursing homes and assisted living facilities because they trust that their loved ones will be taken care of by trained, certified, and professional individuals. Connie is not saying that everyone who works in nursing homes are bad or that they mistreat people, because there are some good ones out there. This issue is something Connie has wanted to address and go public with for a long time now, but she was fearful of what would happen to her mother if she did. Connie’s mother passed away April 15, 2020. Connie says she does not have to worry about anyone taking his or her anger out on her due to her speaking out.
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