During a recent city council meeting, Monty Bell, a homeless journalist, raised serious concerns regarding the handling of his open records request by the city attorney's office. Bell highlighted that despite submitting his request on December 15, 2023, he has yet to receive a response, which he emphasized is a violation of the stipulated seven-day response time. He expressed frustration over what he perceives as a systemic failure to address his grievances, including an alleged robbery at a local grocery store where he claims to have lost over $500.

Bell's testimony included accusations against local law enforcement for inaccuracies in police reports related to his residency and ongoing issues he has faced for over four decades. He demanded immediate corrections to these reports and questioned the motives behind the continued scrutiny he faces from city representatives.

In a separate discussion, Janice Gooden, a member of the steering committee for the Rosenwald Schools project, informed the council about an upcoming resolution regarding a grant for the preservation of these historically significant schools. Gooden detailed the partnership between Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington, which led to the establishment of over 5,000 schools primarily in the southern United States, including several in the local area.

The meeting concluded with a reminder for the next session, scheduled for 3:00 p.m. next week, inviting further public participation.