04/29/15  Pine Bluff Mayor Worries About Losing Funds Due To Council Inaction

Pine Bluff Mayor Debe Hollingsworth says she's concerned about a quarter of a million dollar grant for University Park in Pine Bluff and a retired fireman's benefits amounting to $44,000.00.. Action on the two issues were brought to a halt when four city council members walked out of a city council meeting last week.  The action came after city councilman Bill Brummett refused to resign after a no confidence vote on April 6. The councilmen say they refuse to work with Brumett after what they say was Brumett's intentional use of the word “coon” in an online debate with J.C. Cunningham over city issues.  Brumett has said he inadvertently used the word in the spelling of the man's name and has apologized for it. Cunningham has refused to accept the apology.  The NAACP has also called for Brumett's resignation.  An effort is also underway for a recall election by voters in ward 3.