One should be pleased Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson has apologized for his errant choice of words in calling members of the Quorum Court “clowns.”
Human error? Of course.
We all make them, magnified and overlooked. True belief? We hope not, but the moment is now left in the court of public opinion, which requires no elections.
To be certain, an entire governing body of 14 elected officials including Robinson must account for its differences on how to pay attorneys and how timely attorneys should be paid, as well as conflicts leading to two unnecessary delays in paying its workers and condition of roads.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Robinson has often taken the Quorum Court to task for unlawful practice of county business and proven his case in circuit court. But the courts have not always seen things Robinson’s way.
A 2023 ruling in circuit court found Robinson “arbitrarily and capriciously” denied claims for payment to Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr.’s vendors, a charge for which Robinson was found in contempt in June 2024.
Robinson has appealed the contempt finding, and a ruling is pending in state appeals court following Wednesday’s oral arguments.
The animosity is real and, as Robinson rightfully described, frustrating. These issues have riled us up enough.
But, a moment of frustration — one that he has acknowledged — apparently got the attention of everyone in the room when he thought just a little too loudly.
Quorum Court members responded, and he took ownership of the matter.
Who’s at fault for the county’s shortcomings hardly rests on one person.
A more immediate focus should be placed on eliminating confusion, a public threat to everyday civility an entire governing body must fight.
It can’t be forgotten Robinson is still a candidate to retain his seat.
He and Efrem B. Neely Sr., who outgained him during the March 3 primary, are engaged in the March 31 runoff.
But election aside, at what point is the head of the county able to bring 13 men and women together to act efficiently?
Conversely, each Quorum Court member must look within his or own heart and decide how they will help demonstrate peaceful, lawful operations of county government.
“It is time for us to move on, and it’s time for the personal stuff to stop,” Robinson has said.
Yeah, way past time.
If the perceived clown show in any way entertained the head of the court, we’re not sure who else was laughing.
We are sure every elected official understands the state Constitution doesn’t call for an election of jesters.
For that matter, we trust a mistake of the mind wasn’t a matter of the heart.