Real city progress depends on networking. Those needing access to networks can only produce anemic results. Multiple candidates are running for mayor with a message that they can change the trajectory of unmet, depressed and deteriorating housing, abandoned buildings, economic development, poor street lighting, 500 miles of narrow streets and open ditches that are breeding grounds for mosquito beds that produce the West Nile virus.
Research has proven that criminal activity follows abandoned and dilapidated houses and trashed-up communities, which makes the perfect storm for criminal activities. These conditions seriously threaten public safety and the health of those living in these communities. Education, quality of life and place, resident retention and business development are also affected.
Who has a written plan that includes the problems, solutions and revenue source to address each issue they believe they can solve?
Grants for public safety and infrastructure are only temporary fixes. Pine Bluff must have solid revenue to sustain itself, and that is a thriving tax base to address essential services. Pine Bluff has had a flooding problem for decades, which only worsens without immediate attention and funding; developing a relationship with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers goes a long way in building a network.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Over the last eight years, there has been no strong ordinances implemented to stop the defacing of city property with cars making donuts in the streets, litter laws and illegal dumping. Some areas have many broken-down vehicles in their yards, which must be removed. Residents on the east side must take anywhere from 30-45 minutes to travel to and from their homes to purchase a loaf of bread or a half gallon of milk.
The mayor should prioritize bringing a grocery store back to the east side of the city that is compatible with the removed one. Gas stations should be strongly encouraged to have smooth and clean parking lots without potholes, trash, overgrowth and other eyesores. To tackle the city’s aesthetics, a mayor needs the courage to take on property owners, landlords and convenience stores. No longer active businesses should maintain their property and buildings as occupied.
There appears to be no urgency to make Pine Bluff a clean and vibrant city again. The old Chief Pontiac building at 11th and Main has become a sore thumb on Main Street. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of picking up other people’s trash.
Progress takes capital, but without citizens, there is no tax base. A mayor should advocate for better public safety, job creation, essential services, clearing sidewalks of grass, street repairs, street lighting, improving economic and community development and attracting new businesses, retail and big box stores. Reveal plans for updating code enforcement, giving it teeth to punish violators. The time has come for a mayor to hire a professional city planner who can connect the dots and make development and improvement contiguous, not spot improvement.
A mayor should begin networking closely with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for research and development instead of spending thousands of dollars on out-of-town consultant fees and traveling.
Much of the expertise needed is on the campus of UAPB. Couple that networking capability to include the University of Arkansas System puts community development on a fast track and within reach. Networking closely with UAPB can open to the family of other HBCUs. This networking power has yet to be utilized and overlooked for far too long.
Many of those seeking the position of mayor have yet to scratch the surface of building a solid network system or are willing to connect with others who do because networking helps any mayor become more effective. Gentle readers, think about this. Samuel Glover, Steven Mays, Charles Washington and Joni A. Robinson still need to build an effective network outside of Pine Bluff to include the state and national organizations, which is critical to becoming a successful mayor.
If the mayor controls the city and the judge controls the county, you shall quickly find yourself under a straightforward de facto dictatorship.
Finally, gentle reader, only one candidate has come close to building and establishing a network that gets this city moving forward. The best candidate for the time is Vivian Flowers.
The Rev. Jesse C. Turner is a Pine Bluff resident.