Incumbent Mayor Carl A. Redus’ opponents in the currently scheduled Nov. 6 election responded with a mixture of anger, a pledge of legal action and a measure of support to his Wednesday injunction filing.
Candidate Peter Daniels Jr. said he is “retaining counsel in order to intervene in this case.”
“I am not going to stand by and allow the people of Pine Bluff to be kept from exercising their right to vote in the mayoral election,” Daniels continued.
John James Jr. said that if Redus should be victorious in court, wind up with a two-year term extension and be able to retire in 2014, he’ll be content.
“I would be honored to see the first black mayor of Pine Bluff get his retirement,” James said.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Alderman Steven Mays said he plans to discuss the situation with the city’s legal staff so that he might “get a better, clearer direction” on how to proceed through “this process.”
“I want to do what’s right and best for our city, because this is my home and I love Pine Bluff,” Mays said. “Mayor Redus has a right to file a lawsuit to protect his interest in the city. We all have an interest in the city, and we each must do what’s best for all of our citizens, and not just ourselves.”
Alderwoman Thelma Walker expressed disappointment in Redus’ filing and questioned a contention within the suit that an “unnecessary election” this year would be a “waste of taxpayer” funds with costs in the “tens and possibly hundreds of thousands” of dollars.
“If this is really about the best interest of the City of Pine Bluff, then the election should be held Nov. 6 as scheduled,” Walker said. “Let the voters decide about saving money.”
Debe Hollingsworth described herself as “outraged” and believes most others are as well by what she called an “attempt by Mayor Redus to deprive” voters.
“We cannot afford to allow Mayor Redus to enrich himself at the expense of taxpayers,” she said, referring to Redus’ requested two-year term extension, and his possible 2014 retirement eligibility.
“Mayor Redus has gone too far,” said Tim Whisenhunt, who added that city officials “had ample time to deal with the population decline” and advise potential candidates that there might not be another mayoral election until 2014.
Kent Broughton said the public seems to be in “disbelief” over the matter and its uncertainties. He said Redus’ “miscommunication” about the issue is reflective of the mayor’s overall lack of “transparency.” Broughton said all candidates should “continue to move forward and share their visions” as long as the upcoming election “is still scheduled.”
Clarence Davis termed Redus’ suit “unfortunate for the city” and said he doesn’t know what the “next step” should be in contesting the mayor’s efforts.
“This is an act against Pine Bluff,” Davis said of Redus’ suit. “I’ll take a wait-and-see attitude right now, but tomorrow may bring a different response.”
Meanwhile, Interested Citizens for Voter Registration Inc. had a reaction to the lawsuit, according to Rev. Jesse C. Turner, executive director of ICVR, who also works with Daniels.
“(The lawsuit is) a direct attack on the voting rights of all voting citizens in Pine Bluff and the lawsuit should be dismissed,” Turner said. “He said he wanted an opinion however, before the opinion is rendered he proceeds to file a lawsuit.”
Redus is attending the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.