Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson, seeking reelection, laid out his platform for the next four years, emphasizing continuity in economic progress, infrastructure repair and increased government transparency.
Robinson was interviewed ahead of Tuesday’s preferential primary election runoff against local attorney Efrem B. Neely Sr. The runoff was forced because neither attained more than 50% of the vote in the March 3 election. The winner will take on Republican Nate Todd, a retired U.S. Army colonel, in the Nov. 3 general election.
Neely, who led Robinson after the March 3 count, declined to be interviewed.
Robinson identified three critical issues facing the county: a shrinking population, deteriorating roads and a strained relationship between his office and the Quorum Court. His vision is to continue the work in which he’s involved, focusing on economic development, tourism and energy efficiency to expand the county’s tax base and create new jobs.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“I am the county judge right now. I’m best equipped to handle all financial situations and continue the partnerships and relationships that have been created to bring new jobs, tourism and energy,” Robinson said.
Robinson detailed his strategy for attracting new businesses, explaining the county has already put in place a system where the company can contact and streamline the way it can come in and do business. This includes removing obstacles like licenses and maintaining an “open door policy.”
He noted the county judge is the chief executive and, constitutionally, much of the economic development strategy must pass through the office. The position, he said, requires a strong business mind so that the judge in place can maneuver through all of the obstacles.
To address the continually shrinking population, which results in fewer tax dollars, Robinson plans to focus on economic ventures.
“We have to address this population decline, which is something that we’re going to have to get ahold of and have to work on, and only we can do that by bringing on new economic ventures,” he said.
His first 100 days in a new term, he said, would involve continuing current efforts to bring in companies such as Apex Solar, focusing on tourism and improving energy efficiencies.
Improving roads and infrastructure is another top concern for Robinson. He pointed out state funding has decreased because the county is shrinking. He also noted only 6% of tax dollars are currently diverted to roads, which primarily fund the operation of the road department.
“That includes salaries, equipment that includes, you know, all of those line items that it takes,” he said. To compensate for the shrinking state funding, he plans to divert 20% of the casino revenues to roads.
Robinson also detailed his approach to prioritizing projects with limited funding through public-private partnerships. He cited Apex Solar as an example where a condition for the company to locate in Jefferson County is that it must also help maintain the roads it will travel. He emphasized looking for companies “who are willing to come in and the county does not have to pay it forward.”
Robinson outlined steps to improve transparency and build trust with residents who feel disconnected from local government.
“In our transparency tab, we are putting all of our contracts, all ordinances, all those things,” he explained regarding the county website.
He noted that the open-door policy allows the public to come in, ask questions and get answers, “even if they don’t have a FOIA request.” To build trust, Robinson said the county is sending out letters to residents in areas where road work is scheduled to keep them informed of the budget cycle. He also plans on being more visible by making monthly broadcasts on Facebook to keep the people informed.
When asked about handling ethical concerns or conflicts of interest, Robinson stated he always consults his attorneys first to “always maintain the legality of any situation.” He also seeks advice from the Arkansas Association of Counties.
“First seek those who are better qualified in those areas,” he advised.
He credits his “whole career” for preparing him for the role, tracing his leadership back to being a team captain in Little League and high school, leading soldiers during Desert Storm, rising to sheriff, and now serving as County Judge. He added that community activism is “in my bloodline,” noting that his grandfather was a huge community activist during the school segregations.
Robinson recalled difficult leadership decisions, including having to let a dear friend go due to budget cuts. He summarized his principle: “It’s business. And I’m always conducting and going to take care of business, because it’s the right thing to do for our citizens,” he said.
Robinson urged undecided voters and others to focus on his track record.
“If you put away all the personal attacks, if you put away everything and just look at the resume,” he asserted that his opponent “doesn’t touch me in any of those areas.”
Robinson, who said he’s been a “servant to the people” for nearly 40 years, said that although he could retire, he has “so much love for Jefferson County” and wants to finish his service by providing the necessary services, like roads and infrastructure, to make people “look at us in a brighter light than they look at us right now.”
