Is positive change ahead in Pine Bluff’s political wind?
The mayor and council members think so, and believe their constituents also will benefit from a day-long “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When the Stakes are High” seminar the elected officials attended here Tuesday.
“It was beyond great,” Mayor Debe Hollingsworth said of the training, led by Sharon Lovoy, president of Lovoy’s Team Works Inc. of Birmingham, Ala. The seminar, underwritten by Simmons First National Bank, was conducted at the historic DuBocage House.
“Sharon Lovoy was phenomenal,” the mayor said. “She had the ability to draw out the best in everyone and keep our dialogues open. She took us through some wonderful exercises that helped with our team building. I think the people of Pine Bluff will be seeing positive results.”
Alderman Glen Brown, who at times has been sharply critical of the mayor, echoed Hollingworth in her assessment of the event.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“Ms. Lovoy did a great job, and did several things that put us all in a real thinking mode,” Brown said. “I think that if any of us have had some bad habits or were doing something wrong in our communications, we’ll be better able to recognize and pay attention to that.”
Brown remains somewhat cautious, however.
“Time will tell,” he said, “but we may have loosened up with our relationships today. I think we all shared in a pretty good experience.”
Freshman Alderman Lloyd Holcomb Jr. rated the session as “excellent.”
“It opened my eyes and ears to a whole, new perspective,” he said. “I believe we’ll be better communicators because of our time together in this seminar.”
Alderman Charles Boyd was obviously pleased with the training, saying, “It’ll make better council members of us all.
“Some great things came out of this,” he said. “It’s going to make a difference. Things that we sometimes overlook in our communications with each other were brought out to us.”
Constituents can expect to witness increased consideration of one another among the council members and mayor, Alderman Wayne Easterly believes.
“We had a good time today sharing with one another and learning about each other,” he said. “We went through processes in which we learned to better see each other’s perspectives while being respectful of our differences. I truly think the public will see a difference in how we relate to one another.”
Alderwoman Thelma Walker praised Lovoy for her focus on “common sense” lessons and keeping her students “working as a group.”
“But I think we do that anyway,” Walker said. “I know that we’re all dedicated to working toward the betterment of our city. We’re all committed, 100 percent.”
The seminar was described by Alderman Steven Mays as “a good meeting of the minds of our city’s leadership.”
“It brought out the best in all of us,” he said. “It’s going to help us communicate in a more positive way in front of the entire community. This was important training, and it’s going to serve Pine Bluff well,”
Alderman George Stepps figures the instruction will have a “healthy impact” on the city.
“This seminar was a great experience for every one of us,” he said, “and I believe it will be a constructive resource for us all.
“I can’t say enough about how great a job Sharon Lovoy did,” he added with a laugh. “I told her if she could keep our attention the whole day, she was doing a remarkable job. And she did.”
Senior Alderman Bill Brumett, who organized the seminar, credited Lovoy for creating “communication opportunities” among the officials.
“Everyone gained some new respect for each other today,” he said. “We were made aware of some procedures we can put to work in keeping that respect growing while we’re learning to work together in a more productive manner, not only for our community, but also for ourselves and with one another.
“Each of us wants to improve as individuals and we all want to improve as a leadership team,” he continued. “I’m so pleased that we all came together for that purpose, and I sincerely feel that there’s a real commitment among us to do a better job in handling our individual and collective responsibilities in helping to take care of the city’s business.”
At Brumett’s request, The Commercial and KATV Channel 7 withheld coverage of the seminar so that the participants might be able to be more relaxed with one another in their verbal exchanges. Lovoy pledged to disallow any talk on issues that might come before the council for a vote.