PINE BLUFF - Three aldermen prepared to introduce a resolution Tuesday to stop the mayor from spending $175,000 for a public relations and image campaign.
But they changed their mind.
Aldermen Glen Brown,George Stepps and Thelma Walker pulled the resolution during a City Council meeting Tuesday night, agreeing to further discuss the issue.
Walker said she wanted city leaders to revisit a plan - known as the 2020 Initiative - originally proposed nearly a decade ago, which, she said, included tips for improving the city’s image.
“The group of volunteers who put that plan together knew what they were doing, and I think we would just be duplicating their efforts if we spend money to do the same thing over again,” Walker said. “What we need to do is go back to that plan and finish it, not try and reinvent the wheel.”
Pine Bluff Mayor Debe Hollingsworth and a majority of aldermen supported the $175,000 appropriation earlier this month, saying that the city needs to promote a positive image to the rest of the state and region. The money will come from a five-eighths percent citywide improvement tax approved by voters in 2011.
But Stepps said he wants to see more involvement from residents before any money is spent.
“It doesn’t cost $175,000 to get ideas from the people who already live here,” Stepps said. “And I also agree with [Walker] that we need to look at the 2020 plan again.”
Walker said she plans to ask for a special City Council meeting in the next few weeks so everyone can talk about the issue.
Hollingsworth didn’t address the subject at Tuesday’s meeting.She said last week that an image and public relations campaign is vital to Pine Bluff’s future.
“Our city has done a poor job managing negativity, and therefore we have allowed crime to become a defining factor of our city,” the mayor said. “And, conversely, when we have positive news, do we know how to maximize the impact of the good news?”
In an email on the issue, Alderman Bill Brumett said last week that the city’s image campaign will work alongside other entities to promote the city.
“The Chamber is working to bring jobs and workers to Pine Bluff. The Convention and Visitors Bureau is helping to create and maintain activities to get people to come to Pine Bluff and spend money,” Brumett said. “Our focus will be to tell people about the good things our city is doing to create an environment where they want to live and work here.”
Brumett also stressed that no money will be spent on the campaign “until we have a firm plan together. The first step will be to do research to see where we really are. With the help of our good people that live and work here, we will spread the word to help people be positive about Pine Bluff.”
Arkansas, Pages 7 on 01/22/2014