By Ray King
Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson has asked the Quorum Court to replace three members of the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library Board of Trustees.
Robison wants to unappoint board members Linda Johnson Banks, Anna Marie Jacks and Tommy Brown, who is currently the president of the board.
Robinson said the board, and Brown in particular, created a contract for current library director Bobbie Morgan which would allow her to work remotely for four months until she retired. He said the initial contract with Morgan was for a year, with month to month extensions, but that was revised down to four months, with an option for an additional month. Also, the contract called for Morgan to $550 a month to purchase her own insurance and would be able to receive two days of leave each month, either sick leave or vacation.
She would also be able to submit claims for reimbursement if she had to travel from out of state back to Pine Bluff to handle library business.
Robinson said he asked County Attorney Terry Wynne to talk to Brown but Brown continued to push for the contract with Morgan, even though Robinson and Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington opposed it.
Chandra Griffin will be named to replace Banks, Tom Owens will replace Brown and Avarlon Harelston will replace Jacks on the board and all three appointments will end in November 2023.
