By Ray King
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson came to Pine Bluff to offer what he said was to put a focus on the low water pressure in the city and to offer state assistance. The Governor met with city and county leaders including Mayor Shirley Washington of Pine Bluff, Mayor Noel Foster of White Hall, County Judge Gerald Robinson, Brian Thomas, the CEO of Jefferson Regional Hospital, UAPB Chancellor Laurence Alexander, and others.
Greg Horne of Deltaplex News told Hutchinson that local leaders have publicly said that Liberty Utilities was ill prepared for the unprecedented ice and snow event, had not invested in infrastructure and had lied to the public, and asked the Governor how he felt about Liberty’s response to the situation.
During a question and answer session, a reporter said water problems were occurring all over the state, why come to Pine Bluff first.
The Governor said he had met with Alexander who reported that UAPB students are currently being housed in motels locally and in Little Rock because of the lack of water pressure and that situation can not go on for an extended period of time. He went on to say that Jefferson Regional is not able to provide needed services, from vaccinations to surgeries because of the lack of water pressure.
“We’ve got to get that solved,” he said.
The Governor was also asked about his biggest concern.
