By Ray King
The second revision of maps showing the new ward boundaries for the City of Pine Bluff was introduced during a special called meeting of the council Wednesday afternoon and was favored by the seven council members present.
Councilmember Bruce Lockett was the only one who did not log in to the meeting which was held on Zoom.
The second revision was necessary after the council on Tuesday night voted to repeal an ordinance to accept the previous map which was approved last week. That followed complaints from Council Member Glen Brown Sr., about losing a part of his ward where family and friends lived to Ward 4.
The new map restored that area to the Third Ward which is represented by Brown Sr., and Ivan Whitfield.
Fourth Ward Councilmember Steven Mays questioned some of the areas in his ward and Council members Joni Alexander and Glen Brown Jr. explained what the new boundaries mean
In order for the new boundaries to go into effect, they have to be approved by the council and prior to that, a public hearing must be held to allow citizen input. That public hearing will take place Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers, followed by a special meeting of the council beginning at 6 p.m.
Here is the exchange between Whitfield, other members of the council, the Mayor, and City Clerk Janice Roberts that ended the special meeting Wednesday.
