Aldermen tiff in Pine Bluff hinders work

Racial slur in online post prompted council walkout

PINE BLUFF -- City business in Pine Bluff has slowed, and a quarter-million-dollar grant is in limbo after four aldermen say they refuse to work with one of their colleagues over the use of an online racial slur, Pine Bluff Mayor Debe Hollingsworth said.

Alderman Bill Brumett is the only white City Council member, and four of his black colleagues walked out of last Monday night's meeting to protest what they say was his intentional use of the word "coon" in an online debate with a black man.

This action came just two weeks after the City Council unanimously passed a vote of no confidence in Brumett at its April 6 meeting.

The word has a long history as a racial epithet, and many blacks in Pine Bluff -- including members of the local chapter of the NAACP -- have met to protest Brumett and are asking for his resignation. There are also efforts underway for a recall election by voters in his Ward 3.

Brumett said he has apologized and has no plans to step down.

He has declined to discuss the issue further. Brumett took office in 1996 and is the City Council's longest-serving member.

Meanwhile, Hollingsworth said she is concerned about moving the city forward, which includes having aldermen meet to conduct business.

When Aldermen George Stepps, Glen Brown Jr., Glen Brown Sr. and Thelma Walker left Monday's meeting, there were not enough council members left to vote on pending legislation and other city business.

Aldermen Lloyd Holcomb Jr., Charles Boyd and Brumett remained. Alderman Steven Mays was unable to attend the meeting. Five aldermen must be present to take official votes.

Holcomb said he didn't want last Monday's meeting to end, adding that while he doesn't agree with what Brumett said online, it's important for the council to meet and conduct the city's business.

Hollingsworth has condemned Brumett's use of the racial slur, intentional or not, but said she isn't weighing in on whether he should resign his seat on the City Council.

Instead, the mayor said she is "concerned about moving on with city business. One thing we have to do is approve a $250,000 grant for University Park. In addition, a retired firefighter's benefits that must be approved. And that amounts to $44,000 for him."

Hollingsworth said it's up to the voters who elected Brumett to hold a recall election if they want him removed from office.

"I just hope that those who are upset over this issue can look at the bigger picture and realize we have a city to run and govern," the mayor said.

"That is my primary concern."

The dust-up began when Brumett and Pine Bluff native J.C. Cunningham were arguing about city issues recently on a public-access Facebook forum.

Brumett said he became agitated that Cunningham kept misspelling his name and decided to intentionally misspell Cunningham's name out of frustration, typing "Cooninham," when he meant to type "Cuuningham."

Brumett said typing "coon" was unintentional.

Cunningham said he doesn't accept Brumett's apology but hasn't said whether he thinks the alderman should resign.

Stepps, who led the charge to end last Monday's meeting early, said of the situation: "The council finds it extremely difficult to be effective as a governing body due to the distraction that Alderman Brumett's disparaging actions have created.

"This body feels that in order to move forward, we must remove any and all roadblocks in our path to progress. Alderman Brumett has been identified as that roadblock. Mr. Brumett, we cannot work with you."

Walker said there are no plans right now for another walkout when the council meets May 4, but she assured that "the issue will not be forgotten."

"This isn't something that is just going to blow over," Walker said. "We are trying to decide what our next move will be."

Around Pine Bluff, opinions are mixed about whether Brumett should resign from his council seat.

Randy Caldwell, who is white, said he supports Brumett because he issued an apology and doesn't believe the alderman intentionally used a racial slur.

"We all make mistakes, and I do not for one minute believe that this man is a racist," Caldwell said. "It's time to move on with city business."

Jackie Sanders, who is also white, said she believes Brumett "should not have been online debating anyone. You can get into so much trouble with social media. Kids do it all the time, but adults should stay away from it."

David Hastings, who is black, said that whether Brumett meant to use the word "coon" is a moot point.

He said the word is often considered "even worse than other racial slurs because it is supposed to make someone feel like an animal.

"I think the only thing to do is to step down at this point, because many black people will never look at him the same way again. They won't trust him."

State Desk on 04/27/2015

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