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Yahoo
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- Politics
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Tensions boil over at Jefferson County meeting as public comment turns confrontational
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ark. — A Jefferson County Quorum Court meeting held by some justices on Monday evening ended in chaos after a public commenter was tased and removed by sheriff's deputies. The disruption began shortly after 5:30 p.m. during a scheduled quorum court session originally called by the Jefferson County Judge. Jefferson County Justices of the Peace stage walkout, overrule judge's veto to pass 2025 budget Tensions flared when eight of the thirteen justices of the peace walked out, breaking quorum and halting official business. That's when County Judge Gerald Robinson adjourned the meeting. About 20 minutes later, the same eight returned, reconvened as a special meeting with the clerk present and resumed proceedings under the leadership of Justice of the Peace District 1. Alfred Carroll was voted to chair the meeting. The group overrode a veto from County Judge Gerald Robinson regarding the 2025 budget and approved bonuses for unpaid employees. But before that during the public comment portion of the meeting, things escalated quickly. Garland Trice approached the microphone, requested a copy of the meeting agenda, and remained silent while reviewing it. Carroll urged him to state his name and use his time productively. What followed was a heated verbal exchange between Trice and several justices, including Reginald Johnson and Carroll, prompting calls for decorum. When Trice refused to return to his seat and continued speaking beyond his allotted time, deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office physically removed him from the courtroom. But outside the chambers, the confrontation intensified. Jefferson County Justices of the Peace pass 2025 budget in special meeting According to a statement from Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods, Jr., the following occurred: 'On June 9, 2025, during a regularly scheduled Jefferson County Quorum Court meeting at the Jefferson County Circuit Courthouse, Garland Trice, Sr. disrupted proceedings by refusing to yield the floor after his allotted public comment time had expired. Despite multiple warnings to comply with the presiding officer's directive and return to his seat, Mr. Trice became more boisterous, while continuing his refusal, ultimately requiring deputies to physically remove him from the meeting room. His passive resistance necessitated the use of less-lethal force, including taser deployment, to ensure compliance and restore order. This incident was entirely preventable had Mr. Trice adhered to the established rules of conduct. His repeated disruptive behavior at public forums appears intended to provoke reactions and advance personal political grievances. While parliamentary procedures govern meeting decorum, the authority of the presiding officer and law enforcement extends beyond these rules to maintain public order and safety. Disruptions by members of the public that impede official business or threaten security cannot and will not be tolerated. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office remains committed to safeguarding the constitutional rights of peaceful assembly and free speech, while ensuring the safety and integrity of public meetings.' He was taken to the hospital and held overnight for observation. As of Tuesday evening, he had not been booked into jail and was still at the area hospital. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs Jefferson County budget correction bill, goes into immediate effect But not everyone agreed with how the situation was handled. In a statement, County Judge Gerald Robinson criticized both the arrest and the use of force: 'Concerning the incident which occurred after the regularly scheduled June 9th, 2025 Quorum Court meeting, where eight justices—Reginald Johnson, Melanie Dumas, Reginald Adams, Margarette Williams, Alfred Carrol, Cedric Jackson, Richard Victorino, Brenda Bishop Gaddy—all walked out in protest, leaving the regular scheduled meeting without enough members to have a quorum to continue county business. Upon the adjournment of the meeting and approximately twenty minutes later, the eight reconvened and started another special meeting. Mr. Garland Trice was arrested during a public comment section. From all indications, in my opinion, it was a violation of his constitutional rights. Viewing the video footage from a number of social media sources, I fail to see the probable cause for an arrest and the excessive force displayed by the Sheriff and deputies of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. I'm also puzzled as to why the Sheriff even got involved, because he has verbally stated in the public and through social media sources that he is not the Sergeant-at-Arms for the Quorum Court. He has also shown that he would not perform these duties in open court when asked by this Judge to escort people from the meeting when they were being unruly, one being former Justice Lloyd Franklin Jr. and best friend of the Sheriff. In my opinion, he (the Sheriff) has clearly demonstrated that he is not an officer of the Quorum Court and his involvement was unwarranted!' Justices remain divided on how to handle Trice's behavior going forward. Justice of the Peace Alfred Carroll (District 1) acknowledged the disruption but said banning Trice outright may go too far: 'If he shows up, he is going to do what he can to be disruptive. Do I think that he should be banned from the meetings? I do not think so. Even though he is very disruptive, uncooperative, and prevents a lot of business from being conducted, he is still a taxpayer. Unless he comes back and continues down this road of not following protocol, I think he should be allowed. He is a citizen, he has political aspirations, and likes to be involved.' But Justice Reginald Johnson (District 3) believes stronger measures are warranted: 'Well, I think that Mr. Trice should not be allowed to come to our meetings by the judge.' 'I hate that this has happened to him due to his age — he is an older gentleman — and I just wish that if he is going to come, he would simply have respect. Because you don't tell justices of the peace to simply shut up in a meeting. That's just wrong and it's disrespectful.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jefferson County Justices of the Peace pass 2025 budget in special meeting
PINE BLUFF, Ark. – After more than five months of gridlock and political division, Jefferson County Justices of the Peace in the majority called a special quorum court meeting Monday night and passed their totaling more than $37 million. According to Justice of the Peace District One Alfred Carroll, the meeting, attended by seven of the thirteen quorum court members, marked the third reading of the proposed budget, which passed with a simple majority vote. Gridlock continues in effort to pass 2025 Jefferson County budget The sudden move comes after extended disputes between the court's majority members and County Judge Gerald Robinson over budget priorities and procedure. 'It is an opportunity to excel, just to be honest about it,' said Carroll, who chaired the meeting in Robinson's absence. 'It's an opportunity to hopefully see the county move forward.' Carroll said proper notice was given to all court members and the judge, though not all attended. 'The judge was notified as well as the other quorum court members,' Carroll said during the meeting. 'They are unable to be here or they are not here.' In a statement released shortly before the meeting, Judge Robinson questioned the legitimacy of the gathering. 'I question the validity of the members coming together and deciding to have a meeting,' Robinson wrote. 'As some of the members were not contacted as I was informed. These eight members continue to violate statutes regarding proper notice for the meeting.' Competing Jefferson County budgets show a closing gap between sides as figures are adjusted Despite the controversy, the budget, totaling over $37 million in countywide operations, was approved by the present majority and signed by Carroll. However, the process is not yet complete. For the budget to become law, it must be signed by the county judge. 'I hope he signs it instead of vetoing it,' said District 3 JP Reginald Johnson. 'It's time to work together. It's been long enough.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jefferson County judge seeking ‘legal relief' against seven justices of the peace
PINE BLUFF, Ark.- Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson announced in a letter to the justices of the peace that he is seeking 'legal relief' by asking the court to step in and find a legal solution. This comes after the ongoing budget gridlock between him and seven of the justices of the peace. 'We (he and the finance committee) have come to the table several times, as you know, and we have made concessions at least three to four times,' Robinson said. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs Jefferson County budget correction bill, goes into immediate effect The letter addresses ongoing budgetary and procedural violations within the Jefferson County Quorum Court. The judge's letter highlights the reintroduction of a rejected 2025 budget, violations of Arkansas law, and the improper calling of special meetings without the County Judge's consent. 'Seven have went along with and creating these irregularities in the budget and are consistent on these irregularities continuing,' Robinson said. He said these actions led to the enactment of invalid legislation. The letter criticizes unauthorized salary increases, improper positions added, nepotism violations, and defiance of court rulings, particularly regarding the employment of Morgan Tillman, the daughter of the County Assessor. 'My opinion is total corruption on their part, corruption on the part of elected officials that have created these irregularities in the budget,' Robinson said. READ THE FULL LETTER It also notes the Quorum Court's failure to pass a legally compliant budget, which led to state intervention through Senate Bill 182. 'It created a stir to where the state had to step in and that we could at least get the employees paid,' Robinson said. 'The bill that was created holds the county judge and the quorum court responsible with nonpayment or without being paid, therefore I am the only constitutional officer that is not getting paid and the 13 justices are not receiving their per diem.' Lastly, the letter addresses that the quorum court held another invalid meeting on March 21st, where they tried to pass a procedural ordinance without the judge's consent. He stated he has since vetoed the ordinance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Another meeting and no final budget in Jefferson County
PINE BLUFF, Ark. – A special meeting in Jefferson County was called Saturday night by judge Gerald Robinson, with hopes on making a final decision about their 2025 budget so that the employees could finally receive pay. 'I have already been informed by several justices that they were not going to be in attendance' Robinson said. Only 4 of the 12 justices of the peace attended the meeting, putting halt to a final vote on the budget. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces plan to restore Jefferson County operations Judge Robinson says he's compromised enough. 'We've made several adjustments in order to try and get this budget passed' Robinson said. He released documents showing thousands of dollars difference between budget cuts originally made versus now in order to meet the JP's halfway, but they still don't agree with the changes. Gov. Sanders introduced Bill 18 that would allow the county to use last year's budget until an agreement was met. Arkansas State Police supporting Jefferson County emergency services amid budget impasse Judge Robinson says that he and they would take a hit financially, but the employees would be back getting paid. 'I think this was an attempt to try to oust me from this position I really do that's my opinion' Robinson said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jefferson County no-pay lawsuit updated after employees miss a second paycheck
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ark. – A lawsuit against Jefferson County officials initially filed in April 2024 was updated on Jan. 30 as county employees remain unpaid due to a budget impasse. The update is the second one made in 2025 after the lawsuit's first update was made in mid-January when the county missed its first payday of the year. The Jan. 30 update reflects a second missed payday. Jefferson County judge back in court over not paying employees as budget crisis continues This suit names county Judge Gerald Robinson and five Justices of the Peace on the county's quorum court. The suit alleges the five JPs have not attended quorum court meetings so the county's disputed budget could not be approved. The county has not been able to meet its obligations, including payroll, due to the quorum court not being able to pass a budget for 2025. Jefferson County government shutdown continues as legislative action begins to step in The lawsuit alleges the county is violating federal law. 'Each Plaintiff and the Class has performed worked, but, despite demand, each Defendants has refused to pay Plaintiffs timely and the Class their wages for no legal reason,' the lawsuit states. 'Thus, each Defendant has violated the prompt payment rule under the FLSA [Fair Labor Standards Act]. It also states that Robinson has spent as much as $14 million without required quorum court authorization or required bids. The suit was brought by three county employees in 2024, although the update asks that all Jefferson County employees be made part of the suit as a class action since the county missed the Jan. 15 and 30 payday. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces plan to restore Jefferson County operations The suit asks for damages over $2 million, and the court order Robinson to pay wages. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
