Jefferson County: Judge Enacts Policy With Global Economic Implications
Jefferson County: Judge Enacts Policy With Global Economic Implications
Change in weight limit stifles commercial trade routes, but County Judge tells loggers to take state highways
The signs for truck weight limits on county roads changed in Jefferson County this week with no warning.
The weight limit changed from 80,000 pounds to 68,000.
“This seemingly arbitrary and unilateral weight change negatively impacts our entire forestry sector especially our loggers, foresters, and landowners,” said State Senator Ben Gilmore, who represents District 1. “I am disappointed that Judge Robinson is attempting to implement this change without notice or what appears to be the lack of authorization from the Jefferson County quorum court. If enforced, this change will have a ripple effect that hurts our already struggling economy and our loggers who are bearing the brunt of failed policies out of Washington D.C.”
In Arkansas, the maximum gross vehicle weight for trucks on highways is 80,000 pounds, with some exceptions like natural resources and others that require special permits.
Robinson did not get a special permit, according to Quorum Court members.
County Judge Gerald Robinson wrote in an email to South Arkansas Reckoning:
“Constituents complained about log trucks damaging their newly resurfaced Stagecoach road in which loggers from outside of Jefferson County used. County roads are not constructed and have the foundation based materials as state Highways and do not hold up to State limit of 85,000 lbs. As judge I made the decision to lower this weight to 68,000 lbs to not only take care of my constituents concerns and our county roads! Loggers can travel the State Highways that will lead them to their destinations!”
Global impact
Jefferson County is a unique county having one of Arkansas’ largest papermills — Evergreen Packaging — as well as Highland Pellets. The county depends heavily on timber, especially from South Arkansas, for raw materials used to make products at each facility. Loggers and truckers depend on county roads to move their loads.
Jefferson County and bordering counties are also home to many commercial trucking companies. Some are independent owner operators that could feel a hard blow by Robinson's action.
One owner told South Arkansas Reckoning that if Robinson enforces this new rule that he may no longer be allowed to bring his truck home.
“Most days I pre-load my truck to arrive at the mill early, with the cost of insurance and fuel depleting the majority of my cash flow, this new rule may be the final blow to put me out of business,” he said. “If I can't legally bring my loaded truck home, I may as well quit.”
It's not just log trucks. Most 18-wheelers will be affected by Robinson's actions — even dump trucks and concrete trucks.
Jefferson County Justice of the Peace Lloyd Franklin said Robinson made the change without the approval of the Quorum Court. That doesn't shock Franklin.
“It's another random act of maleficenense on behalf of County Judge Gerald Robinson,” Franklin said. “He doesn't have the authority to do it. Now the rest of the state is experiencing a dictator who does what he wants. Then he lied and said the Quorum Court did it.”
Franklin said the weight change impacts paper mill products globally.
“It could have a significant impact on the economy of Jefferson County and now the state,” Franklin said. “Robinson's actions again makes the county look bad. What industry would want to come here? And some may leave.”
According to the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT), Jefferson County is one of the larger areas of land in the state with 914 square miles. It has 1,029 miles of county road, 297 miles of highway and 565 miles of city street.
Here are two examples of ARDOT maps of county roads in Jefferson County. The black lines are county roads.
ARDOT officials said they had no control over county roads. Arkansas Code states that a “county can place weight limits on roads for up to 90 days in a calendar year (by ordinance and posted.)”
Franklin said the county road move by Robinson was similar to when he refused to sign payroll earlier this year.
“His decision making capacity is questionable,” Franklin said. “Think about this. If loggers can't get a load to a mill like Evergreen or Highland. Loggers don't make money if they can't get to the mill. We may lose major businesses. Robinson threw a monkey wrench into a global economic system that he doesn't have the capacity to even understand, and whose to say he won't lower it again.”
Franklin said Robinson's constant ineptitude with county business could make some industry consider moving out of Jefferson County.
It's unclear who will enforce the new weight limits.
The next Jefferson County Quorum Court meeting is Sept. 9 at 5:30 at the Jefferson County Courthouse.
“I encourage loggers and truckers to come and address the issue with the county judge,” Franklin said.
Read the state weight limits rule here:
Is he up for reelection? They gotta get that guy out of there.
This is great journalism. Is this judge stupid or attempting to cause the regular workers harm intentionally? Like whatever it takes to get us to eat their bugs.