MonticelloLive

The Southeast Arkansas Cornerstone Coalition, Inc. meeting on April 11, 2007 in Eudora, Arkansas provided an update about the reconstruction efforts in the Dumas area, as well as information about transportation issues in the State.

Desha County Judge Mark McElroy said that the AWINS radio system allowed them to talk to the counties and communities around them and it really saved lives. The system was developed after September 11, 2001 for emergency personnel to communicate on a restricted channel. He thanked everyone and said they could not have survived without the help of everyone in the area that pulled together to help them.

“We took for granted that there was going to be federal help.” said McElroy, “FEMA chose not to help us.” Federal assistance was never available, but they were finally allowed refurbished FEMA trailers to help some families. Judge McElroy thanked Congressman Mike Ross for his assistance in acquiring the trailers.

McElroy added, “Ninety-nine percent of the cleanup work was done by volunteers. With the assistance from all of the communities there was enough money, resources and assistance to help with the cleanup efforts. Now, it’s just a matter of rebuilding - Dumas will bounce back.” The collective unification of people in Southeast Arkansas to help Dumas is an example that the idea of regionalism is alive and well in the Cornerstone region. When one area is hurting, the whole area hurts; when an area is doing well, we all benefit.

Johnnie Bolin, executive director of the Arkansas Good Roads Transportation mentioned that he started his morning by driving to see the construction of the new Greeneville Bridge. “The bridge is a magnificent structure on the soils of Mississippi and Arkansas, and it is an exciting time. This is the gateway to success in Southeast Arkansas.” As a former Arkansas State Representative, Bolin is aware of the transportation issues facing the Cornerstone region, and is working hard to address these issues.

The Arkansas Good Roads Transportation Council (AGRTC) is made up of organizations, companies, corporations, doctors, lawyers, banks, and people from all walks of life. Currently over 1800 people receive the AGRTC magazine. Since June of 2006 they have organized 75 county committees, attended numerous speaking engagements, and created the “Better Roads, Better Future” campaign.

After conducting research on transportation, one report stated that Arkansas was ranked number 9 in the country as having the most fatalities on highways. Afterwards, the mission of the AGRTC was developed to include evaluation, distribution of educational data, and to promote a transportation network to enhance the safety, social and environmental needs of Arkansas.

The Arkansas highway system is the 11th largest system in the nation; comparable to California, New York, Los Angeles, Georgia, and Illinois. It is also made up of several elements/subsystems that are very important to safety, economic development, tourism and statewide mobility.

In addition to the National Highway System and High Priority Corridors, the Arkansas Highway Transportation Department (AHTD) is responsible for the maintenance and improvement of 16,419 miles on the Arkansas highway system, and 7,120 bridges.

To help with solutions to Arkansas’ transportation problems, AGRTC has proposed a Governor’s Conference on Transportation with meetings in each congressional district, with the final meeting to be held in Little Rock. The purpose will be to study and adopt proposed funding sources for AHTD.

Simply, the goal of the Arkansas Good Roads Transportation Council is to improve roads. With better roads you can:
· Create jobs
· Create opportunities for our graduating seniors
· Spur economic development
· Save Arkansans money
· Safer roads for all Arkansans

The Southeast Arkansas Cornerstone Coalition, Inc. is working to promote regional economic development in Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Desha, Drew and Lincoln counties. Formed in 2003, this non-profit organization is promoting regional economic growth by advocating infrastructure and educating Southeast Arkansas based industry. The Cornerstone Coalition, Inc. serves as the economic development group for the Southeast Arkansas region.