Plenty of positives on county/ACC agreement

Our View

Plenty of positives on county/ACC agreement

Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s stamp of approval to a plan for moving the Southeast Arkansas Community Correction Center in Pine Bluff to the former Crittenden Regional Hospital in West Memphis is a huge accomplishment for Judge Woody Wheeless.

Not only is Wheeless credited with bringing a brand new Baptist Hospital to Crittenden County but also is directly responsible for working the deal to bring 140 well-paying state jobs here.

It can not be disputed the major economic impact this will have on not only Crittenden County but in particular West Memphis, and it all can be attributed to Wheeless’ leadership and determination to address a serious situation he and Quorum Court justices inherited.

Wheeless has turned a major negative situation into a positive one that was created in August 2014 when it was decided by the local powers-to-be who controlled Crittenden Regional Hospital to close down and file bankruptcy.

That action resulted in scores of hospital employees to lose their jobs, their benefits and Crittenden County taxpayers stuck with hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses.

Will, since that time Crittenden Countians have had no hospital, nor an emergency room with local emergency services strained with having to transport patients during emergency situations to Memphis.

Meanwhile, Judge Wheeless was recently successful in completing the deal for Baptist Health Care to open a new hospital between Highway 77 and Seventh Street just off the north side of the interstate service road.

And then, Wheeless has been working on finding an occupant for the old hospital which has resulted in this state operated women’s rehabilitation facility moving from Pine Bluff to West Memphis.

That deal, which Wheeless was able to get the endorsement of court quorum court members and now Gov. Hutchinson, will result in 140 jobs and an investment of several million dollars.

As we’ve repeatedly pointed out, these two major developments will have a major impact on local housing, local retail, local taxes, as well as the attracting new commercial and retail interests. Oh, and let’s not leave out the City of West Memphis that will certainly reap major benefits as a result of this entire situation.

The transfer from Pine Bluff affects about 350 nonviolent females as well as the 138 correctional officers, medical/counseling professionals and others who work there.

Predictions are only 10 to 15 percent of the workers are thought to take jobs at the new location in West Memphis, which means an additional opportunity individuals seeking a career in law enforcement, criminal justice or corrections.

Once again, let us commend Judge Wheeless for doing an outstanding job and his success in not only being the one local leader to bring us a new Baptist Hospital but working to not only find a worthy occupant for the old hospital as well as brining about nearly 140 state jobs to our county.

BIBLE VERSE

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

19:26-30

Matthew