U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor is “pushing the reality” that the Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA) “is still here,” and pledges to work with other members of Arkansas federal delegation to “do our best to secure the arsenal’s future.”
Meeting with Mayor James “Jitters” Morgan here Wednesday, Aug. 18, the Arkansas Democrat said the installation – facing the loss of over 1,000 civilian and military jobs with the coming completion of the Pine Bluff Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (PBCDF) mission to safely eliminate the base’s chemical weapons stockpile – is slated to receive a boost in late September or early October. That’s when Army Undersecretary Dr. Joseph W. Westphal is scheduled to visit with a purpose of helping to promote PBA’s strong tradition and versatility.
“The arsenal is the Army’s role model for destroying chemical weapons,” Pryor believes. “They’ve got it done safely, and they’ve been consistently ahead of schedule.”
Morgan fears that the loss of so many jobs at one time may negatively impact not only White Hall, but also the counties surrounding PBA.
Morgan said that even though he’s stepping down as mayor after December, he’ll still help in PBA’s next BRAC (Base Relocation And Closure) procedures, set for 2015. He told Pryor that contrary to congressional claims, BRACs are “political” and the idea of additional losses at PBA “is scary for a community like White Hall.”
U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor is “pushing the reality” that the Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA) “is still here,” and pledges to work with other members of Arkansas federal delegation to “do our best to secure the arsenal’s future.”
Meeting with Mayor James “Jitters” Morgan here Wednesday, Aug. 18, the Arkansas Democrat said the installation – facing the loss of over 1,000 civilian and military jobs with the coming completion of the Pine Bluff Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (PBCDF) mission to safely eliminate the base’s chemical weapons stockpile – is slated to receive a boost in late September or early October. That’s when Army Undersecretary Dr. Joseph W. Westphal is scheduled to visit with a purpose of helping to promote PBA’s strong tradition and versatility.
“The arsenal is the Army’s role model for destroying chemical weapons,” Pryor believes. “They’ve got it done safely, and they’ve been consistently ahead of schedule.”
Morgan fears that the loss of so many jobs at one time may negatively impact not only White Hall, but also the counties surrounding PBA.
Morgan said that even though he’s stepping down as mayor after December, he’ll still help in PBA’s next BRAC (Base Relocation And Closure) procedures, set for 2015. He told Pryor that contrary to congressional claims, BRACs are “political” and the idea of additional losses at PBA “is scary for a community like White Hall.”
