JONESBORO, Ark. – There’s been a lot of waiting in the Rachel Anderson lawsuit against the City of Jonesboro.
While regular developments were the norm for several months, the case has entered a waiting period as mediation began on Thursday, March 28, between the two sides. No updates have come from the mediation process, thus far.
Judge Bentley Story has also still not issued a decision on the motion to reconsider asking him to undo a preliminary injunction ordering a name clearing hearing for Anderson with the right to question the mayor, the police chief, and the now-former communications director.
The most recent court filings in the case are on March 4 and March 6 respectively, as Anderson’s lawyers looked to add to their case by arguing the standards for a preliminary injunction in this case are lower. According to Sutter & Gillham, the court’s role is to determine whether a statute violation has or is about to occur. However, Mayor Harold Copenhaver and Police Chief Rick Elliott responded through their lawyers, asserting that this argument has no merit. Filed by Chris Stevens of Fuqua Campbell, P.A., the response states that irreparable harm “is the foundation of the power to issue injunctive relief.”
Several weeks have passed since the most recent filings and no decision from the judge has been issued, as of this publication. At least some of the lawyers involved believe the judge is waiting for mediation between the two parties.
After a fiasco surrounding a photo showing him flipping off someone in the background, then-Communications Director Bill Campbell resigned on March 8. However, the judge’s order specifically gives Anderson the right to question Campbell at a future name-clearing hearing. It is unclear if he would still be required to appear at such a hearing, which could still be months or years away, Anderson’s lawyers have previously speculated.
While Anderson waits for movement in her court case, other news developed between her and the city.
Anderson filed for unemployment following her termination last year, she told a reporter. However, the city has been fighting her unemployment claim. According to Anderson, the assistant city attorney, Heather Owens, was on a call and even brought up Anderson’s new job as an argument against her unemployment claim. It was irrelevant to the claim, the administrator said. Anderson won her claim. The city has 20 days to appeal.
Separately, Anderson will be the editor-in-chief of JonesboroRightNow.com, an online newspaper launching April 2 from the Jonesboro Radio Group. However, even that new position has not been without controversy. Anderson alleges city officials have been told to not communicate with her during the course of her new job.
Jonesboro’s Chief Administrative Officer Brian Richardson told NEA Report no directive has been given barring communications with Anderson. As he described it, requests from anyone with pending litigation against the city must go through the mayor’s office, who will seek advice from the city attorney before responding.
Richardson said past requests have been denied for legal and security concerns but not because of who made the request.
On Monday, April 1, JonesboroRightNow.com held a ribbon cutting ceremony, attended by both Chief Elliott and Mayor Copenhaver.
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Is there anyone in Jonesboro city government above a junior high level of maturity? What do residents think about them spending taxpayer money on this?
Well they’re sure not going to spend our tax dollars on the infrastructure our streets in Jonesboro are all cracked and crumbling messes but this mayor and city council blow money on dog parks, swimming pools, sidewalks to know where and green initiative’s all trying to compete with Fayetteville what a joke Jonesboro has become!
I think the Jonesboro Police department might cover more neighborhoods as packages are being stolen right now in my neighborhood even mine! This is the second time I have been robbed. First time I was told I could come make a report but really no need. !
Watched the city council meeting on tv about this case , Little Rock would pay part of her settlement, while Jonesboro is to pay$30k . One council member spoke up and said he speaks for the people of Jonesboro and since the Mayor did this that the Mayor should pay the city of Jonesboro’s part . Yep could hear a pin drop after that! Watch your city council meetings folks! Still no explanation as to how a 911 dispatch could be an editor of an online platform like happening now? But left that position too?