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November 30, 2000 <br /> <br /> A special meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia, was held to <br />discuss legislative issues with the City School Board and area State legislators on <br />November 30, 2000, in the Martinsville Middle School Media Center, beginning at 12:30 <br />P. M., with Mayor Mark Crabtree presiding. Council Members present included: Mark <br />A. Crabtree, Mayor; M. Gene Teague, Vice Mayor; and Council Members Bruce H. T. <br />Dallas, J. Ronald Ferrill, and Terry L. Roop. <br /> <br /> Following the invocation by Vice Mayor Teague, Dr. Ira Trollinger, <br /> Superintendent, welcomed everyone to the meeting. <br /> <br /> Delegate Barnie Day stated, "The thing to keep in mind for next year is to keep <br /> realistic expectations. Speak one message with one voice." <br /> <br /> Delegate Ward Armstrong stated, "Our economy continues to be good but not at <br /> the same rate. Our needs are as critical as other areas. You need to speak very <br /> loudly." <br /> <br /> Senator Roscoe Reynolds stated, "The reality is that the session won't be an <br /> easy one this year." <br /> <br /> Dr. Trollinger stated, "We're losing teachers to North Carolina. They retire here, <br /> draw State retirement, and make a full salary in North Carolina. We're asking to do that <br /> in Virginia, which doesn't. cost anything." Ron Epperly, Assistant Superintendent for <br /> Finance, added, ~Between 30 and 40 percent of teachers will be eligible for retirement in <br /> the next three years." Vice Mayor-Teague stated, "Every community would benefit with <br /> <br /> increased funding to education." Mayor Crabtree added, "We don't need strings <br /> <br /> attached this. time," : -. <br /> <br /> <br />