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Page Two - Governor Mark Warner <br /> November 24, 2003 <br /> <br />recent visit to announce the MZM project, the reconstruction of nearby streets and <br />intersections has just begun and will not be completed until sometime in 2008. <br /> <br /> The return of $450,000 by Martinsville imposed an unnecessary financial burden <br />on the City and its residents at the worst possible time. The Commonwealth's demand for <br />a refund was, in my opinion, viewed by the local elected officials as punishment for <br />taking positive steps to improve their economy and their developable sites. No locality in <br />the Commonwealth should be penalized for undertaking legitimate development that does <br />not meet artificial deadlines buttressed by unforeseen economic weakness. Your <br />admirdstration has done a great deal to get VDOT back on track programmatically and <br />fiscally. In so doing, this is a situation that also needs to be corrected. <br /> <br /> I submitted a bill during the 2002 session of the General Assembly which would <br />have refunded the $450,000 to Martinsville and it was met with stiff and hostile <br />resistance by VDOT. As you can imagine, the $450,000 that was refunded to VDOT <br />could now be a significant re-investment in the City of Martinsville's economic <br />development efforts. As the state no longer funds the VEDP shell building program, <br />those funds could well be used by the City to fund the next phase of development in the <br />Clearview Business Park. There are still sites in the Park that need grading and, with the <br />shell building now sold to MZM, a new shell building to attract prospects to the area is <br />needed. <br /> <br /> In meeting with representatives of the city regarding their 2004 legislative <br />priorities, this continues to be an item of significant concern. I hope you will take the <br />opportunity of presenting your first full budget to correct this financial penalty which <br />continues to negatively affect the residents of Martinsville. <br /> <br /> I value the support and constant concern you have directed toward the City c~f <br />Martinsville and my constituents as we continue our recovery from the loss of <br />manufacturing jobs. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />W~:al <br /> <br /> <br />