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<br />1 ~ <br /> <br />TUESDAY <br /> <br />SEPTEMBER 13, 1983 <br /> <br />--- <br /> <br />May I take this opportunity to thank you for granting me permission <br />to address you tonight on an issue that some of us feel should be <br />important to all of the people in Martinsville "that of representation <br />of all sections of our community on City Council". <br /> <br />We are not here to criticize you and your indicated interest in all <br />sections of our community. However, there is an old saying that "it's <br />difficult to know how many miles a man has traveled unless you have <br />walked in his shoes"; that is to say that your interests may be in <br />all sections of the community, but your bodies are not there. <br /> <br />-- <br /> <br />I think you will agree, that the complexity of today's problems in <br />government requires the full participation of all of our citizens if <br />we are to find unselfish, impartial solutions. <br /> <br />With these thoughts in mind, the Martinsville-Henry County Voters' <br />League sent out over two thousand questionnaires asking if people <br />were for or against a Ward System for elections. <br /> <br />The answer was a definite "yes" for a Ward System. <br /> <br />As you know, undera Ward System, one councilman would be elected from <br />each precinct, with only voters from that precinct or ward casting ballots <br />there. The key point is that each section of the community would be <br />represented on Council. <br /> <br />We are not naive enough to believe that a Ward Systemwill solve all of our <br />problems or fulfill all our needs; but, at least, the wishes of each <br />section of our community will be known. <br /> <br />Perhaps the problems, needs and wishes of each section are the same, <br />but it's difficult to know unless you live in that section or at least <br />visit on a daily or weekly basis. <br /> <br />We are therefore making a formal request to you tonight to consider <br />the establishment of a Ward System for elections. We feel this kind <br />of an election system will benefit all of the people in the City of <br />Martinsville. <br /> <br />After commending Mr. Pritchett, on behalf of Council, for his fine presentation, Mayor <br /> <br />Cole, speaking for himself as but one member of Council, offered the following comments <br /> <br />and observations: <br /> <br />It is my belief that this Council has conformed with the spirit and <br />intent of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and (with) its subsequent <br />amendments in 1970, 1975, and the latest one in 1982. The Voting <br />Rights Act extension for twenty-five (25) years was passed June 18, <br />1982. <br />