Minutes 09/27/1983 - Laserfiche WebLink

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18 SEPTEMBER 27, 1983 TUESDAY - Other members of Council, speaking to this matter and discussing the motion, indicated that a large majority of citizens believe that it is in the best interest of all citizens to retain the present at-large electoral system, that a "ward" system would not be con- ducive to representing the city and its citizens as a whole, that a "ward" system might prevent highly-qualified citizens from seeking election to Council, that the Voters League request has not been taken lightly, that citizens have been treated fairly, that Mr. Harris has made statements, apparently being predicated on his experience elsewhere, which do not apply to Martinsville and has provided legal redress as an only alternative, and (that), in the case of a candidacy by a member of the black community in one election, subsequent statements by both Mr. Pritchett and former Mayor Hobson do not support and are inconsistent with claims now being made by members of the Voters League and their consul- tant, Mr. Harris. With reference to a foregoing statement made by Mr. Pritchett regarding the "white-black" issue and to Mr. Harris' presentation, which Councilman Reed previously expressed concern with in that Mr. Pritchett and Mr. Harris appeared to be on two separate "tracks", Mr. Harris stated, in effect, that Mr. Pritchett knows that the precinct in question has not had representation, that there has been past housing discrimination, that one ".....can't help talk races..", and that the "bottom line" points ".....to legal ramifications". Mr. J. B. Travis, residing at 401 Fifth Street, stated that, in his sixty-one years living in the "West End" area of the City, this area does not get the consideration other area citizens receive. On call for the vote on the motion on the floor, Council unanimously denied the Voters League's request. - In response to an inquiry from Vice-Mayor Oakes regarding the status of the City-County sewer agreement and expansion projects thereunder, City Manager Edmonds indicated that a full report thereon should be ready for presentation in early November (of 1983).