Minutes 02/22/1977 - Laserfiche WebLink

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46 TUESDAY FEBRUARY 22, 1977 the foreseeable future; and, for good reason. In addition to ill feelings created all around, the legal and engineering cost -- with perhaps years in court -- make the annexation pursuit financially questionable. To their sorrow, some cities -- including Martinsville -- at one time have paid the price for an annexation suit only to be thrown out of court on a technicality. The two most notable Virginia annexation suits recently have involved Richmond and Roanoke. They "won", but were they really successful? From all I can ascertain, for the foreseeable future, prior citizens of the two cities are paying through the nose because of the annexation; and many of those annexed are perhaps paying the higher price of being unhappy over being absorbed. For Martinsville to remain about its present size with reasonable harmony between its people -- their rights accorded full protection -- may not be an unhappy circumstance for years to come. Someday, down the road, perhaps the good people of Martinsville and of Henry County may - in their wisdom - decide to consolidate into one governmental entity. This cannot be pushed, but the people can bring it about if they wish. Upon motion, duly seconded and unanimously carried, Council went on record as requesting the City's representative to the Virginia Senate, The Honorable Virgil Goode, to vote against this proposed legislation, which request was conveyed to Senator Goode by means of the following letter prepared by City Manager Noland: At its meeting held last night City Council again took unanimous action on this Bill, and directed that you be asked to use your influence to kill the Bill in its present form, carry it over or secure amendments which would serve to guarantee that cities such as Martinsville would not feel long-term adverse effects. Please consider Council's reasons for this request. That part of the Bill which encompasses Chapter 26.l (Economic Growth Sharing) reads, in part, "To promote the continued economic viability of those older cities of the Commonwealth, which through the operation of other provisions of law and judicial decision are unable to initiate successful annexation petitions, by enabling such cities to share in the benefits of the economic growth of their region". But, in the face of such a stated purpose and goal, the present formula may cause Martinsville to lose the right to annex in exchange for the right to pay Henry County for the loss of ,... --'-"'-'---'-~"----"--*._'-~'.'~----_._-"'-" ._--,--~--~~-----'_._'-"_....,.