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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1990 <br /> <br />In response to a question by Councilman Adams, Mr. Brown explained <br /> <br />that'the proposed amendment would have a very small effect on the <br /> <br />Literary Fund. Mayor McClain then made the following statement: <br /> <br /> With regard to the statement I made at our last COuncil <br /> meeting in explaining my vote on the endorsement ofthe <br />~Resolution presented to Council by the Drug Task Force <br /> concerning opposition to the legalization of three listed <br /> drugs, I would like to make two brief statements. <br /> <br /> First, the views I expressed were soiely my personal <br /> views. I did.not intend them to be interpreted as the <br /> views of this Council or any other members of this <br /> Council. ~Nor did I intend they be interpreted as <br /> representing the views of a majority ofthe citizens of <br /> theC~ty. of Martinsville. ~-~ ~ <br /> <br /> Second, it has come to my attention that some membersof <br /> the public may have interpreted my questioning of the <br /> efficacy of our current approach to the drug problem as <br /> indicating lack of support for our Police Department in <br /> their enforcement efforts of the laws of the Commonwealth <br /> as they presently exist. Nothing could be further from <br /> the truth. ~ .... <br /> <br /> As a Naval officer, as a lawyer, as a Councilman~and as'. <br /> Mayor, I have taken oaths to support and uphold the laws <br /> of this Nation and this Commonwealth and I intend toldo <br /> so. I believe in the Rule of Law, and, so long as a <br /> statute is part of the Code of Virginia, I intend to obey <br /> it and uphold it. I also support wholeheartedly the <br /> Martinsville Police Department in their efforts to <br /> 'enforce the laws of the Commonwealth as they currently <br /> exist. I have always done so in the past, I will <br /> continue to do so in the future, and I have personally <br /> informed Chief Roop of my position on this point. <br /> <br />However, I have never sworn an oath not to question the <br />validityof'any law. Possessing a philosophic viewpoint <br />concerning the correctness or effectiveness of any lawis <br />the right of any citizen, whether in public life or not. <br />Nothing in my~education or background taught methatlit <br />iseither incorrect or inconsistent with my belief in the <br />Rule of Law~tO!question whether an existing law takes the. <br />correct' philosophical approach to solving a problem of <br />our society. <br /> <br />In my opinion, there is nothing incompatible between a <br />dedication to upholding the laws as they exist, and <br /> <br /> <br />