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August11-12,2000 <br /> <br /> A strategic planning retreat of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia, was <br />held on August 11-12, 2000, in the Board and Conference Rooms of Memorial Hospital <br />of Martinsville & Henry County, beginning at 9:12 A. M., with Mayor Mark Crabtree <br />presiding. Council Members present included: Mark A. Crabtree; Mayor; M. Gene <br />Teague, Vice Mayor; and Council Members Bruce H. T. Dallas, J. Ronald Ferrill, and <br />Terry L. Roop. R. David Blackman, President of Blackman & Associates, moderated <br />the meeting. <br /> <br /> Mr. Blackman asked, "What is your sense of how the City has changed.'?" <br />Council Member Ferrill replied, "It goes further back than just this year. Companies <br />bought out homegrown companies. There's a loss of 'family corporate' and middle- <br />management." Council Member Roop replied, "We were more progressive in the past. <br />After so much outside control, we became more diverse. There's also a decline in <br />population." Vice Mayor Teague replied, "Capital inVeStments have declined. There's <br />been a lack of growth in the tax base." Mayor Crabtree replied, "There's been a <br />tremendous loss of personal wealth locally and a loss of clout statewide. The machine <br />and tools tax took a hard hit." <br /> <br /> Mr. Blackman asked, "What are the concerns of corporate leaders?" 'C,0uncil <br /> Member Roop replied, "There's a high degree of concern for the future. They scrutinize <br /> local government more." Mayor Crabtree replied, "Workforce, future customer ba.~e." <br /> <br /> Mr. Blackman asked, "What are the concerns of the average citizen?" COuncil <br /> Member Roop replied, "They look more at government." Vice Mayor Teague replied, <br /> "Jobs and economic security." <br /> <br /> <br />