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2.37 and benefits. She compared teachers instead to teachers in other areas of the state and country, citing average starting salaries in Charlottesville as being $310 behind other Virginia teachers and the national average salary as $16,000. Ms. Kramer cited a CEA city-wide survey showing that the majority of those citizens surveyed supported the teachers' requests for a 15% pay increase, retention of aides and counselors, and lower class sizes; of 1,944 returns, only 15 responses were negative. In addition, 100 citizens mailed unsolicited statements reflecting this positive public support. Ms. Kramer read a sampling of four returns to illustrate the kinds of responses to this survey that were received. She stated that fiscal, shortsightedness now would result in serious financial and non-financial consequences later. As responsibilities and pressures on teachers increase and incentives decrease, a subtle erosion of the education system from within will result, she said. Mayor Brunton asked that those members in the audience who supported Ms. Kramer's statements stand to show their support; he thanked them for attending the public hearing. Mr. Francis Fife of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission requested that Council fund an additional $1,950 (30¢ per person), stating that three other jurisdictions had already done so. Mr. Melvin Moody complained of the continual raising of property assessments., stating that the 2¢ proposed reduction in the tax rate was ridiculous. Ms. Mary B. McKinney, member of the Board of Directors of the North Downtown Residents Association, spoke in favor of the school board's requested budget. Mr. Lewis Gleason complained of discrimination against homeowners and homeowners-to-be in the tax rate and higher property assessments. Ms. Susie Sherwood, League of Women Voters of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, stated the League's position on the budget. She commended the designation of energy conservation as a ~rogram area to be emphasized. On the subject of mass transit, she mentioned that copies of the League-sponsored public transportation workshop results had been provided to Council members. She advocated re-structuring of urban routes to expand easily into urban growth areas, increased hours and shorter headways, and a maximum fare of 35¢. In the area of education, the League supports the school board budget. In the area of social services, she called attention to the prevention of juvenile delinquency, funding of the Youth Services Council, the Home Health Services as being the most important item in the Health Department budget, and support of the C.H.I.P. program.