2004-03-15 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

5 be interesting to know how the assessments a re growing in other cities in Virginia First Cities. As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. PUBLIC HEARING : CITY MANAGER'S PROPOSED FY 04/05 BUDGET The public hearing was opened. Ms. Joey Ackerman, 1611 E. Market Street, a graduate of Burnley - Moran Elementary School, asked Council to reinstate the Spanish program at Burnley - Moran. Ms. Austin Wood, 1110 Pen Park Lane, a fourth grader at Burnley - Moran, said he st has been taking Spanish since 1 grade and asked that the prog ram be reinstated. A student of Burnley - Moran asked that the Spanish program not be cancelled. Mr. Cortez Foster, 620 North Avenue, said he is sad because the Spanish program may not continue at Burnley - Moran. th Ms. Leah Brown, 764 Ridge Street, a 4 grader at Burnley - Moran, asked that the special Spanish program be kept. th Ms. Claire Allen, 922 St. Clair Avenue, a 6 grader, said she is still taking Spanish as a result of learning Spanish at Burnley - Moran Ms. Marina Freckman, 104 Northwood Circle, s upported maintaining the Spanish program at Burnley - Moran. th Ms. Amber Brown, 764 Ridge Street, a 6 grader, supported maintaining the Spanish program at Burnley - Moran. th st Ms. Megan Thomas, a 6 grader, said she has taken Spanish since 1 grade. She sai d it is a valuable program and it is easier to learn a foreign language at an early age. Ms. Jennifer Ackerman, 1611 E. Market Street, said her daughter is in the Spanish program. She asked that funds be supplied to keep the program alive. Mr. Jim Bo yd, 1508 Grady Avenue, Director of the Community Mediation Center, said mediation is on the cutting edge and long overdue in Charlottesville. He said their budget request to the City has been reduced. He said he think they can help reduce crime even furt her. th Ms. Emily Hayes, a 4 grader, supported maintaining the Spanish program at Burnley - Moran. She said all actions have reactions. Ms. Nancy Damon, 2407 Jefferson Park Avenue, Director of the Virginia Festival of the Book, said the Festival enriches the community and provides economy vitality for the City. She said at least 200 hotel room nights are used by Festival participants. She thanked the City for its continued support. She said the Convention and Visitors Bureau provides vital support. M r. Robert Foster, 3134 Mollifield Lane, representing the Convention and Visitors Bureau, said there are 2,700 employees locally in the tourism profession. Said $2.5 million is provided in lodging and meals tax each year. Mr. Foster said the Bureau provid es a high return on funds provided and is a good investment. He said the new plan creates a high accountability for the Bureau. Ms. Kat Imhoff, 5899 Gordonsville Road, COO of Monticello, spoke on behalf of Rory Van Doren, Bob Stroh of Charlottesville Pa rking Center, and Peppy Linden of the Virginia Discovery Museum. She said the City needs to be a partner in tourism and asked that its 30% share be funded.