2004-03-15 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

6 Ms. Susan Garrett, 1845 Wayside Place, said she represents the City on the Region Ten and JABA Bo ards, both of whom serve very vulnerable citizens in the City. She said both Region Ten and JABA have had to absorb cuts and any further cuts will compromise services. She asked that the 3% increase to these agencies be maintained if possible. Ms. Ann Hemenway, 800 Park Street, said she has three children in the Charlottesville school system. She said the orchestra program is unique. She requested that Council increase funding for the schools, support and expand the Spanish program, and fund the instruc tional assistants that are proposed to be cut. Mr. Dwayne Jones, President of the Charlottesville Police Officer's Association, expressed concern about comments made by a Councilor regarding possible reduction in staff in the Police Department. He said he agrees with Mr. Lynch's statement that we have not remained competitive with salaries. He said he feels it sends a bad message to the community to cut personnel. He said police officers often cannot take leave due to short staffing. He said there is n ot adequate staff or time to serve warrants. He asked that Council consider these issues when they discuss the budget. Mr. Chad Freckman, 104 Northwood Circle, supported funding the Schools above the School Board request. He asked that funding be provi ded for the Spanish program and instructional assistants who he says are a great help particularly in the reading program. He asked that the Schools be provided 40% of new revenues. He said that the CLASS program is also important to the community. Ms. Ann Bear, 656 Evergreen Avenue, parent of a first grader at Burnley - Moran, said that every child was linked to the Spanish program and it should not be eliminated. She also asked that instructional aids not be eliminated. Mr. Jeff Werner, 212 Wine Stre et, urged Council to maintain funding for the Spanish program and instructional assistants. He suggested that funds be taken from the Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development. Ms. Mary Hill Caperton, 611 Preston Place, a member of the Histo ric Resources Task Force, asked for Council's continued support. She said the Task Force places plaques and markers at historic sites and has developed an historic walking tour. She said Court Square is going to be very existing once renovations are compl ete. Ms. Garnett Mellen, 1107 Calhoun Street, expressed concern about schools and diversity in schools. She said the Spanish program is wonderful and thinks it should be expanded. Mr. Dave Chapman, Commonwealth's Attorney for the City, thanked Council for their past support of the Drug Court. He said he hopes the City will be able to fund the Drug Court next year with City funds as well as CDBG funds. Ms. Gay Fifer, 1020 St. Clair Avenue, said she is a teacher and small class sizes and full time assi stants are important. She urged Council to fully fund the School budget. Mr. Dave Barish, 410 Dorrier Drive, representing the Virginia Organizing Project, thanked Council's for their commitment to fund a living wage. He said it is important to increase the level to $9.06, and asked that the living wage be tied to some economic indicator. Mr. Jim Moore, 1213 Hazel Street, suggested reducing the appropriation for the ISP project from $6.5 million to $1.5 million in order to save money. He said he has w orked in the information technology profession for 18 years and $600,000 to $1.5 million is the average cost for a community of our size. He suggested that signing the contract for the project be postponed until it can be investigated further. Mr. Charl es Weber, 601 Locust Avenue, said discipline needs to be imposed on the system. He expressed concern with long - term trends. He said that instead of