2005-03-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mr. Timothy Sinatra, 788 Amber Ridge Road, asked that Council provide the $12,000 for membership scholarships for the Boys and Girls Club as recommended by the budget review team. Ms. Mary Down Jordan, Greenwood, supported Mr. Sinatra's statement. She said the Boys and Girls Club needs City support to meet the needs of disadvantaged children. Ms. Natalie Byrd, 115-B Longwood Drive, said she is a single parent of two teenagers who are members of the Boys and Girls Club. She said the Club provides valuable programs Ms. Nilija Lacey, 115-B Longwood Drive, said that the Boys and Girls Club is an important and fundamental part of her life. Ms. Nancy Damon, 2407 Jefferson Park Avenue, Program Director of Virginia Festival of the Book, thanked the City and staff for its support of the Festival. She said she is grateful that the Festival is included in the budget. Ms. Carolyn Benjamin, 219 E. Jefferson Street, supported funding for the Legal Aid Justice Center's Elder Law Outreach program as recommended by the budget review team. Mr. Steve Dawson, 1606 Delmar Drive, said we have dedicated police but they are understaffed and underpaid. He said the City is not competitive in salary and benefits. Mr. Mike Webb, 1852 Westview Road, spoke regarding the budget reduction for police. He said officers start with low pay and it is appalling that the budget should be cut. He said they cannot afford to live in the City. He said it makes no sense that consideration is being given to cutting the budget when the crime rate is down. Mr. Jim Hope, former City police officer, supported the police regarding pay and benefits. He said they deserve to be protected and to have their future be secure. Mr. Dwayne Jones, a County resident and City police officer, President of the Police Officers Association, said they are preparing for more budget cuts. He said staffing is low and officers cannot get a day off. He said there are morale problems and performance issues. He said 13 positions are not maintained. He said that salaries are average now but benefits are horrendous. He said we need to support the Chief and to provide funding. He said money from unfilled vacancies should be put into salaries if they are not going to be filled. He asked that public safety be made the number one priority. Ms. Ann Reinicke, 917 Rockcreek Road, said that police response time has increased in her neighborhood. She asked why the Police Chief' s initiatives are being hamstrung. Ms. Rebecca Goodwin, 777 Prospect Avenue, said her neighborhood is struggling and the police are really important to it. She said she cannot imagine the police not having disability insurance. She said turnover of police is hard on the neighborhood and we need more minority police. Mr. Satyendra Huja, 1502 Holly Road, supported art and culture in general and said he hopes Council will keep supporting them. He said that the Art in Place program has added a great deal to the community and he asked Council to think about cutting it. He said art adds to the quality of life. He asked if Council can think of a great city that does not have public art. Mr. Rauzelle Smith, 1508 Trailridge Road, Chair of the Public Defender Office Citizen Advisory Committee, asked that Council close the gap in pay for employees between the Public Defender office and the Commonwealth's Attorney office. He said