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16 <br /> <br />Morris, opposed the proposed cigarette tax. Mr. Anders <br />stated that his company will not distribute the cigarette <br />tax, if imposed, outside the City or spread the cost of it <br />over to other items. Mr. Anders added that it would be <br />better if the State adopted a cigarette tax and have'a <br />substantial portion of the revenue returned to localities. <br />If the tax is adopted, Mr. Anders requested that a minimal <br />discount level of 10% be given to distributors. <br /> <br /> Mr. Page Sutherland, representing the Tobacco Institute, <br />agreed with Mr. Anders' comments and added that the tax could <br />be destructive to Charlottesville since people will shop in <br />Albemarle County. Mr. Sutherland also added that the federal <br />tax could go'up substantially on cigarettes which could <br />further impact cigarette sales. <br /> <br /> Mr. Bennett Roberts, Hinton Avenue, stated that he <br />cannot afford to pay the increased taxes on his home. <br /> <br /> Mr. R. W. Gunn, 1510 Short 18th St., opposed the <br />proposed cigarette tax and said that if it is imposed he will <br />go to Albemarle County to buy his cigarettes. <br /> <br /> Ms. Downing Miller, Teen Center Board representative, <br />thanked Council for funding the Teen Center, but noted that <br />funds will be needed in the future for a site. Ms. Miller <br />stated that this was a positive joint venture with Albemarle <br />County and will be an effective prevention activity. <br /> <br /> Mr. Brian Wilson, Charlottesville High School student, <br />thanked Council for the Teen Center funding and stated that <br />he felt the Center will help keep people out of trouble. <br /> <br /> Ms. Wilma Moody, 1215 Belleview Ave., expressed concern <br />about rising assessments and opposed spending $50,000 for an <br />outside study to help the City improve its efficiency. <br /> <br /> Ms. Linda Dukes, 8 Cheshire Ct., part-time instructor <br />for Families Learning Together (FLT), supported funding the <br />FLT program which supports parents in becoming more involved <br />in their children's education. <br /> <br /> Ms. Ella Marie Tucker, 910 C South First St. a <br />parent involved in Families Learning Together, supported <br />funding for FLT. <br /> <br /> Ms. Carol Gage, 924 South First St., a parent involved <br />in Families Learning Together, supported funding for FLT. <br /> <br /> Mr. Medgar Gage, 924 South First St., a parent involved <br />in Families Learning Together, supported funding for FLT and <br />stated that it has helped him relate better to his children. <br /> <br /> Ms. Cartie Lomanack, Director of Shelter for Help in <br />Emergency, asked Council to fully fund SHE's funding request. <br /> <br /> Mr. Alexander Peaslee, 307-A 2nd St., N.W., speaking on <br />behalf of the Charlottesville Federation of Neighborhood <br />Associations, raised several questions about the budget and <br />made several recommendations including the following: <br />instead of taking entities to be assisted off the tax rolls, <br />disburse funds to them through the annual budget; emphasize <br />more efforts for joint Charlottesville/Albemarle <br />programming; continue efforts to achieve the goal of having <br />sidewalks on at least one side of every street in the city; <br />work toward a regional unified tax base to support services <br />provided to the region. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hilda Blevins, 710 Blenheim Avenue, expressed <br />concern about rising tax assessments. <br /> <br /> Mr. Francis Fife, 1605 Concord Drive, expressed sympathy <br />for people regarding increased taxes, but pointed out that <br /> <br /> <br />