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163 <br /> <br /> Mr. Harding said that the City has gone through an open, legal and advertised process <br />and should stand by that process. Mr. Harding noted that if Mr. Rittenhouse does not prove <br />to be a great Chief, he can be fired and the City can go through the hiring process again as <br />some are recommending now. <br /> <br /> Mr. Mike Webb, 1852 Westview Rd, said that he has collected 1,100 signatures in only <br />six days supporting Mr. Rittenhouse for Chief, and noted that he has not yet collected all the <br />petitions. Mr. Webb commended the Police Department for the job they have been doing in <br />the last few years, and noted that the morale is definitely better now. <br /> <br /> Mr. Bob Archer of Bob's Wheel Alignment, said that there is no reason not to hire Mr. <br />Rittenhouse permanently if he has successfully directed the Jail, 911 Center, and Police <br />Department on an acting basis. <br /> <br /> Mr. Charles Trachta, an Albemarle County resident, said that the success of the <br />Charlottesville Police Department is important to the entire community, and supported Mr. <br />Rittenhouse as Chief. Mr. Trachta said that he has had experience with Police Chiefs who <br />have been brought in from other communities that have created problems in their <br />Departments. <br /> <br /> Mr. Barry McLaine, 3085 Earlysville Road, said that he was a member of the citizen <br />panel that interviewed the Police Chief candidates. Ivlr. McLaine said he supports the process <br />implemented by the City Manager and feels that Council should support the City Manager in <br />his recommendation. Mr. McLaine presented a letter from Kevin Smith, who also served on <br />the citizen interview panel, supporting the process. <br /> <br /> Ms. Olivia Boykin asked if a person who serves in an acting position has the right to <br />apply for that job. <br /> <br /> Mr. Donald Line, t629 Brightwood Place, said that Mr. Rittenhouse is supported not <br />only in Charlottesville, but in Albemarle County and surrounding counties. Mr. Line said that <br />Mr. Rittenhouse has been asked to solve problems at the 911 Center, Jail and Police <br />Department, and deserves to be appointed Police Chief. <br /> <br /> Mr. Arthur Tinsley, said that he has nothing against Mr. Rittenhouse, but expressed <br />concern about salary discrepancies with minorities that he has heard about in the Police <br />Department. <br /> <br /> Mr. William Johnson expressed concern that 90% of the jail population is black and <br />said that he feels there is an evil spirit in Council and the City Manager. <br /> <br /> Mr. Clyde Cooper, 1109 Myrtle Street, said that if Mr. Rittenhouse was good enough <br />to help out with the 911 Center, Jail, and Police Department, he should be supported for <br />Police Chief. Mr. Cooper noted that he himseslf does not have a college degree, but does not <br />feel that the lack of a degree should impact Mr. Rittenhouse's ability to be Chief. Mr. Cooper <br />encouraged Council to ratify Mr. Rittenhouse as Chief. <br /> <br /> Mr. Edward Brook, 807 Dale Avenue, expressed concern about lowering educational <br />standards and about the message that sends to young people. <br /> <br /> Mr. Teddy Morris said that Council should listen to the over-whelming support of Mr. <br />Rittenhouse that exists in the Police Department and community. <br /> <br /> Mr. Bill Hopkins, an Earlysville resident, said that he feels Mr. Rittenhouse's experience <br />is important. <br /> <br /> Rev. Doyle Thomas expressed disappointment about the apparent lowering of <br />standards for the Police Chief, and said that the criteria should be constant. <br /> <br /> <br />