1998-07-20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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241 promotion statistics, including minority promotions, city hiring practice& and questions of African-American achievement in the schools. I have already met with some African- American leaders to discuss this and will continue to meet with others in the coming weeks, t hope that you will give Council your input as we focus on our goals for the upcoming year. In conclusion, I wouM like to quote from a friend of mine, "Let us be about the business of living and taking care of each other." PUBLIC Ms. Hazel Marshall, MOnticello Avenue, said that she feels City leaders are deceitful because even though she presented a petition to stop construction of the proposed traffic choker on Monticello Avenue, a third letter about the choker was sent by the City to people who had already signed the petition. Ms. Marshall said that she feels the problem would be solved by putting school signs at the location and to add stop signs. Mr. O'Connell explained that there has been a difference of opinion in the Belmont Neighborhood about the proposed traffic choker, and a letter is being sent to the Belmont Neighborhood Association saying that the proposal has been put on hold indefinitely. Mr. O'Connell said that if the Belmont Neighborhood is able to reach consensus about future traffic calming projects, the City will then explore implementing the recommendations. Ms. Kay Peaslee, 307-A 2nd Street, N.W., expressed concern with a statement made by Ms. Richards that the Mayor's role is largely symbolic and ceremonial and that the City Manager runs the government. Ms. Peaslee said she feels that the Mayor's role is to unite Council and educate and persuade the public. Ms. Peaslee said she appreciates Ms. Daugherty's statement at the beginning of the meeting, but feels that Council should have more open meetings. Mr. Scott LeBeau, 621 Locust Avenue, thanked City stafffor their assistance in exploring traffic calming options for Locust Avenue, and urged Council to focus on patrolling Locust Avenue for speeders which would reduce the problem and provide revenue for the City. Rev. R. A. Johnson, Pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church, read a letter from William Harris, Dr. Harris expressed concern about statements attributed to Ms. Daugherty and Ms. Richards and suggested that they resign from public office. Dr. Harris said that Maurice Cox should be appointed to the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and stressed that the African American community will no longer be taken advantage of by the Democratic Party. Ms. Leah Puryear, 2415 Perry Lane, said she would like to hear from each Councilors about their criteria for choosing a Council representative for the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Rev. William Johnson, 217 Old Lynchburg Road, said that he believes the City and County are sick with racism and Councilors are treating Maurice Cox as if he is from the Republican party. Rev. Johnson provided CounCil with a copy of the book, Healing of America. Ms. Leah Puryear referring to statements made at the previous Council meeting, asked Council to hold a work session in order to adopt policy statements and take action on the four requests made in that statement. Ms. Valerie Drum, Riverside Avenue, said that she has inquired about purchasing passes for City swimming pools, but they are too expensive. Ms. Drum said that no scholarship passes are offered and suggested that a discount be provided for persons with Medicaid cards. Ms. Opal Morris, 317-A Riverside 3~¢enue, also expressed concern about the cost for passes at the City pools and said that they are too expensive for a single parent of three children.