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64 Ms. Emily Heute, 313-A Riverside Avenue, former board member of the Virginia Organizing Project, asked Council to adopt a living wage ordinance for contract employees. Ms. Heule applauded Council and the School Board for raising all their employees above $8 an hour. Ms. Kathy Icenhour, 500 South Monticello Avenue, supported $8 an hour for all who are being paid with public funds. Ms. Shirley Johnson, 500 South 1a Street, said that Charlottesville is an expensive place to live and everyone should earn $8 an hour, and something needs to be done about this now. Ms. Susan Frayman, speaking on behalf of the U. Va. Labor Action Group, said the living wage effort is support by many and there is an urgent need for it. Ms. Frayman said the City set an important example for businesses when it raised its salaries to $8. Ms. Frayman said adopting a living wage ordinance would codify the goals ofalleviating poverty, achieving racial equity, improving quality services to the City, setting an example for other communities, and sending a message to U. Va. Ms. David Repass, 227 E. Jefferson Street, said that supporting the living wage is one of the platforms of the Democrats for Change, and asked Council to take the next step and only contract with firms who are paying a living wage. Mr. Nelson Lichtenstein, a member of the Labor Action Group and Albemarle County resident, said that existing low wages are stagnant or dropping in the area and the proposal is essential, though it will cost somewhat more for the City. Mr. Dave Norris, 1 t00 Calhoun Street, said the primary question when trash collection was privatized was will the workers be paid the same. Mr. Norris said the principle was correct then and now. Mr. Norris said he understands there are legal questions but hopes the City wilt spend time figuring out how it can be done. Mr. David Rubensteirg Attorney for the Virginia Organizing Project, urged Council to adopt an ordinance requiring that all contract employees for the City be paid $8 an hour. Mr. Rubenstein said he appreciates the. wide spread support of the idea in the Charlottesville community, and hopes C ~harlottesville will join other cities in the nation who have adopted such an ordinance. Ms. Stan Tatum, Park Street, supported the Jefferson Park Avenue neighborhood in their efforts to improve the retaining wall. As President of the Neighborhood Protection Task Force, he thinks the neighborhood needs Cotmcit's support. Mr. Tatum said he thinks the wall is an affront to the neighborhood and does not think that landscaping will make it better. Ivls. Joy Johnson, 823-D Hardy Drive, supported the livir~g wage ordinance. Ms, Johnson asked those who support it to stand and many in the audience stood. Mr. Kevin Lynch, 609 Locust Avenue, spoke in support of the living wage ordinance and the request of the Jefferson Park Avenue neighborhood regarding the retaining wall. Mr. Blair Hawkins, 602 Belmont Avenue, a write-in candidate for Council, said that bus routes could be improved by not having them all connect downtown. Mr. K_evin Cox, 311 Fairway Avenue, said ti,at when he heard that Cotmcil had decided to give the Paramount Theater $500,000, he asked to see their business plan as he thinks the public interest needs to be served by seeing this plan. Mr. Cox said he showed the plan to persons able to evaluate it and they said it is unrealistic in its projections for revemte. Mr. Cox said when he asked members of the Paramount Bo~ard about parking, they said that will not be a problem, but he feels that the City will be left holding the bag on parking. Mr. Cox said he feels the money appropriated will be used as a lasso to get the City and County involved in providing operating funds. Mr. Cox said there is a lot of