|
November 7, 1972
<br />
<br /> "It ia respectfully requested that I be permitted to speak before Council on Tuesday,
<br />November 7, 1972.
<br />
<br /> I have some additional information to bring before Council in regards to agenda
<br />number~72-452, subject ~rees."
<br />
<br />Mr. Keffer spoke.
<br />
<br /> On motion of Mr. Smith and seconded by Mr. Early, the ordinance was adopted, and by
<br />the following vote:
<br />
<br />the
<br />
<br /> Ayes: Early, Holley, Smith, Wentz, Barnes
<br /> Nays: Johnson, King
<br />
<br /> 72-453 The following ordinance, approved at last meeting, was taken up and read:
<br />
<br /> "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECT$ON 29.1-214 OF THE CODE OF THZ CITY OF PORTSMOUTH,
<br /> VIRGINIA, 1961, PERTAINING TO THE PROPER CARE OF SANITARY FACILITIES."
<br />
<br />On motion af~Mr. Smith and seconded by Mr. Johnson, the ordinance was adopted, and by
<br />following vote:
<br />
<br />Ayes: Early, Holley, Johnson, King,
<br />Nays: None
<br />
<br />See page 320
<br />
<br />NEW BUSINESS
<br />
<br />Smith, W~n~, Barnes
<br />
<br /> 72-479 - The following letter received from Mr. Roosevelt Pryer, 1219 Darren Drive,
<br />was read:
<br />
<br /> "Request to address the City Council, November 7, 1972, subject is stop lights and
<br />boys' clubs. The stop light is at Cavalier Boulevard and Greenwwod Drive and have some
<br />kind of boys' clubs in the area of Cavalier Manor, and also, try to find ome means of
<br />filling in those ditches in this area."
<br />
<br />Mr. Pryer spoke.
<br />
<br /> ~otion of Mr. Smith and seconded by Mr. Holley, to be received as information, and
<br />matter o~s~B~l~g~t ~t Cavalier Boulevard and Greenwood Drive and ditches to City Mamager;
<br />and need for recreation facilities to Recreation Department; and report back to Council as
<br />to progress on both matters or what can be done, was adopted by the following vote:
<br />
<br />Ayes: Early, Holley, Johnson, King, Smith, Wentz, Barnes
<br />Nays: None
<br />
<br /> 72-480
<br />was read:
<br />
<br />The following letter from the Emory.-R.'Byr~ ~n~s~er, Cradozk Baptist Church
<br />
<br /> "I am concerned about[t~efurther erosion &n our ciny of Sunday as dry of worship and
<br />rest for our citizens, as seen in the recent openings of amjor firms such as W. T. Grant,
<br />Zayre, G.E.X. and Miller's. The erosion has taken place gradually with the opening of
<br />grocery chains and other non-essential businesses.
<br />
<br /> Lest this concern appear narrow I admit that all of our citizens do not worship on
<br />Sunday, but the fact remains that the majority does [ecognize Sunday for worship and rest.
<br />The Creator established such a principle of one day ~n seven for the aforement4oned purpose
<br />as necessary for human life. Disregard for that principle results in the dehumanizing of
<br />persons. Family life suffers along with initiative in workers when they are not able to
<br />worship and relax with their families while children are out of school. A worker who is
<br />denied tha/t basic right is rendered less effective in all the days of his labor.
<br />
<br /> I admit~also that. the old Blue Laws are unreasonable in their picking and choosing amon
<br />various items<that can and cannot be sold. Yet I mus~ say that I doubt that the firms now
<br />ignoring the sancti~y~ of Sunday are ~n~erest~d in any principle other than the making of
<br />money. Where human values are th~s subordinated to material values the general public wel-
<br />fare is not enhanced. What is needed is an application of a Sunday ordinance that allows
<br />only for necessary services for people generally, instead of the convenience of people who
<br />do not utilize the normal opening times during week days and evenings.
<br />
<br /> As more and more businesses open on Sunday more and more employees are denied worship
<br />and rest opportunities with their families and so it will be only a matter of time until
<br />the principle of Sunday for worship and relaxation will have been totally undermined and
<br />the national life will suffer a tremendous dehumanization.
<br />
<br /> I have written to the twenty-seven pastors of Southern Baptist Churches in the city
<br />to ask their involvement in a concerted effort to bring pressur to bear upon these offending
<br />firms and have written to the company presidents as well.
<br />
<br /> I urge the Council to study and implement effective ways of discouraging this expanding
<br />erosion of emily life and the dominating claims of business values over personal values.
<br />Perhaps a local-ordinance is possible. If we do nothing, financial interests will eventuall
<br />smother our spiritual life as a people.'
<br />
<br />
<br />
|