Minutes 12/01/1970 - Laserfiche WebLink

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December i, 1970 - NEW BUSINESS - 70-556 - The following letter from the Welfare Rights Organization was read: "The Welfare Rights Organization requests further investigation of the rent increase in public housing in the city of Portsmouth, We feel that the rent increase will cause great hardships on the recipients and is not justifi&ble. This increase will cause an increase in the cost of food stamps which will not be covered by the Welfare Department. We met with the City Manager November 16, 1970, regarding this matter, which he stated at that time that he had no control of the rent increase. Ne referred us to the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners and the Director of the Housing Authority. Since then we have requested to meet with them and have no response. It is estimated that the rent increase will bring $231,000.00 into the city. The city receives more from the Federal Government for food stamps but stand to lose because 65% of the people living in public housing receive food stamps and will not be able to buy them because of the rent increase." Motion of Mr. Johnson to receive as information was adopted, without dissenting vote. The City Manager stated that representatives of the Welfare Rights Organization will meet with Housing Authority representatives on Wednesday, Dece~eer 2nd. 70-557 - The following letter from Marshall D. Owens was read: "Having accepted the position of Project Supervisor of the Portsmouth Senior Citizens Center; I hereby audit my resignation as a member of the Commission on P~rks and Recreation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your cooperation during my tenure on the Commission Motion of Mr. Smith (I) to accept, with regrets and that a proper resolution be drawn expressing appreci- ation to Mr. ~vens for his service to the City, especially to the youth, and to refer the vacancy to a confer- ence, was adopted, without dissenting vote. 70-538 - The following letter from James N. Epperson was read: "I am writing to you to express resentment regarding the recent newspaper articles concerning Mr. Marshall D. Owens recent appointment as Director of the Senior Citizens Center and the necessity for his resignation as Chairman of the Portsmouth Recreation and Parks Commission. To me, conflict of interest denotes something less than honesty and if the account that appeared in the paper is correct, which may not be the case, knowing the newspapers as I do, Mr. Kerb, in my opinion m~es Mr. Owens an apology for allowing sudl a splashy story to appear. If the account is incorrect, the newspaper should be directed to print a retraction. I have been privileged to wo~k withMr. O~ens on several boards, two of which he has been Chairman and a more honest and dedicated person I have never known." Motion of Mr. Turner to receive as information and that a clear explanation to the public be made, was adopted, without dissenting vote. 70-559 - The following letter from D. L. Garcia, Commander, VM;I Post 592, was read: "On behalf of the members of the Douglas MacArthur Post #392 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, I want to thank you for the assistance given us by the officials and the city offices that led to our ve~ successful poppy sale drive on November 6th and 7th. Let me congratulate you on being the leader of such fine and generous people who contributed so generously for the assistance of wounded veterans and widows and orphans of other servicemen." Motion of Mr. Turner to receive as information, was adopted, without dissenting vote. 70-540 - Motion of Mr. Turner to go into the election of a member to the Supplemental Retirement Board was adopted, without dissenting vote. ~'~r. Johnson nominated J. P. Stephenson. Motion of Mr. Holley to close the nominatiDns was adopted. Vote being taken, Mr. St~phenson was elected to the Portsmouth Supplemental Retirement Board for a term of four years, expiring September 30, 1974, without dissenting vote. 70-541 - Motion of Mr. Johnson to go into the election of members to the Board of Adjustments and Appeals was ~adopted, without dissenting vote. Mri' Johnson nominated J. J. Smith and H. S. DeLoatch. On motion of Mr. Turner, nominations were closed. Vote being taken, Mr. Smifl~ and Mr. DeLoatch were elected members of the Board of Adjustments and Appeals, for three year terms, expiring September 1, 1973, without dissenting.vote. 70-5~5 - Motion of Mr. Holley to go into the election of a member to the Portsmouth Law Library Board, was adopted. Mr. Holley nominated H Thomas Fennell to succeed himself, for a four year term, expiring Nov.l,19~ On motion of Mm. Smith (R) nominations were closed. Vote being taken, Mr. Fennell was elected t¢ the Portsmouth Law Library Board, for the term specified.