Minutes 04/22/1969 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~nr..1 22. 1969 architectural achievement and, as a~.=~er~+~ of fact, remh%ds me of a small 5ouse t~_=th" had rooms built to it over a period of years. It would take large su~ms of tax money we need in other ~laces to remodel this ancient structure and then it would be a dead expense zn, mal~lta~i~_~g w~th few vzslth.s who would spend very little in the City. It is my opinion~ after talking with many others, that a vote in favor of demolishing the courthouse as against retaining it for historical value would be over-whe!mingly supported by ~Dout ben to one if the cost factor was set ~+h I truly hope that the pressures of the ladies organization [some who probably have personal ~k~s to grind beca,use they do not want to mart with the "01de Town" property to make room for t5e new) does not in any way alter Council's decision in the matter. As I see it, the courthouse is a symbol of whet~er the City of Por~- mouth really intends to move ahead or to go on ~nging on to the old and 5erlsRed relics of the past. Thanks for taking your time to read this letter and if you should find iT ~ convenient to read to Comncil, it will be greatly appreciated. Feel free to publicize this poi~t of view if )~u desire." [Signed - Malcolm C. Macdonald, 1600 Airline Blvd.] 69-128 - The following letter from the Morning Star Church, Rev. A. R. Walker, pastor, was read: "We, the members of ,~o_~nlng Star C~urcn, Progressive Civic League and'Central Civic ~orLLm, do hereby re- quest relief from the following aonditie~sthat exist in the 600 block of Virginia Avenue in the Firmers Point section of ~e city: Street unlevelw~a'~'~ pot holes tarougnout' ~ ' which camses ~ater to remain standing many days after a rain. This is a health hazard, as ge~s breed in stagnant water. Another problem created is unsafe driving conditionwnlcn~-' · causes auto accidents. 2. Open and drain the ditch which is partially closed. · inadequate street llgn~s which give rise to many n~ght crimes. Due te the poor street lights, all night programs scheduled have been very ~oorly attended. We shall be very grateful for any consideration given this matter." ~ ~y Mmnager submitted a report relative to these petitions. ~o~on of Mr. Eastes that a copy of the report of the City Manager be forwarded to Mr. Walker was adopted, without d ssenu~ng vote. 69-129 - The following Ieater from the City Clerk was xeaa: "The terms of office of the following members of the Portsmouth_- ~h Naval ~3h~pya_d' r Muse%n~. Board will expire on May 1, 1969: Hrs. A. P. Long Mrs. Robert F. Babb Judge H. ?~. MacKenzie Admiral aoeert D..~owe~s The term of office of Rev. Irving S. Wa~ers as a member of the Parking Authority expires May 1, !969." motion of ~r. Smith, ~ ~ ~= 69-130 - The following letter_rom~ the Suoerintendent of Schools was read: "The School Board of h t.~e ~ity of Portsmouth respectfully requests the city council to appropriate $12,724.25 to purchase 3.305 acres ~or ~h~ Merrifields Intermediate School site. Attached is a letter from Robertson Realty Company that is self-explanatory." On motion of L~. Smith, the following ordinance was approved on first reading, without dissenting vote: "AN """ ~' TO .~EN~RAL CAPITAL IMPROVE~iENT FbTqD FOR THE 0 R~ Ii",'A~.~ C~z APPROPRIATE "'" ~iz,724.25 FROM THE ~ "'=' PURCHASE OF PROPERTY FOR ~{E MERRIF!ELDS SCHOOL SITE." 69-131 Motion of Hr. Johnson that the land tax study be referred to the Ts~ Study Commission was aaop~ed, without dissenting vote. * 69-132 - Motion of Mr. Johnson that a study be made of the use of Wythe Street ~-olayground for a bmsiness complex, which could house stores, barber shops, a~variety of much needed business establishments, was aaop~ed, ~uhouu dissenting vote. Hr. Barnes suggested that the Council begin now to compile matters that should go before the Legislature at its next session. On motion adjourned, k~PROVED - //President City Clerk * WithdraWn