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January 23, 1968
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<br />making it a dead end street. I spoke to Mr. ~oggs, a very nice man h~sis hy the way. I wouldn't
<br />be satisfied until I see curbs ~ gutters on the full ~ength of Nelson Street. I was raised on
<br />a farm in eastern Colorado back in the early 20's.
<br /> The roads we had there reminds me of Nelson Street. Surely we live in an age here in
<br />Portsmouth that does away with that sort of thing. I'm paying my share of the taxes. You know my
<br />address - phone # 595-6227."
<br />
<br /> 68-26 - On motion, privilege of the floor was granted Bernard Rivin, President of the Portsmouth
<br />Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Portsmouth Retail Merchants Association,who presented the following:
<br />
<br />"PORTSMOUTH RE~AIL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION - Sunday Closing Law Resolutions
<br />
<br /> ~'/HEREAS, the Sunday Closing Law has been part of the tradition of the Commonwealth of Virginia for
<br />over 350 years;
<br /> WHEREAS, the Sunday Closing Law as adopted by the General Assembly in 1960 and sustained by the
<br />Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia in 1961 was intended to retain Sunday as a common day of
<br />rest for the citizens of this City and Commonwealth, free from the pressures of commercial activity;
<br /> WHEREAS, the five-day work week in business and industry generally has become established, with
<br />the weekend reserved as a time for family and individual rest and recreation;
<br /> I~MEREAS, the trend in retail selling has been exactly opposite to that of manufacturing and
<br />most other business activities, with retailers today already maintaining a six-day work week and
<br />late evening openings;
<br /> ~HEREAS, retail stores as. ~uch cannot be ea~ily classified by product line, with the result
<br />being that department stores, drug stores,.grocery stores, ~ariety stdMes and others all deal in
<br />food, clothing, jewelry, cosmetics and many hardware and household items and any attempt at "stream-
<br />lining" the present law is fraught with constitutional traps and loopholes; and
<br /> ~FHEREAS., the few who would seek to exploit ~competitive advantage by Sunday openings would
<br />thmast upon oumcommunity the noise, commotion and traffic hazards of another full business da},,
<br />With its attendant expense to be borne by all the taxpayers of the City in-the form of additional
<br />coats and overtime pay for health, police and fire personnel;
<br /> NOW, THEREFORE, BE ITRESOLVED, that the P~rtsmouth Retail Merchants Association hereby
<br />urges the City Council to repeal its prior resGlution which would seek the "streamlining" or repeal
<br />of Virginia's Sunday Closing Law; and further
<br /> RESOLVED, ~at the Portsmouth Retail Merchants Association, on behalf of its members, their
<br />employees and families, hereby confirms and acknowledges its w~olehearted support of virginia's
<br />Sunday Closing Law and the p~licies which it seeks to maintain for the benefit of all the people of this
<br />community."
<br />
<br />The following also spoke:
<br />
<br />}~Alter Horsley, attorney for the Virginia Retail ~{erchants Association. Robert Hagwood,
<br />representing Hagwood's Laundry, Ed Garland, Bxec. Sec., PortsmoUth Chamber of Commerce,
<br />Dick Maddox, 206 Snead Fairway; E. S. Early, Jr., 7 Barly Drive {Robertaon Hardware Company),
<br />Donald F. g§ge, Manager, Pep Boys Auto Parts.
<br />
<br /> Mo~ion of Mr. Leafy to refer to a conference of Council, when all members can be present, and
<br />a dec,ion can be made, was adopted, without dissenting vote.
<br />
<br />On motion adjourned.
<br />
<br />APPROVED -
<br />
<br />President
<br />
<br />City Clerk
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<br />, {
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