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181.
<br />
<br />November 14th, 1961
<br />
<br /> 61-297 - An appropriation in the amoun~ of $435,000.00 for the construction of Highland
<br />Biltmore School, which was approved on first reading at last meeting, was taken up.
<br />
<br />On motion of Mr. Leary, $435,000.00 was appropriated for said purpose: amd by the followin
<br />
<br />vote:
<br />
<br />Ayes: Smith, Atkinson, Barnes, Dillon, Leery, Walker
<br />Nays: None
<br />
<br />NEW BUSINESS
<br />
<br />617314 -
<br />
<br />Applications for position of Justice of Peace were received from the following:
<br />
<br />J S Pitchford Fletcher L Robinson
<br />Litlian-C Westbrook Arthur N Taylor
<br />Margaret E Myers Linwood W Parker
<br />
<br />On motion of Mr. Barnes, referred to a conference on the e~ction of Justices of the Peace.
<br />
<br /> 61-315 - Mr. Walker presented the following resolution and moved its adoption:
<br />
<br /> "W/tEREAS, the President of the Portsmouth City Council did, without leave
<br /> or notice to Council, absent himself from the duties, responsibilities and
<br /> office to which he was duly elected; such absence not being due to sickness
<br /> or mandatory business; to enjoy a junket upon the largess of the federal
<br /> government, and
<br /> WHEREAS, by reason of such absence of approximately six weeks, the proper
<br /> and lawful business of Council was jeopardized by reducing the number of members
<br /> from seven to six, contrary to the language and intent of the CheErer and which,
<br /> in event of a tie vote, would have delivered to a minority of three members the
<br /> power to control the business of Council, and
<br /> WHEREAS, by placing himself beyond the continental limits of the United States
<br /> for a period of appmmximately six weeks, he did remove himself from the re -
<br /> quirements and effects of Section 4 of the Rules of Council thereby seriously
<br /> compromising the lawful operation of Council in event of emergency legislation,
<br /> and
<br />Wt~EREAS, such vacations with pay at the public expense tend to establish a pre-
<br />.~cedent at the local levellwhich is already flagrant at higher echelons and
<br />WHEREAS, during such absence, Council was faced with many items of important
<br />business including the delayed action hearing on street renaming and renumber-
<br />ing, the creation of the libmary board, the final pigeon-holing of the Juvenile
<br />Detention Home issue, the resolution for federal planning funds and the ordinance
<br />calling for an election on water bonds, revelation of another deficit, and many
<br />others, all of which the President wasa prime proponent,
<br /> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the abovesaid acts of the President does
<br /> constitute de,election of duty for Twhich he is hereby censured= and
<br /> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it shall be henceforth the policy of this body
<br /> that the failure to attend two or more consecutive regular or special meetings
<br /> of Council, except for sickness or acts beyond the control of the individual
<br /> councilman, shall be considered to be dereliction of duty."
<br />
<br />The motion was lost, there being no second.
<br />
<br /> At the request of the Chair, the Clerk read the following letter, dated September 14th, 1961
<br />and addressed to the City Clerk:
<br />
<br /> ~I shall be absent from the City on an extended trip of approximately a month; therefore,
<br />could not attend any special called meetings of the City Council, should such a meeting be necessary.
<br /> In order not to prevent prompt action by the City Council, should the same be required
<br />during my absence, I hereby Waive the giving of notice to me of special called meetings and items to be acted
<br />upon at such meetings until further advice to you. (Signed) R. Irvine Smith, Mayor."
<br />
<br /> 61-316 - The following application for re-election to the office of High Constable was
<br />read, and on motion of Mr. Barnes, referred to a conference of the Council:
<br />
<br /> "I respectfully make application to you for re-election to the office of High Constable
<br />for the new term to begin January 1, 1962. I have endeavored to properly perform the duties of the office and
<br />I believe I have given satisfactory service. I will appreciat~ your favorable consideration. Chas. L. Cain."
<br />
<br /> 61-317 - The following communication from the Cradock Junior Chamber of Commerce was read~
<br />
<br /> "We, the Cradock Junior Chamber of Commerce, Inc., being a part of the City of Portsmouth,~
<br />Virginia, are resolved that our City should adopt a Fire Prevention~Code prescribing regulations governing con
<br />ditions hazardous to life and property from fire and explosion; and establishing a bureau of fire prevention,
<br />providing officers therefor, defining their powers and duties; whereas we do not feel the City of Portsmouth has
<br />adequate regulations consistent with nation ally recognized good fire prevention. In addition to the existing
<br />regulations we recommend the 1960 Edition of Fire Prevention Code published by the National Board of Fire Under-
<br />writers with special regard to provisions herewith:
<br />
<br />1. Automobile wrecking yards, jun~ yards and waste material handling plants.
<br />2. Compressed gases
<br />3. Explosives, azm~unition and blasting agents
<br />4. Fire prevention equipment.
<br />
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