Minutes 09/27/1961 - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 27th, 1961 "To Whom it may concern: I have read numerous writings about the Welfare and its activities, first of all the fact that Welfare money is being poured down the ~rain in exhorbitant and gigantic stuns is undisputed in its entirety and is enough to stagger the imagination of any person whose intention is to handle financial aid on the basis of real urgent need and dire conditions and not as the Commonwealth Bank of Norfolk, where generosity, charity and chivalry reigned supreme until a historymaking shortage of gifts and m~re gifts in thousands of t dollars staggered Norfolk and closed the doors of the Commonwealth Bank. Shortly a~ter Mr. George Walker assistT ed by others began to delve into overspending in the appropriation, an officer of the Welfare comes up with this~ story - we have a small surplus left over. Never before have I read of any such surplus in Welfare money, rather instead it has been a request for an increase in the appropriations which was insufficient. Secondly, nothing was more untruthful than no employable is on relief. There are many such in Portsmouth and the case workers know. There are entirely too much in dollars handed out for ille- gitimate babies~ whose mothers come down and dump their troubles in the laps of the Welfare Department - all for~ personal gain. Personally, I know of cases cared for by the Welfare who are ineligible and many others know the same thing. Clients of Welfare has been heard on the streets and on buses bragging to others - the Welfare takes care of me and my family. In conclusion I say some drastic measure should be taken to curb wilful, deliber- ate wanton abuses and squandering of huge sums of money, which could be used to help many more on basis of dire need and no subsistence to go on. I think my views are clear and logical and will be agreed upon because Wel- fare organizations reqness have become nauseating. Think of an individual with the blood condition known and diagnosed as hypertension,staggering and almost falling down, has no income, out of a job since 1955, has bleak future, now past employment age 40, no relatives, applying for assistance, only to be told if Frank Lindsay in doctor place at clinic say you are able to work, we cant do anynhing for you. Supposing a man was physically able to work and cant find a job and the man return to Welfare for help, ~ould it be human and democracy to deny such aperson help. ? The Welfare program should exist on a sterile, program for women as Richmond has to control. the illegal birth rate, or either operated on the plan suggested mn Newburgh NY. Thank you for a reply statzng your views. Signed Claudius B Ruffin, c/o General Delivery, Post Office, Portsmouth, Va." On motion of Mr. Walker= referred to a conference on Welfare matters. 61-287 - Reports from the Auditor of Public Accounts on the Municipal Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court were presented and on motion of Mr. Barnes, received as information. 61-288 - The following letter from John J. Brown, Promotional Director of the Fis~ Bowl Classic of Arabia Temple No. 12 was read: behalf of the Illustrious Potentate, H Turner, also the members of JameSclassic I wish to thank you and the Arabia' Temple~12 a~d Past Potentate Milton W Keeling, Director of Fish Bowl members of the Portsmouth City Council for the splendid'support you gave our 1961 Fish Bowl Classic Parade. It is our hope that each year'we will see this event grow larger. May I add my personal thanks to the City Council of Portsmouth." Motion of Mr. Barnes to acknowledge and receive as information was adopted. 272 61- In reply to Mr. Walker's inquiry directed to the City Manager at the last Council meeting, regarding left turns on Migh Street, the City Manager stated that the S tare law permits the left turns in the middle of the block, but allows the City to limit them at corners. 61-267 - In reply to Mr. Walker's inquiry regarding the 1961-62 curb and gutter program, the City Manager stated thathe would submit a report on %his at the next Council meeting. 6t-~289 - Mr. Barnes requested tkat the City Manager check the loading of buses for school pupils at Harry Hunt Junior High School, suggesting that Queen St. between Second and Fourth Avenues be made two-way between'8:00 and 9:00 A.M. and 3:30 and 4:00 P.M. O~ motion adjourned. Approved ? z~ ~ ~ce President. City Clerk