|
August 22, 2017
<br />
<br />At a Regular Meeting of the City Council on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, there were
<br />present:
<br />
<br />Mayor John L. Rowe, Jr., Vice Mayor Paige D. Cherry, William E. Moody, Jr., Dr. Mark
<br />M. Whitaker, Nathan J. Clark, Lisa L. Lucas-Burke, City Manager Dr. L. Pettis Patton, City
<br />Attorney Solomon H. Ashby, Jr.
<br />
<br />Reverend Gregory Yancey opened the meeting with prayer, which was followed
<br />by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
<br />
<br /> Mayor Rowe called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance.
<br />
<br /> Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Ms. Lucas-Burke, to approve the minutes
<br />of a Called Meeting of August 7, 2017, of a Called Meeting of August 8, 2017, and of a
<br />Regular Meeting of August 8, 2017, and was adopted by the following vote:
<br />
<br />Ayes: Cherry, Clark, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Whitaker, Rowe
<br />Nays: None
<br />
<br />Special Resolution
<br />
<br />
<br /> Resolution in support of the City of Charlottesville and reaffirmation of the City of
<br />Portsmouth’s commitment to the values of equality, inclusion, diversity, and rule of
<br />law.
<br />
<br />1. Mark Geduldig-Yatrofsky, P. O. Box 50141, voiced his concern with some of the
<br />phrasing in this resolution.
<br />
<br /> Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Dr. Whitaker, to adopt the following
<br />resolution, and was adopted by the following vote:
<br />
<br />“RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE AND
<br />REAFFIRMATION OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH’S COMMITMENT TO THE
<br />VALUES OF EQUALITY, INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, AND RULE OF LAW.
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br />the violent, racist, and radical events that took place on August 11-
<br />
<br />12, 2017 in Charlottesville were an attack on all citizens of the Commonwealth; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> the City of Portsmouth stands in solidarity with the City of
<br />Charlottesville and the rule of law; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> the cities of Virginia play a unique role in our Commonwealth as
<br />communities of hope, diversity, and progress; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> white nationalism, white supremacism, neo-Nazism and other hateful
<br />ideologies are real threats to the social fabric of our Commonwealth and our country; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> free speech is a cornerstone of every right that we have as
<br />Americans; however, these organizations promote agendas that are in conflict with our
<br />nation’s principles of liberty and justice for all and rule of law; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> the Commonwealth of Virginia is making progress toward bridging
<br />divisions and uniting communities so that our children may inherit a better, more tolerant
<br />world; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> now is the time for all citizens to reject hatred, stand up for democracy,
<br />and stand together against those who threaten our brothers and sisters; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> the City of Portsmouth enjoys a rich diversity of people who live and
<br />work here, sustaining and supporting our vibrant community; and
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
|