Martinsville City Council members heard from Alexis Heavner, and decided the fate of the remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds at a meeting on November 19. The remaining funds had to be appropriated by December 31
The council approved $400,000 for an IT, Security and Network update, with $85,000 for a SCADA system update for water and sewer. An additional $250,000 will help fund the youth program for FY25. This program helps to fund meaningful summer employment opportunities for youth.
“You can build schools, or you can build jails,” Aaron Rawls, vice mayor said.
The council approved $85,000 for a Law Clerk position requested for FY25 funding, and the remaining $140,000 for the Economic Development Authority (EDA).
When Heavner, the aunt of Iviyan Dandridge who was killed on July 7, addressed the council, she discussed policing in the city.
So far, no arrests have been made in the case. However, Martinsville Police Chief Rob Fincher has said a task force of local, state and federal investigators are working to resolve the case.
Heavner said she feels that safety isn’t being taken seriously enough. “The police are supposed to be here to protect everyone in Martinsville. I don’t see the police, I don’t see the safety, I don’t see it being taken seriously.” Heavner said that she feels like “no one cares” and that she wants to see more safety for the black community.
Mayor LC Jones asked Heavner and her family to stay after the meeting to talk to himself and Fincher about safety changes. Jones said that he and Fincher wanted to address safety in the area.
“We did a community walk in the same community, we went door to door in the area,” Jones said, and also promoted a Citizen’s Police Academy to help with safety and for citizens to speak with the police about their concerns. “We have to work together.”
“I think we need to be more vocal and public for everyone,” said council member Tammy Pearson.
Rawls said the hot spots, which are for parties, are known.
The council agreed that it needs to work on a pathway forward to stop violence in the city.
“The reality is that this thing is here among us,” said Rawls who urged race to be put aside and the community to come back together as one. “The tearing people apart based on skin color that we’ve seen people doing the last 90 days. Stop with that.”
More action needs to be taken to get help from outside sources like the state police, Rawls said. “We need to be better informed as a council for addressing this stuff. So, we know the pathway.”
“We can’t have a Mexican restaurant without it getting shot up, what’s going on? It’s violent,” said Heavner. Rawls said that there were warnings at eateries Rooskies and El Nortino before the shootings happened.
Heavner says that she is willing to help as a citizen, and is open to any suggestions that will make the city safer.
In other matters, the council:
* Set a public hearing for a minor charter change on December 17 to remove a line that sets a time limit for the city attorney stating that they must have five years of service to receive additional jobs. This is in response to the attorney shortage in Virginia.
* Approved Heat and Ceasefire grants, as requested by Fincher.
* Recognized Martinsville City Electrical Department for their Hurricane Helene relief assistance.
