Questions about pressing local issues and audience concerns were posed to each of the five candidates vying for three seats on Martinsville City Council at a Candidates’ Forum held at Mount Sinai Church and moderated by Charles Roark of Star News.
In terms of the municipal building’s water leakage problems, Roark asked candidates whether the building should be repaired, remodeled, or replaced entirely. “Anything can be fixed, but at the end of the day, it’s a question of is the fix gonna cost more than starting from scratch,” said Julian Mei.
He added that if a new building were constructed, he would like to see it designed similarly to the New College Institute (NCI), which boasts many windows.
LaNita Herlem expressed a preference for considering remodeling first, while Rayshaun Gravely emphasized keeping options open while being mindful of costs. “Of course, don’t spend any unnecessary money,” he said.
John Wilson questioned how the city would fund any remodeling efforts. “Before you make any decision whatsoever, you need to assess and evaluate.” Kathy Lawson acknowledged the extent of the water damage and called for further investigation.
“The city manager told me that we have been like a 20-year-old house that hadn’t had any repairs,” said Roark, to which Lawson responded that she was unaware of the building’s major issues.
Lawson suggested low-interest bonds as a potential funding source.
The candidates also faced questions about the city’s water infrastructure and ongoing lawsuits. This led Herlem to express her support for veterans. “I do hope to be a voice for the veterans because I don’t think they have a very loud one,” she said.
Of high electricity costs, Wilson noted, “Our electric system, or company, doesn’t make a profit.” He acknowledged the city’s power purchase agreements, explaining that the city is subject to open market prices.
“We have to pay whatever the open market price is. I don’t like my power bill any more than you do,” Wilson said, stressing the need to explore options to lower costs.
“When our federal government deregulated electricity, they did a travesty to every person sitting in this room,” Lawson said, adding federal deregulation of the market turned energy into a commodity traded like stock. She explained that the city has attempted various methods to bring down costs but faces challenges like uncontrollable transmission fees. Lawson proposed a program to help high-usage residents reduce their bills and said she hopes to move forward with initiatives to assist those burdened by utility costs.
Herlem said energy conservation should start at home, and shared personal strategies to lower her bill. “I keep my thermostat high in the summer and low in the winter to try to manage costs,” she said. “Unfortunately, we live in a world where energy is just expensive right now.”
Gravely emphasized the need to improve residential energy efficiency, citing recent upgrades in the West End.
“Why don’t we establish an energy efficiency committee on day one in office?” suggested Mei, and advocated for specialists to serve on the committee and help residents lower their utility bills.
The candidates were also asked about homelessness in Martinsville and how they would address it.
Mei stated that simply placing people in shelters doesn’t address the root causes, such as mental illness and addiction. “The crossover with mental illness and addiction is harrowing,” he said.
Lawson praised the now fully funded warming center, located in the Salvation Army, and highlighted Henry County’s support for funding and the addition of a paid employee to ensure it remains open. “We’re very thankful Henry County came on board with funding this fiscal year,” she said. The shelter also assists individuals in finding housing and employment.
“Yes, we have a homeless issue,” Wilson said. Gravely noted that many local churches provide support and expressed a desire to increase outreach efforts. Herlem acknowledged the homelessness problem as well and expressed hope for a day shelter in the future. “You have to meet people where they are,” she said, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual circumstances.
When asked about decaying buildings and the process for demolition, Lawson explained that decisions are often complaint driven. “A lot of it is based on complaints,” she said. Mei added, “It usually has to be pretty bad to come down,” though he expressed a desire to see more houses rehabilitated rather than demolished.
Lawson further clarified the process for demolition, noting that property owners have legal rights and demolition involves multiple steps, including asbestos checks.
Wilson and Gravely also voiced concerns about neglected properties, particularly those associated with illicit activities. “There are a lot of buildings that could be torn down or rebuilt,” Gravely said, with Wilson adding that the issue requires careful assessment.
During discussions of small businesses support, Mei called for more equitable marketing efforts. “When I go to the Martinsville City Facebook page, it’s starting to look like one, maybe two businesses are being championed above everyone else. I don’t know why. I might have a theory,” he added, stressing the need for a fair marketplace.
Gravely encouraged local residents to support small businesses, adding, “Take care of your people.”
“The bottom line is if our local residents don’t support our local businesses, they’re not going to survive,” said Lawson.
“We all need to spend our money in Martinsville,” Wilson said, adding that it “would have been nice if some money had been set aside to help small businesses” from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Herlem raised concerns about the safety of Uptown Martinsville after dark, affecting business hours. “A lot of people get off work at five, and they can’t come to Uptown because many Uptown stores are closed,” she said. Herlem agreed that ARPA funding should have been directed more toward small businesses instead of being allocated to Hooker Field and the Martinsville Mustangs. “I don’t agree with the way it was done at all,” she said.
She also reflected on the city’s response to COVID-19. “We could have done better during COVID for our small businesses. I’ve said this often, I’m going to focus on small business,” she vowed.
The discussion then shifted to funding for the Martinsville Mustangs, with Roark asking Lawson about the public’s reaction to the $3 million allocated to the baseball team. Lawson said the funds were an investment in the city itself, not the baseball team. She clarified that the funds also benefited Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) baseball players, Martinsville High School, and American Legion Post 42, which all use the field. She noted that the decision was made by the majority of the city council and emphasized that the stadium is already generating economic returns through city tournaments.
Mei expressed frustration over ARPA fund usage, and the influence of nonprofits in Martinsville. “Some of these nonprofits are so essential to our community, but many of the people behind them don’t even live here,” Mei said. He emphasized the need for caution when allocating funds, noting that “money almost went into the hands of a strange nonprofit,” and the city needs to be careful about who they trust. “We need to be really, really, really watchful because this community is really vulnerable.”
The candidates were also questioned about a lack of response to residents at council meetings, particularly regarding concerns about the West End Park.
Lawson explained that council typically doesn’t respond during meetings, stating, “It has always been the policy because you don’t respond back, because it’s always not a positive response.” She added that she tries to follow up with individuals afterward.
Herlem remarked that funds used for Hooker Field could have been allocated to parks.
“If it was promised to be done, then the city needs to follow through with their promises,” said Wilson.
Lawson noted that “The Dick & Willie Trail is Henry County,” but emphasized the need for action within Martinsville itself. “We have too many studies. Neighborhood meetings should lead the charge in updates,” said Lawson. “We need to get on it instead of just talking about it.”
Herlem highlighted the need for increased surveillance at city parks to prevent neglect. “If they are not being taken care of, then they just sit there, and the next thing you know, you have grass coming up in the basketball court,” she said.
Mei pointed out specific safety concerns at Baldwin Park, mentioning the lack of safety rails on stairways and inadequate lighting. “I would love to do whatever I can to increase the value of parks and get them more utilized,” Mei said, expressing his support for adding splash pads and more free outdoor recreation options for families.
Gravely shared his concerns about the long-standing neglect of West End. “The West End has been overlooked for a long time, probably before I was even born,” said Gravely, who emphasized his commitment to all residents and his desire to drive action if elected to the city council.
When citizens raised questions about the city’s legal battle over reversion and voter rights, Lawson said she was unaware the appeal had been filed until reading about it in the newspaper. She asserted that the city followed the law and would have adhered to any referendum requirements. “If a referendum was required prior to reversion, I 100 percent would have followed the law,” Lawson said. “We held more public hearings than the law required,” she said, adding that she wished more residents had spoken up against reversion.
Mei was asked about his past drug and alcohol use. “Those are events that happened over 20 years ago. I am a man now. I was a boy then. I grew up rather late. I’m a proud recovering alcoholic and addict,” Mei said. He added that those criticizing his past “want Martinsville to stay in a state of perpetual decline, misery, and despair.” He pledged to move the city forward, even if it meant taking people along “kicking and crying.”
Roark questioned Gravely about his legal history. “You’ve been saying publicly that you were found not guilty of all those charges. Can you explain it to me?” Roark asked.
Gravely responded that his first case resulted in a disorderly conduct verdict, while the second case concluded with him being found not guilty on all charges. “I have no open case, I have no days spent in jail, I have no probation,” Gravely said.
“Was it a choking charge,” Roark asked.
“Yes, it was a choking charge,” Gravely said.
On the topic of second chances, all candidates seemed to agree that individuals who have served their time deserve forgiveness and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Herlem expressed a desire to find ways to help formerly incarcerated individuals improve their circumstances.
Based on personal experiences, Gravely said, “If you’re gonna speak on second chances—if I do something today and straighten up tomorrow, that’s a second chance. I’ve learned from it, moved on, and here I am.”
