By Jessica Dillon
During a special meeting on Nov. 3, Martinsville City Council considered a request from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to serve as a major sponsor for its upcoming gala. The request, which would have provided funds for a scholarship, failed twice on tied votes. The discussion also raised broader concerns about the city’s approach to outside agency funding.
Council previously agreed to sponsor racecar driver Joey Arrington, but members Aaron Rawls and Julian Mei said they worried that decision set a precedent.
“It had to do with Martinsville’s brand at large,” Mei said, explaining why he supported the earlier sponsorship. Rawls added that if he had more time to think about the decision, he likely would not have voted in favor of it.
Council members agreed that breaking a record through Arrington’s effort reflected well on the city, but when it came to the NAACP request, opinions split. Council member Rayshaun Gravely made both motions to fund the organization, calling it a good cause. After the first vote tied, he made a second motion to grant $500, which also failed.
Mayor LC Jones said the council should remain flexible in responding to community requests. He also expressed frustration that Arrington’s sponsorship seemed to move through more easily than the NAACP’s.
“We didn’t have this conversation, we didn’t sit up here, make a special meeting and say, hey, let’s figure out if we’re gonna donate $5,000,” Jones said.
Rawls said the council faces backlash when asked for funding without prior notice.
“We get extremely upset when people with no notice come and ask for money, and we get put on the spot after being made to be villains if we say no,” Rawls said. “I don’t wanna at all anymore. I don’t wanna get just errant requests for money at a podium. Can we get it? Can I come in through an annual cycle?”
Rawls said he understands that some organizations are still learning the process but emphasized that requests should be presented during the city’s annual funding cycle.
“If the organization can’t make enough of a presentation to present it for the annual cycle, it may not have the undergirding and preparation to get taxpayer funds,” he said.
Jones said he believes awareness of the process is increasing.
“I don’t think everybody has the information. I think now that we do have many people heard about it, we’re having more people reach out and want to get funded,” Jones said.
The mayor also said he supports cutting back outside agency funding in the future.
“To me, it’s not us giving money, and I agree with council members—we need to cut back, even if we cut back to zero,” Jones said. “We need to only fund those agencies that strategically fit with our agenda and what we plan to do as a city moving forward—not this year, but 25 years in the future—and how we can partner for the best of our citizens.”
Despite the failed motion, Mei, Jones and Rawls each agreed to personally donate $500 to the NAACP, in addition to purchasing tickets for the gala.
“I will give you $500 so we can just move on,” Rawls said. “So, I will match what Julian puts up, and that’s above and beyond what I’ve already purchased. We will make sure they get something.”
Rawls said he will no longer support funding requests made directly at meetings.
“From here forward, anytime we get requests or money from a podium, I’m a no,” he said. “I don’t care what it is; I don’t care if it is to bring Patrick Swayze back to life. I’m a no.”
Jones said the city has a long-standing issue with outside funding.
“We have traditionally, year over year, funded the same people without asking a question,” he said. “People didn’t know about this whole process of outside agency funding. So now, in the last two years, we put it out there, and people out the woodwork have come. And realistically, most of the people we’ve shot down. We funded a couple of them, but they’ve all had great initiatives. How many of them actually align with the strategic plan of the city?”
The NAACP also sought a grant from the Harvest Foundation but was denied because the foundation sponsors projects, not initiatives.
Vice Mayor Kathy Lawson did not attend the meeting.
