City Council

January 4, 2021 An organizational meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia, was held on January 4, 2021 at 9:00am in City Council Chambers with Circuit Court Clerk Ashby Pritchett, presiding. Council Members present included: Jennifer Bowles, Tammy Pearson, Chad Martin, Danny Turner and Kathy Lawson. Staff included City Manager Leon Towarnicki, City Attorney/Assistant City Manager Eric Monday, and Clerk of Council Karen Roberts. Circuit Court Clerk Pritchett called the meeting to order and welcomed Rev. Charles Whitfield, Pastor of First Baptist Church East Martinsville who delivered the invocation. Pritchett issued the oath of office to newly-elected Council Member Tammy Pearson and re-elected Council Members Kathy Lawson and Chad Martin. Mr. Pritchett called for nominations for Mayor. Council Member Martin nominated Council Member Bowles while Council Member Turner nominated Council Member Lawson for the position of Mayor. By show of hands and with a 3-2 vote with Council Members Lawson, Pearson and Turner voting for Council Member Lawson, Pritchett declared Lawson as the new Mayor of the City of Martinsville and issued the oath of office. Circuit Court Clerk Pritchett then turned the meeting over to Mayor Lawson who asked for nominations for Vice Mayor. Council Member Turner nominated Council Member Pearson while Council Member Martin nominated Council Member Bowles for the position of Vice Mayor. By show of hands and with a 3-2 vote with Council Members Lawson, Bowles and Martin voting for Council Member Bowles, Mayor Lawson declared Bowles as the new Vice Mayor of the City of Martinsville. Pritchett issued the oath of office. Mayor Lawson then discussed the seating arrangement and requested that Vice Mayor Bowles take the chair to the Mayor’s right. Turner chose the chair to the Mayor’s left. Martin and Pearson chose the chairs on either end. Council Members then discussed continuing the City Council meeting schedule twice a month on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings while adjusting the time to begin the meetings at 7:00pm with closed sessions held at 6:30pm on meeting days. All Council Members voted in favor. Mayor Lawson then invited remarks from Council Members. Council Member Turner brought up pressing business related to the US Postal Service delivery on certain City streets and the safety concern with dogs. There is a petition headed to Congressman Morgan Griffith’s office related to mail walk-up delivery and the safety of the mail carriers. Mayor Lawson explained that Police Chief Cassady was collecting information for the Council meeting on January 12. Council Member Martin thanked God for making it to another year. He thanked Rev. Whitfield and he thanked his mother for her continued support. Congratulations to the newly elected and reelected members as well as the new Mayor and Vice Mayor. January 4, 2021 Council Member Turner thanked Rev. Whitfield for offering the invocation. He congratulated the newly elected and reelected members as well as the new Mayor and Vice Mayor. Council Member Pearson thanked her husband Will Pearson & her children for their support during her campaign and she thanked her parents who taught her that supporting the community is of utmost importance. She thanked the citizens for electing her, she is humbled and honored to serve the City. Pearson stated that she believes transparency in government is important and encourages 2-way feedback and in turn, Council will communicate updates on projects. She looks forward to working with all Council members and congratulated the Mayor and Vice Mayor. Vice Mayor Bowles thanked God, her family and her sister. She congratulated the new and returning Council members and Mayor Lawson. Bowles looks forward to working with everyone. She hopes everyone can work together cohesively, respectfully and always in what is in the citizen’s best interest. Mayor Lawson thanked Jesus Christ and her family, stating there are not enough words to express her appreciation for what they give up for her to serve on Council. She thanked her husband Ralph, daughter and granddaughter and her employers for allowing her the time to serve on Council. Lawson thanked the 3,000+ voters for putting their faith in her and stated that it is a great opportunity to serve Martinsville and the citizens. Lawson stated that Council will continue to collaborate with the many organizations and Henry County to make this the best place to live, work and play. Lawson thanked members of Council for the opportunity to serve as Mayor and she thanked Rev. Whitfield, saying his prayer was heartfelt. Lawson looks forward to working with the City employees and the Martinsville residents to make the City greater. There being no further business to come before Council during their organizational meeting, Council Member Turner made a motion to adjourn; Vice Mayor Bowles seconded the motion. Mayor Lawson adjourned the meeting at 9:18am. _______________________________ __________________________ Karen Roberts Kathy Lawson Clerk of Council Mayor