Speaker Appoints Marshall to Tobacco Commission

Source from:  martinsvillebulletin.com Sunday, October 21, 2007 10/22/2007

House Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, on Friday announced the appointment of Del. Danny Marshall, R-Danville, to the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission. "Since coming to Richmond to represent the 14th House District, Danny has devoted his attention to efforts that would improve the economy and create jobs in his region," Howell said. "Those efforts - and his reputation as a hard-working and effective leader with proven business experience - make him an obvious choice for the Tobacco Commission." The commission is a 31-member body created by the Virginia General Assembly. A significant part of its mission is promoting economic growth and development in tobacco-dependent communities. Since its inception, the commission has awarded more than $350 million in grants to more than 865 projects in tobacco growing localities. Marshall's appointment fills the vacancy of retiring Del. Alan Dudley. This term will coincide with the term for which he is elected to the 14th House District. "... As a member of the commission, I will pursue opportunities to strengthen educational and work force training programs, expand technology networks and bolster economic development and agribusiness growth," Marshall said. In an interview in Martinsville on Thursday, Marshall said he constantly works on economic development, whether it is talking to business or legislative contacts or through bills he has introduced into the General Assembly. "I talked to someone today (Thursday) with a national company about bringing jobs to Henry County. I know a lot of people here and nationwide," and he can bring leads to the economic developers, Marshall said. Once he does that, he steps out of the discussion, he said. "They're the professionals. I don't want to be a hindrance. I want to be the spark plug," he added. On legislation, he said the assembly passed his bill that lowers the threshold for localities with high unemployment to use the Governor's Opportunity Fund. That fund helps localities close economic development deals. Marshall said he introduced the bill to create Danville's Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, which has created 70 jobs; done research for other companies, including Applied Felts in Henry County; and helped draw high-tech companies to the Danville area. He also introduced a bill so senior citizens could renew their identification cards without proof of citizenship. And Marshall said he and Del. Robert Hurt, R-Chatham, lobbied members of the Higher Education Subcommittee behind the scenes for the New College Institute. "Education is extremely important," Marshall said. "We need to make sure young people understand they need higher education." Regional cooperation also is important, he said. "I think it does" hurt Henry County and Martinsville when they do not work together, he said. "The citizens of Southside don't care" where the borders are between localities, he said. "They are citizens of Southside. We are in this thing together." Marshall said Danville and Pittsylvania County agreed to work together on development nearly a decade ago when they saw Tultex Corp. and other companies close in Henry County and Martinsville. "We knew it wouldn't be too long before Dan River" and other companies there went the same way, he said. "We came up with a plan for Danville and Pittsylvania County to unite." That included working together on industrial parks and basing the city manager's annual job performance evaluation in part on job creation. "Education is important, but it's about jobs. Transportation is important, but it's about jobs. Jobs are the first piece of the economic puzzle," he said. As a result, Danville/Pittsylvania officials go after jobs, he said, and have been successful. "We are making the transition" to a new economic base, he said. But, Marshall said, Mark Heath, president/CEO of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corp., and officials with other localities do the same. "It's not just Danville and Martinsville; it's a world market," he added. On the subject of illegal immigration, Marshall said he employs no illegal immigrants at his business, Marshall Concrete Products in Danville. Howell, who campaigned with Marshall in Martinsville, outlined the state Republicans' four proposals on illegal immigrants. The first would expand the state's program for dealing with illegal immigrants in jails and prisons. The second would prohibit an illegal immigrant who is arrested from being able to post bond, Howell said. The third says a company that knowingly and willingly hires an illegal alien can lose its business license, and the fourth bars an illegal immigrant without a student visa from attending state-supported colleges and universities, Howell added. Marshall also backed off his claim earlier in the week that he had the support of all of Danville's living mayors. He said Samuel Kishner, a Danville attorney and former mayor, had told him he supported him but last week he said he had given money to Marshall's opponent in the Nov. 6 election, Adam Tomer. Enditem