Marshall to Discuss Tobacco Board

Source from:  Monday, July 21, 2008 By KIM BARTO - Bulletin Staff Writer 07/22/2008

Del. Danny Marshall, R-Danville, will talk about his role with the tobacco commission when Martinsville City Council holds its regular meeting Tuesday night. Marshall, whose 14th District includes portions of Henry County, was appointed to the commission's board in November and was the first Southside representative on the board. He recently was joined by state Sen. Roscoe Reynolds, D-Ridgeway. The Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission was created in 1999 to promote economic growth and development in tobacco-dependent communities. Marshall will be talking about the history of the commission and some of the projects that it has funded. "Some of the things they've done are pretty interesting," Marshall said, such as building the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville. Tobacco funding also provided a $434,000 grant to Patrick Henry Community College in November to increase the number of area students who attend college. Also on Tuesday, Martinsville City Council will: • Hear an update on the home ownership program, which has been providing education for first-time home buyers for the past year. The goal is to ensure buyers will be able to avoid losing their homes due to budgeting and credit issues. The Homebuyers Club meets at 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Artisan Center. More participants are always welcome. • Hear an update on the Cherry Street Community Improvement Project. Under neighborhood revitalization efforts, three homes have been replaced, two are under contract and eight homes are awaiting construction. • Recognize retiring department director Anthony "Tony" Rinaldi, who has served as leisure services director since 1997. • Recognize city employees eligible for service awards. • Present proclamations declaring "CONTACT Sunday" on Aug. 3 and "National Night Out" on Aug. 5. • Consider approval on second reading of the updated flood plain ordinance. • Consider approval on second reading of changing ambulance insurance requirements. • Consider discussion of schedule and locations of fiscal 2009 city council neighborhood meetings. • Consider approval of the consent agenda, accepting routine fiscal 2008 budget adjustments. • Consider approval of July 8 meeting minutes. • Open the floor to comments from residents. Enditem