Dean-Paul Stephens

3 weeks ago | cardinalnews.org | Dean-Paul Stephens

Two days after the forcible removal of Martinsville City Council member Aaron Rawls from a council meeting, he and fellow councilor Julian Mei held a press conference to share their concerns about the incident and the impact that council dynamics are having on the city’s reputation. At Tuesday’s council meeting, Mayor L.C. Jones, who believed Rawls to be insulting a staff member, cut his comments short. A sheriff’s deputy approached Rawls and asked him to leave.

4 weeks ago | cardinalnews.org | Dean-Paul Stephens

Martinsville’s Tuesday night city council regular session ended with pointed comments between council members and resulted in Councilor Aaron Rawls’ removal by a deputy. Much of Tuesday’s packed city council meeting proceeded without incident until near the end of the meeting when councilors are encouraged to provide comment. Rawls used his time to address recent concerns expressed by some members of the council. “I really want to talk about real issues,” Rawls said, Tuesday.

1 month ago | cardinalnews.org | Dean-Paul Stephens

During their 3 p.m. Tuesday regular session at the administration building, Henry County officials will decide whether to contribute finances to Ridgeway’s ongoing park project. Ridgeway officials formally requested financial aid from Henry County supervisors in a March 6 letter. The request is for $100,000. Ridgeway officials have already earmarked $110,000 toward the project. Ridgeway officials are also applying for a $25,000 Pick Up the Pace grant.

1 month ago | cardinalnews.org | Dean-Paul Stephens

Martinsville councilors will revisit their ongoing effort to update the city’s comprehensive plan at their upcoming regular session 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Municipal Building. The city council plans to meet with representatives from the Berkley Group as part of what the group and city are calling the Joint Kickoff Worksession. A Virginia-based consulting firm, the Berkley Group, has been retained by the city to assist with the creation of Martinsville’s comprehensive plan.

1 month ago | cardinalnews.org | Dean-Paul Stephens

A recent closed meeting was the source of some tension among Martinsville officials. At their meeting next week, members of the Martinsville City Council are expected to address concerns expressed by member Aaron Rawls about the timing and purpose of the body’s March 17 closed special session, in which they discussed the contract of City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides. The meeting was a continuation of contract talks from October, according to Mayor L.C. Jones.