MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE STRASBURG TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2007, AT 7:15 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE TOWN HALL.
COUNCIL MEMBERS present: Mayor Crisman, Vice Mayor Taylor and Council Members Le Vine, Mauck, Nicholson (arrived at 7:23 p.m.), Terndrup, Wallace, and Whittle. Absent: Council Member Rinker.
Mayor Crisman called the Public Hearings to order and said the purpose of the Public Hearings was to receive citizen input on the following items:
· In accordance with the Code of Virginia §15.2-2006 Daniel Ferguson is requesting that the Town of Strasburg vacate the following streets: portion of Newman Street to Banks Fort Road south of Pendleton Lane and north of Pike Street; portion of Hupp Street north of John Marshall Highway and south of Pendleton Lane; remainder of Hiden Street.
Danny Ferguson, 509 Burgess St., Strasburg, VA: Mr. Ferguson stated he thinks these streets should be abandoned because they do not go anywhere.
Being no other speakers, the Public Hearing closed at 7:18 p.m.
· Chapter 78 Article VI of the Strasburg Town Code proposed $0.25/pack cigarette tax.
Joyce Gary, 744 Crystal Lane, Strasburg, VA: Mrs. Gary said she is in support of the cigarette tax and is hoping it will bring additional revenue into the Town that could be “earmarked” for helping with the water treatment plant.
Kim Bishop, 728 Crystal Lane, Strasburg, VA: Mrs. Bishop said she is not opposed to the cigarette tax, but picking one group of people to tax on certain items is something Council needs to be careful in doing. Later on, another Council may decide to tax beer or wine or potato chips. She added she agrees with Mrs. Gary in earmarking the revenue for the water treatment plant.
Sarah Mauck, 886 E. King St., Strasburg, VA: Mrs. Mauck said she is opposed to the cigarette tax. She does not think it is broad based enough and that it targets a certain population to pay the entire tax. She thinks it puts a burden on some citizens and the Town has many senior citizens on a limited income who we may think it is a choice, but smoking may be a way of life. “At the end of the year that $90 that went to cigarette tax money may mean the difference in a prescription or food.” She thinks it puts a burden on local businesses to collect the additional taxes without compensation. There would be additional bookkeeping to be done, not only for the Town, but the merchants. She has talked to several people who are not opposed to the tax, but they would like for the money to be earmarked for certain projects, especially for sidewalks.
Portion of an e-mail read by Mayor Crisman:
Kelly Wheatley, 364 High Street, Strasburg, VA: I understand there will be a public hearing this evening re: the proposed cigarette tax. I will not be able to attend, so I hope you will take a moment to read this e-mail and consider it along with the rest of the public’s feedback you will be receiving.
First of all, I agree that the town needs more money. Having said that, I have issues with the proposed cigarette tax. YES, I smoke and increasing the cost of cigarettes to 25 cents a pack will not make me destitute, but that's not the issue. If I was not a smoker my opinion would not change. Every single person in this town benefits from town services. Smokers do not receive more benefits than anyone else. If the town needs more money, then our town government should make "fair" necessary changes to get it. I ask that you do not single out specific consumers.
Council Member Le Vine said the cigarette tax will be discussed at the Finance Committee meeting on September 10 at 7:15 p.m. and Council Member Terndrup said the Ordinance Committee will discuss this at their meeting on September 5 at 7 p.m.
Being no further comments, the Public Hearing closed at 7:24 p.m.
· Adoption of Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Urban Manual for Low Impact Development.
The Public Hearing closed at 7:25 p.m., with no speakers.