http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/wb/49117 - The Roanoke Times January 20, 2006 editorial staff.
"Henry County played a dirty trick... by asking for... a citywide vote... State law allows... a citywide referendum."
I disagree with most of The Roanoke Times editorial, especially since it downplays the fact that this reversion would have a dramatic effect on the residents of Henry County, as well. State law does not allow for a referendum by the residents of the affected county. Henry County leaders are merely trying to protect those they were elected to represent.
State Representative Danny Marshall was elected to represent the citizens of Henry, Halifax and Pittsylvania counties. A select minorty is arguing that since Mr. Marshall's district doesn't actually include the city limits of Martinsville, he had no business to introduce the legislation seeking the binding referendum. That's fantasy. Are all the residents of Henry County, and their elected leaders, now to be designated mere sepctators in the process? Let's not forget, the city of Martinsville is, geographically, located in Henry County, even though not withinin Mr. Marshall's actual district lines.
Again, if the city fathers in Martinsville are so steadfast in their support of reversion, why not just let the people speak at the ballot box? Because they know the history of this debate in the Henry County and Martinsville area, and they know it's not supported by the majority. Now the print media is jumping on that bandwagon by trying to paint Henry County leaders and residents as interlopers. Again, more fantasy.
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win" - Mahatma Gandhi