LYNCHBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – “We deserve better. While you argue over a few cents, sidewalks and schools suffer. We have defunded our futures for a couple of bucks.”
During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, many Lynchburg residents and business owners expressed their frustrations with members of the council.
Owner of the 801 Raw Bar, Thomas Bradner, spoke about how the arguments between council members and the public damage the city’s reputation, ultimately leading people to look for other places to visit.
“I frequently overhear our guests making comments, often jokes, about the dysfunction they perceive in our city’s leadership. Some have even stated such division would deter them from choosing to live or invest in our city of Lynchburg,” he said.
The problem with infighting is that outsiders can listen in and form their own opinions.
Altavista Mayor Reggie Bennett sent an email to Dave Henderson, the owner of Hen and Hound Management, instructing businesses to make a move.
“Hello, Mr. Henderson. Let me introduce myself. My name is Reggie Bennett, and I’m the Mayor of Altavista. I’d like to invite you or any business who would like to see what our town has to offer to come take a tour. We don’t fight amongst ourselves. We work together for your success and the people who live here. If you’d like to have a tour, please contact me. How about that?”
Many of the speakers pleaded with the council to put aside their differences and put Lynchburg first.
“So that you know, there’s enough of this. We’ve had enough. We need to stop the bickering and find a way to work together and reach consensus in the interest of our community,” businessman John Fees said.
WDBJ7 reached out to Mayor Bennett for a statement regarding his email to local businesses and did not receive a response.
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