Suffolk News-Herald

Manning Road resident William Harward didn’t just tell city leaders he wanted a tax cut on Wednesday.

During late appearances before the Suffolk City Council, Harward delivered his usual message with a gift for each council member – a ceramic piggy bank to save funds from his rising taxes.

&uot;Keep my money safe,&uot; Harward said, holding up one of the bright yellow banks. &uot;I want my property taxes reduced from $1.08 to $1.03 immediately.&uot;

Harward also said representatives for U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes have assured him a pothole at the Whaleyville Post Office would be fixed next week.

Adding that he has learned to bring a pillow to sit on, he suggested the city put cushions on those &uot;uncomfortable pews&uot; in the council chambers.

Other citizens who spoke included:

Leroy Schmidt, another frequent council critic, told council members that citizens want direct election of their mayor.

&uot;We want a mayor who is going to be here full time,&uot; Schmidt said. &uot;I wish you would put it on referendum.

&uot;…And if any of ya’ll are interested in the position, then run for it.&uot;

Schmidt also told council that he believes it would be a mistake for the city to assume maintenance and construction of the city roads.

He asked about the location planned for the upcoming City Council retreat, slated for the end of September.

-Roger Leonard of Whaleyville told the council that the proposed panhandling ordinance is too broad as it is written.

He also asked council to look into dumping currently happening in rural parts of the city. Leonard, who owns property on Dill Road, said he had found that people have dumped all sorts of trash – most recently a refrigerator – on the site.

&uot;It’s a constant problem on Dill Road,&uot; said Leonard. &uot;It’s getting to the point that property owners out there are the victims.

&uot;If you want to attack an issue with substance, hit this with a sledgehammer.&uot;