TO THE EDITOR:

I attended the City Council Retreat last Friday. Some things that were discussed I can understand and some I simply cannot.

There are pros and cons about the proposed new hotel (and possibly two hotels). If it is approved, I hope that it does well. I am for anything that is for the betterment of the city of Washington. What I do object to is — if it fails, the taxpayers probably will have to pick up the tab for some nine million dollars. And, I wonder how many tax paying citizens were in attendance.

I do not understand the “strong mayor” issue. How much power does Mayor Burns want? He already is a strong mayor with the city council he has. Enough power to fire or hire a city employee on his own is too much power. What do we have a city council for? Mayor Burns said that the running of the city was a business — a big business. I don’t know of any bigger business in Washington (bigger than the city) other than the Wilkes County Board of Education. Dr. Rosemary Caddell does not have the power to hire, fire, or act on anything major affecting the school system without the approval of the board that we, as citizens, elect.

Mayor Burns talked of this not being along racial lines and working together — but he had to make the comment that “they didn’t think we could read.” I took that to mean that the “they” were whites and the “we” were blacks. So, it is definitely racial. My question is — if a white mayor is elected next term — will Burns still want the strong mayor government?

And, finally, Councilman Tutt owes a lot of people an apology — especially to the News-Reporter. Councilman Tutt holding up the paper, waving it, ranting and raving, saying the News-Reporter is what upset everyone and got the town in such an uproar. Wrong!!!

Mayor Burns and some members of the city council is what upset the citizens of Washington, The News- Reporter writes to inform its readers of what goes on in the area. The News-Reporter only reported the truth. There were and still are angry people in Washington about what is going on with the city government.

As for the word “dictatorship” — that word was being used all around town. It started after the January 11th meeting. That word was being used long before it came out in the paper.

We are all going to miss Councilman Avery. He voted for what was the good for the city (an example — establishments serving alcohol closing at midnight). He was not intimidated by anyone. Thanks Rev. Avery for your loyal service to Washington.

Thanks for the time and space in your paper.

BILLY HOPKINS