Utility rates and crime concern City Council

Most Danville City Council members agree that economic development was a strong point in 2008, but their concerns of utility rate relief and heightened crime have carried over into 2009.

Mayor Sherman Saunders counts the city’s many economic development projects and new businesses among its successes last year, citing the development of Coleman MarketPlace and the opening of Swedwood and Sam’s Club, along with the arrival of Com. 40.

Utility costs, however, were a low point in 2008 and will continue to be a low in 2009, he said.

“It’s a national problem,” Saunders said, adding that federal legislation will be needed to bring costs down.

Locally, he said, people are doing all they can and still having problems.

“People are practicing energy conservation, cutting the thermostat back, adding weather-stripping,” Saunders said, “and still having a harder time than a year ago.”

Vice Mayor Wayne Oakes said overall 2008 was a good year for the city, but that the economic downturn would create challenges that would continue this year.

“It (the economic downturn) has affected nearly every economy around the world and we will be dealing with it into 2009,” Oakes said. “It will bring challenges, but I think those challenges can be translated into opportunities.”

He said council will keep working on economic development plans that will benefit the city in 2009.

“We have some promising projects in the pipeline,” Oakes said. “Hopefully, some of those will come to fruition and we will have some good announcements later in the year.”

Looking for a solution

Councilman Adam Tomer sees things a little differently than most council members. He said the city’s efforts at making Danville a retail hub were a low point for 2008.

“The economy is not here to support it,” he said, pointing out that Boscov’s, Office Depot and Backyard Burgers all closed because the Danville locations were not profitable.

Tomer said he always opposed the $7 million in incentives used to bring Coleman MarketPlace to Danville and said the payback on the investment will take longer than the five years former City Manager Jerry Gwaltney predicted.

Tomer said he sees challenges ahead in continuing the region’s economic growth.

“Education and infrastructure need to be there for it to be successful,” Tomer said. “We need to keep running down the road and get things done.”

He also said the city needs to work on plans for utility bill relief for seniors and the disabled.

“There’s got to be a solution,” Tomer said. “The average home here was built in 1955 and is not energy efficient.”

He added that while grants or loans can be short-term solutions, making existing homes more energy efficient and working on long-term energy diversification will solve problems in the future.

Councilman Gary Miller, a cardiologist, said the 10-year, $15 million contract Danville Regional Medical Center entered into with Duke University Medical Center is a big plus that will provide cardiac care for everyone in the Dan River Region.

He also said relief from high utility bills is a priority for 2009.

“We need to meet the needs of the public who can’t afford increasing power bills and assist those who are truly deserving,” Miller said.

Crime and unemployment

Councilman David Luther said 2008’s high points will follow into 2009 with continued development of industrial parks, including the planned Berry Hill mega-park.

“All the pieces haven’t fallen in place, but both the city and (Pittsylvania County) are working hard to make it happen,” Luther said.

Unemployment and crime will continue to be problems, he added.

“It’s disappointing that as fast as we are creating jobs, we are losing them,” he said. “High unemployment is a real problem, and continues to cause other problems.”

Luther said the crime rate is linked to drugs and greed, not unemployment.

“I don’t blame it (crime) on unemployment, but on drugs,” Luther said.

Preparing for change

Councilman Buddy Rawley noted that while the nation’s economy has taken a downturn, it will change for the better.

“Tough times are ahead and we’ve got to hang on,” Rawley said. “We are poised, as a city and a county, for great things; we just have to stick to the blueprint.”

He said the cooperation between city and county to create another industrial park is “progressive and forward-thinking.”

“This economy will change,” Rawley said. “We’ve got to be ready when it does.”

He said the opening of Swedwood was one of the top highlights of 2008.

“To have an international company of that prestige pick Danville/Pittsylvania County for its first North American factory is huge,” Rawley said. “In the future, it will pay dividends when other companies look at us.”

He said Coleman MarketPlace also is a plus for the community.

“People coming into Danville are impressed,” he said. “It will be huge for us down the road.”

• Contact Denice Thibodeau at or (434) 791-7985.