Martinsville residents will not get access to information detailing the pending termination of City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides.
Members of the Martinsville City Council decided this Tuesday evening in a split 2-2 decision, with Kathy Lawson and Rayshaun Gravely dissenting and Mayor L.C. Jones abstaining.
Councilor Aaron Rawls’ motion was to release all investigatory information involving the spending and activities of the city manager and others.
When councilors initially fired and later suspended Ferrell-Benavides, they did so for cause, citing factors including commission of an act involving malfeasance and dishonesty and violation of city charter and codes. They also launched an audit into the spending of city staff.
The information that they voted not to release to the public could include more specifics.
Both Rawls and Councilor Julian Mei agreed that as investigations into Ferrell-Benavides’ and the city’s spending continue, the best thing for residents is transparency.
“I think, if I were in the public and I was witnessing all of this, I would want to know the truth,” Mei said prior to casting his vote in favor of releasing information publicly.
Both Lawson and Gravely cited attorney-client privilege as the reason behind their respective votes.
“Council has been adamant that this is a violation of attorney-client privilege,” Lawson said, adding that she would have no problem releasing information once the city receives the go-ahead from attorneys.
Martinsville is represented by the Sands Anderson law firm, based in Richmond.
The decision comes weeks after Martinsville councilors voted to submit information to the commonwealth’s attorney, as part of proceedings for Ferrell-Benavides’ pending termination.
Submitted information could include details about spending concerns residents and officials had about training-related trips among staff.
In May, Rawls submitted a Virginia Freedom of Information Act request seeking details of monthly staff spending. In July, councilors approved conducting a forensic spending audit.
An email urging transparency has been floated to residents and council members.
Martinsville resident Patti Covington attended Tuesday’s meeting and read the contents of the email.
“Trust in our governance has been lost,” it read. “Citizens feel disrespected and taken advantage of, that you have put personal interests over [fiduciary] responsibility.”
Covington said she has collected the names and addresses of over 100 people who cosigned the email.
“That number is growing,” she said.