Health Insurance Premiums To Increase 24 Percent

Supervisors To Seek Alternative Plans For County Employees

Supervisors learned Monday night that health insurance premiums for the county’s employees will increase by nearly 25 percent this year, resulting in an additional $200,000 expense for the county.
During Monday’s meeting of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, Finance Committee Chairman Doug Bowman told the Board that the renewal premium on the county’s insurance will show a 24 percent increase next year.
“That’s about $1,050 per employee,” he said.
Bowman told the Board that the increase will apply to all of the county’s 200 employees and does not include the school system.
“It’s going to represent about a $200,000 increase to the county’s budget with no change in benefits,” he said. “That’s a tough pill to swallow.”
According to Bowman, last year’s increase was around three percent.
“We were notified that the reason for the increase was eight claims that represented 45 percent of total claims for the year,” he said.
County Administrator Bryan Foster said the county was originally under an April 1 deadline to send in renewal information, but has received an extension until May 1.
“But even with that extension, we’d be hard pressed to get something in to consider before the first of May,” he said. “We must give a 90-day notice to the current company if we change coverage.”
Foster recommended securing a professional to assist the county in securing alternative coverage.
“I don’t think we have any choice other than to get a professional to help us,” Bowman said. “When you get increases like this, you’re compelled to start looking.”
After hearing the news, supervisors passed a resolution that will authorize the finance committee to explore alternative coverage.
Currently, the county pays 100 percent of the coverage for employees. If a spouse or family is covered, the employee must cover the premium out of pocket.
In other finance committee business, Bowman told the Board that the committee will begin considering next year’s budget using a 37 percent real estate tax rate.
Currently, the county has a 41 cents per $100 rate, but this year’s 12 percent increase in the county’s property assessment would translate to a four-cent drop in real estate taxes.
“In the reassessment process, we can’t raise tax revenue through reassessment,” he said. “If the assessed value is increased the tax rate must be decreased to make it revenue neutral.”
But the 37-cent rate is likely to increase because of the additional debt the county is taking on for the school construction projects.
“We’re starting out the budget process with a 37-cent rate,” he said yesterday. “We’re probably going to have to increase that because of our school obligations.”
VIR Utility Hearing
Virginia International Raceway Co-Owner Connie Nyholm did not attend Monday’s meeting of the Halifax County Public Service Authority meeting.
During the meeting, Foster told the Board that Nyholm has hired an economic development consultant to explore options to fund an increase in the motorsports park’s utility rate.
“He had a health issue come up and isn’t able to attend,” Foster said.
Because no representative from VIR attended the meeting, supervisors postponed action until a committee comprised of Bowman and Supervisor Tom West are able to meet with Nyholm.
“This issue has to be resolved,” Board Chairman William Fitzgerald said. “She can bring an economic development person if she wants, but this Board wants this issue resolved.”
Authority members, consisting of the Board of Supervisors, first addressed the issue during their meeting in February.
Supervisors voted to double the $5,000 rate the facility is paying following the earlier meeting, but have agreed to let Nyholm offer alternatives.
Foster said that prior to the earlier meeting, supervisors had “crunched the numbers.” “The idea is the rates paid should cover the total costs of the system.”
According to Bowman, the annual debt service on a $1.6 million loan the county received to cover the cost of the system is around $135,000, with operating expenses totaling about $60,000 annually.
“We’re looking at $195,000 the service authority needs from VIR to cover its debt service,” he said following the earlier meeting.
The $5,000 voluntary payment totals $60,000 annually.
In other business, supervisors unanimously approved – with Supervisor Bryant Claiborne abstaining – the award of the contract for façade improvements in the Town of Halifax to Alford’s Masonry.
The total cost for the project, funded by grant money and the town’s business owners, is $174,695.
Supervisors also unanimously approved a resolution requested by Halifax County Tourism Director Linda Shepperd to ask the Virginia Tourism Commission to create a separate tourism region for Southside.
In presenting the request, Shepperd told the Board that the move is “purely a tourism and visitor marketing initiative.”
“We want a separate region consisting of southern counties within the Virginia Tourism Commission,” she said.

Obituaries

Vickie Barrett Gilliam
Vickie Barrett Gilliam, 62, of Roxboro, N.C. died March 4,2006, at Person Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Gilliam was born in North Hampton County, the daughter of the late Willie Barrett and Elizabeth Vick Barrett, and was married to Tom R. Gilliam. She was a graduate of East Carolina, took part in the founding of Roxboro Christian Academy and taught there a number of years.
She was one of the persons who began the Family and Life Services of Person County, and was a secretary for the International Miners Mission. Mrs. Gilliam was also a trained teacher for Precept Ministries and taught inductive bible studies.
Survivors include her mother of Conway, N.C., her husband of the home; one daughter, Elizabeth Gilliam Brooks of Roxboro; two sons, Timothy Gilliam of Roxboro and John Gilliam of South Boston; seven grandchildren; two brothers, Joseph Barrett and Tommy Barrett, both of Conway; and one sister, LeVone B. Williams of Roanoke Rapids, N.C.
Funeral services for Mrs. Gilliam were at 11 a.m. on March 7, at Theresa Baptist Church with the Rev. Herbert Brown officiating. A private burial was held in Oak Ridge Cemetery in South Boston.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Roxboro Christian Academy, P.O. Box 1357, Roxboro, 27573, or the International Miners Mission, P.O. Box 521, Roxboro, 27573.
Mary Alice Worsham-Johnson
Mary Alice Worsham-Johnson died March 5, 2006.
Survivors include her son, William C. Worsham; two sisters, Elsie Vaughan and Alvis Stone; grandchildren, Lisa L. Burch and Lori B. Fleming; and great-grandchildren, Callie and Macy Burch and Evan Fleming. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Percy C. Worsham and William E. Johnson.
Funeral services will be held at Connelly Funeral Home of Essex today, March 8, at 7:30 p.m. The family will receive friends today from 3 to 5, and 7 to 9 p.m., and on Friday at Powell Funeral Home in South Boston from 7 until 9 p.m.
A funeral service will be held at Powell Funeral Home March 11, at 11a.m. Burial will follow at Halifax Memorial Gardens.
Harvey Edward Noell
Harvey Edward Noell, 61, of Washington, D.C., formerly of Halifax, died March 3, 2006, at Veterans Administration Hospital in Washington.
Mr. Noell was born July 25, 1944, in Chapel H ill, N.C. to the late Harvey Noell and Evelyn Gravitt. He was a United States Air Force Veteran.
Survivors include three sisters, Evelyn Noell of Oxford, N.C., Tangeneka Palmer of South Boston, and Brittany Noell of Alexandria; two sons, Timothy Noell of South Boston and Barry Noell of Ga.; five grandchildren, Dominick Jones, Djiamon Barksdale, Kaylen Palmer, Christian Palmer and Adam Palmer; and one son-in-law, Landolph Palmer.
Funeral services for Mr. Noell will be held tomorrow, March 9, at 1 p.m. at Blue Wing Grove Baptist Church in Virgilina with the Rev. Wallace Pierce officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening, March 8, at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel from 7 until 8.
Henry Melton Shiflett
Marie Johnson Shiflett
Henry Melton Shiflett, 83, of 12209 Philpott Road, Alton, died March 3, 2006.
Born November 8, 1922, he was the son of the late W.B. and Laura Murray Carmichael. Mr. Shiflett was the retired owner/operator of Shiflett’s Service Station, and was a member of Olive Branch United Methodist Church. He was also a life member of both VFW Post 8243 and Turbeville Volunteer Fire Department, and was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy, World War II.
Marie Johnson Shiflett, 81, wife of Henry Melton Shiflett, died Mach 6, 2006. She was born October 14, 1924, to the late Wirt and Esther Anderson Johnson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Norman Johnson, Roger Johnson, and Willis Johnson, and by a sister, Nellie J. Moore. Mrs. Shiflett was also a member of Olive Branch United Methodist Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Shiflett are survived by two daughters, Gloria S. Fleig of Halifax and Donna M. Shiflett of South Boston; one grandson, Joshua E. Burton of Alton; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services for the couple will be held today, March 8, at 3 p.m. in Olive Branch United Methodist Church Cemetery by the Revs. Bob Woodfin and Michael Teixeira.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Turbeville Volunteer Fire Dept., 8146 Philpott Road, South Boston, 24592,or Olive Branch UMC Cemetery Fund, 3027 Piney Grove Road, Alton, 24520.
William Tanner
William Tanner, 71, of Blairs died March 3, 2006, at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born January 25, 1935, in Halifax County, he was a son of the late Will Tanner and the late Harriett Moore Tanner, and was married to Mariam Tanner, who preceded him in death.
Survivors include four daughters, Brenda Hatcher, Mary Jackson and Tanya Davis, all of Patterson, N.J., and Donna Tanner of East Point, Ga.; one step-daughter, Patricia Lawson of Baltimore, Md.; two sons, Anthony Tanner of Patterson, and William Tanner of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; one sister, Roberta Allen of Sutherlin; two brothers, Robertson Tanner of Blairs and Oprea Tanner of Sutherlin.
Mr. Tanner was also preceded in death by one sister, Margaret Harris; one brother, Charlie Tanner; and one step-daughter, Alfreida Dennison.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, March 9, at 11a.m. at White Oak Baptist Church in Sutherlin. The Rev. Melvin Fuller will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.

Four Local Boxers Will Compete For Titles In April

Four local boxers –Mike Miles, Dan Cline, Dinisio Martin and Tony Grissom – plan to get “rough and rowdy” during the Rough And Rowdy Brawl April 28-29 in Salem, Virginia.
Miles, Cline, Martin and Grissom represent a combined seven years experience in the contest, which divides the boxers into three weight divisions. Men 140-164 pounds compete in the lightweight division, 165-189 pounds the middleweight division and 190-400 pounds the heavyweight division.
Each bout is comprised of three one-minute rounds, and each competitor wears headgear, groin protector, mouthpiece and padded 16-ounce gloves.
All bouts are scored by a ten points must system, with contestants scheduled to fight once the first night. The winners return on the second night and compete in a single elimination tournament.
Overall winners in each division would have fought once the first night and three or four times on the second night.
Although all four men have been in at least one Rough and Rowdy competition before, they will approach the coming bouts with different attitudes.
For the ever-confident Mike Miles, boxing is about knocking out his opponent as quickly as he can.
Miles, a 28-year-old lightweight in his third rough and rowdy, won the title as a light heavyweight in Lynchburg in 2004 and lost a close decision in Salem in the semifinals last year.
He holds the record for the fastest knockout in Rough and Rowdy history, having knocked out one of his opponents in only eight seconds during last year’s event.
The 2006 event is all about redemption for Miles, who lost by decision in the semifinals after he appeared to have the bout in hand.
“I always have something to prove, and all I ask is for a chance to box the guy who beat me last year in this one,” said Miles.
“He was the only man I didn’t knock out last year and that was the only bout I lost.”
Miles said he has trained thus far six to eight weeks, longer than last year, with the same regimen of running, swimming, weight lifting, as well as jumping rope and hitting the heavy bag.
“If you’re in condition and have in your mind that no one can beat you, then you’re in pretty good shape,” he added. “It’s all about confidence, and it takes a mental toll on you otherwise.”
The confident Miles does not see any of his fights going the distance this year.
“I have the mental edge necessary to win the title and I don’t see any of my fights lasting more than one round,” said Miles, who counts his right hook and left uppercut as his best finishing punches.
Cline, a 39-year-old heavyweight who lost by one point in a split decision for the title in 2001, goes into this competition with a more relaxed attitude.
“I had something to prove the first time, but I really feel the pressure is off and I want to go out a have a good time,” said Cline, who has changed his strategy for the April 28 event.
“This time, I’m going to box a little more and work my jab instead of just brawl, and try to set my opponent up for the third round.”
Cline said he has learned a lot from sparring with Miles, who taught Cline to bob and weave and become more of a defensive fighter.
“I think I took a little more punishment than I wanted the first time, and didn’t work on any defense, added Cline.”
Don’t confuse Cline’s more relaxed attitude for a lack of desire, he warns.
“I don’t want to get beat, I fought four times my first competition and knocked everyone out except the last one, and lost by a decision.
“I’ll either knock out my opponent or get knocked out this time, and I don’t want it to come down to a decision again.”
Both Cline and Miles feel they have a target on their back entering the Rough and Rowdy brawl, Cline because of his job as a Virginia State Trooper and Miles because of his confident and talkative nature.
“Everyone knows I’m a trooper and any police officer has a target on his back when they fight,” noted Cline.
“Mike has a target on his back because of his self confidence and he likes to play mind games with his opponent.”
Martin is competing in his fourth Rough and Rowdy Brawl, finishing third in 2003, losing a split decision in the semifinals in 2004, and winning his initial fight in 2005, before forced to the sidelines with an ankle injury.
The 26-year-old heavyweight feels a renewed sense of confidence entering this year’s competition.
“I feel stronger than I have ever been going in,” said Martin. “I’ve been hitting the bag, running and lifting weights, and I’ll continue to do that up until April 28.”
Martin, who trains out of town with another boxer, said he plans to close the deal and win the title this year with a strategy that best benefits his style.
“I haven’t lost my combinations since last time, and I’m working on my wind a little bit. My strength will be the difference this year, and I plan to cut off the ring from my opponent and get him in a corner.”
Martin said he’s had some tough battles in his division in the past, but has developed an array of punches to finish him off.
“All of my punches are finishing punches, but I have several set-up punches including my jab and uppercut.
“If I get inside, I’ll finish the job.”
Grissom is a 33-year-old heavyweight whose calm demeanor belies a confidence gained from a stern training regimen in preparation for this year’s bouts.
He last competed in 2004, winning his first round fight in another Rough and Rowdy event, but plans to go further this year.
The difference, according to Grissom, is in his preparation.
“My attitude is different, and I’ve prepared myself to face better boxers this time,” noted Grissom.
“There are always at least two very good boxers in every division, and they are the ones you want to train for.”
Grissom, who runs two to three miles three times a week in his training regimen, has also been swimming and sparring in preparation for the bouts in Salem.
“The competition has been getting better and better each year, and although they are different, the Ultimate Fighting Championships may have been influential in the number of people entering the Rough and Rowdy Brawl,” said Grissom.
He plans to use a different strategy than his first competition, one relying on more patience and technique.
“I used to look for the one big opening, but I’ve learned now to stick and move, to throw a punch and then cover up,” Grissom said.
“This time I have more confidence and I plan to go further this time.”

Field Of Dreams?

It wasn’t all that long ago that South Boston’s Carter Field was a bright, vibrant field of dreams for youngsters in the South Boston Dixie Youth Baseball League.
Today, the upper field at Carter Field stands bare as a vandalized dumping ground – a heart-wrenching sight I wish I had not seen.
Although I am past the half-century mark in age, I recall quite well the great times I had playing ball there. I was not an all-star, I was nowhere on the radar screen as far as being a great hitter or fielder and was probably somewhere towards the mediocre side when it came to pitching and playing right field.
For me, it was all about fun – playing baseball with and against my childhood friends and school classmates. I had a wonderful coach – the late Everett Taylor. I learned a lot about the game of baseball, some life lessons and had fun in the process.
Carter Field was a special place, a bright, fun place, where an untold number of youngsters experienced some truly magical moments through the years.
Sadly, the upper field at Carter Field is now only a figment of its former self.
The once green carpet-like grass stands tall and brown. Small trees are trying to grow up along the fence. Dirty dugouts now contain roadside signs and the bleachers are now little more than a series of broken boards.
Carter Field’s main building has been broken into and heavily vandalized. The trophy cases that once housed trophies and memorabilia from the league’s storied past is smashed. The concession stand has been destroyed by vandals. Windows have been broken out and restrooms have been destroyed.
Carter Field, my friends, is in ruins.
I am not sure who owns or controls the upper field and its facilities at Carter Field or who looks after the place. My last and best recollection is that Dixie Inc. owns and controls it, but, I may be wrong.
I really do not care at this point who owns and controls the upper field at Carter Field. What I do care about is that a facility that has a historical place in our community, a good facility that could have continued to serve today as a viable baseball and/or softball facility for our young people and our community leagues is now gone.
In my mind, it is a crime what people have let happen to the upper field at Carter Field and there is no excuse that can be offered that will change my mind about that.
What people have done is waste a perfectly good field and facility that could have been and should have been kept in operation by our community baseball and softball programs or, possibly, for the use of the South Boston Recreation Department.
Regardless of the circumstances, people dropped the ball badly when it came to the upper field at Carter Field – badly enough that the red error light on a huge imaginary scoreboard should come on for those people that had a hand in this debacle.
For those that may ask about fixing up the place – all I can say is that I envision it will take a great deal of work and money to rescue the field and facility – perhaps so much that it may not be viable to do it.
While bases remain on what was once the infield, a small reminder of days gone by, I realize that the upper field at Carter Field is dead and, probably, gone. It is no longer a field for anyone’s dreams.
Thankfully, I still have the memories of my days and nights on that storied diamond and the fun that was had and shared there for so many years.

SVCC Force Wins Final Two Games

The Southside Virginia Community College Force men’s basketball team from the John H. Daniel Campus ran its winning streak to 12 with a pair of wins on the hardwood last week.
SVCC opened the week with a 90-82 win on the road over Roanoke-Chowan Community College last Monday night and finished the week with a 109-66 win over the VCU men’s club basketball team in Richmond on Saturday.
The two wins improved the Force to 15-2 on the season.
“I am really proud of the way our kids are coming together,” said SVCC Force coach Dennis Smith.
“We are hoping to build on this and make a run in the state tournament.”
The Force jumped out to a big lead on Saturday afternoon as Jeff Pillow (Randolph-Henry HS) scored 14 points in the first half and Brandon Marsh added 10 as the Force took a 61-29 lead.
The Force cruised in the second half to the lopsided win.
Thomas Morrison (Lunenburg HS) led the Force with 21 points in the game on 9 of 12 shooting from the field while Marsh scored 18 and pulled down 10 rebounds.
Kevin Coles (Bluestone HS) scored 15 points for SVCC while Pillow added 14 points and 16 rebounds.
Keshawn Pickens (Cumberland HS) scored 13 in the win while Juston Havens (Amelia Academy) added 10 points
Park View graduate Brandon Baker served as coach of the VCU club team.

SVCC - 61 48 – 109
VCU - 29 37 - 66

SVCC SCORING – Haskins 7, Pillow 14, Owen 4, Pickens 13, Watson 4, Coles 15, Havens 10, Marsh 18, Morrison 21, Graves 2, Turner 0.

SVCC 90 Roanoke-Chowan 82
The Force jumped out to a commanding 49-32 first-half lead over Roanoke-Chown CC on Monday night and then hung on for a 90-82 win.
Donald Watson (Lunenburg HS) led the Force with 22 points and five steals in the game while Anthony Owen (Halifax High School) scored 19 and Coles added 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Marsh finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds for SVCC while Jonathan Haskins (Bluestone HS) added nine.

SVCC - 49 41 – 90
RCCC - 32 50 – 82

SVCC SCORING – Haskins 9, Owen 19, Watson 22, Coles 16, Havens 4, Marsh 12, Morrison 8.
VCCS State Tourney
The Force will open state tourney play at 4 p.m. Friday against Thomas Nelson Community College in Danville.
The SVCC Panthers (14-3) from the Christanna Campus are scheduled to play Tidewater Community College in the tourney opener at 2 p.m. Friday.
The semifinals and finals are set for Saturday and Sunday at John M. Langston High School in Danville.