Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Boards Consider Nixing Auto Decals

Administrative Issues Cited On Delay Of Vehicle Decal Elimination

The Halifax County Board of Supervisors and the town councils of South Boston and Halifax agreed to form a committee to study the elimination of auto decals in the three jurisdictions. The action followed a lengthy discussion on the matter.
The action came as the three governing bodies convened for their bi-monthly joint meeting at the Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
During a discussion of the matter, County Administrator Bryan Foster told the Boards that the elimination of auto decals would result in around $20,000 in administrative savings for the county.
The county receives around $650,000 in revenue from decals annually, Foster said.
The question, Foster said, is how would the county treasurer will bill motorists for the decal fee, which ranges from $25 for cars and trucks to $5 for motorcycles.
Currently, disabled veterans, prisoners of war, volunteer firefighters and antique vehicles are not charged for auto decals.
“Are you going to make up the revenue through a decal fee on the tax bill, or an increase in the tax rate,” Foster said.
Responding to a question by Supervisor Chairman William Fitzgerald, Foster said the easiest solution would be to increase the tax rate for vehicles.
“I believe the least confusing for motorists would be to identify a separate (decal) fee for each vehicle,” Fitzgerald said.
“But then you’d levy the fee not only on vehicle owners, but the owners of other property as well,” Foster responded. “That’s the first decision you have to make – whether to put the decal fee on as a separate fee on the bill.”
Supervisors had indicated during their previous planning retreat that they would like to implement the elimination of auto decals by 2007, a time frame that would require administrative changes by this October.
“And that will require changes to the programming of our current system for this one year while we are still implementing the new system,” Foster said. The county is in the process of updating its taxation and billing software.
The second issue, according to the county administrator, is “how do you want to handle the decals that are currently free?”
“The more complicated you make the rates, the more difficult it is,” Foster said. “When the county adopts its budget, you’re going to have to have identified the revenue.”
Following the discussion, South Boston Town Councilman Coleman Speece asked “are you convinced that this is something that needs to be fixed? Is it broken?”
A committee consisting of Supervisor Doug Bowman, South Boston Councilman Chris Elliott and Halifax Councilman Allen Stevens were appointed to address the matter.
Suggestions On Equalization/Assessments
Board of Equalization Chairman Doug Powell offered the joint Board some observations on the recent hearings following this year’s property assessment.
Powell serves on the Board with Jesse Hawkins and Rosemary Ramsey.
“Although we are not aware of any requirement that we appear before you as we are doing to make a report, we felt it was appropriate that we do so,” Powell said.
“We will not report on any hard numbers as such information must come to you from the Commissioner of the Revenue. However, during the appeal hearings we made some observations that we would like to share with you.”
Powell told the joint Board that during the last assessment cycle, which covered a six-year span, many residents experienced “sticker shock.”
“Property owners, especially those who had not followed the market very well, were amazed and puzzled at how much their assessed real property values had increased,” he said. “The Board of Equalization then heard scores of appeals during a process that lasted a number of weeks. Most appeals then did not claim that the assessment had been conducted in an unequal manner, but that the assessed values were just too high.”
Powell suggested that the new two-year assessment cycle could be responsible for the “significant” decrease in appeals this year.
As a result of this year’s appeal process, some adjustments were made, Powell said, but added that an additional issue has risen.
“The term is ‘functional obsolescence,’” he said. “Businesses are often assessed according to their ability to produce income, whereas farms and private residences are normally assessed on a process based on market values.”
During this year’s appeal period, Powell told the Board that the group was presented with some appeals where the owners described property that had lost its ability to produce income commensurate with the assessed value.
“The claims stated that when the demand for such businesses goes away due to market changes, the property is often not usable for other types of businesses,” he said. “We heard this condition described from a variety of types of income-producing properties and did see a few such properties where the assessed value is going down,” Powell added. “One would hope and assume that newly-developed properties would offset some of this loss of tax base. If not, one can expect the result to be a shifting of the tax burden to other properties.”
During his address to the joint Board, Powell once again addressed the need for land use taxation.
“We observed that which has been widely reported, both locally and nationwide, and that is the very rapid increase in rural land values,” he said.
Powell said that in Virginia, agricultural property values increased by 21.9 percent last year.
“We are aware of the concept of land use assessment which our county does not have,” he said. “It would perhaps be improper for us as a Board of Equalization to recommend such a program for our county, but perhaps it should be reviewed again due to the continuing shifting of the tax burden to the farming community.”
In other business, Foster told the joint Board that the closing of South Boston’s landfill is rapidly approaching and “we’ve got some issues to work out.”
Foster said that the process of moving from a county to regional waste system has “moved from a concept to a reality.”
“With this new reality, work must begin in earnest on the local decisions needed regarding the issues of collection and transportation of solid waste to the new landfill facility in Mecklenburg County,” he said.
The biggest issue, according to the county administrator, is whether or not to build a facility where trucks would deposit their loads for transfer to larger trucks, known as a transfer station.
Other issues include the disposal of items such as tires and appliances.
“These are the significant collective decisions that need to be made by the three governing bodies,” Foster said.

High-Speed Accident Claims Clover Man

Car Was Travelling Over 100 mph, Police Say

A 23-year-old Clover man died at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville Sunday evening following a single-vehicle accident on Highway 360, according to Virginia State Police Information Officer Sergeant David Cooper.
Tyrone N. Dunkley, of Green Valley Road, was pronounced dead at 8:16 p.m. Sunday, Cooper said.
The accident occurred at approximately 4:30 a.m. Sunday morning, one mile south of Route 344, when Dunkley’s Lincoln 4-door ran off the left side of the road, overturned several times and ejected Dunkley from the vehicle, according to the police report.
Police said the vehicle was traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour and Dunkley was not wearing a seat belt.
Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $8,000.
Virginia State Trooper D.J. Cline is the investigating officer and the investigation is ongoing, Cooper said.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Spanish Grove Baptist Church.

THE Destination In Southside

Supervisors Told Tourism Spurring Revenue Growth

“We’ve always talked about when ‘it’ happens,” Halifax County Tourism Director Linda Shepperd told the governing bodies of Halifax County and the towns of South Boston and Halifax. “’It’ is happening and we need to start talking about what is happening now.”
Shepperd told the Boards that tourism revenue is steadily growing.
Citing attendance of between 640,000 and 650,000 at county events, Shepperd told the Boards that sales and lodging tax in the county totaled $55,714 last year, with projections of an increase to around $89,000 this year.
“In comparing apples to apples, there’s a 62 percent increase in county lodging tax revenue,” she said. “If we continue at the pace we’re at, we are on track for around $90,000 this year.”
The good news continues for South Boston.
Shepperd told the Boards that in fiscal year 2004-2005, the town received $102,606 in lodging tax revenue.
Between June and December of 2004, the town received $52,971, while the following year that number jumped to $82,060.
“That is a 55 percent increase, or an additional $29,089,” she said. “If we continue at this pace, we’re looking at fiscal year 2005-2006 tax revenues for lodging of $163,000.”
With attractions such as VIR, South Boston Speedway and events like the recent Crossing of the Dan celebration, Shepperd said tourism revenue shouldn’t be taken lightly.
“This is just the start of what will happen,” she said, citing the Crossing celebration. “We’ve found an event that happened in our county that’s started being talked about all over our country.”
The tourism director said that restaurants such as Molasses Grille and Bistro 1888 are also contributing to the region’s tourism dollars.
“We have restaurants in the county that have become a draw unto themselves,” she said. “Most of the time, when people travel they simply stop somewhere and eat. But many times, Bistro and Molasses Grille are the destination.”
Shepperd also reminded the Boards that our tobacco heritage and natural resources were also draws.
“Our fields may not be filled with tobacco any longer, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate our heritage,” she said.
Recent features in local, national and regional media are also fueling the tourism industry.
Shepperd said Halifax County features have been published in Metro Magazine, the Washington Post, Virginia Living Magazine, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Evince and on Blue Ridge Public Television and in numerous hospitality trade magazines.
“The tour operators are calling and they’re beginning to come,” she said. “Perception is reality and we have to sell what we have here.
“People are just thrilled about Halifax County and what we have here,” Shepperd added. “It’s not just one thing. It’s everything together. When people come, they talk about the wonderful way they were treated by the people in Halifax County.”

Obituaries

Tyrone Nathaniel Dunkley
Tyrone Nathaniel Dunkley of 4023 Green Valley Road, Clover, died Sunday, March 19, 2006, at University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, at the age of 23.
Mr. Dunkley was born July 2, 1982, in Halifax County to Warren N. Dunkley and Yvette Snead Dunkley. He was employed by Dollar General Distribution Center.
Survivors include two daughters, Tykasja Dunkley of Clover and Jada Dunkley of South Boston; one son, Tysean Dunkley of South Boston; his mother and father of the home; one sister, Kaianna Dunkley of Clover; one brother, Torrance Dunkley of Clover; h is maternal grandmother, Irene Snead of South Boston; his paternal great-grandmother, Alice Dunkley of Alexandria; and a devoted friend, Monica Thaxton.
Funeral services for Mr. Dunkley will be held tomorrow, March 23, at 2 p.m. at Spanish Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Ronnie Womack officiating. Burial will follow in the Snead Family Cemetery in Saxe.
The family will receive friends at the home.
Henry Pleasants
Henry Pleasants, 83, of 1032 Ferrell Trail, South Boston died March 19, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Pleasants was born in Halifax County on May 15, 1922, to the late Luther Pleasants and Norine Lacks Pleasants. He was a member of Bethel Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include four daughters, Regene Pleasants Coleman of Lynchburg, Carolyn Pleasants Ferrell of South Boston, Debora Ann Pleasants of Columbia, S.C. and Lacie Inez Pleasants of Chesapeake; two sons, Freddie Leon Pleasants of Lynchburg and Larrie David Pleasants of Virginia Beach; one sister, Irene Snead of South Boston; two brothers, Van Pleasants of New York and Freddie Pleasants of Drakes Branch; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Pleasants will be held March 24, at 1 p.m. at New Arbor Baptist Church with the Rev. Nelson Stamps officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.
Carroll Otis Redd
Carroll Otis Redd, 65, of 116 Rose Hill Drive, South Boston, died Saturday, March 11, 2006 at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County, Martinsville.
He was born in Pittsylvania County, to the late Matthew Thomas Redd and Mattie Lee Davis Redd on July 10, 1940.
Mr. Redd retired from Dan River Mills after more than 20 years service.
Surviving are his sister, Dorothy Mae O’Dell and brother, Monroe Redd both of Eden, N.C. Also, a brother, Melvin Redd of Roxboro, N.C.
A graveside service will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 25, 2006 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Cemetery with Pastor Daryl Law officiating.

One That Got Away

The HCHS Varsity Baseball Team Fell Short In A Final Inning Bid And Lost To Dan River 3-2 Here Monday Night

Halifax County needed a disputed play to go its way in the final inning to get one last shot at tying the game and getting a win over Dan River here Monday night.
It didn’t happen and the Comets fell 3-2 in the tight, hard fought game played in grueling cold conditions.
Monday’s loss was the second loss in a row for the Comets whose record dropped to 1-2 overall. Dan River improved its record to 2-2 with the win.
“Sometimes it falls our way and sometimes it doesn’t,” mused Comets coach Kelvin Davis.
“ It just didn’t fall our way tonight.”
The game ended on a disputed call with the Comets’ Matt Conner batting with two out in the bottom of the seventh inning and Bobby Owens in scoring position on third base. Conner hit a slow rolling ball to the Dan River shortstop who had to make a hurried throw to first base as Owens dashed to the plate and Conner ran to first base.
The ball appeared to have popped out of the first baseman’s glove as Conner’s foot touched the bag but the umpire ruled that it did not and called Conner out on the close play.

Davis questioned the call with both the umpire that made the call and the home plate umpire but to no avail.
“I thought the ball came out but I was all the way over at third base,” Davis said.
“ I saw the ball coming but he (the umpire) is there. He made the call and we have to live by that.”
Davis pointed out, however, that the game should have never come down to that one play.
“It would have never gotten that way if we had hit the baseball,” he pointed out.
The Comets struggled at the plate for the second straight game, getting only three hits. Two of the three hits came in the bottom of the fourth inning when leadoff batter Willie Stephens started the inning with a base hit. He moved to second base on a sacrifice from Scott Gieselman and scored on a home run from Justin Bagbey with two out in the inning.
Bagbey’s homer gave the Comets a 2-1 lead, a lead which they held until Dan River’s Josh Monk lashed a two-RBI single off of relief pitcher Chris Fisher in the top of the sixth inning. Monk was the first batter Fisher faced after coming into the game to relieve Owens who exited with the bases loaded from three walks and two outs in the inning.
The Comets made a bid to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth inning when Stephens led off with his second hit of the game, moved to second base on a sacrifice from Gieselman, and advanced to third base on a wild pitch.
However, Stephens was left stranded when Jeremy Jeffress went down on strikes for the second out and Bagbey grounded out to the third baseman to end the inning.
The Comets got their final chance in the bottom of the seventh inning when Owens reached base on an error to start the inning. A passed ball and a wild pitch enabled him to move to third base.
David Lacks and Tony Barbour both went down on strikes and Conner stepped up to pinch hit for Jacob Swillie hoping to get a hit that would allow Owens to score. Conner made contact but Dan River got the final out to end the game.
While the Comets lost their second straight game, things weren’t all bad.
Owens gave the Comets a good performance on the mound, fanning nine batters while allowing four hits and five walks. Fisher did well on the hill also, fanning two batters and yielding one hit and one walk.
“I thought Bobby did a heck of a job,” said Davis.
“.I thought he did a great job. He kept the guys off balance and he had control of his changeup and hit his spots. A pitcher that throws a ballgame like that should have a win under his belt. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the runs he needed to secure that win.”
Davis also praised Fisher’s effort.
“I thought Fisher did a great job,” Davis said.
“Fish came into the game in a tight situation but he still threw strikes.”
Offensively, the Comets didn’t fare well against Dan River hurler John Wilson, getting only three hits, two of which came from Stephens, and the home run from Bagbey.
“We didn’t hit the baseball well tonight,” Davis pointed out.
Willie had two hits and “Buzzard” did a good job coming in and getting that key home run for us. We’ve just got to get somebody else to help on offense.”
While the loss was disappointing, Davis said he still saw good things from his team.
“I see some positive things that are going on with the ballclub,” he said.
“ We’ve got to keep a positive outlook as far as our team is concerned. These guys have been playing baseball a long time and they know that sometimes the ball is not going to bounce their way. It just didn’t bounce our way tonight.”
The Comets are slated to be in action again today, hosting Baldwin (Pa.) High School in a 5 p.m. game, weather and field conditions permitting. Halifax County will finish up its week with a home game at 5 p.m. Friday against Tunstall high School.

Boys Tennis Wins District Opener At Franklin County

Unbeaten Comets Defeat Eagles 5-0

The Comets boys tennis team improved to 4-0 Monday at Franklin County, defeating the Eagles in its first Western Valley District match of the season.
With the match decided after singles competition, doubles were not played due to inclement weather.
Five singles matches were completed, Michael Boyd winning 6-1, 6-1 at number two singles over Aaron Waters, Richard Evans at number three 6-0, 6-1 over Jacques Delport and Justus Eisenbeiss at number four with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Zach Trubing.
Patrick Barnes defeated Johnver Atienza 6-0, 6-0 and Chris Moore beat Andy Kelley 6-1, 6-2 at numbers five and six singles, respectively.
The number one singles match between the Comets’ Michael DeJarnette and the Eagles’ Chandler Macenheimer was called due to weather, the pair having split the first two sets.
“All the guys put forth really solid efforts,” said Comets coach David Riddle. “They’re all playing really smart tennis right now.
“We are simply making fewer mistakes than our opponents, which hasn’t been the case at times in the past”
The Comets are also showing a great desire to win, according to Riddle, clinching the match before the number one singles was called due to weather.
“I was hoping that we would be able to get in doubles, but the weather started getting really bad near the end of singles. Rain was falling and the courts were getting wet.
“After starting out with a great first week, it felt really good to continue on with a win to start district play.”
The Comets travel Friday to district opponent Patrick Henry for a 5 p.m. match.
Halifax 5, Franklin County 0
Singles Results
1. Michael DeJarnette (H) vs Chandler Macenheimer (called due to weather)
2. Michael Boyd (H) defeated Aaron Waters 6-1, 6-1
3. Richard Evans (H) defeated Jacques Delport 6-0, 6-1
4. Justus Eisenbeiss (H) Zach Trubing 6-0, 6-1
5. Patrick Barnes (H) defeated Johnver Atienza 6-0, 6-0
6. Chris Moore (H) defeated Andy Kelley 6-1, 6-2

 

HCHS Comets Girls Netters Get First Win

Halifax County Defeated Franklin County 9-0 At Home On Monday

The Comets girls tennis team picked just the right time to pick up their first win of the season, getting a big 9-0 win here Monday over Western Valley District opponent Franklin County.
Halifax swept all six singles matches in straight sets and added three doubles wins in the shutout win that got the Comets off to a good start in the district, according to coach Greg Donner.
“We’re happy to start district play in a positive manner,” said Donner. “We started the season with two losses to some good non-district teams and it’s nice to get on track with a match that means more in the overall scheme of things.”
Shanna Luck, Colleen Barnes, Sarah Bradford McCollum, Teylor Edmonds, Lee Lewis and Seanna Bradley, the Comets’ one through six singles seeds, all won their matches, as Halifax clinched the match win even before doubles play.
Luck had a dominant match at number one singles, downing Brianna Aliff 6-0, 6-0 while Barnes used a steady baseline approach to beat Caroline Lash 6-2, 6-2.
“This was Barnes’ best outing of the year and should be a boost to her game as the season progresses,” said Donner.
McCollum also won her match at number three singles with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Cary Scott, and Edmonds defeated Kaleigh Wood 6-4, 6-4 at number four.
Lewis beat Abigail Bauman 6-2, 6-2 and Bradley overcame Laura Bauman 6-4, 6-4 at numbers five and six singles, respectively.
The teams used eight-game pro sets for doubles competition, with Luck and Barnes winning 8-0 over Katie Hutchins and Britany Washburn, McCollum and Lewis defeating Abigail and Laura Bauman 8-4, and Kandance Irby and Lauren Tetterton winning the final doubles match.
“It was a good night for the Comets and should provide some positive attitudes going into the second match against Prince Edward,” said Donner.
“The Comets dropped their opening match to Prince Edward and are looking to do better than their last meeting.”
The Comets are also scheduled to meet GW here Friday, with the matches scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.