Wall Street Journal Weighs In On Uranium Debate
Op Ed Article Quotes SCC Chairman

Virginia’s rolling countryside has attracted the attention of Max Schulz, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, whose opinion piece entitled “Virginia Is Sitting on the Energy Mother Lode” was published in the Wall Street Journal on Saturday, July 26.
Schulz explains the largest undeveloped uranium depot in the United States – and the seventh largest in the world – sits on land owned by neighbors Henry Bowen and Walter Coles.
He further explains this anomaly of large uranium deposits close to the surface are virtually unheard of in the U. S. east of the Mississippi River and that Virginia is one of just four states that ban uranium mining.
The article states, “Messrs. Bowen and Coles, who last year formed a company called Virginia Uranium, are asking the state to determine whether mining uranium really is a hazard and, if not, to lift the ban. But they’ve run into a brick wall of environmental activists who raise the specter of nuclear contamination and who are determined to prevent scientific studies of the issue.
“The Piedmont Environmental Council is one of the leading opponents. It warns of the “enormous quantities of radioactive waste” produced by uranium mining.
“Jack Dunavant, head of the Southside Concerned Citizens in nearby Halifax County, is another outspoken critic. He paints a picture of environmental apocalypse. ‘There will be a dead zone within a 30 mile radius of the mine,’ he says with a courtly drawl. ‘Nothing will grow. Animals will die. The radiation genetically alters tissue. Animals will not be able to reproduce. We’ll see malformed fetuses.’”
Dunvant said the article’s author contacted him several days before the article appeared in the Wall Street Journal.
“He identified himself as a free lance writer and told me someone had given him my name to get more information for his story,” he said.
The SCC chairman said Schulz quoted him “pretty accurately,” but he added, “I gave him much more information than he used. I gave him the whole spill telling him that the mining couldn’t be done safely, and that it was for a period of 30 to 40 years.”
Dunavant said he also spoke of the air and water pollution that would result “once it gets out,” and he said, “I told him it’s there forever.”
“I told him the same thing I’ve been saying all along,” Dunavant added.
Schulz reflected the concerns of the SCC chairman summing up Dunavant’’s assertions of the danger associated with uranium mining in one paragraph of the story.
The remainder of the opinion piece reflects Schulz’s favor for uranium mining.
“Yet it is not as if we have no experience with uranium mining, which is in fact relatively harmless. Handled properly, the yellowcake that is extracted is no more hazardous than regular household chemicals (and unlike coal, it won’t smolder and combust),” Schulz wrote.
He also quoted James Kelly, who directed the nuclear engineering program at the University of Virginia for many years, saying that fears about uranium mining are wildly overblown.
“It’s an aesthetic nightmare, but otherwise safe in terms of releasing any significant radioactivity or pollution,” Kelly told Schulz. “It would be ugly to look at, but from the perspective of any hazard I wouldn’t mind if they mined across the street from me.”
Schulz continued, “The situation is rich with irony as well as uranium. While you can’t mine yellowcake, it is perfectly legal in Virginia to process enriched uranium into usable nuclear fuel, which is somewhat dangerous to handle. A subsidiary of the French nuclear giant Areva operates a fuel fabrication facility in Lynchburg 50 miles from Chatham. It has been praised by Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, as a good corporate citizen. The state is also home to four commercial nuclear reactors, which provide Virginians with 35% of their electricity. And, of course, the U.S. Navy operates nuclear ships out of Norfolk,” he wrote.
Schulz cited other statistics to support his viewpoint in the opinion piece.
“Across the country, there are 104 commercial nuclear reactors. They consume 67 million pounds of uranium annually, the vast majority of which is imported from Australia, Canada and former Soviet republics. The 200-acre Coles Hill deposit (Mr. Coles’s family has lived on the spot since 1785) is thought to contain nearly twice that amount. For Messrs. Bowen and Coles, with the long-term price of uranium near $80 per pound, that means they are sitting on about $10 billion worth of ore. But for the rest of us, it means they are sitting on an opportunity to make the U.S. more energy self-sufficient.”
“Since Virginia is already a nuclear-friendly state that properly manages the risks of nuclear power, what sense does it make for the state to ban the safest step in the nuclear fuel cycle?” he asked.
Schulz further points out that “Gov. Kaine supports allowing the National Academy of Sciences to determine whether mining could be done safely. So does virtually every elected official in heavily Republican Pittsylvania County.”
Earlier this year the narrowly Democratic state Senate voted 34-6 to authorize the study. But the measure was killed in committee in the House under pressure from environmental groups. If it was allowed to come up for a vote in the full House, which is controlled by Republicans, opponents concede it would have passed.
“Mr. Dunavant doesn’t believe the governor has an open mind on the issue,” Schulz wrote. “He calls Mr. Kaine, ‘our supposed green governor’ and says that the ‘only thing green about him is his love of money.’ Coles Hill ‘is all about greed,’ Dunavant says. “It’s criminal activity as far as I’m concerned,” Schulz wrote.
He then offered Coles’ viewpoint saying, “For his part, Mr. Coles can’t understand the hostility.”
He quoted Coles as saying, “I tell these groups that my concerns are your concerns. I have been protecting the environment here for decades, long before any of them became interested in this land.” He’s received offers to buy his land for sums that would make him incredibly wealthy, but has turned them down. “We love the land. My family has lived here for over 200 years. We’re going to continue to live here. That’s the reason we decided to keep it, as opposed to selling out.”
Shultz concluded the opinion piece with his belief that “If the U.S. is to expand nuclear power’s role in a time of energy insecurity and climate change worries, we will have to confront the hysterical antinuclear pronouncements that have been the currency of environmentalists for nearly 30 years. The Old Dominion could be a good place for a new start.”

Supes To Hold Hearing On Eliminating Decals
Tonight at 6:30 p.m.

Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the elimination of county decals during their regular meeting tonight beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the second floor meeting room at Mary Bethune Office Complex in Halifax.
The county proposes to eliminate the requirement of purchasing an annual decal, and instead substitute the decal fee with a local vehicle license fee to be included as part of the annual personal property tax bill.
In addition to eliminating the purchase of the decals, the proposed ordinance includes provisions to change the license year to January 1 through December 31 and ties the local license fee schedule to the DMV license fee schedule.
The ordinance is scheduled to take effect immediately, and the license tax will appear on 2008 personal property tax bills.
According to County Administrator Bryan Foster, the ordinance does not eliminate the responsibility of taxpayers to pay the annual motor vehicle license fee.
Instead it is adding payment of the fee to the personal property tax bill in lieu of a separate billing, he explained.
At the conclusion of tonight’s public hearing, the board is expected to take action on the proposed amendments, Foster said.
In other action tonight, supervisors are expected to adopt a resolution reaffirming the county paying the employee share of retirement contributions for the Virginia Retirement System.
Also tonight, County Administrator Foster will update supervisors on the opening of the transfer station later this month, and supervisors are expected to set tipping fees for private users of the new facility located off Plywood Trail.
According to Foster, the transfer station is expected to be complete and operational by mid-August.
“As this is a start-up operation for the county, we initially plan on only accepting solid waste collected by the county and the towns of Halifax and South Boston so that we may work any potential kinks out of the system,” Foster said. “Once we are comfortable with the operations of the transfer station (approximately in September), we plan on accepting private haulers that collect waste within the county as well.”
Foster said the board will be asked to establish a tip fee to charge private haulers who may begin using the transfer station.
The county’s two main costs are the tip fee charged by the regional landfill and the transportation costs of getting waste from the transfer station to the landfill.
The current tip fee at the regional landfill is $35.50 per ton.
Based upon current prevailing diesel fuel prices, the cost per haul from the transfer station is currently $236 per load, according to Foster.
In order to not subsidize these two direct expenses, Foster is recommending the board set an initial tip fee of $49.50 per ton for all private haulers using the transfer station.
This fee is only for private haulers, Foster pointed out. The county pays the expense for residential solid waste collected by the two towns.
Supervisors also will be asked to approve a memorandum of understanding between the Halifax County School Board and board of supervisors establishing an equine studies center at the fairground.
According to the memorandum of understanding, the school board will construct an equine studies program building with related structures on property located at the county-owned fairgrounds.
Should the county sell the fairgrounds property, the memorandum states the county will replace at no cost to the school system the building and related structures at a location designated by the school board.
Also slated for discussion at tonight’s supervisors meeting are the following:
• The Agricultural Forestal District (AFD) proposal is still a pending item after an enabling ordinance was presented at the June 2 meeting.
• Several appointments are expected to be made including appointing Heidi Dawson to the vacant position on the Library Board to replace Betty Jo Dawson whose term expired in June.
• A request for a new road name for a private road in ED-1 is expected to be considered. The private road leads to property in Pittsylvania County.
• Virginia Department of Transportation Residency Administrator Joe Barkley is scheduled to present his monthly report.
• Joseph Edwards, executive director of the Southside Community Services Board, is expected to present the CSB’s annual performance contract that requires board approval.
• And Carlyle Wimbish is slated to give an update on the activities of the Old Dominion RC&D.

County Gets Final Word On State Budget Cuts

When supervisors meet tonight for their regular monthly meeting in Halifax, they will be asked to make a choice as to how cuts to the state budget will be handled as they impact the county’s current budget.
County Administrator Bryan Foster said he received official notification on July 23 from the state regarding budget cuts affecting the county, and now the county must notify the state of its intended action no later than August 30.
At the time the county’s budget was adopted in the spring, supervisors estimated there would be a reduction of approximately $250,000 in each year of the biennial budget.
Official numbers from the State Department of Planning and Budget indicate Halifax County will see a reduction of $230,825 in fiscal year 2009 and $233,729 in 2010.
Translated, Foster said, that means the county has a $230,825 deficit in the current budget that must be corrected.
“The simplest solution is to use this amount from reserves to balance the budget,” he said, recalling from budget deliberations that was the thinking of the board.
However, he pointed out supervisors could decide to reduce spending by a like amount or use a combination of the two.
A calculation of the state reductions means the end result is that state aid to Halifax County will be reduced by $230,825 in the current year, and Foster proposed four ways to achieve the budget cuts.
The board can accept the calculated reductions in each area.
The board can divide the cuts however it wishes among the areas listed as long as the total reduction is $230,825.
The board can send a check to the Commonwealth for $230,825, and no reductions in state aid will be made.
The board can accept some reductions and send a check to the state for the difference.
Foster said supervisors need to make a decision on this issue and respond to the state no later than August 30.

Obituaries

Benjamin Edison Kent

Benjamin Edison Kent, 64, of 1411 Penick Avenue, South Boston, Virginia, died Wednesday July 30, 2008 at Woodview Nursing Home in South Boston, Virginia.
Born July 5, 1944, in South Boston, Virginia, he was the son of the late Benjamin Kent, Sr. and the late Sarah Hudson Kent.
Survivors include one son, Darryl E. Kent of South Boston, VA; two sisters, Patricia Jennings and Cynthia Kent, both of South Boston, Virginia; and a host of other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends at the residence, 709 College Street, South Boston, Virginia.
Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 11:00 AM from Mount Olive Baptist Church with Rev. Marvin Bowman officiating. Interment will be in Rose Gardens Cemetery. Family visitation will be held Monday, August 4, 2008 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Mount Olive Baptist Church.
Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Ruth Buchanan Epes

Ruth Buchanan Epes, 78, passed away August 1, 2008, at her home in Chesterfield County.
She retired from Reynolds Metals Company on October 1, 1987, with 30 years of service.
She was predeceased by her husband Samuel C. Epes; brothers, John T. Buchanan of Clover, and Richard D. Buchanan of Richmond. She is survived by her sisters: Jane Buchanan of South Boston, Dorothy Wilmoth of Halifax, Blanche Bare of Fort Payne, Alabama, and her brother Roger Buchanan of Monroe.
She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
She was an accomplished artist who enjoyed painting and needlework, and she was a member of Clover Methodist Church.
Memorial services will be held at the Morrissett Funeral Home, 6500 Iron Bridge Road, (Rt. 10) Richmond, on Wednesday, August 6, at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Salvation Army at 2 West Grace Street, Richmond, VA. 23220 or Hospice of Virginia at 7321 Forest Ave., Suite 100, Richmond, VA. 23226.
Mr. Donnald Patrick Tutt

Mr. Donnald Patrick Tutt of 3158 Shady Grove Church, Virgilina, died Friday, August 1, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 57.
Mr. Tutt was born in Burlington, N.C. on December 6, 1950, to Mrs. Dorothy King Stephens and the late Mr. Andrew Tutt. He was married to Mrs. Gwendolyn Buster Tutt and was a member of Blue Wing Grove Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Tutt is survived by two daughters: Mrs. Stephanie Richardson of Danville and Ms. Jaime Tutt of Durham, N.C.; two sons: Mr. Vincent Tutt of Richmond and Mr. Quentin Tutt of Virgilina; nine grandchildren; his mother: Mrs. Dorothy King Stephens; four sisters: Mrs. Hulda Marie Foust of Burlington, N.C., Mrs. Dorothy Parham and Mrs. Sheila Campbell, both of Petersburg, and Mrs. Mae Muriel Pointer of Alton; seven brothers: Mr. William King of Rosedale, N.Y., Mr. Joe Stephens of South Boston, Mr. Fredrick Stephens of El Paso, Texas, Mr. Roger Stephens of Suffolk, Mr. Ezander Stephens of Baltimore, Md., Mr. Waverly Stephens and Mr. Henry Lee Stephens, both of New York, N.Y.; one son-in-law: Mr. Travis Richardson; two brothers-in-law; four sisters-in-law; one uncle; two aunts; a life long devoted friend: Mrs. Diana Edmonds of South Boston; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Donnald Patrick Tutt will be held Wednesday, August 6 at 1 p.m. with services at Blue Wing Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Lawrence Wilkerson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the residence, 3158 Shady Grove Church Road, Virgilina.
Funeral arrangements are by Jeffress Funeral Home, North Main Street, South Boston.
Mr. Thomas William Coleman

Mr. Thomas William Coleman of 1026 Gaitha’s Trail, Halifax, died Saturday, August 2, 2008, at his residence at the age of 66.
Mr. Coleman was born in Halifax County on February 17, 1942, and was the son of the late Mr. William Ruffin Coleman and Mrs. Lucy Mitchell Coleman Gears.
Mr. Thomas William Coleman is survived by one sister: Mrs. Willie Diane Blakey of Vernon Hill; three brothers: Mr. Henry Coleman of South Boston, Mr. Haygood Coleman of Halifax, and Mr. Leandrew Coleman of Newark, N.J.; two sisters-in-law: Mrs. Mary Coleman of South Boston, and Mrs. Henrietta Coleman of Newark, N.J.; two aunts; one uncle; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Thomas William Coleman will be held Tuesday, August 5, 2008, at 11 a.m. with services at the Crawford House Chapel in Halifax with Rev. Dr. Otis Dillard officiating.
Public viewing for family and friends will be Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Crawford House Chapel in Halifax and the family will receive friends at the residence of Mrs. Willie D. Blakey, 11072 Chatham Road, Vernon Hill.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements are by Jeffress Funeral Home, 2000 North Main Street, South Boston.

Gladys Tomlinson Smith

Gladys Tomlinson Smith, 82, of Fruitland Park, Florida, formerly of Victoria, died July 30, 2008.
She was the daughter of the late Hanny and Elsie Arthur Tomlinson and was married to Clarence D. Smith.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sisters, Estelle T. Scruggs of Norfolk and Inez T. Faris of Cheaspeake; two brothers, Henderson L. Tomlinson of Norfolk and Lacy W. Tomlinson of Victoria.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Lewis O. Tomlinson and Charles D. Tomlinson.
The family will receive friends Monday, August 4, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Staples Funeral Home, Victoria.
Funeral services will be conducted at Staples Funeral Home Tuesday at 11 a.m. with interment to follow in the Tomlinson Family Cemetery in Victoria. Please consider memorial contributions to Hospice c/o Halifax Regional Hospital, South Boston, VA 24592.

Walter Albert Davis

Walter Albert Davis, 88, of 118 Wilmouth Avenue, South Boston, died Sunday, August 3, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Born April 18, 1920, in Halifax County, Mr. Davis was the son of the late Henry Thomas Davis and the late Rose Phillips Davis.
He served in the Army, was a retired machinist at Halifax Cotton Mill and was of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by four daughters: Nancy D. Hill and husband Bill, Tammy Fitch and Krista D. Conner and husband Tony, all of South Boston, Sheila D. Henry and husband Stephan of Gloucester, MA; two sons: Phil R. Davis of South Boston, and Marty J. Davis and wife Amy of Haysi; the mother of his children: Jo Davis of South Boston; 10 grandchildren: Jeff Hill and wife Kelly, Jennifer Laughorn and husband Craig, Sarah Henry and husband Nathan, Sean Davis, Meagan Fitch, Travis Whitt, Emily Conner, Allie Conner, Chase Conner and Zachary Davis; three great-grandchildren: Sarah Laughorn, Caroline Laughorn and Abby Hill; a number of nieces and nephews, and special friends Gloria Fleig and Donna Shiflett.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Davis was preceded in death by one sister, Susie Snow; and four brothers, George Davis, William Davis, Shirley Ray Davis and Milford Davis.
The family will receive friends at Brooks Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and at other times at the home of Nancy and Bill Hill, 105 Duncan Court, South Boston.
A funeral service for Mr. Davis will be held at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel Wednesday, August 6, 2008, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Don Bryant officiating.
Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family requests that those wishing to give memorials please consider the Halifax County Cancer Association, P. O. Box 875, South Boston, Va. 24592.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@embarqmail.com

Walk-Off Homer Lifts Jr. Boys To World Series Win
By Doug Ford
Dylan Hendricks hit a three-run, walk-off homer in the bottom of the seventh inning Saturday to lift the Halifax County Junior Dixie Boys to a 9-7 win over Georgia in the Dixie Boys World Series.
Halifax County played Texas last night, with the winner getting a bye to Tuesday.
Halifax County rallied three times to overcome Georgia, the final time in its last at-bat, and that rally made up for some frustrating at-bats earlier in the game, Halifax failing to score after loading the bases in the third and sixth innings.
Georgia took a 2-0 lead in its first at-bat, the runs coming on two hits and a walk, but Halifax tied the score in the second inning.
Andrew Hamlett and Tyler Dunn each collected a base hit, before Nicholas Anderson plated them both with a key two-run double to make it 2-2.
Georgia re-took the lead with two runs on two hits in the third, but Halifax County again tied the score with a pair in the fifth, the runs coming on a Dillon Puryear single, Hendricks double and Georgia error.
Georgia plated two runs on two hits and a Halifax error to make it 6-4 after six innings, and added what it thought was an insurance run on one hit and another Halifax error in the top of the seventh to make it 7-4.
Again, Halifax County responded, Dunn drawing a walk and Jacob New getting a base hit, before Ryan Yates knocked Dunn home with an RBI single to make it 7-5.
Puryear reached base on an error to score New and make it 7-6, before Hendricks blasted his home run to win the game.
Halifax County finished with 14 hits for the game, Hendricks with three hits and three RBIs, and Puryear with three hits.
Nicholas Anderson had two hits and two RBIs, Avery Anderson two hits, and Yates, Hamlett, Dunn and New a hit apiece.
Puryear pitched seven innings to get the win for Halifax County, giving up seven runs (three unearned) on eight hits, while striking out seven batters.

Dixie Boys Drop World Series Opener

By Doug Ford
A sixth-inning solo home run by William Worley was all the Halifax County Dixie Boys all-stars could muster Saturday in a 3-1 loss to Alabama at the Dixie Boys World Series.
Halifax County, saddled with its first loss after an unbeaten run through district and state competition, faced elimination yesterday in a 4 p.m. game with host Newton County, Ga.
Saturday’s loss was a frustrating one for Halifax County, which stranded runners at third base three times in the first four innings, and base runners in each inning.
Dylan Sons reached on an error in the first inning before advancing to second on a L.J. Barnett sacrifice bunt and to third base on a successful steal, but a line drive out got Alabama out of trouble.
In the Halifax third, Will Nichols singled and advanced to second on a Sons groundout. Tyler Long reached base on an error to put runners at first and third with two outs, but a strikeout ended that threat.
Alabama took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third on a walk, steal, groundout and RBI single, and added another run in the fourth on a walk and a steal of second, the runner scoring after a throwing error on his attempted steal of third.
Worley reached base on an error in the fourth inning, and Ryan Puryear drew a walk, but a double play and line drive out ended that threat with Worley stranded at third base.
Halifax County plated its lone run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning on Worley’s solo homer to cut the deficit to 2-1, but Alabama added its final run in the top of the seventh on two hits to make it 3-1.
Sons and Barnett drew back-to-back walks with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but a strikeout ended the game.
Halifax County pitching held Alabama to only four hits for the contest, with Sons hurling the first four innings.
Long came on for Sons and pitched into the seventh inning, when Patrick Barton relieved and threw to five batters.
Puryear pitched to one batter in the seventh inning.
Nichol’s base hit and Worley’s home run were Halifax County’s only hits for the game.

Comets Close Opening Week On High Note
By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
There was a smile on the face of Halifax County High School varsity football coach Stan Hodgin as he sat down on a bench in the field house weight room following his team’s Saturday morning practice.
“I thought a lot of really good things happened today,” Hodgin said after taking a couple of big swigs from a bottle of cool water.
His team had just completed its first day of workouts in full pads and its first run of full-contact drills.
“Technique-wise we’re not where we hope to get to,” he pointed out.
“We were looking mainly at will they compete, will they scratch and fight and claw during times of adversity. We gave them an opportunity to demonstrate whether they would compete or not and, for the most part, we are really pleased with what we saw out there today.”
The good outing Saturday closed out the Comets’ first week of practice on a high note.
“It was an outstanding way to finish the first week of practice,” Hodgin pointed out.
“I thought our execution offensively was a little bit better (at this point) than maybe in years past. I think from an installation and an execution standpoint our offense may be slightly ahead of our defense.”
While that was the case, Hodgin was not at all displeased with the work of the defensive unit.
“The focus today was on effort and competitiveness and desire to make a play,” the Comets coach pointed out.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our defensive group than I am right now.”
The first week of drills was a big week for coaches and players alike. The players started last Monday and worked out through Wednesday in just helmets. On Thursday and Friday, the players donned shoulder pads for more extensive work. Saturday’s first workout in full pads culminated the opening week of drills.
Hodgin said the players reached and passed the week’s three key benchmarks with good marks.
“I would say we would have to give ourselves a passing score at the three benchmarks we have reached so far,” Hodgin remarked.
“Now we get a day off and let some muscles recover a little bit and come back on Monday.”
When the coaching staff and players reconvene today to start the second week of drills, the emphasis will focus on improving technique and execution.
“The focus we will put on Monday through Thursday’s practices, regardless of the side of the ball or position, is going to be on execution and doing what we are doing better than what we have demonstrated to this point,” Hodgin pointed out.
“What we saw today in our closing 11-on-11 situational scrimmage is that physically we’ve got some flaws in our execution both offensively and defensively. Shoring up those errors and those mistakes will be what we will try to get accomplished during the first half of this coming week.”
Hodgin, his coaching staff and players face another busy week this week as they prepare for the team’s first pre-season scrimmage which will take place next Saturday. Liberty High School, Louisa High School and Spotswood High School will be the other participants.
Saturday’s scrimmage, Hodgin noted, will be the next benchmark awaiting the Comets.
“Next Saturday will be another test for us,” Hodgin noted.
“We can see just how much we have improved.”