Wednesday, July 2, 2003

Supes Make Last Minute Cuts
Supervisors Cut $250,000 From County Budget Monday Night

Supervisors cut $100,000 destined for sheriff's department vehicles and $150,000 from the Paul Edmunds Park project before approving the county budget in a 4-3 vote Monday night.

The approved budget is $68,297,183, with neither real estate nor personal property tax hikes.

Current real estate rates are 42 cents per assessed $100 and the personal property rate is $1.76 per $100 valuation.

The industrial machinery and tools tax (per $100 valuation) based on 50 percent of original capitalized cost is $1.26.

Supervisor David Martin called for "scaling back" the Paul Edmunds Park funding from $200,000 to $50,000.

"It is a worthy project, but something we can phase in," said Martin.
The supervisor suggested leaving $50,000 for building design, explaining it was his understanding that the proposed cut would not "significantly affect park" progress.

Supervisor Tom West agreed to "move back" allocation on park funding.
"Normally a park of this type will take a decade to get in place," said County Administrator Joe Morgan.

Martin also proposed taking $100,000 out of the capital budget destined for sheriff's vehicles. With the cut, $150,000 will still be budgeted for vehicles.
A suggestion that county organizations or entities using the park might raise funds or contribute to park construction was aired.

The high school cross country track team has discussed using the park as a training site.

During the budget discussion, South Boston Police Officer Freddie Edmunds spoke in favor of the Law Enforcement Officers Supplemental (LEOs) retirement funding sought by the sheriff's department.

"Men and women dedicate their lives," said Officer Edmunds.

Others addressing the budget issue included Estella Hudson, speaking as a parent and taxpayer. She asked supervisors to put aside their feelings on Virgilina Elementary School and to act in a sound fiscal way for education.

Hudson said that a $250,000 (school) budget cut was not hurting School Board members, but it was depriving children.

She sought "sound fiscal" decisions by supervisors.

The Board's chairman, David Martin, asked the county administrator to explain the "picture behind the money for schools."

Morgan said that there are unexpended local school funds, some state fund balance in the School Board as well as funds that will be left after currently contracted school work at the three renovated elementary schools.

"That balance plus the carryover ..., there were significant funds available for ongoing maintenance," added Morgan.

Virgilina Mayor John Youngk apologized to Hudson for interrupting her at a previous meeting, but he noted that the operational figures used by the School Board do not include the cost of debt service for the three recently renovated elementary schools.

Youngk warned supervisors to be careful about putting funds in the hands of the present School Board.

The mayor said that those in Virgilina support a good educational system.
"The issue is with the integrity of the present School Board," he said, charging that VES supporters had been lied to and that the School Board had snubbed supervisors.

When Supervisor Martin said the School Board members he talked with about VES thought they were acting for the betterment of Halifax County, Supervisor Nunn quickly countered.

"That decision was not for the benefit of children," said Nunn, adding she thought the action "set the county back 50 years."

Al Vaughan also addressed the VES issue, asking supervisors what other steps the people might take.

"Our hands are tied and they are untouchable," he said of the School Board. "What do we have to do to keep the little schools open?

"I think it is unfair and we can't do anything about it," he added.

Vaughan said supervisors allocate funds to the School Board but can't say anything about how they spend it.

In a 4-3 vote - with Supervisor James Edmunds absent, supervisors approved the new FY 2003-2004 budget with changes.

Supervisors Martin, C.W. Rorrer, William Fitzgerald and Tom West voted in favor of the budget, with Supervisors R.E. "Dickie" Abbott, Ronnie Vaughan and Lottie Nunn casting nay votes.

"A lot of things in it (the budget) are not right," Abbott said during budget discussion.

The supervisor said he did not think the economy was growing but shrinking.
"You can't raise salaries 30 to 40 percent," he said, and expect approval. "But you did that. You have to look at in the right perspective, and I don't think they have."

In other financial matters, supervisors approved - with Supervisor Abbott opposing - Finance Committee recommendations including the following:
•Paupers funeral administration funding of $2,000 for the Department of Social Services.

Supplemental Appropriations FY 2002-2003:

• Halifax Downtown Revitalization - $7,000, part of reimbursable Community Development Block Grant.

• Circuit Court Clerk refurbishing - $31,573.59, also with grant funding.
• Juvenile Group Home - $36,682.

• Agricultural Marketing Center - $150,000, with Tobacco Commission funding.
• Commission on the Arts Grant, $7,000.

Recommended in FY 2003-04 were: the sale of a broken aerial ladder truck for $3,000 to a Firefighters Historical Society located in Virginia, with those funds placed in Halifax County Fire Commission budget to purchase equipment; a Partners in (Pregnancy) Prevention additional grant funding of $10,000 and the Dry Well Program, administrated by Halifax County Community Action Agency.

Supervisors also approved ratification of E-911 Communications Center equipment lease from Sprint.

In other business, Dr. Jules Modlinski received supervisors' approval in his submittal of the Southside Community Services Board performance contract to the Va. Dept. of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services.

The Southside Community Services Board executive director also advised supervisors he has given SCSB notice that he intends to retire during the upcoming fiscal year.

Authorize Public Hearings

Supervisors authorized the following three public hearings for land use applications at their August 18 meeting:

• Fred Jeffress Jr. is seeking a conditional use permit for a golf driving range, with concessions, on Route 344, MacDonald Road, adjoining Staunton River State Park in ED-5.

• Verlyn Emswiler is seeking rezoning in ED-7 for a diesel repair, parts sales and storage units on the north side of Route 58 approximately 0.1 mile west of Route 742, Alphonse Dairy Road.

• Joey Long is seeking a conditional use permit for a motorcycle parts and accessories sales, future sales and repair services for motorcycles, in ED-6, located in the northeast corner of the intersection of Route 58 and Route 881, the former Bill's Country Store site.

In other matters, Jerry Lovelace, assistant county administrator, told supervisors that the Land Use Task Force is reviewing detailed changes to the subdivision and zoning ordinances.

Lovelace said that he expected the task force to have a recommendation for supervisors in several months.

Technology Zone

Following a public hearing, supervisors approved - with Supervisor R.E. "Dickie" Abbott opposing, a Technology Zone Development Fund Ordinance.
No one spoke during the hearing's public comment period.

The action is intended to give governing bodies the authority to use tax increments to encourage private investment in local technology zones as an economic development tool.

The technology zone designated is about 150 acres in the Riverstone Technology Park area located on the north side of U.S. Highway 58.

In previewing the proposal, Scott Morris, Industrial Development Authority executive director, said through the ordinance new investment would come back to the development of Riverstone.

Supervisor Abbott asked that a vote on the Zone be delayed.

"I would like (time) to digest it. A lot of times the Board jumps in and hears only one side to a story," said the supervisor.

Abbott said he would like to wait at least a month before voting.
Supervisor Rorrer asked Morris if he needed the action Monday night.
Morris said there was "no overwhelming need at this point."

However, the Board discussed the proposal and decided to vote on the issue, resulting in the 6-1 vote.

Also during the Monday night meeting, Morgan also advised supervisors the Agricultural Marketing Center grand opening is set for Thursday, July 25, at 5 p.m. at the old Bethel Landfill site.

Convenience Centers
Supervisor Ronnie Vaughan, ED-6, asked that a public hearing be held prior to final authorization to lease a Convenience Center and Recycling site on Route 658 near the intersection of Cedar Grove and Cluster Springs roads.

A public hearing for the Convenience Center was set for 8 p.m. following the July 21 joint meeting with towns at The Prizery in South Boston.

A public hearing was also set for proposed utility rate increases for Clover (30 percent) and Riverdale (25 percent) systems. The Board set the public hearing on the rate increases for the August 18 Board meeting in Halifax.

Water and sewer extension to Franklin's Garage and Fallen Trucking in Riverdale were also approved at the cost of installation, with connection fees waived.

An appeal by Ms. Lacks was granted. She will not be required to pay a former property owner's obligation.

However, county staff was asked to present a recommendation using a combination of deposit and lien placement to reduce the growth of delinquent accounts by property owners served by the utility systems.

During the Monday night meeting, Supervisor Martin told supervisors that he is attempting to work on a recycling and green box site near the Town of Halifax. The county no longer maintains a green box site at Mary Bethune Complex.

SoBo Man Convicted Of Check Forgery

A 36-year-old South Boston man pleaded guilty Tuesday to a total of 20 check forgery, uttering and conspiracy-related charges, as well as two charges of breaking and entering.

Connell Ferrell's pleas came during a bench trial in Halifax County Circuit Court before Judge William L. Wellons.

Ferrell was convicted of the crimes as the result of a plea agreement with the Commonwealth.

Ferrell pleaded guilty to 10 counts of check forgery, three counts of uttering a forged check, and seven counts of conspiracy to commit check forgery.

In addition, Ferrell pleaded guilty to two indictments charging him with breaking and entering the property of Vandenburg Gas Company on December 14 and December 24, 2002.

As part of the plea agreement, the Commonwealth nol prossed 11 additional uttering, three additional conspiracy to commit check forgery, and one count each of check forgery and conspiracy to utter a forged check.

Judge Wellons sentenced Ferrell to 10 years in prison for one of the breaking and entering convictions, with all suspended but four years and four months.
Judge Wellons sentenced Ferrell to 10 years in prison for the other breaking and entering conviction, with all suspended.

The court sentenced Ferrell to suspended five-year prison terms for each of the 20 check forgery, uttering and conspiracy convictions, and ordered an amount of restitution to be determined by the court.

According to court records, Vandenburg Gas Co. checks obtained in at least one of the break-ins were used to commit the crimes.

Other Court
• Michael Devon Williams, 28, of South Boston, was convicted Friday of an amended indictment charging him with a misdemeanor offense of unlawfully obtaining property valued at less than $200 with the intent to defraud.

Judge Wellons sentenced Williams to one year in jail, suspending the entire sentence, conditioned on Williams' good behavior for one year.

The court additionally ordered Williams to perform 50 hours of community service.

Clarksville Man Wanted On Murder Charges
Police Say Hargrove Killed One Woman, Shot Three More

Both the South Boston Police Department and the Halifax County Sheriff's Officers are on the lookout for a man Durham, N.C., police say killed a woman and critically injured three others, including a toddler.

Murder and assault warrants have been issued by police in Durham for a 27-year-old Clarksville man in connection with a June 25 multiple shooting in Durham that left a woman dead and three others in critical condition.

According to information from the Durham Police Department, a search was continuing Tuesday for Dennis Lamonte Hargrove, also known as Chuck Hargrove, Dennis Venable and Chuckie Venable, of 353 Wildlife Road in Clarksville.

The warrants issued are for one count of murder and three counts of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill, officials said.
The search is centering around the areas of Danville, Virginia Beach, South Boston and Richmond.

Officials said they believe Hargrove is possibly in the company of his cousin, Brian Keith Hargrove, who is also wanted for questioning in the case.

Police reports allege that on June 25, Dennis Lamonte Hargrove entered a residence at 110 E. Markham Ave. in Durham, and "maliciously shot and murdered Ms. Collette Moss" around 11:05 p.m.

She died Thursday at Duke University Hospital, officials said.

Before leaving the residence, he also allegedly shot a 2-year-old child, 14-year-old girl, and a 22-year-old woman while inside the home, officials said.
The three are currently listed in critical condition at a hospital in the Durham area.

Authorities describe Dennis Lamonte Hargrove, whom they say has outstanding warrants in Virginia for malicious wounding and a drug charge, as 6 feet in height and 180 pounds.

The two men are believed by police to be operating a light silver Nissan Pathfinder with four doors and tinted windows, with a JBM-1170 Virginia registration.

Durham officials say the motive for the shootings is still under investigation.
Assisting in the investigation almost since it began have been officials with the Clarksville Police Department and the Southside Drug Task Force, who said Tuesday that people should also be on the lookout for a gold-colored 1997 Infiniti with Virginia license BKGROV, as well as the Pathfinder, which they say may also be more gold in color.

Anyone who has information about the location of Hargrove can call Crimestoppers at 575-TIPS, the Halifax County Sheriff's Office at 476-3334, or the South Boston Police Department at 575-4271.

HC National Angels Need Win To Advance To Title Game
In The District 7 Dixie Angels Softball Tournament

By DOUG FORD | G-V Staff Writer

The Halifax National Dixie Angels all-stars need one more win to advance to the District 7 championship game, after a 15-5 win over Brookneal Monday night.

But, standing in their way is the other Halifax County entry, Halifax American, which claimed a big 20-4 win Monday over Charlotte County.

Halifax National and Halifax American played last night, with the American all-stars needing a win to stave off elimination.

Monday Games
Hal. National 15, Brookneal 5
Halifax National jumped on top of Brookneal early, scoring six first inning runs.
With one out, Brittany Long and Robin Jennings were both hit by pitches, and Jill Trickey and Jameshia Smith followed with singles.

Emily Conner and Mayghan Strange drew walks, and Kelsey White, April Francis and Samantha Osborn reached base, before Jamilia Smith's hit finished the scoring in the inning.

Halifax National scored a single run in the top of the second inning, before Brookneal matched it in its turn at-bat.

Jennings was hit by a pitch for the second time in the game, and Trickey followed with a walk, before Jameshia Smith hit an RBI-double to score Jennings for a 7-1 lead.

Brookneal scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning to close the gap to 7-5, before Halifax National extended its lead to 11-5 with four runs in the fourth.

Trickey drew a walk to lead off the inning and Jameshia Smith was aboard before a Conner single.

Strange walked, and White's groundout scored another run.

Halifax National scored four more times in the top of the fifth and held Brookneal scoreless in its at-bat to end the game on the slaughter rule.

Jamilia Smith led off with a single, and Long and Jennings reached base before the first out was recorded.

Jameshia Smith reached base, Conner was hit by a pitch, and Strange, White and Jennifer Vaughan drew walks to give Halifax National the 15-5 margin.

Jamilia Smith led Halifax National with three hits and scored once, while Jameshia Smith had two hits, one a double, and scored twice.

Strange walked four times and scored twice, Conner reached base three times, once on a single, and scored three runs.

Jennings reached base three times and scored three runs, while White had an RBI and scored once.

Tricky scored twice and Long, once to account for the remaining runs.

Halifax National used two pitchers in the contest, with Trickey pitching into the third inning, before being relieved by Jamilia Smith.

Tricky recorded three strikeouts, while Jamilia Smith struck out four Brookneal batters.

Hal. American 20, Charlotte County, 4

Jennifer Lacks had three hits, while Amanda Dennis, Lucy Ferguson, Olivia
Burnette and Jerri Mabe collected two hits each, as Halifax American pounded out a 20-4 win Monday over Charlotte County.

The game was called after four innings due to the slaughter rule.

Blaire Hodges, Dalyn Hall, Katie Bane and Tanisha Malone added hits, as Halifax American set last night's showdown with Halifax National.

Halifax American used three pitchers in its win over Charlotte County, with Lacks, Hall and Hodges giving up only one hit.

Lacks pitched the first inning, giving up no runs while striking out two and walking two batters.

Hall began pitching the second inning, giving up four runs on five walks, before being relieved by Hodges.

Hodges completed the second inning, and pitched the third and fourth innings, giving up no runs, while striking out three batters and walking three.

Charlotte County pitching gave up eight walks and struck out two Halifax American batters.

Obituaries

Former South Boston Businessman Curtis Waskey Sr., 68, Dies

Former South Boston resident and businessman Curtis Ray Waskey Sr. died Monday in his Alberta home.

He was 68.

Mr. Waskey is the former owner of Waskey Cleaners in South Boston.

A native of South Boston, Mr. Waskey was a retired real estate entrepreneur both in Halifax County and Virginia Beach.

He was the third of four generations to operate Waskey Cleaners.

Mr. Waskey owned the business for 15 years, from 1984 to 1999, before he sold it to his son, Curtis Waskey Jr., the current operator.

He was preceded in death by his parents, L.P. (Buster) Waskey and Mary Waskey, as well as a brother, Lewis Peyton Waskey III.

Curtis Waskey Sr. is survived by his wife, Geneva Conner Waskey and their five children, Curtis R. Waskey Jr., and his wife, Alice of South Boston; Tony L. Waskey Sr. and his wife, Barbara, of Mundelein, Il.; Dennis A. Waskey and his wife, Gail, of Virginia Beach; Mary W. Mattice and her husband, Bob, of Chesapeake; and Mark Waskey and his wife, Regina, of Midlothian, Va.; nine grandchildren, Curtis III, Mathew Troy, T.J., Julie Marie, Kenneth, David, Jennifer, Crystal and Hannah; and a brother, Phillip Wayne Waskey Sr., of South Boston.

A private graveside service will be conducted at a later date.

Stephen John Cserny

Stephen John Cserny, 81, of 103 Rosehill Drive, South Boston, died June 28 at The Woodview.

Mr. Cserny was born in Hungary on September 7, 1921, the son of Lena Varadi Cserny and Stephen Cserny and was married to the late Dorothy McCary Cserny. He was a retiree of Western Electric.

Survivors include one sister, Margaret Bauer of Astoria, N.Y., and a special friend, Marie King of Virgilina.

A memorial service for Mr. Cserny will be held in New York.

Carrie Sanford Miles

Carrie Sanford Miles, 67, of 1609 Clay Street, South Boston died June 29 in Halifax.

Ms. Miles was born in Granville County, N.C. December 28, 1935, the daughter of the late Governor Sanford and Hattie Dixon Sanford. She was a member of Blue Wing Baptist Church in Oxford, N.C.

Survivors include one daughter, Judy Miles Cole of Hampton; three sons, Tony V. Miles and Phillip W. Sanford, both of South Boston, and Paul Miles of Halifax; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one sister, Hattie S. Lester of South Boston; one son-in-law, Robert E. Cole; and one daughter-in-law, Shirley Miles.

Funeral services for Ms. Miles will be held July 4 at 1 p.m. at Blue Wing Baptist Church with the Rev. John E. Hall officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family is receiving friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Miles, 1191 Crawford Road, Halifax.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax Hospice Association, c/o Halifax Regional Hospital, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston.

Corlette Nicole Moss

Corlette Nicole Moss, 23, of Durham, N.C., formerly of Halifax County, died June 26 at Duke University Medical Center.

Miss Moss was born in Halifax County on June 7, 1980, the daughter of Mark Moss and Cindy Burns Moss Hayden.

Survivors include her mother of Durham; her father of South Boston; three brothers, Anthony Moss, Corey Burns and Thomas Clayton, all of Durham; two sisters, Kiara Burns of Durham, and Destiny Moss of South Boston; paternal grandparents, Walter Richard Moss and Vernell Foster Moss of Clover; maternal grandfather, John Burns of Halifax; and her maternal grandmother, Delores High of California City, Calif.

Funeral services for Miss Moss will be held tomorrow, July 3, at 2 p.m. at St. Matthew Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Burns Family Cemetery in Halifax.

The family will receive friends this evening between 7:00 and 8:00 at Scarborough and Hargett Funeral Home in Durham.

William Davis Toot

William Davis Toot, 89, of Philadelphia, Pa., formerly of Halifax County, died June 26.

Mr. Toot was born in Halifax County on July 20, 1913. He was a member of Five Forks Baptist Church. Upon moving to Pa. he joined the Canaan Baptist Church where he served on the Board of Deacons, Senior Usher Board, and was a Sheep Fold leader.

Survivors include two sons; three sisters; one brother; one daughter-in-law; numerous stepchildren and step-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mr. Toot were held June 30 at 10 a.m. at Canaan Baptist Church.