Wednesday, July 21, 2004

Turning The Key To The Future
Company Holds Groundbreaking At Riverstone On Network Operations Center For Regional Fiber Network

"This is nothing more, nothing less, than the keys to economic development for the 21st century," Sen. Charles Hawkins, chairman of the Tobacco Commission, said yesterday.

"It's the first step on a long journey, but these first steps put us in the position to be able to solve the problems that lie before us. Because of these efforts, our future is bright."

Officials gathered at Riverstone Technology Park yesterday to officially break ground on a network operations command center (NOCC) designated to oversee the operation of the Regional Backbone Initiative (RBI).

The NOCC will support the 700-mile fiber-optic network designed to provide full Internet connectivity to Southside in an effort to put the infrastructure in place for technology-based jobs.

With a majority of funding provided by the Tobacco Commission and coordinated by the Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative (MBC), the RBI will connect five cities, 20 counties, 56 industrial parks, approximately 700,000 citizens and 19,000 businesses with high-tech telecommunication services to help promote economic development opportunities in the region.

"This will be a world-class network," MBC Chairman David Hudgins said. "There will be nothing faster in the world. That means that every community in this region will be able to communicate with the world on their level."

"We are excited to see the immediate economic impact of the Regional Backbone Initiative," Del. Clarke Hogan, chairman of the Tobacco Commission's Technology Committee, said. "We are proud to have been chosen as the location for Adesta's new Network Operations Center and look forward to continued economic growth and progress that will revitalize and energize Southside as well as connect us to the world."

Hogan said the location of the NOCC in Halifax County illustrates a return on the Commission's investment in Southside.

"I think it shows that the vision we've had for four or five years has seen some positive results," he added. "We've said that if we invest in this community it would result in better jobs. This is an example of that happening."

He said that the RBI will enable the economic development community to encourage high-end companies to locate in the county.

"Without this project, there are businesses we simply can't talk to," he said.

"Adesta locating here says a lot about this community and what this region can be. Now, we need to be sure we invest in the education necessary for these types of businesses to prosper."

Halifax County Industrial Development Authority Chairman John Cannon said Riverstone couldn't have asked for a better first client.

"The really neat thing about this is the fact that we're going to be building their facility along with ours so it will work together," he said. "This is the first and probably the most important business that could have come in here."

To complete the network and the NOCC, Adesta will invest millions in capital and operating purchases with local vendors and contractors, fill 22 permanent technical jobs and provide jobs for approximately 100 construction workers and engineers during construction and implementation.

Carthan Currin, executive director of the Tobacco Commission, called the initiative the "most important thing that can happen to Southside Virginia" for economic development.

"Today's announcement reflects a fundamental change in how the economy of Southside Virginia will evolve from a textile/tobacco economy to a 21st century economy that brings the region to the world," he said. "This fiber will serve as a conduit to create new jobs and types of employment that wouldn't be available otherwise."

William Fitzgerald, chairman of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, said Adesta's decision to locate in the county was indicative of the area's evolving economy.

"I look forward to Adesta being a vital part of this area's future growth," he said. "The collaborative effort demonstrated here shows the willingness to work with the local region."

In building the NOCC, Adesta will initially invest over $500,000. It will feature state-of-the-art network and services management, round-the-clock staffing and rigorous security.

The network center will include a dynamic display to help coordinate activities between multiple networks and systems by the NOCC technicians and house offices for key permanent personnel, monitoring consoles and all the servers and network equipment needed to support the functions and services of the MBC.

Over the network, Adesta will monitor remote site alarms and access to corporate buildings where equipment is located, secure rooms and individual equipment cabinets.

In addition, Adesta will offer monitoring, provisioning, storage and disaster recovery to both government and enterprise customers

Boards Agree To Seek W/S Study
Board Of Supervisors, Town Councils Hold Joint Meeting

The Halifax County Board of Supervisors and South Boston Town Council agreed Monday night to approve the seeking of engineering proposals to assist with water and sewer planning for a county-wide system.

The action came during a brief joint meeting between the Board, South Boston and Halifax Town councils.

While Mayor Leon Plaster said the Halifax Town Council supported the move, not enough members were present to vote on the recommendation.

Following a report from Supervisor Doug Bowman on recent water/sewer task force meetings, Bowman recommended the authorization for the study.

"We think all three governing bodies should approve the engineering proposals to look at the Town of Halifax option as it relates to county-wide needs," Bowman said.

Although the costs of the study hasn't been determined, the study will be funded by the county, the group determined.

"I think it's appropriate that we begin to look at doing the study," Bowman added. "It can be done as part of the county's investment in a solution to the water/sewer problem."

He said the recently-approved budget included funds for the study.

During his presentation, Bowman said the working group recommended that the three bodies approve county staff seeking proposals for the study.

"We need to look for staff guidance to make it the most cost-effective study possible," he said.

Bowman added that it is imperative that the three bodies agree on the move.

"I hope we move forward with the idea that we're looking for this to be in everyone's best interest," he said.

South Boston Town Councilman Coleman Speece agreed.

"This is significant," he said. "While we're not doing anything major right now, once the study is over, that's when the big decisions will come."

In other business, acting County Administrator Jerry Lovelace told the group that pledges of donations for the Community Arts Center Foundation have been accepted by South Boston, and the Board of Supervisors subsequently agreed to release $900,000 in public funds pledged by the county.

The county and South Boston unanimously approved an agreement establishing a cooperative program to receive and administer funding from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Litter Prevention and Recycling Grants.

During the meeting, Lovelace told the joint body that Halifax County is now registered as a Jamestown 2007 community and will be participating in the quadri-centennial celebration.

Although on their original agenda, the Board agreed to reschedule action on the formation of the proposed Economic Development Authority for their August 2 meeting.

The joint board also agreed to recommend to VDOT Resident Engineer Joe Barkley that VDOT seek funds to include a planned biking trail on Cowford Road during their improvements to the road.

Halifax Town Manager Carl Espy told the joint Board that the timing couldn't be better to seek the inclusion of the trail.

He said the path would run from the railway to Route 614.

"The path fits with the Town of Halifax revitalization project," Espy said. "Since the county works with VDOT on behalf of the town, I wanted to bring it to you."

On a motion by Bowman and with a second by Supervisor Bryant Claiborne, the request to seek the funds was unanimously approved.

Lovelace told the group that planning by Virginia Tech was underway on the Kezziah Walker Community Park.

He said that a conceptual design will be presented to supervisors and the Halifax Town Council upon completion.

South Boston Town Manager Ted Daniel told the group that based on an economic stimulus program adopted by both South Boston and the county, a payment to the developers of the Lowe's Superstore would be due in upcoming years.

The amount of the payment is expected to be less than $100,000, he said.
Halifax Town Councilman Jack Dunavant updated the Boards on the Clarkton Bridge progress, noting that English Construction had visited the bridge and estimated the repair costs would be "a fraction of what VDOT wanted."

Following the adjournment of the joint meeting, the Board of Supervisors convened to approve backing a pledge by VIR developers to fund an industrial access road on the property.

The funds are not to exceed $40,000 and must be pledged by a governing body, Lovelace said.

On a motion by Supervisor Ronnie Vaughan and with a second by Bowman, the Board agreed to guarantee the funding once they had received written notice from the developers that they would pay for the project.

The Board also agreed to approve a supplemental appropriation to carry over last year's funds for the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant.

Nathalie Man Killed In Wreck
The Single-Vehicle Wreck Occurred Monday Night

Marvin Wayne Cash, a 36-year-old Nathalie man, died after a single-vehicle accident Monday night in Halifax County, according to Virginia State Police.

Trooper T.C. Comer said the accident occurred about 9:50 p.m. on Lennig Road (Route 603), three-fourths of a mile west of Howard P. Anderson Highway (Route 626), when the 1983 Ford Escort driven by Cash ran off the left side of the road, overcorrected and ran back off the right side of the road.

Comer reported the vehicle then struck a ditch and overturned, with Cash pronounced dead at the scene.

Comer said that although Cash wasn't ejected from the car, he was not wearing a seat belt.

The accident is still under investigation.

Dixie Majors Two Wins Away
The South Boston Dixie Majors Team Notched A 12-3 Win Over Brookneal To Pull To Within Two Wins Of The State Title

BY JOE CHANDLER
G-V STAFF WRITER

Two more wins.

That's all the South Boston Dixie Majors all-star teams needs to lock up the state tournament championship and a bid to the Dixie Majors World Series.

South Boston put itself on the road to the state title with a 12-3 win over Brookneal in Monday's Dixie Majors State Tournament game at William Campbell High School.

The win over Brookneal kept the undefeated South Boston team in the winner's bracket and set up a meeting last night with Carroll County.

If South Boston made its way past Carroll County last night, it would play in the championship game tonight at 8 p.m. at William Campbell High School.

South Boston starting pitcher Chris Conner had a solid night, giving up only three hits and four walks while fanning two batters in six and a third innings of work.

Jason Lloyd came into the game with one out in the top of the seventh inning and retired two of the three batters he faced to end the game.

South Boston coupled Conner's good night on the hill with a big night at the plate that featured 17 hits.

The South Boston barrage included a grand slam homer by Nathan Thomas that helped fuel an eight-run sixth inning that broke open the game and a solo homer by Clyde Brooks in the top of the fourth inning that broke a 1-1 deadlock and gave South Boston the lead for good.

Conner helped his own cause with a big 4-5 effort at the plate that included three singles and a double.

Jacob Owen also had a good night with the bat, going 3-5 for the night with three singles.

Thomas, Brooks, Chris Perkins and Ryland Clark each had two hits with Lloyd and Ryan Roller chipping in a hit each.

In an interesting statistic, South Boston left 11 runners on the sacks in the game while Brookneal stranded five runners.

South Boston jumped on top early, grabbing a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Lloyd reached base with a walk and scored on a double by Conner.

Brookneal answered it with a run in the bottom of the first inning, a run scored by K. Bradley who reached base on a single with one out.

The game remained deadlocked until Brooks put South Boston up 2-1 with his solo homer in the top of the fourth inning.

South Boston broke the game open with a big eight-run rally in the top of the sixth inning.

Clark led off the inning with a double, Lloyd walked, and Conner loaded the sacks with a single with one out.

Clark scored to give South Boston a 3-1 lead when Brent Long reached base on an error.

Thomas followed with the grand slam homer that put South Boston up 7-1.
Roller and Owen kept the rally alive with back-to-back singles and Perkins plated Roller with a double.

Run-scoring singles from Clark and Lloyd gave South Boston two more runs and a 10-1 lead.

South Boston added two more runs in the top of the seventh inning after Chris Lowery reached base with a walk and Owen reached base on a hit.

A double by Perkins scored Lowery and Owen scored on a passed ball to give South Boston an 11-run cushion.

Brookneal scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning when R.
Bradley opened the inning with a double and R. Dickerson reached base on a walk and later scored.

But, it wasn't enough as South Boston held on to preserve the nine-run win.

Obituaries

Agnes Warren Daniel

Agnes Warren Daniel, 79, of Roxboro, N.C. died July 19 at Person Memorial Hospital.

Born in Lakeland, Fla. she was the daughter of the late C.E. Warren and Gussie Warren, stepdaughter of the late Claudia Warren. She is preceded in death by two brothers, Morris and Eugene Warren.

Mrs. Daniel is survived by her husband, Dr. Earl W. Daniel; one sister, Annie Mae Fogler of Whittier, Calif; two daughters, Margaret Daniel Bradsher and husband, David, of Roxboro, and Katherine Daniel Baxter and husband, John, of Burlington, N.C.; three grandsons, Larry "Guy' Ferguson Jr. and his wife, Bonnie, of Summerfield, N.C., Fred Ferguson and wife, Sally, of Fuquay Varina, N.C. and Jason Baxter of Raleigh, N.C.; two step-grandsons, David Bradsher Jr. and wife, Pilar, and Matt Bradsher, all of Raleigh; great-grandchildren, Daniel, Casey, Abbey and Reed Ferguson; and two step-great-grandchildren, Tyler and Jessica Leli.

She was a member of Roxboro Baptist Church and sang in the choir, was a past Sunday school teacher and member of the WMU. Mrs. Daniel was a member of the West Baraca Sunday school class, a member of the Antique Automobile Association and served as Tour chairperson. She was instrumental in the organization of the Roxboro Exchangette Club, served as president of the ladies auxiliary of the NC Chiropractic Association, and served as a precinct judge and registrar with the Person County Board of Elections.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow, July 22 at Roxboro baptist Church with the Rev. DePre Sanders officiating. Burial will follow at Person Memorial Cemetery.

The family will receive friends this evening, July 21 at Brooks & White Funeral Home in Roxboro from 7:00 until 8:30.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Music Program or Forward by Faith Fund at Roxboro Baptist Church, P.O. Box 348, Roxboro, 27253.

L.C. Glass

L.C. Glass, 79, of 14174 Mountain Road, Vernon Hill died July 18 at his home.

Mr. Glass was born January 20, 1925, in Halifax County the son of the late William H. and Julia K. Glass and was married to Adell Ferrell Glass, who survives.

He was a member of Mountain grove Missionary Baptist Church, a member of the Trustee Board and Cemetery Committee.

Survivors in addition to his wife include four daughters, Julia L. Powell and Peggy A. Glass, both of South Boston, Sheila V. Wimbush of Vernon Hill and Annette M. DeJournette and husband, Cleveland, of Danville; two brothers, William Glass and wife, Mae Lizzie, of South Boston, and James William and wife, Dorcus, of Spring Garden, N.Y.; six sisters, Hattie Womack and Mildred Wood, both of Danville, Marie Crews, Hazel Glass, Fannie Stephens and husband, Jack, all of South Boston, and Anna Palmer and husband, Earl, of St. Petersburg, Fla.; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mr. Glass will be held tomorrow, July 22, at 1 p.m. at Mountain Grove Missionary Baptist Church with Dr. Arthur E. Crews officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Viewing will be from 4-8 p.m. today, July 21 at the chapel of Howerton Funeral Home in Chatham.

The family is receiving friends at the home.

Shirley Moody Gould

Shirley Moody Gould died July 14 in South Hampton, N.H. She had lived the past six years in South Hampton with her daughter, Diane G. Thomson.

Mrs. Gould was the wife of the late Edward Gould Jr., and was the daughter of Wilfred and Hazel Tuxbury Moody.

Survivors include one daughter, Diane Gould Thomson; grandsons, Eric E. Thomson and the late Charles Thomson III; one brother, Philip Moody and his wife, Ethel, of Kittery, Maine.

In 1950 her family moved to Halifax, where her husband was affiliated with Pacific Mills. While in Halifax she was a very active member of Beth Carr Baptist Church and belonged to many civic groups and clubs.

Mrs. Gould was a long time member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston, Mass.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Christian Science Church, 286 High Street, Newburyport, Mass.

A memorial service was held on July 16, and Mrs. Gould will be buried in Halifax.

Myrtle Moore James

Myrtle Moore James, 77, of 311 Edmundson Avenue, South Boston died July 18 at Southside Community Hospital.

Mrs. James was born June 20, 1927, in Erwin, N.C. the daughter of Edward Edgar Moore and Ola Mattie Lou Lloyd Moore and was married to William Noel James. She was a member of First Baptist Church in South Boston.

Survivors include one son, Douglas R. James and his wife, Donna W. James, of Buffalo Junction; two grandchildren, William R. James and Donna Lynn James of Buffalo Junction; one great-granddaughter, Sabrina Lynn Morris of Buffalo Junction; and one brother, Percy Moore of Erwin.

A memorial service for Mrs. James will be held tomorrow, July 22 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Tim Cannon officiating.

The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home this evening, July 21, from 7:00 until 8:30.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider donations to the Boy Scouts of America, P.O. Box 415, South Boston, 24592.

Lottie Watts Pool

Lottie Watts Pool, 72, of 1050 Lowery Road, South Boston died July 19 at her home.

Mrs. Pool was born December 6, 1931, in Halifax County the daughter of the late James Watts and Nancy B. Ford Watts. She was married to the late Arthur Frazier Pool, and was a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women.

Services will be held today, July 21 at 11 a.m. at Shady Grove UM Church with the Rev. L. Raymond McGarr officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Survivors of Mrs. Pool include two daughters, Susan Pool of Martinsville and Jane Watts and husband, Michael, of Scottsburg; two sons, Ricky Pool and wife, Teresa, and Darryl Pool and wife, Judy, all of South Boston; one brother, Lawrence Watts of South Boston; one sister, Vivian Grosch of South Boston; four grandsons, Jason and Travis Pool, Hunter and Arthur Joe Watts; one granddaughter, Susanna Watts; one step-granddaughter, Brandy Crawley and her husband, Steven; and one step-grandson, Jerry McCoy.

Mrs. Pool was also preceded in death by three brothers, Easley, James and Billy Watts.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Shady Grove U.M.C. General Fund, 4129 E. Hyco Road, South Boston, 24592, or the Frazier Pool Adult Scholarship Fund, c/o Hyco Ruritan Club, 3046 E. Hyco Road, South Boston.

David Wilton Ragland

David Wilton Ragland of South Boston died July 19 at the Woodview Nursing Home.

Mr. Ragland was born October 20, 1918, the son of Willie and Lillie Ragland of South Boston, and was married to Mary Springs Ragland. He was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church, was involved with the NAACP, and was a U.S. Army Veteran.

Survivors include his children: Sylvia Barnes of Washington, DC, David Ragland of Austin, Texas, Larry Ragland of South Boston, Mary Kyles of Pensacola, Fla., Reginald Ragland of Phoenix, Ariz., Angela Watkins of Atlanta, Ga.; one sister, Izette Miller of Mt. Airy; one brother, Leslie Ragland of Reedsville; grand children, great-grandchildren
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 24 at 2 p.m. at Jeffress Funeral Home.