Supervisors tried to keep a lid on the hog issue caldron Tuesday night, but it boiled over like witch's brew.
The Board steered an even course during the session, first granting Southside Concerned Citizens permission to rally at the courthouse on Monday prior to their march to Mary Bethune and the planning commission's 7 p.m. hearing on hog setbacks.
Then, at the request of Tucker Watkins, the Board granted South Central Agriculturists For the Environment permission to hold a barbecue on the Mary Bethune grounds, also prior to the planning commission meeting.
The public is invited to both the SAFE barbecue and the SCC rally and march.
Angry words boiled, however, when Watkins charged the Board had been bombarded with innuendo and given "parts of reports" and "misquotes" about the hog issue.
"On July 12, that will stop," said the SAFE spokesman, adding that recent research "will be enlightening to the decision making" process.
SCC members Jack Dunavant and Clayton Garmon objected to the SAFE spokesman's remarks.
"If Mr. Watkins has any information that is wrong, we will correct it," said Dunavant.
Responding later, the SCC chairman told supervisors he found Mr. Watkins "very confusing to work with" in the past.
But as tempers flared, supervisors were having no part of it, ending the hog issue discussion and moving into closed session on another matter.
However, heated discussion between Watkins and SCC members continued briefly in the hall following the meeting.
Earlier in the Tuesday night meeting, Dunavant told supervisors there were "loose ends to wrap up" and he received permission from the Board to read a June 10 letter from SCC to them in order to enter the letter into public record for legal reasons.
In that letter, Dunavant said there was research data establishing two miles as the limit of hog odors, and he called on supervisors to protect the public and establish two mile setbacks from property lines in Halifax County.
The June 10 letter also said if the Board failed to protect the public with at least a two mile setback from property lines, the issue would be thrust into the legal arena.
Dunavant also entered another packet of information into public record.
"I find it ironic that SCC is here representing the people," said Dunavant, adding he thought that was what supervisors were supposed to do. "A handful of people are jerking this Board around."
SCC member Clayton Garmon also entered comments into record regarding the CAFO amendment proposal.
Garmon said he noticed there were no guidelines for disposal of dead carcasses in the recommendations. He also addressed wall deflection upward as an odor remedy, as well as the water curtain method.
The SCC member also proposed: a five mile separation from property lines, not structures, for CAFOs; advocated "doing something about existing odor problems from operating CAFOs; and recommended exhaust fans not blow over cesspools.
Garmon said, "What we should have in common is what is best for the county." He called for consideration of "the people, not me, not you, not those with political power or big landowners."

IVOR, Va. (AP) - State regulators ordered a Chesapeake-based farmer with a history of pollution problems to remove his pigs from a farm in Southampton County.
In a settlement released this week, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality also told Earl Warren that he must obtain permits and comply with anti-pollution laws before he can again raise hogs on his farm in Ivor.
Warren kept between 200 and 1,000 hogs, officials estimate.
Since 1996, state inspectors have documented illegal discharges of contaminated runoff from his farm on four occasions, and they have sent repeated notices demanding that he get a state permit.
Water samples taken earlier this year showed high levels of fecal coliform and ammonia in the runoff, according to state records.
Warren could not be reached for comment Thursday. There was no telephone listing under his name in Chesapeake or Ivor.

By RACHEL LA CORTE
Associated Press Writer
MIAMI (AP) - Just seven months after agreeing to pay states more than $200 billion, the tobacco industry faces another potentially massive award - this time to hundreds of thousands of smokers suffering from emphysema, lung cancer and other illnesses.
A jury on Wednesday held the nation's five largest tobacco companies liable for making a defective product in the first class-action lawsuit by smokers ever to go to trial.
Tobacco stocks were generally lower today. The verdict came after trading had ended Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange.
The jury found that the industry ''engaged in extreme and outrageous conduct ... with the intent to inflict severe emotional distress,'' which could support an award of punitive damages in the trial's next phase.
Those damages could exceed even the national settlement.
''The verdict will almost certainly be regarded as a landmark in finally holding the tobacco industry accountable for the damage it does in addicting children and in causing tobacco-related disease,'' said Bill Novelli, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
The lawsuit was filed in 1994 on behalf of as many as 500,000 sick Florida smokers and the heirs of those who died.
Once the jury decides what, if any, damages should be awarded to the lawsuit's nine representative class members, then the half-million other members will be free to seek recovery. The plaintiffs are seeking at least $200 billion.
Other verdicts against the industry have been reversed, and some analysts predict the cigarette companies may be able to dismantle the class-action - have it ''decertified'' on appeal - in order to fight individual claims.
''If the industry does not get the case decertified, then this would be a stepping stone to a very large number of awards against the industry,'' said Martin Feldman of Salomon Smith Barney.
A class-action typically is created to avoid wasting time litigating similar claims by numerous plaintiffs. Cigarette makers have argued the technique isn't appropriate in smoker cases because there are too many issues unique to each plaintiff.
David Adelman, tobacco analyst for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, said he expects the class will be decertified and that the case ''is going to die.''
''Even if it is not decertified, it will break down into a lawsuit for each and every smoker,'' Adelman said.
The industry will be allowed to raise defenses in the next phase of the case that it wasn't able to raise in the first phase, such as whether the individual smokers assumed the risk of smoking knowing it was unhealthy, he said.
Juries have awarded damages in smoking liability cases only five times - three were overturned on appeal and the two others are being appealed.
In this case, the jury heard eight months of testimony and had thousands of industry documents garnered over decades of tobacco litigation.
Former surgeons general, ex-tobacco industry scientists and doctors testified about the havoc smoking can wreak on the body, the difficulty in trying to quit and the manufacturers' refusal to cooperate with health officials.
The industry claimed there is no scientific proof that smoking causes any illness and that the public is well aware that smoking is risky.
But the jury agreed with the smokers on all counts, including their claims that the industry deceived them about the dangers of smoking, hid research results, stopped scientific work that promised to produce safer cigarettes and advertised to children.
Plaintiffs and family members openly wept and hugged each other as the verdict was read in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court.
Circuit Judge Robert Kaye barred lawyers in the case from discussing the decision.
The defendants were the nation's five biggest cigarette makers and two industry groups: Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., Lorillard Tobacco Co., Liggett Group Inc., the Council for Tobacco Research and the Tobacco Institute.
The $206 billion national settlement reached with the tobacco industry in November bars states from suing to recoup the costs of treating sick smokers, but it does not prohibit lawsuits by individuals such as this one.
At today's court session, lawyers disagreed about when the jury should come back to consider damages. Lawyers for the smokers suggested two weeks, but industry lawyers asked for two months to prepare.
Circuit Judge Robert Kaye will set a timetable after hearing each side's plans when court convenes again Monday. Cigarette makers have until July 19 to file papers in support of motions, notably requests for a mistrial and decertification of the class, which would disband the smokers' group.

The proposed zoning map for South Boston took another step toward finalization as the Planning Commission voted Wednesday to present it to the Town Council for final approval Monday night.
Following a public hearing Wednesday night during which several residents requested their property be zoned differently than was proposed on the new map, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to present the map with all but one of the requested changes to the South Boston Town Council for their final approval following another public hearing Monday night.
Working with land use and zoning consultant Jon P. Weersing out of Richmond and local consultant Lee Pambid, South Boston Town Manager Ted Daniel applied the zoning ordinances adopted in June to divide all of the property within the town's corporate limits into various districts that define usages.
Property owners were encouraged to review the proposed zoning map before Wednesday's public hearing and provide the town with their input, and several came before the commission to request alterations.
"We have worked extensively with the consultants and used aerial studies and ground studies, looked at existing property uses, surrounding property, and future land usages to determine these districts." Daniel told local residents who filled the council chambers Wednesday. "We've had real good input from folks coming in and looking at the map."
Planning Commission members voted to adopt residents' requests to change zoning distinctions for the following:
· William Palmer requested that T-1 Transitional district be extended to include his property at the corner of Cole Street and North Main Street to allow for his property to be used as a single family residence and law office.
"T-1 is a good, ingenious classification," said Palmer, who is a local attorney. "We have some good ideas for this land, and assure that they would be gradual and neighborhood-related."
· Several individuals with land located across Route 501 from the Taco Bell Restaurant requested that their properties be zoned B-2 General Business rather than R-1 Residential so that it is consistent with adjacent properties.
· After final review by the Planning Commission, the AR Adaptive Reuse District was reduced to approximately the same size and location of the town's tobacco warehouse district in the town's comprehensive plan.
· The Planning Commission voted unanimously to present the property located on Jeffress Street as R-4 Multi Family Residential.
The only motion that did not carry involved a request from Dean Jones to extend the B-1 Neighborhood Commercial District to include his corner property on North Main Street and Halifax Boulevard, which is zoned R-1 Residential on the proposed zoning map.
Jones, who owns a number of commercially zoned lots adjacent to this corner property, told the Planning Commission that he would like to move the existing residence from this corner lot and build a commercial project on the 10 lots previously owned by Leslie Puryear, which adjoins this corner property.
"As shown on the official South Boston Zoning maps, these lots, as well as all the property north, including Virginia Power, are currently zoned C-1 Neighborhood Commercial, and have been since 1952," he said. "Several months ago I purchased the adjoining property at the intersection of Hamilton Boulevard and North Main Street. This property is currently zoned R-1. This situation occurred when Cavalier Boulevard, now known as Hamilton Boulevard, was built back in the 1980's.
"We will build a commercial project on the Puryear property in the near future. We will also be relocating the existing residence that is located on the corner of North Main Street and Hamilton Boulevard, and we need this property zoned business to allow for visibility, access and parking," he continued.
Several local residents spoke in opposition to this proposition saying the intersection was already too busy and a commercial project would destroy the quiet atmosphere of the neighborhood.
The fact that Jones has not elaborated on the exact nature of his planned commercial project also bothered local residents.
"I'm being squeezed by the town dump on the back of my property and commercial on either side," said Charlie Rice, who lives on North Main Street. "We never have learned exactly what is going in on that corner, and we'd like to know what Mr. Jones has in mind. It is already a busy corner, and we don't need more. We don't need a convenience store to make it worse."
Tom Leggett Jr. and several others also spoke against Jones' commercial project.
"I drive through this intersection (North Main Street and Hamilton Boulevard) at least four times a day and see lots of cars and trucks that run yellow lights and see people actually gain speed as they approach," Leggett said. "I have nothing against commerce, but this is being proposed in a major congested area where there is already heavy traffic from students and people driving to and from work. This will only compound the back-up that already exists."
But Jones argued that this area has been commerical for nearly 50 years, that residents purchased their own property knowing this, and that a wide variety of properties such as a telecommunications station, the town shop, a bread store and warehouse, Hupps Mill Plaza, a funeral home, an industrial park and even a beef cattle farm, currently exist within a "very short vicinity" to his corner property.
A short distance further are Lowes, WalMart Super Store, restaurants and other businesses, he added.
"There is a tremendous mix in this one area and has been for years," Jones said. "Someone stated that rezoning this property would increase noise, traffic, congestion, and crime. These things are already here and everyone deals with these issues on an everyday basis, this is nothing new. The town's comprehensive plan for land use and transportation shows this property zoned general commercial and North Main Street in the future will be four lanes north to the stop lights. Change is occurring now and will continue in the future."
Another resident, Carroll Thaxton, who said he would very much like to know just what sort of commercial project Jones was planning, pointed out that while the area may have been zoned commercial for 47 years, that back then there was no WalMart or high school adding to the traffic flow.
"These generate tremendous traffic," he said. "There will be tremendous opposition if special use is granted. It would be a mistake to do that. This is a dangerous intersection."
A motion by Daniel to extend the B-1 Neighborhood Residential to include the corner property and present this to council for final approval died on the floor for lack of a second.
No alternative motion was recommended, and Jones will have the opportunity to present his case to the South Boston Town Council during the 7 p.m. public hearing Monday in the Yancey Street Council Chambers.
In other business, the Planning Commission also voted to recommend that council grant a special use permit to Hill Felton Jr. and Sr. of Felton Brothers Transit Mix. Inc. to upgrade and modernize their facility on Edmonds Street and Railroad Avenue.

The night air will be filled with magic, love, imagination, fantasy and mischief when the Richmond-based Encore Theatre Company comes to Halifax County to perform Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Sponsored by d-scan Outlet Store in South Boston this year's Shakespeare in the Park festival will be held at 7:30 p.m. July 30 and 31 at the Staunton River State Park Amphitheater.
""This is a very economical opportunity for our community to see a professional company out of Richmond," said d-scan President David Nelson. "(A Midsummer Night's Dream) is a good theme for this time of year, and this will be a benefit for the entire community."
Tickets are available at the d-scan Outlet Store on First Street in South Boston and at Staunton River State Park at $5 for adults, $3 children 6-12 years old. Children five and under will be admitted free.
The d-scan Outlet Store will also give away a free ticket with each $100 purchase.
Parking will be $1 Friday and $2 Saturday.
The Amphitheater seats about 80 people, and visitors are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers with drinks and snacks. No alcoholic beverages will be allowed.
The performances begin at 7:30 and will run for approximately one and a half hours without an intermission.

County officials and Halifax Town Council may began annexation talks next week.
A Wednesday, July 14, meeting was suggested by county officials in a letter received by Halifax Town Manager Robert Greene yesterday.
Following a closed session Tuesday night, supervisors asked that a meeting be sought to work towards a negotiated settlement on the annexation issue as soon as possible.
Halifax Town Council unanimously voted to begin annexation proceedings during its June 1 meeting, asking that the county respond by mid-August since the Town anticipates a September public hearing on the issue.
During the June session, Council members also said they hoped to complete boundary action by the close of the year.
The Town's boundary proposal would extend its line to the South Boston line in the Centerville area, incorporate Salishan and Golf Course Road communities, include the Burlington plant and extend its reach up Highway 360 (Mountain Road).
The town is seeking land for residential, commercial and industrial use and to expand its tax resources, according to the Resolution adopted in June.
The areas proposed for annexation were described in the town's Resolution as having an increasing need for urban services with the town better able to meet the urban service needs of the area.
Town utility and other services already are tapped by some living in areas surrounding the town, noted town officials last month.
Greene said yesterday the town has developed statistical data on population figures, revenue, county losses and services to be provided in the proposed boundary area. But Greene declined to elaborate prior to the town's meeting with supervisors.
In other Board business Tuesday night, following a public hearing supervisors adopted amendments recommended by the planning commission dealing with elderly housing in B-I Zoning Districts, which was described as a limited business zone with small businesses, and B-2. Sites in B-2 will carry a conditional use permit.
However, supervisors decided to postpone action on a specific request by Daniel J. McDuffie of Golden Age Care Center to establish a housing for the elderly facility and an adult daycare center south of the Town of Halifax in the former Spencer Building.
Supervisors said they wanted to hear the planning commission's recommendation on the McDuffie application before taking action.
Supervisors also heard an update on the Continuing Education Project by Chris Lumsden of the Halifax Education Foundation.
The master plan includes a five-acre site with an approximately 75,000 square foot brick warehouse building valued at $1.7 million located in downtown South Boston next to the Prizery.
CEC project costs based on the master plan reveal total capital costs estimated at $3.5 million, including $2.7 million for construction costs, $200,000 for site work and architectural and engineering services, and a remaining 10-15 percent contingency cost.
In addition to those funds, the community approved a $1.75 million bond referendum for the project last November. The Foundation plans to raise $1.75 to match the referendum.
Lumsden said yesterday that HEF is still assuming the project cost will be at or under $3.5 million and at "this time the numbers look very favorable based on the cost estimates prepared by our architects."
That price includes upgrade of the total exterior facade, the replacement of the building's roof system, site grading for parking with about 160 spaces, lighting and landscaping, said Lumsden yesterday.
During this first construction phase, Lumsden estimated approximately 10,000 sq. ft. would be prepared downstairs for use by administration, a library and student center.
Upstairs approximately 18,000 to 19,000 sq. ft. will be prepared for academic use. This space will include four computer labs, a chemistry and biology lab, according to Lumsden.
Of the total 75,000 sq. ft., CEC will be using about 30,000 sq. ft. with the remaining 45,000 sq. ft. still available for rental and as an incubator building for businesses.
"The beauty of this is we can expand the CEC relatively quickly to meet needs," said Lumsden.
Lumsden told supervisors that construction would begin "as soon as HEF raises the money" and gave a late winter or early spring estimate on getting underway.
The existing 7,000 square ft. CEC links local and regional colleges and universities to offer higher education and workforce training programs to the citizens of South Central Virginia.
Averett College, Longwood College , Danville Community College, Southside Virginia Community college, Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth University-Medical College of Virginia and Old Dominion University are supporters of the CEC program.
The Halifax Education Foundation owns the building and the property.

Several accidents involving personal injuries kept Virginia State Police busy Tuesday.
Four people were taken to Halifax Regional Hospital in South Boston following a two-vehicle wreck Tuesday evening.
State Police reports stated that Pamela N. Reed, 22, of Halifax, who was driving a 1994 Ford at 6:55 p.m. along Route 501 near Millstone Church Trail (Route 843) had slowed for traffic when her vehicle was struck in the rear by a 1994 Mazda driven by Jackie A. Mabins, 25, of Nathalie.
Reed and three passengers in her vehicle, Terissa Watson, 24, Jamar Braxton, 17, and Tywan Miller, 22, were treated for their injuries in the emergency room and later released, a hospital spokesperson said.
Investigating State Trooper D.J. Cline charged Mabins with following too close.
The Mabins vehicle sustained an estimated $1,000 in damages, while damage to the Reed vehicle was estimated at $500.
Tuesday afternoon an Alton man was charged after he collided with a vehicle involved in an earlier accident.
Seth Earl Perry Jr., 29, of Alton, was driving a 1996 Chevrolet pick-up truck along Whitt Farm Trail one mile north of Route 58 around 1:45 p.m. when he collided with the rear end of a 1994 Plymouth driven by 30-year-old Stacey Lynn Hughes of Alton.
Reports indicated that the Hughes vehicle had been involved in a minor accident and Perry did not stop in time and struck the rear of the vehicle.
Investigating State Trooper R.C. Compton charged Perry with reckless driving.
Each vehicle sustained an estimated $1,000 in damages.
An Alton man was injured shortly before midnight Tuesday in a single-vehicle accident at the intersection of Stebbins Road (Route 691) and Cluster Springs Road (Route 658).
According to a report filed by investigating State Trooper G.M. Gilliam, Gary Lynn Hudson, 21, of Alton, was apparently driving at an "excessive speed" when he attempted to apply the brakes of the 1993 Mercury he was driving and slid through the intersection and collided with an embankment.
Gilliam charged Hudson, who suffered minor injuries, with reckless driving.
The vehicle sustained an estimated $2,500 in damages.

An Alton man was arrested Wednesday on multiple felony drug charges, according to reports from the Halifax/South Boston Regional Narcotic Enforcement Task Force.
Task force agents arrested Eric Donavan Brown, 26, of Bethel Road, Alton, on five charges of felony distribution of marijuana, one charge of felony distribution of methamphetamine and one charge of felony transportation of controlled substances into Virginia.
Additional drugs, paraphernalia, records, money and a firearm were allegedly seized during a search of Brown's residence in conjunction with his arrest, and additional drug and firearms charges are anticipated against Brown and other residents of the house.
Brown is currently being held in the Blue Ridge Regional Adult Detention Center in Halifax under $100,000 bond awaiting an appearance in Halifax County General District Court July 12.
These charges are the result of a long term investigation involving numerous jurisdictions in Virginia and North Carolina, Task Force sources indicated.
These charges are part of a much larger drug conspiracy involving the alleged importation of massive quantities of marijuana into North Carolina and Virginia which has resulted in previous arrests in both states.
Task Force sources indicate that as the investigation continues, numerous additional arrests are anticipated involving long and short term residents of Halifax County and several North Carolina jurisdictions.
The Task Force is also investigating the upcoming seizures and possible forfeiture of drug laundered or related assets such as farms, houses, currency and vehicles.

Robert Dewey Mutter of Brookneal and resident of Woodview Nursing Home, passed away June 24 at the age of 101.
Born in Russell Co. on May 17, 1898, Mr. Mutter was the son of Alice Crabtree Mutter and Charles Mutter. He was married to the late Martha Mason Mutter.
Mr. Mutter was the oldest member of the Falling River Baptist Church, Brookneal and a member of the Brookneal Independent Order of Odd Fellows #267.
His survivors include his brother: Spencer Mutter of Martin, KY; daughter and son-in-law: Lois and Merle Carwile of Brookneal; grandchildren: Shirley Martin of South Boston, Karen Jones of Salem, Scottie Hamlett, Cheryl Swint, Kathy Carwile of Brookneal and Reecie Carwile of Gladys; seven great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife and a daughter: Elizabeth M. Dunford.
A funeral service was held at Henderson Funeral Home, Brookneal on Saturday morning, June 26 with the Rev. W.D. Mills officiating. Interment with Odd Fellows rites was held at Falling River Baptist Church.

Clarence Melvin Clark of 1815 Howard Avenue South Boston, died July 5 at Duke University Medical Center. He was born in Halifax county on January 27, 1947 to Clarence Melvin and Lillian Clark Ballou.
His survivors include his son: Marvin L. Meadows of South Boston; brothers: Edward D. Ballou of the home, Billy J. Ballou of Nathalie and Charlie A. Ballou of Danville; sisters: Carolyn A. Hamlett of the home, Cecelia F. Johnson and Lillian M. Newman both of Burlington, NC; daughter-in-law: Norman Meadows; brothers-in-law: Thomas L. Newman of Virgilina and Earl L. Johnson of Bland; sisters-in-law: Katina T. Ballou of the home and Tajanda W. Ballou of South Boston and five grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Clark will be held Saturday July 10 at 2 p.m. at Deliverance Tabernacle with the Bishop Carl Lykes, officiating. Burial will follow in the family cemetery.
Viewing for Mr. Clark will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the Chapel of Kent, Ballou and Crowder Funeral Service.

Hallie Lowery Hudson of 4105 Turbeville Road Alton, died July 7 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 89.
She was born May 4, 1910 in Halifax County to Charlie Hayes Lowery and Clara Ford Lowery and was married to Robert Achilles Hudson.
Survivors include sons: Rev. Carl J. Hudson of Roxboro, NC, Eli Franklin Hudson of Virgilina and Charlie Bradley Hudson of Halifax; daughters: Mildred Hite of Buffalo Junction, Clara Garner of Hartsville, SC, Bettie Blanks of South Boston, Edith Crews of Denniston, Gloria Bonham of Roanoke and Jerrie Wilmouth of Alton; son-in-law: Raymond Wilmouth of Alton; grandson Chris Wilmouth; sister Janie Hudson of South Boston; brothers: Marshall Lowery of South Boston and Rossie Lee Lowery of NC.
She was proceeded in death by her husband and sons: Shirley E. "Pap" Hudson and Ertis Hudson.

Funeral services for Ms. Hudson will be held today at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel at 3 p.m. With Rev. Michael Teixeira, Rev. Carl Hudson and Danny Comer officiating. Burial will take place in the Shady Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery located in Virgilina.

David Coleman Carr of 1024 Dudley Road, Halifax, died Monday July 5 at Duke University Medical Center at the age of 47.
He was born in Halifax County, on May 3, 1952 and was the son of Robert Carr, Sr. and Maxine Coleman Carr. He was married to Laura Ann Carr and was a member of Banister Hill Baptist Church. He was a teacher at the Halifax County Middle School and an employee of Walmart.
His survivors include his wife; daughters: Pamela Chappell of South Boston, Tiffany Carr and Veronica Carr both of the home; grandchild; his father of Halifax; sister: Oveda Carr Beard of Jersey City, NJ; brother: Robert Carr, Jr. of Halifax.
Funeral services for Mr. Carr will be held today at 1 p.m. with services at the Banister Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. D. William Carr officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family have received friends at the home.