The head of a grass roots organization opposed to large-scale commercial hog farm operations in Halifax County outlined the group's concerns in a statement released Tuesday.
Jack Dunavant, chairman of the Southside Concerned Citizens especially took issue with several pro-hog farming statements made earlier this month by Robbie Smart, a supervisor representing Election District #8. Smart's district covers much of the Town of South Boston. (The text of Dunavant's release is included in its entirety later in this article.)
Dunavant, who also serves as a member of the Halifax Town Council, stated that such proposed hog farms are actually "hog factories."
He pointed out that the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority "voted unanimously to oppose any new hog factories until they can be locally controlled like any other industry by public hearings and a conditional use permit."
Dunavant further stated that "real job producing industry would not be drawn to this area if it were over populated by hog factories."
The Southside Concerned Citizens also outlined their concerns about the nature of the business contracts between the large hog companies such as Carroll's Foods and Smithfield Foods.
"The standard industry contract between the big hog corporations and the local farmers can be canceled with only 30 days notice," Dunavant point out. ""This affords very little protection for the operator or the county."
The entire text of the Southside Concerned Citizens reads:
To the Editor:
I am compelled to respond to an article that appeared in the August 5 th Gazette Virginian in which county supervisor Robbie Smart was quoted as saying, "I think my constituents would like to see the rural flavor of Halifax County maintained." We the members of Southside Concerned Citizens agree with that sentiment wholeheartedly. We, too, want to preserve the rural flavor of Halifax County. However, we're convinced it can't be done by allowing the uncontrolled proliferation of hog factories throughout the County. Yes, we're talking about hog factories here--- we are not talking about hog farming. You see, by Virginia State law anyone can raise up to 750 hogs with no restrictions whatsoever. However, when an operation exceeds 750 hogs, that is called an "intensive livestock operation" (a bureaucratic word for hog factory).
Let's take a look at some of the facts concerning these hog factories (some with editorial comment).
1. New hog factories operate just like the old ones. Feed is trucked in from out of state to the local hog factory by the big vertically integrated corporation (Smithfield Foods or Carroll's Foods). The hog wastes are washed into a sewerage lagoon twice a day. This liquid hog waste is periodically sprayed onto nearby fields as a form of fertilizer.
Mr. Smart made an irresponsible statement about new hog farms smelling better than old hog farms. Well, the fact is that what comes out of the business end of a hog today smells the just like it did 100 years ago. I doubt that Mr. Smart could draw enough breath while standing down wind of those big continuously running exhaust fans to extol the virtues of hog factories .
2. A hog produces four times as much waste as a human. In other words, 2,500 hogs would produce the same amount of waste as a city of 10,000 people. Imagine what South Boston would be like with only a sewerage lagoon. And try to get a permit for a sewerage lagoon for 2,500 people--it ain't gonna' happen!
These hog's feet never touch the ground. They are raised under roof on slatted concrete slabs and never see the light of day (and they want to call that farming).
3. Over the years hog farming has been cyclic. The price of hogs went up when the demand was high, which caused more farmers to raise more hogs, which caused the price of hogs to go down, which led to fewer hog farmers and fewer hogs, and so it went.
All of which begs the question: How can hog factories possibly help the average farmer? The answer is: they can't. It's unfortunate but these hog factories are being pushed by a hand full of big influential local farmers (more on that later) who seem to either not know or care how detrimental this business will be to our many small farmers and what a black eye it will give to farming in general.
4. The standard industry contract between the big hog corporations and the local farmers can be canceled with only 30 days notice.
This affords very little protection for the operator or the county.
5. These hog contracts with local farmers are very attractive to the big corporations because they insulate the big boys from liability for any environmental catastrophe.
That is not in the best interest of the county or the state.
6. Big corporations tend to have neither a heart nor soul. Rather they are driven by the bottom line-- money. And greed.
Our economy is doing very well right now, but what will happen when it heads south? These local hog factories are controlled by the big corporate producers. They set the price of hog feed and the price paid for the finished hogs. What's going to happen when the local operator can't make enough to pay the mortgage? Guess who steps in and takes over? And imagine what kind of operation we'd have with a bare bones foreign labor operation. It can't happen here, you say. It already has happened in the poultry industry in Arkansas and other states.
7. Smithfield Foods, the big hog conglomerate was fined 12.6 million in 1997 by EPA and the state of Virginia has a law suit pending.
This entire industry is a noted polluter.
8. Even the local hog producer is exempt from liability by a 25 year storm (6 inches of rain in 24 hrs.) We've seen plenty of those. We even had two 100 year storms in the 1970's.
9. Our Halifax County Industrial Development Authority voted unanimously to oppose any new hog factories until they can be locally controlled like any other industry by public hearings and a conditional use permit.
The IDA reasoned that real job producing industry would not be drawn to this area if it were over populated by hog factories.
10. This is a political issue. If you are concerned about your home and your quality of life then you need to become involved. Remember those who voted against the moratorium at the last board os supervisors meeting. If we get any new hog factories you can blame these gentlemen: Robbie Smart, Tom West, Joe Satterfield, and Page Wilkerson.
Halifax is a beautiful county with lots of fresh air, abundant rainfall, and many clean rivers and streams. We at Southside Concerned Citizens have worked hard in the past to keep it that way---and we'll continue to do so in the future. And please know that any criticism we have for our elected officials is not to be taken personally; this is all about issues---not personalities. Mr. Smart is a bright young man who happens to be ill informed about hog factories. He represents one of the most populated areas of our county and I feel certain that these good people don't want a hog factory nearby---yet tomorrow one could spring up near Dan River Church or Berry Hill. Robbie ill serves his constituents by playing front man for Tom West and the Ag committee. If they want to support hog factories let them do their own dirty work.
Sincerely,
Jack Dunavant, chairman SCC
An extradition hearing for a North Carolina man suspected of killing an Alton woman was delayed until Thursday, according to Major Ray Link of the Halifax County Sheriff's Department.
Major Link declined to disclose the subject's name until he is officially charged with the murder. That warrant may be served Thursday, he added.
Rhonda Bowes Stone, 30, was gunned down on the night of August 7 while inside her mobile home on Mt. Carmel Road, according to the investigation.
Currently, the suspect is being held in the Person County Jail pending Thursday's hearing in Person District Court in Roxboro. That hearing will be conducted by Person County Chief District Judge Pattie Harrison.
The suspect is currently being held on a felony charge of possession of a firearm after previously having been convicted of a felony. He is also charged with a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence.
By LAURA MECKLER
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Following the lead of 40 states, the Clinton administration is considering taking its case against the tobacco industry to the courtroom, suing to recover the costs of treating sick smokers in Medicare and other federal programs.
The strategy was first discussed about a year ago but officials began considering the possibility seriously after Congress failed to pass comprehensive legislation imposing restrictions on cigarette advertisements and hiking the price in hopes of cutting teen smoking.
Several states have reached out-of-court settlements to recoup Medicaid costs, and the threat of other state lawsuits pushed tobacco companies to negotiate a global settlement that would have paid damages to every state and the federal government if it had been approved by Congress.
Now officials at the Justice and Health and Human Services departments are considering their chances of forcing cigarette makers to pay the cost of treating sick smokers in Medicare, along with people who get insurance from veteran, military and federal employee programs.
''We're looking at the merits of the suit, the strengths, the weaknesses, the kind of data we need, the kind of legal arguments we would make,'' a White House official said Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Through Medicare, the federal government pays for health care for 35 million elderly and disabled Americans. The states and the federal government jointly pay for Medicaid insurance for the poor.
Some Justice Department attorneys are concerned the federal government may not have a strong case, the White House official said.
''These are obviously not cases where you lay down the suit and you walk out with a victory the next day,'' the official said. ''There are differing views about the likely success of this litigation. That's one of the things that's currently being hashed out.''
The legal strategy may be to sue under the Medical Care Recovery Act, which gives the government the right to recover the costs of treating people if a third party's negligence is to blame for their illnesses. There also is talk of seeking legislation that would explicitly allow the administration to file such a suit.
Politically, the strategy is to pressure the tobacco industry back to the negotiating table in hopes of winning congressional approval for comprehensive legislation that would force tobacco companies to pay damages and agree to advertising and other restrictions, officials said.
Such legislation is the administration's first choice, but the Senate rejected such an effort in June, and last week, a federal appeals court ruled that the Food and Drug Administration lacks the power to regulate tobacco, absent new legislation.
Meanwhile, HHS officials are analyzing the data needed for litigation that could seek tens of billions of dollars. Officials said it would take several weeks at least before research is concluded and recommendations are forwarded to the White House.
Police were called to a grocery store parking lot Monday night for a report of gunshots being fired, according to South Boston Police Lt. H.B. Rice.
A customer entered the Food Lion store of Riverdale at 8:39 p.m. to report a subject firing a weapon in the parking lot, according to the investigation.
That person also stated the gunman ran behind the building. Police arrived a short while later and searched a wooded area behind and adjacent to the building. No one was found, Lt. Rice said.
One person was injured in a collision that occurred Friday night at the intersection of U.S. 501 and Rt. 40, according to the Virginia State Police.
Donna McCraw Williams, 44, of Lynchburg was driving a 1998 Plymouth van when she ran a stop sign and struck a vehicle driven by William David Britton, 28, of Nathalie, police said.
Britton was injured. His 1993 Pontiac sustained an estimated $8,000 in damages, while the van sustained an estimated $5,000 in damages, according to the investigation.
Williams was charged with failure to yield right-of-way. The 8:14 p.m. incident was investigated by Virginia State Trooper G.M. Gilliam.
In other wrecks:
· A single-vehicle wreck Sunday afternoon on Rt. 667, one-tenth of a mile north of Rt. 657 injured a passenger, police said.
Dante Monroe, 22, of Long Island, Va. was driving a 1984 Pontiac when he ran off the road and struck a mailbox, according to the investigation.
A passenger in the vehicle, Donald Davis, 29, was injured. Damages to the Pontiac were estimated at $1,600, according to the investigation.
Monroe was charged with reckless driving. The 2:30 p.m. incident was investigated by Trooper Gilliam.
· No injuries occurred in a collision Friday night when a 1988 Chevrolet struck a car that had broken down and was abandoned in the roadway, police said.
The abandoned Mazda is owned by Tiffany Coleman, 18, of Alton, according to the investigation.
The 10:50 p.m. incident occurred on U.S. 58, one-half mile west of Rt. 779, according to the investigation.
The driver of the 1988 Chevrolet is not currently known and is the subject of an ongoing investigation. The vehicle is owned by Tabatha Miller of Ridgeway.
After striking the Mazda, the unknown driver left the scene, police said. The investigation is being handled by Virginia State Trooper C.M. Fleming.
Gary Waller, 35, of Nathalie was injured during a single-vehicle wreck which occurred Friday night on Rt. 632, three miles east of U.S. 501, police said.
Waller ran off the right side of the road, lost control, ran off the left side, then crossed back across the road a second time and struck a tree, according to the investigation.
His 1989 Mazda sustained an estimated $2,500 in damages, according to the investigation.
Waller was charged with reckless driving. The 8:30 p.m. incident was investigated by Virginia State Trooper D.J. Cline.
· A single-vehicle wreck that occurred Thursday in the Halifax County Industrial Park heavily damaged a 1998 Chevrolet, police said.
Ralf Imort, 36, of South Boston was driving the vehicle on Rt. 939, about one-quarter mile south of U.S. 58, when he dropped off the right shoulder, overcorrected, ran off the left side, and overturned in a field, according to the investigation.
A passenger, Gerhard Mvtzeck, 42, of South Boston was injured, police said. Damages to the Chevrolet were estimated at $10,000, according to the investigation.
Imort was charged with reckless driving. The 6:40 p.m. incident was investigated by Virginia State Trooper R.T. Ridgeway
If you're one of those football fans who comes to the game to see the band, buy a season ticket now! You'll get your money's worth.
Yesterday's blazing sun, wrenching humidity and sizzling temperatures were anything like those conditions the Halifax County High School Blue Comet Marching Band will encounter when they walk onto the turf at Tuck Dillard Stadium for their first performance this season on September 4.
By then, the band and dance ensemble that began practice in early July, will have logged countless hours rehearsing numbers and counting off sets - 36 in all - which promise to dazzle and entertain fans and players alike during halftime at each of the five home games this season.
Over 70 students, up by almost 25 from last season, are involved in the program that is under the direction of Martha Stevens, a five-year veteran at Halifax County High. Heavy with seniors, the Comet band and ensemble has 16 freshmen learning the scores and routines this season.
With flags and sabres, the color guard will be dressed in bright Spanish red to add visual impact to the band's Spanish theme performances this season.
David Gore, a Halifax County native and former Comet band member who actually teaches in Danville, is assisting Stevens with the color guard this school year. Gore's presence is already obvious by the number of color guard participants; more than twice the number compared to last year.
While the band plays on, some Comet band boosters have been stitching away at making new flags for the color guard. And just last Saturday, band members washed over 100 cars at WalMart as they collected pledges and tips to raise money for instruments, equipment and road trips.
Cyrus Ferguson is president of the boosters.
The Comet band expects to compete at least four times this season before taking on national competition next spring. No site has been selected for that level of competition but school officials are considering a northern location as opposed to southern locations which have taken the band as far south as Georgia and Florida.
Mary Coates Walden of 214 Easley Street, South Boston died August 16, 1998 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 77.
Mrs. Walden was born in Halifax County on May 28, 1921 to Leonard Coates and Nanny Shelton Coates.
Her survivors include her son: Marshall Norman Walden of South Boston; sisters: Cary Coates of Durham, NC and Gladys L. Parrish of Kansas City, KA and a nephew: Charles Parrish.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, August 20 at 2 p.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery with the Rev. Tony Brooks officiating.
The family will received friends at the home of the deceased.
Robert Elias Hall of 361 Mt. Ararat Rd., Clarksville died Saturday, August 15, 1998 at his residence at the age of 76.
Mr. Hall was born on February 19, 1922 in Omega to Theresa Chandler and Otis M. Hall. He was a former resident of Arlington for many years.
Mr. Hall is survived by his daughter: Miss Elnora Frances Hall of Arlington; sons: Robert Hall Jr. of Suitland, MD, Ronnie L. Hall of St. Louis, MO, Lester R. Hall of Manassas, James E. Hall of Arlington; sisters: Otelia Benning of Shaker Heights, OH, Frances Newton, Flora Hall and Bernetha Mullins of Clarksville, Evelyn Jones of South Boston, Dorothy Terry and Doris Newton of Newark, NJ; brothers: Otis G. Hall of Virgilina, Clinton Hall of Clevland, OH, Leonard Hall of Hillside, NJ and Curtis Chandler of Roxboro, NC.
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 21 at the Jeters Chapel Baptist Church, Virgilina at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Fitz officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at C.H. Harris Funeral Home, 216 Fourth Street, Clarksville on Thursday, Aug. 20 from 6-7 p.m.
Keith Randolph (Randy) Roark of 1108 Cody Rd., Nathalie, died August 18, 1998 at Lynchburg General Hospital at the age of 45.
Mr. Roark was born in Halifax County on April 25, 1953, the son of the late Randolph Riley Roark and Helen Hall Roark. He was a member of the First Baptist Church Republican Grove and was a third generation proprietor of W.R. Roark and Son General Merchandise, Volens. He was a member of the Brookneal Moose Lodge.
His survivors include his son: Randolph Riley Roark II of Charlotte, NC; his mother; brother: Joseph (Buddy) Roark of Martinsville; sisters: Patricia R. Short of Nathalie, Nancy R. Whitmore of Mount Dora, FL, Janet R. Williamson of Charleston, WV, Katherine R. Nance of Madison Heights.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 20 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church Republican Grove with the Revs. Shelton Miles and David Dickerson officiating. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. and at other times at his mother's home in Volens.
George Manley Moorefield, Sr. of Red Oak died Monday, August 17 at the age of 70.
His survivors include his wife, Alease Moorefield; daughters: Fernanda Queensberry and Peggy Morgan of Chase City, Carolyn Moore of Red Oak; sons: George "Shorty" Moorefield Jr. of Halifax, Robert and Tim Moorefield of Red Oak, Jerry Moorefield of Nathalie; sisters: Ida Wilmouth of Scottsburg, Joyce Farmer of Java, Zemula Pickeral and Betty Jane Cooper of Rocky Mount; brothers: Charles Moorefield of Danville, Check Moorefield and Tony Moorefield of Scottsburg; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by a daughter: Deborah McKinney of Chase City.
Funeral services will be held Wed., August 19 at 11 a.m. at Newcomb Allgood Funeral Home Chapel with interment in Woodland Cemetery in Chase City with the Rev. Sam Russell officiating.
Walter Alphanso Overby of Dundas died August 14, 1998 at the age of 76.
Mr. Overby is a retired ASCS employee and farmer, and a deacon of Dundas Baptist Church.
His survivors include his sons: Walter A. Overby III of Australia and Charles A. Overby of Dundas; four grandchildren, one great-grandchild; his fiancee, Thelma Powell of Scottsburg; brothers: Decatur Overby of Virgilina, Robert Overby of Nelson and Charlie Overby of Leesburg, NC; sisters: Florene Moorefield of South Boston, Holly Newton Crenshaw of Victoria, Margie Nelson of Nelson and Faye McGaughey of Spartanburg, SC.
Funeral services were held Sunday, August 16 in the Clarke Funeral Home. Interment was held Sunday in the Oakland Cemetery, Scottsburg. Memorial contributions may be made to Dundas Baptist Church, Hwy. 137, Dundas, VA 23938.
Cora King Barksdale of 1332 Randolph Ave., South Boston died Sunday, August 16 at the Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 91.
Mrs. Barksdale was born in Halifax County on February 13, 1907, the daughter of the late Dave King and Linee Puryear King. She was married to the late John Henry Barksdale and was a member of the Jeters Chapel Baptist Church.
Her survivors include her daughters: Coretha Talley of South Boston, Janie Harris of Brooklyn, NY; sons: Charlie Harris of Brooklyn, NY and Willie Harris of Virgilina; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and a brother: Calvin King of South Boston.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Jeters Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. Roderick Fitz officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemtery.
The family will receive friends at the home of the deceased.