In a hotly-contested 4-3 vote by the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, a green light was given for new hog farms to locate in Halifax County.
Backing the elements of the state's Right-to-Farm Act of 1994, which exempts large commercial hog farms from local conditional use permit hearings, the board refused to enact a requested 60-day moratorium on new hog farms.
The moratorium request was made by Jack Dunavant of Halifax who is chairman of Southside Concerned Citizens, a group which has previously been involved in uranium mining and power plant pollution control issues. His request came at the end of Monday night's regular monthly meeting of the supervisors.
"This (emergence of large hog farms) is potentially the most destructive thing that has come before the county in the last 50 years," Dunavant told the board. "Possibly, ever since the Civil War."
Dunavant cited a Halifax County Industrial Development Authority recommendation which asks that commercial hog farm operations be put under the same county approval process as incoming industries or businesses.
"That recommendation is based on the fact that industrial hog farm operations will be detrimental to attracting industry to Halifax County," Dunavant pointed out.
Dunavant also objected to the manner in which the current hog farming guidelines were set up and how local permits were granted so quickly.
"My group feels that there was some 'cooking' going on," Dunavant told the board. "You're going to have to remember you're 'cooking' for the people of Halifax County, not for special interest groups."
Proponents of commercial hog farming contend that "contract" hog farming operations have adequate safeguards to protect the environment and that county set-back requirements already in place are adequate to protect neighboring landowners.
They also contend that as regulations and lawsuits increase against tobacco, hog farming can create a viable means to diversify their overall farming operations, helping the family farm survive.
However, the intense hog farming debate has generated usual and ironic political twists.
Traditionally, a supervisor from an election district which is undergoing an issue makes a recommendation to fellow board members on how to deal with that issue.
Indeed, supervisor Garland Ricketts of ED-7 (where two of the three recent hog farms have been approved) made a motion to enact a 60-day moratorium on new hog farm permits, pending new studies.
"We need a moratorium while the (Halifax County) planning commission studies the issue further and public meetings are held for both the planning commission and this body," Ricketts said.
The temporary moratorium would delay the virtually-automatic state permit process for new hog farms while possible new local guidelines are determined.
However, supervisor Robbie Smart of ED-8, opposed Rickett's motion. Smart's district mainly covers the Town of South Boston, where no such hog farming activities can take place, in accordance with both state and local guidelines.
In previous meetings of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, Smart has been the most vocal proponent of protecting farmer's rights to utilize their land for agricultural purposes.
Smart made a substitute motion prior to a vote on Rickett's motion. In essence, Smart's motion was similar to Rickett's in that it referred the issue to the planning commission and Agriculture Committee for new recommendations to the board. However, the major difference was Smart's motion did not ask for a moratorium on new hog farm permits.
Opponents of current set-back requirements of hog farms fear that without the 60-day moratorium, a flood of hog farm permit applications could come in, gaining approval before more stringent guidelines could be enacted.
Smart's motion was seconded by supervisor Tom West of Election District-2. Voting in favor of Smart's motion against a moratorium were board chairman Joe Satterfield of ED-3, Smart, West, and supervisor Page Wilkerson of ED-5.
Voting against Smart's motion were Ricketts, supervisor Dickie Abbott of ED-1 and supervisor Earl Watts of ED-5. Supervisor Bill Abbott of ED-4 was not present for the meeting.
During the role call vote, Wilkerson's vote was challenged by some members of the audience who stated that Wilkerson should abstain from the vote since he owns and operates a commercial hog farm in the Alton area.
Wilkerson responded to the outcry by saying, "I don't have any interest in those (three current applications) operations."
Prior to the vote, several other supervisors voiced their general opinions on the emergence of large hog farm operations.
Watts pointed out that more local control is needed for such hog farms. "The DEQ (Virginia Department of Environmental Quality) could care less where you put them," he said.
"There's a place for hog farms," Watts pointed out. "Centerville, or along the Dan River, that's absolutely no place for them.
"I've been a farmer all of my life, but I wouldn't want to live half a mile from one," he told the board. "But we should be able to come up with some (balanced) guidelines."
Supervisor Dickie Abbott, who was the only supervisor to call for a moratorium at last month's meeting of the board, drew applause from hog farm critics when he reflected upon the issue.
"The Right-to-Farm Act is okay, but the right of survival for the rest of the people ought to be considered, too," Abbott said.
Larry Land, Director of Policy Development for the Virginia Association of Counties (VACO), appeared before the board to outline his recent presentation of statewide confined animal feeding operations to a sub-committee of the General Assembly.
He was asked by Ricketts if the General Assembly would support a restoration of the conditional use permit authority for hog farms to the county-level of government.
"I did not get the impression that they were terribly receptive to making that change," Land answered. "That doesn't seem likely to change unless something happens that would make the restoration more popular."
County supervisor Robbie Smart has a built-in political safety factor for vocally supporting hog farm operations in Halifax County: The majority of his constituency lives in the Town of South Boston which cannot have commercial hog farms.
But where he lives and who his constituency is doesn't change his view towards the rights of farmers to practice their heritage on their own land, Smart pointed out in an interview Tuesday morning.
"I think my constituents would like to see the rural flavor of Halifax County maintained," Smart pointed out. "Hog farms are part of that rural flavor."
During Monday night's regular meeting of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, Smart made a motion to refer the local guidelines for hog farms back to the Halifax County Planning Commission and Agriculture Committee for further recommendations. The motion, which did not call for a requested 60-day moratorium on new hog farm permits, passed by a 4-3 vote.
The controversial motion has put Smart into the middle of the hotly debated, neighbor-against-neighbor, hog farm issue.
Many opponents state they are not against hog farming, but do oppose what they consider the equivalent of an industrial/manufacturing operation that operates without the scrutiny of a local conditional use permit process.
Jack Dunavant, chairman of Southside Concerned Citizens, asked Monday night for a 60-day moratorium, while stricter local guidelines could be put into place.
The crux of the issue, according to Dunavant, is "When does farming stop and industry begin?"
Asked Tuesday to respond to that, Smart stated, "If John Doe had 200 acres of land and wanted to put a hog farm on it and run it himself, then that's farming.
"But if Carroll's Foods (a large commercial hog processor) comes in here, buys 200 acres of land and wants to operate a hog farm, then that's industry," according to Smart.
As for the odors which permeates areas like eastern North Carolina, Smart stated that was largely a concept of the past. "Those are old hog farms," Smart said. "Have you been to any new farms lately?
"I don't see anybody giving any land away next to these new hog farms," Smart continued. "Matter of fact, I heard there's 50 acres of land available near Page Wilkerson's hog farm in Alton. I wouldn't mind buying the tract and building me a cabin out there.
"I wouldn't mind living next to one as long as it's built and operated according to specifications," Smart said. "I grew up next to a dairy farm."
While speaking in favor of farmer's rights, Smart conceded that the current local ordinance "probably needs to be modified, with increased set-back requirements." Set-backs are the distance between a hog farm building or lagoon and the property's border line with neighbors or public roads.
"I think that ordinance needs to be tightened up a bit to make it more difficult, but not impossible, for hog farms to set up," Smart pointed out.
"The set-backs should also be tied to a sliding scale (of distances), depending on the number of animals that is involved in the operation," he added.
As for not putting a 60-day moratorium into place in his motion, Smart stated that he did not believe that a "flood of new applications" would take place in the meantime.
"A moratorium would eventually cause a lawsuit," Smart said. "The county shouldn't be spending taxpayers' money fighting lawsuits we can't win.
"Even if three or four new applications do come in, I wouldn't be disturbed," Smart said. "Now, if 20 or 30 came in, then I'd be worried. I'm not against hog farms, but even I don't want to see the county taken over by them."
All four requests for conditional use permits, a rezoning, and a plat vacation were approved Monday night by the Halifax County Board of Supervisors.
Shamrock Investments, Inc. received a rezoning of five-acres of land in Centerville from A-1 (agriculture) to B-2 (general business) for a facility to sell manufactured homes.
The rezoning will essentially allow the current Boston Homes, located just south of the parcel on U.S. 501, to move to the new tract.
Judith H. Bateman received a conditional use permit to operate a Small Neighborhood Business which will rent boats, kayaks, canoes, and sell fishing and craft supplies on a 0.75-acre tract on Rt. 344.
The facility is about two miles from the entrance of Staunton River State Park.
An alley containing a total of about 0.14-acre of land was officially vacated during the meeting. The alley was located on the north side of Rt. 748.
A 9.7 acre parcel in the Halifax County Industrial Park received a conditional use permit for a trucking company terminal which will be located at the site.
In other matters before the board, Halifax County Sheriff Jeff Oakes asked for permission to transfer $2,800 from department's drug fund to be used as a 10 percent match for a $28,000 state grant for law enforcement equipment.
The funds will be used to purchase bullet-proof vests as well as night-vision goggles and miscellaneous equipment for the department.
The bullet-proof vests have a shelf-life of about five years and many of the sheriff's department's vests are reaching their expiration dates, Sheriff Oakes pointed out.
It was drought, not the tobacco settlement, farmers were talking about most as the South Boston Flue-Cured Tobacco Market opened yesterday.
Everyone laughed as veteran broadcaster Ray Wilkinson spun a series of down home humorous stories, but Wilkinson also took the opportunity to urge people "to speak up in support of this agricultural commodity rather than setting back and thinking someone else will."
The familiar voice of agriculture also put teen smoking on the agenda.
"Nobody I know in the tobacco community encourages underage smoking, but we do need to recognize that it is a legal crop that has supported community accomplishment for well over a century," said Wilkinson, citing the positive impact of tobacco's tax base on communities.
"Someone, somewhere will continue to grow tobacco" whatever comes out of Washington," observed Joe Satterfield, chairman of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors.
Delegate W.W. "Ted" Bennett lauded Southside farmers for their role in helping put together legislation included in U.S. Sen. Charles Robb's bill for a tobacco settlement. Bennett's Halifax law office was the site a year ago for an early meeting of tobacco activists who pursued dialogue with national health advocates and now often find themselves lobbying together on Capitol Hill.
"The choir of our voices has been heard in Washington," said Linwood Duncan, a spokesman for 5th District Congressman Virgil Goode.
If people choose to smoke, tobacco should be grown here, not in Zimbabwe, the crowd was told.
However most farmers were concerned with drought. With pastures suffering, some cattlemen have to feed, noted Jay Reese, while tobacco farmers are irrigating.
Donnie Anderson, president of the Virginia Tobacco Growers Association, is one who has been irrigating his tobacco.
"Forty days irrigation around the clock," said Anderson. "It's pretty tough."
On the tobacco settlement front, Anderson thinks a contribution was made at the summit held by Gov. James Gilmore.
"Over 500 people were there from 50 different segments of the industry to talk about the negative ramifications the McCain Bill would have on industry," recalled Anderson. The McCain Bill was later defeated.
Sen. Robb and Congressman Goode joined the crowd at the South Boston market opening following their earlier appearance at the Danville tobacco market.
Lt. Gov. John Hager also visited with farmers at the South Boston market.
The only way Goode sees a tobacco settlement emerging is if growers, companies and health groups come together. "Also with some limited liability to companies or why would they want to be in a settlement?" questioned Goode.
Grower interest is viewed as vital by Goode.
On the positive side, Goode noted that in 1996 the vote to take crop insurance away from tobacco growers failed by two votes. Next, on an amendment, no vote was asked for.
"I commend growers for the education" process, said the congressman.
Sen. Robb said some were intent "on punishing" tobacco with the McCain Bill.
A global settlement between states and tobacco companies would narrow the scope for congressional action in the future, according to Robb. Caps on damages would also be an important issue.
In Congress, the senator said he would want to make certain legitimate needs of growers and communities were addressed, that they would be treated fairly.
"Transition" was the key word as Lt. Gov. John Hager contemplated a tobacco settlement. "Transition the economy that is appropriate for the evolving situation," said Hager.
Supporting people as the future unfolds and working toward stability also were named by the lt. governor.
"Dealing with the world, not just what happens in our country," are part of the global tobacco picture seen by the lt. governor.
Clover residents might brace themselves for a 300 percent real estate tax increase should they decide to remain a corporate town. And that may be just the tip of the tax iceberg based on discussions by Clover Town Council Monday night
Not a single Clover resident showed up Monday night for a public hearing that elected officials had hoped would provide some clue as to whether or not the town's charter would be nullified in a scheduled November 3 referendum. Their next opportunity to speak on the issues will come September 8.
Clover's financial crisis lead to a decision to abandon the town's charter if a majority of voters would agree. If that happens, Clover's services which are essentially water and sewer, would be turned over to the county for operation and maintenance
Clover has about 140 water and sewer customers but its aging system lacks proper maintenance and faces major repairs. Clover was forced to release maintenance workers because of budgetary conditions and since then, council members themselves have been performing much of the work that must be done.
Not knowing the outcome of the November vote prompted council this week to make provision for what must be done if voters decide to keep the town intact.
Council projected that the present $0.13 real estate tax would increase from $0.38 to $0.41 per hundred in order to continue the basic services that are needed. Revenue from that increased tax would be used to hire a part-time town manager whose duties would include such things as finding more cost-effective ways to provide services.
In addition to a boost in real estate taxes, Clover council is proposing a $100 annual assessment for all water and sewer customers. That assessment would not preclude an overall rate increase nor would it generate the estimated $100,000 needed to paint the town's water tank.
'We want to make sure that everyone understands that if they vote to keep the town, it's (taxes and fees) going to go up!" Clover Mayor Debbie Griles said while emphasizing that those and other increases would become effective January 1999.
Consolidated with the county, Clover residents would pay only county taxes ending the present $0.15 per hundred real estate tax rate and $0.20 per hundred personal property tax rate.
As a town or consolidated with Halifax County, users of Clover's water and sewer services can expect to pay more in the future. That's a message which Clover officials want to make sure residents understand.
Local business and industry leaders will begin asking for student profiles when the Class of 1999 seeks jobs.
"Asking for the profile gives it value," Bill Moore, director of Adult/Career Education and Vocational Education for the county school system told a breakfast crowd of 90 business and industry representatives and local officials yesterday.
One hundred employers representing over 10,000 jobs in Halifax County are participating in the new Student Profile Workforce Development Program.
The profile will include school attendance, discipline referrals, courses, grade point averages and type of diploma received.
Students must sign a form giving the school permission to release the profile prior to an employer's request.
Industry agrees to give priority to GED and high school students; request the profile beginning in June of 1999; employers whenever possible will offer apprenticeship, job shadowing and cooperative education; participate in Educator in Workforce Program for teachers so they can relate skill needs to students and alert that alcohol and drug tests will may be administered.
The school system and chamber of commerce are sponsoring the p rogram in partnership with local businesses and industries.
"This is one step to have students ready to meet the demands of 2000 and beyond," said Halifax County Superintendent of Schools Dennis Witt.
The superintendent cited "educational excellence, knowledge with application and truth in certification" as falling under the heading of accountability as schools meet the challenge.
The Student Profile Workforce Development Program will accent that what students do in high school will have an effect on what happens in their future, and that performance in education has an effect on employment, said the educator.
Delegate W.W. "Ted" Bennett told the crowd that standards of learning tests were first given in the spring.
Algebra I and II, geometry and a sciences will be necessary for a standard diploma and for , an advanced studies diploma additional units in science and math as well as a foreign language will be required.
"We are in a period of real consequences" for students seeking a degree," said Bennett.
"By 2004 if 70 percent of the children do not pass standards of learning each year for three years, the school suffers the potential of losing its accreditation," said Bennett.
To lose certification, he added, would be "intolerable" for a community's children as well as its image and its development of its economic health.
"We are into a high stakes area," added the delegate, calling for support of schools, school boards and the superintendent.
During the Tuesday morning breakfast, Bennett was presented a Certificate of Appreciation from Region 6 Vocational Administrators. Region 6 includes Alleghany, Highlands, Botetout, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pittyslvania, Roanoke and cities of Covington, Danville, Martinsville and Roanoke City and Salem City.
South Boston Town Council, in need of its second Town Manager inside three years, took the first tentative steps in that direction Monday night.
Advertisements announcing the opening and a need to replace Town Manager Ken McLawhon have already gone out, expected back in by the end of August.
The applications and resumes will be reviewed and rated, with some 15 to 20 picked for further consideration. Interviews with the candidates should take place by mid-September, with Council hopeful the new person can be in place.
Council will give more specific attention to the task at hand at a retreat August 14-15.
The governing body also will seek to enlist the aid of Dr. Donald Lacy, Extension Specialist, Department of Agricultural Applied Economics at Virginia Tech.
Dr. Lacy, well known here from other assignments, does not charge for his work, nor will the retreat facilities cost Council.
Council may take up a number of issues to discuss in detail during the retreat, but Council members appeared to be agree that their main responsibility at the moment is finding and signing the new Manager.
Edward Gibson Pugh of 907 Randolph Avenue, South Boston died Sunday, August 2, 1998 at Halifax Regional Hospital. He was 81 years of age.
Mr. Pugh was born in Pittsylvania County on April 23, 1917 the son of James Edward Pugh and Rosa Gibson Pugh and was married to Lutie Burgess Pugh. He was a member of The Church of Christ in Altavista.
Survivors include his wife of the home; three daughters, Nancy Childress and husband John of Gretna, Marie Tucker and husband Malcolm of Altavista and Susan Clay and husband Glenn of Ormond Beach, FL; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one sister, Gertrude Allen of Altavista.
Funeral services for Mr. Pugh will be held today, August 5 at 3 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Rudolph Jacobs conducting the service. Burial will take place in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Barbara Ella Edmondson of 1911 North Main Street, South Boston died Saturday, August 1, 1998 at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC at the age of 44.
Mrs. Edmondson was born in Halifax County on November 13, 1953 the daughter of Charlie Sam Hamlette and Ella Jones Hamlette and was married to Clarence Edmondson. She was a member of McLaughlin Memorial Holiness Church.
Survivors include her husband; one daughter, Jennifer Lipscomb of Danville; one son, Clarence Edmondson of South Boston; two grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Chandler of Halifax and Florence Paul of Keeling; and one brother, Roger Hamlette of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mrs. Edmondson will be held today, August 5 at 2 p.m. at McLaughlin Memorial Holiness Church with Rev. Leonard Thompson officiating. Burial will follow in Crossroads Baptist Church Cemetery.
Norman M. Coleman passed away recently.
He was born in Halifax on November 7, 1932 the son of Clarence S. and Mabel R. Coleman.
Mr. Coleman received his education in Halifax County public schools. After which he was drafted into the U.S. Army. During his 20 years in service, he graduated from the N.C.O. Academy in Fort Meade, MD. His overseas assignments included Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, France and Germany. His stateside service, in addition to Fort Meade, included three separate tours at the Pentagon. After a distinguished career in the Army having received numerous medals, awards and commendations, he retired with the rank of Staff Sergeant on August 1, 1973. On April 15, 1974 he joined the U.S. Capitol Police Force where he spent 20 years. He retired from this job on April 15, 1994.
Survivors include his wife, Mary C. Coleman; seven sisters, Manie Coles of Brooklyn, NY, Lovenia Brown and Evelyn Nash, both of Philadelphia, PA, Elaine Coleman of Richmond, Margaret Obie of Greensboro, NC, Vearlie Coleman of Harlem, NY and Myrtle Bates of Crystal Hill; one brother, William Coleman of South Boston; three brothers-in-law, Marvis Bates of Crystal Hill, Arthur Obie of Greensboro and Arthur Brooks of Queens, NY; one sister-in-law, Nancy Coleman of South Boston; two god-daughters, Diane Kemp of Washington, DC and Nicole Clark of Pittsburgh, PA.
Funeral services for Mr. Coleman were held Thursday, July 30 at the Northminister Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC with interment at Arlington National Cemetery.
Clyde Edward Nichols of 1212 Peach Avenue, South Boston died Monday, August 3, 1998 at Halifax Regional Hospital. He was 84 years of age at the time of his death.
Mr. Nichols was born in Halifax County on September 28, 1913 the son of Avner Nichols and Maude Chandler Nichols and was married to Johnnie M. Nichols. He was a member of McCanless United Methodist Church and was a member of the American Legion for 55 years. He was a Marine veteran of World War II.
Survivors include his wife of the home; one daughter, Randy Maddux of Danville; two step-sons, Tommy Coleman of Oklahoma City, OK and Freddie Coleman of Dallas, TX; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Graveside services for Mr. Nichols will be held Thursday, August 6 at 2 p.m. in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Rev. Delia M. Earnhardt will conduct the service.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home tonight, August 5 from 7 until 8:30, and other times at the home.