By KEITH STRAGE

G-V staff writer

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 50, which includes the workers at Clover Power Plant, are currently mailing in ballots to determine whether to accept a proposed contract with Dominion Virginia Power, or authorize a strike.
"The company made its last, best and final offer on May 17," said Dominion Virginia Power spokesman Jim Norvelle.
"A week later, the union leadership notified us that it would recommend employees reject the offer and seek the authorization to call a strike," he added.
The issues in question revolve around the company's retirement plan and medical benefits, according to Jack Wells, business manager and negotiator for IBEW Local 50.
"Under the new contract, there has been a dramatic change in the retirement formula as well as changes in verbiage and definitions," Wells said.
"There have also been changes in the medical benefits package, primarily the prescription card," he added.
According to Wells, the company wants to place additional out-of-pocket expenses on the employee.
"The out-of-pocket expenses would be $300 for the employee and $600 for families," he noted.
Both Wells and Norvelle agree that a strike is possible, but they said it isn't eminent.
"I guess you could say (the strike) is a possibility," Wells said. "If the employees vote not to accept the contract, we will approach the company."
But Wells said before a strike takes place, "a lot of phone calls will need to be made.
"We don't want to strike," he said. "We want a good contract."
Norvelle said he believes the company offered an acceptable contract.
" We believe we made a fair and reasonable offer on the contract," he said.
"It would be a four-year contract with a three percent annual wage increase," he added.
Norvelle declined to discuss any further details of the contract.
In order to call a strike, union members must vote to reject the proposed contract.
If they vote to reject the contract, they will give union leadership the authority to call a strike.
"We understand the vote is to be tabulated on the 24th," Norvelle said.
The present contract, which serves 3,700 workers, expired on March 31.
The contract was originally written for 1995-1998, and has been extended twice, each time for two years.
"We began negotiations with the union in late January," Norvelle said.
He described the negotiations as "professional, amicable and fruitful in most areas."
Wells said the time frame for any possible strike depends on the company.
"We don't want to strike, but if they force the issue we will take equal action," he said.
According to the union spokesman, the management would be remiss to not work with the union.
"We serve the Pentagon, the FBI, the CIA, Quantico and Hampton Roads," Wells noted.
He suggested the company would "be very foolish," not to work with the union.
"It would be different if the company was in a financial bind, " Wells said.

Halifax County farmers are getting ready to lose their greatest natural resource.
"A lot of people work so long that when they retire they can't enjoy themselves," Halifax County Extension Agent Larry McPeters said yesterday. "I want to be able to enjoy myself."
McPeters announced his retirement last week, after three decades of service to the county.
State budget cuts helped McPeters make his decision.
"The alternative service option the state is offering gave me a good deal," he said.
"I would lose a lot of money by continuing to work," he added.
It's the best of both worlds, he said.
"More money and no work," he added with a laugh.
His retirement will be effective July 1.
McPeters said he has cultivated many lasting relationships.
"I will always cherish the positive and professional working relationships .
"The memories will always be with me," he said.
He will be sorely missed, according to many in the farm community.
"Larry McPeters is Mr. Agriculture in Southside Virginia," county administrator Joe Morgan said.
"I have been told by many of Larry's bosses that he's had many opportunities to work other places, but he chose to invest his time and talents in Halifax County," Morgan added.
Although he wants to remain productive, McPeters said he is going to take some well-deserved time off.
"I'm on over twenty boards, committees and commissions.
"I'm going to resign from all of them," he said with a laugh.
After his time off, he said he will continue to try to serve the community he loves.
"I will be showing up in a year or two to help move the county forward," he said.
"That's the most rewarding career a man can have, serving people," he said.
But he plans a couple of lifestyle changes as well.
"I told my wife I want to become more like a teenager," the extension agent said. "Sleep a little later and stay up a little later.
"I've been too busy for too long," he added.
He will play a little more tennis, and do some cattle farming, he said.
But Halifax County residents can expect to see him around.
"I want to come back after some time off and concentrate on community service," he said.
"My home is in Scottsburg, and I plan to stay here forever," he added.
McPeters said he won't try to hold onto the position he has held since June 16, 1971.
"I am going to step back and let my successor fill the position in his or her own way," he said.
And he only wants the best for the county.
"I hope they get a person that shows me up," he said. "Halifax County deserves it."
Until the county finds a replacement, farmers with questions will still have an encyclopedic resource at their fingertips.
"My number is in the book, if the farmers need me," he said.

Listen to the roar of Civil War-era artillery Saturday, the same roar Confederates and Yankees heard as the battle raged for the Staunton River Railroad Bridge on June 25, 1864.
On a hot summer day in June of 1864, 492 old men and young boys gathered in Halifax in response to an urgent plea from Benjamin Farinholt to assist his 296 Confederate reserves in the defense of the Staunton River Railroad Bridge.
The Confederates would face an approaching Union cavalry detachment of more than 5,000 men.
The call was answered.
The South prevailed in battle.
Remember the battle, joining those commemorating soldiers who fought there during a special ceremony at Staunton River Battlefield State Park from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Meet at the fort near the Visitors' Center.
Learn the types, role and effectiveness of artillery in the Civil War, and enjoy a firing demonstration at the fort from 10:45 a.m.-12 noon.
Throughout the day, tour the battleground by wagon and discover fascinating historical facts regarding the battle as well as significant archaeological finds of the area.
Tour the earthworks, discover the use of fortifications during the Civil War, and learn other interesting facts about the war at the fort from 1-2 p.m.
Throughout the day there will be an opportunity to learn the surgical and medicinal techniques practiced during the Civil War and discover different tools that were used.
At the fort and at the Visitors' Center, go back in time with period toys and play the games of the day. The public is invited to come "Enlist and Drill with the Sergeant."
For more information, contact the park at (434) 454-4312.

A South Boston Police Officer has been suspended amid allegations of sexual harassment of a co-worker, according to an official close to the investigation.
Lt. Rick Loftis, who is a long-time member of the department, is currently the subject of an internal investigation by the department, the source added.
The source, who did not want to be identified, said South Boston Police Chief Jim Hall met with Commonwealth's Attorney John Greenbacker last week to determine how to handle the allegations against Loftis.
"The allegations have saddened me," Greenbacker said yesterday.
He declined to comment further on the investigation.
"I think it's inappropriate for anyone to make any statements about this matter before the appropriate internal investigations have been concluded and resolved," the commonwealth's attorney added.
Town Manager Ted Daniel said yesterday that he had no comment on the matter.
"We have no public comment on personnel matters," Daniel said.
Despite repeated attempts, Chief Hall was unavailable for comment.
A person answering the phone at the Loftis residence said he was unavailable.

It took Frank Deiny Jr. about three-quarters of the race to do it, but the current Late Model points leader overcame surprise pole-sitter Peyton Sellers to take the 100-lap event during Blue Bunny Ice Cream night Saturday at Big Daddy's South Boston Speedway.
It was Deiny's fifth win of the season and broke a tie for first with Brandon Butler in the points standings.
Sellers, finished second, while last week's co-leader in points, Brandon Butler, took third, and Scott Worley, fourth.
Deiny figured it would be a tough go Saturday, particularly after last week's incident with Butler in the second of two 75-lap feature races.
"I didn't get over here this week," said Deiny before the event.
"I was busy putting my car together after last week, and a lot of these guys came over to test this week.
"It's the tightest points race I've seen in South Boston in awhile, and it's going to be pretty hard to pull away."
Race fans expecting to see a resumption of the fireworks resulting from last week's mishap between Deiny and Brandon Butler, the division's top two winners this season, instead saw an almost incident-free race that gave Deiny the overall points lead when finished.
Sellers jumped to the early lead, while Deiny, who qualified third, battled outside pole sitter Scott Worley and fourth-place qualifier Butler the first 30 laps of the race.
"We were all there nose to tail, and there were some nervous moments," Deiny recalled later.
"We were all trying to battle, inches off one another. If anybody makes a mistake, there's a wreck."
With Sellers out in front, Deiny got some clean air after passing Worley about 30 laps into the race, and began to work on Sellers, until catching him with about 40 laps left in the race, with Butler running third.
Deiny dove into the corners looking for the lead and went door-to-door with Sellers before finally taking first on lap 73, and holding off a Seller's attempt at retaking the advantage.
The only two cautions of the race set up a possible dash for the flag with 10 laps left.
The #80 car of Kenny Bowes spun out on lap 90, and the #36 car of Mark Parks brought out the caution flag again before the restart lap was completed.
Deiny was able to pull away to the win, with Sellers a close second, Butler third, and Worley, fourth.
"It worried me to see the caution come out with 10 laps left," recalled Deiny.
"Peyton is usually good on restarts, and you have to stay on the ball. We have some great drivers in the top five."
Sellers, a rookie, was pleased with his second-place finish, admitting he's qualified better than he's raced this year.
"We've been struggling, but came back tonight with a second-place finish," said Sellers.
"Everybody expected Deiny to win, but no one expected Peyton Sellers to finish second. It's just as good as a win.
"The car never changed a whole lot. We started off pretty good, and in the end we were pretty good, but we were a little too loose to run with Frankie.
"We have something to work with now," he added.
"We've been working really hard," said Sellers. We've had pretty decent qualifying runs all year, but have been struggling in the races.
"If we can stay there for the long runs, get a couple of top fives..."
If Saturday's race appeared more tame than earlier ones, a reason may have been that the drivers were settling for a points run, and not trying to take any chances at this point in the season.
Points leaders Deiny and Butler know the points battle this season is far from over.
"These guys are getting better every week," Deiny said.
"Me and Brandon are battling each other but we've got to look out for these other guys.
"Sellers is running good and Eddie Johnson has been coming on lately. A lot of these guys have been running good.
"I really don't think the Mid-Atlantic champion will come from here this year. There are too many good guys here, guys who can win every night, Deiny added."
Butler said that his team had some homework to do to stay ahead of hard chargers like Sellers.
"Like I said last week, we had some homework to do," said Butler.
"We didn't get up here this week to test like we planned, but we're going to come next week.
"We need to get a little better. Some of these guys have caught up with us."
Brandon hoped for a top five finish Saturday night, but admitted he didn't think he had a car that could have won.
"We're working as hard as we've ever had, but I think we kind of rested on what we've learned the past couple of years...everybody has caught up.
"You never know what might work in this racing game, so we plan to try some different things, and we're going to try a little better.
"It's pretty tight. Four or five guys have a shot at this thing. Hopefully, we can win a few races and keep piling those points up."
Sellers, for one, thinks no one is running away with the title this season, and is looking for a mid-season run to move up.
"It's still a bit early, and a lot can happen," said Sellers.
"No one is going to run away with it this year. We have some good people up there, including Nathan Buttke, and Scott Worley.
"They're stepping on the doors of the top runners like Frankie and Brandon.
"It can be done, and I think I'd be a good one to do it. I'd be tickled to death if I could."

Walter Dewey 'Giles' Sneed

Walter Dewey 'Giles' Sneed, 81, of 205 Merritt Street, South Boston, died June 14 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Sneed was born in Halifax County on June 15, 1920, the son of Arthur Manley Sneed and Mattie Cully Sneed and was married to Frances Evelyn Dance Sneed. He was a member of Faulkner Memorial Masonic Lodge #91 in South Boston, a Shriner, a Veteran of WWII, and guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Sandra C. Murphy of Binghamton, NY and Wanda S. Ulsaker of Wilmington, DE; four grandchildren, Kelly Russo and Shannon Murphy of Binghamton, Grace Ulsaker and Sean Ulsaker of Wilmington; two great-grandchildren, Mackenzie and Madelyn Russo of Binghamton; four brothers, Chester Sneed of Nathalie, John Sneed and Eugene 'Dink' Sneed, both of South Boston and Richard Sneed of Fayetteville, NC; one sister, Ruby Watts of South Boston.
Services for Mr. Sneed will be held today, June 17, at 11 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John Wilder officiating. Burial will take place in Halifax Memorial Gardens with Military Rites.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home today from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.

J.L. King

J.L. King, 59, of Gibsonville, NC, died June 13 at his home.
A native of Pittsylvania County, he was the husband of Sandra 'Sandy' Turner King and son of the late Robert Christopher and Lillie Mae Doss King.
Mr. King was an Army Veteran of the Vietnam War, a member of the American Legion, DAV and a Life member of the VFW. He was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Lisa Glore of Cornelia, GA, Tammy Barton of Ellenwood, GA and Tina Whited of Stockbridge, GA; six grandchildren; brothers, Hermon King and Roger L. King, both of Gretna, Roy L. King of Halifax, Burke King of Nathalie and Jim King of Decator, GA; sisters, Virginia Hanes of Lexington, NC, Virgie Marsh of High Point, NC, Susie Waller of Bedford and Emma Thornton of Christiansburg. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Irene Barbour; and two brothers, Hoover King and Charles C. King.
Graveside services were held at 4 p.m. June 15 at Alamance Memorial Park by the Rev. Ernest Beck.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Hospice of Alamance-Caswell, PO Box 2122, Burlington, NC 27216.

James Harold Conner

Funeral services for James Harold Conner, 80, of Scottsburg, will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church.
The Rev. Dr. Tony Brooks will conduct the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Mr. Conner died Saturday at Halifax Regional Hospital.
A Halifax County native, he was born July 6, 1921, a son of Luther T. Conner and Mrs. Annie Blount Conner. He was married to Annie Compton Conner.
Mr. Conner was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church where he was a lifetime deacon and former Sunday School teacher. He was a member of the Bethel Ruritan Club.
He was a World War II Army veteran and received two Purple Hearts.
Mr. Conner is survived by one son, Mike Conner, and his wife Carol of Scottsburg, one daughter, Vanessa Conway, and husband Ray of Walhalla, South Carolina, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and one brother-in-law, Carl Compton, of Scottsburg.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Annie Compton Conner, one son, Skip Conner, three sisters and five brothers.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home Monday from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m., and at other times at his home, 6151 Bethel Road, Scottsburg.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Bethel Baptist Church, Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, Va. 24592, or the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Homes, P.O. Box 1398, Brookneal, Virginia 24528.

Mrs. Blanche Poole Wilson

Blanche Poole Wilson, 78, of Virgilina, died Saturday at Avante of Lynchburg.
A funeral service will be held today at Shady Grove United Methodist Church at 11 a.m.
The Rev. Don Davidson will conduct the Monday service. Burial will be in Shady Grove U.M.C. Cemetery in Virgilina.
A native of Person County, North Carolina, Mrs. Wilson was born December 18, 1923, a daughter of the late Thomas Lennie Poole and Patty Rudder Poole Harris. She was married to the late Woodrow Samuel Wilson Sr.
Mrs. Wilson was a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church where she was a past member of the board of directors.
She was a Cub Scout (Pack 401) and Boy Scout den mother, a volunteer assistant librarian at Cluster Springs Elementary School and she managed a tobacco and grain farm.
Mrs. Wilson was an avid gardener and nature lover, and was very active in her church and community.
She was a retired sales associate with Leggett Department Store, where she worked 23 years.
Mrs. Wilson is survived by two daughters, Peggi W. Vance and her husband, Sanford, of Virginia Beach, and Judy W. Trader and her husband Chad of Concord, North Carolina; one son, Woodrow "Woody" S. Wilson III, and his wife Betsy of Amherst; three sisters, Rosa Whitlow of Virgilina, Mary Knott of Roxboro, North Carolina, and Jeannie Cheesmon of Glendale, California; and two brothers, Leamon Poole and Victor Poole, both of Roxboro, North Carolina.
Other survivors include three grandsons and two granddaughters. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Jean W. Vaughan, and two sisters.

Gerald Louis Crews

Gerald Louis Crews, 56, of Rockville, will be buried Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Republican Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Bennett Funeral Home, 11020 W. Broad Street, in Glen Allen.
Mr. Crews was an electrician for Union Local 666.
Survivors include his son Clinton T. Crews of Henrico County, a daughter, Katie Crews Simpson, also of Henrico County, his mother, Emma Francis Crews, of Nathalie, three brothers, Marshall C. Crews of Brookneal, James E. Crews of South Boston and Phillip S. Crews of Statesville, North Carolina, and his sister, Mary Crews Gillian of Hillsborough, North Carolina, two grandchildren, and his fiancee Linda Gail Wilson of Rockville.
He was preceded in death by his father, Stanford Crews, and his step-father, L. Clinton Crews.
Memorials may be made to the Rockville Fire Department, Co. # 9, or to the Goochland Fire and Rescue Squad Co. #3.