Council Supports Grant Efforts

Council threw its support behind Tobacco Commission Grant applications seeking seed money for the Halifax County Service Authority and for the Halifax County Historical Society’s bid for the Crossing of the Dan Exhibit during its Monday night session.
The action followed a long work session agenda.
Councilman Ed Owens, who serves on the Tobacco Commission, abstained during both votes.
Owens also cautioned that Commission funding “comes from the same (special projects) pot” of money.
South Boston Town Manager Ted Daniel told Council that the Dan River Crossing Exhibit is “a force multiplier for tourism economic development” for the region. The sponsors are seeking $100,000, according to the town manager.
The Crossing of the Dan project will be located in The Prizery in South Boston, which overlooks the Revolutionary War crossing of the Dan by American forces being pursued by Lord Cornwallis. The escape by American forces, who later returned to battle, is described by some historians as a turning point in the war.
Seeking $450,000 in seed money for a public service authority from the Tobacco Commission, the town’s resolution supporting that application notes South Boston, Halifax and Halifax County have developed a plan for combining their water and sewer utility assets and liabilities. The resolution also notes the governing bodies have adopted resolutions authorizing the development of a comprehensive agreement leading to the establishment of a regional water/sewer public service authority.
In other business, during the work session, Council set the following busy agenda for public hearings on Feb. 12:
n A proposal to clarify that a portion of the $5,105,000 June 2006 public improvement bond issue will be used to finance landfill closure costs. Daniel said the action will give the town flexibility as it faces landfill closure. Councilman Coleman Speece noted the town is not receiving income from Mecklenburg County it had anticipated at the South Boston landfill.
n Proposed 2007-2012 Capital Improvement Plan. The recommended CIP provides $685,000 (General Fund) and $15,760 (water/sewer) for capital improvement for the first year of the five-year CIP. In General Fund, the following projects are recommended: Planning and Community Development, Church Hill Community Development CDG Project (last year) $380,000; Railroad Heritage ISTEA, $250,000; Police Dept., evidence filing/secure storage, $35,000; Public Works Dept., traffic signal controller upgrade, $20,000. Under Water/Sewer Fund, Meter replacement program, $15,760. Staff has recommended funding for projects that are pre-funded, for example through grants and revenue sharing. FY 2006 bond financing will not be available for new capital projects.
n Founder College Development application to rezone 223 acres from Residential-1 to Planned Development-Residential. The Planning Commission recommended rezoning following public hearings at its last meeting.
n Amendments to the Town Zoning Ordinance regulating electric fences in residential zones and for survey plats required for new construction single family dwellings. Both issues were recommended by the town’s Planning Commission this month.
In other business, councilmen heard a report from South Boston Fire Department’s Calvin “Sput” Jones on the mandated Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. Council scheduled a public comment period for its February 12 meeting. Local mitigation plans are required before an area can receive help from FEMA and some state agencies, according to Jones. The fireman noted that work began on the plan two years ago. Hurricanes, winter storms, flooding and drought are some of the natural disasters that have affected Southside. Jones seeks approval of the plan at Council’s February meeting.
Council also put the Riverdale Flood Control Study issue on its February agenda. Director of Public Works Alan Auld and the town manager addressed the issue. Councilmen questioned whether the town would be responsible for costs above the $100,000 Corps of Engineers limit, but Auld said that the Corps did not think the study cost would reach $100,000 and also the Corps would not go beyond that point without town authorization. Auld also noted “the Corps has been through this before” in a previous Riverdale area study.
The state of Riverdale, its buildings, flooding potential and the Corps of Engineers’ requirements were raised. during the Monday night meeting.
“In the last study, the most cost-efficient (action) was to relocate businesses,” said Daniel. But he said at that time, the cost was estimated in the $5 million range. Daniel noted the locality was responsible for 35 percent of the $5 million. The town officials also noted they would probably have to seek grant assistance.
“So do we ask the Corps to pursue the study?” asked Daniel.
“That would be $1.5 million for the town’s part,” cautioned Speece, who said he didn’t see how the town could embrace that.
“There are zoning issues,” added Daniel, noting that the status of Riverdale has become a hot topic.
The town manager also noted the high traffic count in the area sought by businessmen and women.
Tim Hackney, a county resident who does excavating work and who worked on the CCI expansion project, said he had been looking at Riverdale property. He suggested buying to demolish and then elevating the property, “if the Corps cooperates.”
Hackney suggest by building the lots up, there would be no damage to the new buildings due to flooding and that action would be more cost effective.
Daniel noted Hackney was not the first to suggest that course of action.
“Can it be reclaimed?” asked Daniel. “I don’t know what the solution is. Perhaps it’s time to get the Corps back in. I don’t know.”
The Corps issue was placed on the Council’s February agenda.
Council also received recommendations for proposed placement of art sculptures by South Boston artist Bob Cage. Gene Haugh, of Destination Downtown South Boston, presented Council with four possible locations as well as photographs of sculptures. However, Cage reserved the right to not place a sculpture if it did not fit or work well in a designated spot. Possible sites included: adjacent to the SBFD on the north side in the grassy area; the corner of Charles and Main streets; the alley between Distinct Impressions and Mike’s Radio and TV; and at the lower point of Constitution Square. The proposal was put on the agenda for action at Council’s February meeting.

Obituaries

Calvin Leonard Kelly

Calvin Leonard Kelly, 74, of 205 Merritt Street, South Boston died January 29, 2007, at Virginia Baptist Hospital. He was born in Lynchburg October 29, 1932, the son of the late Melvin C. Kelly and Sara Elizabeth Arthur Kelly and was married to Gloria Cunningham Kelly.
Mr. Kelly was a member of Fairview Christian Church in Lynchburg. He was a former Commander of American Legion Post 8 and a Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was former co-owner of Kelly-Wheeler Chrysler-Plymouth in South Boston and was previously an accountant with Brockman Chevrolet in Amherst.
Survivors include his wife of the home; two sisters, Nancy Falwell and husband, Ariel, of Lynchburg and Jewell Hicks and husband, Wes, of Richmond; one brother, Melvin C. Kelly Jr. and wife, Viola, of Kingsland, Ga.
One son, Thomas Gregory ‘Greg’ Kelly; two sisters, Hazel Hamilton and Rebecca Kelly; and two brothers, Ronald Kelly and Floyd Bennett Kelly, preceded Mr. Kelly in death.
A Mausoleum graveside service with Military Rites will be held tomorrow, February 1, at 2:30 p.m. at Fort Hill Memorial Park in Lynchburg. The Rev. Jack Hamilton will officiate.
The family will receive friends this evening, January 31, from 7:00 until 8:30, at Powell Funeral Home and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 875, South Boston, 24592.

Rev. Hugh B. Carter Jr.

Rev. Hugh B. Carter Jr., 87, of Florida, died at his home January 17, 2007.
Rev. Carter was born in Atlanta, Ga. April 18, 1919, the son of the late Hugh B. Carter Sr. and Earlyne Prichard Carter, and was married to the late Myra Greenawalt Carter.
Survivors include a son, Hugh Timothy Carter of Manassas; his grandchildren, Lindsay, Stacy and Travis; his daughter, Myra Carter Therrien and husband, Bruce, of Ballston Spa, N.Y.; and Vicky Carter.
A memorial mass for Rev. Carter was held at St. Ann Church, Gulf Breeze, Fla. at 10 a.m. on January 19 by Pastor Luke Hunt.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Hospice of Emerald Coast, 5401 Corporate Woods Drive, Pensacola, Fla. 32504.

Kevin Gaylord Parton

Kevin Gaylord Parton, 49, of 1121 Newton Farm Road, South Boston died January 27, 2007, at MCV, Richmond. He was born January 6, 1958, in Halifax County the son of Janis Martin Whitt and Thomas Cundiff, and was married to Debby Hazelwood Parton.
Mr. Parton was a former member of the Halifax County Rescue, South Boston Volunteer Fire Company, and Cluster Springs Ruritan Club.
Survivors include his wife of the home; mother of Danville; father of Charleston, S.C.; his daughter, Lindsey Parton Fisher of South Boston; one granddaughter, Kaylee Jewel Fisher of South Boston; his grandmother, Jewel Martin, of South Boston. His stepfather, Ken Parton; and grandfather, Lucas ‘Dutch’ Martin, preceded Mr. Parton in death.
Funeral services will be held at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel today, January 31, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Vance Midgett officiating. Burial will follow at Halifax Memorial Gardens.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@earthlink.net

Keister Bailey Cole

Keister Bailey Cole, 79, of 2248 East Hyco Road, South Boston died January 28, 2007, at Halifax Regional Hospital. He was born in Halifax County on October 17, 1927, the son of the late Matilda Elliott, and was married to Elyle Cole. He was a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church, and of Hyco Ruritan Club.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Steve Cole and wife, Jennifer, of Cary, N.C. and Mike Cole and wife, Barbara, of Halifax; one daughter, Anne Cole of Raleigh, N.C.; and four grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Cole will be held today, January 31, at 11 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Phil Showers and Raymond McGarr officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider a charity of choice.
Online condolences may be made to powell@gcronline.com

Candice Leigh Blane

Candice Leigh Blane, 52, of South Boston died January 29, 2007. She was born in Halifax County May 18, 1954, the daughter of Charles A. Blane and Nancy McDowell Blane. She was a member of Alton Baptist Church.
Survivors of Miss Blane include her mother, of South Boston; two sisters, Carolyn B. Elliott andhusband, Jack, of Lynchburg and Charlene B. Samford and husband, Wayne, of Richmond; two nephews, Matthew Elliott and wife, Sally, and Jason Sheriff and wife, Meghan; two nieces, Anne Blane Elliott Wootten and husband, Bradley, and Kelda Sheriff; one great-nephew, Charles Blane Sheriff; and one great-niece, Caroline Leigh Wootten.
Funeral services will be held today, January 31, at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dennis Ball officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home following the service.
Burial will follow in Alton Baptist Church Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 3959 Electric Road, Suite 222, Roanoke, 24018, or Alton Baptist Church, 1054 Alton Post Office Road, Alton, 24520-3595.

Brenda Barber Seamans

Brenda Barber Seamans, 55, of Chase City died January 24, 2007.
Mrs. Seamans was a retired Nutrition Technician with Virginia Extension Service and currently served as a Supporter for her husband under the Maryland-Virginia Milk Producers. She graduated from Southside Virginia Community College, was an artist and a member of Concord Baptist Church.
Survivors of Mrs. Seamans include her husband, Larry E. Seamans; her father, Floyd Barber of Victoria; one daughter, Christina Seamans Duke and husband, Matthew, of Oxford, N .C.; one son, Eugene Seamans and girl friend, Brandie Frey, of Chase City; two sisters, Bonnie Scott of Victoria and Shelby Mann of Roanoke Rapids, N.C.; two brothers, Johnny Barber and Jerry Barber, both of Victoria; two grandchildren, Elizabeth Lane Duke and Dylon Jay Seamans. She was preceded in death by her mother, Inez J. Barber; and a brother, Kenneth Barber.
Funeral services for Mrs. Seamans were held January 27, at Concord Baptist Church with the Rev. David Blakely officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Concord Baptist Church Nursery Fund, c/o Phyllis and Bill Williams, Treasurers, 26330 Hwy. 49, Chase City, 23924.

Sally Laverne Russell Holloman

Sally Laverne Russell Holloman, 73, of South Boston died January 27, 2007, at The Woodview. She was the widow of William E. Holloman.
A native of Wilmington, N.C., Mrs. Holloman graduated from UNC at Wilmington with a BS in Psychology.
Survivors include her daughters, Linda H. Boucher and Rebecca H. Moyer; a son, William E. Holloman Jr.; brothers, John, Ronald, and Patrick Russell; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A private family service will be held in Wilmington.
Memorials may be made to Pug Rescue of North Carolina, c/o P.O. Box 94, Summerfield, N.C. 27358 and online condolences may be made at www.cremationofvirginia.com.

Glennie Gloria Lacy Clark

Glennie Gloria Lacy Clark, 89, of New York died January 25, 2007, at St. Luke’s Hospital in New York City.
Ms. Clark was born in Halifax County September 15, 1917, the daughter of Allen and Susan Lacy and was married to the late Dan Clark. She was a member of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church in Bronx, N.Y. and Millstone Baptist Church, Nathalie.
Survivors include an adopted daughter, Antonia Williams of Chester, Pa.; her loyal cousin, Grace Wilson of New York City; and a surrogate brother, Dan Bromell of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Funeral services for Ms. Clark will be held tomorrow, February 1, at 1:30 p.m. at Millstone Baptist Church with Pastor Chester R. Spruill officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The remains will lie in state one hour prior to the service.

Mary Clifton Tucker Tuck

Mary Clifton Tucker Tuck, 70, of Hyattsville, Md., formerly of South Boston, died January 28, 2007, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Tuck was born in Halifax County on August 27, 1936, the daughter of the late Alex Tucker and Mary Carrington Tucker Buster, and was married to the late Clyde Louis Tuck. She was a member of First Baptist Church and was employed by Prince George County Public Schools in Md.
Survivors include three daughters, Vivian T. Betts, Sylvia T. Birch and Darlena H. Chappell, all of South Boston; one son, Jesse James Tucker of Rocky Mount, N.C.; four sisters, Christine Claiborne of Queens, N.Y., Nancy Walker of Brooklyn, N.Y., Frances T. Vass of South Boston and Lucille B. Tuck of Virgilina; two brothers, Alex Tucker and Samuel Tucker, both of South Boston; 17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one daughter-in-law, Melissa Tucker; two sons-in-law, Kevin Chappell and Roger Birch. Mrs. Tuck was preceded in death by one daughter, Clarissa Tucker.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, February 1, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church on Ferry Street with the Rev. Kelvin Chandler officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the Chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home this evening, January 31, from 7 until 8, and other times at the home of Kevin and Darlena Chappell, 2169 East Hyco Road, South Boston.

Joseph Frederick Lightcap

Joseph Frederick Lightcap of Nathalie died December 17, 2006.
A memorial service for Mr. Lightcap will be held February 2, at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with Father Steven Andes officiating.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider an animal charity of your choice.