Monday, March 14, 2005

EDA Board Resigns

Resignation Of Seven-Member Board Follows Months Of Political Upheaval

BY Keith Strange
strange@gazettevirginian.com

The seven-member board of directors of the Halifax County Economic Development Authority, following months of political battles over the future economic development structure in the county, tendered a letter of resignation Friday.
“By this letter, we unanimously resign as board members of the Economic Development Authority," the letter reads. “We believe that the larger mission is so important that perceived structural problems with the current arrangement between our organization and the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority should not be the obstacle to progress that it has become.
“Our resignations will allow the Town (of South Boston) and the county an opportunity to rethink and perhaps restructure the entity or entities."
The resignation letter was signed by William Coleman, Rebecca Davis, Rick Harrell, Bill Kelehar, Chris Lumsden, Joe Satterfield and Paul Stapleton.
The move came just days after Supervisor Ronnie Vaughan made a motion to dissolve the EDA during Monday’s meeting of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors.
Vaughan’s motion died on a tie vote.
Following months of discussion on the issue, supervisors created the EDA last September.
In the letter, the resigning EDA board members called on South Boston and county leadership to carefully consider their next move in the county’s marketing structure.
“We request that your two governments appoint an independent commission of citizens and business leaders from the town and county to study the issue and make recommendations within a short (30 day) time frame," they urged.
The board also requested that in-coming Executive Director Mike Eades be considered for the post with the IDA.
“We trust that the ultimate solution for economic development for this county will honor the commitments which we made in good faith to Mike Eades, the new executive director whom you endorsed," they said in the letter.
Eades signed a contract to take over the helm of the fledgling authority on Wednesday, March 2.
Since the EDA board failed to pass a resolution dissolving the body before resigning, the board’s move has cast some doubt about the contractual obligations the county has with Eades.
Eades’ contract was signed with the EDA.
At least one Halifax County attorney said the county is obligated to honor the contract that will pay Eades a $95,000 starting salary.
“The contract is good until the county accepts the resignation," the attorney said. “At that point, in order to make the contract good, they’ll (supervisors) have to appoint a new EDA board or terminate the contract and write another contract with another body.
“But the county, through the EDA, is legally bound to honor the contract."
The problem lies in the fact that the EDA still legally exists, albeit without a sitting board of directors.
“The board still exists," the attorney said. “It just doesn’t have any members at this point.
“Without the dissolution of the board, Eades has a contract with the EDA," he added. “It’s possible that he could renegotiate the contract if Eades is willing to work for the IDA."
“My understanding is that the proper way (to end the EDA) would be for the EDA board to pass a resolution recommending the dissolution of the board," County Administrator Bryan Foster said. “The Board of Supervisors and South Boston Town Council will have to both agree to dissolve it.
“But the board (of supervisors) is split on this issue," Foster added. “We’re going to have to come to an agreement on how best to structure the economic development of the county. Everyone involved in the process wants the best for the county, but there are some honest disagreements on the best way to structure the process so it will work."
Contacted Friday, IDA Vice-Chairman Larry McPeters said he has contacted Eades, who indicated he is willing to consider working with the IDA.
“His response was that he’s interested in fulfilling his obligation on the contract he signed and it doesn’t matter who he’s signed it with," he said. “He’s still looking forward to coming to Halifax County.
“That’s the bottom line," McPeters added. “We want to get a professional in here to keep the economic development ball rolling."
To that end, the IDA will discuss the matter during a special called meeting Tuesday at 2 p.m.
In a prepared statement, Supervisor Doug Bowman, who advocated the formation of the EDA, called the board resignation “regrettable yet understandable."
“There first task of finding an executive director was well done," he said. “They acted in the best interest of the county and I sincerely thank them. The need for leadership in our economic development effort remains clearly evident."
IDA Chairman John Cannon said he was “surprised" the EDA board chose to resign.
“I think the board of supervisors thought it was a worthwhile effort to have an EDA for the marketing of economic development," he said. “It was a concept, as far as I was concerned, that I was happy to work with and I am sorry that this turn of events has happened.
“The IDA needs to move forward as it has in the past and if there is any further comments about joint EDAs, that should come after a period of serious discussions with the appropriate parties," Cannon added.

Two Public Hearings Top Tonight’s Agenda

South Boston Council will hold a public hearings on the Church Hill project and on a request from Ebenezer CME Church to close a dedicated public right of way south of the church’s 2309 North Main Street property during tonight’s session.
Councilmen will meet at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at 502 Yancey Street.
Following the Church Hill project public hearing, Council is expected to consider a resolution authorizing its town manager to apply for a $1.2 million Community Development Block Grant.
The Church Hill project includes funding for infrastructure, home renovations and the razing of the Taylor Building. Town Manager Ted Daniel has estimated 60 percent of the $1.2 million grant would go to home improvements, which is a funding stipulation.
The second public hearing deals with the Ebenezer CME Church’s request to close the dedicated public right of way, Callaway Street, south of the church’s property. Following the public hearing Council is expected to appoint a three-member Board of Viewers to study the request, its impact, if any, and make a recommendation.
In other business, Council will hear a request from Fry, Jordan & Wilson, 502 Wilborn Ave., to allow an awning on the front of their building. The awning will display the company’s logo.
Charles Payne is expected to seek permission for a projecting sign at 1019 Arch Street, the new location for his limousine service.
Council also is expected to discuss a recommendation to study removal of a traffic signal at the intersection of Wilborn Avenue and Johnson Street. Chris Elliott, who maintains the town’s traffic signals, told councilmen during their work session last week that there had been interest in removing the signal following the warehouse fire. Prior to the fire, he said line of sight had been a problem at the corner. A traffic count and 90-day evaluation study at the intersection would be completed prior to any action.

South Boston Policeman Wounded Serving In Iraq

A South Boston Marine was wounded Thursday in Iraq.
Corporal Aaron Forbes sustained facial wounds during operations there, but details were not available at press time yesterday, according to his wife, Jennifer Forbes.
“The first reports were worse than now,” said South Boston Police Chief Mick Reed, Forbes’ civilian employer. “He has facial wounds but it is not life-threatening,” added Reed.
In the Marine Reserves, Forbes had just been hired as a South Boston police officer when his unit was called up January 3, Reed said yesterday. Forbes was deployed February 20.
Mrs. Forbes, who is expecting the couple’s first child in September, is a South Boston native.
The South Boston Police Department has a second man deployed in the War On Terror, Corporal Eddie Fallen who is serving in Afghanistan. He deployed in October.
Fallen works with the South Boston Police Department’s canine squad.
“We’ve been keeping in touch with both wives and families,” said Reed.
“Our Department is extremely proud of members serving overseas, and we all took a big sigh of relief when we learned Aaron’s injuries were not life-threatening,” the chief said.

Obituaries

Willie McGuire Young

Funeral services for Mr. Willie McGuire Young will be held tomorrow at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Virgilina with the Rev. Lorenzo Love officiating.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Mr. Young, 76, of Bold Springs Road in South Boston, died Friday at Halifax Regional Hospital.
He was born in Halifax County on March 4, 1929 to the late Willie Burl Young and Elizabeth Stokes Young, and was married to the late Nannie Elizabeth Stovall Young.
Mr. Young was a U.S. Army Korean War veteran and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Virgilina.
He is survived by a daughter, Karen Michelle Gimes of Danville; a goddaughter, Linda Martin of Virgilina; a godson, Thomas Stovall of South Boston; a granddaughter; a sister, Ida C. Young of Virgilina; two sisters-in-law, Ella Owen and Carrie Jordan; a brother-in-law, William D. Stovall; a devoted friend Joan Boxley of South Boston and a host of nieces, nephews and other friends.
The family will receive friends at the residence, 5106 Bold Springs Road, South Boston, and at the home of Linda Martin, 1061 Zion Hill Church Loop, Virgilina.

Lawrence Penick

Funeral services for Mr. Lawrence Penick will be held tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel in South Boston.
Mr. Penick, 47, of Tanglewylde Drive in South Boston, died Friday at Halifax Regional Hospital.
He was born in Halifax County on March 22, 1957.
Mr. Penick is survived by a daughter, Tanya S. Leigh of Overland Park, Kansas; his mother, Geannettie Penick of South Boston; four sisters, Joyce Penick of Alexandria, Sarah Wilson and Jacqueline Penick, both of Halifax, and Yvonne Gordon of Philadelphia; six brothers, Fulton Penick of Crystal Hill, Jesse Penick and Warren Penick, both of Halifax, Freddie Penick of Clover, Vincent Thompson of Philadelphia and Robert Penick of Fayetteville, N.C.; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

William Curtis Belcher Jr.

Funeral services for Mr. William “Pete" Curtis Belcher Jr. will be held today at 3 p.m. at the Fair Funeral Home Chapel in Eden, N.C.
Burial will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Gardens in Eden.
Mr. Belcher, 47, of Buckhorn Drive in Nathalie, died Friday at Halifax Regional Hospital.
He was born in Eden on March 18, 1957, the son of William C. Belcher Sr. and Rosie Sheckells Belcher. He was married to Kathy Belcher.
Mr. Belcher was a member of the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ in Eden and was employed at BHK of America as a line supervisor.
In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Belcher is survived by a son, William “Curt" Belcher III; two sisters, Diane Wheeler and husband James of Eden and Paula Hodges and husband Tim of Eden; a brother, Clarence Wayne Belcher of Eden; and four nieces and one nephew.
Memorials may be made to Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, 421 Stratford Road, Eden, N.C. 27288.

Essie Johnson Alford

Essie Johnson Alford, 62, of Riverdale Drive, South Boston died in Halifax.
Ms. Alford was born in Halifax County on October 21, 1942, to the late Harry Johnson and the late Alean Carrington Beard. She was a member of Mayo Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include one son, Kirk Johnson of Oak Park, Ill.; a devoted cousin, Jessie Marable of South Boston; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Ms. Alford were held March 12 at 2 p.m. at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel.

Reba Smith Kinsey

Reba Smith Kinsey of Seattle, Wash., formerly of Scottsburg, died March 3 at the age of 83.
Mrs. Kinsey was the daughter of the late Charlie D. Smith Sr. and the late Sallie Francis Smith of Scottsburg.
She is survived by one daughter, Debbi, and husband, Michael Lohrer; two grandchildren, Tiffany and Tony of Lacey, Wash.; one sister, Frances S. Crews of Scottsburg; five brothers, Willie Lee Smith of Scottsburg, Lindy Smith of Doswell, Joe A. Smith of Richmond, Franklin H. Smith of Halifax, and Charlie D. Smith Jr. of Germanton, N.C.
Mrs. Kinsey was preceded in death by one brother, John Walter Smith of Bowling Green.
A memorial service for Mrs. Kinsey will be held at Scottsburg Baptist Church on March 19, at 2 p.m.

Myra Hurt Lane

Myra Hurt Lane, 88, of 701 Riely Avenue, South Boston died March 9 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Lane was born December 25, 1916, in Virginia to the late Robert H. Hurt and the late Lucy Mae McKinney Hurt, and was married to the late Ogden Kermit ‘O.K.’ Lane. She was a member of McCanless Memorial United Methodist Church and a retired textile worker with J.P. Stevens.
Her survivors include two daughters, Anne Lane Mitchell and husband, Robert D., of Larkspur, Colo. and Judith L. Martin and husband, S.C., of Halifax; one son, Richard K. ‘Dick’ Lane of Hampton; three grandsons, David B. and Brian A. Mitchell and Matthew T. Martin; one granddaughter, Wendy L. Castameda; and four great-grandchildren, Nicole and Jordan Castameda and Caleb and Nathan Mitchell.
Funeral services for Mrs. Lane were held March 13 at 2 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Home with Brian Mitchell and the Rev. Doug Spurlock officiating. Burial followed in Halifax Memorial Gardens.

Lawrence Ray Overbey

Lawrence Ray Overbey, 65, of Oxford, N.C., died March 10 in Duke Hospital.
Mr. Overbey was born in Halifax County the son of the late Edward Cephas and Mary Peele Overbey, and was married to Priscilla Tuck Overbey, who survives. He was retired from Certainteed.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. March 13, at Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home in Clarksville with burial in Hitesburg Baptist Church Cemetery.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Overbey is survived by one daughter, Donna Faye Overbey of Youngsville; one son and daughter-in-law, Dwayne and Carla Overbey of Oxford; two sisters, Norma O. Elliott and Nell O. Daniel, both of Virgilina; one brother, Cephas Overbey of Ashland; and four grandchildren.

Willard Gordan Shepherd

Willard Gordan Shepherd, 89, of Rocky Mount, N.C. died March 10. He was born October 22, 1915, in Danville, the son of the late Royal Nelson and Alma Thacker Shepherd. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dandridge Shepherd, and daughter Margie Shepherd.
Mr. Shepherd is survived by his, daughters, Lynda S. Lowery and husband, Emmett, of South Boston, Bonita S. Griffith and husband, Neil, of Pekin, Ill., and Sherry S. Pittman and husband, Jerry, of Holden Beach, N.C.; one son, Dr. Willard N. Shepherd and wife, Pamela, of Rocky Mount; one sister, Marion S. Traynham and husband, Randolph, of Danville; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at Rocky Mount Memorial Park, with the Rev. Terry Bryant officiating.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider a charity of your choice.

Comets Diamonders Shine Against Heritage

The HCHS Varsity Baseball Team Downed Heritage 11-1 In Scrimmage Game

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

Halifax County High School baseball coach Kelvin Davis was hoping his team would get off to a good start in its preseason activities.
So far, his Comets players haven’t disappointed him.
Staging an all-around good performance, the Comets belted Heritage High School 11-1 Thursday in a preseason scrimmage contest.
Saturday’s scheduled scrimmage game against Brookville was cancelled late Friday afternoon amid concerns of possible inclement weather.
That leaves the Comets with two more days to prepare for their home season-opener on Wednesday against Amherst County.
“It was really pleasing to see the things that the guys had been working on in practice worked well during the game,” said Davis.
“The things I’m talking about are things like hitting with two strikes, laying down the bunt, getting the sacrifices to score runs and playing good, fundamental baseball.
“We’re pretty much going to be playing “small ball” this year,” continued Davis.
“We’re going to have to get runners on base and do what we have to do to move them around and score.”
Davis said he used the three pitchers that are expected to comprise the Comets’ rotation this season, Tyler Clarke, lefthander David Lacks and Jeremy Jeffress.
“The scrimmage gave us a good opportunity to take a look at the three pitchers,” Davis said.
“This was their first opportunity this season to see them throw against batters from another team. I thought they threw the ball very well for their first time out. Coach (Kenneth) Day is working with the pitchers and catchers again this year and Coach Day was real impressed with them.
“We used each of the three pitchers about two innings each,” added Davis.
“We were concentrating mostly on their mechanics. We were real pleased with what all three of them did.”
Another pleasing aspect of Thursday’s scrimmage was that the Comets got their share of hits.
“We hit the ball pretty well,” Davis said.
“A lot of different guys got hits and that was good to see. We stole a couple of bases and did pretty well on offense.”
Davis said Thursday’s scrimmage represented an overall good performance.
“I felt it was a pretty good test,” he said.
“Heritage is one of the top teams in the Seminole District and that district is a pretty tough district. We saw a variety of things we need to work on and we’ll get back to work on Monday and take the first couple of days to get ready for the first game.”

Sellers Wins South Boston Speedway Season-Opener

For The Second Year In A Row Peyton Sellers Picks Up The Win In South Boston Speedway’s Season-Opening Race

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

The season’s opening race is always something special.
For Peyton Sellers, the season-opener at South Boston Speedway has become special, indeed.
Sellers scored his second career win in the NASCAR Late Model Stock Car division here Saturday with a flag-to-flag win in the150-lap Late Model Stock Car race that headlined the season-opening South Boston Spring Shootout.
This was the second year in a row that the young Danville driver has won South Boston Speedway’s season-opening race.
“This is an awesome win," said Sellers, who pocketed $3,000 for his day’s work.
“We’re going to try to make a habit of winning a little more often."
Sellers was consistent all race long and was able to hold former South Boston Speedway champions Brandon Butler of Petersburg and Frank Deiny Jr. of Mechanicsville at bay throughout a 74-lap stretch of green-flag racing that begin just prior to the midway point of the race.
A late caution period that created the race’s final restart with a dozen laps gave Butler and Deiny one last chance to make a run at Sellers but Sellers needed only two laps to open up a gap his challengers were unable to close.
Sellers said the final restart made him a little nervous.
“I knew toward the end of the green flag run we were pulling away from them," Sellers said.
“ I felt like we had something for them. They’re good, clean racers but with 10 to go, you do anything you can. I was just hoping to be able to get a little distance on them early and take it home. Fortunately, we were able to do that."
Butler, who is vying for the South Boston Speedway track title, said he was pleased with the outcome.
“We had a good competitive run for most of the race" he said.
“ Peyton was certainly a little better at the end and so was Frankie but we held on. It was a good points day for us.
“This was only our third race here in the past two years," Butler added.
“Eventhough we’ve run a lot of races here in the past, we’ve still got a little catching up to do."
While Butler was concerned with trying to catch Sellers, he was also having to try to keep the door closed on Deiny.
Butler and Deiny battled each other hard all day, with Butler managing to hold on for second place.
“I thought he (Deiny) was going to get by me, but we were able to hold him off on the outside," said Butler.
“ The late caution helped us cool our tires enough to be able to hold onto second."
For Deiny, who battled brake problems all day and ran the race with only the rear brakes working, the third-place finish marked a good day.
“We only had rear brakes and that was why I couldn’t deal with those guys too much," said Deiny, who will be racing at Motor Mile Speedway this season and attempting a run at the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national championship.
Still, Deiny said he felt he had something to Sellers.
“I feel like I could have beaten Peyton if we could have run long enough," he pointed out.
I hated to se that caution at the end. I got into a rhythm where I could deal with the brakes. When we had that caution and everybody’s tires cooled down, my car got worse where they got better."
Seventeen-year-old Drew Herring of Benson, NC finished fourth and Scott Worley of Long Island rounded out the top five finishers.
Owen Miller of Emporia drove the car owned by Dolly Fallen of South Boston to a sixth-place finish with Ryan Rhodes of Sanford, NC, David Quackensbush, Justin Johnson of Roxboro, NC and Jason Dickerson of Ruckersville completing the top ten.
The top nine finishers were on the lead lap at the end.
Sellers averaged 54.772 mph in the race that was slowed by six caution flags, five of which flew in the first 58 laps for mishaps.
The object now, Sellers said, is to get down to points racing.
“We’ve just got to settle down now and try to put some points on the board all year," he pointed out.
“ It’s going to be a long year racing against Brandon."

 

HCHS Varsity Girls Soccer Team Finds Mixed Results

The HCHS Varsity Girls Soccer Team Emerged With A Loss And A Tie In Last Week’s Scrimmage Games

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

The two preseason scrimmages played last week by the Halifax County High School varsity girls soccer team produced something of a mixed bag of results.
The Comets lost to Heritage 3-1 on Wednesday and, on Thursday night, the Comets played Brookville to a 2-2 tie.
Comets coach Sid Young said his team rebounded from Wednesday’s loss well and played much better against Brookville.
“I thought Brookville was a fairly-skilled team,” Young said.
“It was a good test for us and I thought we played much better than we did against Heritage.”
In Thursday night’s scrimmage against Brookville, Melissa Smith put the Comets on top with a goal about 20 minutes into the first half. Then, leading 1-0, the Comets scored another goal, only to have the goal wiped out due to a penalty.
The action picked up in the second half with Brookville tying the game after the Comets were called for a tripping penalty outside the penalty box.
Emily Nichols put the Comets back on top 2-1, drilling home a shot that went through the Brookville goalkeeper’s legs. Brookville again tied the game, scoring for a second time in the wake of a penalty against the Comets.
“We had two or three opportunities to score after that,” said Young, “but we just couldn’t punch it in.”
In Wednesday’s scrimmage against Heritage the Comets jumped on top early with Smith scoring a goal at the 14:59 mark of the first half on an assist by Lacy Will.
The Pioneers followed with back-to-back goals, the first coming at the 17:02 mark of the half and the second one coming at the 26:48 mark, giving them a 2-1 lead at halftime.
There was only one goal scored in the second half, that coming on a shot at the 26:34 mark by Heritage.
The Comets had 12 shots on goal in that contest with Comets goalkeeper Libby Austin reeling in 19 saves.
Heritage had 14 shots at the Comets’ goal.
Young said Wednesday’s contest was a very physical contest. One Comets player, Julia Rogers, was injured in the game and was sidelined for Thursday’s scrimmage against Brookville.
A few other Comets players came away from the contest with bumps and bruises.
“We’ve got a few players with some minor injuries,” Young said.
“One of the keys for us in our first couple of games will be if Julia is ready to play. She’s the most experienced player we have. She’s started for three years.”
Young pointed out that the players on his team are still in the process of getting to know each other and learn each other’s capabilities.
“About half of this team is new,” Young said.
“We’re still getting used to each other. Overall, I feel like we have more depth this year. I’ve had teams where we’ve had more players but once you got past the first 11 or 12 players there was a dropoff. This year, I’ve players that are starting that I can move out or move around, bring in somebody off of the bench and not lose much. I’m very pleased about that aspect of it.”
The Comets will open their season here Wednesday when they face Tunstall in a 5:30 p.m. contest at Tuck Dillard Stadium.