Schools Told To Lower Budget Expectations

Nine people spoke during a 35-minute public hearing on the school’s proposed $66,401,560 budget Monday night, five in favor of full funding and four urging supervisors to use restraint.
School board members have requested $15,913,480 in local appropriations, $2.6 million more than the current local appropriation, or a 20.17 percent increase.
The proposed total budget is $4.5 million higher than the present budget representing a 7.29 percent increase in school requests.
Speaking first at the hearing was Gary Randy Bailey of Alton.
“I don’t think the school board should have any more money. These teachers agreed to work for chump change, and if they don’t like it, they can go somewhere else to work, or change their profession, or get a real job, or form a union,” Bailey said.
He also described the county’s proposal to lease school buses as “real crazy.”
“You never own it, so that’s just money thrown away. You don’t see nothing but the poor people leasing cars. The rich man will buy a car rather than leasing a car. Leasing a bus, that’s real crazy,” he added.
“That’s money just thrown away, but this board is used to that, throwing money away. You got yourselves a raise, but I don’t think the teachers need one,” he concluded.
He also suggested the schools have students in mechanics classes maintain the buses and keep them operational, while using the oil from the school’s cafeteria to keep the buses running.
Susie Robbins, the pre-k arts academy teacher at The Prizery, urged supervisors to provide the extra funding budgeted for special programs.
“It is vital in regard to early childhood in the pre-K system. Our program enhances and enriches the program that exists in the school system. We use a more kinetic learning approach which means the children use multi-sensory, hands-on learning doing arts and fine motor skills that they don’t have an opportunity to do in school,” Robbins said.
She emphasized students need to be learning more at earlier ages these days, and this pre-k program complements students’ education offering 40 minutes of art, and 30 minutes of music and 30 minutes of dance.
This program offers a smaller teacher-student ratio with 18 students paired with two teachers and a director, Robbins explained.
“We need the money to keep this program,” Robbins said of the pre-K program that has been in place at The Prizery for three years.
L. T. Ferguson of Nathalie told supervisors it’s time the school board learned to cut back expenses.
“A few years ago when things were good, when tobacco was king in Halifax County, you didn’t hear any complaints about taxes being raised. Nobody complained because things were good, but now I think it’s time, all of us stop and take a good look at the condition of our country and our county. The economy is bad. People are still losing their jobs. Unemployment is up, and everybody needs to take their share of a cut. You can’t just spend, spend, spend,” Ferguson said.
The Nathalie resident also addressed the $60 million school construction projects recently completed.
“I don’t know who approved the plans for those schools. For some reason, our school board got the idea that a building is going to educate the child, and that’s not true. Our teachers are going to educate the child.”
Ferguson said he disagreed with an earlier speaker, Susie Robbins, who believes that young children need to be in school.
“There was a time that I can remember when parents kept their children at home long enough to teach them discipline. You take a three and four-year-old away from their parents, then who is going to discipline them? I don’t agree with the kindergarten program,” Ferguson continued.
“I don’t think our school board is giving us our money’s worth. I think we need to take care of our teachers, need to see that they are compensated fairly, and I think most of the times they are,” he concluded.
Halifax Education Association President and Halifax County High School teacher Ricky Gordon informed supervisors of things the school system is doing and urged them to continue its support.
In the past year, Gordon said 475 students in Halifax County schools received industrial certifications such as Microsoft Office.
“These are normally tests it takes quite a while to get,” Gordon said.
The second closest school to Halifax County public schools was the City of Virginia Beach, a much larger school system.
“We do good things at our school system. Teachers are very dedicated, and we do everything we can. We’re constantly using new ways to teach our students using new technology,” he added.
“We have got to prepare our students for the changes in the coming world,” Gordon said. “We just ask that you support us. We ask that you help us help the students meet the changes they are going to have to meet in these next few years.”
School board member Joe Gasperini, a father of eight children, addressed supervisors as a taxpayer and citizen.
“I believe the school board has put forth a need-based budget that supports the needs and requirements of the children of Halifax County,” Gasperini said.
He referred to fuel costs that have dramatically increased, inflation that has gone up four percent in the last two years, as well as the need to replace aging school buses.
“Teachers’ pay is woefully low compared to counties around us,” he said. “Programs have been cut, and monies have been reduced in numerous categories over the last several years that have hampered the schools from providing the education our students need and deserve,” he continued.
Gasperini pointed out the budget for instructional materials and supplies has not increased for years.
“The (school) budget is in line with what the children of Halifax County need, and the budget is in line with what the county should be contributing to the needs of the children,” he said.
According to Gasperini, the local contribution to schools six years ago was $13.9 million. Last year’s contribution was $13.2 million, representing a $700,000 decrease.
“Inflation during that time has increased by over 18 percent. County revenues have increased over 50 percent, and property values, sales tax base, adjusted gross income are all up dramatically. Over the last three years, the county has received $1.7 million in interest from school bonds. These interest earnings were used to defray solid waste expenses and to soften the tax rate,” he added.
Gasperini further explained interest from CDs to the county is estimated to be $600,000 this upcoming year.
“That would indicate there is over $15 million in cash somewhere. Why not use some of that to give back what has been reduced over the years from the school operating budget?” he asked.
Over the last 10 years, Gasperini said the county has benefited from the state contributing more to county schools as a result of a special dispensation since South Boston reverted to town status.
“This reversion benefit has generated over $40 million in benefits to the county. This is due to end in two years unless the county demonstrates it is putting added benefits to the schools rather than using it to not contribute as much in local funds to the schools,” he said.
Based on the county administrator’s recommendation, Gasperini said the county will receive over $8 million in added revenue from increased taxes with a one time gain by going to twice a year tax collection.
He further pointed out the schools make up 65 percent of the county’s $98.4 million budget.
The school board is asking for $15.9 million in local funds for schools, Gasperini said. “Our children are worth that commitment.”
Thomas Hines of Nathalie also addressed supervisors during the school budget public hearing.
He said how he came to another public hearing several years ago and warned supervisors “the time to pay the fiddler” was coming.
“Well, it’s here now,” he said.
“Everybody wants more money. Well, I would like to have more, but if you are going to take it from us few to make it so they can live better, I can’t see it. I think you need to adjust it. I do hope that in the end you will do what is fair for each and every one of us,” Hines said.
Bernard Mitzler of Nathalie said schools could cut their budget by reducing the electricity consumed and by conserving gas.
“They’ve got lights on day and night outside those schools. They’re bussing these kids to The Prizery. We’re just looking for a use for The Prizery. We have no use for it,” he said.
Mitzler also questioned the efficiency of the new school buildings.
“We closed six buildings or better. Why do we need more and more money. They said they were going to run so efficiently. We’ve built buildings with glass all the way around, and you can’t heat or air condition them. Smart people.”
Mitzler also referred to the vacant school buildings which have required the county to hire additional personnel to oversee their upkeep.
Next, school board member Roger Long urged supervisors to provide raises for teachers.
“We ask you to help us with the teachers’ salaries. Our staff is the largest working force in the county, and they bring a lot of money back into the economy. Everything you put back into the schools, in many cases it’s going straight back into the economy. We appreciate what you can do to help the teachers get to a level that is acceptable,” Long said.
He also praised supervisors for funding the $60 million construction of two new elementary schools and renovations to the middle school.
“A lot of that money I would like to say was put into the schools from the reversion money. As it is now, I don’t know where that money is. I think that money is being spent right now in those two school buildings. That’s where you concentrated it, and that was the purpose of what that money was for, to equalize those facilities, and we appreciate that you did do that,” Long concluded.
School Board Chairman Steve Anderson was the last speaker during the hearing.
He addressed the issue of increased costs for heating school buildings, providing transportation for students, and also having to deal with the school system’s inability to be competitive with neighboring school divisions in Southside Virginia and northern North Carolina.
“If the status quo remains the same, Halifax County will continue to fall further and further behind,” Anderson told supervisors.
“I know that you understand the issues of compensation our employees have. I’m asking you to help us provide salaries that are competitive with those school divisions that we are in competition with. We not only must continue to recruit the best and brightest teachers, but it’s even more important that we continue to retain those teachers that we do have,” the school board member said.
He concluded saying, “Your support is critical if we are to continue to be attractive to those who seek to teach in Southside Virginia.”
After the public hearing was closed, ED-6 Supervisor Wayne Conner commented on the school budget, reminding school board members that in the past 10 years the county’s contribution to schools has increased by $3.3 million.
Conner added on the annual debt payment of $5 million for school construction for a total of $8.3 million.
Real estate taxes in the past 10 years have more than doubled, while personal property taxes have increased 140 percent, according to Conner.
“That’s the equivalent of about $10 million, and $8.3 million of that is going to the schools,” he said. “The majority of increases in taxes that citizens have had over the last 10 years, 90 percent of that money is going to the schools for operation and debt payment, so I don’t want it to be perceived that this board or previous boards have not supported the schools for the last 10 years,” Conner said.
ED-4 Supervisor Doug Bowman also spoke to the school budget, comparing Halifax to surrounding neighbors.
“We certainly show up well in comparing the local required contribution per the Department of Education (DOE),” he said. “We’re at 131 percent of the DOE stated required contribution.”
Pittsylvania County is at 101 percent; Mecklenburg is at 102 percent; and Campbell is at 139 percent.
“And this does not include the $61 million investment we made to the schools, and the $5 million in debt service to cover those schools, so we don’t have anything to be embarrassed about with our contributions to schools,” Bowman said. “I’m not at all embarrassed about our county support of our school system, and I’m proud of its success.”
In order to provide teachers with salary increases this year, Bowman suggested school board members take the budgeted funds and reallocate it for raises.
“We in the past have made one lump sum appropriation, and they can use it how they wish,” he said.
Bowman concluded urging everyone to lower their budget expectations.
Funding for the school system has the most significant impact on the county budget representing approximately 65 percent of total expenditures, according to County Administrator Bryan Foster.
With the completion of the $61 million school construction program, Foster pointed out this is the first budget in three years that does not have significant school capital expenses.
However, the county is now realizing the full effect of the school debt service on the budget, $5.1 million annually.
Also included in the request from the school system is $777,000 to purchase 10 new school buses.
In addition, the proposed school budget contains an increase of $648,088 in fuel costs over the current year and a 5 percent salary increase for employees.
The schools are forecasting no reduction in personnel from the current year and have included two new state-mandated special education positions in their budget.
The county administrator has recommended supervisors only increase the school budget $693,000 in additional local funds instead of funding the $2.6 million extra local dollars the school board has requested.
Fully funding the school budget would translate to a 7.5 cents increase in the real estate tax rate – or an 18 percent increase above the lowered rate of 41.5 cents.
Supervisors have no further budget work sessions scheduled before March 31 when they will hold a public hearing on the entire county budget.
In the meantime, finance committee chairman Doug Bowman said he would be willing to meet with any members of the board or staff who wish to express something that wasn’t voiced during the school budget hearings.
“We’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there, and I’m feeling like my tie is tighter every day,” Bowman said. ”I feel the pressure of talking with each board member individually and getting some ideas and with staff. If I need any information from the schools, I’m sure we will contact the schools. I look forward to meeting with Mr. Gasperini and talking through some of these issues. We’ve all got our budget books that were given out to us a couple of weeks ago. They are thorough, and there’s a lot of work left to be done before the budget is approved April 7.”
Chairman William Fitzgerald encouraged school board members to meet “one on one” with their supervisor representative.
“I am hopeful that these one on one meetings will benefit the board more than the public meetings will accomplish,” Fitzgerald said.
Another public hearing to establish the tax rate for county residents will be held Thursday, April 3, with supervisors setting the tax rate and adopting the final budget on Monday, April 7.

Spilled Logs Damage UPS Truck Monday

Speed was a factor Monday when a cargo of logs from an overturned logging truck damaged a UPS truck, according to state police.
Trooper P.W. Leath reported a 1997 International UPS delivery truck driven by William Darrell Pollard, 49, of Lynchburg was struck by logs that had fallen from a 1997 Freightliner log truck driven by Cornelius Lamont Delaware, 34, of Clover.
Leath said Delaware lost control of the logging truck in a curve, and the truck began to tip over, spilling its cargo of tree-length logs. The logs struck the UPS truck traveling in the opposite lane, knocking it off the highway. The logging truck rolled over, coming to rest on the driver’s side.
Leath said Pollard was injured and transported to Lynchburg General Hospital.
The crash occurred at 1:02 p.m. Monday on Rt. 632 (Hogwallow Road), one mile east of U.S. 501.
Leath estimated damages at $20,000 to the logging truck and $15,000 to the UPS delivery truck. He charged Delaware with reckless driving.
In a weekend accident, both drivers escaped serious injury in a two-vehicle crash Saturday evening, state police said.
Trooper D.T. Spencer reported a 1994 Honda Civic driven by James W. McCracken III, 22, of Lynchburg struck a 1987 Toyota in the rear. The Toyota was driven by a 16-year-old male juvenile from Halifax.
Spencer said the Honda passed a third vehicle on a double solid line, could not stop, and struck the Toyota in the rear. The third vehicle was not a factor in the crash, Spencer added.
The crash occurred at 6:45 p.m. Saturday on U.S. 501, one and one-half miles north of Rt. 603.
Spencer estimated damages at $4,500 to the Honda and $3,500 to the Toyota. He charged McCracken with reckless driving.

Bus Crash In North Carolina Injures Several County Residents

A Saturday bus trip to North Carolina injured a number of local AARP members, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.
Trooper C.J. Durham reported an MCI tour bus operated by D&M Bus Lines of Danville and driven by Melvin Russell Henry of Dry Fork blew a tire and ran into a ditch.
Durham said a rear tire on the bus blew out, Henry lost control, and the bus ran off the right side of the roadway into a ditch. The bus, which was fully occupied at the time, did not overturn, according to Durham.
The accident occurred Saturday at 9:35 a.m. on NC 96 near Creedmoor.
Local AARP President Geraldine Coates said the group was on its way to Selma, N.C. to see the “Ozark Jubilee” show from Branson, Mo., when the incident occurred. “We made it to the show, a little late, but we made it,” said Coates. “In fact, they held the opening of the show until we arrived.”
Coates said people in the area were very kind to them. She said Pleasant Grove Baptist Church of Creedmoor sent its bus to the accident scene to pick up the passengers. “They took us to Selma, where we ate lunch, and then they took us to the show,” said Coates. “They really were ‘good samaritans.’”
D&M sent another bus to Selma to pick up the passengers after they attended the show, according to Coates. She said several local AARP members were injured including Shirley Talley, Ola Puryear, Jeannette Atkins, John Atkins, Ray Hunter and Jean Hunter.
Durham said no charges have been filed at this time, but the investigation is continuing.

Obituaries

Irene Rogers Ford
Irene Rogers Ford, 80, of 2224 Huell Matthews Highway, South Boston died March 16, 2008, at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Mrs. Ford was born June 6, 1927, in Boydton the daughter of the late Walter Lee Rogers and the late Jessie Irene Thompson Rogers, and was married to the late George Wyche Ford Sr. She was a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, American Legion Post 8 Auxiliary, and was a volunteer with the Good Samaritan and the Wishing Well at Halifax Regional Hospital. She was the former owner and operator of Ednes Beauty Shop in South Boston.
Survivors of Mrs. Ford include two sons, Doug Ford of South Boston and G. Wyche Ford Jr. of Anchorage, AK.; six sisters, Edith Cannon and Ethel Faison of Emporia, Doris Gregory of Chase City, Isla Boyd of Richmond, Geneva Collins of Oak Island, N.C., and Rachel Thompson of Tyler, Texas; one brother, Dennis Rogers of Boydton; and one grandson, Chase Ford of Anchorage.
One brother, George Rogers, also preceded Mrs. Ford in death.
The family will receive friends at Brooks Funeral Home tomorrow evening, March 20, from 6 to 8, and other times at the home.
Funeral services for Mrs. Ford will be held March 21, at 11 a.m. at Shady Grove United Methodist Church with the Rev. L. Raymond McGarr officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@embarqmail.com

Caroline Kersey Hall-Scott
Caroline Kersey Hall-Scott, 84, of Cody Road, Nathalie, died March 17, 2008, at her son’s residence. She was twice married, first to the late Grover W. Hall, and secondly to the late Edward L. Scott.
Mrs. Hall-Scott was born in Halifax County, September 10, 1923, daughter of the late Eddie Kersey and Eva Smith Kersey. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Republican Grove and a retired employee of Tultex Company
Survivors include two sons, Danny W. Hall of Richmond, and Eddie T. Hall and wife, Donna, of Glen Allen; four grandchildren, Christopher Hall and Michelle Hall, both of Glen Allen, Susan Pall of Weems, and Dana Hall of Richmond; one sister, Laura Fletcher of Richmond. She was preceded in death by one son, Ronnie W. Hall.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow, March 20, at First Baptist Church of Republican Grove by the Revs. Shelton Miles and Leroy Davis. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 this evening, March 19, at Henderson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Brookneal, and at her residence other times.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider First Baptist Church Republican Grove Building Fund.

John Jasper Quarles
John Jasper Quarles, 91, 4210 Clarkton Road, Nathalie, died March 16, 2008.
Mr. Quarles was born in Halifax County June 15, 1916, the son of the late Willie Quarles and Josephine Logan Quarles, and was married to Mable Clements Quarles. She was a member of Brown’s Memorial Church of God in Christ.
Survivors include his wife; six daughters, Josephine Benjamin of South Ozone Park, N.Y., Cordelia Edwards and Pat Edwards, both of Durham, N.C., Connie Granger of Lexington Park, Md., Octavia Torres and Mereal Hughes, both of Richmond; six sons, John Robert Quarles of Halifax, Irving Quarles of N.C., Willie Sydnor Jr. and Glen Clements, of Nathalie, Junious Quarles of New York, and Kelly Clements of Md.; one stepson, Johnny Clements of the home; two sisters, Georgia Garrett of Richmond and Richie Smith of Nathalie; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; four sons-in-law, Brian Edwards and Brent Edwards of Durham, N.C., Geraldo Torres and Leroy Hughes of Richmond; two daughters-in-law, Doris Quarles of Halifax and Betty Quarles of Nathalie.
Funeral services for Mr. Quarles will be held today, March 19, at 1 p.m. at Browns Memorial Church of God in Christ with the Rev. Elder William Mosby Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.

Anna Holt Wilburn
Anna Holt Wilburn, 80, of L. P. Bailey Memorial Highway, Nathalie died March 14, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital. She was the wife of the late Asa Vaughan Wilburn.
Mrs. Wilburn was born in Roanoke on January 11, 1928, a daughter of the late Rudd M. Holt and Anna Kell Holt. She was a member of Republican Grove Methodist Church and a retired employee of J. P. Stevens.
She is survived by one brother, Thornton L. Holt Sr. of Hadensville; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by five brothers and four sisters.
A funeral service was held at 3 p.m. March 17, at Henderson Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Charles Johnson. Burial followed in Republican Grove Methodist Church Cemetery.

Lynwood Wayne Slayton
Lynwood Wayne Slayton, 59, of 2088 Sandy Beach Road, South Boston died March 17, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Slayton was born June 25, 1948, in Danville the son of the late Lynwood David Slayton and Nadine Bohannon Slayton who survives, and was married to the late Florence Marie Weatherford Slayton. He was a member of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, a retired construction worker and was an Army Veteran.
In addition to his mother, survivors include three daughters, Chrystal Slayton Harris of South Boston, Cynthia Slayton White of Richmond and Candice Slayton of Nathalie; one brother, Jamie Slayton of Vernon Hill; four grandchildren; and one nephew.
Funeral services for Mr. Slayton will be held tomorrow, March 20, at 3 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Carl E. Burger officiating. Burial will follow in the Slayton Family Cemetery, Vernon Hill.
The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until the funeral hour at the funeral home tomorrow, and other times at the home of his mother, 2152 John’s Run Road, Vernon Hill.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@embarqmail.com

Pearl Smith Reynolds
Pearl Smith Reynolds, 69, of 1011 Chesnut Creek Road, Halifax died March 17, 2008, at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Mrs. Reynolds was born in Roanoke on April 15, 1938, the daughter of the late Henry Smith and Mary Snellings Smith, and was married to Clyde Reynolds. She was a member of County Line Baptist Church.
In addition to her husband, survivors include one son, Michael Arthur Smith of Clifton Forge; three brothers, Tommy Smith of Roanoke, Richard Smith of Richmond, and Andrew Smith of Vinton; one grandchild; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Arthur and Margaret Reynolds of Nathalie, Dr. Lawrence and Irene Clark of Raleigh, N.C., the Rev. Clifton and Florence Reynolds of Zuni, and John and Shirley Reynolds of Roanoke.
A memorial service for Mrs. Reynolds will be held March 21, at 11 a.m. at County Line Baptist Church with the Rev. Otis Dillard officiating.
The family is receiving friends at the home.

Louis Elmer Conner Jr.
Louis Elmer Conner Jr., 36, of Virginia Beach died March 17, 2008, at his home.
He was born in South Boston on October 28, 1971, the son of Louis E. Conner Sr. and Linda Day Conner, who survive.
Mr. Conner was a member of First Baptist Church of South Boston, a graduate of the University of Virginia and the Appalachian School of Law, and was an attorney with the Chris Falk Law Firm in Chesapeake and the Southside Utility Company.
In addition to his parents of South Boston, survivors include one sister, Edie L. Davidson of Danville; two nephews, Christopher Davidson of Danville and Justin Davidson of Jacksonville, Fla.; an uncle, Don O. Conner of South Boston; and a great-nephew, Isaiah Davidson of Danville.
A graveside service will be held for Mr. Conner at a later date.
The family will receive friends at the home of his parents on Jeffress Boulevard in South Boston.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Patrick Henry Boys Home, P.O. Box 1398, Brookneal, 24535.

GV Rallies To Edge Comets 7-6

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
Halifax County entered the final inning of Monday afternoon’s game here against Great Valley High School needing only to make routine plays to secure the win.
When it came down to crunch time, the Comets were unable to seal the deal.
With a combination of timely hitting by Great Valley and a spate of poor defensive execution on the part of the Comets, the Patriots scored three runs to take a 7-6 lead and shut down the Comets in the final turn at the plate to snare a one-run win.
“Both teams played well,” said Great Valley High School head coach Matt Schultz.
“We were just happy to be able to be out on the field. That was a fun game.”
While it may have been a fun game for the team from the Philadelphia, Penn. suburbs, it did not turn out to be a fun game for the Comets who overcame a four-run first-inning deficit to take a two-run lead that they lost in the seventh inning.
“It’s kind of tough,” Comets coach Kelvin Davis said of the loss that dropped his team to 1-1 on the young season.
“We had them going into the last inning. The little things of baseball as far as blocking pitches and making the routine outs, we didn’t do that. We didn’t execute in the last inning.
“We’ve got to make plays behind our pitchers,” Davis added.
“We’re not going to have guys on the mound throwing the ball by anybody. Our defense has got to make plays behind them and we didn’t do it today.”
Both teams hit the ball well, coming up with a dozen hits each, something that left both coaches pleased.
“I thought we hit the ball really well,” said Davis.
“We were aggressive with the bats today.”
“It was a tough game for the pitchers,” Schultz said.
“The hitting on both sides surprised us.”
Justin Bagbey led the Comets with a 3-3 effort at the plate. Jeremy Foster was 2-3 with three RBIs and Dale Trent had two hits as the trio accounted for seven of the team’s hits. Daniel Wilborn, Michael Ferrell, Eric Brandon, Kyle Long and Courtney Ervin each had one hit.
Tom Rafetto, Mike Donatoni, Bill Pommerer and John Northern, who comprised the middle of the batting order for the Patriots, did the most damage to the Comets with two hits each. Only one batter in the Great Valley High School lineup failed to get a hit.
Five of Great Valley High School’s 12 hits came in the top of the first inning when they stung Comets starting hurler Kyle Long for four runs to take a 4-0 lead. But, the Comets began immediately to battle back, with leadoff batter Wilborn reaching base on a walk and Ferrell and Bagbey following with a hit apiece to load the sacks. A two-out, two-RBI single by Foster allowed the Comets to cut their deficit in half and make it a 4-2 score at the end of the inning.
The Comets added three runs in the third inning, which started with Bagbey reaching base on a walk. Brandon reached base on a single but a defensive bobble by the Patriots allowed Bagbey to reach third base. Brandon stole second base to put both he and Bagbey in scoring position.
With Foster at the plate, Bagbey scored on a passed ball to make the score 4-3. A hit by Foster scored Brandon, who advanced to third base when Bagbey scored, to tie the game.
Kyle Long was erased on a fielder’s choice that allowed Foster to reach second base. A single by Trent moved Foster to third base and Foster scored later in the inning on a single by Wilborn to put the Comets up 5-4.
The Comets took a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when Foster walked, moved to third base on a double by Kyle Long and scored on a hit by Trent.
Trailing by two runs entering the top of the seventh inning, Great Valley High School tagged Comets hurler Kyle Long again, this time with three of its first four batters, Rafetto, Pommerer, and Northern each getting a hit. After a run-scoring hit from Northern, a passed ball allowed Pommerer and Northern to move into scoring position.
Foster was brought to the mound to try to stop the Great Valley High School rally but the Comets couldn’t stop the bleeding in time. Kyle Fuydal grounded out to shortstop Eric Brandon for the second out of the inning but a run scored to tie the game at 6-6. The Patriots’ Seth Houston reached base on an error by Brandon at shortstop, a play that allowed Northern to score what would ultimately be the game-winning run.
Foster gave up a hit to the Patriots’ Brian Rispoli and then fanned Kyle Stackhouse to get the Comets out of the inning.
The Comets failed to get anything going in the bottom of the seventh inning as Great Valley set down the Comets in order.
While Comets starting pitcher Kyle Long got off to a rocky start in the first inning, he battled back, yielding three hits and four walks through the ensuing four innings while fanning three batters.
He was tagged for three hits in the top of the seventh inning before yielding the mound to Foster.
“It was tough for Kyle to go through what he went through, with them scoring four runs on us in the first inning,” Davis said.
“ Kyle went back out there and started pitching low and threw his off-speed pitches for strikes. It was unfortunate for him that we couldn’t pull out a win.”
The Comets have two more games here this week, the first coming tonight at 7 p.m. when they are scheduled to host Garden City N.Y. High School.
On Friday at 7 p.m., the Comets will host a team coached by former Comets standout Casey Waller from Loyalsock Township, Penn.

Ferrell To Play Baseball At Ferrum

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
Michael Ferrell has long dreamed of a chance to play college baseball.
The dream is now reality.
Ferrell, a senior second baseman for the Halifax County High School varsity baseball team, has committed to Ferrum College in Rocky Mount where he will continue his baseball career.
“It’s a dream come true,” Ferrell said.
“It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do ever since I was playing ball.”
Comets head coach Kelvin Davis said he is glad to see his starting second baseman have the opportunity to play the next level.
“I think he’s got the talent,” Davis said.
“ I’m very glad Ferrum thinks as much of him as it does. I’ve talked to the assistant coach at Ferrum who is the recruiting coach and he speaks wonderful words about Chip. It’s a great opportunity for him.
“Chip has put his time in as far as working to get to this point and I’m very excited for him and wish him the best,” added Davis.
“He knows it’s going to take a lot more than just going out every day. We’ve talked a lot about improving every day. Chip has the kind of attitude that I know he’s going to do everything he can to develop himself for the next level.”
It has taken a good deal of patience and effort for Ferrell to reach this point.
“At first, in my ninth-grade year, I had my doubts because I didn’t start,” Ferrell explained.
“About three or four games into the season, (then Comets junior varsity coach) Shawn Torian gave me a chance to play and I went out and did well in my first start and started the rest of the year. I came back in my sophomore year and had an awesome season. That’s when I noticed that I might have a chance. I started working even harder.”
In his junior season, his first year on the varsity team, Ferrell occupied a reserve role.
“You have to wait your turn sometimes,” Ferrell said.
“ Now, my time is here to start. I’m going to do whatever I can and be a leader for the team and try to do something my last year.”
During the summer months, Ferrell has spent his time playing baseball in the local Dixie leagues. He plans to play in the league again this season.
“I’ve been in the Dixie program at least 10 years,” Ferrell noted.
“It has helped me a lot. You hear of all of these boys going to all of these showcases and things like that, but I just stuck to Dixie. To me, I get more playing time and more fun out of it. I get to enjoy the game more. I don’t have to worry about all of those scouts and people at your games. I can just go out and have fun. The main thing for me is having fun when I play.”
Ferrell said he very much appreciates the time and sacrifices made by his parents to take him to the various baseball camps he attended last summer and fall.
“This past summer mom and dad drove everywhere for me and took me to camps and it paid off,” Ferrell said.
“I needed to put myself out there and show the (college) coaches what I could do. The coaches don’t really come to games like they used to, so you have to go out and see them and show them what you’ve got.”
Ferrell said he is glad that the decision regarding his college baseball future has been made.
“Doing this now will still push me to do as well as I can this year,” Ferrell remarked.
“I don’t want to have a bad season and then have the coaches have to think twice about what they saw in me. The coach up there (at Ferrum) reassures me every time I talk to him that I’m a right fit for their program and he’s excited to see me. I just want to back that up by having a great senior season.”

Burton Jumped Through Door Of Opportunity

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
Jeff Burton saw the door of opportunity open when his teammate, Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart got together while battling for the lead with two laps to go in Sunday’s Food City 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
The South Boston native knew he had to make a quick move.
“That was the door that opened that if we had any shot at all to win, we had to jump through,” Burton said following the race.
“We were fortunate enough to jump through it, and fortunate not for Kevin and I to wreck. We hit. He was trying to regain control and I was trying to get by him. We banged doors. So, we’re fortunate for both of us to come through that.”
Stewart hit the wall to bring out a caution, giving the lead to Chesterfield native and former South Boston Speedway competitor Denny Hamlin with Burton in second place.
Hamlin just had to hold on for a two-lap sprint for the win but a fuel pick-up problem on the restart allowed Burton to speed past him and bring along his Richard Childress Racing teammates Harvick and Clint Bowyer to give RCR a sweep of the top three positions.
“The restart was perfect,” Burton said.
“It worked out exactly the way I wanted it. I wanted space between me and Kevin getting into turn one because I thought that would give us our best chance to win. I thought our tires would make up for the corner, for me losing a little bit.”
There a couple of other big moments for Burton in Sunday’s 500-lap event.
“I’ve got to thank (Greg) Biffle,” Burton said.
“I hung a left on Biffle late in the race. It was pretty close. He was on two (tires). I was on four (tires). I jumped on the outside of him. I kind of sort had him cleared and hung a left. He cut me some slack.
“Then, Jimmie (Johnson) and I off of turn two, that was pretty big,” added Burton.
“He and I both didn’t wreck. That was pretty big.”
Burton pointed out that the key to success was the fact that he and the team were able to put themselves in position to have a shot at the win.
“That’s how you win these races,” Burton explained.
“We’re not going to stand in here and say we had the fastest car all day. We had good pit stops. We had good strategy. We did all the little things well. When you do all of the little things well, a lot of times the big things take care of themselves.
“We had some breaks,” Burton continued, “but we put ourselves in position to take advantage of the breaks. Rarely do you see a team who doesn’t run very well win races. You have to put yourself in position over and over and over. That’s how you win them. I’m proud to say we did that today.”
Burton’s crew chief, Scott Miller, agreed that the team didn’t have the fastest car.
“We weren’t the best car,” Miller stated.
“At times we were really close but didn’t have track position. There at the end, the opportunity presented itself for us to try to make something happen.”
Burton led 263 laps of last year’s race at Bristol and, while he led only two of 5-6 laps on Sunday, he said the win is a satisfying one.
“Every win’s different and unique,” Burton said.
“You always remember the ones…what I’m proud of today, like I said, was we did the little things right. That’s the sign of a team that’s mature. That’s the sign of a team that’s ready to take advantage of situations, That’s what I’m proud of.
“The ones that you win you really might not have deserved to win, everybody said, “you really didn’t deserve to win that.” Burton continued.
“But, they always forget the ones that you deserved to win but didn’t win. I can assure you, there’s as many we looked back on and said “Golly, we should have won that one and didn’t,” as it is like what happened to us today.”
The win in Sunday’s race put Burton in fourth place in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points standings, Harvick moved up to third place and Bowyer is in ninth place, putting all three RCR teams in the top ten in the series standings.