Friday, May 5, 2006

 

Halifax Town Council

Sets $1.5M Budget For Public Hearing

Water/Sewer Rates Stay Same, Real Estate Taxes Increase

Halifax Town Council approved a proposed 2006-07 budget totaling $1,531,518 for town operations, personnel expenses, capital improvements and debt service at its Tuesday work session, allowing the budget to be advertised for public hearing.
The public hearing will be held on Thursday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m. in Halifax Town Hall.
Currently, the proposed budget includes a real estate property increase keeping the tax rate of 19 cents per $100 of assessed value following reassessment.
The average reassessment increase on property value is expected to be nine percent, according to Halifax Town Manager Carl Espy.
In the 2005-06 budget, real estate tax revenue collected was $15,491 below the projected figure due to a change in assessment for large utility owners, Espy said.
The proposed tax increase should bring the real estate tax revenue to $179,169 effectively equalizing last year’s shortfall, Espy added.
Council set a public hearing for citizens to address the proposed real estate tax increase for Monday, May 15, in Halifax Town Hall at 7:30 p.m. following the joint meeting of the Halifax and South Boston councils and the Board of Supervisors.
Also, the formula for calculating “eligible fleet value” for personal property taxes has been modified with vehicles now being assessed at “loan value” rather than “retail value,” Espy said.
The new method reduces the fleet value from $9,408,000 to $5,345,100, Espy said.
Personal property tax revenue totaled $88,536 last year and the machinery and tool tax accounted for $17,482, according to budget figures.
For 2006-07, the personal property tax rate is set at $1.68 per $100 of assessed value, Espy said. The new rate is “revenue neutral,” according to Espy.
The machinery and tool tax is going up from 30 cents to 40 cents per $100 of assessed value, still well below the $1.26 charged by the county, Espy said.
In the proposed budget there are no water or sewer rate increases for in or out-of-town customers, Espy said. Availability fees will also remain the same in the new budget.
A new lodging tax of 3.5 percent is in the town’s budget, Espy said.
During Tuesday’s work session Council debated several changes to the proposed budget.
Councilman Charles Parker said he did not support Council and the Mayor receiving a pay raise in the new budget.
The 2006-07 budget calls for the mayor to get a $600 pay increase from $3,000 to $3,600 and for Council’s yearly compensation to increase from $9,000 to $14,400.
Parker made a motion to keep the pay scale at its current level, but the motion failed with the lack of a second.
Council did vote to keep tourism spending at $2,000 instead of the proposed $2,500 included in the new budget.
Several councilmen said they wanted to see what was being done to promote the town before agreeing to increase funds.
The $500 taken from tourism was allocated to administration.
Council also trimmed $2,000 from the police department’s uniform and equipment budget reducing it from $5,000 to $3,000. The $2,000 was moved to pay down a loan on one of the town’s police vehicles.
The new budget also calls for funding to pay for Sunshine Mills garbage removal to be phased out. In the new budget $4,000 is designated to the plant’s trash removal, down from $10,000 last year. Council indicated the funding will be fully phased out in coming budgets.
“We don’t do this for anybody else,” Mayor Leon Plaster said.
Council has opted to phase out the funding rather that drop it all at once to ease the transition for the plant.
“We want to make sure we’re good stewards,” Councilman Allen Stevens said.
Stevens also expressed concern over the large portion of the town’s budget allocated to the police department.
The police department accounts for 36 percent of the town’s total general fund expenditures, making it the town’s largest general fund expense.
Administration is second at 28 percent and street maintenance is third at 16 percent, according to the budget.
“It’s (the police department) a big piece of the pie,” Stevens said.
Council agreed to revisit the police department funding in the near future.
The proposed budget as amended was then passed 4 to 0 with Councilmen Cabell Daniel and Buddy Guthrie absent.

 

County IDA Declines Devin Property

Study Shows Substantial Portion Lies In Flood Plane

After discovering that a substantial portion of the property lies in a flood plane, the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority has withdrawn its offer to purchase 222 acres on U.S. 501 south, IDA Executive Director Mike Eades confirmed yesterday.
The property, owned by J.A. Devin of Wyliesburg, is located approximately one mile south of Route 58 on the west side of U.S. 501.
Citing the need for additional property to market to prospective industry, the IDA executed an option to purchase the property for $5,000 an acre on April 3. The property was to be used as a mixed-use industrial park, according to the executive director.
Following a survey that showed 87 acres of the property lies in a flood plane, the “action team” agreed that a large portion of the property is unusable.
“It simply had too much flood plane on it to make it feasible to develop the way we wanted to develop it,” Eades said. “We wanted to use it for a mixed-use industrial park but in this case, a substantial amount was included (in the flood plane).
“We couldn’t justify spending money on something we couldn’t use,” he added. “To make the whole park get a return on the investment, we need to be able to develop as much of it as we can.”
The agreement called for a non-refundable initial payment of $30,000 paid in $10,000 increments.
Eades said yesterday that the IDA had made one $10,000 down payment.

 

 

A Day Of Prayer And Hope

Halifax County residents gathered Thursday at The Prizery to pray for their leaders on the local, state and national levels at the Second Annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast. The first Thursday of May has been designated as a date when all Americans are asked to pray for their leaders on all levels, as well as others who serve in the Armed Forces.
The Day of Prayer Breakfast in South Boston also recognized the contributions of those who serve their community as police officers, public servants, educators and volunteers.
Those speaking at the event were South Boston Town Manager Ted Daniel (U.S. Air Force Col. (ret.), South Boston Police Chief Mick Reed, Larry Clark, assistant superintendent, Halifax County Public Schools and William Fitzgerald, chairman, Halifax County Board of Supervisors.
The event was punctuated by prayer, with the Rev. Kevin Chandler offering a prayer for police, fire and rescue personnel. The Rev. James Crowder led a prayer in support of local students and educators, while Wanda McIntire offered a prayer in support of national, state and local leaders.
Larry McPeters offered a prayer for military personnel and their families.
The Halifax County High School Army JROTC presented the colors and the HCHS gospel choir presented special music to mark the occasion.

 

Comets Diamonders Pad District Lead

A Solo Homer By Jeremy Jeffress Lifted HCHS To A Come-From-Behind 4-3 Win Over Franklin County Here Tuesday Night

The Halifax County High School varsity baseball team took another step toward the Western Valley District regular-season title as a solo homer by Jeremy Jeffress in the sixth inning lifted the Comets to a come-from-behind 4-3 win over Franklin County.
While the Comets (10-5 overall, 5-0 district) helped their own cause by edging Franklin County, they also received help from Patrick Henry of Roanoke.
The Patriots downed E.C. Glass, the Comets’ chief rival for the district title, 13-5 Tuesday night, dropping Glass two games behind the Comets in the district standings with the Comets having three games (PH, GW and Glass) remaining.
“This (the win over Franklin County) helps take a little of the pressure off of us,” said Comets coach Kelvin Davis.
“This puts us 5-0 district. We have a good lead now and have PH, GW and Glass coming up. We just have to continue to take things one game at a time. We want to finish the season on a positive note.”
Tuesday night’s win was the third win in a row and the team’s eighth win in its last nine outings. It also marked the third time this season that the Comets have had to come from behind to win a district game. The three-run deficit the Comets faced entering the fifth inning was the latest point that the Comets have trailed in a district game this season.
“One thing I want to commend them (the players) for is sticking in there, waiting for the opportunity to come and making the best of it,” said Davis.
“I think this win says a lot about the composure we have as a team. I think it says a lot about Jeremy up there on the mound and our playing defense behind him.
“I knew if we could get some runs we would win this ballgame,” Davis added.
“You’ve got to keep the guys focused to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. It was an all around great game.”
Things went Franklin County’s way early as the visiting Eagles took advantage of a Comets error, two passed balls and two hits to plate three runs in the top of the first inning to take a quick 3-0 lead.
The Eagles’ Frank Morris opened the game with a hit, moved to second base when Lincoln Garner grounded out and advanced to third base when Hunter Naff reached base on an error.
A passed ball on a third strike that would have retired Brandon Flora allowed Morris to score as Flora scampered to first base and Naff went to third base. Seth Sigmon walked to load the sacks and Naff scored on a passed ball to make it a 2-0 lead. A hit by J.T. Slate plated Flora to put the Eagles up 3-0. Jeffress settled down and fanned the last two batters to end the inning.
“The first inning is always tough, but you’ve got to come back and say ‘I’ll get them the next time’ and keep on going,” said Jeffress.
“I had a shaky start the first inning, but if you come out here and stay confident and stay focused you’re in good shape. That’s what I did.”
The Comets tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Bobby Owens opened the inning with a hit and later scored on a passed ball to make it a 3-1 score. Matt Conner reached base on a walk and Justin Bagbey reached base on an error. Scott Gieselman unloaded a two-RBI double to tie the game at 3-3.
Jeffress broke the deadlock with a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth inning to put the Comets up 4-3.
“I saw it (the ball) as soon as it left his (FC pitcher Brandon Grenier’s) hands,” Jeffress noted.
“All I tried to do was drive it somewhere.”
Then, the Comets had to survive a scare from Franklin County in the top of the seventh inning.
Franklin County’s Brad Mechum walked to start the seventh inning and Michael Hodges came into the game to run for him. Hodges moved to second base on a passed ball and went to third base on a sacrifice by catcher Adolfo Avael.
With one out, Franklin County’s Frank Morris laid down a bunt between the mound and third base. Hodges dashed for the plate but Jeffress fielded the ball cleanly and threw a quick strike to catcher Kaleb Long at the plate to nail Hodges for the second out of the inning.
Garner grounded out to Bagbey at first base to end the inning and the game.
“Kaleb made a great play, but Jeremy got a good jump off of that bunt situation and threw a strike to Kaleb,” Davis pointed out.
“Kaleb has been doing a great job for us all year. It was a bang-bang play and it went our way.”
The Comets will have a few days off before resuming district play. Halifax County’s next game will come Tuesday when it travels to Roanoke to face Patrick Henry. Game time will be 5 P.M.

 

Comets Varsity Softball Team Grabs Share Of District Lead

Halifax Rallies For 12-9 Win Here Over Franklin County

Sometimes it’s not how you start but how you finish, and the Comets varsity softball team will agree with that old adage after rebounding from a 5-0 deficit to defeat Franklin County 12-9 here Tuesday.
The Comets tied the Eagles atop the Western Valley District standings after Tuesday’s win, each team with a 4-1 district record, but Halifax had to scrap and fight its way back after four hits and two Comets errors in the second gave the visitors a five-run lead.
Three runs in the third got the Comets to within 5-3 and five more in its next at bat gave Halifax the lead for good at 8-5. The Eagles rallied with two runs in the fifth to close the gap to 8-7, but the Comets struck for four runs in the fifth inning to make it 12-7.
Franklin County added two more runs in the top of the seventh, but the Halifax lead proved too large to overcome.
Tuesday’s game was just another hard-fought game between district rivals, with neither team giving in or giving up, according to Comets coach Melanie Saunders.
“This says a lot about our heart, we’ve been down before to teams not quite the caliber of Franklin County and come back to win,” began Saunders.
“To come back and beat this team says a lot about our girls, their heart and desire. Instead of putting our heads down, we kept fighting and fighting. We made some errors early and that slowed us down, but the girls wanted this game.”
Saunders knew what the Comets were up against in Franklin County, a solid team with hitting throughout its lineup, and was looking for her team to get untracked early.
The opposite happened, the Eagles getting six of their 15 hits for the game in the first two innings, four in the second inning, including RBI hits by Jenny Law and Ashley Steele, her second of four hits for the contest. That combined with two Comets miscues gave Franklin County an early 5-0 lead.
Halifax got back in the game with a two-out rally in the bottom of the third, Liz Trickey getting the first of her three base hits for the game and moving to second on a passed ball. Heather Oakes walked before a RBI single by Lashunda Davis and two-run single by Betty Rose brought the Comets to 5-3.
Halifax scored five runs on three hits in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead, Jasmine Parker drawing a walk to start the inning. Beth Throckmorton sacrificed Parker to second and Shayna Oakes followed with base hit to put runners at second and third.
Parker scored on a passed ball and Jessica Morris walked, before a Trickey RBI single tied the score.
Heather Oakes hit the first of her two singles to plate a run, before Davis hit a line drive double for two runs and an 8-5 advantage.
Franklin County quickly cut its deficit to 8-7 with hits by Steele and Ashlee Washburn and a two-run double in the top of the fifth inning, before Halifax struck for four runs in their next at-bat, all the runs again coming with two outs.
Morris reached base on an error before Heather Oakes and Trickey singled to load the bases. Davis followed with a hard ground ball to short that was mishandled for an error, scoring two runs to make it 10-7.
Rose followed with a RBI single, and a throwing error on the play resulted in another Comets run to make it 12-7.
The Eagles attempted to rally in the top of the seventh, once again after a leadoff single by Steele, her fourth hit of the game. A one-out double by Washburn produced one run and another came home on a two-out error, but a flyout ended the game.
Trickey led the Comets in hitting for the game, collecting three singles and a RBI, scoring three times, while Davis and Rose each finished with two hits and three RBI’s. Heather Oakes had two hits and scored three runs, while Shayna Oakes got the other Comets’ hit.
Throckmorton started the game on the mound for Halifax, hurling two innings before giving way to Morris in the top of the third. Throckmorton gave up six hits, while Morris surrendered seven hits in five innings of work.
Other than the two errors in the second and the other miscue in the seventh, Halifax played good defense in support of its pitching, its outfielders making several key catches on well-hit balls.
Davis made a big defensive play in the top of the first to save two runs. With Eagles at second and third and one out, she dove to her right to snare Amy Betterton’s low line drive, doubling up the runner at second and getting the Comets out of the inning.
Catcher Rose threw to Heather Oakes at second to stop a potential steal and end the top of the second, and Morris got a big strikeout to strand the game-tying run at second base in the fifth.
Tuesday’s big win was a team victory, emphasized Saunders. “Moo [Morris] came in and pitched a great game. Beth recognized they were hitting her, but she came to the dugout with her head held high, and she contributed at the plate for us,” said Saunders.
“We did what we were supposed to do tonight, the girls paid attention to the coaches’ signs and they ran the bases well.
“Both teams scrapped and fought hard tonight, we just made some plays and didn’t falter late when they got runners on base.”
The Comets, winners of seven straight and nine of their last 10 games, have a week off before a Tuesday road contest at Patrick Henry, with the game scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

 

Varsity Boys Soccer Team Loses Another Close One

Halifax Falls 2-1 Here Tuesday To Franklin County

The Comets varsity boys soccer team played another close game without getting its first Western Valley District win, leading 1-0 in the second half before falling 2-1 here Tuesday to Franklin County.
Josh Lacy scored the only Comets goal, coming with ten minutes gone in the second half on a cross from Josh Shealy, but Halifax was unable to hang on, the Eagles getting the equalizer with about 10 minutes remaining and the winning goal shortly thereafter.
Playing hard and playing well without getting a “W” has been the disappointing theme for the Comets in district play this season.
The fact that Halifax had one of its better outings against Franklin County without coming away with a win did little to satisfy either the team or Comets coach Frank Shealy.
“We played an outstanding game and moved the ball better than we have all year long, but I think we just ran out of gas in the second half,” said Shealy.
“I’m disappointed we played another district team close without winning, the effort we gave takes some but not all of the sting away from losing.
“I praised the guys at halftime and again after the game and no one hates to lose like I do.”
The Comets had the best of the scoring opportunities against the Eagles, according to Shealy, who estimated his team had about ten shots on goal in each half, compared to about seven to eight for Franklin County.
“We had several good scoring opportunities, but just couldn’t find the goal, and we had an edge in corner kicks,” said Shealy, who added both Franklin County goals came on two of the few lapses his team had on defense during the contest.
“Franklin County scored their first goal and that seemed to re-energize them,” said Shealy, who added Comets keeper Les Powell had stopped everything up until that point.
“He’d been catching everything all game long and just happened to miss that one. Our defense assumed he’d catch it and didn’t follow up on the initial shot.”
That left the Franklin County shooter alone with the rebound in front of Powell and he put it home to tie the game.
“That’s been a downfall of ours all season, if we leave someone open, we’ll usually pay for it,” said Shealy.
The second Eagles goal came after a rush on goal, in which a crossing pass was struck and hit the crossbar, dropping down inside the line for a 2-1 Eagles lead.
Several Comets rushes in the final minutes came up empty as Halifax dropped to 0-5 in the district and 4-7 overall.
“I hate it for my kids to lose, Franklin County did a good job coming back, but I have to hand it to my team,” said Shealy.
“I honestly thought we outplayed them tonight, and the score doesn’t reflect that, but I wanted a win just for the sake of the team.”

 

Obituaries

John Henry Crews
John Henry Crews, 67, of Bridgeport, Conn., formerly of Halifax County, died April 29, 2006.
He was born in Halifax County on May 4, 1939, to the late Tommie Frances Crews and Malissie Ferrell Crews, and was married to Classie Lawson Crews.
Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Diana Cooks of Gaithersburg, Md., Alisa Sanders, Regina Crews and Roxanne Crews, all of Bridgeport; one son, John W. Crews of Bridgeport; three sisters, Mamie Tucker, Florine Edmonds and Marie Leigh, all of Halifax; two brothers, Melvin Wells and George T. Crews, both of Halifax; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Four sisters, Frances C. Leigh, Edith Oliver, Viola Crews and Martha Sue Lawson; and three brothers, David Wells, Joseph Crews and Walter Crews preceded Mr. Crews in death.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, May 6, at 11 a.m. at New Arbor Baptist Church with the Rev. Nelson Stamps officiating.
The family is receiving friends at the home of Florine Edmonds, 1005 Pine Trail, Halifax.
William D. Smith Jr.
A funeral service for William David Smith Jr. of Averett Court, South Boston, will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Tim Cannon officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Mr. Smith, 84, died Thursday at Halifax Regional Hospital.
He was born in Halifax County on June 12, 1921, a son of the late William David Smith Sr. and Ella Chandler Smith and was married to the late Harriett Johnston Smith.
Mr. Smith was a member of First Baptist Church, the American Legion, Post 8, and was a World War II Navy veteran.
He is survived by one sister, Ruby Hawthorne of South Boston, and three nephews, David Hawthorne of South Boston, Michael Duggan of Terra Haute, Indiana, and Don Duggan of Indianapolis, Indiana.
The family will receive friends Saturday at Powell Funeral Home for one hour prior to the service and at other times at his home, 109 Averett Court, South Boston.
Those considering memorials are asked to consider First Baptist Church, South Boston.
Edgar Carlton Lacks Sr.
Edgar Carlton Lacks Sr., 95, of 1047 Mosley Ferry Road, Clover, died May 4, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Lacks was born in Halifax County on May 11, 1910, the son of Littleton Ray Lacks and Florence Edwards Lacks, and was married to Ruby L. Lacks. He was a member of Clover Baptist Church where he served as treasurer and a deacon, and was a charter member of Clover Lions Club. He was also retired owner/operator of Star Warehouse.
Surviving Mr. Lacks are his wife of 68 years; two daughters, Peggy Lacks Wazeka of Clover, and Brenda L. McDannald and husband, Mac, of South Boston; one son, E. Carlton Lacks Jr. and wife, Deborah, of Brookneal; one sister-in-law, Gladys Lacks of Scottsburg; one brother-in-law, Howard Bushong of Alexandria; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Four brothers, Richard Lee, Thomas Currie, Oscar and Littleton Ray Lacks Jr.; and three sisters, Teresa Bushong, Clara L. Duffer, and Evelyn L. Greenwood, preceded Mr. Lacks in death.
Funeral services will be held at Clover Baptist Church tomorrow, May 6, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Julian Motley and Dr. Bill Greenwood Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Clover Cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening, May 5, from 7:00 until 8:30, at Clover Baptist Church, and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Clover Baptist Church, PO Box 306, Clover, 24534, or the Lacks Family Missions Endowment, the North Carolina Baptist Foundation, 201 Convention Drive, Cary, N.C. 27511-4257.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@earthlink.net
Augusta Logan Easley
Mrs. August Logan Easley, of Lower Liberty Road in Nathalie, died Tuesday, May 2, at Halifax Regional Hospital. She was 88.
Mrs. Easley was born in Halifax County on March 15, 1918, the daughter of the late Charlie Logan and Ellen Owens Logan. She was married to the late Wardie Henry Easley and was a member of Murphy’s Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include one god-daughter, Gladys Coleman of South Boston; two god-sons, Clyde Hubbard of Nathalie and Eugene Barksdale of Temple, Texas; one nephew, George Easley and wife Mildred of Nathalie and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, May 6, with services at Murphy’s Grove Baptist Church. The Rev. Herman J. Robinson will officiate.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the residence, 1036 Lower Liberty Road in Nathalie.