Friday, May 13, 2005

Board Agrees To Advertise $95.3 Million Budget

The Board of Supervisors agreed Wednesday night to advertise a record $95,303,807 budget, one that reflects a 13.9 percent increase, raises personal property and real estate taxes and increases the fee for 911 service.
Wednesday’s budget compromise also reduces a requested $1.5 million increase in the school budget by $1 million.
The action came as supervisors met for a budget work session in the Mary Bethune Complex.
The advertised budget will increase personal property taxes from the current $2 per assessed $100 to $2.50; increase real estate taxes from the current rate of 37 cents per assessed $100 to 41 cents; and increase the 911 fee from the current rate of $2.50 to $3.00.
With a one-cent increase resulting in $26,510, the personal property increase will result in approximately $1,325,500 for the county’s coffers.
It will also require the use of $122,648 from the county’s reserve fund, down from the previously recommended $500,000 use of rainy day monies.
Next year’s budget also reflects a 2.5 percent pay increase for county employees, increased funding for the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority and the school system.
During Wednesday’s meeting, supervisors wrangled with a requested $97.9 million draft budget that reflected a revenue stream of $92.7 million, leaving a deficit of more than $5.23 million.
In the budget draft, County Administrator Bryan Foster had recommended raising the real estate tax by 7 cents, financing three capital projects totaling $2 million and using approximately $500,000 of the county’s $10 million reserve fund.
But supervisors balked at using so much of the county’s rainy day fund, opting instead to cut increases in the school budget and raising the personal property tax.
Foster said the school system request, totaling $13,438,256, was $1,567,125 more than last year’s request of $11, 871,131.
“Without question, the school system has the most significant impact on the budget," he said. “In addition to the ($740,000 debt service costs for) capital improvements, the board is asking for an additional $1.5 million in local operating funds."
Presenting his budget to supervisors Wednesday, School Superintendent Paul Stapleton said the budget represents an “investment in the future."
“It’s not just for the children, it’s for the county," he said. “This budget is driven pretty much by personnel costs and raises for our teachers.
“The biggest problem we’re having right now is meeting the federally-required highly qualified standard for teachers.
“Where we are right now is not competitive (with surrounding localities)," Stapleton added. “I’m trying to get us in the battle (for the best teacher). We may not win the war, but I want us to at least be competitive.
“We have a great county to bring teachers to, but we’re not going to be able to get them here or keep them because other localities steal our teachers by paying them more or offering them better benefits."
Stapleton said the Halifax County school system – at the top of its pay scale – ranks 89th out of 132 school divisions. “At the bottom, we rank 97th out of the 132 systems," he said.
The school request represents a 13 percent increase from the FY 2005 request, Foster noted. It called for a five- percent salary increase for teachers.
But Finance Committee Chairman Doug Bowman said that while he supports increased pay for teachers, he recommended the increase be cut to match the 2.5 percent increase of the county employees.
“My sense is the School Board probably has some money they could use to make up the difference," he said. “Their budget has gone up $6.5 million in two years.
“If they want to compensate their teachers more, they can find the money to do it," he said.
The $1 million cut will mean an increase of $567,125 in local funding from the schools.
Supervisors will recommend the cuts come in the form of a reduction of $750,000 in roof repair/operation funds, $125,000 out of the schools’ transportation budget and $125,000 cut from the instruction budget.
Foster said the approval of $28.8 million capital improvement package for the schools last month, coupled with a $25 million building package passed in October, 2004 has stretched the county financially.
“I don’t think it’s any secret that there will be a tax increase," he said. “You either have to raise the revenue or cut the expenses because there’s no way we can do these school improvements without raising taxes."
Supervisors are expected to pass the school budget during Monday’s meeting with the towns at The Prizery.
The budget will be advertised for a public hearing on June 6, with passage expected at the end of June.
IDA Budget
Supervisors hardly blinked when IDA Executive Director Mike Eades presented a $2.925, 297 FY 2005-2006 budget, an increase of $2.1 million from this year’s $762,678 budget.
Eades told the board that the majority of the increase was due to the anticipated costs associated with the opening of Riverstone Technology Park.
The majority of the increase in the budget is a $1,207,550 line item for Building I at Riverstone.
“We have $1 million in debt service through the Tobacco Commission grant and are estimating $2.67 per square foot in operation and maintenance costs," Eades said.
Part of the increase, Eades said, is due to the “strong recommendation" that the IDA hire a real estate management firm to oversee the park and all present and future buildings located at the site.
“This isn’t someone out there to cut the grass," the IDA director said.
Eades said the scope of the firm’s services will include:
• Develop bid specifications for all outside services and oversee contractor performance.
• Train staff of tenants on security systems and emergency procedures.
• Develop and publish marketing materials for the park.
• Assist the IDA in lease negotiations and sales transactions.
• An on-site supervisor and maintenance technician for routine repairs.
• Supervise all repairs and maintenance.
• Coordinate and participate in all inspections.
“The key to this is they would help us market the property," Eades told the Board. “The thing that attracts me to it is the marketing and sales part. Other people would be out there beating the bushes and selling the park."
The IDA budget reflects a $66,666 increase due to supervisors’ decision to offer a cost of living increase of 2.5 percent for county employees, and decreases the costs of office operations, professional fees, insurance and website development.
It reflects small increases in public relations, existing industry services, prospect development and subscription costs.
“The IDA needs to subscribe to an online business database for the purpose of identifying specific firms in our target market clusters and to enable us to access the financial reports on prospective new firms as well as existing ones," Eades said.

Attorney: King Village Is Unlawful Subdivision

Challenging Legality Of King Village, Attorney Cites Numerous Violations Of County/State Code.

By KEITH STRANGE
strange@gazettevirginian.com

The subdivision of plats creating the King Village subdivision were made in violation of state and county code, according to county code and court records.
In an April 13 letter to the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, D. Epps Lacy and James P. Lacy pointed out that until around 2000, “subdivision plats were routinely recorded by our Clerks of Court without any of the certifications of review by the county planner.”
The letter referenced eight deeds that were recorded in King Village between 1979 and 2000, with an October 31, 2000 property transfer prepared by Halifax County Attorney William Claiborne, now a member of the Board of Supervisors. That deed references the most recent of the eight allegedly unlawfully-filed plats.
At the time the deed was filed, Claiborne was not a member of the Board of Supervisors.
Contacted yesterday, Claiborne said he only recorded the property transfer between Sherman and Anita Hawkins and Freddie and Sharmaine Edmunds.
“Make sure you have your facts straight,” he said on the recorded phone call. “To print a story like that is misleading. I prepared a deed and that’s all.
“Of significance is the fact that if a plat of subdivision was never submitted for approval to the planning agent or the planning commission, and was not exempt under law, it is illegal, and its illegality is continuing in nature,” the Lacy letter continued.
According to Halifax County Code, the county planning office is responsible for the administration of the county’s subdivision ordinance.
“In so doing, the agent (county planner) shall be considered the agent of the Board of Supervisors, and approval or disapproval by the agent shall constitute approval or disapproval as though it were given by the Board of Supervisors,” section 15.4 of the code reads. “The agent shall affix his signature to a final plat after receipt of proof of approval of the subdivision by the Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Department of Transportation… and after a determination that the subdivision is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
“The purpose of this authority is to bring the approval process to a conclusion upon which a subdivision plat will be approved for recordation in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court with only the signature of the agent necessary for recordation.”
“Every plat that came to my office was properly reviewed, and either approved or sent back for corrections,” County Planner Jerry Lovelace said yesterday.
Lovelace said he “sees some plats periodically” that haven’t been reviewed by his office and have already been recorded in Circuit Court.
“I get people coming into my office with a plat that’s been recorded and asking questions about land use and I don’t see my signature on it,” he said. “It’s not my policy to ignore any ordinance. Our policy has always been that to the best of our ability we enforce state and local codes.”
Despite numerous reports that other communities are in violation of the county ordinance, Foster said he is “not aware of other subdivisions in violation” of the ordinance.
Concluding the letter, the Lacys offered the county two weeks to “initiate enforcement of the county subdivision ordinances in King Village, starting with a submittal of the plat to the planning agent for review.”
“If we do not hear from you within two weeks of the delivery of this letter to your offices, we will assume you disagree with our analysis and will not voluntarily bring enforcement actions,” the letter concluded.
In a May 4 e-mail to supervisors obtained by the Gazette-Virginian, County Administrator Bryan Foster said Russell Slayton, the county’s attorney on the matter, recommended the county not respond.
“After speaking with Russell Slayton regarding King Village and the Lacy letter, he advised not to send a response at this time,” Foster wrote. “Today is the deadline they gave us, and he wants to see if they follow through. If so, we can respond at that time.”
The Battle Rages On
“They’ve got their lawyer saying wait and see what (the Lacys will) do,” said John Greenbacker, one of two attorney for the Lacys. “We put them on notice that if they didn’t respond to this it would be deemed a refusal to enforce the ordinance. In order to enforce the letter of the law, the governing body has to refuse to do it.”
“I think we are enforcing the subdivision ordinance,” Foster countered. “We did not respond to the letter by their time frame and they in turn filed suit. We aren’t saying we won’t enforce county code, simply that we didn’t respond to the letter.”
“It’s obvious to me that they’ve purposefully decided they aren’t going to respond (to the Lacy letter),” Greenbacker said. “That’s a refusal to enforce the law.”
Foster said he doesn’t know whether King Village is receiving special treatment or selective enforcement of the Code.
“I think it’s a Board issue that’s been going on since before I came and I’m simply following through on the Board’s directive,” he added.
“Even if it’s a family subdivision, it must be looked at by Jerry Lovelace,” Greenbacker said. “Proper procedure must be followed.”
Greenbacker said the failure of the county to enforce the ordinance gives the Lacys the legal tools to counter condemnation procedures under way by the county.
“If (the county) had simply followed the Code, if everything had been done by proper procedure, I wouldn’t have an arrow in my quiver,” he said. “King Village aren’t the only beneficiaries of the county’s failure to review (potential subdivisions). I don’t know how many (other) subdivisions in the county are also in violation of state and county code because they were never reviewed.
“I’m surprised that some of the other interior subdivisions haven’t petitioned the Board of Supervisors to condemn a public-maintained right-of-way.
“If you enforce it for one, you enforce it for all,” Greenbacker added. “That’s at the core of equal protection under the law.”
According to the Code, every day that a plat is subdivided without review is a separate misdemeanor charge punishable by a fine ranging from $10 to $250.
“This is a very serious problem facing the county that is not going to go away,” Greenbacker said. “Sooner or later the county will have to address this.”

Halifax Hears Water/Sewer Update

Halifax is slated to get over $5 million in water and sewer upgrades in coming months, according to Dewberry and Davis Project Manager Scott Ehrhardt.
Ehrhardt presented Halifax Town Council with an outline of the improvements to be made to the town’s water and sewer system at council’s meeting Tuesday evening.
The projects are grouped into two phases, Ehrhardt said.
The first phase consists of replacing the water and sewer lines within the Main Street revitalized project area, replace 4,000 feet of water lines on Canterbury Street and install a non-potable water system at the waste-water treatment plant. Also in the first phase, the Toots Creek sewer is to be relocated and the town’s 300,000-gallon elevated water storage tank will be reconditioned, Ehrhardt said.
Second phase projects include extending the waterline on Route 360 to certain residences and Sinai Elementary School, upgrading the town water treatment plant’s capacity and extending water service to Banister Shores residences.
The phase one projects total $790,000 and the phase two projects total $4,231,000.
The total costs for both phases is expected to be around $5,021,000, according to Ehrhardt. Halifax has applied for a State Tribal Assistance Grant that will cover 55 percent of the costs.
In other business, council adopted a resolution congratulating Dixie Youth Baseball on its fiftieth anniversary and declaring the week of May 16 – 20, Dixie Youth Baseball week in the town.
Regional Director Emmett Edmonds accepted the resolution on behalf of Dixie Youth and thanked the council for its continued support.
“I want to thank you for recognizing Dixie Youth,” he said. “I appreciate the town’s support.”
Edmunds pointed out that approximately 500 young people are currently involved with Dixie Youth in the county and that Dixie Youth serves area kids through other programs like college scholarships.
“Dixie Youth benefits the kids and this community,” Edmonds said. “It gives the kids the opportunity to compete.”
Also on the agenda, Council heard a report of police activities from Police Chief Devin Snead.
Over the last month officers logged 600.75 man/hours, responded to 472 calls and issued 32 summonses, according to Sneed.
Also, answering requests from the community, Snead said, the department is taking steps to be more visible. The department applied for and received a $500 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant and is using the funds to purchase a bicycle for patrol. The department is making an effort to have a marked patrol car in school zones during drop off times, as well as having increased foot patrols in town.
The department is also working toward gaining accreditation that will allow for new opportunities, Snead said. And the Halifax department is reactivating the Explorer Program that allows children to interact and spend time with officers, according to the chief.
Addressing old business, Council voted to move the start time of their monthly Thursday work sessions from 5 to 5:30 p.m.

Obituaries

Elizabeth Brann Ramsey

Elizabeth (Betty Lu) Brann Ramsey of Ditchley, 76, died May 10.
Mrs. Ramsey was married to the late Knox Wagner Ramsey. She was born on July 6, 1928, Staten Island, N.Y., daughter of William Cralle Brann, M.D., and Luise Tuck Brann. She attended Ward Belmont College and the College of William and Mary, was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and in 2000 was inducted in the college Old Guard. Mrs. Ramsey was an active docent with Historic Christ Church and a communicant of Wicomico Episcopal Church.
Her survivors include three children: Kathryn Daryl Joslin of Seattle, Wash.; William Brann Ramsey and wife, Louise, of Great Falls; and Knox Wagner Ramsey Jr. and wife, Ellen, of Tampa, Fla; seven grandchildren: Danielle, Mike and Hunter Joslin, and Alyssa, Trey, Beth and Laura Ramsey; a brother, William C. Brann II of Baycliff, Tex.; and a sister, Barbara B. Johnston of South Boston.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, at Historic Christ Church Burying Ground, Irvington.
Memorials may be made to Historic Christ Church Foundation, P.O. Box 24, Irvington, VA 22480 or a charity of your choice.

Lou Fannie Trent

Lou Fannie Trent, 97, of 2105 High View Road, Halifax died May 10 at her home.
Miss Trent was born in Halifax County on October 25, 1907, the daughter of the late Doc Randell Trent and Anna Estelle Spraggins Trent. She was a member of Emmanuel Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Survivors include two sisters-in-law, Mary Frances Trent and Faustina Mae Trent, both of Halifax; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Miss Trent will be held today, May 13, at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel Seventh Day Adventist Church with Dr. Andre Saunders officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Edward Alexander Blane

Edward Alexander Blane, born September 30, 1928, in Halifax County, died May 11.
Mr. Blane was a lifelong resident of Alton, and a member of Alton Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter A. and Nana H. Blane; and his brother, Charles A. Blane.
Survivors include one sister and her husband, Katherine Blane Farmer and David S. Farmer of Farmville; one sister-in-law, Nancy M. Blane of South Boston; four nieces and two nephews and their families.
Mr. Blane was a graduate of Lynchburg College. His teaching career began in Bedford and Roanoke counties, and he remained in education for 37 years. He served as assistant principal of Bluestone High School for 25 years, was a U.S. Army Veteran and served two terms, one at the end of World War II and one during the Korean Conflict.
His remains rest at Powell Funeral Home where the family will receive friends at 2 p.m. today, May 13, with funeral services to follow in Powell’s Chapel at 3 p.m. Burial will follow at Alton Baptist Church.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, 24592, or Alton Baptist Church, Alton, 24520.

Henrietta Charity Harris

Henrietta Charity Harris, 89, of Baltimore, Md., formerly of Halifax County, died May 8.
Mrs. Harris was born in Halifax County on February 2, 1916, to the late John Sweeney and Eveline Stevens Sweeney, and was married to the late George Harris. She was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church in Halifax, and later joined Zion Baptist Church in Baltimore.
Survivors include one brother, John Sweeney of the home; four stepdaughters, Esther Bryant and Euna Britton, both of Baltimore, Sarah Marable of Hampton and Dorothy Sims of South Boston; two stepsons, Louis Harris of Alton and Thomas Harris of Paterson, N.J.; one son-in-law, George Sims, of South Boston; one daughter-in-law, Jeanette Harris, of Alton; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two devoted friends, Edna Majors of Halifax and Gracie Jenkins of Baltimore.
Funeral services for Mrs. Harris will be held May 15, at 2 p.m. at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel in South Boston with the Rev. Kevin Chandler officiating. Burial will follow in Cross Road Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the service Sunday.

Jesse Thomas James

Jesse Thomas James, 77, of Nelson, widower of Ruth Seate James, died May 11 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. James was born to the late Bev and Mary Hall James, and was a native of Rougemont, N.C. He was a member of Nelson Baptist Church, worked many years at Burlington Industries and later for Collins & Aikman retiring from there.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Kimball and Mary V. James of Nelson; a brother, Thomas James of Roxboro, N.C.; and a grandson, Jerome James of Goldsboro, N.C.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow, May 14, at Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home with the Rev. Jim McAlister officiating. Burial will be at Nelson Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening, May 13, from 7-9, at Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home. You may express condolences at www.wclfh.com.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Mecklenburg County Life Saving and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1539, Clarksville, 23927.

Jane Watkins Owen

Jane Watkins Owen, 70, of Spring Avenue, South Boston died May 9 at her home.
Mrs. Owen was born on March 5, 1935, to the late Lewis Watkins and Gladys Scott Wilkins, and was married to the late Junior Jackson Owen. She was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Mary Adams, Katie Mae Owen and Catherine L. Owen, all of South Boston; two sons, Thomas J. Owen and James Edward Owen, both of South Boston; two sisters, Katie Lewis of Hartford, Conn. and Mattie Williams of Winsor, Conn.; one brother, Floyd Watkins of South Boston; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and one brother-in-law, Otis Williams of Winsor.
Funeral services for Mrs. Owen will be held tomorrow, May 14, at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church on Ferry Street, South Boston. The Rev. Dr. James M. Crowder will officiate. Burial will follow in Rose Garden Cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.

Eva Talley Poole

Eva Talley Poole, 82, of Buffalo Junction, widow of Melvin Green Poole, died May 12 at MeadowView Terrace in Clarksville.
Born in Mecklenburg County to the late Hurley Arthur and Sallie Davis Talley, Mrs. Poole was a graduate of Clarksville High School, and was employed with Burlington Industries for over 25 years, last as a lab technician.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow, May 14, at Buffalo Baptist Church of which she was a member, with the Rev. Dan Tilley officiating. Burial will be in Gravel Hill Cemetery.
Surviving Mrs. Poole are her sons and daughters-in-law, Arnold Ray and Brenda Poole of South Boston, Stevie Wayne and Donna Poole, Janet Poole of Virgilina and Timmie Lane and Penni Poole, all of Buffalo Junction; and eight grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her son, Arthur Melvin Poole.
The family will receive friends from 7-9 this evening, May 13, at Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home. You may express condolences and view the video tribute at www.wclfh.com.

Nell Ruth Smith

Nell Ruth Smith, formerly of Danville, died May 5 in South Boston Manor.
Ms. Smith was born in Danville the daughter of William G. Smith and Edna Hundley Smith. She was employed by Dan River as a clerk, having retired in 1985, and was a member of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Inez V. Smith, and a brother, E.T. Smith.
Survivors include a nephew and sister-in-law.
A private graveside service was held May 10, at Green Hill Cemetery by the Rev. Bob Friend.

Dillard Resigns As Comets Basketball Coach

HCHS Varsity Boys Basketball Coach Garrett Dillard Will Be The New Head Coach At Western Guilford High School In Greensboro, N.C.

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

Halifax County High School varsity boys basketball coach Garrett Dillard resigned yesterday to take the position as the new head boys basketball coach at Western Guilford High School in Greensboro, N.C.
School principal Albert T. Randolph said the search for a successor will begin immediately.
“We appreciate the seven years he has directed the Halifax County High School basketball program," said Randolph.
“ I also like commend Mr. Dillard on his efforts working with the students here at Halifax County High School in social studies and, especially, U.S. History, where students take end-of-the-course tests. We wish him well as he moves forward in his career."
Dillard said his resignation to take the position at Western Guilford High School was a move he felt was in the best interest of himself and his family.
“I’ve had plenty of opportunities since I’ve been here," said Dillard.
“ I’ve either not looked into them or looked into them and felt it was not the time or the opportunity for me and my family. This one, I did feel, was the right time and the right situation for my family and myself.
“I had a couple of other offers," continued Dillard.
“I wasn’t going to take just any job. It had to be a situation that offered the total package that I wanted. My ambition in life is to make sure my kids have an opportunity and make sure my wife has some things she wants in life. I thought this area (the Greensboro, N.C. area) provided some of those things.
“Greensboro is a college town," Dillard added.
“My wife would like to get a Master’s Degree and it’s something I might consider in the future. My family is very familiar with Greensboro and doesn’t live far from that area. I have family members that live in that community. A lot of factors were considered."
Dillard said one of the offers he received was a college coaching job.
“A fellow from Eastern Kentucky who coached at the University of Richmond called me and talked to me about working with him next season," Dillard said.
“It would have been a major pay cut but, if you want to coach college basketball, you would be willing to do that.
“I’m not going to Greensboro thinking that if I coach really, really well I might get a call from some collage," added Dillard.
“Western Guilford was the opportunity for me and my family. If college basketball one day becomes an opportunity, it’s something I’ll look at."
At Western Guilford High School, Dillard’s team will be in a seven-team Triad conference that will include last year’s North Carolina AAA state champion Dudley High School, Morehead High School, Bartlett-Yancey High School in Yanceyville, N.C. and Rockingham County High School.
“It’s a conference in which talent is there," Dillard pointed out.
“ You want to coach against the best. Here I coached against GW, Franklin County and Cave Spring and we had two state champions come from our district. There are four or five kids that are now playing in the ACC that I’ve coached against here in my seven years. I’ve coached against some really, really good talent here and will continue to do that at Western Guilford."
In his seven years as the head basketball coach at Halifax County High School, Dillard compiled a career record of 77-74 and was 54-37 over the span of his last four years.
Dillard was named the Western Valley District Coach of the Year for the 2002-2003 season, the same season in which his Comets team won the Western Valley District Tournament championship and gave Halifax County High School its first district basketball title in 10 years.
Dillard’s best season as the Comets’ head coach was the 2001-2002 season when his Comets team finished 16-5 overall with its only losses being to district teams Cave Spring with its superstar J.J. Redick, GW, and Notre Dame Academy, a prep school in Northern Virginia.
Unfortunately, the Comets lost to Cave Spring in the semifinals of the district tournament and did not make it to the Northwest regional Tournament that year.
However, the Comets rebounded to win the district tournament championship in the 2002-2003 season and advanced to the Northwest Region Tournament where they lost their first-round game here to Woodbridge.
This past season the Comets had a disappointing campaign that saw them finish third in the district. Halifax County had finished no worse than second in the district in the three previous seasons.
“I’m disappointed with some of the losses we had and some of the ways we lost but those things happen," said Dillard.
“I know we had a bad year, but when you look at the last four years with 54 wins and 37 losses, that’s a 60 percent or better winning percentage, and you finish no worse than second in the district every year except this year, that’s not bad."
There had been some criticism in some corners over the fact that the Comets basketball team, with its talented core group of returning players, did not live up to its expectations this past season.
Randolph said that criticism had nothing at all to do with Dillard’s decision.
“We had planned to sit down and discuss basketball at the end of the school year," Randolph said.
“ As far as his decision to move on, no, there was no indicator that it was time that we change direction."
Dillard also said that the criticism had nothing to do with his decision.
“You’re always going to have critics," Dillard pointed out.
“If you can’t handle the critics and what the critics say, it doesn’t matter where you coach, you’re not going to be successful."
Dillard said he feels the Comets basketball program is in good shape.
“I think the program is in a position now that whoever comes in, there are some things I had to deal with that hopefully they won’t have to deal with and move forward from there," said Dillard.
“They will get some really good qualified candidates that will apply. I’m sure they will make a decision that is going to be best for Halifax County basketball."
Dillard said he is grateful for the opportunity to teach and coach at Halifax County High School.
“I want to thank Mr. Clark (former HCHS principal Larry Clark) and Coach Thompson (former HCHS athletic director Don Thompson)," he said.
“ They were the original people that offered me the job. I also want to thank Mr. Randolph and Coach Lawter (HCHS Athletic Director Allen Lawter) Mr. Witt (former county school superintendent Dennis Witt) and Mr. Stapleton as superintendents. I want to thank the community of Halifax County and, of course the players and parents, administration and staff – everybody I have worked with here.
“It has taken a lot to do the things we have done," added Dillard.
“ I know a lot of people will say you really haven’t done anything. But, when you go back and look at the overall picture, we had a sellout basketball game th8is year, we kept the stands full the past few years and we’ve competed against some of the top teams in Virginia and have fared well, we have done well."

HCHS-GW: Round Two Is Tonight

HCHS And GW Square Off Tonight In Danville With The Comets Having A Shot At A Tie For First Place In The Western Valley District

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

Tonight marks Round Two in the annual baseball battle between Halifax County and archrival GW.
With the Comets shooting for a win that can earn them a tie for first place in the Western Valley District standings, the stakes are bumped up a little.
For GW, tonight’s game is the final regular-season district game, a game that could allow Coach Scooter Dunn and the Eagles to wrap up the district title and an automatic berth for the Northwest Region Tournament.
For Halifax County, the scenario is a little different.
If the Comets bump off GW tonight and then defeat Franklin County here Tuesday night, the Comets can earn a tie with GW for the regular-season title and force a playoff game to determine the championship and who will receive the automatic region tournament berth.
The Comets, regardless of what happens tonight or next Tuesday, even with two losses, will finish second and are guaranteed a home game in the semifinal round of the Western Valley District Tournament.
Halifax County put itself in that good position by defeating E.C. Glass 6-3 Tuesday night in Lynchburg.
“We’re still not out of first place," pointed out Comets coach Kelvin Davis.
“But, knowing that we have that first game of the tournament at home is a big plus for us."
Despite all of that, tonight’s contest boils down to one ingredient – that in it’s purest form, the game is another big rivalry game between two tough archrivals.
“It’s always a dogfight," said Davis.
“We enjoy playing those guys. We know that when you step between the lines you have to play good fundamental baseball. If one team is lacking in that, the other will take advantage of it. Hopefully, we can go up there and play good, fundamental baseball and take advantage when they make a mistake.”
Davis says his team is under no pressure at all going into tonight’s contest.
“We know we have a home game in the first round of the tournament already locked up,” said Davis.
“We feel no pressure at all going up there. I think GW will have a little pressure on them, knowing they may have to play in a “not to lose” mode. We just want our guys to go up there and relax, do the little things, and hopefully, we can come out with a win.”
Davis says he is planning to put senior hurler Tyler Clarke on the mound to start tonight’s game.
“We hope he can go out and do what he’s been doing for us all year – throwing strikes with his change-up and breaking pitches and sneaking his fastball in there,” said Davis.
“If he can throw strikes, I think he can handle those guys.”
The Comets set the table for tonight’s game with Tuesday’s big 6-3 road win over E.C. Glass in Lynchburg.
Halifax County had 11 hits in the contest with Chris Conner, Jeremy Jeffress, Chris Perkins, David Lacks and Blake Waller each getting two hits and Bobby Owens chipping in a hit.
.“We went up there with the idea of us needing to score runs early and we did that,” said Davis.
“Our main objective was to swing the bats and we did that.”
Jeffress went the distance on the mound for the Comets, fanning 13 batters while giving up only two hits and four walks.
“He took control early in the ballgame, just like we knew he could do,” Davis pointed out.
“We got him the runs early and gave him a chance to go out and do what he does best.”
The Comets opened the game with a run in the top of the first inning when Conner opened up with a double and scored on a hit by Jeffress.
Two more runs in the second inning, the first on a one-out homer by Lacks and the other on a single by Waller that plated Owens who reached base with a double after Lacks’ round tripper, made it a 3-0 Comets lead.
The Comets added two more runs in the top of the third inning to make it a 5-0 lead and then held on to put away the 6-3 win.

Comets Varsity Softball Batters Glass 16-1

Morris, Lloyd Spin Five-Inning No-Hitter

BY Doug Ford
G-V STAFF WRITER

The Comets varsity softball team collected a season-high 18 hits and hurlers Jessica Morris and Jessie Lloyd combined to toss a five-inning no-hitter, as the Comets battered E.C. Glass 16-1 here Tuesday.
Tuesday’s win gave Halifax a 5-0 record in the Western Valley District, with a key district game here today against arch rival GW. Friday’s game also marks Senior Night for Comets players Tracy Nelson, Cari Clark, Mallory Lawter, Amanda Rogers, Lori Reeves and Jessica Lewis.
The Comets’ performance at the plate during the rematch stood in stark contrast to the earlier game between the two teams, Halifax collecting only four hits in a 3-0 win at Glass on April 5, and coach Melanie Saunders was quick to point out the difference.
“When we went up there for our first district game, we beat them 3-0. It took our bats a long time to get going," recalled Saunders.
“Today, it was exactly the opposite, we’ve made some adjustments to wait on the ball. That’s the difference, our timing was off back then, but the players have learned on their own to adjust to different pitching."
Those adjustments resulted in the Comets’ scoring in every inning of a game called after five innings under the mercy rule.
Lashunda Davis, Cari Clark and Mallory Lawter led Halifax with three hits each for the afternoon, Davis finishing with a triple, double, single, and an RBI. Clark and Lawter each had two RBI’s.
Amanda Rogers (double) and Key Ferrell each finished with two hits and two RBI’s for the Comets, while Jasmine Parker, Heather Oakes and Mandy Watts each added an RBI base hit.
That proved to be plenty of runs for Morris, who hurled the first four innings, and Lloyd, who came on for the fifth frame. Morris struck out nine Hilltoppper batters and walked one, while Lloyd struck out two of the three batters she faced.
Clark’s two-out, two-run base hit was the key to a four-run first inning for Halifax. Parker led off with a walk, stole second, and Rogers reached base on an error, scoring Parker with the first run of the contest.
Tracy Nelson reached on a fielder’s choice, and Ferrell and Clark hit consecutive two-out RBI singles for the final runs of the inning.
Rogers slugged a two-out double and scored on two passed balls to make it 5-0 after two innings, Reeves doubled and later scored on a Lawter single in the third, and Glass scored its lone run in the top of the fourth on an error and fielder’s choice to make it 5-1.
But, that was as close as Glass would come, the Comets exploding for eight runs in the bottom of the fourth and two in the fifth to end the game.
Nelson reached on an error to start the rally, and Reeves and Ferrell followed with consecutive RBI hits. Clark singled, Lawter and Watts followed with RBI singles, and Parker reached on an error, before Rogers hit a two-run double and Davis an RBI double to make it 14-1.
Halifax added two runs in the fifth to end the game under the mercy rule, Clark getting a one-out single and Lawter a base hit, before Watts reached on a fielder’s choice. Consecutive RBI hits by Parker and Oakes gave the Comets their final two runs.
The focus now is on today’s showdown here with GW, and the Comet’s energies are geared toward that game, according to Saunders.
“Moo did a good job today and Jessie struck out two in one inning," she said. We’ll miss Beth [Throckmorton], but we have work to do, and we have two pitchers who can do it for us.
“That’s what we showed today. As long as our bats stay hot, we’re aggressive and our defense works, we’ll be fine."
A key to the Comets’ 5-0 win over GW in Danville earlier this season was the team’s jumping out to an early lead, and that again will be the key in the rematch, noted Saunders.
“We’re going to have to do the same thing we did up there, and it’s always tougher for us when they come here, for some reason. We’ll have to try and turn that around.
“Right now, our momentum is right where we need it to be, things are moving forward and it’s the right tme of the season for that. We’re there mentally, and we need to have the pitchers understand we have confidence in them.
“Moo (Morris) and Jessie have worked hard all season, and they’re just stepping up for us and showing how mentally tough they can be, also."
Today’s game will start after Senior Night activities, due to start at 5 p.m.