Halifax County Staffer Fired, Facing Charge

Brenda Pulliam Charged With Disorderly Conduct After She Allegedly Refused To Leave Office

A former member of the office support staff for the county administrator was charged with disorderly conduct Wednesday after she allegedly refused to leave the County Administration building after being terminated, according to Chief Devin Snead of the Halifax Town Police.
Snead identified the staff worker as 60-year-old Brenda Newcomb Pulliam of Wolf Trap Road.
“We received a call to respond to the County Administration building between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.," he said. “When I got there, I was met by (County Administrator Bryan) Foster and told that he had terminated an employee and (she) refused to leave until she could gather her personal effects."
According to Snead, Foster told him some of the items Pulliam was allegedly trying to remove from the office belonged to the county.
“Some of the effects being removed, including documents, were in question," he said.
“Because of the fact that she’d become somewhat irate and refused to leave the premises, she was removed and charged with disorderly conduct," Snead added.
After appearing before the magistrate, Pulliam was released on her own recognizance.
“Brenda is no longer employed here," Foster said yesterday.
But citing the confidentiality of personnel matters, Foster declined to elaborate on why Pulliam was let go.
“It’s our policy not to discuss personnel matters," he said.
“We will be searching for a replacement, although we may take the opportunity to re-organize our office operations before filling the position permanently," Foster added.
Although she began her career with the county on a temporary basis several years earlier, Pulliam was hired full-time on July 1, 1997.
Despite calls seeking comment, Pulliam declined to discuss the matter.

 

Committee Recommends Position Cut

No Real Estate Tax Hike

Halifax Town Council’s finance committee was expected to recommend the elimination of Finance Director Rocky Reynolds’ $41,000 job during last night’s final budget session, and to propose no increase in real estate taxes.
A three-cent increase, from 19 cents per assessed $100 to 22 cents, was advertised in the town’s $1,462,659 budget.
The committee also is seeking the services of CPA firm Burnett & Sneed to take over Reynolds’ duties if the full Council approved its recommendation during the 7 p.m. budget session Thursday.
State Code mandates the town have an approved budget June 30.
The committee also recommended at its 2 p.m. meeting yesterday that Reynolds be compensated for his vacation, sick and comp time.
Councilman Jack Dunavant also proposed seeking Reynolds’ services for 60 days as a consultant during the transition. Reynolds said that he would respond by Tuesday.
Following the meeting, Reynolds said his attorney had advised him to make no comment during the procedure.
The committee’s recommendations followed Wednesday and Thursday afternoon meetings of the three-man finance committee, which includes Allen Stevens, chairman, Jack Dunavant and Phil Hollis.
Councilman Cabell Daniel also attended both meetings and, on Thursday, Mayor Leon Plaster and councilmen Dr. Charles Parker and Buddy Guthrie also attended.
During both sessions, the finance committee went into executive session.
On Thursday, the finance committee went into executive session “to discuss personnel and finances,” on Dunavant’s motion.
Forty minutes later, the committee emerged from the executive session with its recommendations.
During the committee’s first executive session, neither Reynolds nor Town Manager Carl Espy were invited to attend, but both attended the executive session Thursday afternoon.
The proposed three-cent real estate tax was discussed prior to Wednesday’s executive session, with finance committee members and town officials reviewing the budget, estimated revenues and sundry budget line items.
Finance committee members said the message they were receiving was that a tax increase is not wanted from constituents. Following a telephone call, Dunavant said Councilman Parker said he had received calls in favor of the tax increase.
Finance member Phil Hollis said that constituents were asking him if there were expenses associated with the town office that could be cut.
Comp time was discussed, and Reynolds said that he has accumulated three months in comp time. Reynolds has worked for the town seven years.
Prior to the executive session, Espy warned the session might not be legal unless the specific reason and applicable state code for the session were states.
Despite Espy’s protests, the committee moved into executive session.
The finance committee emerged from executive session at 3:15 Wednesday and advised they had taken no action.
“We are making a recommendation on the budget shortfall that comes after soul-searching,” said Dunavant. The councilman said that based on information gathered after looking at other towns of comparable size, his motion was to recommend the elimination of the finance director’s position to make the budget balance.
“We feel we can have (it) handled at a considerable savings to the town,” said Dunavant.
Phil Hollis offered a second and Stevens abstained. Stevens’ final reply was “no comment” when asked why he had abstained.

 

County Jobless Rate Edges Up Slightly

Halifax County’s jobless rate rose slightly in May to 6.2 percent, a slight rise from the April rate of 6.1 percent, according to figures released by the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC).
The commission reported a civilian labor force of 15,134, with 941 people seeking employment in May.
Charlotte County’s jobless rate rose six-tenths of a percent last month, to 9 percent from an April rate of 8.4 percent, the VEC reported.
The county listed 521 people looking for work out of a labor force of 5,761.
Mecklenburg County’s rate dropped three-tenths of a percent in May, to 6.2 percent.
In Mecklenburg County, 791 people were looking for work out of a civilian labor force of 12,707, according to the commission.
Henry County’s jobless rate rose slightly, to 6.8 percent from an April rate of 6.7 percent.
The county reported 1,718 people looking for work out of a labor force of 25,350.
Danville’s unemployment rate climbed back into the double-digits in May, rising two-tenths of a percent to 10.1 percent from an April rate of 9.9 percent.
The city reported a labor force of 21,349, with 2,148 people seeking employment.
Like Danville, Pittsylvania County’s unemployment rate rose two-tenths of a percent, to 6.1 percent from an April rate of 5.9 percent.
The county reported a civilian labor force of 31,671 with 1,936 county residents looking for work.
In May, the City of Martinsville’s unemployment rate rose back into double-digits in May, to 10.4 percent from an April rate of 9.6 percent.
The city reported a civilian labor force of 5,947, with 617 residents seeking employment.
Virginia’s unemployment rate rose slightly in May, to 3.6 percent.

 

Obituaries

Paul Larry Perkins

Paul Larry Perkins, 60, of Linwood, N.C., formerly of Nathalie, died June 25 at High Point Regional Hospital.
There will be a private memorial service held on July 4.
Mr. Perkins retired from Norfolk-Southern Railroad and Amtrak Passenger Services where he was a conductor. He was the son of Daniel and Agnes Cook Perkins of Nathalie who preceded him in death.
Surviving are his wife, Betty B. Perkins of the home; two sons, Ray Perkins and wife, Carolyn, of South Boston and Rusty Perkins and wife, Melanie, of Scottsburg; one daughter, Ashley Suzanne Perkins of Richmond; one stepson, Tommy D. Childress and wife, Shelly, of Lexington, N.C.; four stepdaughters, Connie C. Johns and husband, Dave, of Concord, N.C., Beth C. Hill and husband, Bobby, of Lexington, N.C., Pam Whitaker of Carthage, N.C., and Tonya C. Cress and husband, Junior, of Randleman, N.C.; 18 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one brother, Dan Perkins and wife, Becky, of Nathalie; two sisters, Mary Ann P. Fallen and husband, Gary, of Halifax, and Joanne P. Roberts and husband, Barry, of Halifax. Mr. Perkins was also preceded in death by one grandchild.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Carolina Regional Heart Center Heart Fund, 306 Westwood Avenue, Suite 401, High Point, 27262.

Catherine Ridgeway

Catherine Ridgeway, 88, of 1205 Perth Road, Nathalie died June 28, at Virginia Baptist Hospital.
Ms. Ridgeway was born in Halifax County the daughter of the late John F. Ridgeway Sr. and Mattie Bomar Ridgeway. She was a member of Childrey Baptist Church, an army Veteran of WWII, and a retired employee of the Defense Logistics Agency.
Survivors include two sisters, Roberta R. Booker and Jean Ridgeway, both of Nathalie; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ms. Ridgeway was also preceded in death by six brothers, Frank, John, Russell, Leroy, William and Thomas Ridgeway; and three sisters, Helen Ridgeway, Lucille Martin and Claudine R. Weatherford.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. today, July 1, at Childrey Baptist Church by the Rev. Elton McDowell.

Richardson To Play Football At Averett

BY Doug Ford
G-V STAFF WRITER

Former Comets running back Brandon Richardson has made a decision on his academic and athletic future, making the short journey west to play this fall at Averett University.
Averett plays football at the Division III level in the USA South Conference. Its opponents include Ferrum College, Christopher Newport, Greensboro, Methodist, Maryville, N.C. Wesleyan and Shenandoah.
Richardson chose Averett because it was the best fit for him, both academically and athletically.
“Football and academics combined, it was the best fit," said Richardson, adding Averett head football coach Mike Dunlevy had seen tapes of him and thought he could be in the mix for the starting tailback job this fall.
“I looked at St. Paul’s College. “They have a lot of good things and offered me a scholarship, but Averett is closer to home and I get a chance to show what I can do."
Richardson weighed the options with his father, Ernest, before deciding on Averett.
“It was pretty much his decision to make," said Ernest Richardson. “I told him Averett was a fine academic institution, and that he’d have the opportunity to earn his degree.
“They insist on freshmen having tutors and that was important to me. They felt he could make an impact and get playing time as a freshman at tailback. Nothing was guaranteed, but they said he’d get an opportunity."
Barring unforeseen circumstances, Richardson plans to play four years at Averett, and is looking at a major in psychology or sports medicine.
“My goal is to focus on academics, I love football but I know that the academics come first," he noted.
“If he puts the same effort forth that he did in high school, he will get his degree," added Ernest Richardson, but he doesn’t plan to stop there. “Brandon is looking at pursuing a masters or Phd."

Post 8 Falls To Lynchburg

Lynchburg Post 16 North Tagged The South Boston Post 8 Baseball Team With A 14-2 Loss Here Wednesday Night

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

It was one of those games that Post 8 baseball coach Jason Jones would just as soon toss out of the window and forget.
Held to just three hits, two of which were solo home runs, the South Boston Post 8 baseball team fell to Lynchburg Post 16 North 14-2 here Wednesday night in a game that was stopped after seven innings under a slaughter rule.
The loss, which dropped Post 8 to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in district play, was a tough pill for the Post 8 team to swallow after having swept a doubleheader late last week to score its first two wins of the season.
Post 8 will have two opportunities this weekend to rebound from Wednesday night’s loss.
The first of those will come Saturday afternoon when Post 8 will host Big Island Post 217 in a 1 p.m. contest at the Halifax County High School field. On Sunday, Post 8 will go on the road to face Lynchburg Post 16 South in a game set for 2 p.m. at Rustburg High School.
Post 8 will be eyeing those games as opportunities to get its offense back into gear.
After having reached double digits in the hits column during the course of its last three outings, Post 8 found itself unable to connect against Lynchburg North’s pitching tandem Wednesday night.
The only hits for Post were a single in the second inning by Blake Waller, a solo home run by Brent Long in the sixth inning and a solo home run by Ryan Gieselman in the bottom of the seventh inning.
That was far from enough to make much more than a ripple against Lynchburg Post 16 North which opened with four runs in the first inning, one in the second frame and two more in the third inning to run away to a seven-run cushion after the third inning.
From there, it was pretty much a mop-up operation for Lynchburg who led 10-0 when Long sent the first of the two Post 8 home runs over the fence.
Just as it was a tough night for the Post 8 offense, it was also a tough night for the Post 8 defense and pitching. There were three errors on defense and the four Post 8 hurlers that were pressed into action allowed 11 walks between them with two of them being called for a balk each.
Tyler Clarke, a hurler known for his steady, methodical pitching, opened the game for Post 8 but struggled to find the plate, yielding four walks and two hits that resulted in four Lynchburg runs.
Brandon Spence, a former hurler for Park View High School who pitched for Louisburg Junior College this spring, stepped in to relieve Clarke in the first inning and went three and a third innings. He fanned four batters and allowed just two walks but was tagged for a pair of home runs. He had given up five runs by the time he was relieved by Dex Seamon.
Seamon faced eight batters in two innings of work and fanned one batter and walked one batter and gave up only two hits.
Chris Fisher finished the game for Post 8, going one inning on the mound. He yielded three walks and three hits with Lynchburg tagging him for four runs.

District Tournament Action Begins Today

Halifax County And South Boston Baseball And Softball Teams Are Hosts For Four District Tournaments That Open Today

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

This weekend will be a busy one for area youth baseball and softball fans as four district tournaments, three for baseball and one for softball, open here today.
Action begins today at 4 p.m. in the District 7 Dixie Softball Tournament at the Mary M. Bethune Complex in Halifax.
Baseball action gets underway tonight at 6 p.m. at the Day Complex in South Boston where South Boston will be the host for the Dixie Boys 13-Year-Old and the Dixie Boys 13-14-Year-old District Tournaments.
And, tonight at Cluster Springs, the opening game of the Dixie Youth AAA (Minor League) Sub-District Tournament is set for a 6:30 p.m. start.
In addition to the tournament action on the local diamonds, the South Boston Dixie Pre-Majors all-star team and the South Boston Dixie Majors all-star teams will open district tournament play tonight at Randolph-Henry High School in neighboring Charlotte County.
The Mary M. Bethune Complex in Halifax will be a hub of activity for the next several days as Halifax County, for the second year in a row, hosting the District 7 tournament for three of the four Dixie Softball age divisions.
Three games are scheduled for today with seven games set for Saturday and six games on tap for Sunday with the county’s Angels, Ponytails and Belles all-star teams competing for the right to advance to state tournament play.
Today’s opening game at 4 p.m. will be the first game of the Ponytails tournament with Halifax County American facing Brookneal.
Following an opening ceremony at 5:30 p.m., there will be two more Ponytails division contests with Halifax County National facing Charlotte County at 8 p.m. in the final game of the opening-day tripleheader.
County teams in all three age groups will play on Saturday. The first game of the day will start at 11 a.m. with opening ceremonies for the Angels and Belles set for 4:30 p.m.
In the opening round of the Angels tournament, Halifax County National will face Altavista at 5 p.m. and Halifax County American will face Charlotte County at 7 p.m.
It will be a county slugfest n the opening round of the Belles tournament as Halifax County American and Halifax County National will square off at 7 p.m. Saturday on Field 2.
The youngest of the area’s baseball teams will begin play tonight when the Dixie Youth Baseball AAA (Minor League) sub-district tournament opens at 6:30 p.m. at the Halifax County South field at Cluster Springs.
That tournament will be a three-team affair with Halifax and Scottsburg squaring off in the opening-round game. On Saturday night, South Boston will face either Halifax or Scottsburg with that game also set for 6:30 p.m.
There will be a single game each night at 6:30 p.m. with the tournament continuing until a winner is crowned.
Over at the Day Complex in South Boston, South Boston will host the district tournaments for the Dixie Boys 13-Year-Old and Dixie Boys 13-14-Year-Old all-star teams.
There are five teams set to compete in the Dixie Boys 13-14-Year-Old tournament with South Boston set to face Prince Edward County in tonight’s 6 p.m. tourney opener. The winner will advance to face Charlotte County in a game set for 6 p.m. Saturday.
With only two teams competing for the district title in the Dixie Boys 13-Year-Old tournament, South Boston and Nottoway will lock horns in a best-of-three game series to determine the district championship.
The opening game in that series will be played tonight at 7 p.m. with the second game set for 6 p.m. Saturday. If a third game is needed, it will be played Sunday night.
Opening ceremonies for those tournaments will be held Saturday at 4 p.m.
South Boston’s Dixie Pre-Majors and Dixie Majors all-star teams will have to go on the road to compete in their respective district tournaments.
The South Boston Dixie Majors team will play its first tournament game tonight at 6 p.m. when it squares off against Nottoway. If South Boston loses that game, it will play Saturday at 1:30 p.m.. A win by South Boston would put it into a winner’s bracket game at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
There are only three teams in the Dixie Pre-Majors tournament which will see South Boston face Nottoway Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Regardless of whether South Boston wins or loses, it will get a bye in Sunday’s round and will play its second game on Monday at 6 p.m.