Halifax Town Council Cuts Finance Director Position

$1,462,659 Budget Passed With No Real Estate Tax Increase
On a 3 to 2 vote, with councilmen Dr. Charles Parker and Buddy Guthrie opposing and Councilman Allen Stevens abstaining, Halifax Council on Thursday eliminated the $41,000 finance director’s post held by Rocky Reynolds.
Councilman Jack Dunavant’s motion called for “balancing the budget by eliminating the position of finance director as opposed to a three-cent (real estate) tax increase as proposed.”
Dunavant’s motion, with a second by Councilman Phil Hollis, also included hiring the accounting firm of Burnett and Sneed at $750 a month and hiring Reynolds for 60 days, at salary minus benefits, for the transition period. Reynolds told Council last week that he would give his decision regarding the 60-day transition period on Tuesday.
Council adopted the $1,462,659 budget with the real estate tax rate remaining 19 cents per assessed $100. Parker cast the single nay vote and Stevens abstained.
A second motion introduced by Dunavant called for paying Reynolds all compensatory money due him. Dunavant said the finance committee is to meet with Halifax Town Manager Carl Espy and Reynolds this week to determine what is owed “and pay him as quickly as possible.”
Mayor Leon Plaster said the estimated total owed Reynolds for sick, vacation and comp hours equaled $18,318.
Stevens and Hollis objected to Dunavant’s motion, seeking instead to pay Reynolds funds due him immediately.
“I think you always need to double check when dealing with public money,” countered Dunavant.
“I think it should be reviewed,” added Guthrie.
Parker also favored a review, but drew applause from the crowd when he said: “As a general point, I don’t think we know what we are doing at all.”
Parker said he didn’t think Council was aware of all Reynolds’ duties.
The councilman said he was concerned Council will pay the same or more for the same services.
In addition to billing and other duties, Parker said Reynolds was at the Town Hall and available to provide information to residents as well as current and prospective business owners.
“This accounting firm isn’t going to do this,” said Parker.
“I don’t think we know the cost of this change,” said the councilman. “I think it will cost more.”
“This proposed budget gives no savings this year,” added Parker.
Noting the coming reassessment, Parker said he thought to increase taxes next year would be unpopular.
Guthrie said he agreed with Parker’s sentiments but they “were out-voted.”
In the following vote to delay compensatory payment to Reynolds until reviewed, Stevens abstained, Hollis objected and the remaining councilmen voted yes.
Public Comment
Former Halifax Mayor Dennis Osborne applauded Parker’s comments regarding Reynolds, adding Reynolds came to the town when the books were kept in a paper ledger and within a short time had everything up and running. (Town records are now computerized).
“He does payroll . He knows where every nickel is,” said the former mayor. “How could you in your clear minds do this? Don’t let your conscience eat you alive.”
Halifax resident Kathy Booker asked Council, “Who will pick up the slack on the job Reynolds does?”
Council gave no reply, but there was an audible “ummm” from the crowd.
“I’m disappointed with the decision Council has made,” said Dorothy Davis, of K&D Floor Covering, adding she thought Council would reap the results of the decision.
“We need to remember when we invest in our local people, we strengthen our community. Let’s not forget those who serve us.”
“Is the real estate cost so great that we want to give up those people who work for us daily?” she asked.
“Let’s not give up our people for someone else’s gain.”
“We are very disappointed in town council,” said Carol Thorckmorton, president of the Village Business Association.
Throckmorton said that no one wants a tax increase, but she noted the
county had increased personal property and real estate taxes, and that South Boston had an across-the-board increase for water/sewer rates.
“If there were a three-cent real estate increase (in the Town of Halifax), that would be $30 on a $100,000 value,” said Throckmorton.
“What message are you sending, especially after the controversy over employee health insurance?” asked the businesswoman.
Throckmorton asked Council to agree to revisit the decision.
“We need to bring the town together,” she said. “Support employees and work together.”
“I was part of the process,” replied Dunavant. “It was not an easy decision.” He said Reynolds had done “an exemplary job for us,” and that Council would do all it could to assist him in finding an equally good job.
“We’re not firing Mr. Reynolds, but rather eliminating a job position,” added Dunavant. “If it turns out we made an error, we will correct that error.
“We had to come up with monies and this seemed the best way,” said Dunavant, adding he didn’t think the action would cost the town more money.
In other business, Council unanimously approved seeking interim financing for its water/sewer project from SunTrust Bank.
Dennis R. Howard, senior vice president of the public finance division, Lynchburg, told council he estimated a 3 percent fixed loan.
The $790,000 water/sewer Phase I improvements are to begin downtown this summer.
The loan, up to one-year with fixed interest and no prepayment penalty, is expected to remain in place until the STAG grant and funds from the USDA rural development loan are received.
No one spoke during the public comment period regarding the interim financing.
Mayor Plaster also announced the following committee assignments: In addition to Dunavant and Phil Hollis, Parker will join the finance committee.
Stevens will join the current affairs committee chaired by Councilman Guthrie. Councilman Cabell Daniel is also a member of that committee.
The new committee assignments were effective Friday, July 1, according to Plaster. Council will not meet in July.

Area Police Investigating Recent Break-Ins

Investigators with the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the following break-ins that occurred in June, according to Captain Larry Fears:
•ºOn June 4, the Coleman Road home of Monica Frances in Scottsburg was broken into and the thief or thieves took a television, VCR, a camera, jewelry and cash, Fears reported.
• On June 5, the lock to a storage building belonging to Newbill School Road resident Mark Gent was cut off and a lawn mower, weedeater and gas can were taken.
• On June 20, police reported that a side door was kicked in to allow a thief or thieves to gain entrance to the Clover Road residence of Bobby Whitlow.
Fears reported that five shotguns, pistols, rifles and collector knives were taken in the incident.
• Also on June 20, police were called to investigate the theft of a Pioneer radio from a vehicle parked at the home of Sheila Carrington on Joe Jackson Trail in Halifax.
Fears said that police believe the driver’s side door was pried open to allow access to the vehicle.
• On June 21, police were called to investigate an attempted break-in at Max’s Grocery on Route 360 in Clover.
Fears reported that a window was broken out at the rear of the building, but police believe the store was never entered.
• On June 25, police were called when a Schwinn bicycle was taken from the East Hyco Road home of Westley Hall.
• Police were called on June 30 to respond to a break-in at Clark’s Self Service in Scottsburg.
Roxie Dunkley reported to investigators that the front door glass was broken to allow the thief or thieves to gain entry.
Once inside, cigarettes and beer were taken, Fears reported.

Clover Man Is Charged With Credit Card Theft

Police Urge Residents To Check Statements To Ensure They Weren’t Victims

A 22-year-old Clover man was arrested on multiple charges after police were alerted to what could be dozens of counts of credit card theft, forgery and credit card fraud, Chief Mick Reed of the South Boston Police Department reported Friday.
Noel Seda, of Coleman Road, is being held in the Halifax Regional Jail on a $10,000 bond after management at the Saving Gas store on Halifax Road identified a number of incidents where he was allegedly “double-swiping” the credit cards of customers and pocketing the extra money.
“They (store management) contacted the South Boston Police Department and Lt. Brian Lovelace began a criminal investigation,” Reed said.
Contacted Friday, Lovelace said he doesn’t know exactly how many victims could be involved.
“Right now, we’re looking at between 30-40 victims,” he said. “But we’re still getting information about other victims.Ó
Reed said the investigation is continuing and more charges could be pending against Seda.
“We want to remind credit card customers to check their monthly bills carefully to ensure they aren’t the victims of this kind of criminal activity,” Deputy Chief Jim Binner added.

Obituaries

William David Breedlove

William David Breedlove, 89, of South Boston died June 30, in South Boston.
Mr. Breedlove was born in Halifax County on January 2, 1916, the son of the late Alfred Breedlove and Mary Breedlove and was married to the late Maggie Alston Breedlove. He was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church and was a WWII Army Veteran.
Survivors include one sister, Mary E. Kent of South Boston and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Breedlove was also preceded in death by a sister, Florence Glenn Breedlove.
Funeral services were held July 3, at 2:30 p.m. at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel in South Boston with the Rev. Sandy Palmer officiating.

Richard Edgar LaRock

Richard Edgar LaRock, 69, of 2211 Ridgeway Road, Vernon Hill died June 30, at his home.
Mr. LaRock was born in Ogdensbury, N.Y. on July 27, 1935, the son of the late Edgar A. LaRock and Margaret Rady LaRock and was married to Rose Marie Pytlewski LaRock. He was of the Catholic Faith, was a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict, retired firefighter with Alexandria Fire Department, was a member of the American Legion Post 8, Loyal Order of Moose Lynchburg Lodge #1727, a member of Blue Ridge Moose Legion #82, and was former president of local 2141 International Association of Fire Fighters.
Survivors of Mr. LaRock include his wife; one daughter, Mary Katherine Polucci and husband, Patrick J., of Alexandria; one son, Thomas Richard LaRock of Alexandria; one stepdaughter, Lynn Edwards and husband, Lionel, of Virginia Beach; one stepson, Wayne Newcomb and wife, Lori, of Herndon; one grandson, Nicholas A. Polucci of Alexandria; three step-grandsons, Zachary John Melton of Virginia Beach, Clayton E. Newcomb and Thomas W. Newcomb of Herndon.
Funeral services for Mr. LaRock were held July 2 at 3:30 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home chapel with the Halifax Fire Department Chaplain, Barry McCormick, officiating. Burial will take place at the Culpepper Veteran’s Cemetery at a later date.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Loyal Order of the Moose Charities, P.O. Box 6005, Carol Stream, Ill. 60197.

William Augustus Giles McGhee Sr.

Mr. William Augustus Giles McGhee Sr., of Maple Avenue in Halifax, died Friday, July 1, at The Woodview.
He was born September 16, 1933, in Halifax County and was 71 years old.
Mr. McGhee was the son of James Richard McGhee and Ursula Giles McGhee and was married to Carolyn Hite McGhee.
He was a graduate of Hargrave Military Academy and was a retired bookkeeper at Diamond Tobacco Company.
Mr. McGhee was a member of the Beth Car Baptist Church, was a lifetime member of the Halifax Volunteer Fire Department and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
He is survived by his wife, one daughter, Catherine M. Cole of Halifax, one son, William A.G. McGhee Jr. of Nathalie, one sister, Eloise A. McDonald of Richmand and four grandchildren, John Lovelace Cole IV of Halifax, Caren McGhee Cole of Winchester, William A.G. McGhee III of Halifax and Christopher Thomas McGhee of Nathalie.
Funeral services for Mr. McGhee will be held today, July 4, at the Powell Funeral Home Chapel.
The Revs. Michael Parnell and Randy Holmes will officiate.
Burial will follow at the Halifax Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to please consider the Halifax Volunteer Fire Department.

Hester Taylor Trimble

Mrs. Hester Taylor Trimble, of Old Cluster Springs Road in South Boston, died Saturday, July 2, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She was 86.
Mrs. Trimble was born in Halifax County on April 10, 1919, the daughter of the late James Taylor and the late Ada Ferguson Taylor. She was married to the late Claude Wilber Trimble Sr., and was a member of Second Baptist Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher and youth leader.
She is survived by one son, C.W. Trimble Jr., and wife Marie of South Boston, one brother, Herman Taylor of Hubert, N.C., one sister, Leonie Taylor Patterson of Chesapeake, one grandson, Shawn Trimble, two granddaughters, Misty T. Epps and Staycee T. Price, and three great-grandchildren, Autumn Price, Ryan Price and Jonathan Trimble.
Funeral services will be held at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 5.
The Rev. Raymond Bucklew will officiate.
Burial will follow in Halifax Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be held today, July 4, from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and at other times at the home.

Rosa Lee Davis

Rosa Lee Davis of Highland Hills Drive, Halifax, died Saturday at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 73.
Ms. Davis was born in Halifax County on June 12, 1932, and was the daughter of the late Lee J. Davis and Rosa Smart Davis.
She was retired from Halifax Cotton Mill and was a member of McCanless Memorial United Methodist Church.
Rosa Davis is survived by one sister, Lila P. Rumbaugh of South Boston; two nieces, Amy Elliott of Halifax and Kaye Ratcliff of South Boston; and three nephews, Kenneth A. Perkins and Tony Throckmorton of South Boston and Spencer S. Throckmorton of New York.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Irene D. Perkins.
Graveside services for Rosa Lee Davis will be held Wednesday, July 6, at 2 p.m., at Halifax Memorial Gardens, with the Rev. Phil Showers conducting the service. Interment will follow in Halifax Memorial Gardens.

Post 8 Rallies To Down Big Island

South Boston Post 8 Rebounded From An Early Five-Run Deficit To Defeat Big Island 12-10 Here Saturday

By Joe Chandler
G-V Staff Writer

South Boston Post 8 overcame a five-run first inning deficit to defeat Big Island 12-10 here Saturday.
The win lifted Post 8’s record to 3-4 overall and 2-3 in district play.
"We just kept at it," said Post 8 coach Jason Jones.
"Both teams came out swinging the bat and we were fortunate to come out on top."
The win was a big one for Post 8 which had been battered 14-2 by Lynchburg Post 16 North earlier in the week.
This game started out much like the game against Lynchburg with Big Island Post 217 lighting up the board with five runs in the top of the first inning.
The difference this time was that Post 8 rallied for three runs in the bottom of the frame and clawed its way back into contention with the help of a two-run homer from Brent Long in the bottom of the fourth inning that deadlocked the contest.
"Our guys responded differently and better," Jones said in comparing the two games.
"In this game we came back and scored three runs. In the game against Lynchburg we put up a donut. I think that set the tone for the day."
The game was a slugfest with the two teams combining for 22 runs and 25 hits.
Post 8 was led by Robert Carter who had a big 4-6 day at the plate that included a triple and an RBI. Ryan Gieselman was 3-4 with a double and an RBI and three players, Ryan Roller, Justin Armistead and Blake Waller, each had two hits.
Long had one hit, that being his two-run round-tripper.
South Boston went deep into its pitching lineup, putting four pitchers on the hill during the course of the nine-inning contest. Kyle Long got the win with Brandon Spence getting the save.
After falling behind 5-0 in the top of the first inning, Post 8 rallied in the bottom of the frame to cut the margin to two runs. A two-RBI single by Waller scored the first two runs and Armistead crossed the plate for the third run when David Lacks reached base on a fielder’s choice.
Post 8 tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the third inning. A triple by Waller scored Armistead who had reached base on a single and a single by Gieselman plated Waller for the tying run.
Big Island broke the deadlock with a three-spot in the top of the fourth inning but South Boston answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning. A one-out triple by Carter set the stage for the big inning with Carter scoring on an error.
Travis Powell walked and the homer by Long deadlocked the game at 8-8.
Big Island regained the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning. A run-scoring hit by Armistead in the bottom of the sixth inning cut the deficit to one run and a runs-coring single from Roller and a wild pitch that allowed B. Long to score put South Boston up 11-10 after seven innings.
Spence came to the mound in relief of K. Long in the top of the eighth inning. After yielding a hit to the first two batters he faced, Post 8 retired the side as Spence fanned two of the last three batters he faced in the inning.
South Boston got an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning on a hit by Carter to make the 12-10 score. Post 8 and Spence capped the ninth inning and the game by retiring the side in order with Spence striking out two of the three batters he faced.

 

Halifax American Belles All-Stars Shut Out Nationals 1-0

BY Doug Ford
G-V STAFF WRITER

Halifax American was outhit by a 6-1 margin, but got outs when it needed them most and got the only run it needed on a Lashunda Davis triple and Melissa Sims sacrifice fly in the fifth inning for a 1-0 win Saturday in the Dixie Softball District VII tourney in Halifax.
Halifax National played a must-win game last night against Altavista to stay alive in the tournament, while American earned a bye into Monday’s play.
Saturday’s game was the latest in the long-standing rivalry between Halifax American and Halifax National, National having the best of the scoring chances, but not getting the key hits when needed. In contrast, Halifax American was retired in order until the fifth inning, when Davis’ triple and Sims’ sacrifice fly plated the only run of the game.
Halifax National stranded 11 base runners in the game, its best scoring chance coming in the second inning, after a single by Amber Bowman, a walk to Paige Rickman and a bunt single by Ally Thompson loaded the bases with one out. American catcher Johanna Spencer caught a foul ball against the backstop for the second out of the inning and hurler Emily New got a key strikeout to end the threat.
New gave up a single to Francis Hicks to start the third inning, but got two strikeouts and a fielder’s choice groundout to end that inning.
Daniel was stranded after reaching base on a one-out error in the fourth, and Thompson was left at second after a one-out double in the top of the fifth inning, leading to the pivotal bottom of the fifth.
The speedy Davis hit a long fly ball down the left field line and beat the relay to third for a leadoff triple, and Sims followed with a sacrifice fly to deep center field to score Davis.
Halifax National had two base runners in the sixth and another in the seventh but couldn’t push across the equalizer.
In the sixth, Brittany Cole reached base on a one-out single and Betty Rose reached on a two-out base hit, but Whitney Womack got a big strikeout to end the inning. Samantha Puryear reached base on a two-out error in the seventh, but another Womack strikeout ended the game.
New hurled the first three innings for Halifax American, before Womack came on for the final four innings. New had four strikeouts, while Womack struck out two batters.
Rickman started the game for Halifax National, collecting six strikeouts in three innings of work, while Hudson gave up the one hit to Davis in two innings on the mound. Hudson finished with two strikeouts.
Bowman came on to hurl the sixth inning for Halifax National, striking out a batter while retiring the side in order.

Halifax Is In The Driver’s Seat

Halifax Remained As The Lone Undefeated Team Entering Last Night’s Round Of the District 2 Dixie Youth AAA Sub-District Baseball Tournament

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

The Halifax Dixie Youth AAA all-star team was sitting in the catbird’s seat last night as the District 2 Dixie Youth Baseball Sub-District Baseball Tournament continued at Cluster Springs.
With an 8-4 win over Scottsburg Friday night and a whopping 34-12 win over South Boston on Saturday night, Halifax, the lone undefeated team, put itself in a position to possibly clinch the tournament title in tonight’s 6:30 p.m. contest.
In tonight’s game, Halifax will face the winner of last night’s game between Scottsburg and South Boston. Both South Boston and Scottsburg entered last night’s game with one loss with the loser being eliminated from the tournament.
The good thing as far as Halifax is concerned is that it will have two chances to lock up the tournament title. Should Halifax find misfortune in the form of a loss tonight, it will get another opportunity to play for the championship Tuesday night.
Halifax outhit Scottsburg 8-5 in Friday night’s tournament opener with Ryan Powell, Trey Crews, and galantre Thaxton each getting two hits and Ryan Yates and Larry Breedlove getting a hit each.
Scottsburg got two hits each from Avery Anderson and Jacob Stephens and a hit from Nicholas Anderson.
A run-scoring triple by Stephens gave Scottsburg the early lead but Halifax tied the game in the bottom of the first inning when Crews laced a triple and scored on a groundout by Yates.
Two Halifax errors allowed Scottsburg to score again in the top of the second inning with Jimmy Brenner doing the honors. A leadoff homer by Thaxton in the bottom of the second inning tied the game for Halifax.
Three hits and two Scottsburg errors allowed Halifax to score four runs in the bottom of the third inning and take a 6-2 lead. Two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning gave Halifax an 8-2 edge.
Scottsburg scored twice in the top of the sixth inning with the help of back-to-back singles from N. Anderson and A. Anderson to pull to within two runs but Halifax stifled the rally there to preserve the 8-4 win.
It was all Halifax in Saturday’s game against South Boston with Halifax jumping to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and expanding the lead to 6-0 before South Boston made it a two-run game by scoring four runs in the bottom of the second inning.
Halifax answered with six runs in the top of the third inning and effectively put the game out of reach.
After three innings Halifax led 12-5. Six more runs in the top of the fourth inning appeared to put Halifax over top. However, South Boston avoided having the game end under a slaughter by scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to make the score 18-9.
Everything totally unraveled for South Boston after that as Halifax took advantage of 11 hits and seven walks to score 16 runs in the top of the fifth inning.
South Boston scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning but it wasn’t enough as the game was stopped with Halifax holding a 34-12 lead.
Crews led Halifax with a perfect 5-5 night and Andrew Hamlett had a big 5-6 effort at the plate. Powell chipped in four hits and Yates and Breedlove each added three hits to help lead the offensive attack. Halifax had 18 hits in the contest.
Chris Baisch led South Boston with a 3-4 effort that included a single and a pair of triples. Tre Showers, Truman Brown and Montel Womack each had a hit for South Boston.