Wednesday, August 9, 2006

Supes OK Hotel Incentive Package
Possible New Business Will Mean $7.5 Million Investment, Creation Of 24 Jobs

Following an executive session Monday night, the Halifax County Board of Supervisors agreed to offer an incentive package to an as-yet-unnamed hotel that is considering locating in the community.
The action came as supervisors met for their regular monthly meeting in Halifax.
County Administrator Bryan Foster said yesterday that the unanimous vote came following a motion from Supervisor Doug Bowman, with a second by Supervisor Wayne Conner.
Foster said that if the owners choose to locate the hotel in Halifax County, the capital investment will total $7.5 million and around 24 jobs will be created.
“The incentives include a proration of business license fees, prorating the company’s consumer utility taxes, waiving the connection fees for water and sewer and a hospitality stimulus grant that will give a cash grant to the new project in an amount that will equal two-fifths of the lodging tax collected,” he said.
In order to receive the incentives, the company will sign a performance agreement and will receive the incentives based upon documented performance, Foster added.
After a public hearing on a proposal to erect a new 300-foot state police tower, supervisors declined to take any action until the concerns of a nearby resident are addressed.
The Virginia State Police is seeking the tower – to replace an existing 250-foot tower - in order for the state to update the department’s radio system, according to Ronald Rice, VSP Capital Outlay Program Director.
“The Commonwealth of Virginia is embarking on a new radio system for the state and has determined that it’s critical that state agencies be able to communicate with each other,” Rice said. “In order to do that, we have to improve the infrastructure throughout the commonwealth.”
Speaking in opposition to the new tower, Josephine Scearce said that the existing 250-foot tower is interfering with her television and telephone reception.
Following a public hearing on the tower during a previous Planning Commission meeting, Rice indicated that a representative from the Virginia State Police would contact Scearce.
Supervisors agreed to postpone action on the new tower until their September meeting to ensure that Scearce’s concerns are addressed.
Only one resident spoke in opposition to a proposal to restrict truck traffic on Dudley and Foster roads during public hearings Monday night.
The move to close the roads to tractor-trailer through traffic comes on the heels of complaints from county citizens who say the trucks make the roads unsafe for pedestrians and school children.
But during Monday’s hearings, county resident Randy Bailey said that trucks have the right to use county roads.
“Trucks have as much right as anyone else to be there,” he said during the Foster Road hearing. “They pay more than anyone else in fuel and use taxes.”
County resident and long-time truck driver Wayne Conner told the Board that restrictions already exist “but the truckers don’t follow them.”
“I can’t go down some of these roads without trucks just about running me down myself,” he said.
“The problem isn’t the trucks, it’s the kids standing out there in the road,” Bailey said during the Dudley Road hearing. “The drivers are abiding by the law. It ain’t (sic) the truck drivers, it’s the people who live there.”
On a motion by Bowman and with a second by Supervisor Bryant Claiborne, supervisors unanimously – with Board Chairman William Fitzgerald absent – voted to restrict truck traffic on Dudley Road.
With a motion by Supervisor Wayne Conner and with a second by Supervisor Lottie Nunn, the Board unanimously approved the restriction on Foster Road.
In other business, supervisors unanimously approved a resolution authorizing Foster to apply for the county’s participation in the Virginia Public School Authority subsidy program.
Foster told the Board that although the county has applied for and was approved for $11.1 million in Literary Fund loans for the school construction projects under way, the waiting period for the funds could mean additional costs to the county in the form of higher interest rates on possible interim financing.
“It could be some time before the Literary Fund loans are approved,” he said. “But the state has a subsidy program where we could subsidize the interest rate. This will allow us to secure financing quicker.
“If we don’t, it could mean we’d need interim financing at a higher interest rate,” Foster said.
The county will secure the funds at a two-percent interest rate, according to Foster.
The Board unanimously approved the measure on a motion from Bowman and with a second from Conner.
During the public comment portion of Monday’s meeting, county resident Lisa Fennimore encouraged supervisors to consider alternative waste disposal methods.
Fennimore suggested that the Board explore new technology that could turn solid waste into fuel.
She suggested supervisors investigate a company called Wheelabrator.
“Wheelabrator can take our waste and generate energy,” she said. “A new plant located in our county will eliminate the costs involved with transporting our waste to a landfill in another county.”
Supervisors agreed to explore the proposal.
“It would certainly be worth taking a look at,” said Supervisor Tom West.
“This could be a feasible way we could dispose of our waste,” added Supervisor James Edmunds.

Supervisors Seek Figures On Sports Hall Of Fame
County’s Commitment To Be Aired At September’s Board Meeting

Planning for the future Halifax County Sports Hall of Fame and the permanent agricultural heritage exhibit – both to be located at the Paul C. Edmunds Memorial Park – is under way, the Halifax County Board of Supervisors were told Monday night.
The announcements came as supervisors gathered for their regular monthly meeting at the Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
Addressing the Board, Hall of Fame organizer Carlyle Wimbish presented supervisors with a preliminary “memorandum of understanding” between organizers and supervisors.
Under the agreement:
• The Hall will be built by organizers and will be a block building with a brick veneer.
• The building will be constructed in two phases “unless fund-raising allows both phases to be built at the same time.” Construction will take into account any future expansion.
• The Hall of Fame will house memorabilia from inductees as well as racecars driven by Ward and Jeff Burton.
• Restrooms will be constructed to allow all park visitors access. The county will contribute to the construction of restroom facilities and will maintain them when constructed.
• County will be responsible for site preparation, provide outside lighting and a parking lot.
• The county will contribute an equal amount annually that is contributed to the Halifax County/South Boston Museum of Fine Arts and History.
• The site will be leased to the Hall of Fame for $1 a year.
• The county will provide a letter of support to be used in grant applications filed by Hall planners.
But supervisors hesitated to agree to the memorandum before more concrete figures are available.
“In concept it’s fine,” said Finance Committee Chairman Doug Bowman, “but it doesn’t quantify the annual commitment.
“It concerns me, the open-endedness of this,” he added. “I think that before we act we would need to know those numbers. I certainly agree that the Hall is going into the right place and we have a role to play, but we need to look at this further before we enter into a formal agreement.”
Wimbish said the Hall of Fame could be a tourist attraction and create revenue for the county.
“In order to apply for grants, we need to have the Board’s support on the application,” he said.
“I think we’re very close to being able to sign an agreement (with Hall of Fame organizers), but the Board wants to see concrete numbers before we commit to anything,” said Supervisor James Edmunds.
Following a discussion on the matter, supervisors agreed to have Bowman and Edmunds work with Hall of Fame planners and present exact figures to supervisors during their September meeting.
According to a master plan for the park supervisors received in July, 2005, construction costs for the 6,600-square-foot Hall of Fame are expected to total around $964,500.
During Monday’s meeting, Supervisor Tom West asked for, and received, permission to get planning under way for the anticipated Farm Heritage permanent exhibit at the park.
No funds are expected to be committed by the county.

A Work In Progress
While the Halifax County Middle School is still a work in progress, the facility will be ready to accommodate students on the first day of school, according to Middle School Principal Gail Bosiger.
The big thing that parents need to remember as the school year begins August 21 is to drop their children off in the rear of the building at the library entrance door, Bosiger said.
The main entrance to the newly renovated building is expected to be completed in early October, about six to eight weeks into the school year, according to the principal.
Also, work on the remodeled cafeteria is expected to be finished in time for the first day of school, Bosiger said.
Bosiger said contractors are working around the clock, seven days a week, in order to have the school ready to welcome students on the first day of classes.
Pictured on the right is the front façade of the renovated cafeteria that is lined with tinted glass.
Shown below is the area that will serve as the middle school’s new main lobby and entrance.
The renovation project at the middle school is scheduled for completion in August of 2007.

Mrs. Dallas Lloyd Rice
Mrs. Dallas Lloyd Rice of Lakeland, Fla. formerly of Nathalie, died July 28, 2006. She was 81. Born April 10, 1925, in Halifax County, she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Archie Lloyd.
Mrs. Rice moved to Lakeland from Halifax in 1983. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Parham Rice; one daughter, Marlyn Pool, and husband Fred, of Cluster Springs; and three sons, Larry Rice and wife, Beverly, of Nathalie, Lowell Steven Rice and wife, Nancy, of Louisburg, N.C., and Ronald Rice of Lakeland, Fla.; brothers, William Lloyd, Richmond, Saford Lloyd, Washington, D.C., Wayne Lloyd, Powhantan; sisters, Helen Lloyd, Halifax, and Florence Wilmouth of Richmond; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Four brothers and two sisters preceded her in death.
Funeral services were held in Lakeland, Fla. on August 1. Burial will be in Virginia.
Ethel Perkins Stephens
Ethel Perkins Stephens, 79, of 1611 Elliott Avenue, South Boston died August 6, 2006 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Stephens was born in Elizabeth City, N.C. on December 3, 1926, to the late John Perkins and Lillian Brothers Perkins. She was married to the late Rev. Samuel Stephens and was a member of Thyne Presbyterian Church of Chase City.
Survivors include two daughters, Lynnda Oliver of South Boston and Jacqueline Stephens of Brooklyn, N.Y.; four sons, Bishop A.C. Robinson Jr. of Elizaeth City, Samuel Stephens Jr. of Virginia Beach, Kenneth Stephens of Naporville, Ill. And Derek Stephens of Tampa, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one son-in-law, Alvin Oliver of South Boston; three daughters-in-law, Joycelyn Robinson, Rebekah Stephens and Deanna Stephens; one sister-in-law, Irene Hunt of Charlotte, N.C.; and one brother-in-law, Dr. Clarence Stephens and wife, Harriet, of Conesus, N.Y. One sister, Lillian McCloud, preceded Mrs. Stephens in death.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, August 10, at 10 a.m. at Dan River Bethel Baptist Church with the Bishop A.C. Robinson Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in West Lawn Cemetery in Elizabeth City.
The family will receive friends this evening, August 9, from 7 to 8, and other times at the home.
Hallie Irby Thomas
Hallie Irby Thomas, 84, of Hampton, died August 5, 2006. She was married to the late James Stuart Thomas, and was a member of East Hampton Methodist Church.
Survivors include eight children, Dorothy and husband, K.D. Hinshaw, Garland “Jim” Thomas and companion, Jeanette Harris, Eddie and wife, Karen Thomas, Randy Thomas, Juanita and husband, Wayne Maston, Cindy and husband, Gene Maston, Billy Thomas, and Barry Thomas; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; her brother, William Irby and wife, Mary; and a sister, Estelle Baynes.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. today, August 9, at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor David Bounds officiating. Burial will follow in Parklawn Memorial Park.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Diabetes Association.
Lillian Moon Collins
Lillian Moon Collins, 91, of Mount Laurel died August 6, 2006, in The Woodview.
Mrs. Collins was born in Charlotte County on October 29, 1914, the daughter of Charles Moon and Bessie Lipscomb Moon and was married to Maynard Collins. She was a member of Mt. Laurel United Methodist Church.
Survivors include one son, Garland Collins and wife, Marie, of Clover; one sister, Gertie Fallen of Richmond; five grandchildren, Tommy Collins and wife, Debbie, of Mt. Laurel, Eddie Collins and wife, Cindy, of Crystal Hill, Dorothy Cullop and husband, Willis, of Blackstone, Steve Collins and wife, Anita, of Mt. Laurel, and Kelly Lloyd and husband, Jason, of South Boston; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services for Mrs. Collins will be held today, August 9, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Laurel United Methodist Church Cemetery. The Rev. Don Pizzeck will officiate.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Mt. Laurel United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@earthlink.net
Macie Garner Faulkner
Macie Garner Faulkner, 51, of 1120 Cole Street, South Boston died August 5, 2006, at Danville Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Faulkner was born in N.C. on October 8, 1954, to the late Robert A. Garner and Helen Halloway Garner, and was married to the late McKinley Faulkner.
Survivors include two sons, Keith Garner and Preston J. Faulkner, both of South Boston; one brother, Robert A. Garner Jr. of South Boston; four grandchildren; one daughter-in-law, Catherine T. Garner of South Boston; and one brother-in-law, Arthur Faulkner of Halifax. One sister, Susie Garland, preceded her in death.
Funeral services for Mrs. Faulkner will be held today, August 9, at 1 p.m. at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Dr. Mary A. Cherry officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Garden Cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.
Bertha C. Garber
Bertha C. Garber, 87, of Red Oak died August 2, 2006.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. August 5, at Antioch Baptist Church with the Rev. Rodney Barwick officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Survivors of Mrs. Garber include one son, Warren J. Rutledge of Red Oak; one daughter, Mary Ann Satterfield of Halifax; three stepdaughters, Marion ‘Tootsie’ Neal, Frances Seay and Josephine Cassada; four grandchildren, Ikie Inge, Betty Ann Kramer, Rita Cox and Angela Stimpson; seven great-grandchildren; and 16 step-grandchildren.
Mrs. Garber’s parents, Olivine and Essie Queen Cassada; her husband, Isaac D. Rutledge; stepchildren, Hazel Crowe, Laura Blackstock, Harry Rutledge and Julius Rutledge; sisters, Frances McCluster, Odie Noblin, Onita Woodson and Ruby Cassada; brothers, Andrew Cassada and Woodrow Cassada, preceded her in death.
She was a member of Winns Creek Baptist Church and attended Antioch Baptist Church.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Antioch Baptist, Red Oak, 23964.
Virnetta McPhail Hill
Virnetta McPhail Hill, 63, of Spring Avenue, South Boston died August 7, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Hill was born in Halifax County on August 28, 1942, to Virginia Cobbs McPhail and the late Patrick Henry McPhail. She was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Georgette Hill McCray of Raleigh, N.C. and Gloria D. Hill of Chesapeake; her mother of South Boston; one sister, Lauretta M. Martin of South Boston; one son-in-law, James McCray of Raleigh; one brother-in-law, Bristol Martin of South Boston; and one sister-in-law, Bonnie Hill Wilkins of South Boston.
Graveside services for Mrs. Hill will be held today, August 9, at 11 a.m. at Rose Garden Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. James M. Crowder officiating.
The family will receive friends at the graveside today.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Bethune Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 729, South Boston, 24592.
Ruby Griffin Lowery
Ruby Griffin Lowery, 85, of Colonial Heights, died July 28, 2006. Mrs. Lowery was the daughter of the late Charlie Richard and Mildred Susan Wilkins Griffin, and the widow of Jessie ‘John’ Johnson Lowery.
She was preceded in death by brothers and sisters, George Griffin, Belt Griffin, Cornelius Griffin, Blanch Mahler, Agnes Comer, Josephine Beeman, Virginia Comer, Beulah Perdue, Dorothy Lowery and Goode Griffin.
Mrs. Lowery was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, past member of the Colonial Heights Senior Citizens Club, AARP and retired from Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co., with over 30 years of service.
She is survived by two daughters, Reba L. Glass and husband, Robert, and Alvis L. Beazley and husband, Aubrey, all of Colonial Heights; two sisters, Bessie S. Griffin of Colonial Heights and Mildred Poole of Chester; brother-in-law, George Lowery and wife, Jeanita; seven grandchildren and their spouses, John and Kim Beazley, James and Shaun Beazley, Tim and Jeanette Glass, Tona and Joe Sink, Bonnie and Jeff Falls, Robin and Michael Hall and Diana Glass; great-grandchildren, Brian Sink, Joshua Glass, Christina Glass, Daniel Falls, Matthew Falls, Benjamin Hall, Sarah Hall, Samuel Hall, Margaret Beazley, Walter Beazley and Skylar Beazley; and her devoted caregivers for the past year, Carrie, Julia, Mary, Lashawn, Nancy, Dijimlor and Sylvia.
A funeral service was held July 31, 1:30 p.m. at the Petersburg Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 3935 South Crater Road. Burial was in Southlawn Memorial Park, Prince George.
Memorials may be made to the Colonial Heights Fire & EMS, P.O. Box 3401, Colonial Heights, 23834. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

Lions Linksters Win Opener
The Halifax County Middle School Golf Team Downed E.W. Wyatt Monday In Its Southside Middle School Conference Opener

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
The Halifax County Middle School golf team got its season off to a solid start Monday with a 193-290 win over E.W. Wyatt here in its Southside Middle School Conference opener.
Four Halifax County Middle School players, Cody Spencer, Dillon Puryear, T.J. Daniel and Parker Harrell, turned in scores of 50 or better in the nine-hole tournament played on the back nine of the Green’s Folly Golf Course.
Spencer was the medalist for the day with a round of 47. Puryear and Daniel were one shot back at 48 and Harrell posted a round of 50.
Halifax County Middle School golf coach Charlie Payne said he was pleased with his team’s season-opening effort.
“It was a good way to start the season,” Payne said.
“A round of 200 would have satisfied me and 1934 makes me pretty happy. This was a good start. If we can get our score down to 175 or 180 I think we can be pretty good.
While only the best four scores were counted toward the team total, the Lions got a good effort from players that did not crack the top four.
Kaitlin Fallen, the lone girl on the Lions team, carded a round of 53, just off of the pace of the top four. Blake Jones turned in a round of 60 and Brandon Marshall carded a 62 for the nine-hole competition.
All of the Lions players turned in scores better than E.W. Wyatt’s best score of 68, a mark that two E.W. Wyatt players hit.
Halifax County Middle School’s golf team will be back in action Monday when it hosts Amelia here at Green’s Folly Golf Course. The match is slated for a 3:30 p.m. start.
The Halifax County Middle School golf team has four home matches this season. Following Monday’s contest, the Lions will play at home on August 28 and will play their final home contest on September 18.

Lions Football Begins Practice With Large Group
The Halifax County Middle School football team welcomed about 75 hopefuls to its first official practice Monday.
The Lions are coming off a 6-2 season, and gone are 27 eighth-graders from that team, but the coaching staff is optimistic about this year’s team.
Head coach Frank Shealy and assistants Stanley Brandon, W.J. Long and James Smith put the players through a series of drills Monday evening.
Shealy seemed pleased with the talent on hand, including three quarterback hopefuls, a good group of skill players and some size along the line.
A large number of those players were on hand last week for the middle school football camp, which gave the coaches a head start on evaluating the available talent.
“Of course, our job is to find the best fit for each position and plug the holes,” said Shealy, who ideally wants a starting 11 on both sides of the ball.
“We may have a few playing on both sides of the ball, but ideally we would like a separate starting 11 on offense and defense.”
The coaching staff will have the remainder of the week for evaluation before selecting a team.
On the horizon is the annual football jamboree at Park View, followed by the August 24 opener at Ben Franklin Middle School in Franklin County.
The Lions play nine-game schedule this year, beginning and ending with Ben Franklin Middle School here October 18.
In between are non-conference games here with George Washington Middle School and away at Martinsville.
The Lions also have conference foes Russell, Nottoway, Lunenburg, Bluestone and Park View on the schedule.

SCCA Racers Scramble For Points At VIR
The Oak Tree Nationals Are Set This Weekend At VIR
By John Gardner
VIR Public Relations
With the thermometer hovering in the mid-90-degree range, it’s a little difficult to think about the end of the racing season. But that is what will be on the minds of SCCA competitors this weekend, August 12-13, as the SCCA North Carolina Region (NCR) hosts the Oak Tree National at VIRginia International Raceway.
The season for those SCCA amateur racers seeking national championships will come to an end during the week of October 9-15, as the SCCA National Championship Runoffs® will take place at Kansas’ Heartland Park Topeka facility to decide the titlists in 25 different classes.
As the season winds down, those racers hoping to earn a coveted invitation to the Runoffs® will seek out National events to gain valuable points. As a result, VIR will be hosting a number of teams that do not customarily race with the NCR.
“The Oak Tree National is the North Carolina Region’s once-a-year opportunity to host the best amateur drivers on the east coast,” said NCR regional director Mark Senior.
“Not only will they be competing to win their individual races, but also to accumulate points towards a national championship and to qualify to compete in the SCCA Runoffs where the top drivers in the country are crowned.
“Since this is often the only time some of these drivers will visit VIR, we try to put our best foot forward and put on an event that includes both great racing and great hospitality.”
More than 240 entries are expected for the weekend, and the racing will be spread out over two days. In addition to the National races, the weekend will also feature a Carolina Cup Pro Series (CCPS) endurance race and a Pro Improved Touring (IT) race.
The on-track action will get underway at 8:15 am each morning with practice and qualifying sessions for the eight racing groups plus a 45-minute CCPS on Saturday and National and Pro IT races on Sunday.
Spectators will be allowed to take their personal cars on touring laps of the track during lunch hour both Saturday and Sunday, for which donations will be accepted to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Durham.
“We always enjoy hosting the Oak Tree National,” said VIR general manager Josh Lief.
“The competition is among the best road racing anywhere, and it’s always a pleasure to introduce VIR to newcomers from other SCCA regions. The North Carolina Region has been a great partner, dating back to the track’s earliest days, and continues to be an integral part of the VIR family.”
Two-day tickets for the Oak Tree National priced at $20, and one-day tickets for Saturday ($10) or Sunday ($15) will be available at the gate. VIR is a family-friendly facility, where children 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult.
Spectator camping is available. The paddock will be open to spectators all weekend, allowing up-close-and-personal access to the cars, their drivers and teams.