Of the 4,000 jobs Burlington Industries is slashing from its estimated 13,000 work force in the United States and Mexico, 1,300 will come from the communities of Halifax and Clarksville where the state's highest unemployment levels already exist.
Burlington announced yesterday that it will close or sell off five plants, including Halifax where approximately 650 persons are employed and Clarksville which lists 750 employees.
Annual payroll at the Halifax plant is estimated at $15 million and an additional $17 million in Clarksville. Clarksville's only other industry, Russell Stover Candies, where 690 persons were employed, closed in December.
The Halifax plant is expected to operate through the month of July, Clarksville Combing Plant through June and Clarksville Finishing Plant and Kinderton Distribution Center through September.
In a prepared statement, corporate officials stated that all employees will get at least 60 days notice.
Efforts to obtain a severance package equal to one-half of what Burlington has normally provided employees are underway and a ruling on that petition is scheduled for January 17.
Pension packages and 401-K plans are not affected by the closings according to corporate officials.
Burlington officials say they will work closely with employees to assist them in transitioning to other employment and applying for unemployment and retraining benefits.
Operations at Halifax will be moved to Hurt, Va., and Richmond County, N.C. but officials indicate that there will be limited opportunities for people to transfer to these locations.
Other plant closings include Mount Holly, N.C., Stonewall Miss., Aguascalientes, Mexico and a capacity reduction at the Raeford, N.C. plant.
The Halifax Plant, according to plant manager Lott Rogers, is capable of producing 35 million yards of worsted woolen fabric a year. Burlington's only customer for worsted wool is the U.S. government that currently purchases just six million yards of the fabric annually.
Downsizing at all of Burlington's plants began long before the 79-year-old Greensboro, N.C.-based company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last November. It was once the world's largest textile manufacturer.
Yesterday's announcement was still met with shock and sadness by workers in Halifax.
"Just like a ton of bricks!" said Rogers, a 30-year veteran of the Halifax weaving plant that dates back to 1947.
"There have been a lot of rumors but you know you hear rumors and don't want to believe them. It is devastating for all of us," said the 56-year-old Rogers. "I'm caught in the middle," said the plant manager who is uncertain of his own future.
"I love Halifax County."
Rogers had nothing but praise for the employees at Halifax.
"You couldn't have asked for them to do any more than they did. They really tried hard but with business the way it is...there is just no business there."
Officials blamed the closings on the recent economic slowdown and continued import of Asian textile products.
"We deeply regret the loss of jobs resulting from these actions," said George W. Henderson, III, chairman and chief executive officer. "Continued pressures from foreign imports and unfair trade practices coupled with slowing and uncertain economic conditions have made it necessary for us to further reduce our U.S. capacity."
Rogers echoed that sentiment adding, "our employees have done an outstanding job and we deeply regret the need to close these plants," said Rogers.
"We recognize the increasing global nature of our industry, but we strongly oppose unfair trade that impacts U.S. jobs," said Henderson in a prepared statement. "We continue to lobby for legislation that enforces fair trade and supports a competitive U.S. textile industry."
Reaction from business and community leaders to yesterday's announcement was both spontaneous and calculated.
Burlington pays an estimated $330,000 in taxes to the County of Halifax and approximately $15,000 to the Town of Halifax. Halifax annexed that area in 2000.
Burlington's real estate is assessed at approximately $5.9 million while its machinery and tools carry an assessed value in excess of $24 million.
Halifax stands to lose an estimated $2,500 a year for water that is sold to the plant. Burlington owns and operates its own wastewater treatment plant.
Fifth District Congressman Virgil Goode, in South Boston yesterday to announce a $1.8 million EPA wastewater system grant, said that he was "very disturbed to hear that Burlington was closing its facilities in Halifax and Mecklenburg counties."
"I hope and suspect they will be eligible for Trade Act assistance and as I understand it, some of the jobs will be going to Mexico."
I hate to hear that but I think, long range, with facilities like the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center and with the General Assembly's work on the tobacco funds for E58, we have some opportunities in the future that we will be able to overcome some of the challenges that we're meeting today," the representative said.
Goode said that he would be working with Burlington and the communities to expedite Trade Act assistance that might be available.
In Richmond where the General Assembly is in session, Freshman Delegate Clarke Hogan of South Boston called the news of Burlington's closing a "shock" but something "most of us expected."
Hogan said that he and other members of the southside delegation will be meeting with Governor Mark Warner or his economic partnership in an effort to dispatch a rapid response team to help handle unemployment benefits.
William E. Confroy, executive director of the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority, called on the community to "pull together" in order to project "good solid business environment" that is needed to attract new industry.
"I know that this is devastating thing for us but it will require this community to focus and have the vision to realize where we are and what we have today."
Confroy said the IDA was currently negotiating with a client that would employ relatively few persons but provide high wages. A decision by the client, however, is not expected for at least 12 months.
In a Sept. 29 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Burlington said it had 13,7000 employees. The bankruptcy filing, which listed $1.18 billion in assets and $1.1 billion in debts, included 24 subsidiaries.
The company said it would take restructuring charges in the first and second quarters of fiscal year 2002 to cover the cost of the job cuts and plant closings.
The company's losses have mounted in the past four years. An $80 million profit in 1998 reversed in 1999 to a $31 million loss, leading to a decision to cut 15 percent of its work force and close seven U.S. plants.

Burlington Industries: NAFTA's latest victim

"I came here January 8, 1962 and I've worked here 40 years," Harold Young lamented.
Those 40 years were spent in the receiving department of Burlington Industries.
Anger, sadness and disillusion were the prevailing emotions among the employees as they were leaving Burlington Industries yesterday.
Most declined to discuss the imminent plant closing, preferring instead to go home and let the news sink in.
"Not today, I'll talk to you tomorrow," they said.
The look in their eyes told the whole story.
A few, however, did discuss what they feel is a sell-out of American labor by the government.
"I do not think our representatives have done their homework on this NAFTA trade agreement," Young said.
"What is going to prevent another company like ABB from going oversees and getting workers to work for 69 cents an hour and ship their goods back here?"
The employees feel that something has to be done to protect Southside jobs.
"It's going to be a domino effect on the economy, and it's all because of NAFTA," said Young's wife, Nancy, who works at Halifax Radiological Associates.
"If our congressmen don't do something to stop this trade act, we are going to be a third world nation," she continued.
Young said that he will look for another job, but he doesn't know where to turn.
"We'll be alright,"he said. "The sun was shining and the good Lord woke me up this morning."
But when he woke up he had a job to go to.
"I was three years from retiring."

Fifth District Congressman Virgil Goode formally announced yesterday that South Boston will receive a $1.84 million EPA Grant to assist it with its Sanitary Sewer Overflow Abatement project.
Funding was provided under the State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG) program administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and requires a 45 percent match from non-federal funds.
The town has been notified that House Resolution 2620/S1216, the bill in which the funding was included, has been passed by the Senate and signed by the President.
The EPA has contacted South Boston and scheduled an initial meeting with town officials on January 31.
South Boston made hard financial decisions in taking action to rehabilitate its aging wastewater system, according to South Boston Mayor Glen Abernathy.
"In the past three years, South Boston has had to invest $6.3 million in sewer system upgrades, of which $2.8 has been used to fix the oldest sections of the collection system," noted Mayor Glen Abernathy.
"A tremendous investment has been made by the town with no new water or sewer customers," said Abernathy, noting the closing of JPS Apparel left the town without one of its largest industrial customers.
"In order to finance the escalating cost of repairing the system, water and sewer rates were significantly increased in 1999.
"Industrial rates in most cases doubled, commercial and residential sewer rates had an increase in excess of 140 percent," he continued.
Although substantial progress has been made since 1999, Abernathy noted the town has a lot more to do to bring the system into compliance with current and future environmental laws.
Abernathy thanked Goode for his help in obtaining the funding and Councilman Tom Raab for contacting him initially.
"The town needed financial assistance from someone, and a little over a year ago, Tom Raab contacted Virgil and asked him for his help for getting federal assistance," Abernathy said.
"Although federal legislation will eventually provide billions of dollars for American infrastructure upgrades such as ours, our need was immediate and we needed help desperately.
"On behalf of a grateful community, thank you!"
Congressman Goode praised South Boston for taking action on its own to rehabilitate the 90 miles of gravity sewer lines and force mains, some of them being 50-100 years old.
"The EPA appropriations measure requires a match, and, in my opinion, South Boston has in the past and in the future done more than its share," said Goode.
"Because you have stepped up to the plate and addressed the needs of your sanitary sewer system and I think you have been particularly adept at addressing the inflow problems that you've had.
"I want to say that my office has appreciated greatly working with Ted Daniel and talking with the mayor and members of town council over the course of the past year about this project."
Goode read part of a letter written to him by Raab, which was included with Goode's material submitted to the budget committee that deals with the EPA.
"I'm proud to say South Boston had the wisdom to take the tough road and tackle the infiltration and inflow problem head on.
"Apparently, too many systems take the other path; they just make their plants large in order to treat the storm water.
"Those systems will still experience overflows as long as their collection components go unstudied and uncorrected.
"We believe we took the environmentally responsible approach. I think South Boston can be a role model for other localities that are facing these same problems," Raab's letter read.
"We really appreciate what Congressman Goode has done for us," said Town Manager Ted Daniel.
"We think we have the best financial plans in the world, and something like JPS Apparel closing just rips you apart.
"This grant really is a godsend to us," continued Daniel, who asked everyone to focus on addressing other problems in the community.
Phase One of the infiltration and inflow project was completed in October 2001 at a cost of $1 million for engineering and sewer line inspection and cleaning, and $1.5 million for Phase I repairs contracts awarded in March 2001.
The goal of Phase One was to permit the wastewater treatment plant to operate within the 2.0 million gallon a day (MGD) average flow permit and meet all permit discharge limits including high flows to the overflow basin.
Another goal was deferring the $7 million treatment plant expansion required to obtain a 3.0 MGD treatment capability.
Under the amended DEQ consent order, an evaluation period for infiltration and inflow corrective actions was set as December 2001 through May 2002.
The plant performance for December 2001 was excellent, and all permit parameters met, according to Daniel.

A search for two young children thought to have drowned yesterday afternoon in a farm pond continued last night at press time. Scores of rescue workers, including a Virginia State Police scuba diver, converged on the pond north of Halifax off U.S. 501 on Bessie-Marion Trail.
A family spokesman said that the missing children were brother and sister, ages seven and nine. A third juvenile told family members that the two fell through a layer of thin ice.
Rescuers first on the scene formed a human chain and waded out into the chilly waters in a vain search to locate the youths. Areas of the pond are estimated to be approximately 10 feet deep.
The irrigation pond, according to the spokesman, is located on property belonging to Bobby Hudson.

South Boston planners recommended approval of a Special Use Permit for the operation of Gateway-Halifax Apartments after the first of four public hearings on Wednesday.
Planners also recommended approval of a Special Use Permit for Halifax Regional Hospital to build a 5,848 square foot addition to house its MRI/Mammography Unit.
Southside Community Services Board (SCSB) had applied for the permit as the main component of a proposed settlement of the lawsuit it filed against the Town of South Boston last year.
The SCSB filed the suit last year after it failed to have the 24-hour supervisory condition dropped from a Conditional Use Permit granted them in 1991 to build and operate the 10-unit complex for mentally disabled residents.
The supervisory condition was the core of the original permit, with neighboring Berry Hill Road residents appearing at public hearings last year to protest any changes in the original agreement.
Several of them were present Wednesday to get assurances the 24-hour supervisory condition would be maintained.
Both attorney Glenn Pulley, who represented the town in the suit, and Town Manager Ted Daniel spoke in favor of the settlement, which calls for "24-hour supervision at Gateway in the form of a resident manager," who would:
· Maintain his/her personal residence at the Gateway site.
· Maintain regular office hours at the Gateway site from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on SCSB workdays and at all times be available by phone to receive calls concerning Gateway apartments or its residents.
· Perform those duties customarily considered to be within the scope of the responsibilities of a resident manager of an apartment complex.
· Shall be unrelated by blood or marriage to all Gateway residents.
· Shall not, at the time of employment, be a consumer of SCSB.
· May be, but is not required to be, a person with a disability as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act who is fully qualified to perform the duties of the resident manager.
Berry Hill Road resident C.L. Phillips Jr., who spoke at earlier hearings against any modification of the original permit, spoke in favor of the permit Wednesday, saying it met his expectations.
Others, including neighboring resident Betty Edmundson and planning commission member Reed Edwards expressed reservations.
Edmundson wanted assurances that the 24-hour supervisory condition would be strictly adhered to, which wasn't the case before.
Edwards, who said as a member of the Berry Hill community felt he could speak in their behalf, said that, although SCSB performs a valuable and necessary service to the town, noted his reservations that the new permit would be adhered to.
He expressed concerns that should SCSB's financial situation change again, "we would hear this argument again."
Edwards cast the sole vote against the recommendation, which now proceeds to a public hearing at South Boston Town Council next Monday.
Hospital Addition
Planners recommended approval of a Special Use Permit with conditions for Halifax Regional Hospital to build a 5,848 square foot addition at the rear of the hospital to house its MRI/Mammography Unit.
Stewart Nelson, chief financial officer for the hospital, spoke in favor of the permit, saying MRI and mammography services would benefit from the increased space.
Currently, MRI services are provided three days a week through a mobile unit, according to Nelson.
Nelson estimated the cost of the project at about $3 million, including construction and equipment costs.
The permit application states no increase in traffic, noise or pedestrian traffic would result from construction of the addition.
Eric Roberts, planning commission member and listed as an adjacent property owner to the project, had concerns over drainage relating to the addition.
He offered a condition to the permit that any later changes to the original site plan approved by planners would be referred back to them for consideration.
The planning commission recommended approval of the permit with the attached condition unanimously.
Additional Public Hearings
The planning commission recommended approval of amendments to Town Code adding "bus stations" to the list of permitted businesses in town and sign regulations in the T-1 Transitional District.
Dave Shingleton, a statewide official with Greyhound, spoke in favor of amendments adding bus stations as permitted businesses in town, although adding no specific location has been found at this time.
Intercity bus service is a crucial element in South Boston's development, and in order for town staff to issue a permit for its use, the ordinance has to be amended, according to Planning and Zoning Administrator Lee Pambid.
Proposed amendments would permit bus stations in a B-2 General Business District and in a M-1 General Industrial District.
Bus stations for the transfer of passengers and ticket sales would be allowed in both districts, but vehicle maintenance and driver domicile facilities would be allowed only in an M-1 General Industrial District.
Amendments regarding T-1 Transitional District sign regulations were recommended for approval by planners after the fourth public hearing.
Amendments called for an aggregate area of all permanent signs located on a lot not exceeding one square foot for each linear foot of lot frontage along the street, in no case more than 100 square feet.
Wall signs would be limited to 60 square feet, with freestanding signs permitted with the requirement that they be ground mounted.
In the case of a hospital, the maximum area of signs would not exceed two square feet for each linear foot of lot frontage, in no case, more than 300 square feet.
South Boston Town Council will consider all four issues during public hearings scheduled for its January meeting on Monday.

Joe J. DeJarnette

Joe J. DeJarnette, 57, of Gladys, died January 7 at his home.
Mr. DeJarnette was born in Pittsylvania County on June 2, 1944, son of Elsie Clay DeJarnette of Lynchburg and the late Ellis B. DeJarnette. He was a member of Edge Baptist Church and was a farmer.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by one son, Jody Wayne DeJarnette of Orlando, Fla.; two uncles, Birl J. DeJarnette of Gladys and Telbert Clay of Lynchburg; two aunts, Fleecy Dowdy of Madison Heights and Adell Conner of South Boston.
A funeral service for Mr. DeJarnette was held at 11 a.m. January 10 at Henderson Funeral Home Chapel in Brookneal by the Rev. Rodney Barwick with burial at Clover Bottom Baptist Church Cemetery.

Edward Taylor Overton Sr.

Edward Taylor Overton Sr., 83, of Halifax died at his home on January 8.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Martin Overton; three children, Edward Taylor Overton Jr. and his wife, Martha DeBord of Williamsburg, Ramah Overton Cook and her husband, John of Atlanta, Ga. and John Clayton Overton and his wife, Kathryn Reichel of Silver Spring, Md.; two grandchildren, Taylor St. John Overton of Silver Spring and Edward Taylor Overton III of Williamsburg; one sister, Minnie Overton Goodman of Alexandria.
The son of John B. Overton of Farmville and Ida Leigh Bondurant of Rice, he was born February 15, 1918, in Farmville. His family moved to Halifax in 1932, where he attended Halifax High School, excelling in sports including basketball, baseball and track.
Mr. Overton attended the University of Richmond and was inducted into the US Army Air Force in 1942. A graduate of the US Army Air Forces Technical School, he served in the 510th Bombardment Squadron, 351st Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force, Polebrook, England. His service included campaigns at Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe.
After the war, he completed his 54-year career with the US Postal Service in Halifax. In 1967, he was appointed Rural Letter carrier, a position he held until his retirement.
Mr. Overton was a member and ordained deacon at Beth Car Baptist Church, where he also served as superintendent of Sunday School and Training Union. He served as PTA president for Halifax Elementary School and Halifax County High School, served on the State PTA Board for 15 years, and was a life member of the PTA.
His membership and support of civic, social and professional organizations included the Halifax County United Way Board, president of the Halifax Lions Club, Halifax Sportsmen Club, Halifax Country Club, Esquire Club, Halifax County Gun Club and the Wilson Memorial Ruritan Club. Mr. Overton was a Charter and Life member of both the Southside and the Virginia Master Gardener Associations, Life member of the 351st Bomb Group Association, and member of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association. He served as a long time 4-H volunteer Master Gardener and Master Gardener Tree Steward volunteer and Master Gardener training instructor for Virginia Cooperative Extension.
Funeral services for Mr. Overton will be held at 2 p.m. today, January 11 at Beth Car Baptist Church with the Revs. Lewis Wall and John Wilder officiating. Burial will take place in the Halifax Cemetery.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the 4-H Scholarship Fund or a charity of your choice.

Bessie Louise Holmes

Bessie Louise Holmes, 59, of Portsmouth, died December 30, 2001, at her home.
Mrs. Holmes was born March 4, 1942, in Blackstone to Bowden Camp and Bessie F. Camp and was married first to the late Riley F. Hubbard Sr. and then to James Holmes.
Survivors include her husband; one daughter, Cynthia Skinner of Mebane, NC; one son, David Hubbard of Hillsborough, NC; one brother, Jimmy Camp of Portsmouth; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband and two sons, Riley F. Hubbard Jr. and Wyatt L. Hubbard.
A private memorial service for the family will be held at a later date.

Charlotte M. Farmer Powell

Charlotte M. Farmer Powell, 94, of 406 Oak Lane, South Boston, died January 9 at Twin Oaks Convalescent Home.
Mrs. Powell was born in Pittsylvania County on December 13, 1907, the daughter of Fred Lee Marshall and Minnie Doiznelia Williams Marshall and was married first to John David Farmer Sr. and then to Fred Powell. She was a member of First Baptist Church.
She was a graduate of West Hampton College, University of Richmond with a Bachelor of Arts in 1929. At West Hampton she was in the Music Club, the Chapel Club, the Chapel representative for West Hampton College, and was May Day queen in 1929. She taught school in Pittsylvania County, Mt. Airy, NC and Halifax County where she was also guidance counselor.
Survivors include one son, John David Farmer Jr. of Va.; one granddaughter, Elizabeth Scott Farmer of Hollywood, Fla.; one stepson, Fredric Powell and wife, Brenda of South Boston; one stepdaughter, Rebecca L. Powell of South Boston; three step-grandchildren, Richard and Louis Powell and Elizabeth P. Reed; and four step-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services for Mrs. Powell will be held January 14 at Oak Ridge Cemetery at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Robert Fox conducting the service.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home Sunday from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider First Baptist Church Building Fund.