Wednesday, January 21, 2004

Star Won’t Purchase From Farmers
Star Scientific Was One Of The First In The Nation To Turn Toward Direct Contracting In The Late 1990s

CHASE CITY — Nearly 200 Southside-area farmers will be searching for a place to sell their tobacco this season, with Star Scientific’s announcement this week that it will not purchase any tobacco previously purchased through direct contracts under the StarCure program.

Star Scientific became one of the first tobacco companies in the nation to turn toward direct contracting when it implemented its StarCure curing barn program in the late 1990s.

Last year, Star purchased approximately 20 million pounds of tobacco specially cured in its barns, from approximately 198 farmers in Southside Virginia and north-central North Carolina.

All of that tobacco filtered through the company’s Chase City plant, with most shipped to Brown & Williamson (B&W) Tobacco Co., which had originally indicated that it would continue to purchase tobacco through Star throughout the 2006 season.

But because of a merger between Brown & Williamson and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Star and Brown & Williamson will purchase no tobacco from StarCure farmers in 2004.

“Back in the summer, Brown & Williamson indicated a willingness to purchase StarCure tobacco through 2006,” said Star Representative Sara Machir. “That continued until Oct. 27, when we receved word about the merger between the two companies.”

Machir said that from the time Star heard the news, company officials began discussions with B&W in the hopes that it would continue to honor its original plan to purchase the tobacco.

“We know that the growers are disadvantaged by this, and we want them to know that this is an ongoing process that we hope will come to a positive conclusion,” she added. “We also hope to fully reinstate our StarCure program in the 2005 season.”

According to Machir, letters were sent to all StarCure Farmers Friday, so all should receive those letters, and a full explanation of what has occurred this week.

Because Star is currently involved in a curing process patent lawsuit with R.J. Reynolds, and Star’s partner B&W has chosen to merge with R.J. Reynolds resulting in a new company known as Reynolds America, officials do not expect a resolution to the direct purchasing issue until that lawsuit is resolved.

“It is a real challaging situation,” Machir said. “We are waiting for the court to make a decision on whether or not the lawsuit should move forward. Hopefully, we will receive word soon.”

In an effort to help farmers adjust to the current situation, Star will allow farmers to utilize the curing barns in their possession, and use the Chase City processing station free of charge.

But even with the use of those curing barns, area farmers who planned to sell directly to Star this year will now have to find another outlet to market their tobacco.

Some may be able to direct contract with other companies, but the majority are expected to turn toward the Stabilization auction system, as they will have no other recourse.

Many of the affected farmers, and area representatives, are now scrambling to find solutions to this new crisis facing Virginia farmers.

“I’ve been in contact with B&W, and been pleading with them to purchase Virginia tobacco and utilize the Chase City facility,” Congressman Virgil Goode said Monday. “I don’t know if anything can be done, but I’m writing a formal letter to the company this afternoon to see if that might help this situation.”

Goode said that other state representatives, including Senator George Allen, have been contacted, and all are expected to step forward in support of Virginia farmers.

“With the recent quota cut, those farmers should produce about 16 million pounds of tobacco this year - good Virginia tobacco,” Goode said. “B&W said they will buy a percentage, but not as much as in the past.

“And that is very disapointing news.”

Citing his frustration over certain free trade agreements, Goode added that if the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Act) was not in effect, American companies would primarily purchase American tobacco instead of relying so heavily on cheaper imported leaf.

Local farmer Jim Jennings, who worked as Star’s vice president of grower relations from 1999 to 2003, said that a “large concentration” of affected StarCure farmers live in the Southside area, and those farmers are now searching for other options.

“The only chance the farmers have now is to try to get a contract with another tobacco company,” he said. “If they can’t get a contract, they’ll have to sell at auction.

“That could significantly affect the amount of money they receive for the tobacco they grow.”

Of the approximately 16 million pounds expected to be grown by StarCure farmers this year, Jennings expects approximately six million to be directly purchased by other companies, and up to 10 million sold at auction.

“Approximately 198 farmers will be scrambling to find buyers in 2004 - and I’m one of them,” he added. “All we can do at this moment is wait to see what happens next.”

Jennings and 135 other StarCure farmers have already signed a letter stating their dissastisfaction about the situation, and have sent that letter to Goode, Allen and U.S. Senator John Warner.

“For the last four years, B&W has said that Southside tobacco is the best tobacco it has receved at any of its receiving stations,” Jennings said. “The company purchased approximately 70 million pounds last year, is expected to purchase 50 million pounds this year - but none of that will be Southside tobacco.”

Last year, Star paid farmers $1.94 per pound on average for StarCure leaf. During the 2003 auction season, tobacco sold at approximately $1.79 per pound on average on open market.

“Considering the large amount of tobacco grown in this area, a reduction in price this year could affect the local economy by several million dollars,” Jennings said. “We need to do whatever it takes to protect the sale of this tobacco for our farmers.”

Along with other farmers, Jennings hopes area representatives and legislators may have some influence on B&W and its plans not to purchase StarCure tobacco. For the moment, they are waiting to see “what happens next.”

Another local StarCure farmer, Donnie Anderson, said he had an uneasy feeling this past fall when he heard about the merger between B&W and R.J. Reynolds.

“B&W has been supportive of American tobacco in the past, but historically, R.J. Reynolds has not used as much American tobacco as it leads people to believe,” Anderson said. “This present situation is a result of that, and the merger between the two companies.”

Because a large portion of Virginia tobacco is raised in the Southside, Anderson said it was unfortunate so many local farmers will be affected by the recent announcement.

“Farmers like myself are unsure about plans for the coming season,” he added. “We don’t know who we will be selling tobacco to. We’ll have to evaluate our situations, and research all other possibilities concerning how to sell this tobacco.”

Anderson also said that tobacco farmers were not alone dealing with such issues, and that direct contract farmers growing other commodities have found themselves in the same situation.

“It’s big business,” he said. “And we are at the mercy of the buying companies.”

Man Killed In Hit, Run Accident

A Long Island man is dead, and police are looking for suspects, following what officials believe was a hit and run accident early Monday evening.

Charlie Wayne Waller, 56, of Long Island, Va., was struck and killed by an unknown vehicle while walking on Route 40 four-tenths of a mile west of Route 640, according to Virginia State Police First Sergeant Jeff Lane.

While no witnesses to the actual hit and run had come forward at press time, Lane said Waller's body was discovered by passers-by.

"Some people leaving a store in the Cody area found him on the road and called it in," the first sergeant said yesterday.

Trooper G. M. Gilliam responded to the scene at approximately 6:30 p.m.
"The actual time that Waller was struck is not known," added Lane. "But we know it was before 6:30."

He said that an accident reconstruction team had been called in Monday night to aid in the investigation.

"They map out the accident scene and reconstruct it to determine exactly what happened," said Lane.

He asked anyone with information about the accident to contact the Virginia state police at 476-1887.

"If somebody witnessed it or has any information related to it, please call us," Lane said.

In Other Accidents

• Dennis Lee Womack, 46, of Halifax, was listed as injured and charged with reckless driving following a 12:30 p.m. accident on Route 671 three-tenths of a mile south of Route 360 on Thursday.

Trooper K. C. Phillips said that the 1997 Mazda operated by Womack ran off the right side of the road and struck a tree.

Phillips estimated that the mazda sustained $10,000 in damages.
• Grant Robert Mishler, 61, of Myrtle Creek, Oreg., was listed as injured following a Monday evening accident on Route 96 eight-tenths of a mile east of Route 501.

Trooper S.M. Krantz estimated that 1983 Plymouth operated by Mishler sustained $8,500 in damages when it struck a cow.

The cow was taken from the scene by its owners.

No information about the cow's condition was available.

Hudson Receives 2004 Unsung Virginian Award

Worth M. Hudson of Virgilina is the recipient of the 2004 Unsung Virginian Award.

Hudson received the prestigious community-service award Monday at the annual Legislative Day event sponsored by Virginia’s electric cooperatives at the Omni Hotel in Richmond.

Hudson, a Virgilina resident, is a retired educator and longtime member of the Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative Board of Directors. The co-op nominated Hudson for the award.

Hudson has been deeply involved in a variety of church, community-improvement and philanthropic organizations with the goal of improving life in his beloved Southside Virginia. Hudson, was described as “A true latter-day Renaissance Man” for his wide array of interests and achievements.

He has served as chairman of the Food Closet in South Boston, chairman of the Danville Community College board of directors, and chairman of the Halifax County Fine Arts Series. He has served as a director of the Good Samaritan organization, Halifax County United Way, and the Halifax Community Action Board. Hudson is a founder of the Missions Committee at North Fork Baptist Church in Virgilina, and a certified master gardener.

His contributions to the electric cooperative program range from chairing the Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative board of directors to chairing the Education Committee and the Education Scholarship Foundation of the Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives. He received the 2003 Region I Leadership Award from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

A Halifax County native and University of Virginia graduate, Hudson worked for 34 years in the Halifax County school system in a variety of positions ranging from teacher to assistant principal to principal and, for many years, director of exceptional children.

Hudson retired from teaching in 1991 and since then has been a frequent volunteer for disaster relief trips following hurricanes, floods and the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The Unsung Virginian Award was presented to Hudson at a special recognition luncheon during the quarterly board meeting and annual Legislative Day of the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC). Lisa Long, principal of South of Dan Elementary School in Virgilina, moderated the award-presentation ceremony. Speakers praising Hudson’s good works included Mary Elizabeth Hudson, who is affiliated with Hudson through their church and mission work; Dr. Bethany Tucker, an author and educator; Dr. B. Carlyle Ramsey, president of Danville Community College; and Kent Hudson, Hudson’s first cousin.

Henrietta J. Coleman, secretary-treasurer of the cooperative, noted in her letter of support for his nomination said that “Worth M. Hudson has given countless hours and significant service both in the public and private sector. Through his quiet leadership, he has served his community, county, and state proudly and selflessly.”

Virginia Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore, in his letter of support for Hudson’s nomination, said that “His focus and stamina are driven by his true dedication to helping people. His service to his church and community are legendary.”

“In all that he does, Worth Hudson seeks for himself no personal recognition or gain. His motivation is clearly his burning desire to serve others and a devotion to his fellow man,” writes the Rev. William H. LaWall, pastor of Hudson’s North Fork Church, in a letter supporting his nomination.

U.S. Rep. Virgil H. Goode, Jr. cited Hudson for “his dignity, humility and innate leadership ability,” and Dr. B. Carlyle Ramsey, president of Danville Community College, said in his letter supporting Hudson’s nomination “I cannot think of anyone who deserves an award of this nature more than Worth Hudson. He is a man of highest integrity with a superior intellect who believes in sharing his talents with other. He is a true gentleman in every sense of the word.”

The Unsung Virginian Award, given annually the past 37 years by the VMDAEC, is a statewide honor that recognizes a person in the Commonwealth who has selflessly served his or her community without thought of compensation or recognition.

The VMDAEC provides a variety of professional services to 15 local electric cooperatives, including 13 in Virginia and one each in Maryland and Delaware.
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric-distribution cooperative serving more than 30,000 members across nine southern-Virginia counties. The co-op is headquartered in Chase City and has district offices in Emporia and Gretna.

Speaking Of Sports

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

If you like high school/prep school basketball and missed last Friday night's Halifax County-Mt. Zion here at Blue Heaven you deserve 20 lashes with a wet noodle.

There are not many 110-80 ballgames that can hold my interest but this one did.

It was a basketball showcase, a grand display of some of the best talent and athleticism we have had the opportunity to see in our gym in a long, long time.
Mt. Zion, with its NCAA Division I prospects that included former Northern Durham standout Roy Bright (Cincinnati), Albert Weber (Alabama), Mohamed Tangara (Arizona), Glen Dandridge (Missouri) and Tasheed Carr (Iowa State), is in a class by itself, a class beyond that of 98 percent or more Virginia public high school teams.

In my opinion, Mt. Zion is deserving of its second-place national ranking in The Sporting News, Student Sports, Street & Smith, CNN and ESPN prep basketball polls.

Mt. Zion's players did their thing and did it well. They swatted away numerous Comets shots, delighted the crowd with its 15 or so slam dunks (I lost count after that), canned a few three-pointers and put the focus of the game above the rim about 90 percent of the time.

Every bit as big of a treat to see was the performance of Halifax County's Craig McCargo.

McCargo, a junior, has had some big games for the Comets in the past and has already demonstrated he deserves some serious looks from some good college hoops programs.

If anyone had any question about the young Comets standout and his ability to play at the next level, he erased them against Mt. Zion.

A 28-point night against any team is a big night. But a 28-point night against Mt. Zion is an exceptional night.

McCargo showed against Mt. Zion he has the talent and athleticism to play at the next level.

He didn't flinch taking the ball to the rack against Bright and Company, he played hard defensively and he hit his shots from the outside, even when the tall, long-armed Warriors ran out to try to take those shots away.

Another thing that was pleasing to see was how well the Comets took the game in stride.

It would have been easy to get discouraged after falling behind 15-0 playing a team against Mt. Zion and realizing that this is going to be a long night.

Instead of getting discouraged, the Comets buckled down, ran their offensive and defensive sets as best they could and, to their credit, produced their biggest points night of the season.

It was night on which the Comets and coach Garrett Dillard focused on the positive things that transpired in the contest.

"I'm proud of the kids," Dillard said.

"We got dunked on a few times but we stayed in there. I think overall, everybody played the best they could play.

"Going into district play, you have to find the positives and use that to your advantage," added Dillard.

"We had 10 points from the three guys who played the number five spot, Chase Weddle, James Wyatt and Reggie Scott. Then you had Derrick Sprattley scoring nine points. That's 19 points and Derek Brooks makes 24 points from the number four and five spots."

Point production from the post has been something of a concern for the Comets and, as Dillard noted, getting a total of 29 points out of the four and five spots against Mt. Zion was a big plus in the Comets' favor.

The Comets will need some decent point production from the number four and five spots if they're going to make a big splash in district play.

Speaking of district play, the Comets headed into the real heart of their Western Valley District schedule here last night in a game against Patrick Henry and will face archrival GW here Friday night.

Those two games are big games because they will give the Comets an opportunity to separate themselves from the middle of the pack and stay in sight of Franklin County which has already played and won half of its district games.

Comets Not The Only District Team To Face A Nationally-Ranked Team
Halifax County wasn't the only area basketball team that took on a giant over the weekend.

Franklin County squared off against the country's top-ranked prep basketball team, Oak Hill Academy, Saturday night in the final game of the Member One/Time Technologies Classic at Franklin County.

The result was an 89-37 win by Oak Hill after Franklin County held a short-lived 7-6 lead in the first quarter.

Oak Hill, which ran its record to 20-0 with the win, canned a slam dunk off of the opening tipoff and, like Mt. Zion, made a habit of entertaining the fans with a multitude of slam dunks.

Oak Hill's 6-8 forward, Josh Smith, who has signed to play hoops at Indiana but is considering entering the NBA draft, scored 21 points.

Also on Saturday, Patrick Henry snapped a six-game losing streak with a 63-37 win over Magna Vista.

Obituaries

Amalia Moore Burleigh

Amalia Moore Burleigh, 92, of Lynchburg died January 16 . She was the widow of the Rev. James Sidney Burleigh.

Born November 2, 1911, in Campbell county, she was the daughter of the late William Bryant Moore and Etta Neighbors Moore.

Mrs. Burleigh was a graduate of Lynchburg College, a retired math teacher for the Lynchburg City School System, and numerous other school systems through Virginia. She co-owned and operated the Burleigh Charolais Farm following her retirement from teaching, was a caretaker for the elderly with the Community Service Agency, and a member of Centenary United Methodist Church.

Survivors include one son, the Rev. William J. Burleigh and his wife, Susan, of Lynchburg; two granddaughters, Karyl B. Bloyer and her husband, Christopher, of Upper Marlboro, Md. and Catherine B. Smith and husband, Brian, of New Stanton, Pa.

A funeral service for Mrs. Burleigh was held at 1 p.m. January 20 at Whitten Timberlake Chapel by the Revs. Joseph T. Carson and C. Douglas Pillow. Burial followed in Fort Hill Memorial Park.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Centenary United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1501 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, 24503.

James H. Francis

James H. Francis, 62, of Farmville died January 18.

Mr. Francis was born January 17, 1942, in Nelson County the son of Harmon and Lelia Cash Francis. He was an employee at Weavex Corp.

Survivors include his children, Vickie Francis Wilson of South Boston, James Michael Francis of Halifax and Donna Francis Lewis of Farmville; special friend, Peggy Lawson of Farmville; three sisters, Eleanor Harris and Ruth Jennings, both of Nathalie, and Rebecca Hogan of Halifax; two brothers, Clark Francis of Taylor, Mich. and Kenneth Francis of South Boston; and five grandchildren.

A funeral service for Mr. Francis will be held today, January 21 at 3 p.m. at the chapel of Shorter Funeral Home in Farmville with burial in Westview Cemetery.

Burnis Mordecai Harris

Burnis Mordecai Harris, 73, of 2062 Wolf Trap Road, South Boston died January 19 at his home.

Mr. Harris was born in Heflin Ala. on July 5, 1930, the son of the late Missouri Hendon Harris and Simeon F. Harris, and was married to Rebecca C. Harris. He was retired from the Tennessee Department of Corrections and served in the U.S. Army.

A graveside service will be held tomorrow, January 22 at 2 p.m. at Ebenezer Mennonite Church Cemetery. Pastor Kelvin Good will officiate.

Survivors of Mr. Harris include his wife; one son, Ray Harris of Crescent City, Or.; one daughter, Deborah Bramlett of Winona, Ms; one stepson, Harvey Leamond of Manassas; one brother, Benton Harris of Tyler, Texas; two sisters, Mary H. Kell and Mickey H. Redden, both of Rome, Ga.; one granddaughter; five grandsons; and nine great-grandchildren.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, 24592.

The family will receive friends at the home.

Linda Whitten McAdams

Linda Whitten McAdams, 63, formerly of South Boston, died January 5 at Hendrick’s Medical Center in Abilene, Texas.

Ms. McAdams was the daughter of the late Louise Whitten of South Boston and the late Roy Lawson Whitten and the granddaughter of the late Roy and Dora Doss of South Boston.

Survivors include her daughter, Angela L. McAdams of Abilene; her son and daughter-in-law, Joe D. McAdams Jr. and Laura Mosby, of Newport News; three brothers, Larry Whitten and wife, Mary Ann, of Abilene, Richard Whitten and wife, Gail, of South Boston, and Kenny Rock and wife, Michelle, of Kure Beach, N.C.; four grandchildren, Christopher Avery, Alyssa McAdams, Jessica Gillenwater, and Addison Weddle.

A memorial service will be held in the spring in South Boston.

Memorials can be made in her honor to The American Cancer Society.

Syria Dunn Sykes

Syria Dunn Sykes of Brooklyn, N.Y., formerly of Halifax County, died January 18 in Brooklyn.

She was the daughter of the late Moody and Agustus Chappell Dunn.
Funeral services for Ms. Sykes will be held January 24 in Brooklyn.

The family will receive friends Monday, January 26, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Dunn and Sons Funeral Home, Halifax. Burial will follow in the Dunn Family Cemetery in Vernon Hill.

Flossie Conner Wallace

Flossie Conner Wallace, 77, of 1040 Heron Trail, Randolph died January 20.
Surviving are two daughters, Dorothy W. Hazelwood of Randolph and Jannie W. Lewis of Clover; two sons, Louis A. Wallace Jr. and John W. Wallace, both of Clover; a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Wallace was preceded in death by her husband, Louis A. Wallace Sr.; and a grandson, Gerald W. Hazelwood.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow, January 22 in Providence Presbyterian Church with burial in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Browning Funeral Home in Keysville from 7:00 until 8:30 this evening.

Louella Carrington Yancey

Louella Carrington Yancey, 54, of 1029 Carrington Trail, Alton died January 18 at Medical College of Virginia in Richmond.

Mrs. Yancey was born in Halifax County on June 18, 1949, the daughter of the late George Carrington and Pauline Tuck Carrington, and was married to the late Wallace Junior Yancey. She was a member of Mayo Grove Baptist Church, and was formerly employed by Tultex, Inc.

Survivors include two daughters, Michelle Jones of Rougemont, N.C. and Wytonia Yancey of Alton; one son, Harold Carrington of Alton; three sisters, Odell Carrington and Carolyn Barnett, both of Alton, and Paula Burrell of Temple Hill, Md.; one brother, Harold Ray Carrington of Alton; four grandchildren; and one son-in-law, Jerry Jones. She was preceded in death by one brother, George Thomas Carrington.

Funeral services for Mrs. Yancey will be held tomorrow, January 22 at 2 p.m. at Mayo Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Lawrence Wilkerson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.