The Epps Lacy family has offered to "entertain a request"
to deed needed right of way for a 40-foot wide King Village Trail.
Supervisor James Edmunds announced the offer during the Board's
Monday night session.
Supervisors asked Virginia Department of Transportation Resident
Engineer Joe Barkley III to begin staking the road right of way
this month as the county eyes the rural addition.
Supervisor William Fitzgerald also thanked the Lacy family, describing
the issue as one of the Board's most difficult the previous year.
"It goes a long way to unite the community," added Fitzgerald.
Property owners will view the proposed location, and then sign
a petition to indicate their approval of the road as proposed
and their dedication of the right of way for public road purpose.
Utility lines, fencing and associated road right of way issues
must be cleared before VDOT takes position of the land from the
county following the Lacy transfer, according to VDOT officials.
There is about $100,000 in uncommitted road funds available, and
one pending project, the Old Roxboro Road, is experiencing utility
problems in clearing for construction, according to VDOT.
Previously, VDOT officials estimated a $205,000 construction cost
for the King Village Trail project, however, utility removal and
relocation is not covered by VDOT.
While the rural addition would not be specified in the Six-Year
Plan, funding would be in that budget, Morgan explained.
Supervisors agreed Monday night to review the Six-Year Plan during
their February retreat. Action is expected to follow the review.
A fall 2004 road construction date was described as "realistic"
by County Administrator Joe Morgan yesterday.
"It (King Village Trail) is moving forward at fast pace,"
he added.
However, there was a note of caution in the 2004 fall construction
prediction.
"Twenty things could speed that up or push it back,"
said the administrator.
In a Dec. 23, 2002 letter to supervisors, the Lacy family sought
proposed width and location of the right of way in making their
decision.
They also stipulated that they be consulted on the relocation
of any fences or a septic drainfield that serves a nearby residence.
Two cemeteries located on the property could be affected, according
to the Lacy letter. The family would not be responsible for utility
or other relocations associated with the road.
King Village Trail, which is located off of Love Shop Road near
Rebel's Corner, is less than a mile in length.
Residents are seeking a VDOT-maintained road to the village. They
and their supporters petitioned supervisors on numerous occasions
last year - and over a 30-year period - for the road's improvement.
Roads
In other road matters, Barkley reported an expected spring completion
date for the Route 58-Brandon Creek project, while the Route 501/40
safety project is on shutdown until spring.
In secondary projects, improvement is expected in the spring at
on the Route 716 improvement project.
There will be a Route 764 project showing January 9 at 2 p.m.
with bids opened January 28.
Supervisors also approved advertising abandonment of Route 729,
passing a resolution to begin that process.
Changes for Six Year Plan Halifax County
FY 2003/04 - 2008/09
I. REGULAR PROJECTS
A. Add relocation of Route 716 as an unfunded special project
for the county to explore special funding for airport access.
B. Route 656/58 Turn-lane - The Halifax Residency will apply for
HES Funding in 2003. This is special funding requiring a 10% match
from the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, if approved.
C. Route 1106 - Beth Car Church can fund the project and secure
a land use permit to perform the work.
D. The estimate on Route 764 has been revised freeing up approximately
$30,430. This $30,430 can be used to fund the 10% match ofthe
two railroad safety projects that have been approved for FY 2004.
Railroad Safety Projects:
1. Route 626 northern crossing at Crystal Hill - add gates and
upgrade flashing lights at a cost of $115,000. Ten percent match
equals $11,500.
2. Route 658 at Cluster Springs - add gates and upgrade flashing
lights at a cost of $115,000. Ten percent match equals $11,500
II. UNPAVED ROAD PROJECTS
A. Add new unpaved road requests that qualify to the Unpaved Roads
Priority Listing in order of traffic count. These routes are 937,
802, 965, and 890.
B. Change three projects currently in the plan to rural rustic.
These routes are 902, 885, and 694. This will produce a considerable
cost savings and allow the funding of five roads on the Unpaved
Roads Priority Listing.
C. Add five roads from the Unpaved Roads Priority Listing to be
constructed using the rural rustic concept. These roads are Routes
674, 899, 788, 672, and 1220.
The rural rustic concept will allow two road projects to be built
one year earlier. Those two routes are Routes 694 and 941, and
as mentioned above, will allow the addition of five roads from
the priority listing that were not scheduled for construction
in the original plan.
III. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
A. Route 654/659 - The residency will request a review by Traffic
Engineering to add warning signs/guardrail at the railroad bridge
near this intersection. Any improvements will be funded by the
countywide traffic services cost center.
RICHMOND-Halifax County resident and defending Daytona 500
champion Ward Burton will serve as a spokesperson for Virginia
State Parks in television and radio public service announcements
to begin airing February 1.
The announcement was made by Gov. Mark R. Warner during a Monday
press conference.
"Ward Burton's popularity as a NASCAR personality and his
lifelong commitment to the outdoors will be a tremendous benefit
to promoting Virginia State Parks," said Governor Warner.
"Ward and the parks are a natural fit. He is a Virginia native
who is deeply involved in his community. Virginia State Parks
are family-oriented attractions that entertain guests from around
the country and also are vital parts of the local communities
they serve."
The spots will run on more than 80 radio and nearly 30 television
stations across the state as part of a multi-year agreement between
the Virginia Association of Broadcasters and the Virginia Department
of Conservation and Recreation.
The name of the spots featuring Burton is "That Winning Feeling."
Burton, a native and current resident of Halifax County, is the
first Virginian to win the Daytona 500.
He has five career victories on the Winston Cup circuit and was
a two-time winner in 2002, adding the New England 300 to his Daytona
win.
Virginia State Parks are the current holder of the Gold Medal
Award as the best managed state park system in the country. The
National Sporting Goods Association's Sports Foundation, Inc.
in cooperation with the National Recreation and Park Association
presents the award.
"Virginia State Parks are tremendous places for the entire
family to go and enjoy the outdoors," said Burton.
"My family and I frequently visit Staunton River State Park.
It's an experience I would recommend to anyone."
Burton, an avid outdoorsman, established the Ward Burton Wildlife
Foundation to promote wildlife conservation and the proper stewardship
of our natural resources.
The foundation currently manages land along the Staunton River
to maintain suitable wildlife habitat. It is currently raising
money to acquire an adjoining tract of land and to develop an
environmental education center on the property.
Information on the Ward Burton Foundation will be available in
Virginia State Parks and in information packets used to respond
to inquiries generated by the "Winning Feeling" campaign.
"I'm trying to point out to you that we're losing money
and not building when we should be," Allen Auld, superintendent
of the South Boston landfill, said Monday night.
Faced with a net loss of $61,000 per year in collection fees and
the additional loss of approximately $200,000 per year in tipping
fees, Auld and Town Manager Ted Daniel suggested to the current
issues committee of town council that it may be time for the town
to get out of the commercial trash pickup business.
The suggestion came as the town's two standing committees met
for their regular monthly work session.
Currently, businesses in town pay $100 per year to have their
refuse picked up, and while no concrete figures are available
the cost could be as much as $1,200 per year to each business.
But both Daniel and Auld agree the town is losing too much money
to continue with the status quo.
"We know what's going to happen," Daniel said. "It's
almost certain that we're not going to be able to keep doing what
we're doing."
The two suggested that if private commercial trash pickup is implemented,
the tipping fees could be used to assist with the closing of the
landfill, scheduled for 2007.
Currently, the town provides 191 8-cubic yard bulk containers
for commercial use. In addition, there are 15 privately owned
containers the town collects.
The town collects $19,100 per year in fees for containers with
weekly scheduled pickups and collected around $25,500 for extra
pickups in the 2001-2002 fiscal year, bring the total revenue
collected in container rental and pickup fees to $44,540.
"We spend $105,500 per year to do this," Auld said.
"That's $7.40 per pickup for a net loss of $4.28 each time
we lift a container."
"This is a nut we have to crack," Daniel rejoined.
Currently, council is faced with three essential alternatives,
Auld said.
"We can continue with business as usual," he said.
This would allow local businesses to continue to receive subsidized
commercial pickup at below market rates, but the town would continue
to lose money.
"If we stay in business, we're going to have to buy a front
loader," Daniel pointed out.
The second option is to increase the fees to cover the loss of
$61,00 per year.
This would result in the town not losing money, but it would continue
to lose $200,000 in tipping feet and would have to spend approximately
$125,000 for a front loader.
The other option would be to increase the town's fee structure
to bring parity with private collectors.
If this option is used, the fee and rental for a container would
be set at $1,200 per year, Auld said.
"It would be a good time to start thinking about transitioning
to private commercial service," the superintendent said.
"If you bring your fees up to where they are in line with
commercial waste haulers, I have a sneaking hunch we're going
to be out of the market pretty quickly."
"What do you say to the people who were annexed in 1998 and
were told they could get their container for $100?" Councilman
Tom Raab asked.
"I think we've reached the point where we have to admit we
have a definite drain," Auld said. "We're losing more
money per tip than we are making.
"We've reached reality," he added. "We're losing
a tremendous amount of money."
Daniel suggested the move was inevitable.
"If that carrot was dangled out there and offered up as a
liniment to soothe the sore muscles, clearly it would have been
visible that our landfill would close at some point," he
said. "It's a fact that life changes.
"It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when," the
town manager added. "(Town businesses) are going to have
to pay it at some point."
Mayor Glen Abernathy suggested that council come up with concrete
definitions of residential collection and commercial collection
to prevent any confusion when the change takes place.
"I think before we go any farther we need to get an amendment
on the books as to what constitutes commercial and residential,"
he said.
The Halifax County School Board will ask
the Board of Supervisors later this month to endorse a $50.3 million
package of school capital improvements projects.
And, in near future, the School Board will set up public hearings
at C.H. Friend, Halifax and Turbeville Elementary Schools for
the School Board to gather input on whether or not to renovate
C.H. Friend, Washington-Coleman, Halifax and Turbeville Elementary
Schools, combine some schools and/or construct new facilities.
A tentative January 27 date has been set for a joint meeting of
the two bodies to discuss the proposed capital improvements package.
"We're going forward to the Board of Supervisors with what
we have determined our needs to be," School Board Chairman
Steve Anderson said Monday night following a special School Board
meeting on the capital improvements issue.
"It will then be up to the Board of Supervisors to determine
the best way to move forward from there."
The motion, including the endorsement of the capital improvements
and the recommendation for the trio of public hearings, passed
on a 7-1 vote.
School Board member Carl Furches cast the lone negative vote.
Earlier in the meeting, Furches said he would like to see the
School Board recommend to the Board of Supervisors to take the
proposed $50.3 million capital improvements package to the voters
in the form of a referendum.
"I feel like this is the people's money and it should be
their say-so," Furches said when asked why he voted against
the motion put on the floor by Alan Gravitt and seconded by D.H.
McDowell Jr.
"Also, I think they (the School Board) should let the people
know whether or not they are going to close Virgilina and Wilson
Memorial or keep them open."
Virgilina Elementary School, which will be facing the ax again
in another three to four months, and Wilson Memorial Elementary
School, were not mentioned in the capital improvements projects.
Anderson said the non-mention of the two schools in the capital
projects package does not mean that the schools will be closed.
"The situation is that their student bodies are small enough
that the present facilities are adequate and do not need additions
at this point," Anderson explained.
County school superintendent Dennis Witt stressed to the School
Board early on that the school capital improvements movement must
be a total team effort between the School Board and the Board
of Supervisors.
"This has to be a Halifax County team effort," Witt
told the body.
"This cannot be a School Board effort. It has to be done
in conjunction with the Board of Supervisors and other leaders
in halifax County if it is going to be successful. If you don't
have that, you can't go forward."
Most School Board members indicated they would like to put the
proposed $50.3 million capital improvements proposal in front
of the public in the form of referendum as opposed to taking a
phase-in approach.
School Board member Patricia Nelson felt it could be risky phasing
in the projects over a lengthy period of years, even if the Board
of Supervisors gives its nod of approval to go forward.
"What can we do to set it in stone that all of this will
happen?" Nelson asked.
The capital improvements projects, which were outlined by architects
in a presentation to the School Board in December included the
following facility renovation proposals:
· South of Dan K-3, 380 students/Cluster Springs 4-6, capacity
330 students - $8.0 million;
· Turbeville K-6, capacity 284 students - $5.8 million;
· Halifax K-2, capacity 285 students - $6.7 million;
· Sinai 3-6, capacity 425 students - $2.8 million
· Meadville K-6, capacity 284 students - $3.2 million;
· C.H. Friend, 3-6, capacity 425 students - $7.6 million;
· Washington-Coleman, K-2, capacity 285 students - $5.5
million;
· Halifax County Middle School - $10.7 million.
Witt explained that the School Board could make some variations
in the projects with little impact to the price tags.
For instance, a new 600 to 700-student capacity elementary school
could be built in South Boston to accommodate students from both
Washington-Coleman and C.H. Friend at a cost comparable to the
combined cost of renovating both facilities.
Another scenario could be to renovate Sinai Elementary School
and add on to that school to create one school of 600 to 700 students
that would accommodate students from both Halifax Elementary and
Sinai.
The price tag for that alternative would be similar to that of
renovating both existing facilities.
And, there is the question of whether or not to renovate and add
on to the existing Turbeville Elementary School building or construct
a new facility.
Opinions on those alternatives are what the School Board will
be seeking when it holds public hearings at the three community
schools.
Witt said he envisions the proposed capital improvements being
completed in a four-pronged effort with a South of Dan, Cluster
Springs, Turbeville project, a Halifax, Sinai and Meadville project,
a C.H. Friend-Washington-Coleman project and a Halifax County
Middle School project.
No priority ranking was given to those proposed clusters of projects,
which would range from $10.7 million to $13.8 million.
School Board members said they would like to see state monies
coming to the county as a result of the composite index change
that occurred during fiscal year 2001-2002 be used to finance
the bulk of the proposed capital improvements package.
A change in the county's composite index figure that took place
during the 2001-2002 fiscal year shifted approximately $4 million
more in state funds into public education in Halifax County.
For another eight years, there will, each year, be approximately
$4 million more in state money coming down the pike to Halifax
County than would have come without the special arrangement regarding
the composite index.
Those dollars, School Board members said, could pay for the bulk
of the project, leaving approximately $10 million for the county
to finance.
There was no disagreement from any School Board member that the
proposed school capital improvement projects are needed in order
to bring the county's schools up to today's standards.
Witt pointed out that no new elementary schools have been constructed
here since 1964 and that since that time, school capital improvements
have been discussed and undertaken only on a piecemeal basis.
"It's like the Fram Filters commercial," said Furches.
"You can pay me now or you can pay me later. Later has come
for our school system. We can't keep gluing and rubber banding
our schools together."
Witt pointed out early in the meeting that "we fall short
in "curb appeal" in Halifax County. We fall short in
having good, adequate facilities for the programs we want to offer
and invest in for our children."
School Board member Jason Parker also agreed that decisive action
with regard to school capital improvements should be taken.
"If my kids decide to come here to live after they finish
school, I want it so that 15 years from now they won't have to
face the same situation we're facing now," Parker said.
"I think we ought to go (to the Board of Supervisors) and
ask for the whole 50 ($50 million)," said Gravitt.
"There are two issues to decide. One is do you renovate the
schools in South Boston or go with a new school. Halifax faces
the same issue."
McDowell pointed out, "I've been listening to this for 15
years. We need to make a decision and go forward. We can't sit
still. Our competition is not sitting still."
A strong third-quarter rally and solid free throw shooting
down the stretch lifted Halifax County Middle School to a 47-41
win over Park View Monday night in South Hill.
Monday night's road win allowed the Lions to move into a tie with
Park View for first place in the conference title race.
Halifax County's win improved its overall record to 5-2 and put
it 3-1 in Southside Middle School Conference play.
"This was a huge win," said Lions coach Mike Hailey.
"Park View was very quick and very athletic and it was a
hostile environment. It was a great physical effort on the part
of our kids."
The Lions had three players to hit double digits with Quincy Giggetts
leading the scoring with 12 points.
Morgan Brown and Troy Stephens added 10 points each.
Three players, Shawn Anderson, Patrick Terry and Travis Ragsdale
each scored four points and Allen Stephens chipped in three points.
The game was a tight one all the way with neither team being able
to gain a comfortable margin over the other.
Halifax County made its move with an 8-0 run midway through the
third quarter, a run that took the Lions from a two-point deficit
to a six-point lead.
A three-pointer by Brown and a basket by Troy Stephens were big
baskets in the run that resulted in the biggest lead either team
was able to build in the contest.
Halifax County was able to hold its own after that but still needed
a big play near the end to secure the win.
The Lions got it in the final minute when Troy Stephens sank a
pair of free throws that took the Lions from a three-point lead
to a five-point lead.
Those two free throws by Stephens were enough to allow the Lions
to wrap up the win.
While the third-quarter rally and the late free throws were instrumental
in the win, it wasn't all that the Lions had to do.
With the longer-range shots not falling in the second half, the
Lions took the ball inside and got a majority of their points
off of some solid plays down low.
Halifax County also successfully slowed the pace of the game down
and refused to get into a running game against the quicker Park
View contingent.
The Lions' defensive effort was also good as Halifax held Park
View's top scorer to only one field goal and a total of four points.
Halifax trailed Park View 10-8 at the end of the first quarter
as Giggetts, with seven points, kept the Lions close.
The Lions, with five players getting into the scoring column,
trimmed the Park View lead to a single digit at 22-21 at intermission.
With Troy Stephens' six points and five points from Brown, the
Lions came out strong in the second half to outscore Park View
17-10 and take a 38-32 lead at the end of the quarter.
Park View was unable to make any inroads against the Lions in
the fourth quarter as the Lions hung on to preserve the six-point
win.
Monday night's game was the first game in what is a busy week
for the Lions.
The Lions will be on the road tonight to face Peabody in Petersburg
and will hit the road again Thursday to square off against Rockingham
County (N.C.) Middle School.
James Russell Barksdale Jr., 73, of 15375 Halifax Road, Java,
died January 5 at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Barksdale was born in Pittsylvania County on December 16,
1929, the son of James Russell Barksdale Sr. and Lucy Talbott
Barksdale.
Survivors include one sister, Ruby B. Shelton of Halifax; and
a special friend, Susan Stevens of Java.
Graveside services for Mr. Barksdale will be held today, January
8 at 3 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church Cemetery. The Rev.
John S. Ruef will officiate.
The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service,
from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m.
William Eldridge 'Rooster' Bostick, 79, of Hedderly Street, Halifax,
died January 6, at Veterans Administration Medical Center in Richmond.
Mr. Bostick was born in Halifax County on January 28, 1923, the
son of the late Willie J. Bostick and Otelia Clark Bostick and
was married to Mildred Davis Bostick. He was a member of St. Luke
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, was a WWII Army Veteran,
a retired employee of Burlington Ind., and was a member of Mt.
Sinai Masonic Lodge.
Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Joyce Stevens of Richmond;
two foster sons, Robert L. Palmer of Temple H ills, MD and Douglas
Palmer of Halifax; 11 grandchildren, including a devoted grandson,
Keith A. Palmer of Richmond, and a devoted granddaughter, Patricia
Palmer Collins of Halifax; seven great-grandchildren; one sister,
Carrie Mildred Howerton of Queens, NY; and a devoted friend, Blondine
Duncan.
Funeral services for Mr. Bostick will be held January 9, at 2
p.m. at St. Luke CME Church with the Revs. Lawrence Graves and
Jessie Moore officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery
with Masonic Rites by the Sinai Masonic Lodge.
The family is receiving friends at the home.
Albert Hasker Caddle Sr. of 1068 Turkey Track Road, Nathalie died
January 5 at his home.
Mr. Caddle was born in Aiken, SC to the late Hasker Caddle and
Essie Bland Caddle and was married to Virginia Davis Caddle.
Survivors include his wife; three sons, Albert H. Caddle Jr. of
Nathalie, Larry Caddle and wife, Linda, of South Boston, and Albert
Caddle and wife, Mammie, of Aiken; two daughters, Carolyn Bussell
of New York and Catherine Burns of Atlanta, GA; four stepchildren,
Cynthia Wilkes of Brookneal, Corie Moon, Tonya Moon and Billy
Moon, all of Lynchburg; 21 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Caddle will be held January 9 at 1 p.m.
at Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church in Nathalie with the Rev.
L.S. Otey officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home.
Linda Kay Smith Knotts, 55, of Mineral Wells, WV, died January
4 at Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Knotts was born in Parkersburg, WV, on March 31, 1947, the
daughter of Olandus Coleman Smith and Nannie Mae McCoy Smith,
and was married to James Earl Knotts. She was a graduate of Harrisville
High School, Parkersburg Beauty College, and was a member of Pettyville
United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband; her parents; her mother-in-law;
one daughter, Aleacia Peer and her husband, Michael, of Halifax;
one grandchild, Ashley Peer; one sister; two brothers; one brother-in-law;
and two sisters-in-law.
Funeral services for Mrs. Knotts were held January 7 at Lambert-Tatman
Funeral Home of South Parkersburg, with entombment at Sunset Memory
Gardens.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Pettyville
UMC, Pettyville, WV.