Spectators turned out by the thousands Saturday to witness the traditional South Boston Christmas Parade, enjoying an event that many agreed was the best in years.
They saw a smartly moving lineup of nearly 50 units that included lively bands, attractive homemade floats in keeping with the Christmas theme and many other attractions.
While the parade down Wilborn Avenue and Main Street was staged in perfect late-autumn weather, the threat of rain early in the day may have held the crowd down somewhat.
Lt. Rick Loftis of the South Boston Police Department estimated the turnout at "probably 8,000," he said the number was "off some," due to the weather threat, from other years.
Usually, the crowd numbers about 10,000, he said.
"The crowd was lined on the streets all the way, but just not quite as deep as usual," Loftis said.
The Parade Committee welcomed two out-of-town high school bands to the lineup, and the two won the prizes.
Bluestone High School of Mecklenburg County took first place among the bands and Dan River High School of Pittsylvania County took second.
As for the floats, Clays Mill Scout Pack 589 was awarded first place, Cub Scout Pack 3l8 won second place, and Southside Rehab was the third place award winner.
Lt. Loftis noted that a special effort was made to prevent space lags in the parade lineup, and this seemed to meet with everyone's approval.
"We tried to keep it closed, and I thought we did a real good job with that," he said.
Actually, everything "went just super," he said.
A public hearing on a proposed Town of Halifax and county boundary settlement increasing the town's size six fold - from 540 to an estimated 3,659 acres - and carrying a 12 year moratorium on future annexation will be held Dec 10.
The town is expected to gain approximately $147,710 in revenue with the county losing an estimated $35,740, according to earlier estimates furnished supervisors.
The figures, however, were pre-agreement county estimates and did not reflect slight boundary alternations made during the Thursday night session.
Halifax Town Council - with councilman Harold R. Younger Jr. absent - unanimously approved the proposed agreement, but supervisors logged a 5-3 vote with supervisors R.E. Abbott, Earl Watts Sr. and R.L. "Robbie" Smart Jr. dissenting.
The public hearing on the proposed boundary settlement is set for Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. at Mary Bethune complex in Halifax.
Following the hearing, the two governments must vote on the boundary proposal and then, if approved, the proposed settlement is sent to circuit court for final review and approval.
Town of Halifax Manager Robert Greene said the town "is aiming" for a midnight Dec. 31, 1997 effective date, but he also noted there is a "great deal of detail work" to be done prior to the agreement.
"I am pleased with the outcome and look forward to the road ahead," said Town of Halifax Mayor Dennis Osborne on Friday.
Those opposing the settlement shared similar views following the Thursday night session.
Supervisor R.E. Abbott's objection centered on the people who had petitioned the governments "to consolidate" services and government.
"And everybody agreed they were going to discuss consolidation and nobody has. It has been less than five minutes in all these meetings," added Abbott. "It's been land grabbing, really."
R.L. Smart cited several objections: "First and foremost would be we have a mandate from the people to consider alternatives such as consolidation of services and/or government, and this thing with Halifax, I feel we are not following that mandate."
Smart said with South Boston he felt "we had a gun to our head, so we had no choice."
Both South Boston and the Town of Halifax had set Dec. 1 deadlines for boundary agreements with the county.
Smart said he thought the situation with Halifax was different.
"We could work on consolidation issues simply now because we have an agreement with South Boston, therefore Halifax does not have the legal coattails to ride on."
Smart also objected to the amount of land in the proposed Halifax acquisition.
"We are talking six times their current land area. That just seems enormous to me for one bite," added Smart.
The supervisor also said because the county had agreed with South Boston, "I did not want to treat them differently.
In the positive column, Smart said, "This will allow us to go forward once we get these boundary adjustment questions behind us ...and perhaps work on some consolidation of service issues."
Smart said he wanted to see the boundary issue settled not only because of the money involved in a possible annexation battle, but also to avoid the ill will that would be generated and affect relations between the governments for years.
The supervisor said he also worried about the impact on economic development if the issue was not settled.
"I see it as a tax increase, and I am totally against increasing taxes," said Supervisor Earl Watts.
"They want money to spend, and I don't see where it will benefit anyone in the Town of Halifax or the county," said Watts.
"They will still not be capable of developing this extra land they took in. It looks like to me it is just money spent for nothing."
Draft support document agreements for water and sewer services and future boundary adjustments as well as general guidelines and principles concerning those issues concerning the Town of Halifax/Halifax County proposal were released Friday morning. The following issues were addressed in draft resolutions:
---The town will not seek a boundary adjustment with the county for a period of at least 12 years.
---The town, recognizing that registered voters in some areas adjacent to the new town boundaries may wish to petition town council and the county board of supervisors for voluntary boundary adjustment, is committed to including residents or businesses within the town boundaries in order to receive town services if fifty-one percent of the registered voters within an adjacent and clearly defined area petition the town council for inclusion within town boundaries.
---The town will make available to the county, on a wholesale basis, certain public and water and sewer services to facilitate the attraction of industrial and commercial businesses and to serve residential areas lying outside of the town's corporate limits and to that end, the town council intends to negotiate in good faith, based upon the attached principles, the terms and conditions of such a cooperative arrangement with the county.
Water and Sewer Principles
The county will receive 40,000 gallons of sewer capacity per day from the Town of Halifax. The amount is in addition to the approximately 24,000 gpd provided under agreement for service in the Grubby Road area.
The sewerage will be delivered to town owned lines through three meters at points on the Southwest boundary, the Southeast boundary and the Northern Boundary. The meters may be owned by either the town or the county according to agreement between the two parties. The approximate locations of the meters will be established at the time the agreement is executed and prior to boundary adjustment.
(2) The county will receive 40,000 gallons of water capacity per day from the town (not including any capacity being provided at the time of execution of the new agreement). The water will be delivered to county owned lines through three meters at points on the Southwest, Southeast and Northern boundary...
(3) The rate for water and sewer charges will be based upon 80 percent of the average of all rates used to compute in-town rates. The county will be responsible for not exceeding its allocated capacity. In the event the capacity is exceeded the county will pay an additional surcharge for exceeding the daily allotment computed on a quarterly basis for average daily usage. The rate will be one and one half times (1.5) the existing monthly charge. Representatives of both jurisdictions will be responsible for reading the meters monthly.
(4) New lines outside the town limits would be owned and maintained by the county according to established state standards.
(5) The county will pay all construction costs for lines outside the town limits.
(6) In case of future boundary adjustments the town will pay the county for all lines incorporated into the new boundaries. The rates would be based on accepted accounting standards for public capital assets including debt service and depreciation. The county would own no new lines within the town.
(7) In the event new lines are required within the town to service the county, the county would pay for the cost of constructing the lines if they are for the exclusive use to serve county needs or would share the cost if the lines serve in-town needs. In the event the town desires to use water or sewer lines constructed by the county, the town would compensate the county for use of the lines according to the same standards referenced in item seven above. The cost basis for sharing the cost for line construction would be based upon the ratio of the gallons used between county and in-town customers along the new line.
The cost basis for sharing the cost for line construction would be based upon the ratio of the gallons used between county and in-town customers along the new line.
(8) In the event of the expansion of water and/or sewer facilities the county would have the right to purchase additional capacity by paying for the cost of the additional capacity including the costs associated with: (a) construction; (b) engineering (shared %); (c) feasibility study (shared %); (d) legal fees for associated costs such as bonding, contracts. etc. (shared %); (e) administrative costs such as grant, permit and application fees (shared %); (f) debt service; (g) other costs that may be clearly established.
(9) It is anticipated that this agreement will remain in effect until modified by the parties, and would include periodic review.
The final draft resolution addressed the town's recognition of the need for an excellent public education system within Halifax County which requires a major financial commitment by the county and all its citizens, as well as the fact the areas of the industrial development within the county generate substantial tax revenues that can be used to support the public education system, therefore Town Council also agreed it was willing, as part of a compromise of ongoing boundary adjustment negotiations between the town and county, to exclude from the territory to be incorporated within Halifax certain areas containing significant industrial facilities.
A patrolman for the South Boston Police Department was charged with reckless driving after crashing a patrol car early Friday morning on Wilborn Avenue, according to SBPD Chief Jim Hall.
Officer Earl Lafayette Hall Jr., 44, of Buffalo Junction was headed south on Wilborn Avenue to back up fellow patrolman Randy Redd who was chasing a subject on foot, police said.
At the crest of the street, Hall passed a vehicle, then lost control after he moved back into the southbound lane. The 1996 Ford ran off the right side of the road and struck a Virginia Power utility pole, according to the investigation.
The accident happened 74 feet south of the intersection of Wilborn Avenue and Center Street.
The pole snapped in two, while the vehicle came to a rest in a wooded area south of the initial impact area, police said.
Hall was not injured. The police cruiser, which only had 5,000 miles, was declared a total loss with estimated damages of $18,000, according to the investigation.
Damage to the utility pole was estimated by police at $2,500. A total of 1,264 Virginia Power customers from downtown South Boston to Centerville lost power after the pole's transformer blew, according to Rusty Steele of Virginia Power.
All but three customers had electrical power restored within 44 minutes of the accident. Those three customers, which were at the immediate scene of the crash, had power restored at 6:10 a.m., Steele said.
Sand was brought to the scene to soak up approximately 25 gallons of oil that was encased by the damaged transfer, according to SBPD Lt. Rick Loftis.
The investigation of the incident was turned over to the Virginia State Police in accordance with departmental policy, Chief Hall said.
Virginia State Trooper D.T. Conner conducted the investigation.
By JAN CIENSKI
AP Business Writer
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - When Steven Bailey wants a smoke he doesn't reach for a Marlboro or a Camel, he pulls out a Bailey's - a cigarette made by his family company, S&M Brands Inc.
Bailey isn't alone. In the shadow of cigarette behemoths like Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds, small companies are fighting for a share of America's $45.7 billion a year cigarette market.
There are about a dozen so-called microsmoke companies in the United States, said Gabriel Avram, a Winston-Salem, N.C., lawyer who observes the industry.
Each of the tobacco minnows has picked a market niche. Star Tobacco & Pharmaceutical Inc. of Petersburg is aiming at the health-conscious smoker, and is testing a new method to remove some cancer-causing compounds from cigarettes.
S&M is hoping to hook budget-conscious smokers wanting to smoke premium quality cigarettes. Bailey's are priced below premium brands, at $8.69 a carton.
Others, like Alternative Cigarettes Inc. of Buffalo, N.Y., and the Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co. Inc. of Santa Fe, N.M., make cigarettes with no additives, trying to lure buyers interested in natural products like those successfully recruited by microbreweries.
''The more people hear about the additives that have been put in over the last few years, the more they want to try'' the smaller brands, said Kenny Peregory, who owns three Virginia Factory Cigarette Outlet stores in central Virginia catering to niche-market smokers.
The market the little guys have chosen isn't an easy one, said Jack Kasprzak, a tobacco analyst with Scott & Stringfellow in Richmond.
''Your competitors are not just big companies but gargantuan multinational companies that have been around a long time,'' he said. ''It's very similar to what a small soda company would face competing against Coca-Cola.''
A fifth-generation tobacco grower from Keysville in Virginia's Southside tobacco belt, Steven Bailey and his dad Malcolm L. Bailey decided to start their own cigarette company in 1994.
''It's something my father always wanted to do,'' Steven Bailey said. ''It seemed an abrupt end to drop off the tobacco at the market. He wanted to start with the tobacco seed and end up with the finished product.''
Bailey, 27, experimented with tobacco leaves and made his own samples in a small cigarette rolling machine.
When he came up with a blend that pleased him, Bailey and his father contacted a contractor who made the cigarettes for them until last year.
In 1996, the Baileys set up their own cigarette factory that has 21 employees who produce 100 million cigarettes a year. That sounds like a lot, but Americans smoked 487 billion cigarettes last year.
''In industry terms it is extremely small,'' Bailey said. ''But it is a large accomplishment in a business as cutthroat as the cigarette industry.''
Just making the cigarettes isn't enough. They have to be advertised, transported to stores and placed on shelves where customers can see them.
Bailey said there was no reaction from the giant tobacco companies at first. But ''as our market started to grow, they became very hostile to us. It's a constant fight to keep the product in front of the consumer.''
Peregory has noticed the reaction of the big tobacco companies because of his decision to give lots of space to smaller brands in addition to market-dominating brands like Marlboros.
''They don't like what I'm doing,'' he said. ''I don't get any support at all from the major manufacturers.'' He said he has been cut off from coupon programs and fees that big tobacco companies usually pay retailers.
Bryan Stockdale, vice president of trade marketing for R.J. Reynolds, said his company has a range of incentive programs for dealers depending on which brands a retailer carries and how prominently Reynolds' products are displayed.
''The retailer is the one that makes the choice,'' he said.
Santa Fe has taken a slightly different approach to selling its cigarettes, said Robin Sommers, president and chief executive officer.
Instead of spending huge sums on advertising, Santa Fe is targeting retailers.
''It's the only way we have found a channel to the market because the major marketers control the traditional distributor channels,'' Sommers said.
While the small companies fight for shelf space, a big threat looms on the horizon - the proposed tobacco settlement now being considered by Congress.
The settlement would impose advertising restrictions that would make it even more difficult for a small brand to break into the market, said Sommers.
Fearing an advertising clampdown, S&K Brands, which had revenues of $4 million this year, is spending heavily on promoting Bailey's.
''Every dime we can scrape together is going into advertising to try to get our product well known while we still can,'' Bailey said.
A former elementary school teacher out on parole for a crack cocaine possession conviction was arrested Thursday in Lynchburg on felony counts of grand larceny, according to Major Ray Link of the Halifax County Sheriff's Department.
Dorothy H. Ferrell, 39, formerly of Halifax, was arrested by the City of Lynchburg Police Department on a felony count of grand larceny (bad check) stemming from an incident in Roanoke County, Major Link said.
She was also charged with a felony count of grand larceny (bad check) in Campbell County, as well as a felony count of violating her parole from a previous Halifax County conviction, according to the investigation.
"We understand from the Lynchburg authorities that additional charges from other jurisdictions will be filed," Major Link said.
Ferrell was convicted earlier this year on a felony count of possession of crack cocaine. The former Chapter I teacher at Halifax Elementary School was arrested at Birchland Park on Rt. 360 near the Pittsylvania County line on April 29, 1996.
Two months later, she was again arrested at Birchland Park and charged with a felony count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. That charge was dismissed after a trial by jury in the Halifax County Circuit Court.
On the possession of crack cocaine conviction, Ferrell was sentenced to five years in prison. That sentence was suspended on condition of her good behavior for a period of five years, the successful completion of two years of supervised probation, and submitting to random, unannounced drug tests.
During her sentencing hearing, Halifax County Circuit Court Judge William L. Wellons also ordered that she find employment with 90 days of her release from jail.
Ferrell spent approximately 10 months in jail during the process of her two trials.
In addition to facing a trial on the grand larceny charges, Ferrell will be returned to Halifax County Circuit Court, since a "capias" had been issued for her failure to abide by the terms of her parole, Major Link said.
In such circumstances, a show cause hearing is scheduled where the defendant must explain to the court why a previously-suspended prison term should not be revoked.
A Java man was charged with following too closely after a collision Friday afternoon on U.S. 501, near tits intersection with Rt. 654, according to the Virginia State Police.
Henry Eric McKinney, 26, was driving a Cadillac which struck the rear of a 1986 Oldsmobile driven by Ruby Ann Palmer, 43, of Nathalie, police said.
No injuries occurred. The Cadillac sustained an estimated $500 in damages, while the Oldsmobile sustained an estimated $1,000 in damages.
The 12:01 p.m. incident was investigated by Virginia State Trooper R.L. Hodges.
In other wrecks investigated:
Two vehicles collided Saturday afternoon while both drivers were attempting to make left hand turns from Rt. 129, just west of Love Shop, police said.
William Durelle Crews Sr., 68, of South Boston was driving a 1975 Ford pickup truck which collided with a 1994 Nissan driven by Valerie Mills Roberts, 26, of South Boston, according to the investigation.
No injuries occurred. The pickup sustained estimated damages of $50, while the Nissan sustained an estimated $1,000 in damages.
No charges were filed and the 1:30 p.m. incident was investigated by Virginia State Trooper S.M. Krantz.
A truck driver was charged with following too close after a collision on U.S. 360, four-tenths of a mile east of Rt. 721, police said. The incident occurred on November 17.
Stanley Wayne Carden, 39, of Long Island was driving a 1979 Mack truck which struck the rear of a 1992 Mazda driven by Susan Guill Williams, 39, of Scottsburg, according to the investigation.
Damages to the truck were estimated at $100, while damages to the Mazda were estimated at $1,500, police said. The 4:35 p.m. incident was investigated by Trooper Krantz.
A Scottsburg man was charged Friday with a misdemeanor count of assault and battery of his girlfriend, according to Major Ray Link of the Halifax County Sheriff's Department.
David Anthony Rose, 40, was charged with assaulting Pamela Terry at a residence on Thursday evening, according to the investigation.
He was released on bond pending his trial in the Halifax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on December 3. Rose was arrested by Deputy H.L. Farmer.
In another case, a Crystal Hill man was arrested Friday on two misdemeanor counts of using obscene language and disorderly conduct, police said.
Mike L. Winn, 31, of allegedly used obscene language to Maxine Wilson on August 8. While he was being arrested on that charge, he allegedly acted disorderly, according to the investigation.
Winn was released on bond pending his trial in the Halifax County General District Court. He was arrested by Sgt. J.K. Henderson and Deputy Q.W. Clark.
Dr. Charlie James Lovelace III, 'Jay', age 27, of Roanoke died as the result of a traffic accident on Thursday, November 20, 1997.
He was a graduate of William Byrd High School, attended Roanoke College and Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry, graduating in 1994. He was practicing dentistry in Lynchburg.
Survivors of Dr. Lovelace include his parents, Charlie J. Lovelace Jr. and Carolee W. Lovelace of Roanoke; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Evelyn and Elmer Waldron, and paternal grandparents, Charlie and Sallie Lovelace.
Funeral services were held at Oakey's Vinton Chapel at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 22 with Dr. William L. Ross officiating. Burial was in Sherwood Memorial Park.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital or a favorite charity.
Ethel Mae Talley Holt of 103 Rosehill Drive, South Boston died November 21, 1997 at The Woodview. She was 81 years of age at the time of her death.
Mrs. Holt was born in Greenville County, SC on October 26, 1916 the daughter of Chester Clyde Talley and Josephine Hood Talley and was married to Leonard Douglas Holt. She was a member of Second Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Elizabeth Louise H. Medina of South Boston and Nancy Lee H. Hughes of Halifax; one son, Horace Winford Holt of Alton; four sisters, Lillie Gilreath, Frances Pace, Kathleen Duncan and Margie Noe, all of Marietta, SC; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Ronald Douglas Holt.
Funeral services for Mrs. Holt were held Sunday, November 23 at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Jim Smith conducting the service. Burial was in Halifax Memorial Gardens.
Miss Alibeth Vanderbilt Richardson of South Boston passed away Thursday, November 20 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 83.
Miss Richardson was retired from Charlotte County public schools after 48 years of teaching. She was born in Halifax County.
Miss Richardson is survived by one sister, Ann B. Richardson of South Boston; five nieces, Brenda Chandler of Greensboro, N.C., Sharon Harris and Annie Harris of South Boston, Ethel Coleman of Hollywood, Md., and Pecora Richardson of Newport News; four nephews, Irving Richardson of Newport News, Branch Coleman of Hollywood, Md., and John Harris and Ossie Harris of South Boston.
Funeral services were held yesterday at Cross Roads Baptist Church in Alton, with interment in the church cemetery. Rev. James Traynham officiated.
The family will receive friends at the residence, 6105 Philpott Rd., South Boston.