Friday, March 12, 2004

Looming School Board Issues Surface
County School Board Seeks Solution To Population, Building Issues

Questions over school renovations and consolidations, and the re-drawing of attendance zones emerged Wednesday, as the School Board reviewed the Halifax County Advisory Committee on Educational Improvement's report at their annual retreat.

The Advisory Committee's suggestion for the construction of a second middle school proved to be a catalyst for discussion on a number of major initiatives.
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Larry Clark said projected figures for such a project would cost $14.6 million for construction alone.

"That does not include the cost of land procurement or operating costs," he said.

A second middle school would lead to a $588,750 increase in annual operating costs, according to Clark.

"When you start looking at the numbers, and all the other things we need to do, the question is can we really afford to put in a new middle school?" School Board Chairman Arthur Reynolds asked yesterday.

The possibility seems unlikely, Reynolds said.

While no decisions were reached, Board members tended to lean toward a renovation of the existing facility along with the construction of a new technology center.

Without a new middle school, the Board must contend with the existing over- and under-population issue in the primary schools, a problem that sparked a lengthy discussion at Wednesday's retreat.

Six possible initiatives were discussed by the Board, including the creation of a new elementary school in the Kingswood area.

"That is just one proposal as a way to deal with overcrowded schools," said Reynolds. "No final decision was made, but we will take a look at it when we decide to come up with a final budget."

Other initiatives considered included the consolidation of Washington Coleman and C.H. Friend, a possible redistricting or renovation of Turbeville, a renovation and subsequent consolidation of Cluster Springs and South of Dan, the renovation of Halifax and Sinai, and a possible reorganization of student attendance zones for Wilson Memorial, Meadville and Sinai.

Low student numbers at Turbeville and Wilson Memorial were of particular concern to the Board.

"Right now Wilson Memorial is a good facility, but we have one class (fourth grade) with seven kids in it," said Clark.

"Both schools are below the suggested enrollment numbers presented by the Advisory Committee," added Reynolds yesterday.

Steve Anderson suggested the possibility of pulling students from Sinai to bolster enrollment at Wilson Memorial, sparking concerns of equity after the recent Virgilina debate.

"If we leave one school open then there may be requests to reopen some of the other small schools," Reynolds said yesterday.

"Are you going to have equity in this county or not?" asked Sandra Rister.

Rister said she was considering a motion to revisit the Virgilina issue.

"As much as I know about the situation I feel I would be wrong not to re-visit the situation," she said during the retreat.

Other members of the Board raised concerns that revisiting the issue would be a step backward.

"If we revisit this it would damage the progressiveness of this board," said Joe Bailey.

Reynolds said yesterday that either student populations or attendance zones for Virgilina would need to change before the Board could re-visit the issue.

"When you revisit something you have to have something in place to say things are different," he said. "If we revisit there has to be something to say the numbers are now there."

Reynolds said even if student numbers were increased through rezoning, the Board would still have to consider if Virgilina could hold the number recommended by the Advisory Committee.

"Is Virgilina at the point where it can hold 200 kids without it affecting their education?" he asked. "Would we be better off building a second school that can take care of additional kids?"

Witt warned the Board members to not to reopen the issue unless a new decision could be made.

"It takes five votes on this Board to do something," he said. "We should not reopen it just for the sake of reopening it.

"A vote to reconsider will continue to string out the agony of hope," he added. "But if it has to be done, lets do it."

Rister said yesterday that she had not decided whether or not to make a motion to reconsider at the next meeting.

How the Board decides to deal with both structural and population problems all depends on money, according to Reynolds.

"We are dealing with the situation of having to decide the best ways to use what money we do have," he said yesterday. "We have to take what money the Board of Supervisors gives us when considering all of the problems we have to face.

"When money is tight you have to make some tough decisions and whatever decision we make is not going to please everyone," he added. "We are looking at the total county and trying to be fair with all of our schools."

The Board is unsure when they will have a final budget to present to the Board of Supervisors, according to Reynolds.

"Right now we have a lot of uncertainties," he said. "The House and Senate have not finalized how much money we are going to be getting, and we need to know that to come up with a budget."

While no date has been set, the Board plans to have another meeting in the next couple of weeks to work more on the budget.

"We needed this last meeting to talk about as many things as we could," said Reynolds.

Board members received updates on facilities management, transportation and the Code of Student Conduct.

"It was good from the standpoint of bringing the new members up to date," said Reynolds. "I think they are learning a lot in terms of how school boards operate."

Burlington, Enterprise Zone Are Focus Of Halifax Town Council
Unless Code Is Changed, Town Is Barred From Joining Enterprise Zone

"There's really no solution there" for a Town of Halifax Enterprise Zone, Scott Morris, Industrial Development Authority director, told councilmen Tuesday night.

Unless the Code of Virginia is changed, the town is barred from joining with South Boston and the county in the current Enterprise Zone, he said.

"They don't allow it," said Morris. "If the county and South Boston have one, you cannot have another (adjoining) town."

Instead, Morris suggested Council take an active role in helping businesses through grants or loan pools.

The vacant Burlington Industries property was at the top of the IDA chief's list for town interest.

"There is an individual interested in buying that property," Morris said.

But he described the unidentified individual as "a little hesitant to buy now" since discovering the last power bill was $11,000.

"We're working with the power bill," added Morris.

The IDA director said the prospective buyer wanted to locate his business in part of the Burlington building and to try to lease the remainder to other businesses.

The Burlington property in Halifax has been offered at auction twice, dropping from $1.5 million in 2002, with no offers, to $900,000, with no offers, according to the IDA director.

Morris said at one point in 2003 the company received a $200,000 bid.

The building has been appraised at $2 million, according to Morris. The appraisal was for Burlington

The economic developer urged the town to become involved.

"The worst case scenario is someone would buy it and not maintain it," said Morris.

But, he emphasized, it is "only a matter of time" until the bankruptcy court forces Burlington to sell the building.

"I think it is incumbent upon us (as Council) to make something happen," said Councilman Jack Dunavant, who was named by Council to act as its liaison in the Burlington matter.

Morris told Council that there are two approaches the Town can take, a passive one, waiting to see who buys the company, or an active one.

In encouraging economic development in the town, Morris said councilmen should "ask what the businesses need."

"The key thing is to have some targets, to know what you're looking for," he added.

The loss of Burlington Industries caused a $331,419 tax loss to the county and about $15,492 to the town, according to Rocky Reynolds, the town's finance director.

In other business, following a public hearing, Council approved two special use permits allowing Home Occupation offices in residential districts.

The permits, recommended by Halifax Planning Commission with conditions, were approved for Willie Farrar at 1121 Brook Run Road and for Lori Cole at 1135 Golf Course Road.

In the town, Recycling Works' glass pickup will begin Wednesday, March 17.

Councilman H.C. Phillips reported that in the month of February the Halifax Volunteer Fire Dept. answered three fire calls and 13 EMS calls, with equipment traveling 188 miles and totalling 43.1 man hours. Phillips said total calls to this date are 65.

The Halifax VFD was also active in assisting several other departments Sunday night when heavy winds swept the area. Fallen trees blocked roads, with some tumbling onto cars and causing personal injury.

The Halifax VFD will sponsor a spaghetti supper at 5 p.m. on Friday at the fire department.

During committee reports, Councilman W.A. Stevens advised that the town is working with the county to locate a convenience center for trash and recycling across from the old Burlington property.

Councilman Dunavant told fellow members that Dewberry & Davis engineering firm is working on the town's water plant project. Since the county and towns have been asked to study the possibility of a utility authority, Dunavant said that the engineering firm was also investigating how the town could cooperate to provide the most equitable service rates.

Bridge Is On Track for New Future
Groups Meet To Discuss Preservation Issues

The long battle to save historic Clarkton Bridge and convert it to a pivotal piece in two counties' parks and tourism efforts appears to be on track.

The bridge spans the Staunton River and links Halifax and Charlotte counties.

APVA Preservation Virginia previously agreed to accept title to the bridge, but with conditions.

A new owner will ultimately take possession from the APVA.

On Wednesday, representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Clarkton Bridge Alliance, members of the Charlotte and Halifax County Boards of Supervisors and Russell Slayton, county attorney, met in Farmville to discuss preservation issues.

"We discussed where we are and what will be the next steps for the conservation effort," VDOT Resident Engineer Joe Barkley II said yesterday.

Since both Halifax and Charlotte supervisors previously passed resolutions of their intent to discontinue a short section of Route 620 that includes the bridge, Barkley said his office is taking public comment.

The discontinuance phase for public involvement extends through March 31.

However, Route 620 in Charlotte County will remain open to provide access to the boat landing on the Staunton River at Clarkton Bridge, a Clarkton Bridge Alliance spokesman said yesterday.

The VDOT resident engineer said that he would make a report to supervisors in Charlotte and Halifax counties during their April meeting regarding the road issue.

To date, Barkley said that he has received only one comment, and that one favored discontinuance.

"So, I think we are making progress, and Ms. (P.K.) Pettus will contact Secretary of Transportation Clement informing him of the status," added Barkley.

Pettus, a Keysville resident, has been a driving force in organizing the Clarkton Bridge Alliance to save the bridge.

"The Clarkton Bridge Alliance is delighted the board of directors of APVA Preservation Virginia has agreed to take ownership of the bridge if certain conditions can be met," Pettus said Thursday.

"We are working, the Clarkton Bridge Alliance and VDOT, in cooperation with both counties to meet these conditions.

"There is still much work to be done, but we are making steady progress," added Pettus.

"We will continue to move forward with a few little unanswered questions, and then the Boards will deliberate after the public involvement phase (on Route 620)," said the VDOT resident engineer.

Clarkton Bridge has recently been nominated as a stop for the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail.

Comets Off To A Good Start
The HCHS Varsity Baseball Team Downed Heritage 7-1 Here In Wednesday's Pre-Season Scrimmage Game

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

Halifax County High School's varsity baseball team got its season off on the right foot, scoring a 7-1 win over Heritage in Wednesday's season-opening scrimmage.

The Comets produced seven hits in the contest with Robert Carter, Jason Lloyd, Brent Long, and sophomore hurler Jeremy Jeffress producing hits.

Also involved in the hit parade were Steven Smith, Chris Perkins and Blake Waller.

Marcus Humphrey didn't get a hit but garnered a RBI on a sacrifice fly.

"I was pleased," said Davis.

"We did some good things and we saw some things we need to work on."

Wednesday's scrimmage was a valuable outing, Davis said.

"It was very good that we got the chance to play," Davis remarked.

"Heritage traditionally has been a good baseball school. We knew going in we were going to be facing some good competition.

"It gave us a good opportunity to see everybody play and get a good look at them under actual game conditions," Davis continued.

"We saw some things we need to work on and we'll do that in Friday's scrimmage (today's scrimmage) against Brookville."

Davis went through his pitching rotation in Wednesday's scrimmage, putting Jeffress on the mound for the first three innings, bringing returnee Tyler Clarke to the mound for two innings and finishing the game with Lloyd, a senior.

"I let Jeffress go three innings and we saw some real good things out of him," said Davis.

"I felt he did a good job. We saw certain things that we need to work on with him like him hitting his spots. I like his work ethic and he's going to get better with time."

Clarke also did a good job, Davis said.

"Tyler was Tyler," Davis said.

"He's going to throw strikes. He has a wonderful changeup and keeps the batters off balance."

Lloyd came in for one inning and also did a good job, Davis said.

"We saw him do some good things," Davis pointed out.

"We also saw some things we have to work on with him."

The Comets showed they have the ability to produce runs as seven different players each got a hit.

Three of them, Lloyd, Long and Smith, had a double.

Halifax County broke the contest open with three runs in the second inning and continued to post runs with regularity the rest of the game.

"We did pretty well offensively," said Davis.

"We did a good job of two-strike hitting."

The Comets got in an afternoon of work on the practice field yesterday to prepare for today's scrimmage game at Brookville High School.

Halifax County officially opens its 2004 season Monday with a non-district road game against Northern Vance High School of Henderson, N.C.

Monday's game will mark the first ever meeting of the two teams.

Obituaries

Harvey Laymon Matthews

Harvey Laymon Matthews, 97, of Danville died March 8.

Mr. Matthews was born in Ashland, W.Va. to Thomas David and Lillie Carter Matthews in 1906. He was married 67 years to Nancy Ethel Philpott.

Mr. Matthews retired from Dan River Mills in 1972 after 40 years of service. He was a member of Keen Street Baptist Church, a member of the Masonic Order and the Red Man Society.

Survivors include one daughter, Betty M. Scott and husband, Andrew, of Longview, Texas; three sons, Wiley R. Matthews and wife, Beverly, of Danville, John Harvey Matthews and wife, Sylvia, of Hot Springs, Ark. and Jimmy David Matthews and wife, Sandy, of Jacksonville, Fla.; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Mr. Matthews was preceded in death by 12 brothers and sisters.

The funeral will be conducted today, March 12 at 2:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Barker Funeral Home by the Rev. Freddie Vicks. Burial will be in Highland Burial Park.

John Thurston Pool

John Thurston Pool, 80, of Clarksville, husband of Carrie F. Pool, died March 9 at his home.

Mr. Pool was a retired tobacconist and farmer, and was a member of Jamieson Memorial United Methodist Church in Clarksville where services will be held at 2 p.m. today, March 12. Burial will be in Shady Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery in Virgilina.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Pool is survived by two sons, John T. Pool Jr. of Wilmington, N.C. and Delbert E. Pool of South Boston; one daughter, Donna P. Wilkins of Buffalo Junction; three brothers, W.E. 'Flip' Pool of South Boston, George E. Pool of Princeton, N.C. and Otis R. Pool of Great Falls; one sister, Dorothy P. Watts of South Boston; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Nathaniel and A. Frazier Pool; and sisters, Melvina P. Nelson, Virginia P. Lowery, Evon P. Comer, and Madeline P. Bishop.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Mecklenburg County Life Saving & Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1535, Clarksville, 23927, or Jamieson Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 5, Clarksville.

Sudie Womack Powell

Sudie Womack Powell, 82, of 3199 Thompson's Store Road, Vernon Hill died March 9 at Halifax Regional Hospital.

Mrs. Powell was born in Halifax County on March 21, 1921, the daughter of Jossie Womack. She was married to the late William Jackson Powell and was a member of New Zion Baptist Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Carolyn M. Owens of Forestville, Md.; seven sons, William Jackson Powell, James Fulton Powell, Lewis Edward Powell and Anthony Wayne Powell, all of Brooklyn, N.Y., Franklin B. Powell and Billy Ray Powell, both of Vernon Hill, and Bruce Andrew Powell of Durham, N.C.; her mother of Vernon Hill; two sisters, Gladys Barksdale of Nathalie and Alice Holt of Vernon Hill; three brothers, Roosevelt Womack of Brooklyn, Onzie Womack and Willie Mack Womack, both of Vernon Hill; 19 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mrs. Powell will be held tomorrow, March 13 at 1 p.m. at New Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. Willie Yancey officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The remains will lie-in-state at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.

The family will receive friends at the home.