South Boston Town Council's Finance Committee will get its first glimpse at fiscal 2000 when it meets today in Council chambers on Yancey Street.
The Finance Committee will be presented the first draft of the 1999-2000 budget by Town Manager Ted Daniel.
This transaction will touch off a sequence of Committee and Council meetings in the remaining portion of this fiscal year, and will result in the adoption of the 1999-2000 budget prior to the end of the current fiscal year.
A schedule for the budget meetings will be considered in today's committee meeting.
Also today, the Finance Committee will talk about the water and sewer rate study.
Major public works projects also will be on the Finance Committee agenda, these including the expansion and improvement of the wastewater treatment plant; the raw water intake project of the water filtration plant; the landfill, including consent order requirements, the entrance relocation and property acquisition, along with a number of other matters.
The Finance Committee will be endeavoring to put together a list of recommendations that it can present to Council for action at its next meeting on Monday, April 12.
The Finance Committee will meet right after the Current Issues Committee meets at 5:45 p.m. in Council Chambers.
The Current Issues Committee will:
*hear a Board of Viewers report on the possible closing of a portion of Worsham Street at Centerville,
*take a look at gravity sewer flow metering in Riverdale,
*receive background information on the Penick Avenue pool and its closing,
*consider a resolution of support for the Sutphin Road CDBG project,
*take up other business that regularly comes before the Current Issues Committee.
The committee meeting is open to the public.

Halifax County Planning Commissioners will open on a sad note Tuesday evening, an evening which will include a resolution honoring one of their members, Johnnie B. Elliott, who died last week.
On the business agenda, commissioners will hold a public hearing at 8 p.m. on the rezoning application of Seymour and Fannie Barnes.
The Commission opens its Tuesday session at 7:30 p.m. in the second floor Conference Room at Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
The Barnes are seeking rezoning of 0.9 acres from A-1 and R-2 to B-2 for commercial activities. The proposed convenience store would be located near the intersection of Route 501 and Route 360 at the north corporate limits of the Town of Halifax. A portion of the extended property falls within the Town of Halifax.
Also on the Tuesday evening agenda, Department of Transportation comments on subdivision ordinance; shooting ranges/gun clubs; confined animal feeding; an application for zoning ordinance amendment -housing for the elderly in a B-2 zone; a resolution for the late Johnnie B. Elliott, a planning commission member.

BAILEY, NC (AP) - Few farmers live in this town of 560 anymore. But like dozens of other towns scattered across rural North Carolina, agriculture is its life blood.
Bailey's merchants depend on the farmers who work the fields of outlying Nash and Wilson counties to buy their tractors, their cards and trucks, their grain, their sofas and TVs.
With farmers hurting these days, merchants are worried. Moreover, they question whether political leaders truly understand their intense dependency on the farm economy.
"When I drive out in the country, I look at the churches. There's not a single one that would have been built without tobacco. You look at those volunteer fire departments, tobacco helped to build them," said Al Daniel, owner of Bailey Feed Mills.
Tobacco farmers face a second straight year of cuts in their quota - the amount of tobacco they are allowed to grown under the federal crop program. The cuts now total 35 percent. Other commodity prices are at historic lows.
Added to that is the uncertainty created by a national tobacco settlement that has driven up cigarette prices and promises to slash demand.
"Between tobacco and pigs, we went from gross sales of $8.5 million in 1997 to $6.5 mill in 1998," said Lee Brock, the owner of Brock Tractor Co. and Service Center. "We're going to be lucky to pull $3 million this year. One dollar spent by a tobacco farmer is turned 20 times in this community." Although state lawmakers have pledged to help communities like Bailey with North Carolina's $4.6 billion in proceeds from the settlement, Brock and other merchants wonder whether the money will ever make its way here.
If tobacco continues to decline, Daniel predicted land prices would also fall. "It's going to affect the tax rate in your county."
Already, farmers are grappling with declining equipment values, largely due to the drop in the tobacco acreage they are planting.
"When you have less moeny in a community, it's going to affect everything," Daniel said.
Farmers and agricultural-related businesses are not the only ones facing an uncertain future.
In towns like Bailey, farmers buy furniture and cars. They and their families also come to town to get their hair cut, fill their gas tanks and buy groceries.
Denny Liles, who has run Bailey Furniture Co. since 1966, estimates about a third of his customers are farmers.
"Farming is gradually going to go out, as we know it," Liles said. "What that will mean for a town like Bailey, I don't know."
Gary Brock, regional credit manager for Triangle Bank, says over the long term it will mean opportunities for other entrepreneurs to fill roles traditionally filled by farmers.
"But on a short-term effect, it will hurt," said Brock, who isn't related to Lee Brock.
Unlike Daniel, he is unsure land prices will suffer, even if the tobacco program is eventually replaced by a corporate structure in which large farmers grow leaf under contract for the cigarette makers.
"Even with the quota being cut, eastern North Carolina still produces the best tobacco in the world. It's still going to be raised," Brock said.
The North Carolina economy no longer is as dependent on tobacco as it once was. Farming made up only 1.9 percent of the gross state product in 1996.
However, tobacco receipts in Nash County, where Bailey is located, accounted for $41.5 million in 1996.
Bailey merchants say they are well aware, at this point at least, that it is the farmers who are suffering the most.
"I don't feel so sorry for the business, 'cause I feel the businesses can diversity," said Lee Brock. "The people I feel sorry for are the farmers."
Both Brock and Daniel were dismissive of the idea that farmers can switch to crops other than tobacco in the future. While tobacco provides a steady income, crops like corn and soybeans provide little return in North Carolina, he said.
"You can't go out and buy a $90,000 tractor to plant grain," Daniel said.
In 1997, tobacco brought farmers an average of $3,800 an acre, according to the state Department of Agriculture. An acre of corn produced on $260 an acre; cotton $450 an acre and soybeans $195 an acre.
Ultimately, no amount of money from a tobacco settlement will make up the difference in a healthy farm economy for rural North Carolina, Daniel said.
"When it comes to making a living on the land," he said, "there's not a crop that can take the place of tobacco."

A Clover teen was arrested on multiple charges following a family dispute Saturday.
Halifax County Sheriff's Deputies arrested Phillip Craig Fallen, 19, of Mt. Laurel Road, Clover and charged him with assualting Johnny Mack Williams Sr., and also charged him with underage possession of alcohol, public intoxication two counts of obstructing a law enforcement officer and attempting to escape custody.
Brian Scott Fallen, 27, of the same address, was also arrested and charged with assault and battery of a family or household member.
A Nathalie teen faces multiple drug charges following his arrest Friday evening.
Halifax County Deputy S.A. Jennings arrested Michael Deane Roe, 19, of Snow Road, Nathalie, and charged him with illegal possession of marijuana.
Roe also faces drug charges from October of last year.
According to the arrest reports, when he was arrested Friday, Roe was charged with illegal possession of marijuana and two counts of distribution of marijuana dating back to October 19, 1998.

A Halifax man was charged with driving under the influence after he ran into the rear of another vehicle Friday evening, according to reports from the Virginia State Police.
Richard D. Wood, 34, of Halifax, was driving a 1989 Pontiac four-door when he collided with the rear end of a 1987 Plymouth van operated by Phyllis Garber Epps on Route 614 one mile north of Route 716.
Damage to the Plymouth was estimated at $2,500, while the Pontiac sustained an estimated $3,000 in damages.
Investigating State Trooper M.S. Roark Jr. charged Wood with driving under the influence following the 7:10 p.m. accident.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Hog farmers in Malaysia grew impatient Monday with a government slaughter of thousands of pigs to halt the spread of a deadly virus, and started clubbing to death or burying alive their own animals, witnesses said.
Experts from the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were headed to the Southeast Asian nation to set up an office and laboratory to investigate the virus, which is blamed for more than 50 deaths.
Soldiers continued to shoot thousands of pigs for the third day in an effort to exterminate animals suspected of carrying Japanese encephalitis. The virus, which attacks the brain and causes high fever, vomiting and coma, is transmitted from pigs to humans by the Culex mosquito.
With the overnight death of a 31-year-old pig farmer, the death toll rose to 54. At least 40 of those deaths have occurred since January in the Negri Sembilan area, 60 miles southeast of the capital, Kuala Lumpur.
Deputy Director-General of Health Abdul Aziz Mahmood warned that a new strain of the virus is believed to be transmitted through direct contact with infected pigs.
''Those coming in contact with pigs or pork should take the necessary precautions and play it safe,'' Abdul Aziz was quoted as saying in the New Straits Times on Monday. ''Precautions include wearing protective clothing.''
Authorities had earlier said they would slaughter 64,000 pigs. But on Sunday they announced that more than 322,000 pigs in Negri Sembilan would be killed.
On Monday, police cordoned off vast areas containing hog farms where soldiers herded pigs and shot them. In other areas, witnesses said hog farmers beat to death their own pigs while others dumped pigs into mass graves to be buried alive.
The government ordered local newspapers to stop publishing gruesome photographs of pigs being shot to death in their pens or in mass graves.
Although the majority of Malaysians are Muslims who don't eat pork, the country is the leading pork producer in Southeast Asia. Pork prices have plummeted and the government has set up a fund to help devastated hog farmers.
While most of the farm workers and residents who died in areas with infected pigs were found to have Japanese encephalitis, doctors said they also found a virus called Hendra in some hospitalized patients. Health authorities are still uncertain whether the viruses were related.
As word of the outbreak spread, neighboring Singapore and Thailand banned imports of some Malaysian livestock.
One person has died and 10 have been hospitalized in Singapore with suspected encephalitis since the disease spread there last week from Malaysia.

Edward Owen Long of 5033 Harmony Rd., Alton, died March 27, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 81.
Born in Halifax County on March 16, 1918, Mr. Long was the son of the late Joseph Henry and Lillie Hite Long. He was a member of American Legion Post 8, D.A.V.-Chapter 3, Roanoke and Alton Baptist Church where he was a honorary lifetime Deacon.
His survivors include his wife: Eunice Brandon Long; daughter: Norma Bull of Riner; sons: Lowell O. Long of Alton and Rodney B. Long of Charlotte, NC; sister: Lillian Petway of Richmond; granddaughter: Erin R. Bull; grandsons: William B. Bull, James E. Long and Jason L. Long.
He was preceded in death by his sisters: Corina Smith and Bessie Humphries and brothers: Kendall, Hite and Bill Long.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, March 30 at 11 a.m. at Alton Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Phillip Duckett officiating.
Visitation will be held at Brooks Funeral Home tonight from 7-8:30 and at other times at the home.

Roger Elmer Francisco of 1008 Rickman Lane, Nathalie died March 28, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 89.
Mr. Francisco was born in Halifax County on July 9, 1909, the son of the late John Taylor and Matie Hazelwood Francisco. He was a member of the Hunting Creek Baptist Church.
His survivors include his wife: Doris Rickman Francisco; daughters: Joyce Ratliff of South Boston, Faye Glover of Powhatan and Phyllis Brooks of Richmond; sons: Wayne Francisco of Nathalie, Grady Francisco of Scottsburg; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sisters: Audrey Maxey and Alma Fallen and brothers: Clarence, James and George Francisco.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 30 at 2 p.m. at the Hunting Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Lee Roy Davis officiating. Burial will be held in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home and at other times at the home.

Joseph Wayne Powell of 12916 Red House Rd., Brookneal died Friday, March 26, 1999 at the age of 49.
Mr. Powell was born in Halifax Co. on February 25, 1950, the son of the late Raymond E. Powell and Frances Hudgins Shelton. He was a member of Liberty Congregational Christian Church and was a former member of the Brookneal Rescue Squad.
His survivors include his wife: Linda Harris Powell; son: Christopher Powell of Nathalie; step-son: Sam Smith of Lynchburg; step-daughters: Debra Guthrie of Nathalie, Gracie Rice of Gladys; brothers: Ray Powell of South Boston, Gerald Slade of Danville; sisters: Betty Greer of Raleigh, NC, Faye Trent of Clarksville, Ruth Bohannon of Danville, Judy Glass of Nathalie, six step-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held today, March 29 at 2 p.m. at Brookneal Church of God of Prophecy by the Rev. Clyde Crowder with burial in the Wickliffe Cemetery, Brookneal.

Ronald Wayne Crews, Sr. of 1009 Ronald's Lane, Long Island, died Thursday, March 25, 1999 at his home.
Mr. Crews was born in Halifax County on March 4, 1939, the son of the late William Abe Crews and Lillian Adams Crews. He was a member of the Buffalo Baptist Church.
His survivors include his wife: Jane Adams Crews; son: Ronald Wayne Crews Jr. of Long Island and a brother: John Irvin Crews of Long Island.
He was preceded in death by a brother, James Franklin Crews.
A funeral service was held Sunday afternoon, March 28 at Henderson Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Shelton Miles. Burial was held in the Wickliffe Cemetery.

Edward Wayne Tulloh of 2103 Mt. Carmel, Alton died March 26, 1999 at Lynchburg General Hospital, Lynchburg at the age of 62.
Born in Halifax County on June 10, 1936, Mr. Tulloh was the son of the late Marvin Edward and Gladys Taylor Tulloh. He was a member of Olive Branch United Methodist Church and the American Angus Association.
His survivors include Gwen Link of Alton; daughters: Deborah Carol Allen and Ginger Renee Tulloh of South Boston, Helen Gayle Thomason of Alton; three grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

A funeral service will be held at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel today, March 29 at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at Olive Branch U.M. Church Cemetery, Alton.

William Jennings Allen of 1607 North Main St., South Boston died March 26 at his home at the age of 77.
He was born in South Boston on June 9, 1921 to the late W.T. Allen and Lena Jennings Allen and was married to Iris Lee Glass Allen. Mr. Allen was a member of First Baptist Church and American Legion Post 8.
He is survived by his wife; daughter, Susan Allen of South Boston; son, William Thomas Allen, II of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Ashley Allen and Billy Allen.

A graveside service was held Sunday afternoon, March 28 with the Rev. Robert M. Fox. Jr. officiating. Burial took place in the Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family requests that those wishing to give memorials please consider First Baptist Church or the charity of your choice.

Nora Hodges Wilson of 4134 Old Cluster Springs Rd., South Boston died March 27, 1999 at the Woodview Nursing Home at the age of 85.
Born in Campbell Co. on March 10, 1914, she was the daughter of Joseph Rosser and Mary Sue Glasgow Hodges. Mrs. Wilson was a member of the First Crossroads Baptist Church and owned and operated Nora's Antiques.
Her survivors include her husband: Melvin Metts Wilson; daughter: Mary G. Link of Alton; granddaughter: Cheryl L. Throckmorton of Mechanicsville; grandsons: Ray L. Link of Alton and J. Nelson Link of Richmond and seven great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held today, March 29 at 3 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ken Williams and the Rev. Herbert Brown officiating. Burial will be held in Halifax Memorial Gardens.
For memorials please consider the First Crossroads Baptist Church.