Wednesday, March 31, 2004

SoBo Main Street Action Set April 12
Council To Hold Public Hearings On Additional Mobile Units At HCMS, Civic Club Signs During Next Meeting

A resolution was placed on South Boston Town Council's April 12 agenda that, if approved, could be the first step in creating jobs in the town's downtown district.

The action came as Council's two standing committees met Monday for their monthly work session.

Committee members agreed to place a resolution of support of Destination Downtown's application to be included in Virginia's Main Street Program.

The resolution stipulates that the town "guarantees that it will be a financial partner with the Main Street organization for five years," but no dollar amount is quoted in the resolution.

Town Manager Ted Daniel told the committee that town staff recommends an annual contribution of $50,000 over the period.

"We looked at the hiring of a Main Street manager and administrative staff and giving them the seed money to get them started," he said. "We felt ($50,000) would be a reasonable amount to get them up and going."

If approved by Council, the money will be funded as an economic development line item in the budget.

"The Main Street program is considered one of the many economic and community development tools used by a locality," Daniel said.

"(The funds) will be included in the proposed budget being prepared for Council's consideration," the town manager added. "But the resolution simply commits us to financial support, not a specific amount."

Daniel added that the town's financial support of the program will ensure:
• That a sustainable operating budget will be funded.

• A Main Street manager will be employed - a mandate for inclusion into the program.

• That an adequate level of clerical support will be provided to the Main Street executive director.

Destination Downtown President David Martin told the committee that inclusion in the program could mean jobs for the area.

He said that for communities included in the program over the past 11 years, the average number of businesses opening in Main Street districts is 169, with an average of 411 jobs established.

"We hope that in the next five years, we can come back here and see the difference made to South Boston's downtown area because of our inclusion in this program," Martin said.

Civic Club Signs

New policies for the placement of civic club signs on the town's gateway will also be placed on the April 12 agenda.

Daniel told the committee Monday that town staff had updated the town's policy on the application procedure.

"I think we've complied with your wishes," he said. "We believe we've come up with a viable system for handling the signs and maintaining control."

During the committee's February 2 work session, an application by the John M. Jordan Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans to place a sign at the South Boston gateway in Constitution Square resulted in the policy review.

South Boston Town Manager Ted Daniel told the committee during the earlier meeting that there was no policy in place for adding signs to the gateway.

After addressing the issue with town staff, the town manager offered the
following recommendations:

• Applications to install them would be made through the town's Department of Community Development.

• In order to participate in the program the organization must be non-profit, hold regular meetings within the corporate limits of the town, provide a sign approved by the Sign Review Committee and maintain the sign in good condition.

"The sign review committee will be a part of Destination Downtown," Daniel said.

The sign review committee will offer a recommendation to Council for approval before the sign is installed.

If passed following a public hearing during the April meeting, the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center could have a new sign at the southern gateway to the town.

Town Planner Lee Pambid told the committee Monday that the town's planning staff recommended approving an application for a special use permit from the Halifax Educational Foundation.

The application asks the town's permission to install a ground mounted sign in the southeast corner of the property overlooking U.S. 501.

According to architectural renderings, the sign will be eight feet in height and 140' of curved marquee surface.

The letters on the sign will each be 2'4" tall.

Mobile Units At HCMS

Pambid told the committee that town planning staff had recommended approval, with conditions, an application to install two additional mobile classrooms at Halifax County Middle School.

The two units will be located in the parking lot of the vocational building and each unit will be divided into two classrooms, according to a letter written by school system Special Projects Manager Dan Chmiel.

"There is a larger than normal group of eighth-grade students that must be accommodated," Chmiel wrote.

If approved by Council, the units are expected to be installed over summer break.

Pambid said the town's Planning Commission had recommended approval of the application with the condition of a five-year sunset on the permit after a three-year review for need and overall student population.

"This is a shame," Councilman Coleman Speece commented. "We have to solve this problem for our children. We have no choice."

The item is set for a public hearing during the April 12 meeting.

A third public hearing is set on a proposed ordinance to allow auctions in B-3 and AR zoning districts.

The issue arose after Dr. Lewis Johnston approached Council last month asking for the permission for Brenda Couch and Jerry Throckmorton to hold auctions in the former Gathering Spot location.

Dr. Johnston asked Council during the earlier meeting for a special variance from the zoning ordinance to allow two auctions per month in the South Boston Venture Center.

Johnston told the group that two occupants, Couch and Throckmorton, had been conducting auctions at the location in the past, unaware a zoning change was needed.

"I've polled our tenants," Johnston said when he approached Council about the proposal. "I've had no complaints about auctions being performed there."
During Monday's meeting, Pambid told the committee that he had been allowing one auction per month "provided they donate to a non-profit organization as the ordinance stipulates."

Council will also hold a public hearing on the town's participation in the Halifax Trails Program.

Carol Corker, with the Southside Planning District Commission, told the committee that the proposed bicycle and pedestrian trails are designed to highlight the county's historic and natural assets.

The trails will include a network of both on and off-road paths.

"We're looking at The Prizery, the railbed west from Riverstone and Berry Hill and the Dan River East trail following the easements to Staunton River State Park," Corker said.

Several of the easements currently held by the town provide connection points to the Town of Halifax, she added.

Pambid told the committee that within the town, the emphasis for the program is placed on cross-town connections utilizing Edmunds Street as the east/west routes and Main Street as the north/south routes.

"Several other routes would split off from these primary routes," he said.
"The North Main Street corridor was the primary north/south access and would connect downtown and centerville, but would allow you to connect to various points of interest like the boat ramp and Berry Hill," Pambid added.
The planner said the bike plan serves a dual purpose of transportation and recreation.

"Earlier this month, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the issue and is recommending approval of the plan," Pambid said.

In other business, Daniel told the committee the town needed to clarify its sewer lateral maintenance policy.

"The issue of who owns and maintains the lateral lines has been a recurring problem," he said. "Essentially, what we're doing here is establishing and affirming in writing what we've been doing all along."

Under the policy, property owners are responsible for maintaining the lateral line from the street to their property.

"This includes cleaning, rodding, root cutting and removal of blockages to maintain... services to the building," the policy reads.

Finance Committee

Following a request from the owners of the burned JPS building to waive the landfill tipping fees, members of the town's Finance Committee recommended that Councilman Tom Raab and Councilman Carroll Thackston represent the town on the issue.

"From my perspective, I thought the route (Halifax County Supervisor Doug Bowman) proposed was perfect," Mayor Glen Abernathy said. "I couldn't envision us having a problem with any of it."

During the joint meeting with the towns earlier this month, Bowman said that if jobs were created as a result of the waiver, he could see it being appropriate.
The supervisor said that as a matter of policy, he felt the two should be interconnected.

Town and county public works staff have estimated a total tonnage to be removed as a result of the building fire at 1,115 tons.

South Boston is estimated to receive tipping fees of approximately $10,428 from the site.

Finance Committee members also agreed to put a proposal from Halifax Regional Hospital to refinance their revenue bonds on April's Council agenda.

Town Finance Director Vandie Saunders said that because the hospital is located within town limits, the move required Council to take action.

In his monthly update on the town's finances, Saunders told the group Monday night that as of February 29, the town's general fund balance was $2,833,476.

The landfill fund was $367,262, and has been set aside to be used to work toward the closing of the current landfill site in 2007.

The cemetery fund balance, which is used for the maintenance of the town's cemeteries, is $480,745.

The water and sewer fund balance is in the red at $2,504,933, Saunders reported.

Veteran Postman Retires
After 30-Year Career, Willie Fitts Will Be Remembered For Smile, Humor

A South Boston institution will be no more.

With the retirement of Willie Fitts from the South Boston Post Office, customers will have to look elsewhere for their daily smile.

After a 30-year career with the post office, beginning March 30, 1974, the veteran clerk was characteristically all smiles as he said goodbye to his customers, friends and co-workers yesterday.

Fitts spent his last day at his station at the counter surrounded by flowers and balloons from well-wishers.

"I'm going to miss the people I work with and the customers," he said. "Some of them came in and I saw them every day.

"They became friends," Fitts added.

What about the work?

"Oh, I'm not going to miss that," he said with a laugh.

The veteran postman said he planned to spend his retirement doing "pretty much nothing."

"I love working in the yard," he said. "I guess I'll just piddle around and enjoy myself."

One of those friends, Ahmad Hasan, said yesterday that Fitts would be truly missed.

"I looked forward to coming in here because of him," he said. "He always seemed to like helping people and was ready with whatever you needed.

"I'm really going to miss his sense of humor," Hasan added. "He is one of those people who can brighten your day."

New County Vision 2020 Gets Under Way Tuesday
Firm Will Help Halifax Chart Course For Future

Market Street Services, a firm that specializes in helping communities chart a course for the future, kicks off its work here Tuesday.

"This will affect all our citizens," said Nancy Pool, president of the Chamber of Commerce.

"It is a collaborative process throughout the county."

The Rev. Russell Lee, a member of the Visioning Steering Committee, agrees input "must come from the whole county."

"What do we want to be in 2020?" asked Lee.

"This is grassroots, from the bottom up," emphasized Pool.

Market Street Services will help develop the vision statement, provide structure and a game plan to get there.

"A united plan so we are all playing off the same sheet of music in concert," added Pool.

"This is something we can leave for our children," said Jack Caldwell, a member of the Vision committee.

During the 14-week process, company representatives will meet with focus groups, conduct surveys and meet with government officials, educators, economic development groups and citizens throughout the county.

During the Visioning meeting Monday night, leaders sought input from about 30 county residents gathered at The Prizery and urged them to bring friends, church members and civic groups into the process.

Market Street begins its "windshield tour" of the community Tuesday, April 6.
Market Street is currently working with Martinsville, Vance County, N.C., and Austin, Texas.

All-Around Athlete
John Burton, A Four-Sport Letterman, Champion Tennis
Player And Racing Champion, Will Be Inducted Into The Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall Of Fame

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

When it comes to sports, there is little that John Burton hasn't done.

The South Boston resident was a four-sport letterman at Halifax County High School, is a champion tennis and golf player, a former basketball and golf coach at the former Halifax County Academy, a youth baseball coach, racer, and, a spotter and crew member for NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams for which his sons, Ward Burton and Jeff Burton, have driven.

Burton's involvement in sports as well as his many years of involvement in community service and business affairs have led him to become one of this year's inductees into the Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall of Fame.

Burton, along with Buddy Yancey and Les Dillard, have been selected as this year's inductees into the Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall of Fame.

The annual Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet will be held Saturday at 6 p.m. at C.H. Friend Elementary School in South Boston.

Advance tickets are being sold for $20 each.

Tickets may be purchased at Waskey Cleaners, the office of Dr. James Priest, Gravitt & Gravitt PC, Electric Service Company, Halifax Pharmacy, Edmondson Cleaners and the Gazette Virginian.

Tickets may also be purchased by calling Addison Marable at 572-3031.
Only 250 tickets will be sold.

If any tickets are available after advance sales have been completed, they will be sold at the door for $25 each.

Burton is a well-known athlete in this area, having played and lettered in four different sports in the same year at Halifax County High School.

In football, Burton, in 1957, led the team in yards rushing, most yards on kickoff returns and most tackles on defense.

While playing baseball during the 1957 season, Burton led the team in hitting with a .378 average, led the team in stolen bases with 17, led the team in runs scored with 25 and, as the team's top pitcher, compiled a 3-2 record.

In track and field, Burton led the team in the 100-yard dash, the 220-yard dash and the broad jump.

Burton also played basketball and was the point guard for the Comets basketball team.

In addition, Burton was a winning pitcher in the Halifax County Baseball League while pitching for the Alton team. In 1956, he compiled a 4-2 pitching record.

As a coach, Burton compiled a 74-9 record as the basketball coach at the former Halifax County Academy.

He also served as the school's golf coach.

In addition, Burton coached in the area youth baseball leagues as a T-Ball coach.

An avid tennis player, Burton has won multiple tennis championships over the years.

Last year, Burton won the Virginia state USTA tennis championship in the 65 Age Division.

He is also a Tennis Club Champion at Sterling Oaks Country Club in Naples, Fla., a club champion at Spanish Wells Country Club in Bonita Springs, Fla., and is a Fort Myer, Fla. Champion at the Fort Myer Racquet Club.

Burton is a former winner of the Oxford (N.C.) City Championship, the Roxboro (N.C.) City Championship, is a former Club Champion at Halifax Country Club and is a former winner of the Member-Guest Tennis Championship at Halifax Country Club.

The South Boston resident is also an accomplished golfer and is a former winner of the Halifax Country Club Championship golf tournament.

Burton is a former winner of the Member-Guest Golf Championship at both Halifax Country Club and Green's Folly Golf Course.

While Burton has had a love for and good deal of success in many sports, he has also had a love for racing and in an accomplished racer in his own right.
Last year, Burton competed in three Sports Car Club of American sanctioned races at Virginia International Raceway at Alton.

Competing in the E Production class, Burton finished second in each of the races which featured fields of over 50 cars.

He was a drag racing champion at VIR in 1959, a winner of the U.S. Route 40 Race Championship at a speedway near Cody, and is a former go-kart racing champion, having won a Virginia Karting Association championship in the Modified division.

Burton is one of the founders of the Virginia Karting Association and served as the organization's president.

The Virginia Karting Association honored Burton by presenting him the Stan Bray Memorial Award for Dedication To Karting.

Burton has played a major role in the racing careers of his two racing sons, Ward Burton and Jeff Burton.

He was the owner, manager and crew chief of the go-kart racing teams for Ward, Jeff and their brother, Brian Burton.

In addition, Burton was the owner of the NASCAR Late Model Stock Car and NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division race teams for Ward and Jeff Burton.

He also served as a spotter and crew member of the Busch Series and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams for which his two racing sons drove.

Burton is a charter member of the Southfax Sertoma Club and was the founder and chairman of the Southfax Sertoma Club Golf Tournament.
In addition, Burton was one of the founders of the Halifax County Gun Club.
Burton has been a big supporter of sports programs in Halifax County through the years.

He is noted as being a longtime supporter of the athletic program at Halifax County High School with donations of both time and money.