Wednesday, April 14, 2004

Mayor Calls Print Media ‘Deceitful’
Accuses Newspapers Of Misleading Public In Monday's Story On Councilman Elliott's Alleged Conflict Of Interest

South Boston Mayor Glen Abernathy charged the town's two newspapers with printing "deceitful" stories about alleged conflict of interest on Council during Monday night's Town Council meeting.

"This is something I had strongly wished and hoped I would never have to do," Abernathy said. "But your lead article in both papers today said that it is the responsibility of the mayor and members of Council to keep the public informed."

The mayor said that figures printed by the papers as a result of a letter to the editor by attorney J. Willard Greer, a former Commonwealth's Attorney, misled the public about the amount of money paid to Elliott Electric Company.

Councilman Chris Elliott is vice-president of the company that has received $357,961.90 in payments since 1996, according to the letter.

"Councilman Elliott was elected to this office in May of 2000," the mayor said. "He assumed office July first of 2000."

Between 1996 and 2000, Elliott Electric Service received payments totalling $83,082.57 from the town, according to the records obtained by Greer through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Since 2000, the company has received $274,879.33 in payments from South Boston.

The payments were as follows, according to Greer's letter:

• 2000 - $48,960.55.

• 2001 - $148,634.57.

• 2002 - $40,952.17.

• 2003 - $31,307.06.

Through February of 2004, South Boston had paid the company $5,024.98, according to the figures.

"Absolutely no figures," Abernathy said, "absolutely no total figures (of the payments to Elliott Electric) should have been included in your article as they were in your article as (Elliott) was not a member of this council for four of those years.

"That is deceitful," the mayor continued. "Deceitful by the person who sent you the letter and deceitful from both of you."

Both papers, Abernathy suggested, owe the public and Elliott a front-page apology.

Elliott, who has refused to comment on the issue, faxed the following message to the G-V offices yesterday:

"At the present I have no further comment and will release a statement when I feel that it is appropriate," he wrote.

While Virginia Attorney General Jerry Kilgore is the only person authorized to rule on conflict of interest issues, Halifax County Commonwealth's Attorney Kim White wrote an "advisory opinion" submitted to the paper yesterday.

In her letter addressed to South Boston Town Council, White said she found no conflict based on Virginia Code.

"The code sets out a number of exceptions to the general prohibitions," she wrote.

One exception is relevant in the Elliott case, according to the Commonwealth's Attorney.

"The general prohibition does not apply to an officer 'whose sole personal interest in a contract with the governmental agency is by reason of income from the contracting firm... providing the officer... or a member of his immediate family does not participate and has no authority to participate in the procurement or letting of such contract on behalf of the contracting firm and the officer... either does not have authority to participate in the procurement of letting of the contract on behalf of his governmental agency or he disqualifies himself as a member of public record,'" White wrote.

"It is my belief that this exception applies and therefore Mr. Elliott's relationship with Elliott Electric Service Inc. and his position as a Town Council member do not, in and of themselves, violate the State and Local Government Conflict of Interest Act."

White said that based on information provided by South Boston Town Manager Ted Daniel and Elliott, the councilman's position in the company does not preclude him from serving on Council.

"It... is clear that Mr. Elliott has no ownership interest in (the company)," she wrote. "Although Mr. Elliott is an officer in the incorporation, he owns no stock and has no decision-making authority in the relevant operations of the incorporation like hiring, firing, compensation, fee setting, etc.

"Finally, while the person who exercises most of the authority in Elliott Electric Service Inc., and who owns all of the stock in the incorporation is Mr. Elliott's father according to the code definition, he is not a member of Mr. Elliott's immediate family."

Virginia Code defines immediate family as (1) a spouse or (2) any other person residing in the same household as the officer or employee, who is a dependent of the officer or employee or of whom the officer or employee is a dependent.

Customer Service Is New SoBo Postmaster’s Priority

With an easy-going personality and a quick smile, South Boston's new postmaster promises to focus on pleasing the customer.

"I'm a customer-service oriented manager," Randy Alderson said Monday. "I want to provide our customers with the best and most professional service we can give."

To illustrate the point, Alderson said that in the near future he wants to host a customer appreciation day where postal customers can get to know him.

"It will give the customers a chance to meet me and will give me a chance to hear any concerns they may have," he said.

A 30-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service, the Danville native began his career as a Post Office Clerk in Ruffin, N.C. in 1974.

Throughout his career, Alderson has held various posts, including manager of the remote coding operation in Lynchburg, Customer Service Supervisor in Frederick and Cantonsville, Maryland and Postmaster of Frostburg, Maryland.
He held the position of Postmaster in Chatham before taking over the helm of the South Boston operation.

The message he wants to deliver:

"I'm here to serve the public," he said. "If there is any problem whatsoever, I want to know about it."

Speedway, Fairgrounds Market Study Set
One Listed In Critical Condition; Passenger ‘Doing As Well As Can Be Expected’ Following Surgery

County officials are seeking proposals for a market research study for the South Boston Speedway, the Halifax County Fairgrounds and nearby properties.

Proposals for the study are to be in the hands of county officials by April 20.
South Boston Speedway president Joe Mattioli said earlier this week one of his companies had negotiated an option for the purchase of the fairgrounds property.

He said market research will identify what the possibilities are for the creation of motorsports related businesses and jobs on and around those properties as well as the possibilities for the creation of other types of business or entertainment ventures,

"One of the things we have discussed is an oval test track," Mattioli said, "and whether or not it would attract race teams to relocate in Halifax County.

"The study could also identify what kinds of attractions, what kinds of entertainment, what kinds of businesses could bring more business and tourism to Halifax County and create more jobs for the community.

"Maybe it's a waterpark, maybe it's an outlet mall," he added.

Scott Morris, the executive director of the Industrial Development Authority, said yesterday a grant of up to $25,000 from the Department of Housing and Community Development will be used to pay for the study.

Morris said after a contract is awarded, the turnaround time for the completion of the study is expected to be in the neighborhood of 60 to 90 days.

The IDA executive director said the move to undertake the study ties into the Governor's motorsports initiative.

"We have two major motorsports complexes here with VIR and South Boston Speedway," explained Morris.

"We have been doing a lot of things relating to VIR and what opportunities there are for job creation.

"What we are doing with South Boston Speedway is looking at opportunities for research and direct job creation."

"This study will tell us what the possibilities are."

Morris pointed out there are many roles in the world of motorsports "and I think we have a lot of roles to play."

Noting the recent demise of neighboring Orange County Speedway and the importance of motorsports in the community, Morris said it is important to attempt to grow and build motorsports industry around the South Boston Speedway as is being done at VIR.

"We've got an obligation to try to take it to another level or risk it going away one day," Morris said.

Spencer Jr. Follows Father’s Driving Style

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

Young Jimmy Spencer Jr. hasn’t yet developed the physical stature of his famous father, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Jimmy Spencer.

But, he has taken on the aggressive, hard-charging driving style of his father.

“I’m a guy that’s going to be up on the wheel from green flag to checkered flag,” said the 17-year-old soon-to-be high school graduate during a break in a test session here at South Boston Speedway.

“If you’re a racecar driver, you need to be up on the wheel the whole time. There is no time to relax. Racing is all about stamina and endurance. If I have a car that’s running up front, I’m running up front.

“My driving style is going to be aggressive,” he continued.

“I’m still going to be cautious and smart about things and not make stupid moves.”

Spencer will be making his debut in the touring USAR Hooters ProCup Series when the stars and cars of the USAR Hooters ProCup Series converge on South Boston Speedway Saturday for the Lucas Oil 250, the season-opening race for the USAR’s Northern Division.

Saturday’s 250-lap event at South Boston Speedway will be Spencer’s first race in the USAR Hooters ProCup Series.

“I think it will be fun,” Spencer said.

“Jason Sarvis, a past champion in the series, is helping me. With that, along with my dad’s help, I’m pretty sure I can move up and, hopefully, capture a win before the year is up.”

Spencer says he is excited about his new racing venture and that he is looking at a modest goal for this weekend’s ProCup Series Northern Division opener.

“I’m just going to look to finish the race and try to bring home a top ten finish,” Spencer pointed out.

The young North Carolina resident admits that he may have a few butterflies in his stomach by the time the race starts Saturday.

“Right now, I’m not so much nervous,” said Spencer, “just anxious.

“By the time race time comes, I think I’ll be a little on the nervous side. As long as I can keep my concentration I’ll be okay. I’ll have Jason coaching me the whole way and I know our pit crew will have good stops.

“It’s going to be the passing and getting around the slower cars that I’m going to be nervous about more than anything else,” Spencer continued.

“I don’t want to tear anything up.”

Spencer says he is looking forward to tackling the storied .4-mile South Boston Speedway oval this weekend.

“It’s a pretty neat litle track.,” Spencer said.

“It’s kind of fun. Coming off of (turn) four it is going to be snug when it’s two or three wide. I like the way it’s nice and tight. The banking in the corners is good and I like the way you can come down onto the apron. and still make your car come off the corner. The speed is not anything like Texas or Michigan but it’s still pretty quick.”

Spencer has a good situation going heading into the season as he and Sarvis will both compete on the USAR Hooters ProCup Series circuit driving cars owned by the elder Spencer. That combination of circumstances, Spencer says, should translate into a good season.

“Jason is going to compete in the Southern Division and I hope he can bring home four or five wins,” Spencer said.

“With my father being the car owner, I think with the resources we have we should easily be able to win four or five races. I’m hoping I can finish in the top ten the first two races, bring the car home in one piece and see how the season progresses. “

Spencer is optimistic about the season, saying he feels he and his team should be in posture to put a win on the scoreboard in the second half of the season.

“I feel we should definitely be ready the second half of the season,” he pointed out.

“Most likely the first half (of the season) will be mostly a learning experience. Once I learn how to drive and set the car up, I’ll be able to get to a more competitive level to compete against guys like Benny Gordon, Shane Huffman and Bobby Gill and Jason.”

The track Spencer says he would like to win at most is the high-banked half-mile Bristol oval.

“That’s been my dad’s favorite track for as long as I can remember,” Spencer pointed out.

“He’s never really had the luck there he’d like to have. He’s led a couple of different times there and something has always happened. I’m hoping by that time (the time of the Bristol race) I can get to that level of competitiveness that I can win Bristol. That’s my number one goal. I’d probably break down in tears because I love that place so much. I love that place more than Daytona.”

Spencer enters Saturday’s 250-lap race at South Boston Speedway with a five-year racing background.

“When I was turning 11 or so, I was into racing,” Spencer explained.

“When I turned 12, I got into the Bandolero division (of Legends Cars racing) and was in that for three years or so. I ran Concord (Concord N.C.
Motorsports Park), the inner track at Charlotte (Lowes Motor Speedway) and the road course located in the backstretch of the infield (at Lowes Motor Speedway).

Spencer has been involved in some testing of NASCAR Busch Series cars at Hickory, N.C. and other short tracks.

“I’ve tested and tested over and over again,” he said.

“My dad keeps pushing for seat time. Last year, I ran my first Late Model race against Tony Stewart at Shangri-La, N.Y. during the Watkins Glen weekend. There were about 12 of us out there, some pit crew guys, Tony and me, in a 30-lap race. After that, my dad ran me in some late models, twice at Hickory, Concord and Myrtle Beach (S.C.).”

In all, Spencer has competed in four Late Model Stock Car races.
Spencer points out there is quite a bit of difference in racing a Late Model Stock Car and driving and racing a Hooters ProCup Series or NASCAR Busch Series car.

“With the way we tested here at South Boston and what I have done in the past, most of it (driving the Hooters ProCup Series car) is car control and being able to find a good line,” explained Spencer.

“The Late Models have less horsepower and they’re lighter. When you move up to the ProCup and Busch Series, you have to learn to adjust to the weight and the power of the car. You can pick your throttle up sooner. You have more power off the corner. You have to get harder on the brakes into the corner.

“I think I’ve impressed my dad and all of my crew guys and Jason are comfortably behind me and feel we’ll be good,” added Spencer.

“Hopefully, we won’t tear up anything too badly this year and we can run the whole season.”

The USAR Hooters ProCup Series, Spencer said, is a good circuit for aspiring young racers like himself to compete on and learn on.

“The good thing about the ProCup Series is that it is all short tracks, side-by-side racing and beating and banging,” noted Spencer.

“It will teach me a lot about judgement and how to move the car.”
Spencer says he wants to make a career in racing.

“I’m addicted to it,” he said.

“I can’t live without it. At the end of this month or the first week in May, I’ll be graduating. I’m in a home-school program Texas Tech University sends up.

That way I can get my schoolwork done quicker and turn my life over to racing.”

Obituaries

Lena Mae Lindsey

Lena Mae Lindsey, 78, of Saxe died April 12. She was the daughter of the late Daniel Grove and Myrtle Grove Tuck. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by three infant children, Roy Edward, Violet Maxine and Bonnie Marlene.

Survivors of Mrs. Lindsey include her husband, Edward Brown, Lindsey of Berry Hill Nursing Home; three children, Michael Wayne Lindsey and his wife, Faye, of Clover, Dolly L. Gilbert and her husband, Jesse, of Forest; and Danny Lindsey of Randolph; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; three sisters, Virgie Willet, Betsy Yates and Mary Yates; and one brother, Bill Grove.

A funeral service will be held tomorrow, April 15 at 2 p.m. in Southhall United Methodist Church with burial in the Saxe Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Browning Funeral Home in Keysville from 7:00 until 8:30 this evening, April 14, and other times at the home of Michael Wayne Lindsey, 1024 Neal's Corner Road, Clover.

Rufus Wayne Thompson

Rufus Wayne Thompson, 55, of South Boston died April 13 in Halifax Regional Hospital.

Born April 1, 1949, in Pittsylvania County, he was the son of the late Edgar Thompson and Addie Brooks Thompson Dalton. Mr. Thompson was a member of Mulberry Baptist Church, and was a farmer.

Survivors include four brothers, Owen Thompson, Ray Thompson and Doug Thompson, all of Gretna, and Bob Thompson of Nathalie. He was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Jane Thompson.

Graveside services will be held tomorrow, April 15 at 11 a.m. at Mulberry Baptist Church Cemetery by the Rev. Stephen W. Byrd.

The family will receive friends this evening, April 14, from 7 to 8 at Colbert-Moran Funeral Home in Gretna.

Willie Lee Williams

Willie Lee Williams, 74, of 201 Logan Street, South Boston died April 10 at Halifax Regional Hospital.

Mr. Williams was born in Halifax County on July 18, 1929, the son of the late Ardalia Williams Reed. He was married to the late Sarah Frances Palmer Williams and was a member of First Baptist Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Brenda Stewart of Windsor, Conn.; five sons, Willie Williams Jr. and Ellis Williams, both of Washington, D.C., Sterling Williams of South Boston, Lenwood Williams of Upper Marboro, Md. and Chris Roseburough of Fredericksburg; 27 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Mr. Williams was also preceded in death by two brothers, Ellis Williams and Sterling Williams.

A funeral service will be held tomorrow, April 15 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Ferry Street, South Boston with the Rev. Dr. Alan G. Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Garden Cemetery.

The family is receiving friends at the home.