An amendment proposed by Gov. Mark Warner and Speaker of the House Vance Wilkins that would impose a fee on trash dumped in landfills has local officials up in arms.
"This bill, if passed in its present form, will cost Halifax County over $250,000 a year," Delegate Clark Hogan said yesterday.
County Administrator Joe Morgan agrees.
"The South Boston landfill is taking in 200 tons of trash per day, which would amount to a $1,000 fee increase every day," Morgan said.
He added that businesses pay at the landfill when they bring in their waste, and that fee would increase as well.
"Right now they are paying $28 per ton of trash, and that would jump to $33," he said.
"My fervent prayer is that this bill isn't going to go through," said Ted Daniel, town manager of South Boston.
Daniel pointed out the adverse impact that the bill would have on businesses.
"If this bill passes, instead of paying $110 to dump, businesses could pay as much as $200 for the same service, and two-thirds of that would be sent to Richmond," he said.
"I hope the General Assembly come to their senses and doesn't pass this bill," the town manager said.
"Because if they do, we're going to have some tough issues to work out," he added.
According to a press release from Warner's office, the funds generated under the plan, known as the Commonwealth Conservation Initiative, will be used for open space preservation efforts.
"With the proceeds from these additional fees on trash disposal, we will generate more than $75 million annually for the Commonwealth's critical needs in open space preservation and water quality improvement," Warner said.
Under the proposed bill, a $5 per ton fee would be assessed on all trash taken to any public landfill.
The only exemptions are those localities that burn their trash in incinerators or private landfills owned by corporations.
"That means that localities who burn their trash would be paying 20 percent of other localities, and getting an equal share of the grants," Hogan said.
Hogan is worried that what the proposed legislation amounts to is a tax increase.
"The Board of Supervisors and Town Council won't be able to keep the fees the way they are with that type of increase, and you can't expect them to," the freshman delegate added.
Under the proposal, the money would go into a fund that would be administered by the Secretary of Natural Resources, who would choose how to distribute the money.
"Such guidelines shall provide for an equitable distribution of grant funding among all localities," the legislation states.
"The localities can apply for a grant to get their money back," Hogan added. "That's what they're telling us,"
He feels that Halifax County will never see any of the money paid into the plan.
With Halifax County being a rural county, Morgan said that the chances of getting funding for open spaces wasn't likely.
"I don't know that we would ever get any grant money," Morgan said yesterday.
"This is for green belts in Northern Virginia and Tidewater," Hogan claimed.
Hogan also has problems with the way the legislation is being pushed on the General Assembly.
"This bill has nothing to do with legislation that was originally passed," he said.
The legislation that was originally passed by both the House and Senate and sent to the Governor was to be used to fund the Department of Environmental Quality, Hogan said.
"We said that we weren't going to make businesses and localities give the DEQ a blank check," he added.
"While we want to make sure that the DEQ is properly funded, we wanted to cap the increase."
Warner then amended the legislation to include the trash fee.
"This is a major new initiative that is being put before the General Assembly without the chance for public comment," Hogan said. "It's irresponsible."
"We just spent 90 days working on a budget with a billion-dollar hole in it, telling the public that we had to cut the budget," he added.
"But now, less than a month later, we are going to raise taxes by $75 million without giving people a chance to voice their opinion about it," he said.
When asked how close the votes on the legislation were, Hogan said that they were "about even."
"The supposition is that the Senate will pass it, and there is a group in the House that is against the bill," he said.
Hogan said that although he is not making any friends by fighting the legislation, he is determined to continue, and wants to see the proposal tabled until the next session of the General Assembly.
"There's no way that I can support it the way that it is," the delegate said.
"I'm committed to see that this bill is not passed," he added.

"When people ask me where I'm from I tell them that I'm from the home of Ward Burton," Delegate Clarke Hogan told the cheering crowd of race fans at South Boston Speedway Saturday.
"This was overwhelming," a visibly emotional Ward Burton said as he and his family stepped off of the stage in the speedway infield during a celebration honoring the Winston Cup driver.
"I knew I was going to get emotional and I tried to hold some of that back. But, I'm not very good at that when the spotlight shines on me. This is pretty personal right here. There are family and friends here. It's not like I'm at a race in California or somewhere. This is something dear to my heart."
"It's very humbling," added Burton.
With a large crowd in the stands watching and applauding their approval, local and state dignitaries, motorsports personalities and others honored Burton for his recent Daytona 500 victory during the Ward Burton Celebration held in conjunction with the Textilease 300 ASA stock car race and the Elon University Twin 50-lap Late Model Stock Car division races.
Burton's win in the Daytona 500 marked the first time a Virginia driver has ever won stock car racing's most prestigious race.
"The people that did this made a super effort and I'm very grateful to everybody for what they have done tonight for me and my family," Burton added.
"There was no more fitting place to do it than here at Big Daddy's South Boston Speedway. Joe Mattioli and his family have done a super job with this race track and it's a great part of our community."
Dignitaries representing the Virginia General Assembly and House of Delegates presented Burton resolutions passed by the governing bodies. Halifax County Board of Supervisors Chairman David E. Martin also presented a resolution passed by the county governing body.
"Ward is the first Virginian ever to win the Daytona 500," Martin said.
"The Board of Supervisors wanted to make sure he knew how much we appreciate him."
Representatives from the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce, South Boston Town Council, Halifax Town Council, Elon University, the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation and the Motorsports Museum of Virginia also participated in the celebration.
Former South Boston Speedway Late Model Stock Car division track champion Elliott Sadler of Emporia, who finished second to Burton in the Daytona 500, and noted longtime Winston Cup Series car owner Junie Donleavey of Richmond were also on hand to honor Burton.
Among the top honors Burton received were Elon University's first ever presentation of the Phoenix Achievement Award. It was presented by Dr. Alan White, director of athletics for Elon University, and Trey Stewart, the director of the Elon University Athletics Foundation.
The award is a special achievement award presented to Elon University alumni who have achieved a significant accomplishment in their chosen profession or in the field of community service.
"We look for people who are good models for youth, who are of good character, who practice good citizenship, and we felt Ward Burton was a qualifier in all of those categories," Dr. White said.
"A man that wins the Daytona 500 is certainly deserving..."
"We were happy to be a part of this occasion along with the people of South Boston, who are extending their accolades," added Dr. White.
Delegate Clarke Hogan said he was very pleased to be able to participate in the program.
"It's wonderful to have Ward and Elliott Sadler here and let the rest of the state and the rest of the country know where we are and what people from here can do," Hogan said.
"It's a great accomplishment for Virginia and we're very proud of these fellows, Ward especially."
Burton's father, John Burton, called the celebration "overwhelming."
"Ward is so proud and so thankful for all of this," he said.
The father of two racing sons said that although he was hopeful, he never imagined that such a celebration would take place.
"We had hoped, but we didn't know. We worked hard. Ward was dedicated and so was Jeff and it paid off for them."
Summing up what many in the community were feeling, Martin said, "Ward has done a lot for this community, and we want to let him know that we recognize it and appreciate what he has contributed."

For the first time, Berry Hill is opening to the public as an executive conference and strategic planning retreat center.
The Center will welcome corporate retreats utilizing overnight lodging or, when available, offer meeting space only for day conferences.
"It's something we've planned to do for some time," Berry Hill General Manager Greg Poirier told potential users, regional officials and media guests Friday.
For the past two years the 284-year-old Berry Hill estate was exclusively used to train international executives and professionals from the AXA Group, a worldwide financial protection and wealth management organization.
Although AXA remains the National Historic Virginia Landmark's owner, the global economic spiral as well as the travel impact following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States prompted the change in Berry Hill's mission, Poirier said.
As a result, commercial groups can now book the conference center, taking advantage of the center's superb cuisine, recreational activities, which include a swimming pool, sauna, fitness room, tennis courts and walking and biking trails, for the first time.
The Berry Hill marketing team sees the conference center as competing with The Homestead, Williamsburg facilities and The Greenbrier in West Virginia for corporate business.
When AXA purchased the property, in addition to renovating the historic mansion, 88 guest rooms were added, including four VIP suites in the mansion.
Guest rooms offer voicemail, data ports for laptops and fax modems.
On-site technical experts keep the network going, while electronic message boards stationed throughout insure that guests are promptly notified of messages, faxes and e-mails.
Berry Hill's executive training center's sophisticated information and communications network includes: desktop PC's in the classroom; TV and streaming video; a high speed multimedia Local Area Network (LAN) to connect all Berry Hill computing devices; and complete high speed (T1) Internet access.
A highly secure site, the Berry Hill Conference Center features 15 meeting rooms with over 8,500 square feet of function space, and a 2,200 square foot formal dining room on a secluded 700 acre site.
Local Impact
The impact created by Berry Hill's public use could generate additional local and state tax dollars as well as additional staff at the center.
Projections aired Friday regarding local and state tax dollars ranged from $90,000 in 2002 up to $300,000 in 2005.
Berry Hill's History
Berry Hill was originally part of a 105,000-acre tract granted by the English Crown in 1728 to William Byrd II.
The property changed hands many times, belonging to families including Benjamin Harrison, a Virginia governor and a signer of the Declaration of Independent, General Edward Carrington and James Cole Bruce.
Bruce built the present Greek revival mansion in 1842.

SOUTH HILL - In an effort to alleviate the severe shortage of health care workers in the Southside, four area hospitals and Southside Virginia Community College are joining forces for a new nurse training program.
Calling the program the first of its kind among normally competitive entities, administrators from Community Memorial Healthcenter in South Hill, Halifax Regional Hospital in South Boston, Greensville Memorial Hospital in Emporia, and Southside Community Hospital in Farmville, gathered for a press conference Friday to announce that complete registered nursing programs will now be available on a local level.
"We are pleased to be here participating in this new registered nurse training program," said Halifax Regional CEO Chris Lumsden. "This program is extremely important, not only to our hospitals, but to the entire regional community."
Lumsden explained that previous registered nurse programs available through Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) could not provide required second-year clinical studies in the Southside area.
Students participating in those programs were forced to travel or relocate to Richmond to complete the entire second half of their training courses at hospitals in that area, he said.
While the long-distance commute kept many interested individuals from participating in the program, hospital officials believe that some who did participate relocated permanently and never returned to fill desperately needed positions in the Southside community.
"The answer to the health care worker shortage is right here in this community," he added. "Our local problems will not be fixed in Richmond or elsewhere; they will be fixed right here at home with this new program."
Lumsden said that the new program would help train members of the Southside community to fill critical positions at local hospitals and other health care facilities.
It would also offer rewarding job opportunities to those who have been displaced by recent or pending manufacturing plant shutdowns, he said.
Scott Burnette, CEO of Community Memorial Healthcenter, added that the only way the small community hospitals could afford such an expensive training initiative was to form a partnership and set aside "normal" competitiveness to address the common problem of nursing shortages.
"Normally, our four hospitals are competitors, but when it comes to needing qualified nurses we all have the same problem," he said. "This was a cooperative venture right from the start, and this wonderful program was enthusiastically received by all the hospitals and the community college when we began working together two years ago."
SVCC President Dr. John Cavan explained that the new two-year Registered Nurse program would begin in the fall of 2002.
The program will coincide with current nursing aid and licensed practical nurse programs available at several facilities working in partnership with SVCC, such as Estes Community Center in Chase City, and will accept a total of 40 students per year, he said.
High school students can also participate in the program, by taking dual enrollment classes that are listed in course requirements, officials said. Initial requirements include a "C" average in Algebra, Chemistry and Biology.
The officials speaking at Friday's event, including Lou Kaufman, CEO of Greensville Memorial and Southside Community Hospital CEO John Cowhig, hope that this new partnership will be the first of many designed to alleviate shortages in many key positions at local health care facilities.
They believe that such programs, along with a quality local health care system will help the region's efforts to increase economic development.
"Quality health care will help draw in new industry to our area, and this program can help provide desperately needed jobs," Cavan added. "Being located near major interstates and between several large cities, our area is ready to blossom - we are going to play a major role in new development here.
"And partnering with others in our community is the most effective way of providing opportunities to our residents."
Each hospital provided approximately $25,000 in "seed money" to help start the new program, but additional funds will be sought by the partnership to further fund the initiative, officials said.
In addition, each location will serve as a clinical training center for all students participating in the program.
Anyone interested in signing up for the program can contact Program Director Kristin Windon at SVCC at (888) 220-SVCC (7822). Or visit the program website, containing links to all four hospitals, at Southsidenurse.com.

Halifax County unleashed its bats on Cave Spring Friday night and the Knights paid the price.
The Comets nailed Cave Spring for nine hits including five hits in a seven-run fifth inning that lifted Halifax County to a 9-1 win over the Knights.
"We really stung the baseball," said Comets coach Kelvin Davis after his team improved to 2-0 in Western Valley District play and 5-1 overall.
"We showed Halifax is going to hit the baseball. We just went out there and took control of the ball game. That's what I like about these guys. They're willing to make the adjustments and do the little things that will help them become better."
The Comets got two hits each from Jonathan Milam, Brent Long and Casey Owen.
Milam's first hit, a two run homer in the bottom of the second inning, staked the Comets to a 2-0 lead which they held until they came up with the seven-run flurry in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 9-0 lead.
Chad Conner, Drew Lewis and Bruce Anderson, the designated hitter for hurler Justin King, had one hit each.
"We work on it (the hitting) day in and day out with hitting drills," Davis said
"I'm real pleased to sit back and see them do it."
While the Comets did the job with the bats, King did his share on the mound.
The Comets hurler held the Knights to two hits, the first of which was a single by University of Virginia-bound senior Tom Hagan who is a standout in three sports in the top of the first inning.
Cave Springs' other hit came from Evan Johnson, the Knights' leadoff batter in the top of the sixth inning.
His single, coupled with an error by the Comets later in the inning, produced the Knights' sole run of the game.
King allowed only two walks and fanned six batters.
"He performed to the top of his ability," Davis said.
"He showed a lot of poise out there."
"It was a great ball game for us," added Davis.
" My hat goes off to the guys. They did everything we asked them to do."
The Comets opened their scoring in the bottom of the second inning when Conner singled and Milam plated him with the two-run homer.
Owen and Chase Hetzell walked back-to-back to open the bottom of the fifth inning and moved up a base each on a sacrifice bunt by Jonathan Barbour.
Conner walked to load the sacks and Owen scored on a wild pitch.
A single by Milam plated Hetzell and Drew Lewis followed with a two -RBI double.
Anderson came up with his hit and a double by Long scored Lewis. A 2-RBI hit from Owen completed the big inning and gave the Comets a 9-0 lead.
Cave Spring scratched for its run in the top of the sixth inning to make it a 9-1 score.
The Knights got their leadoff batter on the sacks in the top of the seventh inning but the Comets retired the next three batters in order to end the game.
If there was a downside to the Comets' game it was the four defensive errors that they committed in the contest.
Only one of the errors bit them.
"We had a couple of miscues but that happens," said Davis.
The win was a big one for the Comets as they downed a team that made the post-season regional playoffs last year.
"We knew Cave Spring was going to bring a quality club in here," said Davis.
"This was a good ball club to get a big win against because I'm sure that later on this club is going to be right up there in the rankings for the tournament."
The Comets will have four days to prepare for their next game, a Western Valley District contest on the road against Franklin County.
Game time Friday in Rocky Mount is 5:30 p.m.

Margaret Agnes Grafton Cole

Margaret Agnes Grafton Cole, 89, of 1114 Occoneechee Trail, Halifax, died April 11 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Cole was born in Philadelphia, PA on June 28, 1912, the daughter of Charles D. Grafton and Edith Mae Grafton and was married to Charles Edward Cole. She attended First Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Clarksville Chapter 145.
Survivors include one daughter, Margaret Edith Cole Beach of Halifax; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial services for Mrs. Cole were held April 14 at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Russell Lee officiating.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider a charity of your choice.

Bessie McLaughlin Fitzgerald

Mrs. Bessie McLaughlin Fitzgerald of Henry Mill Road died Thursday, April 11, 2002, at her home.
Mrs. Fitzgerald was born in Pittsylvania County on December 10, 1914, and was 87 years of age at the time of her death. She was the daughter of the late John P. McLaughlin and the late Carrie Mayo McLaughlin.
She was married to the late William T. Fitzgerald.
Mrs. Fitzgerald was a member of the Shockoe Baptist Church.
She is survived by five daughters; Maragret Dixon-Daniel, Carrie Womack, both of Halifax, Clara Vaden of Chatham, Mable Guy of Java and Carolyn King of Philadelphia; one son; William I. Fitzgerald of Vernon Hill; one sister, Hattie M. Thompson of Ringgold; 35 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren and other relatives and friends.
Services for Mrs. Bessie McLaughlin Fitzgerald will be held today at Shockoe Baptist Church with the Rev. Kevin McNeill conducting the services.
Burial will take place in the church cemetery.

Garland Winford Glass

Garland Winford Glass, 75, of Lynchburg, died Saturday, April 13 at his residence. He was the husband of Lois Woodson Glass.
Mr. Glass was born in Halifax County January 23, 1927, the son of the late Noel and Ruth Blanks Glass. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in W.W. II, and was retired from General Electric.
He was a member of Beulah Baptist Church.
Mr. Glass was preceded in death by three sisters, Redecca Stanley, Mildred Davis and Virginia Garber.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Eugene Garland Glass of Lynchburg, a daughter, Brenda Glass Brumback and her husband, Richard Brumback Jr. of Manassas, a brother, James Henry Glass and a sister, Jane McBride, both of Halifax, and three grandchildren.
A funeral service for Garland Winford Glass will be held tomorrow, April 16, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Service with the Rev. Dr. Maurice T. McCarthy officiating.
Burial will follow in Fort Hill Memorial Park.
The family will recieve friends Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. until service time at the funeral home and other times at the residence.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Campbell County Rescue Squad and Beulah Baptist Church.

Otis Wayne Flippin

Otis Wayne Flippin, 73, tech. sgt. USAF (retired), died Thursday, April 11, 2002, at the Richmond VA Medical Center.
He was born in Mt. Airy, N.C., and had been a Hampton resident from 1948 until moving to Clarksville in 1983.
Mr. Flippin retired in 1970 from the USAF after 23 years of service, including tours of duty in the Korean Conflict and Vietnam.
He then worked in civil service at Fort Pickett, retiring in 1979.
Mr. Flippin was a member of Fox Hill Central United Methodist Church, Hampton, and the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, Chapter J, of South Boston.
He is survived by his wife, Marguerite Hall Flippin of Clarksville, a daughter, Susan F. Galloway of Hampton, a sister, Ann Martin of Martinsville, and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jack and Mary Hall of Hampton.
A graveside service with military honors will be conducted at 3 p.m. Monday in Clark Cemetery, Hampton, by the Rev. Emmett Murphy.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Clark Cemetery Association Road Fund, c/o Delbert Ligon, 20 Horton Road, Hampton, Va. 23664.

Jacob Gravitt

Mr. Jacob Gravitt, 63, of Buckshoal Road, Virgilina, died Friday, April 12, at the Halifax Regional Hospital.
He was born in Halifax County on February 24, 1939, and was the son of the late Jim Wilson and Mrs. Virginia Gravitt Richardson.
Mr. Gravitt was married to Mrs. Laura Mae Taylor Gravitt and was a member of the White Oak Fork Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife; Mrs. Laura Mae Taylor Gravitt, one daughter; Mrs. Lauren Brown of Washington, D.C.; three sons, Mr. Charles Gravitt, Mr Richard Gravitt and Mr. Jacob Gravitt Jr., all of Washington, D.C.; eight grandchildren; two brothers, Mr. Leon Gravitt and Mr. Eugene Gravitt of Philadelphia; one son-in-law; one brother-in-law; two sisters-in-law and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by one brother; Esau Gravitt.
Funeral services for Mr. Gravitt will be held Tuesday, April 16, at 2 p.m. at Jeters Chapel Baptist Church, with the reverend Glenn Faulkner officiating. Burial will follow in the White Oak Fork Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of the deceased, 4010 Buckshoal Rd., Virgilina.

Jeremia Lee Farmer

Jeremia Lee Farmer, three months old, of Halifax County, died Thursday.
Jeremia Lee Farmer was born in Halifax County on December 13, 2001, and was the son of Anna Farmer and Marvin Jennings of Halifax County.
Survivors include his parents and two sisters, Tanyakia L. Jennings and Dominique B. Jennings, both of the residence.
Other survivors include six aunts: Angela Farmer, Brenda Farmer, Connie Farmer and Sylvia Farmer, all of Farmville; Cynthia Farmer of Chatham and Yvonne Farmer of Danville; two uncles, Gary Farmer of Chatham and Johnny Farmer of Baltimore, Md.

Phillip Marvin Walden

Phillip Marvin Walden Sr., 83, of Bill Tuck Highway, Virgilina, died Friday, April 12 at his home. He was the husband of Ola Mae Thompson Walden.
Mr. Walden was born in Virginia on January 8, 1919, the son of the late Mortimore and late Annie Irby Walden. He was a member of Aarons Creek Baptist Church, Aarons Creek Ruritan Club, and was employed by Daystrom Furniture.
Survivors include his wife, one son, Phillip Marvin Walden Jr. and his wife, Brenda of Lillington, N.C., two grandchildren, Phillip Marvin Walden III and Gregory Ansel Walden and three great grandchildren.
A funeral service for Phillip Marvin Walden Sr. will be held today, April 15 at 2 p.m. at Aarons Creek Baptist Church, with the Rev. Bill McEntire and Rev. Richard Cooke conducting the service.
Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family requests that anyone wishing to give memorials consider the Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Ave., South Boston.

Jesse Wilson Landrum

Jesse Wilson Landrum, 75, of Fox Trail, South Boston, died Friday, April 12 at Halifax Regional Hospital. He was married to Virginia Henderson Landrum.
Mr. Landrum was born in Halifax County on November 28, 1922, the son of the late Johnnie A. Landrum and the late Allene Burton Landrum. He was a member of Union United Methodist Church and was a veteran of W.W. II.
Mr. Landrum is survived by his wife; two daughters, Jane L. Powell and husband Dean of South Boston and Patricia Ann Meadows and husband Gene of South Boston; one son, J.W. Landrum Jr and wife Brenda of South Boston; two grandchildren, Sherry W. Carver and husband Steve of Roxboro, N.C. and Jessica Landrum of South Boston; three step grandchildren, Michael, Shane and Chad; three great grandchildren, Justin, Jonathan and Jalen.
Mr. Landrum was preceded in death by one sister, Virginia L. Barksdale and one brother, Willis A. Landrum.
Graveside services for Jesse Wilson Landrum will be held today, April 15, at 11 a.m. at Union United Methodist Church Cemetery, with the Rev. Roger Wilborn conducting the service.