Clarke Hogan of South Boston is seeking the Republican nomination in a bid for the 60th District House of Delegates seat.
Hogan, president of the family-owned Ontario Hardwood Company in Keysville, tossed his hat into the political ring Sunday afternoon during a press conference at Halifax Courthouse.
He will face Nancy Carwile of Charlotte County in his bid for the GOP nomination. Both are seeking the seat currently held by Del. W.W. "Ted" Bennett of Halifax, a Democrat who is not seeking re-election.
The district's new boundaries, which are currently being redrawn as part of the redistricting process, are expected to be revealed later this week in the overall redistricting plan.
However, Hogan said Sunday that following a recent meeting with some of the Republican hierarchy that he felt that Halifax and Charlotte counties might be combined - along with other additions - into the new district.
Once the district's lines are drawn, GOP unit chairmen within the affected counties will decide whether the GOP nomination will be decided during mass meetings, a convention or an overall district meeting, explained 5th District GOP Chairman Tucker Watkins.
Hogan, a political newcomer, drew a cross section of county Republicans and Democrats to the Sunday announcement, including current and former members of the county Board of Supervisors, area businessmen, educators, farmers and civic leaders.
The candidate told the crowd that in Northern Virginia and other urban areas a hi-tech transformation and population explosion have altered Virginia's political landscape.
"In that larger context the needs and interests of Southside Virginia are overshadowed by the more populous areas, but that makes neither those needs less real nor our interests less dearly held," Hogan said.
"Therefore, our fewer voices must be stronger and more persistent if we are to protect our way of life and prosper in a rural community."
Hogan said that only with good secondary schools and strong adult education to re-train our workforce would the area be able to encourage new industry location.
"Much has been done to further these goals; there is much still to do. The expansion of Route 501 has barely begun. The new Continuing Education Center in South Boston is being built, but the funds needed to operate it in the long term are illusive," he said.
Hogan described Charlotte County's Industrial Park as progressing but said that for its success to continue companies with higher-paying jobs must be recruited.
"These goals cannot be accomplished with high-minded political philosophy but rather with a practical and realistic approach to the challenges of our community," Hogan told the crowd. "It is with these thoughts in mind and after careful discussion with my wife and family that I ask for your support in seeking the 60th District's seat in the Virginia House of Delegates."
Major General (Ret.) Carroll Thackston, who introduced Hogan during the Sunday press conference, described effective legislators who stay in the General Assembly as highly intelligent, personable, able speakers who are thoroughly committed to the job and maintain close contact with their constituents.
"And I also personally think that it is very helpful if that person has a business background," Thackston said.
"I have spent considerable time in the last few weeks talking with Clarke Hogan and I firmly believe that he is an outstanding and electable candidate." Thackston urged the crowd to listen to Hogan, study his resume, and then join in working hard "to send this outstanding young man to Richmond."
Hogan, 31, is married to Ellen Gray Maybank. They have three children, four-year-old Holt and twins Monte and Douglas, who are almost two years old.
Hogan attended Charlotte County public schools through the tenth grade, graduating from The Hill School in Pottstown, PA. He earned a B.A. in English from The University of the South, Sewanee, TN.
Hogan attends St. John's Episcopal Church in Halifax and presently serves on its vestry. He also serves on the Halifax Educational Foundation Board and is co-chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee for the CEC construction project. Hogan previously served on the board of directors for the Episcopal Boys' Home in Covington.

JPS Apparel Fabric officials say that limited production at its South Boston plant will resume today but that complete restoration of areas damaged in last Thursday night's fire could take up to 30 days to complete. What may have caused the fire that resulted in "significant" losses at the 60-year-old textile facility, estimated 350 persons, has still not been determined.
Just how many persons may be "temporarily" out of work due to the fire has not been said by plant officials.
JPS plant manager J.R. Griffin, in a prepared statement to the press, said that the company would be working closely with the Virginia Employment Commission to provide unemployment assistance to all JPS associates displaced by the fire.
It is known that an electrical power failure forced the textile plant to shut down production around noon on Friday.
While fire damage to the actual structure was described as minimal, water and smoke may have taken the larger toll.
"Fires were everywhere!" was how one of an estimated 45 fireman described the scene last Thursday around 6:30 p.m.
Fabric dust that had collected on ceiling beams fueled numerous flash fires.
Departments from South Boston, Cluster Springs and Halifax fought the stubborn blaze and remained on site for almost 12 hours.
Firemen said that the fire was concentrated in the weave room and spread to the ceiling and rooftop through the textile plant's ventilation system.
From the weave room, where as many as seven looms may have been damaged or destroyed, flames crept into air intake structures described by firemen as rooftop pent houses.
Constructed with heavy wooden beams and measuring approximately 18 feet in height from atop the roof, firemen were forced to cut into two of the structures in order to extinguish the fire.
Some firemen did not leave their command posts until 6 a.m. Friday morning.
Firemen said that an automatic fire detection system signaled the alarm and that when they arrived at the scene, they found only one maintenance worker.

South Boston's request for two election districts within its town limits may not be feasible, if the 2000 census data stands unchallenged.
That was one of the preliminary conclusions reached Thursday at a work session for the Halifax County Redistricting Advisory Committee.
"What South Boston Town Council wants to do conflicts with preserving racial voting strength," said Halifax County Administrator Joe Morgan.
South Boston Town Council had earlier adopted a resolution asking the Halifax County Redistricting Advisory Committee to consider the possibility of two election districts, in part to shorten the distance many of the town residents had to travel in order to vote.
Currently, there is one district located entirely within South Boston, with the remainder of town residents divided among five other election districts.
"It doesn't seem to be mathematically possible," added Morgan, after the six-hour work session on Thursday, in which census data was made available at four computer terminals for committee members to use in creating potential redistricting plans.
That data, presented at the work session by Carol Corker, senior planner for the Southside Planning District Commission, included maps showing the total population and black citizen population by census block.
According to Morgan, the committee got a good grasp of the demographics involved in redistricting by working with the computer models.
Morgan added that the committee was also working to address the establishment of two districts with a majority of non-white citizens in excess of 60 percent.
The Halifax County Branch of the NAACP and the Halifax County Business & Professional Council had requested, via e-mail, that two districts with a majority of non-white residents be preserved in the new plan.
Three plans were develped in concept at the work session, which were to be proofed for accuracy by staff and reviewed at the next meeting,
Due to the dispersion of non-white citizens thorughout the county, no such plans were identified that would establish two districts with a majority of non-white citizens in excess of 60 percent.
The committee agreed to meet again at 4 p.m. on April 3, in order to evaluate an increase or decrease in the number of election districts.
Measures for public access to computer programs for creating and evaluating redistricting plans will also be studied by the committe at that time.

YMCA Exceeds Goal In Fund-Raising

The South Boston-Halifax County YMCA concluded its 2001 Annual Support Campaign by exceeding its own goal.
The fund-raising drive exceeded its goal of $40,000, having raised $53,145 as of Thursday afternoon.
According to YMCA Executive Director Bill Harris, final tabulations are not complete, and the final amount will increase.
Harris was obviously satisfied with the efforts of everyone involved with the fund-raising campaign,
"All of the programs we intended to address with this campaign will be funded - kids swimming lessons, little girls softball, the high school after-prom party and the pre-kindergarten and other reading programs."
"The little girls softball has already started."
Harris spoke of the challenges of the campaign, saying that the community is "starting to understand what it needs and is going after it."
Sylvia Carey, chairman of the support campaign, paid tribute to Harris, saying one "has to have a knack for this and have persistence."
"For a first-timer, he (Harris) did a magnificent job," Carey said.
According to Carey, each of the six divisions involved in the campaign exceeded its goal of approximately $6,800, with the numbers continuing to grow.
"We've had a winning team, and the winner is the YMCA!" added Carey.
Chris Lumsden, CEO of Halifax Regional Hospital, spoke of his involvement with the local YMCA and its new-found focus and direction.
"I believe in the mission of the Y. Like a lot of other things, it's an asset to this community," said Lumsden.
According to Lumsden, the YMCA and the hospital were similar in that they were "owned by the community who are both stakeholders and shareholders."
"When I recruit physicians, they want to know about the local Y's and fitness centers. When people see a strong YMCA, they see a strong community."
Harris also recognized YMCA presidents Les Powell and Stewart Nelson for their contributions to the campaign, as well as Bret Berneche and Sylvia Carey during the reception.

By Joe Chandler
A trio of individuals who have been "impact players" on the local sports scene, Addison Marable, W.G. "Jiggs" Walton and Barry Saunders, were inducted Saturday night into the Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall of Fame.
Approximately 200 persons attended the 13th annual event which was held at C.H. Friend Elementary School for the second consecutive year.
The Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet only served as one of the top community sports-related events of the year, it was also a homecoming weekend.
A number of former C.H. Friend High School graduates were on hand for the occasion and the C.H. Friend High School Class of 1951 celebrated its 50th anniversary reunion over the weekend.
In addition to honoring the trio of inductees for the Class of 2001, three Halifax County High School student athletes were presented scholarships.
The $1,000 Buck Williams Scholarship presented by Bill Greer, was awarded to Scott Adams, a standout on the Halifax County High School golf and baseball teams.
Anna Lewis, a standout volleyball and softball player at Halifax County High School, was presented the $1,500 Matze Family Scholarship.
Halifax County High School football and basketball standout Dante Ballou, who plans to attend Virginia Tech, was named as the recipient of the Hall of Fame Scholarship.
Dennis Carter, the sports director for area ABC TV affiliate Channel 13 in Lynchburg, was the guest speaker.
Addison Marable
Addison Marable, who has been a key figure in local sports for more than 50 years, was recognized as a coach, baseball umpire, a newspaper sports editor one of the area's key figures in bowling.
The South Boston resident was a student-athlete at C.H. Friend High School, playing baseball and football in 1945 and 1946.
Marable is noted for being one of the organizers of the South Boston Dixie Youth Baseball League and a key figure in starting the Scottsburg midget football program.
A longtime coach, Marable compiled a lifetime coaching record of 786 wins, 764 losses and nine ties for a winning percentage of .508.
Marable coached in three Dixie Youth World Series.
He was noted as one of the area's top baseball umpires and umpired for more than 45 years.
Marable is also credited with launching a local umpires association which he is still actively involved with.
Also, in 1993, Marable was selected and inducted into the Virginia State Bowling Hall of Fame for his work with bowling throughout the state.
He bowled in 27 consecutive state tournaments before he encountered problems with his knees.
In addition, he has also bowled in nine national ABC tournaments, six Southeastern Championships, and three Dayton, Ohio Industrial Tournaments.
He carried a lifetime bowling average of 178 and has a 279 as his highest game.
As a community sportswriter, Marable wrote sports for the Gazette Virginian newspaper for 37 years and his column, "Around The Circuit," was noted both here and around the state.
Marable also played a key role in the organization of the Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall of Fame.
He serves the organization today as its secretary-treasurer and is a member of the Board of Directors.
Marable's brother, Bill Marable, called the Hall of Fame inductee "a true sportsman."
"His real love over the year was working with young people in team sports. He taught them to give a 100 percent every time they went out onto the field whether it was for practice or a game. He gave it his all and he expected his players to do the same."
After receiving his plaque, Marable told the audience that he was humbled and proud of being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Speaking of his many years of coaching, Marable said he tried to teach his players how to live life.
"I tried to teach them how to live life," he said, "because you're not going to play ball very long."
Marable concluded his remarks by telling the audience that he remembers the words of Lou Gehrig the day he retired from the New York Yankees when Gehrig said 'Today, I'm the happiest man alive.'"
"Tonight you have made me the happiest man in all the world," he concluded.
W.G. "Jiggs" Walton
Walton, a noted baseball player in the local semi-pro leagues and as a standout at the University of Richmond, first distinguished himself as a two-sports standout.
The South Boston resident played three years of basketball and four years of baseball at Oak Level High School, the Halifax County community that he grew up in.
In his senior year, Walton served as captain of both the basketball and baseball teams.
In his first season, Walton played on the University of Richmond freshman team and went on to the varsity level the following season, in 1937.
He hurled a no hitter against Washington & Lee that season to help lead University of Richmond to the state championship in 1937.
During his college pitching career, Walton spun two no hitters and two one-hit games.
Walton played baseball in over 35 communities in this area and faced a number of good players along the way, some of whom ultimately became pros and Hall of Famers.
In addition to his outstanding career as a player, Walton is also noted for helping to organize the South Boston Pony League baseball league. He also managed a local Pony League team.
Walton also served as treasurer of both the South Boston Babe Ruth and Connie Mack baseball leagues and worked diligently behind the scenes in local youth sports programs for over 20 years.
Sports Hall of Famer Hugh Moore cited Walton as "a man who contributed greatly to the Golden Age of semi-pro baseball in Halifax County.
Moore pointed out that Walton, for more than two decades, helped guide and influence youths through high school, college and semi-pro baseball.
"This is a very special night for me because it puts me in the company of a very talented group of athletes," Walton said.
"Sports taught me that I could compete with people better than I was if I worked hard at it," he added.
"Sports gave me over 20 years of excitement, thrills and challenges and awards that came with it. Tonight is the icing on the cake."
Barry Saunders
Saunders was a three-sports star for C.H. Friend High School and a highly recognized baseball and basketball player at the University of Richmond,
During his high school years at C.H. Friend High School, Saunders played four years of football, basketball and baseball for the Crimson Tide.
As a member of the football team, Saunders played both quarterback and halfback and returned punts.
He was the quarterback for the team in 1949 which went 9-1 for the season and won the Group II, Division IV football championship.
Saunders served as co-captain of the football team for two years.
The multi-sport star played guard on the C.H. Friend basketball team and played a role in the team's success.
C.H. Friend's team won the Group II District IV basketball tournament in three out of the four years Saunders played on the team.
As a baseball standout, Saunders showed his versatility by pitching, catching and playing shortstop.
He pitched a no-hitter against Schoolfield in his senior year.
Saunders also tried his hand at track and field during his senior year and showcased his athleticism there as well by winning the half-mile and mile races in the Group II District IV track meet.
Saunders attended the University of Richmond and played four years of baseball starting at shortstop all four years.
He was elected co-captain in his junior year and captain in his senior year.
He held the record at the University of Richmond for most runs scored in a single game (5) until last year when it was broken in an extra-inning game.
In addition, he pitched and won a game against William & Mary in which he threw only 74 pitches in 9 innings.
Saunders also played four years of basketball at UR, primarily as a reserve guard behind two All-State and All-Southern Conference players.
He also served as basketball coach at Bluestone Senior High School in neighboring Mecklenburg County during the 1957-58 school year.
In presenting Saunders to the audience, Buddy Yancey told the crowd that Saunders has had a lifetime love of sports.
"If there was a game in town, Barry Saunders was going to find it," Yancey said.
"He's a player, both in athletics and in life," Yancey added.
Saunders said that the experience of being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a big one.
"To say I'm overwhelmed is an understatement," Saunders said.
Saunders, who now lives in Richmond, said the induction banquet and the weekend of reunions and the opportunity to visit and see old friends was special.
"Being back here today and reuniting with old friends ...makes me remember how special my boyhood was," Saunders said.
"Thomas Wolfe wrote that you can't ever go home again. I really think Thomas Wolfe is wrong. Every day I think about people in this town who touched my life and made it better. If that's not going home every day, I don't know what is."
Dennis Carter
Carter touched upon his professional career and experiences in his remarks.
But he also provided the gathering some food for thought.
"Don't ever lose sight of what is important in life," Carter said, "no matter how complicated and challenging your life becomes.
"Your family and the love and support they, along with friends, give you are the greatest gift a person has.
"Never take that for granted," he continued.
"Never let a day go by that you don't think about the many blessings you have."
Carter also praised the contributions of the trio that were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
"During the course of their sports careers, these inductees demonstrated commitment, dedication and perseverance, seeking no accolades" Carter said.
"Their goals was to be the best they could be, and in doing so, return to the community what they felt had been given to them, an opportunity to achieve.
"Your valued contributions have not gone unnoticed," Carter continued.
"You have served as a role model to young and old alike and you are an inspiration to all those who try. And, to those who try and yet fail, you inspire us not to falter, but to try again until we have tasted the sweet taste of success."

Minister Robert Scott Wilkins of 1044 Robert Wilkins Trail, Virgilina, died Thursday, March 29 at his residence at the age of 84.
He was born in Halifax County April 14, 1916 and was the son of the late George and Addie Wilkins Wilkins. He was married to Mildred Evaughn Sydnor Wilkins and was a member of White Oak Fork Baptist Church. Mr. Wilkins was also a World War II Army veteran.
Mr. Wilkins is survived by his wife; five daughters, Mrs. Frances Garner of Newport News, Mrs. Florence Mildred Medley and Mrs. Marian Watkins, both of Virgilina; Mrs.Serita Woody of South Boston and Mrs. Peggie Brooks of Scottsburg; two sons, George Scott Wilkins of Virgilina and Willis Carol Wilkins of Danville; 21 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Emma Johnson, Mrs. Mabel Richardson and Mrs. Hazel Gillis, all of Virgilina; one brother, George G. Wilkins of South Boston; two sons-in-law; and two-daughters-in-law.
Funeral services will be held today at 2:00 p.m. at White Oak Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. Glenn Faulkner officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of the deceased.

GeorgeWashington Crawley, Sr. of Washington, D.C., formerly of South Boston, died Thursday, March 29 at his South Boston residence at the age of 63.
Mr. Crawley was the son of the late Walter and Maggie Crawley.
He is survived by his wife, one son, one daughter-in-law, three grandchildren, four sisters, and six brothers.
Funeral services for Mr. Crawley will be held tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Dan River Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Reginald M. Green of Washington and the Rev.James L. Thomas officiating.
Mr. Crawley will lie-in-state for two hours prior to the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The plant is equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system but firemen said that did not activate.
Firemen set up their command post on the south side near the rear of the building in order to access the center of the blaze that was estimated to have been approximately 300 feet from the nearest outside access.
JPS officials say that all damaged equipment will either be replaced or repaired. Insurance adjusters were known to have arrived early Friday to make damage assessments.
"We want to thank the local South Boston Fire Department and the support received from other fire departments within the county who worked to minimize any damage from the fire. To them, we say a grateful 'thank you,'" stated Griffin.
"Our associates responded with loyal determination and have worked tirelessly to clean up and restore the damaged areas. To them, we say a grateful 'thank you.'"
"We are very fortunate and thankful that there were no injuries to any of our associates or structural damage to the plant," Griffin added.
JPS Apparel Fabric Corp. was formed last November when Greenville, S.C.-based JPS Industries agreed to sell off the South Boston plant along with two other textile operations in South Carolina.
The South Boston plant started 60 years ago as Carter Fabrics, was later acquired by JP Stevens and was once a part of West Point Pepperell. Today, JPS Apparel produces synthetic acetate and rayon fabrics used primarily for women's fashions and sportswear.
When the sale was announced last November, JPS officials said that the South Boston plant had approximately 370 workers.

Kathryn A. Ramsey, a junior at Halifax County High School, has been selected as a member of the Student Advisory Committee to the Virginia Board of Education.
Acceptance to the committee was very competitive. Only one high school student from each of the eight Superintendents' Regions in the commonwealth and four middle school students selected at-large from the commonwealth serve on the committee.
Other members of the committee include the board president, the board secretary and two additional board members appointed by the president. The Student Advisory Committee will meet periodically throughout the year.
Ramsey's selection is due to her portfolio, which demonstrates solid academic performance, strong leadership skills, and involvement in a plethora of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.
A junior at Halifax County High School, Ramsey serves as the vice-president of the Student Council Association and also serves as the vice-president of the Junior Habitat for Humanity.
In addition, Ramsey is a member of both the tennis and swim teams, and finds time for involvement in her church and with theatrical productions both at school and in the community. Ramsey also works as a hostess at a local reataurant.
Ramsey is the daughter of Becky Donner and Charley Ramsey.