Just how soon Continuing Education Center (CEC) students will be walking the hallways of a new campus may well come down to the ability of the Halifax County Education Foundation to raise $1.75 million.
Halifax County voters have already voted a stamp of approval to the higher education project in the last general election when passing a $1.75 million bond referendum. That $1.75 million was to be matched by "new" money, a term that became clearly defined by the Halifax County Board of Supervisors which met Monday night and approved a resolution seeking $464,830 in Community Development Block Grant Funds,
On a motion from Supervisor Garland Ricketts, board members adopted a resolution calling for the issuance of $1.165,875 in bonds and a like amount raised by the private sector.
The original resolution called for $1.75 million in bonds and another $581,750 in funds to be raised through the private sector,
Ricketts, claiming those involved in raising money for the Halifax County Continuing Education project, promised to raise matching funds to the $1.75 million.
"They're not living up to their end of the bargain," said Ricketts during that meeting which was attended by council members of the towns of Halifax and South Boston who were there to discuss a proposed urban planning area that would encompass the three jurisdictions.
Foundation Chairman Chris Lumsden, who did not attend Monday's supervisors' meeting, responded to reporters questions yesterday saying that the foundation had not intended to use any of the money previously raised as part of any matching fund requirement.
At a previous meeting in which the project was discussed and one which Lumsden attended, the matter of block grants possibly being used as matching funds was raised. The project chairman then responded "yes" , saying that the foundation assumed those block grant funds would be used as the matching portion under the private campaign.
Lumsden said yesterday that he appreciated the supervisors' "no" decision even if he didn't agree with it. "We're driving on!" he added while explaining how the foundation had retained the assistance of a professional fund-raiser who was in the process of completing a feasibility study.
"They help us put together the strategy," said Lumsden noting that the "underlying success" would depend on the community's own efforts. "Our goal is to start (fund-raising campaign) in early summer" and have the money in hand to start the renovation project by this fall.
He said that the fund-raising effort would be second only to that accomplished when Halifax Regional Hospital was initiated a half century ago.
Along with a professional fund raiser, the foundation has hired an architect who specializes in education and reclamation of historical buildings.
To date, the project has benefited by a gift of the property, $250,000 from the Commonwealth of Virginia, $250,000 from Old Dominion Electric Cooperative and $243,420 from the Town of South Boston.
Monday night's revised CDBG resolution took the proposed issuance of the $1.75 million in bonds, added to that the $581,750 the Halifax Education Foundation has proposed raising from the private sector, and sliced it down the middle.
County Administrator Dan Sleeper told the board the full $1.75 million in bonds was approved by the voters and is available for up to 10 years, but that full amount does not have to be issued. As more money is raised by the foundation, additional bonds can be issued explained the county administrator.
The foundation was originally hoping for a CDBG of up to $700,000, but funding formulas addressing low and moderate income residents impacted by the project reduced the amount to $464,830.
The total cost of the project would come to $3.5 million.
Another $1.73 million will be provided by the South Central Virginia Higher Education Consortium for technology and equipment at the facility bringing the total project cost to $5,273,195.
Lumsden insists that the foundation is confident it can raise the matching funds and meet the opening target date of the spring of 2001.
The expansion project will replace the present 7,000 square foot facility in the old Lowe's building in Centerville. CDBG funds will be used to fund four basic classrooms, two computer labs and the literacy rooms that will be used for workforce training, and the Nursing Assistant Program and literacy tutoring to benefit individuals of LMI status.

The full text of the resolution follows:

WHEREAS, the County of Halifax wishes to apply for Community Development Block Grant funds in the amount of $464,830 for the Halifax County Continuing Education Expansion Project; and
WHEREAS, according to the National Institute for Literacy, 32% of the adult population of Halifax County is at Level I Literacy, the lowest literacy level; and
WHEREAS, the existing 7,000 square foot Continuing Education Center (CEC) is antiquated and is no longer able to house the demand for courses and programs offered at the Center; and
WHEREAS, a site for the expansion of the Center has been donated to the Halifax Educational Foundation, Inc., and is located in the Town of South Boston; and
WHEREAS, CDBG funds will be used toward the construction costs of four basic classrooms, two computer labs and the Literacy Rooms that will be used for workforce training, the Nursing Assistant Program and Literacy tutoring all to benefit individuals of LMI status;
WHEREAS, the overall costs of the expansion of the Center is estimated to be $3,964,830 which includes the following funding sources: $464,830 CDBG, $1,750,000 Bond Referendum, and $1,750,000 Private, and;
WHEREAS, it is estimated that 67 students will benefit from the Literacy/GED program of which 56 or 85% are considered LMI, 70 students will benefit from the Nursing Assistant Program of which 58 or 83% are considered LMI, and 1,268 students will benefit from Workforce Training courses of which 710 or 56% are considered LMI; and
WHEREAS, the County of Halifax has met the citizens participation requirements by holding two public hearings for the application submitted;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Supervisors of Halifax County hereby authorizes County Administrator William D. Sleeper to sign and submit all appropriate information necessary to constitute a proposal for Virginia Community Development Funds.
Adopted this 19th day of April, 1999.
J.C. Satterfield, Jr., Chairman
William D. Sleeper, Clerk

Dollar General has said what it wants.
The county and South Boston know what they need.
And when the smoke settles, the decision by the two localities could be the first of many made in what is being drawn up as an Urban Planning Area.
South Boston and county officials, meeting for only the second time with Town of Halifax officials to discuss the creation of this urban zone, were hit with what Dollar General has said it will need to provide water and sewer services to it's new Truck Maintenance Facility.
The facility is to be located on the southwest corner of the developed Dollar General property in the U.S. 58 industrial park.
Contractors for the project say the facility for Dollar General needs a two inch water line and four inch forced sewer main.
County Planning Director Jerry Lovelace said the two lines will provide needed serves, but allow for no future growth.
Dollar General owns the undeveloped property to the west of its operation and south to Lawson's Creek.
"This (the undeveloped Dollar General property) is a large piece of land available for development, " said Lovelace.
The DG proposal "does nothing for us" said Lovelace and allows for no further development of the Dollar General land without the installation of larger lines.
Lovelace said the minimum needed would be a six inch sewer main and an eight inch water main, preferably running parallel to U.S. 58.
This would provide services to Dollar General and allow for expansion of both the undeveloped Dollar General site and land presently available for development north of U.S. 58.
A third parcel of land that is said to be available south of Lawson's Creek behind the Dollar General land, that could also be developed, he said.
This project will "require an agreement between the county and Town of South Boston that would provide water and sewer service both to the building and to the area as a whole," Lovelace said.
So far, Lovelace said, all negotiations have been with the Dollar General's contractor Gray Construction. Dollar General has not been involved.
The contractor and Dollar General are expecting the county to cover the cost of running the line, he added.
At the Monday meeting, supervisors and councilmen begin working on the rough details of the Urban Planning Area that is being drawn.
With the county presently working on updating the state-mandated Comprehensive Plan and South Boston reworking their 1997 document to reflect the annexation, the development of the urban zone will help the localities plan for future, anticipated growth.
The area, as drawn up now would encompass portions of the county extending from Carter's Hill on Route 501 on the north to Stokes Creek crossing Route 501 on the South. East to west it would extend from the Route 360-729 intersection on the east and on the west the area extending from the Route 832-360 intersection and an area west and south of the Halifax County-South Boston Industrial Park.
The group will meet again on Monday, May 17 at 6 p.m.

A local woman was killed late Monday night when she collided with a horse and rider on Route 501 just north of the state line.
According to reports, Betty Jean Lipscomb, 56, of 8022 Huell Matthews Highway in Alton, was killed when she collided with a horse ridden by Andrea Nichole "Nikki" Gowen Sandel, 29, of Traynham Grove Road, Alton.
Virginia State Police Sgt. T.A. LaRue said Tuesday afternoon that Sandel has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, and the investigation is continuing. She is currently under $50,000 bond awaiting an appearance in Halifax County General District Court May 5, according to court documents.
Lipscomb was on her way to her third shift job at Collins & Aikman in Roxboro around 10:30 p.m. when she encountered Sandel riding along the southbound lane of Route 501.
Details concerning the collision were not available, however State Police reports confirm that Lipscomb was driving a four-door sedan one half mile south of Route 96 when she hit the three-and-a-half-year-old bay horse known as Cookie, and Sandel, who was wearing a long black coat.
Sandel, who owned the horse, was transported to Halifax Regional Hospital. Her condition was not available. The horse suffered extensive injuries and had to be destroyed at the scene.
Law enforcement officials closed the southbound lane of Route 501 for over an hour following the accident, and the community was still in shock the morning after.
According to Tommy Reagan, Lipscomb, who has been a morning bus driver for the Halifax County School system for years, was well-known and well-loved throughout the county.
"That woman was loved. She was such a good person, a favorite bus driver and all the little kids loved her. My 13-year-old boy has been so upset over this he couldn't even go to school, and he's not the only one," Reagan said. "She was a wonderful person and mother and she will be missed very much."
Lipscomb's death raises the number of fatalities on Halifax County roads this year to four, one more than at this time last year.

The Courthouse Grounds Committee held its first meeting Tuesday to discuss future cosmetic plans for the historical property in Halifax and to review proposals for the war memorial.
The committee, which is comprised of a diversified group of individuals from Halifax County, unanimously elected W.A. "Bill" Abbott Jr. as chairman and R.E. "Dickie" Abbott as vice chairman.
As the first order of official business, the committee agreed to develop a architectural landscaping plan for the grounds and present it to the Halifax County Board of Supervisors in May.
"We need to develop a plan that emphasizes historical preservation of the courthouse and the grounds," said County Administrator William D. Sleeper, who suggested contacting the Virginia Department of Historic Resources for guidance.
While this plan would not be binding, it would provide some guideline for future upkeep of the grounds and buildings.
"We have one of the prettiest courthouses in the State of Virginia and I'd like to keep it that way," R.E. Abbott added.
Committee members also studied a number of drawings and plans for the proposed war memorial to be erected either in front of the courthouse or, if the property is purchased, on the southwest corner of Main Street and Mountain Road (State Route 360).
The Halifax County Women's Club announced their plans to raise funds for the War Memorial Park site earlier this month, and proposed to extend the courthouse green.
The War Memorial Monument Steering Committee set a three month report deadline, July 1, for the Club to raise 75 percent of the $125,000 needed to purchase the corner property, which was the site of the old Halifax Hotel in the early part of the century and now is occupied by a pet store.
Ruth Smith, Chairperson of the War Memorial Park Committee of the Halifax Women's Club announced that as of Saturday the club had received pledges totalling $80,000, in addition to the money they already have raised.
It was also suggested that something should be done to recognize donors on the memorial site, and the committee voted unanimously to present this idea to the Board of Supervisors.
The Courthouse Grounds Committee will meet again May 27 at 1 p.m.
Committee members include Edna Guthrie; Robert G.D. "Chip" Pottage III and Jane Edmunds of the Halifax County Historical Society; Barbara Bagwell and Bettie Payne with the Halifax Women's Club; and Halifax County Supervisors R.E. Abbott and W.A. Abbott Jr.

South Boston Fire Department investigators are still trying to determine the cause of a fire that severely damaged an old stone house behind the Berry Hill Mansion Monday.
According to Chief Halifax County Forester Alex Williamson, a patrolling South Boston Police officer spotted smoke approximately a quarter mile behind the Berry Hill Mansion on River Road (Route 659) around noon Monday.
Fire officials attempted to pinpoint the source of the smoke for about an hour before pilot Linda Clark, who has spotted fires from the air for the Forestry Department in the past, went up in a private plane and located the burning structure near the old Southern Railroad tracks.
Williamson said when he arrived at the scene, it was apparent that the fire was not a threat to the surrounding area or any other structures, so it was allowed to burn itself out.
"We were concerned that we might damage the stone walls of this old house if we sprayed water on them. Since the roof had already caved in from the fire, we just let it burn itself out and didn't even bring any trucks back there," Williamson said.
Investigators are pursuing the theory that the fire could have been started by a squatter using the building for shelter.
"There was plastic on the windows, and I spoke with the caretaker, and he told me it had looked like someone may have been sleeping in the building. He said he'd seen an old rug or blanket in the house and there was evidence that a fire had been in one of the fireplaces," Williamson said. "Right now we are still trying to determine exactly what happened."

Charlie Yancey Talbott, Colonel (Retired) U.S. Army, of Williamsburg died Wednesday, April 14, 1999 in Manassas. He was 86 years of age at the time of his death.
Mr. Talbott was born in Halifax County the son of William Watkins and Merry Yancey Talbott. He joined the regular Army in 1932 and was sent to Panama for three years. Upon his return he joined the National Guard in South Boston as a member of Company F, 116 Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division. Col. Talbott was F Company's First Sergeant when he was ordered to Officer Candidate School in 1942 and was promoted to Second Lieutenant. He was assigned to the 130th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Division and served in the Philippines for the remainder of the war. He received battlefield promotions to Lt. Colonel and commanded an infantry battalion. After the war he remained in the Army and retired in 1967 as a full colonel. He and his wife moved to Williamsburg where he worked for the Army as a civilian. He had a total of 44 years of government service.
His awards in the Army were the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit and Combat Infantryman's Badge.
Survivors of Col. Talbott include his wife of 63 years; two sons, Charlie Y. Talbott Jr., Col. (ret.) of Manassas and Joseph Collins Talbott of Uniontown, AR; five grandchildren, Charlie 'Bear' Talbott III, Stacy Lynn Mulgrew, Ashlie Regan Talbott, Bryan Collins Talbott and Eric Sean Talbott; three great-grandchildren; three brothers, Wallace and Lawrence Talbott, both of Clarksville and Sam Talbott of Yakima, WA, and one sister, Winnie Talbott West of Clarksville.
The burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery Thursday, April 29 at 1 p.m. followed by a memorial service at United Methodist Church of Williamsburg Friday, April 30 at 11 a.m.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.

Lucy Mae Beale of 103 Rose Hill Drive, South Boston, formerly of Republican Grove, died Tuesday, April 20 at Woodview Nursing Home.
Ms. Beale was born in Halifax County on December 17, 1908 the daughter of William L. Beale and Mary Fisher Beale. She was a member of Oak Ridge Seventh Day Adventist Church and was a retired nurse.
Survivors include two nieces, Betty Weatherford of Halifax and Mary Jane Cole of Republican Grove; two nephews, Ronnie Beale of Ahoskie, NC and LeRoy Beale of FL. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Herman, Carlton, Roy and Clarence Beale; and two sisters, Mille B. Rudd and Elsie M. Beale.

A graveside service will be conducted Thursday, April 22 at Clover Bottom Baptist Church Cemetery by Rev. Garland Day.
The family will receive friends from 7 until 8:00 this evening, April 21 at Henderson Funeral Home in Brookneal.

Marvin 'Mutt' Satterfield, 63, of Pikeville died Friday, April 16, 1999 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
Mr. Satterfield was born in South Boston the son of William Walter Satterfield and Maggie Satterfield and was married to Christine Weaver Satterfield. He moved to Pikeville in 1956 and enjoyed his work, gospel music, fishing, gardening, civic involvement, and his granddaughter, Morgan. A town commissioner for four terms, he also served with the fire department. He enjoyed youth baseball and was the first president of the Wayne County Babe Ruth program in 1976 as well as an active member of the CBA High School Boosters Club. He was retired Manager of Operations for Tri-County EMC.
Funeral services for Mr. Satterfield were held Sunday, April 18 at 4 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Original Free Will Baptist Church with burial in Pikeville Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Wesley Satterfield of Fayetteville, NC, and Frankie Satterfield and his wife, Lisa of Pikeville; one granddaughter, Morgan Satterfield; mother-in-law, Maggie Weaver; three sisters, Helen Hayes of South Boston, Betty Rothwell and Velvie Gholson, both of Richmond; three brothers, Rev. Walter Satterfield of Goldsboro, NC, Hugh Satterfield of Farmville and Allen Satterfield of South Boston.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Pleasant Grove Free Will Baptist Church, PO Box 36, Pikeville, VA 27863, or to Kitty Askins Hospice Center, PO Box 88, Goldsboro, NC 27533.

Gary Lee Schnipke of 2701 Fernwick Drive, South Boston died Saturday, April 17, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital. He was 45 years of age.
Mr. Schnipke was born in Lima, OH on October 26, 1953 the son of Urban Schnipke and Betty Schnipke and was married to Wanda Kay Halfhill Schnipke. He was a member of St. Paschal Catholic Church, a member of Knights of Columbus, Chamber of Commerce, treasurer of the Comet Swim Team, and was active in the Literacy Program.
Survivors include his wife; one son, Dustin Schnipke of South Boston; one daughter, Tiffany Schnipke of South Boston; his parents of Oh; three sisters, Kathy Gardner of MI, Karen Rieman of OH, and Connie Schnipke of Cloverdale, OH; four brothers, David Schnipke of Delphos, OH, Randy and Denny Schnipke of Ottoville, OH and Dalyn Schnipke of Dixon, OH.
A mass for Mr. Schnipke was held Tuesday, April 20 at 6 p.m. at St. Paschal Catholic Church with Father Mathias Newell conducting the service. Burial will take place at a later date in Tiffin, OH.

Those wishing to make contributions are asked to consider St. Paschal Catholic Church.

Kathleen Haswell Bradsher, 85, of Clarksville, died Monday, April 19, 1999 in Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Bradsher was born in Granville County, NC the daughter of Cora Elizabeth May Haswell and Edward Jordon Haswell and was married to Earl Banks Bradsher. She was a member of Clarksville Baptist Church, the Grace Sunday school Class and the Addie Peel Circle. Before retiring she was owner and operator of Kay's Beauty Salon in Clarksville.

Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 20 in Oak Ridge Cemetery in South Boston with Rev. H.V. Conner officiating.
Survivors of Mrs. Bradsher include one son and daughter-in-law, Richard Banks and Alma Lee Bradsher of Spindale, NC; three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.

Mabel Carden Puryear of 417 Ellyson Avenue, South Boston died Monday, April 19, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital. She was 85 years of age.
Mrs. Puryear was born in Durham, NC on October 30, 1913 the daughter of Leo J. Carden Sr. and Mabel Stubbins Carden and was married to Donald K. Puryear. She as a member of Main Street United Methodist Church where she was treasurer for many years. She was the first Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Survivors include one daughter, Charlotte Puryear Tetterton of South Boston; two grandsons, David K. Tetterton of South Boston and William D. Tetterton of Cluster Springs; two great-grandchildren, Lauren Nichole Tetterton and Andrew Tyler Tetterton, both of Alton; two sisters, Helen Carden Hayes of Nelson and Elizabeth Carden Traynham of Richmond; one brother, Leo J. Carden Jr. of South Boston.
Graveside services for Mrs. Puryear will be held today, April 21 at 2 p.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery with Rev. Don Davidsonconducting the service.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Patrick Henry Boys Home or Main Street United Methodist Church Memorial Fund.

Eddie Elwyn Ferebee of Nathalie died Sunday, April 11, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 81.
Mr. Ferebee was born in Currituck, NC on October 5, 1917.
Survivors include his wife, Maybelle Ferebee of Moyock, NC; three daughters, Loretta Rawlins of Livingston, TX, Elwyn Hunt of Nathalie and Julia Thompson of Houston, TX; one son, Edward Elwyn Ferebee of Maple, NC; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Charles Ferebee of Moyock.
Memorial services for Mr. Ferebee were held April 13.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Cancer Society or UNC School of Medicine.

George Frank Owen of 2123 Horseshoe Trail, Alton died Sunday, April 18, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 81.
Mr. Owen was born in Halifax County on November 5, 1917 the son of Hatcher Bailey Owen and Reana H. Owen and was first married to Bonnie R. Owen, then to Elsie S. Owen. He was a member of Black Walnut Baptist Church and a charter member of Cluster Springs Volunteer Fire Department.
Survivors include two sons, Richard H. and wife Claudine Owen of Alton, Robert D. and wife Cecile Owen of Collinsville; one daughter, Louise and husband James Crews of Fort Mills, SC; four stepchildren, Ann Hudson of Turbeville, Janice Seay of Newport News, Christine Adams of Richmond and Elsie Mae Tate of Sutherlin; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three brothers, John O. Owen of Greensboro, NC, Jessie G. Owen of Emporia and James N. Owen of Salem; three sisters, Bessie O. Simmon of Greensboro, Julia O. Jones and Gertrude Owen, both of Halifax.
Funeral services for Mr. Owen will be held today, April 21 at 11 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Grover Stevens conducting the service. Burial will follow in Halifax Memorial Gardens.

Robert Larry Rimmer of 925 Hawkins Loop Road, Roxboro, NC died Sunday, April 18, 1999 at Triangle Hospice of Meadowlands in Hillsborough, NC at the age of 51.
Mr. Rimmer was born in Durham, NC the son of Samuel Garland and Nancy Hawkins Rimmer and was married to Ann Burnett Rimmer. He was a Vietnam Veteran.
Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Kimberly Denise Rimmer; one son, Robert Larry Rimmer Jr., all of the home; four brothers, Coleman Rimmer of Rougemont, NC, Rev. Alfred Rimmer of South Boston, Leon Rimmer of Hurdle Mills, NC and Chesley Rimmer of Bennett, NC; three sisters, Barbara Jean Gray of Roxboro, Lettie Sharpe of Lake Waccamaw, NC and Nancy Rogers of Mebane, NC; and two step-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Rimmer were held April 20 at 11 a.m. at Somerset Baptist Church, of which he was a member, with Revs. Kenny Dubnick, Alfred Rimmer, Coley Rimmer and Lonnie Bell officiating. Burial was in Wheeler's Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Triangle Hospice of the Meadowlands, 1001 Corporate Drive, Hillsborough, NC 27278.

Willie Jeff Petty Sr. of South Boston died Monday, April 19, 1999 at Duke Medical Center in Durham, NC at the age of 68.
Mr. Petty was born in Halifax County on May 21, 1930.
Survivors include one daughter, Robin Petty of Raleigh, NC; one son, Willie Petty Jr. of Nathalie; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one sister, Louise Brown of South Boston; two brothers, Leon Petty of South Boston and Steven Petty of Danville.
Funeral services for Mr. Petty will be held Thursday, April 22 at 1 p.m. at County Line Baptist Church in Vernon Hill with Rev. Otis Dillard officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home, 1207 Sinai Road, South Boston.

Annie Mildred Moorefield Kirby of 3067 L.P. Bailey Hwy., Halifax died Tuesday, April 20, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital. She was 74 years of age at the time of her death.
Mrs. Kirby was born in Halifax County on June 23, 1924 the daughter of Eugene Jackson Moorefield and Irene Ferrell Moorefield and was married to Edward Kirby. She was a member of Childrey Baptist Church.
Survivors include two step-children; two sisters, Virginia M. Brown and Cecile M. Cheek, both of Halifax; two brothers, Walter J. Moorefield and Eugene G. Moorefield, both of Nathalie; 14 nieces and nephews.
Graveside services for Mrs. Kirby will be held Thursday, April 22 at 2 p.m. at 2 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery with Revs. Rodney Barwick and John Wilder conducting the service.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home tonight, April 21 from 7 until 8:30.