Wednesday, April 28, 2004

Breakthrough!
House/Senate Pass Budget Plan; Hogan Votes Against Measure

From Staff And Wire Reports

The House and Senate passed legislation that increases taxes by more than $1 billion, in what is considered to be a major breakthrough toward resolving an unprecedented budget impasse and avoiding a potential government shutdown.

The budget plan now will go to the desk of Gov. Mark R. Warner.

Delegate Clarke Hogan, R-60th, said yesterday that he didn't support the budget plan that narrowly passed the House because it could affect Halifax County's school funding.

"I would never support what they passed," he said. "It basically changes the composite index.

"I didn't vote for it because of the uncertainty around how the money is to be spent and I think it's excessive."

The House passed the Senate's version of the bill 52-45 shortly before 6 p.m. yesterday.

The measure will boost state sales taxes by one-half cent and raise the state's cigarette tax from 2.5 cents to 30 cents.

Hogan said one major point of contention was how the money raised by the sales tax increase would be distributed.

"The point of contention is over where the half-cent sales tax goes," he said.

"The Senate has proposed splitting it into quarters, but the problem is under what formula it goes to the localities."

The Halifax delegate said that the bill is silent on the issue, but many rural legislators feel the measure will hurt the composite index and adversely affect school funding.

"We've repeatedly been told that money (raised by the sales tax increase) is not going to be going back to the local governments in the form of a composite index. I'm not voting for that," he said.

Some of the key points in the plan passed by the House and Senate include:

• Raising the state’s lowest-in-the-nation tobacco tax of 2.5 cents to 20 cents this year and 30 cents in 2005.

• Raising the state sales tax by one-half cent, from 4.5 cents to 5 cents, with one-fourth cent going to the general fund and another fourth to localities for education funding.

• Increasing the taxes paid on recording real estate transactions.

• Adjusting deductions and income tax brackets for Virginia taxpayers.

• Closes loopholes that allow some corporations to funnel profits out of state tax-free.

• Eliminates some sales tax exemptions for public utilities.

While a tenuous House coalition of moderate Republicans and minority Democrats held, House Speaker William J. Howell ruled that related amendments freezing annual state reimbursements to counties and cities at $950 million were not germane.

That forced the House to take up another Senate bill, one that also caps the state payouts to local governments for revenue lost under the car tax rollback. That law, in 1998, began to gradually phase out the tax on personal cars and pickup trucks.

The new Senate car tax measure was sent to the House Appropriations Committee for immediate action.

By passing the central tax bill, however, the General Assembly resolved the question of how much revenue the state needs to fund a new $59 billion budget for the two years beginning July 1.

Without a budget in place, many critical state operations, agencies and services such as public safety, colleges and Medicaid funding would be in danger of shutting down.

Talley Takes Top Prize
Jacob Talley Captures Two Blue Ribbons At Show

Jacob Talley was the big winner in Monday's 46th Annual Halifax County Junior Livestock Show and Sale, held at the fairgrounds.

Talley, sponsored by Spaulding Equipment Company, had his steer judged Grand Champion.

Trey Reese, sponsored by Powell Funeral Home, had his steer judged Reserve Champion.

The Grand Champion Heifer was also shown by Jacob Talley, who was sponsored by Farm Credit.

The Reserve Champion Heifer was shown by Will Reese, who was sponsored by Walnut Grove Farms.

Katie Thurston, sponsored by Brookneal Optical, Inc., showed the Grand Champion Goat, while Rusty Thurston, sponsored by Business Productivity Center, showed the Reserve Champion Goat.

The Grand Champion Market Lamb was shown by Kim Ford, while the Reserve Champion Market Lamb was shown by Timothy Slabach.

Ford was sponsored by Camp Chemical Inc., while Timothy Slabach was sponsored by Good's Lawn and Garden Center.

The Grand Champion Ewe was shown by Jamie Crews, while the Reserve Champion Ewe was shown by Ben Slabach.

Crews was sponsored by Spaulding Equipment Company, while Ben Slabach was sponsored by Michael C. Peer, D.D.S.

Serving as judges were Allen McElroy, Agriculture Technician B at Virginia Tech, and Amanda Wydner, with the Certified Angus Beef Association.

Richard Lloyd, with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, was the official grader, Sam Watts served as auctioneer, and Jimmy Anderson served as master of ceremonies.

Bond, Budget Top SoBo Agenda
Budget Deliberations Are Expected To Begin At May 10 SoBo Council Meeting

South Boston Council unanimously approved a first reading of a $4.5 million bond anticipation note to provide interim financing Monday night, and its two standing committees got their first look at staff's proposed FY 2004-2005 budget.

Council is expected to begin budget deliberations at its May 10 meeting.
The proposed budget carries no increase in taxes or license fees but does reflect an ongoing water/sewer funding dilemma.

"In order to meet water and sewer fund funding requirements for FY 2004-2005, it is projected that $315,555 will be required from the General Fund, rate increases, or a combination of the two as determined by the Town Council," staff advised in the proposed budget summary.

The recommended budget proposal reflects an effective real property tax rate of 17 cents per $100 as compared to the current rate of 19 cents per $100 as a result of the recent reassessment.

The aggregate town budget including the General Fund, Cemetery Fund and Water/Sewer Fund is projected at $11,245,660, which is a decrease of $977,177 from the current budget of $12,753,961, an 8.8 percent decrease.

The General Fund is projected at $8,l76,995, which is a 9.6 percent decrease from the current budget of $9,048,902.

The Cemetery Fund is projected at $143,603, which is an increase of $7,692 above the current budget of $135,911. The projection reflects a 5.7 percent increase.

The Water and Sewer Fund is projected at $2,925,062, which is a decrease of $644,086 from the current budget of $3,569,148, reflecting an 18.4 percent decrease.

Recommended personnel pay raises are based on a 2 percent cost-of-living increase, according to South Boston Town Manager Ted Daniel.

The proposed General Fund budget also includes two new items, participation in the Virginia Retirement System LEOS early retirement option for law enforcement and firefighters, and participation in the Main Street Program at $50,000 annually for five years.

Police Chief Mick Reed spoke in favor of LEOS, telling the committees that the retirement benefit would help him recruit and keep police personnel.

He said the turnover issue in the department was one he wanted to address.
"My goal and my hope is to put together and maintain a well-trained police department," he said.

Currently he said the South Boston department was at a disadvantage at this point on retirement.

The chief said that within a 60-mile radius, the majority of departments participate in LEOS.

Once South Boston invests heavily in training officers - the academy and then certification - other departments can offer the LEOS incentive, he said.

Reed also said that there are loyal, dedicated South Boston police officers and firefighters who want to make public safety a career here, and that LEOS would help keep them here.

The town manager estimated five or six persons South Boston trained at the police academy had been lost to other departments.

Daniel also noted the Halifax County Sheriff's Department and Camp 23 offer LEOS.

Mayor Glen Abernathy asked Reed what effect a decision to offer LEOS this year would have on employees already in for 20 years?

The chief said that once the plan is implemented, it would be retroactive.
The Mayor also asked about other issues, "in an attempt to prevent the revolving door."

The chief described LEOS as the most often cited issue on the minds of those in his department.

Abernathy asked Reed if there were other things on the horizon they needed to do in trying to prevent the revolving door.

"As we are making this decision I would like to know if there are other things we need to do to slow that door down," said the mayor.

Abernathy said one thing they had heard was that the town needs to participate in a greater extent in insurance coverage.

"Let us know what these concerns are across the board," added Abernathy. "Let us know they are concerns of the department and what we should expect."

Fire Chief William Murray told the working committees that this was the third time they had made a presentation.

He said since 1985 four persons had been lost to the department.

He said two left because of money and the LEOS program.

One moved because of family reasons, but more money and LEOS were part of new programs, according to Murray. Another is commuting from here to a job with better benefits, the chief said.

Staff recommended participation in the LEOS program was described as allowing the departments to remain competitive in recruiting and retaining quality law enforcement and firefighting personnel, and to recognize the inordinate amount of stress associated with a public safety career.

It takes five years to become vested in the LEOS program.

Monday night, the working committees also heard a Main Street presentation by the Destination Downtown group.

The group is seeking $50,000 annually for a five-year period.

Destination treasurer Wayne Fuller said the overall projected budget is $92,950, which would include $32,000 for a manager and $11,000 for other staff.

Operating funds were listed at $13,250; $24,033 for program activities and with professional development and benefits a total of $92,950.

Advocates said the Richmond office of Virginia's Main Street Program recommends a budget ranging from $115,000 to $138,000 for a town South Boston's size, but Fuller said the $92,950 figure was chosen.

Councilman Eric Roberts asked David Martin, president of Destination Downtown, if the county is contributing.

Martin said that Supervisor Ronnie Vaughan, in his capacity as chairman of the Economic Development Committee of the Board of Supervisors, had been briefed last year.

Martin described "towns as the economic engines" and said the group will seek funding from the county and town. But, he said the program had encouraged beginning where the district is located.

Advocates also noted that on average 169 business and 453 jobs had been created per community from Main Street programs since its inception.

Martin said that the job creation demonstrates the program's success.

There are 17 Main Street programs in operation in Virginia at this time, according to the program's advocates.

The budget proposal anticipates $18,550 from membership dues from business owners, property owners and friends; $12,000 in private donations (banks and other industries) and funding from special events, $12,400; and $50,000 from the town.

A second reading of the $4.5 million bond anticipation will also be held at Council's May 10 meeting.

The $4.5 million will be used to provide interim financing for improvements to the town's water and sewer system, operating expenditures for the town's general fund and $1.5 million in funding for the town and county's donation to The Prizery.

South Boston pledged $600,000 to The Prizery project and the Halifax County donation of $900,000 will be initially funded through the note.

In other business, YMCA Executive Director Marcus Hargrave asked committee members to waive the remaining $4,500 owed to the town on the purchase of the Y's original site.

The 1978 YMCA loan called for $500 annual payments for 30 years, with a 2011 payoff.

In a letter to Council, Hargrave suggested the YMCA would like to offer the town 15 free family memberships to those were in need of help the most.

He said the Y would use a scale to insure that the memberships went to those families.

Since the YMCA family membership rate is $500 annually, 15 family memberships would equal $7,500.

"Ideally I would like to take it off the balance sheet," Hargrave said of the debt.
Tom Raab suggested Hargrave talk with Matthew McCargo, director of the South Boston Recreation Department, regarding a trade in benefits.

Committee member Coleman Speece said that he liked the idea of supporting swim programs.

Raab asked Hargrave to coordinate with McCargo and "come back with a figure."

Also Monday night, a May 10 public hearing was set for a Halifax Regional Hospital special use permit request for a two-story addition at the hospital.

Town planner Lee Pambid described the addition as a 15,000 square foot addition at the southwest corner of HRH's building.

The addition would be used to house a cardiac catheterization facility and for non-invasive cardiology procedures.

Pambid said Monday night that the town's planning commission held a public hearing and recommended approval of the permit without conditions.

Comets Ready To Move On
The HCHS Varsity Baseball Team Will Try To Get Back To Its Winning Ways Tonight When It Faces Bassett In A Non-District Game

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

Halifax County High School's baseball team is in need of a tonic to help it get over the ill feelings left in the wake of last Friday's 10-0 slaughter here at the hands of archrival GW.

The tonic the Comets need most right now is a win.

Comets coach Kelvin Davis hopes his team will get a healthy dose of that tonic today when his team hits the road to face Bassett High School in a non-district game.

"A win would be big for us," said Davis.

"Hopefully, the guys will go out there, relax, play the way they know they can play and come back here with a win.

"We need a win," added Davis.

"We need to get back on the winning track and get some momentum going."

The Comets, 8-2 overall and 1-1 in Western Valley District play, need a win tonight to give them some momentum going into a key district game here Friday night against Franklin County.

"That is a very big game," Davis said of the impending clash with Franklin County.

"We need a win in that one to stay in contention in the district (title chase)."

The Comets had started out Monday facing a busy three-game week.

However, rain washed out Monday night's game against Amherst County.

With the rainout, the Comets practiced in the high school gym Monday.

Davis said his players were still in something of a state of shock from Friday night's game when they came in for practice.

"They saw what happened Friday night was a prime example of us not mentally being there, not mentally being in the game," said Davis.

"They know and the coaching staff knows we are a much better team than what we showed out here Friday night."

The concentration of Monday's practice was on hitting and conditioning.

"Basically all we did was hit and do a little conditioning," pointed out the Comets coach.

"We wanted to make it a relaxed atmosphere for the guys."

Davis says he hopes his team understands now what the coaching staff has been preaching throughout the season.

"Hopefully, these guys understand how important it is to be mentally prepared for a game," he said.

"Coming in mentally prepared to play is something we preach day in and day out."

The Comets coach said he and the team are ready to put Friday's loss behind them.

"It's time to move on," Davis said.

"We've got games coming up and we need to concentrate on trying to win those games and getting back on track."

Davis called the GW game "one of those fluke things."

"Anybody that knows baseball knows things like that happen sometimes, that its part of the game.

"I know we're a better team than that," continued Davis.

"There is not a lot of difference between us and GW. I believe we have a very competitive team. We've just got to go out there and display our ability."

Obituaries

Charles Alfred Burton

Charles Alfred Burton, 75, of Wimauma, Fla. died April 24.

Mr. Burton was born in Halifax County on November 26, 1928, the son of the late Jesse T. Burton and Hattie Childress Burton, and was married to Mary Ann Milam Burton. He was a disabled veteran of the Korean War, a member of the VFW, was the Northeast director of the National Ex POW Organization, and was the first person to receive the POW Medal by President Ronald Reagan in June, 1988.

Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Wanda L. Hirschy of Port Deposit, Md., Carol Del Frate of Aberdeen, Md., Donna Cook of Rising Sun, Md. and Terri DeBoard of High Springs, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; seven sisters, Emma B. Powell of South Boston, Grace Talbott of Hampton, Ola Mae Heck of Havre de Grace, Md., Annie Snead and Hattie Leah Puckett, both of Scottsburg, and Gilma Shand of Midlothian; two brothers, Thomas Burton of Scottsburg and Norman Burton of Abingdon, Md.; and his stepmother, Annie S. Burton of Scottsburg.

Mr. Burton was preceded in death by an infant son, Charles A. Burton Jr.; and a brother, Jesse Llewellyn Burton.

A memorial service for Mr. Burton will be held Saturday, May 15 at 2 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church with the Revs. Vance Midgett and Melvin Bradshaw conducting the service. Burial will be held at Hartford Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen, Md. on May 17 at 11 a.m.

Ralph P. Christian

Ralph P. Christian, 68, of Saxe died April 24.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Mary Christian. Survivors include his wife, D. Jean Christian; four daughters and their spouses, Judy Smith and Jimmy of Drakes Branch, Joann Lawrence and Phil, and Janice Christian, all of Spotsylvania, and Joy Saunders and James of Saxe; five grandchildren, Jayson Morris and Krystol, Sabrina Jenkins and Trae, Alisa Coffey and Wes, and Justin and Jessica Saunders; one great-grandson, Logan Jenkins; three sisters and their spouses, Waddell Harris and Ernest, Ella Boroughs and Duke, all of Carthage, Martha Norton and Bobby of West End, N.C.; and one brother, Bobby Thomas and April of Sanford, N.C.

Funeral services for Mr. Christian were held at 2 p.m. April 27 at Browning Funeral Home in Keysville with burial in the family cemetery.

The family received friends at the funeral home Monday evening.

Willie Dailey

Willie Dailey, 96, of Saxe died April 26 at The Woodview.

Mr. Dailey was born in Saxe on November 26, 1907, to the late Alex and Mary Bacon Dailey, and was married to the late Marie Haskins Dailey. He was a member of Rocky Branch Baptist Church and was a veteran of the Navy. He was a retired employee of Thomas Warsaw Company.

Survivors include nine children and their spouses, Willie L. and Irma Dailey, Milton and Virginia Dailey, all of Randolph, Doris Gibson of Philadelphia, Pa. Earl Dailey of South Boston, Edith and Willie Williams of New York, Drewie and Bernice Dailey and Wilbert and Ollie Dailey, all of New Jersey, Eunice and Harry Burton of Drakes Branch and Horace and Althia Dailey of Laureltown, N.Y.; and 36 grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by one son, Homer Dailey.

Funeral services for Mr. Dailey will be held at 1 p.m. May 1 at the Chapel of Giles-Harris Funeral Home in Chase City. Dr. Whitfield Scott will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in the Dailey Family Cemetery in Saxe.
The family will receive friends Friday evening, April 30, from 7 until 8 at the funeral home.

Evan Hardy (Peppy) Lacy III

Evan Hardy (Peppy) Lacy III, died Thursday, April 22, at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, N.C. He was born September 18, 1950, in Richmond.

Visitation was held at Wake Forest Baptist Church, Wake Forest, N.C., at 11 a.m. on April 24, with funeral services following at noon. Burial was in the Fork Union Baptist Church Cemetery in Fork Union, at 2 p.m. on April 25.

Mr. Lacy was preceded in death by his father, Evan Hardy Lacy Jr., and is survived by his mother, Barbara Branford Lacy; his wife of 30 years, Susan Russell Lacy; his children, Evan Russell Lacy and Alicia Ann Lacy;a brother, Hunter B. Lacy; and Sonny Randle.

Mr. Lacy graduated from Fluvanna County High School in 1968 and Methodist College in Fayetteville, N.C., in 1973. He had been employed by Stay-Right Precast Concrete, Inc., for 31 years.

Mr. Lacy was a member of Wake Forest Baptist Church.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Hospice of Wake County, the Evan Lacy Benefit Fund (for pancreatic cancer research), P.O. Box 58659, Raleigh, N.C 27658, or the Wake Forest Baptist Church.

Roger Yates

Roger Yates, 77, of 2080 Pete’s Trail, Clover died at his home.

Mr. Yates was born in Halifax County the son of the late James H. Yates and Blanche Chaffin Yates.

Survivors include one sister, Norma Y. Snead of Scottsburg; two brothers, James Willie Yates of Clover and Elmer Maxey Yates of Saxe; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Yates was preceded in death by two brothers, Charlie L. Yates and Willy Wayne ‘Mickey’ Yates; one half-sister, Lois Y. Noblin; and one half- brother, Otis Bryce Rose Jr.

A graveside service will be held April 30 at 11 a.m. at Rodgers Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery with the Revs. Jason Murray and Donald Spurlock officiating.

The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home tomorrow night, April 29, from 7:00 until 8:30.