Wednesday, May 12, 2004

Committee Recommends $1.9M
Full Tobacco Commission Vote On Funding Recommendation Set For May 20

The Southside Economic Development Committee of the Tobacco Commission recommended awarding $1,927,565 to Halifax County yesterday.

Pending approval of the move by the full commission on May 20, the Halifax Educational Foundation could soon have $750,000 to begin work to expand the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center.

The funds for the SVHEC will be used to renovate 10,000 square feet of existing space and add 160 new parking spaces.

The expansion will also provide space for a nursing lab for the Certified Nursing Assistant program, an auditorium-style classroom and additional multi-purpose classrooms.

During the day, the additional space will be used for a Governor's School in Halifax County that will increase the number of students attending Governor's School to 100 from the current 25.

Committee members also recommended funding a $1 million request by the IDA for the continuation of the development of Riverstone Technology Park.

The 2004 funding would be used to the construct the 60,000 sq. ft. building and related financing.

The total cost of the project is $12,828,000, according to the Commission.
Last year, the IDA received $2 million from the Commission for the Riverstone project.

In addition to the education money, the committee also agreed to recommend awarding $175,000 to the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority for the purchase of the Georgia Pacific property.

The IDA entered into a six-month lease-purchase option in January.

Currently, the IDA is seeking $400,000 in federal funds for demolition of the building.

A $752,565 request by the IDA to install a piece of equipment known as a 7-Post-Rig at Virginia International Raceway was referred to the Commission's Special Projects committee.

Del. Clarke Hogan, who sits on the committee with Sen. Frank Ruff and South Boston Town Councilman Ed Owens, said he was satisfied with the committee's recommendations.

"I am very pleased that the Tobacco Commission has chosen to support these projects that will continue to promote the future economic development of Halifax County," he said.

Halifax County was allocated $2,515,542 for FY 2004. The total amount requested was $3,427,565.

The county will be able to submit grant proposals for the $587,977 balance prior to the September grant cycle, according to the Commission.

Ferguson Gets Top Honor
Has Spent Career Teaching Art, Crafts And Ceramics At Halifax County High School

Cheryle D. Ferguson, a longtime art teacher and coach at Halifax County High School, has been named Halifax County's Teacher of the Year.

The announcement of the recipient of the county's Teacher of the Year award and the recipients of the Teacher of the Year at each of the county schools was made at Monday night's meeting of the Halifax County School Board.

"I'm truly honored, especially because of the people who stood with me," Ferguson said.

"Those are outstanding teachers that were standing there with me. I've seen the work of several of those people. To be chosen from among this group of people is truly an honor."

Halifax County School Board chairman Arthur Reynolds said he felt the selection of Ferguson for the top honor was a good one.

"Ms. Ferguson has been with us in the school system for a long time and has done an excellent job," Reynolds said.

"I know we've got a lot of deserving teachers. The committee took a look at all of them and felt that among the nominees she was an excellent selection. I think she is well-deserving of the honor."

Ferguson was presented a plaque and a $500 award for being selected Halifax County Teacher of the Year in addition to a $500 award and plaque she received for being selected Teacher of the Year at Halifax County High School.

Ferguson, now in her 30th year as a teacher in the Halifax County Public schools, has spent her career teaching art, crafts and ceramics at Halifax County High School.

She has served as chairman of the Art Department since 1991, has planned and developed cross curriculum units to allow students to explore and broaden their creativity and has organized and implemented a curriculum pacing guide for advanced Arts III, Arts IV and Crafts II.

Ferguson has been selected twice to serve on evaluation committees for the Virginia State Department and has served as a member of the Block Scheduling Observation Committee.

Also, Ferguson is an adjunct faculty member of Southside Virginia Community College and is the Art Club sponsor at Halifax County High School.

She has also been the designer and planner of Halifax County High School's annual Junior-Senior Prom for 26 years.

Among the awards Ferguson has received are Outstanding Young Women of America (1988) and Super Teacher Award (1997).

This year, Ferguson has been listed in the Who's Who Among America's Teachers.

The Halifax County High School faculty member is a member of the Halifax Education Association, a member of the Board of Directors of the Parsons-Bruce Art Association and has chaired numerous committees of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority of which she is a member.

In addition, she has served as corresponding secretary, Freedom of the Arts chairperson and as a member of the executive board of The Links Incorporated.

Ferguson holds a Master of Science Degree - Reading Specialist from Longwood College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art Education from Averett College.

Not only has Ferguson been successful in the classroom, she has also enjoyed a successful coaching career.

Ferguson is also a former girls softball and girls basketball coach at Halifax County High School.

Her Comets softball teams were particularly successful, garnering eight Western District titles between 1975 and 1993.

The 1988 girls softball team coached by Ferguson won the Northwest Region Tournament and advanced to the Group AAA state tournament.

Ferguson received the National High School Bronze Coaching Award in 1988.
In addition, she holds the designation as a Registered Athletic Administrator with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

Ferguson has continued her involvement in sports, serving as an instructor for the high school's annual Summer Basketball Camp for boys and girls ages 8-18.

She has also served as an assistant girls basketball coach at Halifax County High School for the past couple of seasons.

The Halifax County School Board also recognized teachers selected as Teacher of the Year at each of the county schools.

Each recipient received a $500 award and a plaque.

Among the recipients of Teachers of the Year awards were Patricia L. Davis, C.H. Friend Elementary School; Amy A. Davis, Clays Mill Elementary School; Lydia R. Trickey, Cluster Springs Elementary School; Cheryle D. Ferguson, Halifax County High School and C. Bedford Clements, Halifax County Middle School.

Also receiving Teacher of the Year kudos were Kay F. Duffer, Halifax Elementary School; YuVaughn Simon-Stokes, Meadville Elementary School; Dianne G. Holmes, Project IDEA; Elizabeth M. Epperson, Scottsburg Elementary School and Teresa M. Newbill, Sinai Elementary School.
The list of Teacher of the Year award winners also included Robin C. Reeves, South of Dan Elementary School; Mitzi D. Waller, Sydnor Jennings Elementary School; Ella M. Petty, Turbeville Elementary School; Jennifer P. Slagle, Washington-Coleman Elementary School and Darcy H. Armstrong, Wilson Memorial Elementary School.

Council Takes No Action On Tax Hike
Only One Person Speaks At SoBo Tax Public Hearing

A public hearing on a South Boston tax increase proposal drew only one speaker, businessman Mac Ragans, Monday night, and no Council action.

Council did take action on two other issues following public hearings, unanimously - with Mayor Glen Abernathy absent - approving a special use permit for construction of a Halifax Regional Hospital two-story cardiac unit, and approving, after its second reading, an ordinance authorizing the issuance of up to $4,500,000 in general obligation bonds.

Mike Thomas, HRH manager of support services, spoke on behalf of the fixed base cardiac catheterization unit which will offer added service days. The unit will be located on the south side of the hospital near the emergency room.

The $4.5 million bond issue 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's $600,000 pledge to The Prizery and initial funding of the county's $900,000 pledge.

During the public hearing addressing the real estate tax rate, Ragans asked Council to drop to 17 cents per assessed $100 since property had just been reassessed.

Ragans said yesterday that some of his property had an increase of 38 percent during reassessment.

"If they can see fit for 17 cents," Ragans said of the tax rate. "Paying town and county taxes is tearing me up."

But the Riverdale businessman said that he did "appreciate what South Boston does for me." He also sought Council's support in Riverdale, noting his effort to make Riverdale more attractive when people drive through. He cited building improvements and clean-up options.

On the tax rate question, Town Manager Ted Daniel explained that the lower 17-cent rate would produce the same revenue as last year's 19-cent rate.
Leaving the 19-cent rate would produce approximately $66,000 in additional revenue.

"The Finance Committee requested input on the tax rate," added Daniel.
State Code requires the town to conduct a public hearing when taxes raised as a result of property reassessment, if kept at the current tax rate, would be an effective increase of more than 1 percent.

The difference between the lower 17-cent tax rate and the proposed 19-cent rate would be an effective 11.7 percent tax increase, according to town staff reports.

Council took no action on the tax rate Monday night, but the public hearing leaves Council with the option to continue the 19- cent rate, if needed, or drop back to 17 cents, depending on budget requirements.

In other business, Council was advised of a letter from Mike Harris regarding the center median at Highway 360, part of the temporary traffic control at Hodges, and its favorable impact on trucks trying to turn left.

Councilman Tom Raab suggested that was something Council could convey to VDOT officials.

Councilman Coleman Speece said he had received several calls from citizens expressing their displeasure regarding Adelphia rates and service. Although limited, options were discussed.

In the budget work session, LEOS, a retirement program being considered for town police and firefighters, was first on the agenda.

Councilmen Coleman Speece posed a series of questions about the program including its use among like-sized towns, the program's vesting system and the program's benefits in retaining personnel. He also addressed the program's cost.

Estimated cost, according to the town finance director, is $170,000.

Councilman Eric Roberts asked if LEOS make the job more valued.
Town Manager Ted Daniel said that he thought it made the department more attractive.

Councilman Chris Elliott agreed. "I think some left because of LEOS that we could have retained."

Elliott said that he has never heard anything about insurance. "It's always LEOS, LEOS."

Speece told Council he thought the program was worthwhile "if we can afford it"

"I would like to see how the rest of the budget comes out," added Speece.
"Let's leave it in for right now," added Raab.

Insurance, police training costs, gas prices, contracted work, equipment repair and staffing positions were among items discussed during the wide-ranging budget deliberations Monday night.

During its April work session, town staff presented a $11,245,660 FY 2004-2005 budget, a decrease of $977,177 from the current budget of $12,753,961.
The proposed budget included personnel pay raises based on a 2 percent cost-of-living increase and participating in the Virginia Retirement System LEOS retirement option for law enforcement and firefighters.

The recommendation also included funding the Main Street Program at $50,000 per year for five years, a funding level described as consistent with current, successful Virginia Main Street programs, and considered critical to the success of the South Boston Main Street economic development initiative.
However, staff cautioned that in order to meet water and sewer 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 made no recommendation on the tax rate or w/s rates. The 17 cent property tax rate was used in their budget proposal.

June 7 is scheduled for the first Council budget public hearing. Councilmen plan to hold a second hearing on June 14, the regular Council session. The budget must be adopted by June 30.

Board Opposes Adding Pulaski Co.
The Halifax County School Board Joined HCHS Officials In Asking The Virginia High School League Not To Include Pulaski Co. High School In The Western Valley District

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

School system and Halifax County High school officials sent a very clear message to Virginia High School League officials yesterday - do not place Pulaski County High School into the Western Valley District.

The Halifax County School Board Monday night unanimously authorized school superintendent Dennis Witt to notify VHSL officials of the body's strong opposition to adding Pulaski County to the district should the Western Virginia school's enrollment require it to be classified as Group AAA school.

In the letter, Witt, citing the three and a half hour one-way trip to Pulaski County over what he called "some of Virginia's more treacherous roads," wrote "our school board feels this is unacceptable for students not only in Halifax County, but anywhere in Virginia.

"We plead to the Virginia High School League to seek solutions which give top priority to students' well being."

Witt also pointed out in the letter that Halifax County High School, as an AAA school in an area of the state with predominantly Group AA and Group A schools, already bears a great travel burden.

"We accept this as a necessary burden to have competitive parity for our one high school," Witt wrote.

"But, there is a limit to what we should realistically expect any student to endure to participate in our league activities."

The letter is expected to be in the hands of VHSL officials and members of the VHSL Redistricting and Reclassification Committee Thursday when the committee meets to begin developing its redistricting and reclassification plans.

The redistricting and reclassification plan that will be drafted by that committee would, if approved by a vote of the VHSL Executive Committee later this year, be implemented for a two-year cycle starting with the 2005-2006 school year.

Witt said yesterday that the VHSL "needs to be creative and start putting the kids first. There has got to be a better way to provide some flexibility and still be fair to everybody."

The school superintendent said he felt it is necessary that the Halifax County School Board get involved.

"The Virginia High School League is going to have to see it is not a reasonable expectation for kids to have to travel more than three hours (one way) to compete in a league contest," Witt said.

"We have to travel enough as it is."

Halifax County High School Athletic Director Don Thompson said he, too, feels it is necessary for the School Board to take a stand on the issue.

"If you don't do anything, they (VHSL officials) will figure they can do anything they want to do and that you will sit back and accept it," Thompson said.
"If there is some reaction from someone, (a school principal, school superintendent or School Board) they may do what they want to do anyway, but they will understand they will have to deal with somebody."

In making the request to the School Board Monday night to take a stand on the issue, Randolph cited four major areas of concern supporting opposition to the addition of Pulaski County to the district.

They included the extensive travel (three and a half hours one way), the safety factor in traveling on Interstate 81, especially at night, the late hours at which students will be arriving back home and a significant impact on the school's travel budget.

Halifax County High School officials and the Halifax County School Board are not the only ones who oppose opposition to having Pulaski County in the district.

In a May 3 meeting, the Western Valley District principals and athletic directors drafted a letter to VHSL officials indicating that group's unanimous opposition to the addition of Pulaski County to the district.

Also, in a memo to Witt dated May 4, Randolph stated he had spoken to Pulaski County High School Principal Rod Reedy and Reedy indicated Pulaski County High School also opposes being added to the Western Valley District.

Pulaski County High School, which currently is a Group AA school, is expected to see an enrollment increase that will push its enrollment to 1,490 students.

That number puts Pulaski County High School on the bubble, just inside the cutoff figure between Group AAA and Group AA, just high enough to shift the school back to its former Group AAA status of several years ago.

However, there is a situation that could have a bearing in whether or not Pulaski County stays where it is in Group AA.

The R&R Committee will also have to consider projected enrollments for four high schools scheduled to open in 2004 and four other high schools scheduled to open in 2005.

Also in the mix for the R&R Committee to ponder are projected enrollments of schools whose present size will be impacted by new school openings and the projected enrollment of those schools as a result of the new openings.
Eight schools that fit in those categories show projected enrollments of 1,500 students or more, dropping Pulaski County, which is projected to be on the bubble of the cutoff line between Group AAA and Group AA status under those schools.

Most of those schools, however, are in Group AAA districts that are in the Group AAA Northwest Region and are located in and near Northern Virginia.
If the VHSL R&R Committee does not finalize its proposal Thursday, another meeting may be held on May 26 to finish up the work.

Obituaries

Robert Carl Carr Sr.

Robert Carl Carr Sr., 81, of Winston-Salem, N.C. died May 10 at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston Salem.

Mr. Carr was born in Roanoke on May 10, 1923, the son of the late Fred Carr and Mary Bray Carr and was married to Virginia Gray Carr.

He was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, a veteran Mason, a member of Faulkner Memorial Lodge #91, charter member of Trinity Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon, and was employed by American Tobacco Company before retiring.

Survivors of Mr. Carr include his wife; one son, Robert C. Carr Jr. and wife, Audrey, of Lexington, N.C.; one grandson, Christopher Alan Carr of Lexington; and one brother, Tommy Carr of Tampa, Fla.

A graveside service will be held today, May 12, at 1:30 p.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery in South Boston with Masonic Rites. The Rev. Stewart Ellis will conduct the service.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, 27103, or Trinity Presbyterian church, 1416 Bolton Street, Winston-Salem, 27103.

Howard Mitchell Kendrick

Howard Mitchell Kendrick, 80, of Brad Smith Trail, Nathalie died May 11 at Lynchburg General Hospital.

He was born in Pittsylvania County on February 5, 1924, and was married to Cynthia Crews Kendrick.

Funeral services will be held this evening, May 12 at 8:00 at Powell Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Paul Rowles officiating. There will be a private burial. The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:00.

Survivors of Mr. Kendrick include his wife of the home; one son, Howard Wayne Kendrick of Nathalie; two daughters, Cynthia Ann K. Rowles of Edinburg and Peggy K. Fuller of Fredericksburg; three grandchildren, Kristy Kendrick of Baltimore, Md., Leslie and Maggie Kendrick, both of Nathalie; and one great-grandchild, Chase Stanley of Baltimore.

Peggy Kent Rather

Peggy Kent Rather, 71, of 1016 Alchie Lane, Nathalie died May 9 at her home.

Mrs. Rather was born in Halifax County on May 25, 1932, the daughter of the late Samuel A. Kent and Ruth Powell Kent, and was married to Lawrence Rather.

Survivors include her husband; one daughter, Teresa Kay Rather of Nathalie and John Rogers of South Boston; one son, David Rather and wife, Anita V. Rather, of Halifax; two grandchildren; Joshua Ryan and Taylor Lauren Rather of Halifax; two step-grandchildren, Caitlyn Brooke and Morgan Joseph Rogers, both of South Boston; three sisters, Arleen Edwards of Charlottesville, Marjorie Gray and husband, Ed, of Virginia Beach, and Dolores K. Porter of Pell City, Ala; two special friends, Sheila Demeritt of Sierra Vista, Ariz. and Polly Giebner of Halifax. She was preceded in death by one son, John Wesley Rather; and one brother, Maurice Kent Sr.

A graveside service for Mrs. Rather will be held today, May 12 at 2 p.m. at Halifax Memorial Gardens with the Revs. Rudolph Jacobs and Bob Watts officiating.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, 24592.