The proposed revocation of the town charter of Clover was discussed, with no action taken, during Monday night's adjourned meeting of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors.
Clover Mayor Debbie Griles appeared before the board to talk about concerns that citizens of Clover have on the proposal to end the township.
"My main concern is that we do not do anything to the detriment of the citizens of Clover," Griles told the board. "We want to make sure our residents are comfortable with this."
One of the main concerns is whether the town will be able to keep its 23 street lights. Griles asked that the board consider setting up a special account after the charter is revoked to help pay for the lights.
That account will contain the expected final balance of the town's general fund which Griles estimates to be about $10,000. That would be enough to pay for the operation of the 23 street lights for approximately two years, she told the board.
Once that money is spent, the residents would have to individually decide if they want to keep street lights in front of their homes. They would then have to pay Virginia Power for the service, officials explained.
The monthly cost to have such a service is between $9 and $14 dollars per light, officials pointed out.
The street light issue would have to be taken care of by a town ordinance passed by the Clover Town Council, according to County Administrator Dan Sleeper.
In the meantime, Griles stated that she and other town officials would meet with residents to address their concerns and answer any questions they have, prior to the vote to rescind the charter.
Griles also pointed out that fire insurance rates would not be higher if the town charter ended. She called five insurance companies last week who stated that such a political incident would have no bearing on fire insurance rates.
The town will still have its fire hydrants, as well as the Clover Volunteer Fire Department, she said.
The major change that would occur is the loss of a $4,000 annual grant to the Clover VFD from the state, which is given to all town fire departments, Griles added.
Meeting with residents is the next step of the ongoing procedure, officials said. Then the issue could be put on a referendum for November's election, as long as an agreement is signed between Halifax County and Clover prior to 60 days of the election, Sleeper explained.
If no agreement is reached in time, the earliest a referendum could take place would be during the election in November, 1999. There is no election scheduled for May, 1999, other than a possible political party's primary, according to Assistant County Administrator Jerry Lovelace.
Holding a special election for the referendum would cost about $10,000, Sleeper said.
Unexpected revenues caused an increase of the 1998-99 Halifax County budget by $457,807, resulting in a proposed budget of $54,926,719.
"Two major factors caused most of this increase: more deputy positions and a grant for the airport," explained Halifax County Administrator Dan Sleeper.
The state Compensation Board recently approved salaries for six additional deputies who will be assigned to provide security at the courthouse complex, Sleeper said. The Halifax County Sheriff's Department will also get seven additional road deputies for the new year.
The county will receive about $190,000 from the state to pay for the court security deputies, while local funds of about $16,500 will be needed to pay for their medical benefits, according to Sleeper.
Meanwhile, the William M. Tuck Airport will receive a $325,000 grant which is earmarked for capital improvements to the 50-year-old airport, he added. Local matching funds of about $30,000 will be expended for the grant.
The recommended budget represents a 1.8 percent increase in revenue from last year's budget. Reflecting this year's reassessment of real estate values, the real estate tax rate was lowered to 31 cents per $100 of assessed value.
That allows the tax rate to conform with state tax laws which prohibits an increase in the real estate tax rate by more than one percent in any fiscal year.
"This (budget adjustments) reflects the changes in the economy of our area, the closing of industries, and the loss of sales tax, business license tax, and other miscellaneous taxes to the boundary adjustment," stated Sleeper.
The budget proposes a salary increase for all constitutional officers at 3.67 percent, while other employees get an overall 2.25 percent increase, officials said.
Supervisor Earl Watts expressed concern about the yearly increase in expenses for the Department of Social Services. "Welfare keeps going up every year," he said. "The local and state (social services) keep going up every year.
"They claim they take them off welfare," Watts continued. "But they're just putting them on another program."
During a public hearing Monday night, the board unanimously voted to approve an increase in the consumer utility tax rate from one percent over $100 per month to two percent over $100 per month.
The motion was made by supervisor Robbie Smart and was seconded by supervisor Garland Ricketts.
Sleeper pointed out that the increase will not effect residential users.
The newly proposed budget will be advertised later this month and then a public hearing will be held on the budget on Monday, June 8 beginning at 7 p.m. That meeting will take place in the second floor public meeting room of the Mary Bethune Office Complex in Halifax.
The board is then scheduled to vote on the budget at a special meeting on Monday, June 29, also beginning at 7 p.m. in the same meeting place.
In other matters, the board voted to declare an emergency situation for the county's landfill operation, which will allow the county to immediately replace its recently-wrecked garbage truck.
Insurance will cover the estimated cost of about $75,000 for the truck, Sleeper said.
Currently, the county has only one truck that is being used 16 hours a day to empty green boxes throughout the county, he pointed out.
The emergency declaration motion was made by supervisor Tom West and was seconded by supervisor Smart.
The Dollar General Corporation will spend an estimated $150,000 in fencing and landscaping to create a new buffer between their facility and adjacent residents who have been complaining about noise.
The plan was presented at Monday night's adjourned meeting of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors. Under motion of supervisor Page Wilkerson, seconded by supervisor Robbie Smart, the board approved the plan by a 7-0 vote.
Board chairman Joe Satterfield abstained from voting, since his wife owns stock in the Dollar General Corporation.
The landscaping project will begin immediately to maximize the number of trees that can be planted during the end of the spring growing season, according to Guy Bowman, a design manager with the Joseph Gray Construction Company.
Approximately 160 trees will be planted between Dollar General's regional distribution center and the residences. The trees, which will include a mixture of White Pine, Hemlock, and Leyland Cypress, will be between four and six feet tall when planted and situated in staggered rows, officials said.
The remainder of the trees will be planted during the fall growing season of September 1 to November 15, Bowman added.
Dollar General will also construct a six-foot-high fence that runs a total of 304 feet between the facility and the residents, according to Bowman.
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Barry E. DuVal will be the featured guest during the formal dedication of The Software Factory today.
Gov. James Gilmore III, who was expected to dedicate the company during its grand opening, cancelled his scheduled appearance at the event Friday, according to a company spokesman.
Other guests expected at the Wednesday afternoon event include state Sen. Louise Lucas, Sen. Charles Hawkins, Del. W.W. "Ted" Bennett, Del. Frank Ruff and Robert C. Brower, chairman of The Software Factory board of directors.
The grand opening is scheduled this afternoon at the company's 504 Wilborn Avenue address in South Boston.
Jerry Hill and Beverly Lucas are co-founders of the company, a high tech firm which specializes in year 2000 remediation and software development.
A police officer of the South Boston Police Department was arrested Thursday for a Class I misdemeanor count of possession and delivering obscene photographs.
Marty J. Davis, 32, of South Boston immediately offered his resignation after the warrant from Pittsylvania County was served, according to SBPD Chief Jim Hall. His resignation was accepted.
Davis allegedly sent obscene photographs to the Rev. Eli R. Layne of Pittsylvania County on May 11, according to the investigation.
He will be tried in the Pittsylvania County General District Court next month, officials said. Davis had previously been a part-time officer with both the South Boston Police Department and the Halifax Police Department.
He served as Chief of the Boydton Police Department, until starting full-time at the South Boston PD in mid-April of this year, officials said.
Boydton town officials declined to comment on Davis other than to confirm that he was employed as their Chief of Police for six years.
Davis was on a probationary period with the South Boston Police Department, in accordance with normal operating procedure for all new full-time officers, Chief Hall said.
At the time of his resignation, Davis was being trained to serve as the police department's Crime Prevention Officer.
By CURT ANDERSON
AP Farm Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - The 68-year-old federal tobacco price support program would end by 2002 and holders of tobacco quotas would be bought out for $8 a pound under an alternative farmer assistance bill unveiled Monday by two Republican senators.
Agriculture Committee Chairman Dick Lugar of Indiana and Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell said they would offer their measure as an amendment to the comprehensive tobacco legislation the Senate is debating this week.
That overall bill also contains buyout provisions for tobacco farmers, but would maintain the tobacco program that limits production and boosts prices. Lugar said it makes no sense to pass legislation aimed at reducing smoking while encouraging growth of the crop used in cigarettes.
''I do not believe it is appropriate for the federal government to continue a program which makes the production of tobacco more lucrative,'' Lugar told reporters.
McConnell, whose state is home to about 60,000 tobacco farmers, said the program eventually would succumb to repeated assaults in Congress and that growers should get what they can while there is money available.
''So today, the question before us is not whether the tobacco program will end, but when will it end,'' McConnell said.
The $18 billion Lugar-McConnell measure would pay holders of quotas - government licenses to market tobacco - an $8-a-pound buyout, based on past production, in three installments from 1999-2001. Growers who lease quotas would get $4 a pound in three installments, based on a production average.
The price support system would phase out over three years. In 2002, anyone could grow tobacco but the government would not attempt to control price or production levels.
Another $200 million over five years would go to Southeastern tobacco states to help communities that suffer financially from reduced production.
The overall tobacco bill contains provisions by Sen. Wendell Ford, D-Ky., seeking $16 billion for buyouts and $12.5 billion to assist displaced workers and hard-hit communities. The tobacco program would remain for those who continued growing it.
Ford called the Lugar-McConnell alternative ''a misleading bribe'' to farmers.
By LAURIE KELLMAN
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - A fleeting spirit of bipartisanship on tobacco legislation exploded on the Senate floor when Democrats discovered that GOP leaders wanted to scrap price supports that help tobacco farmers.
''The bipartisanship is ended,'' fumed Sen. Ernest Hollings of South Carolina, the lead Democrat on the bill sponsored by Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain.
Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle called the matter ''a very serious violation of good faith.''
''It comes with a price,'' Daschle, D-S.D., added Monday. ''And that price is the cooperation needed to finish our work.''
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, who announced the pricing measure, called for calm and indicated that such bluster would endanger the bill - setting the stage for an election-year blame game if the measure dies.
''If you don't want us to try to find a way to deal with children smoking and drug abuse by children ... go right ahead,'' he responded.
Such was the tone as the Senate recessed for the evening on a day that began with momentum behind the bill.
Daschle kicked off the morning by predicting that the Senate would pass the bill by week's end, when Congress recesses for Memorial Day.
Even the bill's staunchest and most senior opponents agreed that it probably would pass.
''I can count votes,'' said Lott's No. 2 man, Sen. Don Nickles of Oklahoma. ''In all likelihood, the Senate is going to pass it.''
But that was before Lott brought an amendment to the floor meant to toughen McCain's original, $516 billion bill, passed last month by the Commerce Committee 19-1.
Attached to the amendment was a measure unveiled earlier in the day by Agriculture Committee Chairman Dick Lugar to phase out the 68-year-old price support program by buying out farmers' shares in it. The original McCain bill instead would pay farmers up to $28 billion in aid in a provision called the LEAF Act. The two proposals contradict each other and one, eventually, would have to be deleted.
The challenge to the LEAF act infuriated Hollings in particular, who had lobbied for support on the overall bill alongside McCain. The Arizona senator earlier this year visited Hollings' home state to reassure farmers there that the bill would not harm them.
Hollings authorized his spokesman to accuse McCain of using Democrats and tobacco farmers to further other ambitions.
''McCain's effort to build a bipartisan tobacco bill was nothing more than a plot to promote his presidential bid,'' said Hollings' spokesman, Maury Lane. ''He traveled to South Carolina promising farmers protection and gave them nothing. He should be ashamed of his disingenuous behavior.''
McCain's office did not immediately respond, but senior GOP sources said they are betting that the angry Democrats will vote for the bill nonetheless.
''I believe the great center will hold on this bill,'' McCain said on the Senate floor.
Meanwhile, the Senate unanimously adopted the amendment to toughen McCain's bill, ignoring the tobacco industry's demand for leniency. The new version would raise the fees companies would pay the government and scale back the lawsuit protection for subsidiaries and industry lawyers.
''In every state in the country, tobacco companies have invested enormous sums of money and time to encourage widespread lawbreaking,'' McCain said. ''Now is the time to put an end to it.''
In an agreement with the White House, McCain last week drew up the tougher terms, which would:
-Raise the cap on damages that companies can be forced to pay plaintiffs from $6.5 billion to $8 billion annually;
-Delete a provision that would have protected parent companies, subsidiaries and lawyers from class action lawsuits;
-Raise the cap on ''lookback penalties,'' fines companies must pay if youth smoking does not decline, from $3.5 billion to $4 billion annually.
McCain was still awaiting word on whether the changes would raise the industry's price tag from the original bill's total of $516 billion over 25 years, according to sources close to the talks.
A former local high school basketball star was sentenced Monday to a total of 20 years in prison for two cocaine distribution and two conspiracy to distribute cocaine convictions.
David Walter Griffin, 35, of South Boston was sentenced in the Halifax County Circuit Court to five years on each conviction, with all but two years suspended.
Circuit Court Judge Charles L. McCormick III suspended that time on condition that Griffin successfully completes one year of supervised probation following his release from custody.
He was remanded to jail following the sentencing hearing.
In other cases heard Monday:
· Larry Williams Jennings, 32, of Nathalie was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the malicious wounding of Thomas Junior Younger. The incident occurred on March 1, 1996.
Judge McCormick suspended all but three years and eight months, on condition that Jennings be of good behavior for a period of 10 years following his release from prison.
He was remanded to jail.
· David Epps, 22, of South Boston was sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison and 24 months in jail for cocaine, marijuana, and imitation substance distribution convictions. The incidents occurred in May and June of 1996.
He was sentenced to five years in prison on each of two counts of cocaine distribution; five years for distribution of an imitation substance; 12 months for marijuana distribution; and 12 months for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Judge McCormick suspended all but 12 months of the prison and jail terms on condition of his good behavior for a period of 17 years and successful completion of one year of supervised probation.
Epps was also granted work release status while he serves his jail term.
· Pamela Miller Gravitt, 36, of South Boston was convicted of felony counts of breaking and entering and larceny of items from Tangles Beauty Salon. The incident occurred on August 16, 1997.
Judge McCormick ordered a presentence report for the July term of court. She was allowed to remain free on bond.
· David Guthrie, 35, of Scottsburg was sentenced to five years in prison for a cocaine distribution conviction. Judge McCormick suspended all but 12 months in jail on condition that he successfully completes one year of supervised probation following his release.
Guthrie was granted work release status.
In cases heard Friday in the Halifax County Circuit Court:
· Gregory Lamont Waller, 19, of South Boston was convicted on three counts of distribution of cocaine. The incidents occurred on May 21, May 29, and May 30 of 1997.
Judge McCormick ordered a presentence reported for the July term of court when Waller will be sentenced. He was remanded to jail.
· Kenneth Leeland Snead, 38, of Scottsburg was convicted of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. The incident occurred on March 1, 1997.
Judge McCormick ordered a presentence report for the July term of court. Snead was allowed to remain free on bond pending the hearing.
· Timothy Ervin Dixon, 41, of Vernon Hill was sentenced to 12 months in jail for a conviction of driving after having been declared a habitual offender.
He was also sentenced to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine for driving under the influence and refusing a blood/breath test. The incident occurred on November 8, 1997.
Dixon was remanded to jail.
· Bea Chandler, 53, of Vernon Hill was convicted of possessing a firearm after previously having been convicted of a felony. The incident occurred on November 1, 1997.
Judge McCormick ordered a presentence report for the July term of court. Chandler was allowed to remain free on bond.
· Calvin Bryan Howerton, 45, of Danville was convicted of possession of cocaine. The incident occurred on May 11, 1997.
Judge McCormick ordered a presentence report for the July term of court. Howerton was remanded to jail.
· Samuel Vincent Johnson, 50, of Alton was convicted of two counts of making a false statement to purchase a firearm and attempting to purchase a firearm after previously having been convicted of a felony. The incident occurred on September 3, 1997.
Judge McCormick ordered a presentence report for the July term of court. Johnson was allowed to remain free on bond.
· Nathan E. Coleman, 46, of Scottsburg was pleaded guilty to a count of possession of cocaine. The incident occurred on April 24, 1997.
A withholding of guilt will occur for one year. Coleman must complete one year of supervised probation. He was released from custody.
· Herbert Moore Jr., 37, of Halifax was convicted of two counts of breaking and entering the property of Earl Howerton and one count of grand larceny. The incidents occurred on January 12, 1998.
Judge McCormick ordered a presentence report for the July term of court. He was remanded to jail.
· Ernest Percell Medley, 36, of South Boston was convicted of distribution of cocaine. Judge McCormick ordered a presentence report for the July term of court.
Medley was allowed to remain free on bond.
Elizabeth Whitmore Harrison, 85, formerly of Waverly died Friday, May 15, 1998 at The Woodview in South Boston.
Mrs. Harrison was born September 10, 1912 in Surry County the daughter of Joel Claud Whitmore and Sala Branch Whitmore and was married to the late Julian R. Harrison Sr. She was a member of Rocky Hock United Methodist Church in Wakefield and attended Carsley United Methodist Church in Surry County.
Survivors include one son, Julian Randolph Harrison Jr. of South Boston; four brothers, Grady Whitmore, Aubrey Whitmore, J.C. Whitmore Jr., all of Wakefield, and Braxton Whitmore of Smithfield; one sister, Sue Whitmore Jones of Surry County; two grandchildren, Julian R. Harrison III of Haw River, NC and Robin L. Jennings of South Boston; and four great-grandchildren.
Graveside services for Mrs. Harrison were held Sunday, May 17 at Waverly Cemetery with Rev. Raymond Rowland Jr. officiating.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Carsley United
Methodist Church, c/o Cindy Chappell, 224 Otterdam Road, Waverly, VA 23890.
Joe Buck Briscoe of 1052 High Rock Trail, Vernon Hill died Sunday, May 17, 1998 at his home. He was 68 years of age.
Mr. Briscoe was born June 22, 1929 in Corinth, MS the son of James C. Briscoe and Caddie Irene Maness Briscoe and was married to Gladys W. Briscoe. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the Navy SeaBees.
Mr. Briscoe was President Emeritus of Local 1052 American Federation of Government Employees at Fort Belvoir.
Graveside services will be held today, May 20 at 2 p.m. at the Briscoe family cemetery in Vernon Hill with Revs. Darryl Joyce and Carl Hudson officiating.
Survivors of Mr. Briscoe include his wife; three daughters, Diane Van Buren of Mineral, Sally Evans of Manassas and Rebecca Phelps of Vernon Hill; one son, Joseph J. Briscoe of Vernon Hill; two brothers, William C. and Claude M. Briscoe, both of Saltillo, MS; and seven grandchildren.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Oak Level First Responders, c/o J.C. Satterfield, 5152 Oak Level Road, Halifax, VA 24558.
Ruth Gamble Dixon of 617 Homestead Trail, Ringgold, died Sunday, May 17, 1998 at her residence. She was 81 years of age.
Mrs. Dixon was born in Lane, SC on June 16, 1916 the daughter of Isaiah Gamble and Louisa Brunson Gamble and was married to James Dixon. She was a member of Temple of Faith Apostolic Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Louise V. Moore of Richmond and Chrisma Lourene Dixon of Norfolk; one step-son, James Kelty Jr. of Philadelphia, PA; three grandchildren, Glenda Harrell Clark of Danville, Robin Elizabeth Beatty of Belleville, IL, and Ronald David Moore Sr. of Richmond; six great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Dixon will be held Saturday, May 23 at 1 p.m. at Temple of Faith Apostolic Church with Bishop James Dennis officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Park in Danville.
The family will receive friends at the home.