A Halifax War Memorial design controversy - whether the obelisk should be black or white granite - will be thrown open for public comment on June 4.
A decision by the supervisors is expected either at the Monday, June 4, meeting or at the Board's mid-June meeting.
During its Monday night session the Board set the June public hearing, also agreeing to set a five-minute limit for representatives of organizations speaking during the hearing. A three-minute limit was set for individuals.
The Board also received petitions from Halifax Woman's Club representative Flora Osborne asking that white granite be used for the entire monument.
Osborne also presented ink renditions of the monument, one with a white obelisk and one with a black obelisk, to supervisors.
Larry Clark, acting chairman of the Halifax County War Memorial Commission, spoke on behalf of the Commission.
He endorsed the proposal included in the May report to the Building and Grounds Committee, repeating the Commission's continued support "for a memorial incorporating a canopied obelisk of contrasting light gray and black granite...
"It is our opinion, that our design is a fitting tribute to the citizens of this county who gave their lives defending our freedom. This project has gone on long enough and we urge your support in bringing it to closure at your June meeting by approving the design we submitted several months ago, which has been verified by your architects and presented without objection to every veterans organization in Halifax County."
The supervisors' Building and Grounds Committee met over two hours prior to the Board's session Monday night.
During that meeting, the committee approved the following recommendations to supervisors, including the June 4 public hearing:
· The memorial roof shall be copper, appropriately treated for a bronze finish.
· Support columns shall be Bethel White granite.
·Memorial platform shall be Bethel White granite.
· Entablature shall be of wood construction, with wood finished color to match Bethel White granite; except that the entablature shall be of Bethel White granite should this be less costly than wood construction.
· Obelisk top and panels shall be of the same stone material.
· Memorial structure shall be round, with height, shape and proportions as recommended in the Dewberry and Davis Report.
· Site walkway and eyebrow wall shall be fieldstone veneer over block, subject to cost considerations.
· A public hearing shall be held by the Board on June 4, to receive citizen comment on the color of the obelisk; black versus white.
Supervisor James Edmunds, chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee, said that his committee "felt it best to receive all public comment" regarding color of the obelisk.
The Building and Grounds Committee had expected to receive various monument cost estimates from Dewberry & Davis as well as A. C. Joyner, the monument consultant for the Halifax County War Commission. However, neither consultant had completed the estimates and neither was present at the meeting.
During the meeting, committee members discussed lettering readability in both black and white granite.
They were told by a Dewberry & Davis representative (during a conference call) that lettering (for names) cut in black granite was more easily seen in the daytime and that lettering cut into white was more easily seen at night, with proper lighting.
Also, the committee was advised that the letters cut into white granite could be stained to be more easily read. They were also advised that the staining was not expensive and that it would have to be redone every 10 years.
The committee also walked through the Town of Halifax cemetery to examine lettering cut into dark and light stones.
Cost speculations among committee members ran as high as $250,000 to complete the park and the memorial.

Retiring Del. W.W. "Ted" Bennett was recognized by county and town officials Monday night for his "substantial legacy of accomplishments," including The Continuing Education Center, new manufacturing jobs, Staunton River Battlefield State Park and improved highways.
South Boston Mayor Glen Abernathy, Halifax Mayor Dennis Osborne and Joe Satterfield, chairman of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, recognized Bennett in a joint resolution.
Satterfield described Bennett as a "very effective legislator" for the area, region and state.
The delegate was also recognized for his decision not to seek re-election in order to keep Halifax County whole during the GOP-dominated redistricting process.
In his acceptance, Bennett urged officials to keep the element of choice as varied as possible.
"People choose to live and stay in communities for many reasons," he said, naming the element of choice and the quality of public education as one of those reasons.
Bennett described public schools as a melting pot. "To the extent public education prospers, so will democracy ...," he added.
He told officials that company CEOs and captains of industry want quality public education available.
The delegate also addressed the importance of technology, noting that there was no provision made by Congress for rural areas to tap into the Internet in the early 1990s or to provide for the availability of broadband width at a later date, as Congress had done for rural areas during the 1930s for electric and telephone service.
Bennett has long been an advocate of rural areas tapping into new technology opportunities, whether for schools or business needs. He fought General Assembly legislation hampering community's efforts to tap onto fiber-optic high-speed data transmission and/or Internet access.
The delegate said that he would continue to work to bring jobs to the area, adding that he thought some might be on the horizon.
Noting he was a county native who married a local girl and raised his family here, Bennett told the crowd that it "had been an honor to represent you in the oldest legislative body" in the Western Hemisphere.
"It was an extraordinary privilege and I thank you very much," he said.
Bennett served the 60th District in the House of Delegates from 1989 to 2001.
The resolution in its entirety follows:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Honorable W. W. Bennett, Jr. has served for twelve years, representing Halifax County, as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable W. W. Bennett, Jr. has exemplified the best of Halifax County as our ambassador throughout the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable W. W. Bennett, Jr. has maintained citizen contact with the true compassion of a Virginia gentleman; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable W. W. Bennett, Jr. will be leaving a substantial legacy of accomplishments from which our citizens have already benefited, including significant tangible improvements such as: the Staunton River Battleground State Park, the numerous new manufacturing employers, improved highways and the Continuing Education Center; and ,
WHEREAS, More importantly, there are quality intangible results from Delegate Bennett's service, including: the improved ability to use technological advancements in communications; the heightened concern for the environment; the significant focus on watershed management within the greater Roanoke River Basin; and the increased return from the Tobacco Master Settlement funds to Halifax County's farmers; and
WHEREAS, Delegate Bennett, in an act of true statesmanship, voluntarily ended his service in the House of Delegates in order to insure Halifax County could remain in a single House of Delegates district for the next decade.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That sincere appreciation be extended to The Honorable W. W. Bennett, Jr. for his excellent service representing Halifax County as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates.

The county and towns established the legal framework to create the E-911 Emergency Communications System Center and establish a board of directors, with by-laws, during their joint meeting Monday night.
South Boston and Town of Halifax officials joined supervisors in unanimously approving the E-911 proposal following a public hearing.
No one spoke during the public hearing.
The center will have a 7-member board, with two members each from the county and South Boston and one each from the Town of Halifax, the Sheriff's Department and the Halifax County Fire Commission.
The center is expected to become operational in July of 2002 to perform dispatching functions for county and town law enforcement, fire, rescue and related emergency services personnel.
A $2.50 surcharge on telephones bills will be a funding agent for the operation.
The E-911 Center's new director, Allen Bober, hopes to begin the process for purchasing radio equipment to link emergency services personnel immediately.
In other business, Supervisor Lottie Nunn told supervisors that the county needs a new ladder truck.
Cluster Springs VFD Chief Rob Ford, a member of the Fire Commission committee, addressed the county's need for a ladder truck, estimating the cost in the $575,000 to $630,000 range.
"That includes the required equipment," added Ford.
Commission members told officials that the area has had a number of "close calls," naming fires at the John Randolph Motor Inn, Billy's Steak House and O'Sullivan, among others.
"If you have a fire at your house, do you want to wait for firemen from Danville?" asked the commission member.
"We need a ladder truck," Nunn said.
The current ladder truck did not pass inspection, failing the aerial device study.
Ford told officials that using a demonstrator aerial truck, the volunteers had make stops at Huber, Sunshine Mills, the Regional Jail and the hospital, "for placement and testing to see if the ladder will reach a certain height."
Ford said the department needed 95-foot to 100-foot ladder availability, and that the demonstrators that were tried worked well.
"We found that (demonstrator trucks) was the way to go," Ford said. "It is not a used piece, not a refurbished one." He said warranties also come with a demonstrator model. "This truck will be self-sufficient," he added.
The volunteer fireman also said that demonstrator trucks were ready for immediate use, but if a new truck is ordered, delivery may take one year.
In response to a question, Ford said that the anticipated life expectancy of the fire truck was 20 to 30 years.
"The need is there now," said Nunn. "We have been fairly lucky. How long do you want to wait? Who knows where the need will be next?"
Comprehensive Plan
Supervisors urged Assistant County Administrator Jerry Lovelace and the Planning Commission to focus on completion of the Comprehensive Plan.
Also, the decision was made not to recommend creating a district for manufactured homes in the Sinai area now.
A request by a developer concerning property in the Sinai area, particularly lot sizes when water and sewer are available, prompted that decision.
The initial request to rezone the Sinai property came in 1999.
Lovelace noted that the Planning Commission had made a recommendation but that the recommendation was not accepted by supervisors but sent back to the Planning Commission and towns.
He also said that the county's proposed zoning requirements and the Town of Halifax's were not the same.
"This Comprehensive Plan is taking a long time," said Halifax attorney Alan Gravitt, who represents the developer.
Lovelace said that the Planning Commission had held 23 public meeting before starting to write the Comprehensive Plan in order to get input from citizens and organizations.
"We take extra time and cover all bases," Lovelace said.
A $59,898,991 county budget for 2000/2001 will go to public hearing on June 4.
Supervisors reviewed the budget - one carrying a four-cent real estate tax hike - for advertisement during their Monday night session.
The budget will not be considered for adoption until seven days after the June Public Hearing.
The proposed tax levy for the year will jump from 36 cents per $100 valuation to 40 cents.
The personal property levy is $1.26 per $100 valuation. Industrial machinery and tolls (per $100 valuation) based on 50 percent of original capitalized cost is $1.26.
Supervisors also heard a presentation (for information) by South Boston Manager Ted Daniel on resource officers in the schools.

By MICHAEL A. PAIGE
It's not what the doctor ordered, said insurance agent J. T. Davis.
Davis is evaluating the damage to tobacco after two to seven inches of rain fell in Halifax County during the past week.
According to Davis, a significant amount of damage has occurred to Southside-area farms due to heavy rain and hail storms.
While the recent rains are a godsend, considering the drought that has left farms three to six inches below normal on the water table, the sudden downpours have halted tobacco farmers from cultivating and planting.
"It's like a double-edge sword because we needed the rain," said Traci Talley, owner of tobacco fields in North Halifax County.
"However, with the amount that's fallen in the short period of time, it's put us behind schedule as far as cultivating and in top dressing the fields.
"I prefer not so much at one time," Talley added.
Mitch and Traci Talley have 60 acres of tobacco with six acres that are still to be planted.
Just days ago, an irrigation system was set up in the Talley fields to offset the dryness that threatened the early plants.
Now the fields are saturated with water with pools standing in the furrows from the recent rain.
With the cooler temperatures and wet conditions that are expected to continue over the next couple of days, concerns arise about the possibility of blue mold forming and the risk of young plants drowning.
Wet fields also pose the prospect of having to spread nitrogen fertilizer by hand, requiring greater labor costs since tractors will be unable to perform the task without bogging down.
According to Davis, it's risky business for farmers who are caught in the dilemma of extreme conditions.
"We've been praying for rain and now we're praying for the rain to stop," Davis said.
The agent said he would rather see some of the rain in July rather than so much at one time.
During his inspections, Davis said the severe hail storm that occurred Saturday evening did a significant amount of damage to some areas in Halifax County, causing some farmers to completely replant their tobacco crop.
Fortunately for the Talleys, their fields did not experience any damage from hail.
Yet, with all the recent rain, some areas are still below the normal level of rainfall for the year.

A 21-year-old Semora resident was convicted yesterday in Halifax County Circuit Court on seven charges in connection with multiple break-ins at O'Sullivan Industries last October.
Herbert Jermaine Dunn pleaded guilty to three charges of breaking and entering and three charges in connection with thefts from the plant in a period from October 16 through October 26, 2000.
Dunn also pleaded guilty to one charge of attempted grand larceny of O'Sullivan Industries on October 26.
Judge William L. Wellons ordered Dunn be released on bond pending a presentence report due for the July term of court. The judge additionally ordered Dunn be evaluated for the Alternative Sentencing program.
A 30-year-old Halifax resident pleaded guilty to four cocaine related charges yesterday during a jury trial in Halifax County Circuit Court.
Cory Lee Williams originally entered a plea of not guilty to three charges of crack cocaine distribution and one charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine at the beginning of his trial.
During the trial, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Jeb Terien entered prosecution evidence including audio and video tapes of three separate crack cocaine sales last September involving Williams.
Judge Leslie M. Osborn denied a motion by defense attorney Mike Freshour to strike prosecution evidence, after which Williams changed his plea.
Judge Osborn remanded Williams to custody pending a presentence report due for the next term of court.
Other Court
· Robert Henry Stanfield, 36, of South Boston, was convicted Tuesday of possession of cocaine and a misdemeanor charge of eluding a police officer.
Judge William L. Wellons remanded Stanfield to custody pending a presentence report due for the next term of court and ordered Stanfield to be evaluated for the Alternative Sentencing programs.
· Christopher Lee Keenan, 21, of Long Island, entered an Alford plea yesterday to a merged indictment of forging and uttering a check in the amount of $900.
Under terms of an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but realizes that prosecution evidence would make a finding of guilt almost a certainty.
Judge Wellons ordered Keenan to remain on bond under supervision of Halifax-Pittsylvania Court Services (HPCS) until a presentence report is returned for the next term of court.
The court also ordered Keenan to pay restitution as scheduled by HPCS.
· Antonio Vanquest Singleton, 21, of South Boston, was convicted yesterday of a probation violation.
Judge Wellons resuspended all but 90 days of Singleton's reimposed prison sentence, and ordered the same probation conditions as before for Singleton.
· Ronnie E. Ross, 40, of South Boston, was convicted yesterday of violating probation conditions.
Judge Wellons ordered Ross be evaluated for the Alternative Sentencing programs and remanded him to custody until the evaluation is complete.
· Leroy Cornelious Watkins, 56, of South Boston, was convicted yesterday of felony DUI and misdemeanor refusal of a blood/breath test.
Judge Wellons revoked Watkins' previous bond and remanded him to custody pending a presentence report due for the July term of court.
The court additionally ordered Watkins be evaluated for alternative sentencing options.
· Elizabeth Faye Rodriguez, 32, of South Boston, was convicted yesterday of violation of probation conditions.
Judge Wellons sentenced Rodriguez to 90 days in jail for the violation.
· Kareem Lamont White, 24, of South Boston, was convicted yesterday of two counts of cocaine distribution and one count of conspiring to distribute cocaine.
Judge Wellons remanded White to custody pending a presentence report in the July term of court.
· Clyde Donald Womack Jr., aka Clyde David Womack Jr., 31, of Vernon Hill, was convicted yesterday of the misdemeanor assault and battery of Laura Womack.
Judge Wellons suspended all of Womack's 30-day jail sentence upon the condition of his good behavior for one year.
· Edward Dean Ballou, 23, of South Boston, was convicted yesterday on one count of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
Ballou was additionally convicted of forging a public record, uttering a public record, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended operator's license, and misdemeanor speeding 74 in a 55-MPH zone, as the result of a separate indictment.
Judge Wellons ordered that a presentence report be prepared for the July term of court. Additionally, he ordered Ballou be evaluated for the Alternative Sentencing program.

William Henry Pennick, 48, of Charlotte, N.C., died May 15 at Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Pennick; one daughter, Angela Pennick; one son, William Pennick Jr., both of Charlotte; one grandchild; and two brothers, Bobin and Ronald Pennick, both of Charlotte.
Funeral services for Mr. Pennick were held May 22 at 2 p.m. at Crawford, Garrett and Burton funeral Chapel in Halifax with the Rev. James Traynham officiating. Burial was at the Hudson Family Cemetery in Crystal Hill.

Barbara DeJarnette Bagwell, 84, of 1027 Mountain Road, Halifax, died May 21 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Bagwell was born in Halifax County on March 4, 1917, the daughter of Walker DeJarnette and Virginia Blair DeJarnette and was married to Don Pyle Bagwell Sr. She was a member of Beth Car Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school for 50 years, and was an active member of the Elizabeth Hale Circle.
She was one of the first women elected as deacon of Beth Car, was chairman of the Woman's Missionary Union, a representative to the Dan River Baptist Association, a member of the Board of Trustees of Averett College, served on the advisory board of Patrick Henry Boys' Plantation, served as president of the Halifax Woman's Club and was publicity writer for the club house tours for many years.
Mrs. Bagwell was also president of the Halifax Association of University Women, charter member and vice president of the Banister River Garden Club, president of the Halifax PTA, was a founder with Woman's Club of Halifax Friends of Library, was president of Parsons-Bruce Art Association (affiliated with Virginia Museum), a member of the executive committee of the Halifax County Cancer Society; on the board of directors of the Halifax Cancer Association, was chairman of the Professional Division of the 1983 Halifax United Way campaign, a Laubach Literacy coach and one of the organizers of a group fighting for better education and a new consolidated high school.
Also, Mrs. Bagwell was educated in the local school system, was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Westhampton College of the University of Richmond, was elected to the Mortar Board, and completed graduate courses at the University of Virginia. She taught French and Latin at Halifax County High School.
Survivors include two daughters, Cherry Bagwell Bourque and Mary Laetitia Bagwell, both of Washington, DC; two sons, George H. Bagwell of South Boston and Don P. Bagwell Jr. of Halifax; and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Bagwell will be held today, May 23 at 11 a.m. at Beth Car Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Stewart and the Rev. Dr. Melvin Bradshaw conducting the service. Burial will take place in Halifax Cemetery.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Beth Car Baptist Church, 25 Church Street, Halifax 24558, or the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Plantation, PO Box 1398, Brookneal 24528.

Robert Ray 'Bobby' Hamilton of Baltimore, Md., formerly of Halifax County, died April 29.
Mr. Hamilton was born on May 24, 1921, the son of the late Mary Pounds Hamilton and William Carr Hamilton and was married to Martha Lee Hamilton. He was a former member of Ebenezer CME Church in South Boston.
Survivors include one daughter, Cyrena Underwood and her husband, Robert of Baltimore; one son, Glen Hamilton of New York; three grandchildren, Karen Mallory, Kimberly Yates and David Underwood; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bishop George B. Hamilton of Atlantic City, N.J. and Levi Hamilton of South Boston; four sisters, Emily Driggins of Baldwin, N.Y., Anne Nelson of Memphis, Tenn. and Vivian Clark and Geneva Coles, both of South Boston. He was preceded in death by his parents, and four brothers, Moses, William, Riley and Henry Hamilton.
A memorial service for Mr. Hamilton will be held May 26 at 3 p.m. at the Pounds Family Cemetery with the Rev. John L. Ghee presiding. Following the service, the family will receive friends at the home of vivian Clark, Old Grubby Road, South Boston.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Ebenezer CME Church Building fund.

Herbert Hoover Coleman, 72, of Washington, D.C., formerly of Halifax County, died May 19 at the V.A. Hospital in Washington.
Mr. Coleman was born in Halifax County on March 7, 1929, the son of the late James Coleman and Annie Clay Coleman. He was a member of Five Fork Baptist Church.
Survivors include his daughters, Hervoline Betts and Linda Mitchell, both of South Boston, Francine Bellamy of Statesville, N.C., Deborah Van-Johnson of Atlanta, Ga. and Arlene Link of Richmond; his sons, Gregory Coleman of South Boston and Lewis Coleman of Alton; 15 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; one sister, Maggie Smith of Baltimore, Md.; four brothers, James Coleman and Charles Coleman, both of South Boston, George Coleman of Landover, Md. and Willie Coleman of Virgilina.
Funeral services for Mr. Coleman will be held May 25 at 2 p.m. at the Greater Mayfield Apostolic Church with Elder James Chalmers officiating. Burial will follow in Five Fork Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of Hervoline Betts, 1406 Hicks Street, South Boston.