Halifax police officer David Martin tossed his hat into the political ring yesterday as a candidate for the Election District 4 Board of Supervisors seat, and Norman Talley announced he will seek the School Board seat in ED-7.
Talley is the only announced candidate for the School Board seat in ED-7 being vacated by Lottie Nunn, but in the ED-4 supervisors' race Martin and Walter Potts will battle for the seat.
A Union community resident, Martin will run under the Republican banner in his bid for the seat being vacated by Supervisor Bill Abbott.
Martin, 31 and a Halifax County native, is employed by the Town of Halifax Police Department.
"One of my primary motivations for seeking the supervisor's seat in Election District 4 is to ensure that our county government meets the hopes and expectations of the community," said Martin in a prepared statement.
"I believe we especially owe that to our young people. I gained a unique perspective of the issues that affect them while working as a School Resource Officer. I also feel I would bring a higher level of understanding to the Board, having worked for and developed close relationships with three different government entities in the county."
If elected, Martin said he intended "to provide fair and impartial representation" to his constituents.
"As a police officer, I take the time to stop and talk to people on the streets and in the neighborhoods where I work and live, keeping in touch with their views, their needs and their stories. I feel confident that I can competently serve the Board of Supervisors without losing sight of the needs of the community," said Martin.
Martin is a 1986 graduate of HCHS and holds an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Danville Community College.
He has served as an officer with the Town of Halifax Police Department, the South Boston Police Department and as a deputy for the Halifax County Sheriff's Office.
Martin is certified by the Dept. of Criminal Justice Services as a general instructor and has trained new officers in Officer Survival and other subjects.
He is a certified School Resource Officer and was assigned to HCHS in the capacity while working as a Deputy Sheriff. He also holds a certification in School Safety Assessment and is trained to teach The Governor's "Class Action" program, which deals with Virginia teens and the law.
Martin is a U.S. Air Force honor graduate. After basic training he attended the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio of Monterey, California, receiving a diploma in Syrian Arabic.
He still serves part-time in the Virginia Army National Guard as a Military Police Team Leader.
Martin, his wife Cynthia and their children, Sarah and Isabella, live in the Union area.

Facing a busy agenda Tuesday evening, the Halifax County Planning Commission will hold an 8 p.m. public hearing on an application for conditional use permit submitted by the Virginia International Raceway Motorsport Country Club.
The Planning Commission meeting opens at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Mary Bethune Complex.
Commission members will recognize new member Ray Owen, ED-3; elect new officers; discuss a special hearing date on the Confined Animal Feeding Ordinance; hear a report on the Comprehensive Plan's status; and discuss ordinances dealing with gun clubs and housing for elderly.
VIR is seeking a request for exceptions on annual events permits, signage, Sunday hours and overnight camping for club members.
VIR is located in the far southwest corner of Halifax County.

A part-time Halifax patrolman died suddenly of a heart attack while on duty May 21.
Ronald E. "Ronnie" Clark, 38, of Clover, was patrolling in Halifax Friday night when he radioed dispatch and reported that he was not feeling well, said Halifax Lt. G.T. Stanley, who said he was not sure if Clark was feeling poorly when he reported for work that evening.
Around 8:30 p.m., Clark drove himself to the emergency room at Halifax Regional Hospital, and reportedly passed out in the parking lot. Someone found him and brought him inside, at which time he had regained consciousness, Stanley said.
"He was taken into the emergency room immediately, but he coded when they began giving him emergency care, and the CPR and resuscitation didn't bring him back," Stanley said.
Clark, who has been with the Halifax Police Department a little over a year, was also employed full-time by the South Boston Police Department as Crime Prevention Officer. He was the former Police Chief in Clover and LaCrosse.
Although he had only been with the Halifax and South Boston departments for a short time, he left a positive and lasting impression.
"Ronnie was extremely dedicated and professional," Stanley said. "He was an extreme asset to any department."
In addition to his role as Crime Prevention Officer, Clark worked as an administrative aide at the South Boston Police Department and was responsible writing grants and working with the public in relation to programs such as Crime Stoppers and Neighborhood Watch.
"Everybody is going to miss him. He was doing a terrific job for us," said South Boston Police Chief Jim Hall. "He wrote grants for us. The recent federal surplus equipment we got - he was responsible for that."
"He was well known for his grant-writing abilities and knowledge and way of dealing with people. He will be sorely missed, not only by the departments he worked with, but law enforcement as a whole," Stanley said.
Clark was also a member of the Clover Volunteer Fire Department and Bethany Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held at the Brooks Funeral Home Chapel Tuesday, May 25, at 2 p.m. with reverends John Farriss and Bill Wilkins officiating.
Burial will follow in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in South Boston.
Visitation will be at Brooks Funeral Home Monday, May 24, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The family will receive friends at other times at the home of Mr. and Mrs. "Chic" Clayton, 8184 J.D. Hagood Highway, Scottsburg.
Clark is survived by his wife, Linda Clayton Clark of Clover; his father, Earl H. Clark Jr. of Bracey; his mother, Salene Newman Clark of Baskerville; a son, Travis Earl Clark of Bracey; a daughter, Tiffany Renee Clark of Bracey; a sister, Sandra Clark Pearce of South Hill; a brother-in-law, Randall K. Pearce of South Hill; a brother, Randall Louis Clark of Baskerville; a sister-in-law, Camelia Clark of Baskerville; sisters Kimberly Clark Elgin of Chesterfield and Tara Clark of Bracey; a mother-in-law, Ruthie Clayton, and father-in-law, M. "Chic" Clayton, both of Scottsburg.

Games, music, great food, and dancing.
It was all part of Saturday's Triangle Volunteer Fire Department Spring Festival.
Danny Bomar, the chief of the Triangle Volunteer Fire Department, said the inaugural event drew a crowd estimated at between 800 and 1,000 persons to the Bethel Ruritan Club ball field which served as the site for the event.
And, while the financial tally had not been completed, Bomar said he anticipates that the fire department raised a few dollars for its coffers.
"We haven't finished counting everything up," Bomar said.
"We'll have to have a meeting to get everything finalized. I think we probably made a little money and, at worst, maybe broke even."
Bomar said he was a little disappointed in the turnout but, considering that this was a first time effort, it may not have been a poor crowd.
"This was the first year we've put this thing on," Bomar said.
"People aren't used to coming to this event. Plus, there were a lot of things going on in South Boston and Halifax County over the weekend. And, there were probably a number of farmers that had a lot of work to do that couldn't be put off."
"When you consider all of that, the turnout may not have been all that bad."
The Triangle Volunteer Fire Department's Spring Festival had activities for youngsters as well.
There were art and crafts displays, a nail driving contest, a lawn mower race, and a Firemen's Competition which was won by the Halifax Volunteer Fire Department with the Clover Volunteer Fire Department taking second place and the North Halifax Volunteer Fire Department taking third place.
Other activities at the Spring Festival included arts and crafts, a Cow Pie Bingo, a Mutton Busting Contest, pony rides, a moonwalk, and face painting for youngsters.
There was live music throughout the day with a dance Saturday night featuring music by the band New Country, and door prize giveaways and prize drawings.
"All in all, being that this was our first one, I think it was successful," Bomar said of the Spring Festival.
"We learned a lot. I could see some things we can do to improve it. I think some of the activities we can confine to a smaller area. And, we might can add some other activities. There were some things we didn't really know what to expect."
"All in all, I think it turned out pretty well," he continued.
"I think we're going to look at having it again next year."

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the circle at Halifax County High School and the public is invited.
Over 700 men from Halifax County have lost their lives fighting for their country in war.
During the short service Friday, a wreath will be placed at the monument in the circle, "Taps" will be played, and the JROTC Color Guard will present the colors.
Two American Legion Posts and Veterans of Foreign Wars are expected to be represented at the service.
The Halifax County War Memorial Commission is currently raising funds for a monument to be dedicated to the memory of those Halifax County residents who have been killed in war while in service to their county. Their names will be engraved on the memorial to ensure that they will never be forgotten by future generations.
Tax-deductible contributions may be sent to the Halifax County War Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 310, Halifax, Virginia 24558.
Contributions of $500 or more will be recognized on a plaque and can be given in memory of loved ones.

Three Halifax County men who admitted to robbing two local country stores at gunpoint to support a crack habit received active prison sentences Friday in Halifax County Circuit Court.
Circuit Court Judge Jack B. Stevens sentenced Rodney William Deal, 34, and James H. Martin III, 26, both of South Boston, to 20 years in prison while 23-year-old Tony R. Prevette of Alton received a nine year prison sentence.
During their trials early last March, each of the three men pleaded guilty to charges stemming form the December 1997 armed robbery at Moore's Country Store and the January 1998 armed robbery at the Love Shop Market.
According to Martin's testimony, he and Deal, who did time in prison together previous to the robberies, talked Prevette into acting as the "wheelman", while Deal was the gunman and Martin acted as lookout from inside the store.
Martin testified that the robberies were Deal's idea, and that Prevette was skeptical of participating at first, but relented when Martin and Deal said he could just drive for them.
Under cross examination by Commonwealth Attorney John Greenbacker Jr. during Prevette's sentencing hearing, Martin said the main motivation behind the robberies was to get money for crack.
In addition to the charges stemming from the two robberies, the three men were also convicted in March of breaking into the office of Elizabeth W. Candler, DDS, between Jan. 4 and Jan. 5, 1998, and stealing items with a combined value less than $200, and grand larceny charges stemming from the theft of Remington shotgun from Gary Smith's truck Jan. 1, 1998, were also figured into the men's sentences.
Following the completion of their prison sentences, all three men will be required to complete 10 years of supervised probation and continued good behavior.
While these active prison terms will take these men off the streets for several years, Bobbi Moore, who owned and operated Moore's Country Store with her husband Stephen until it was robbed for the final time that December in 1997, felt less than vindicated.
"No restitution? I'd like to have my money back," she said from the gallery after Prevette offered a tear-choked apology.
The Moores, who had been victimized by thieves at their business several times over the past several years, closed their store following this final robbery.
"She's been run out of business by crooks," commented Greenbacker.

The Southside Community Services Board's Developmental Training Center will have its grand opening on Friday, June 11 beginning at 11 a.m.
The facility will house the center for persons with mental retardation, the Community Support Service Center for persons with mental illness, and the newly established Halifax County Sheltered Workshop for persons with mental disabilities.
The new 18,560 square foot facility was designed by the architectural firm of Dewberry and Davis of Danville. J.E. Burton Construction Co., Inc., of South Boston, was awarded the contract to construct the new facility.
The Developmental Training Center has been located in inadequate facilities for the past 20 years. This program serves persons with mental retardation who are 22 years of age and older (or 18 with parental consent) who receive training in independent living skills, basic educational training, self-help skills, and pre-vocational training. Individualized service plans are developed for each consumer whose needs are assessed and continually monitored for progress.
The Community Support Service Program which began operations in October 1996 at the Dan River Plaza Shopping Center in Riverdale, quickly outgrew those facilities and relocated to temporary facilities in the Centerville Shopping Center in July 1997. This program helps persons with mental illness in the development and enhancement of skills needed to live in the community, whether the individuals live in their natural home or in a supported residential setting (supervised apartment, etc.). The Community Support Service Program focuses on assisting consumers to function independently to the extent possible with assistance and resources. Consumer and family education are an important part of this program and are critical to the successful and satisfying services provided to persons with mental illness.
Presently, there is no sheltered workshop in the Halifax County area. Once the Sheltered Workshop becomes operational, it will provide a work setting for the mentally disabled. All individuals employed in the Sheltered Workshop working on product assembly or production efforts will be paid a wage as if in the business world. This sheltered employment will provide on the job training, valuable work experience, self respect/confidence, new responsibilities and a paycheck. Persons participating in the workshop must be 18 years of age or older with mental disabilities. The Sheltered Workshop will hopefully offer an array of services such as labeling, collating, inserting, folding, and shrink-wrapping for product assembly. A primary objective will be eventual placement in gainful employment in the business and industrial community. The Workshop in Halifax County will concentrate on establishing working relationships with local and regional businesses and industries. Primary efforts in these working relationships will focus on product-assembly tasks, as well as those tasks requiring manual dexterity and repetition that can be performed with great efficiency by mentally disabled individuals.
With the opening of the new facility, Board services will be provided for approximately 100 individuals and can be expanded if needed. The facility offers adequate classroom space (three for each program), support staff offices, model bedroom, laundry facilities for training purposes, and large dining facilities and a kitchen for each program.
Members of the agency's Board of Directors have been working for the past 15 years to realize the goal of constructing this new facility in Halifax County. While the Board has successfully operated the John H. Northington Sheltered Workshop in South Hill for the past 14 years, it anticipates developing new products to be produced or assembled in the South Boston facility.
The degree of success enjoyed by Southside Community Services Board over the years has been the result of generous support and interest from the Virginia General Assembly, the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, Brunswick, Halifax, and Mecklenburg Counties, the ARC of Mecklenburg and Halifax Counties, and the Halifax County Mental Health Association.
The Hon. Louise Lucas, Senator, 18th District, will be the keynote speaker during the grand opening ceremonies.

Benjamin Franklin Mann, 66, of 1022 Stagecoach Road, Nathalie died Thursday, May 20, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital. He was the husband of Vernell Landrum Mann.
Mr. Mann was born in Charlotte County July 7, 1932 the son of Robert Andrew Mann and Edna Earl Elder Mann. He was a member of Hunter Road Baptist Church and a retired employee of Thomasville Industries.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by five sisters, Louise King of Altavista, Elsie M. Crews of Halifax, Betty M. Smith and Mattie Maxey, both of Brookneal and Virginia M. Hailey of Hurt; one brother, John H. Mann of Gladys; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sons, Ronnie Lee Mann and James Franklin Mann; and one brother, Robert Andrew Mann Jr.

A graveside service for Mr. Mann was held Sunday, May 23 at 2 p.m. at Wickliffe Cemetery by Rev. Joe Glass.

Robert "Bob" Wayne Satterfield of Burlington, NC died Saturday at the Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, Greensboro, NC at the age of 61.
Mr. Satterfield was born in Halifax County to the late Edward Fleming Satterfield and Rosa Rattler Satterfield. He was married to Patricia Ann Martin Satterfield and was a member of the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Satterfield was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and was a member of the Indian Valley Golf Course, Burlington American Legion Post 63, Electrical Contractors Association, Alamance County Homebuilders Association and a former member of the Burlington Jaycees. He was co-owner and operator of Graham Electric Co. and graduate of the Dale Carnegie Course.
His survivors include his wife; daughter, Janice Marie Satterfield of Burlington; sons: Kenneth Leo Satterfield and Michael Wayne Satterfield of Burlington, Douglas Glenn Satterfield of Mebane, NC; sister: Mary Childrey of Hampton; brothers: Ralph Satterfield of Danville and Walter and Philip Satterfield of South Boston and two grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his sister: Martha Russell and brothers: John Satterfield, Morrel Satterfield and Leo Saterftield.
The family will receive friends tonight at the Rich and Thompson Mortuary in Burlington from 6-8 p.m. and at other times at the home.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, May 25 at 11 a.m. at the First Assoc. Reformed Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Tim Robinson officiating. Burial will be held in the Alamance Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 3109 Poplarwood Crt., Suite 125, Raleigh, NC 27604-1043.

David Henry Harrison of 105 Sycamore Rd., South Boston died May 22 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 70.
Mr. Harrison was born in Charlotte, NC on June 24, 1928 to Alex Corbin Harrison and Lila Maedell Medlin Harrison. He was married to Lizzette Lowery Harrison and was a member of the First Baptist Church. He was a retired director of Vocational Education for the Halifax County School System, Veteran of the Army Air Corp., graduate of Clemson University, member of the American Legion Post 8 and a member of the Retired Teachers Association.
His survivors include his wife; daughter: Deborah Wigelsworth of Midlothian; son: SFC Ronald Harrison of Fayetteville, NC; sisters: Deborah Herd of Fullerton County, CA, Lidia Totty of Eastman, GA, Roberley Waldron of Anchorage, AK, Mahoda Johnson of Salem, SC and Ovialene Newton of Pendleton, SC; brothers: Bruce and Joe Harrison of Marietta, Delma Harrison of Citka, AK, Norman Harrison of Eastman, SC, Billy Ray Harrison of Pickens, SC, Milton Harrison of Eastman, GA and A.C. Harrison of Bonaire, GA; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 26 at 11 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bob Fox and Rev. Joe Brewer officiating.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home Tuesday from 7-8:30 p.m. and at other times at his home.
Memorials may be given to the Halifax Co. Vocational Foundation in care of Bill Moore, Halifax County School Board, P.O. Box 1849, Halifax, VA 24558.

Elsie Janie Saunders of Richmond died Friday, May 21 in Richmond at the age of 84.
Mrs. Saunders was born in Halifax County.
Her survivors include her daughter: Paula Crowe of Quinton, granddaughter, Ruth Tsang; great-grandchildren: Courtney and Zachary of Savannah, GA; sister: Sara Wade of Clover and devoted friend and caregiver: Dora Hornung.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, May 25 at 1 p.m. at the Clover Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Nelson Funeral Home, 4650 S. Laburnum Ave., Richmond tonight from 5:30-8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Providence Forge Volunteer Rescue Squad.