Delegate Clarke Hogan, R-Halifax, said yesterday that more allegations of sexual harassment against House of Delegates speaker Vance Wilkins Jr., R-Amherst are expected "in the next few days."
"I believe there will be more credible allegations made shortly by other people," Hogan said yesterday.
"This doesn't appear to be an isolated incident," he added.
When asked how he knew of the future allegations, Hogan didn't mince words.
"Because I know some of the people making them," he said.
Hogan said the failing confidence in the speaker by members of the General Assembly is crucial.
"As much as I admire this guy and what he's done, it's impossible to conduct government when people don't have confidence in their leader," he said.
"The business of governing the state of Virginia is an intolerant, tough business.
"I'm not going to let anything distract me from that job," the freshman delegate said.
Hogan said he didn't bear the speaker any ill will.
"I don't want to crucify this guy, I just think this is the right thing to do," he said.
The Halifax delegate wouldn't elaborate on future allegations, saying they would be brought forward shortly.
"The people who will speak up will do so in their own time," he said.
Wilkins' Future Hanging In Balance
Wilkins found himself hanging onto his position by an increasingly frayed thread following a meeting at the Capitol Monday.
The meeting capped a tumultuous four days for the speaker.
During that period reports of inappropriate conduct have even his most loyal supporters questioning the efficacy of his position for the party.
Mutinous rumblings filled the air as Wilkins met with 57 House Republicans who were demanding answers to allegations that Wilkins made improper sexual advances toward two Amherst County women.
Allegations have also been made that the speaker paid one of them $100,000 to settle her complaint.
Following the emergency meeting, Wilkins denied reports that he had made any improper advances toward the women, but admitted he had made the payment.
"I'm sure that I have done many things in my life that were improper, but I never forced anything on anybody, anytime," the speaker said.
In Danville Sunday night for a fund-raising event for southside Republicans, Wilkins spent much of his time being shunned by many of the very same members he helped get elected.
Former Chief of Staff Defends Speaker
Wilkins' chief of staff Claudia Tucker, contacted at the request of the speaker, said the behavior of House Republicans was "sickening."
Tucker feels some Republicans could be looking at the speaker's troubles as a way to enhance their position in the party.
"There is already a lot of jockeying for position," she noted.
"It just sickens me the lack of loyalty I've seen displayed by people who call themselves his friends," Tucker said Monday.
Tucker is currently suspended with pay due to allegations that her cell phone was used to eavesdrop on a Democratic conference call earlier this year.
"I've worked with the speaker for over five years, and I think I know him better than anyone else on the staff or in the General Assembly," she said Monday.
"Is he from a different generation that is not so politically correct?" she asked.
"Absolutely," she said.
"Has the speaker over the years put himself in a position in this environment that wouldn't fit the proper mold?
"Sure he has," Tucker added.
The chief of staff called it "shameful" that the speaker has to defend himself against allegations of impropriety.
"What I'm trying to say is that even allowing any appearance of impropriety he probably has, it's just a shame that we have to defend our innocence over the littlest thing," she said.
When asked about her current situation, Tucker said she is "much better than the speaker."
"All of my time is spent on him right now," she said.
Although she is suspended from her staff position, Tucker said Wilkins is still her friend.
"I'm working for him as a friend and constituent, and anybody who doesn't like it, tough."
The former chief of staff said yesterday that she was contacted by the speaker's wife Lee to help fend off allegations of impropriety.
"His wife called me Saturday and asked me to help," she said yesterday.
Tucker said the speaker conducted a poll Sunday night that showed many Virginia voters didn't even know about his troubles.
"The results of the poll show the party's liability in keeping him as speaker is low," she added.
Tucker said yesterday that the speaker didn't bring up the results of the poll at Monday night's meeting.
Future In Virginia Politics?
The speaker could still have a future in Virginia politics, Tucker said.
"I believe he has a future, but there are a number of people who are trying to make it very difficult for him," she said.
Although she wouldn't elaborate, Tucker said the Republicans in question are people who should be loyal to the speaker.
"They are people in leadership positions because the speaker trusted them.
"Even though he was warned against trusting them by people questioning their motives," Tucker said.
But many Republicans are not so sure.
Del. Clarke Hogan had previously given the speaker the benefit of the doubt.
"I'm not going to act prematurely to one newspaper story that someone wrote.
"I think it would be very irresponsible to make any decisions before we have heard the speaker's side of the story," Hogan said Sunday.
But following the meeting, the previously tight-lipped Hogan suggested the speaker's position was precarious.
"I don't think the questions were answered satisfactorily," he said.
"I don't see how he stays as the speaker," Hogan added.
Danny Marshall, R-Danville said Sunday that he considered the speaker innocent until proven guilty.
"There are two sides to every story," Marshall said Sunday night. "I want to hear what the speaker has to say before I make a judgement."
But following Monday's meeting, Marshall said Wilkins hadn't answered his questions.
"I was not satisfied with what I heard tonight," Marshall told reporters. "I think he needs to be more forthcoming with us.
"I don't think I heard the whole truth," he added.
Support for the speaker was shaky outside of House Republican circles as well.
Sen. Charles Hawkins, R-Pittsylvania, said he was "devastated" by the allegations against the speaker.
"Sexual harassment is nothing to laugh about, and I think it should be taken seriously," Hawkins said.
U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode, who is running for re-election as a Republican, noted the seriousness of the allegations.
"The decisions are up to the caucus, but if the allegations are determined to be true, I'd say he's in serious trouble," Goode said.
"I would think allegations such as these could mean the end of the speaker's career," he added.
U.S. Senator George Allen, in Southside Monday for a Republican fund-raiser, said Wilkins was appointed by the members of the House, and should be held responsible by the members of the House.
"It's their call to determine whether the speaker's actions were fair or foul," Allen said.
"It's up to (Wilkins) to explain to those who hired him why he should stay.
"I think the burden of proof is on him," the senator added.
According to reports, Wilkins' responses to delegate's questions Monday night further helped damage his credibility.
According to reports published in the Washington Post last week, Jennifer L. Thompson, 26, a former office worker at Wilkins Construction Co., claimed Wilkins groped her and pinned her against furniture in the company's headquarters outside Amherst.
Reached last Friday at his home by the Associated Press, Wilkins, considered the state's most powerful legislator, flatly denied Thompson's accusations.
"I deny those allegations that were made in the paper, as far as any kind of harassment," the speaker said.
"I haven't said I paid the money," he added Friday.
The Speaker of the House position is felt by many to be the second-most powerful position in Virginia politics.
As speaker, Wilkins directs the flow of legislation through the House of Delegates, controls floor debate and makes all committee appointments.
He earns $36,321 annually and receives an additional $16,200 to cover expenses.
The speaker also controls about $154,000 earmarked for secretarial and administrative staff expenses.
A two-thirds vote of the full house would be required to remove Wilkins from his position, but many legislators feel that if Wilkins loses support of the Republican Caucus, he would resign.
Wilkins was elected to the House in 1977, and soon after mounted a hard-fought effort to build a Republican majority in the chamber.
He is the first Republican Speaker of the House in Virginia in over a century.

Halifax United Way, which reached only 78 percent of its financial goal this year, has cut funding to two agencies.
The two agencies, the Halifax County Cancer Association and the Rescue Squad, received only donations earmarked for their agencies.
One is already planning an appeal.
Halifax County Cancer Association's board expects to meet with HUW officials on June 25 to ask that they reconsider.
"This was a huge shock to us," said Rhonda Reaves, HCCA executive director. "We knew funds would be cut, but no one gave an indication that funds would be cut off."
Last year HCCA received about $12,000 from HUW, according to Reaves.
This year it received $3,218.15 through donors who specified HCCA in their contributions.
HCCA, which aids only county cancer patients, spent about $100,000 last year, according to Reaves.
HCCA provides gas vouchers, medications, some medical equipment and wigs to area cancer patients.
"We evaluate each patient according to need," said Reaves.
"There is an increased number of cancer patients and decreased funds. It just doesn't look good," said the executive director.
Rescue Squad
The Halifax County Rescue Squad received approximately $1,800 in a Halifax United Way letter that advised the squad it would not receive funding this year, according to Larry Smith, president of the squad's volunteers.
The $1,800 represents money designated particularly for the squad by donors.
"It is a considerable drop," said Smith of the HUW funding, but he added that he did not know the exact budget figures.
"Our board has not discussed it yet," he added.
The Rescue Squad's board is expected to meet July 7.
Smith also noted that the rescue squad charges for its services.
HCAA and the Rescue Squad were advised to submit a budget next year for consideration for HUW funding.
Halifax United Way Fails To Reach Goal
The United Way reached about 78 percent of its financial goal, or $140,815.31, last year.
Allotments ranging from $733.37 to $15,840.87 were made to partner agencies.
"This past year was wrought with challenges and our community was greatly impacted," said Monica Spencer, HUW director.
"This year was a difficult year, a tough year," she added.
The Budget and Allocations Committee, which includes HUW board members and community representatives, considered several factors, decreased donations, programs offered and organization resources, in making its decisions, explained Spencer.
"Much consideration was given to the agency's ability to sustain their programs through their assets and other financial resources," she added.
"This year, HUW liaisons met with agency representatives to discuss the anticipated budget decreases."
Agencies funded were: the American Red Cross, the Association for Retarded Citizens of Halifax County, the Blue Ridge Mountain Council Boy Scouts, the Halifax County 4-H Clubs, Halifax County Community Action Agency, Halifax County Mentor Role Model Program, the Halifax County Salvation Army, the Mental Health Association of Halifax County, the Halifax County Volunteer Literacy Program, the Virginia Skyline Girl Scout Council and the YMCA.
Spencer Leaving HUW
Spencer, who has served as the HUW executive director for almost two years, is leaving the post next week.
Spencer, who is a pastor, has been reassigned to an African Methodist Episcopal church in Chesapeake.
"My first Sunday was May 25," she said."

Halifax County's teachers and all school system employee groups will receive an average four percent pay hike next year as part of the Halifax County School Board's $46.37 million 2002-2003 school budget.
That is two percent less than the six percent figure the School Board built into its initial $47.7 million 2002-2003 budget proposal.
In addition to the four percent pay increase, the School Board will increase its contribution to employee individual group health insurance premiums from the current $220 per month for 10 months to $340 per month for 10 months.
Increasing the School Board's contribution toward health insurance premiums is an attempt to offset an increase in group health insurance premiums next year that could run as high as 20 percent.
The $340 per month figure is what the county paid toward employee group health insurance premiums this year.
Bill Covington, the school system's chief financial officer, said yesterday that the increase in the contribution toward health insurance premiums coupled with the four percent pay hike should offset any increase in individual employee group health insurance premiums.
"It would be extremely unlikely, if not impossible, for an employee to not see an increase in his or her paycheck next year," Covington said.
That would hold true, Covington said, even in the face of a hike of as much as 20 percent in group health insurance premiums next year.
The $46,372,632 budget package adopted by the School Board Monday night is the one that the Halifax County Board of Supervisors recently adopted as part of its budget package.
It represents a decrease of $1,360,843 from the $47,733,435 budget package the School Board adopted at its April 8 meeting.
The Board of Supervisors is appropriating $11,607,750 toward the school system budget.
That figure is $2.2 million above the county's appropriation for the current school year's budget after county officials adjusted it to compensate for the change in the school system's composite index.
The school system received an additional $4 million in state funds this year after state officials lowered the county's composite index figure.
The composite index is one of several factors used by state officials to calculate the amount of state funds allocated to a school system.
The Board of Supervisors stipulated that $500,000 be placed into the school system's construction fund with the remaining $1.7 million going into the school system's operating budget.
School Superintendent Dennis Witt called the budget approved by the Board of Supervisors "a positive statement for education."
"It's a workable budget," he said.
"It takes us forward, not backward."
In order to handle the $1.36 million decrease in funds from the School Board's adopted budget and the one adopted by the Board of Supervisors, the school system shaved $643,490 by decreasing the proposed pay hikes from six percent to four percent.
Also, the school system transferred $623,000 in debt service payments for new construction from the operating budget to the school system's construction fund.
There was also a $56,353 reduction in the funds needed for the lease-purchase of buses and a $38,000 reduction in funds for textbook adoptions.
While Witt praised the budgetary efforts of the Board of Supervisors, others weren't as quick to join in.
School Board member G.C. Ratliff said he sympathizes with the Supervisors' plight in having to implement a tax increase.
Ratliff called the $4 million the county will receive annually from the state for the next nine years as a result of the composite index reversion "bonus money."
He said he disagrees with the Board of Supervisors decision in not letting the schools have $1 million of the $4 million in composite index money for use for capital projects as the School Board had requested.
That money, Ratliff said, should be used for capital improvement projects, not to cover school system operating costs.
"I don't want to become dependent on that money," Ratliff said.
"The clock is ticking."
Ratliff pointed out that with the way the Board of Supervisors stipulated the local funding, the School Board will have to dip into its school construction fund coffers next year to cover debt service payments.
That, he said, gives the school system that much less money to undertake needed capital improvement projects.
"We've got less money to do the building we need to do," said School Board member Carl Furches.
"We keep putting off and putting off and band-aiding and chewing gum things. It's like the ad says, pay me now or pay me later and paying me later is getting close at hand."
Ratliff said the School Board needs to move ahead with plans to outline a Phase II capital improvements project.
"We need to move fairly quickly with putting together a Phase II plan and a payment schedule and getting it into the hands of the Board of Supervisors," Ratliff said.
Several members of the School Board agreed.
"If we keep neglecting the buildings we're going to end up in pup tents," Furches said.

South Boston Town Council unanimously adopted a $15,162,040 operating budget for FY 2002-2003 at its Monday meeting, a three percent increase over last year's $14,731,350 budget.
The budget calls for no increases in real estate or personal property taxes or license fees.
Utility rates will increase approximately five percent under the budget.
The budget includes expenditures in the following funds: General Fund, $9,990,625; Cemetery Fund, $123,955; Water and Sewer Fund, $4,530,093; Drug Task Force Fund, $28,897; Landfill Closure Fund, $488,470.
In addition, council adopted the annual appropriation resolution and the annual list adopting taxes and fees for 2002-2003.
Application Approved For Recyclables Warehouse
Council voted unanimously to approve an application by Donald Hochstein to conditionally zone a property at 1029 Huell Matthews Warehouse for use as a recyclables warehouse.
The site for the warehouse is the location of the former Victory Tobacco Warehouse.
Hochstein plans to refurbish and use the building at the site for the recycling of cardboard, newspaper, plastic and aluminum.
The South Boston Planning Commission held a public hearing on May 8 and recommended approval of the application with the condition that all material outside the facility be properly enclosed and that all activities take place within enclosed space.
Hochstein has told council that he anticipates beginning operations at the site a week to 10 days after his application was approved.
Appointments
Council approved appointments to four area boards and commissions on Monday.
Council will ask Nancy Zirkle to serve on the Halifax County-South Boston Regional Library Board of Trustees.
Councilman Tom Raab and Town Manager Ted Daniel were reappointed to the Southside Planning District Commission, and Police Chief Jim Hall was reappointed to the Southside Virginia Alcohol and Safety Action Program.
Daniel, Doug Bowman and South Boston Mayor Glen Abernathy, as well as councilmen Carroll Thackston and Coleman Speece were reappointed to the Southside Regional Partnership.
Shepherd's Gate Mandated Pre-Contract Activities Adopted
Council adopted five mandated pre-contract items prior to its undertaking the Shepherd's Gate community improvement project.
The Town of South Boston was awarded $815,422 in community Development Block Grant funds last week to finance a range of improvements to the Shepherd's Gate community.
Items adopted by council included an anti-displacement and relocation assistance plan, Section 504 grievance procedures, a local business and employment plan, a non-discrimination policy and fair housing certification.
The project includes rehabilitation of 11 housing units, the demolition and hauling of one vacant structure, and the clearance of debris and trash.
It also includes the installation of 4,800 linear feet of eight-inch water line and 5,310 linear feet of eight-inch sewer line.
Storm drainage improvements and the construction of a 150-foot taper lane alongside U.S. Route 360 are also included in the project.
Wilborn Retires From Council
Two-term councilman William C. "Buddy" Wilborn was honored Monday with a resolution honoring his service on town council.
Wilborn also served as chairman of both the South Boston Town Council Finance Committee and South Boston Planning Commission, as well as on the Southside Disability Services Board.

A Halifax woman and a South Boston man captured gold and silver medals during Senior Games tennis competition in Richmond.
With the wins, Barbara Cage and Bob Cage, competing in the 75-80 year category, earn the right to play in the National Senior Games in Hampton in 2003.
Barbara Cage easily defeated her Northern Virginia opponent 8-3 in the finals of tournament play.
Bob Cage fought through "two tough matches," winning 8-6 and 8-6, before defaulting in the championship round.
"Because of knee surgery, I thought it unwise to continue," Cage said Monday.
In previous tournament play, Bob Cage captured the gold three times.
The Richmond win marked the first time Barbara Cage played tennis "without a wood racket."
Instead, this year she borrowed a light weight Wilson "Big Hit" for tournament play.
For Barbara Snodgrass Cage, tennis has always been a family affair.
The daughter of Beverly Hills Hotel's tennis pro Harvey Snodgrass, Cage played the famous California courts as a youth.
She also taught tennis at the exclusive West Lake School for Girls and at the Beverly Hills Hotel, where her father served as pro 36 years.
For many years, however, tennis did not play the important role in Barbara Cage's life it once had.
So, does the skill return for tournament play?
"It used to come back," she said with a laugh.
"It came back," countered Bob Cage. "Of course, she learned properly."
She also enjoyed the game.
The woman who once played doubles with tennis great Bill Tilden looks forward to the competition.
She also adapts easily, no doubt mirroring the competitive streak exhibited by her father, a man who toured worldwide with the professional tennis circuit.
Harvey Snodgrass' standing in the tennis world is confirmed by the tennis rackets that were sold by Spalding and Bancroft, among others, carrying his signature.
His daughter Barbara recently began collecting the wood rackets bearing his name, adding two to her collection through e-mail correspondence.
"They belonged to a man and wife," said Barbara Cage, turning one of the rackets in her hand. "Her husband died and she is disposing of the rackets."
"The couple had seen her dad play and wanted his rackets, she added. And they enjoyed playing with them the years that they could."

Josephine Jones Moneymaker

Josephine Jones Moneymaker, 79, of 2011 Snow Hill Road, Alton, died June 9 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Moneymaker was born in Halifax County on January 14, 1923, the daughter of George Washington Jones and Roddie Douglas Jones and was married to Clarence Alexandria Money. She was a member of Second Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons, William Tucker Moneymaker of South Boston and Tom Moneymaker of Alton; one daughter, Susie Moneymaker Turner of Halifax; special niece, Pat Martin of Cluster Springs; one brother, A.B. Jones Sr. of South Boston; four grandchildren, Michael Scott Turner of Halifax, and Emily, Erica and Eliana Moneymaker, all of Alton. Mrs. Moneymaker was preceded in death by two brothers, George Hampton Jones and Andrew Frank Jones; and one sister, Virginia Jones.
Services for Mrs. Moneymaker will be held today, June 12 at 11 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Larry Frakes officiating. Burial will take place in Halifax Memorial Gardens.

Pauline Beach Werner

Pauline Beach Werner, 85, of 103 Rosehill Drive, South Boston, formerly of Keeling, died June 9 at The Woodview.
Mrs. Werner was born in Camden, NJ on February 26, 1917, the daughter of the late Henry Mervin Beach and Emma Louisa Scythes Beach and was married to the late Francis V. Werner. She was a member of McCanless Memorial United Methodist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Robin Stayton of Reno, NV; and one grandson, James Swain of Ringgold. She was also preceded in death by one brother, Dr. Leslie Beach.
Funeral services for Mrs. Werner were held June 11 at 11 a.m. at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. William Thomas Setliff officiating. Burial was in Fernwood Cemetery in Bridgeton, NJ.
Condolences may be sent to Robin Stayton, 1555 Sky Valley Drive, Reno, NV 89503.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider McCanless Memorial United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, c/o Nancy Morgan, 1932 Vaughan Street, South Boston, 24592.

'Brud' Eric Gordon Moorefield

'Brud' Eric Gordon Moorefield, 80, of 1012 Whitlow Trail, South Boston, died June 9 at his home.
Mr. Moorefield was born in Halifax County on April 14, 1922, the son of the late Willie T. and Allie Blanche Moorefield. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church.
Survivors include three sisters, Jo M. Davis of South Boston, Martha W. Moorefield of Scottsburg and Dorothy M. Conner of Mt. Laurel; one brother-in-law, Walter A. Davis of South Boston; six nieces, Nancy Hill, Sheila Henry, Tammy Fitch, Krista Conner, Teresa Seamster and Debbie Hite; four nephews, Marty Davis, Phil Davis, Dale Conner and Chris Conner; five great-nieces, Sarah Henry, Meagan Fitch, Jennifer Laughorn, Allie Conner, and Emily Conner; six great-nephews, Sean Davis, Jeff Hill, Travis Whitt, Nathan Henry, Zachary Davis and Chase Conner. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Willie 'Doc' Moorefield, John Moorefield and Arney Moorefield; and two sisters, Lena M. Davis and Kathleen Moorefield.
Graveside services for Mr. Moorefield will be held today, June 12 at 11 a.m. at Halifax Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Ed Fullenwider officiating.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Arthritis Foundation, 1330 West Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309.

Nannie Jones Pulliam

Nannie Jones Pulliam, 82, of 1029 Crestview Trail, South Boston, died June 10 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Pulliam was born in Halifax County on May 21, 1920, the daughter of the late Lewis Oliver Jones and Virginia Trickey Jones and was married to the late Clifton Junior Pulliam. She was a member of Glenwood United Methodist Church and was a retired waitress at Crestview Restaurant.
Survivors include three daughters, Lajanice 'Top' Morris and her husband, Riley, Hope Keatts and her husband, Stuart, all of South Boston and Mary Jane Stembridge and husband, Johnnie Jr., of Red Oak; one sister, Lena Long of Birmingham, AL; one sister-in-law, Reva Jones of South Boston; one brother-in-law, Giles 'Red' Hancock of Highland Springs; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother and three sisters.
Services for Mrs. Pulliam will be held at Glenwood UM Church tomorrow, June 13 at 2 p.m. with the Revs. Michael Teixeira and Raymond Bucklew officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening at Brooks Funeral Home from 7:00 until 8:30 and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Glenwood UM Church Cemetery Fund.