Friday, June 18, 2004

House Approves Tobacco Buyout As Part Of Corporate Tax Bill
Goode: Impact ‘Will Be Tremendous’

The U.S. House voted Thursday to pay tobacco farmers for giving up their government price supports, a move many Democrats criticized as a political ploy designed to win Southern support for a larger measure that would rewrite the nation’s corporate tax code.

Under the plan owners who farm using their own allotments would get $10 per pound of quota, or $7 per pound if they rent it to someone else to farm. In that case, the renting farmer would get $3 per pound.

The price estimate was based on 2002 quota figures, but it was unclear what formula would be used to divvy up the payments.

"A buyout has been the priority among tobacco growers and quota holders for a number of years," said Congressman Virgil Goode. "Our best hope for passing the buyout was as part of a larger package and the FSC-ETI bill offered the opportunity for the tobacco buyout to be included in the legislation that must be voted on this year.

"I only hope that the U.S. Senate will follow the lead of the House in adopting tobacco buyout legislation right away," he added. "The positive economic impact on Southside Virginia will be tremendous."

Representatives from Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee unanimously supported the tax bill. Only Democrat Marion Berry of Arkansas, Democrat John Lewis from Georgia, Democrat Gene Taylor of Mississippi and Republican Anne Northup of Kentucky opposed it from their respective states.

Lawmakers approved the $155 billion bill, which includes nearly $10 billion for the tobacco buyout, by a 251-178 vote, sending it to negotiations with the Senate over the final version.

"If it happens it will probably the only thing that will save the industry," said tobacco warehouse owner Charlie Payne. "It will be a big shot to everybody in the area."

Virginia Tobacco Growers Association Executive Director Don Anderson, a local grower, agreed.

"This is wonderful news for the tobacco growing community and Halifax County," he said. "It has been a long and arduous task from day one. From a compromise standpoint this is as good as we could hope for.

"But it still needs Senate approval," he added. "Producers and quota owners need to exercise their right to encourage their senators and the White House to complete the passage of this legislation."

An estimated 400,000 tobacco quota holders would receive a share of the buyout, based on their ‘‘allotments,’’ which dictate how much they can grow each year.

"The real positive aspect will be that those who wish to continue to grow will be able to grow a reasonable amount of tobacco in large units that will be more reasonably priced in the world market," said Anderson. "This gives those whom do not wish to continue growing an opportunity to retire with a resonable compensation for their quota."

Anderson said the buyout would also allow tobacco growers to more easily transition into other businesses.

Dr. Kelly Tiller of the University of Tennessee Agricultural Policy Analysis Center predicted passage of the bill would result in payments totaling $133.3 million in Virginia in the first year of the program with five-year payments totalling $666.6 million.

Tiller also predicted the buyout program would save or create 1,897 jobs in Virginia in the first year.

‘‘This would be an opportunity to help our farmers make a decision: are they going to continue to farm tobacco or are they going to get out?’’ said Rep. Mike McIntrye, D-N.C. ‘‘Our farmers in our rural, regional and state economies have suffered enough. It’s time for this uncertainty to end.’’

Anderson said growers had been struggling with the quota system since 1997.

"Most growers have not had the ability to operate as an economic unit," he said. "It has been hard to maintain what is needed for minimum operations while the quotas have been declining."

Democrats argued Republicans hastily added the tobacco buyout to the corporate tax package in the House Ways and Means Committee as a way to pick up the necessary votes for the larger bill. The committee’s top Democrat, Charles Rangel of New York, said his efforts to remove the provision during the committee process was rebuffed because the panel doesn’t have jurisdiction over agricultural matters.

But Rep. Ron Lewis, R-Ky., said the buyout would allow farmers a dignified end to the program that has lifted them economically for decades. He said as many as two-thirds of tobacco farmers could exit the business for other crops and the measure would aid the nation’s economic recovery by ‘‘replacing lost jobs and revitalizing thousands of communities.’’

Earlier in the day, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids released a study it said showed 80 percent of registered voters oppose a tobacco buyout not tied to the regulation of tobacco products.

But Danny McKinney, CEO of Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative Assoc., said many growers still are supportive of Food and Drug Administration regulations and predicted other companies could join Philip Morris in supporting them too.

‘‘We had something thrown to us, and we couldn’t throw it back because it’s the farthest we’ve ever been,’’ McKinney said of the buyout.

Creepy Crawlers Keeping Area Homeowners On Hands, Knees
Ideal Conditions Make For Millions Of Millipedes

By Doug Loftis | GV Staff Writer

Got creepy crawlers?

Millipedes perhaps?

Bug experts say it’s the season.

“We get hundreds of calls a day,” said one local pest control provider who admits liquid pesticides aren’t likely to eradicate the little creatures.

“They’re all over my house,” said one lady of the house whose solution to those worrisome worms is her vacuum cleaner.

The Virginia Extension Service describes millipedes as slow-crawling, round-bodied pests with two sets of legs on each body segment. They often curl up into a tight “C” shape and remain motionless when touched.

Millipedes develop best in damp and dark locations with abundant organic matter (food).

Chances are, if you’ve got many millipedes, you’ve probably provided them with piles of grass clippings, excessive mulch around your house or your house is located on a wooded lot.

Perhaps all of the above!

The squirmy worms lay eggs in the spring and populations build up during the summer. Under good conditions (adequate food and habitat), populations can become “very large” according to the Virginia Extension Service.

Changes in the habitat such as excessive moisture, lack of food or too little moisture will cause the population to disperse.

Extension specialists say that controlling such large numbers of millipedes can be very difficult. “It seems that most insecticides available to homeowners are not very effective in killing millipedes.”

Nonchemical control measures, such as looking for the source of the problem, may be useful but not always possible or effective. Populations of millipedes may build to large numbers in one year, the habitat become overcrowded, and thousands of them migrate to other areas.

Some area pest controllers suggest homeowners apply Sevin® dust around the foundation of their homes and, in the basement and crawl space areas.
Sevin is said to be harmless to humans and animals but, as in all uses of pesticides, read the label, heed warnings and use with precaution.

“It should only last a week or two,” said a spokesman for an area pest control company.

“They’re just annoying.”

(For more information on households pests, visit the Virginia Extension Service website at: http://www.ext.vt.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Docs.woa/wa/getcat?cat=ir-hos-in-gen

County Supervisors To Tackle Land Use Taxation June 28

Crop producers gathered last night to hear the projected figures - tax and cost - on proposed agricultural land use taxation in the county.

They also heard criteria for entering the program.

Supervisors are holding a June 28 public hearing on an ag land use ordinance, which if adopted would not go into effect until the FY 2005 budget at the earliest.

Only agricultural land currently in land programs and producing crops for the previous five years would be eligible for the program

Initial figures suggested by SLEAC (a state land evaluation advisory council) suggested a $200 per acre land use value.

Since then, Commissioner of the Revenue Danny Jackson has run county projections for a suggested $600 per acre value and an $800 per acre value.

"Most counties are not using those figures, they're too low," explained Jackson of SLEAC's proposed $200 per acre.

Jackson said he used a $1,154 figure as an average value per acre in making his $600 and $800 tax deferred projections.

The Commissioner said that he has determined there are 4,756 parcels in the county that have five acres open, which equals 113,759 acres with a total assessed value of $131,283,335.

In using a $600 per acre figure, Jackson projects $245,788 in deferred taxes if there is a 100 percent participation rate.

The figure would be $196,630 in deferred taxes with an 80 percent participation rate and a 39 cents per assessed $100 tax rate, Jackson said.

Using an $800 per acre value - with an 80 percent participation rate - would result in $125,645 in deferred taxes, according to the Commissioner.

"That's probably the average on the participating counties," said Linda Wallace, county agricultural development director, of the estimated 80 percent ag land use participation rate.

"I'm not aware of any county with land use that has 100 percent participation," she added.

To enter the program, farmers must demonstrate bona fide agricultural production, including a crop production history for five consecutive years and enrollment in farm programs through the Farm Service Agency.

The ag land use tax proposal in Halifax County does not include timberland, recreation, residences or other open spaces.

It does include crop and animal production, if the animals are sold commercially.

Halifax County Administrator Joe Morgan previously explained the ag program in this way:

"The concept is farmers are taxed on the value of what they can make on the land farming as opposed to the fair market value it could make if developed."

If the farmer changes the use of the land, he must pay five years in deferred taxes plus the current year's bill and penalty, said Jackson.

Pittsylvania and Campbell counties have been utilizing the ag land use taxation option since the early 1980s, according to Jackson.

Wallace said about 70 percent of the counties in Virginia utilize ag land use tax use.

"There will have to be a tax increase to take in the difference of the deferred tax," said Jackson.

To illustrate, he said if the assessment was $2 billion dollars for the entire county, then each one cent would bring in about $200,000.

Supervisors have advertised a four-cent increase in the budget. That public hearing is scheduled Monday, June 21.

The ag program benefits farmers and landowners who rent land to farmers, according to Jackson.

The purpose listed in a land use brochure from SLEAC for the program includes the following: encourage preservation and proper use of such real estate; conserve natural resources, preserve scenic natural beauty and open spaces, promote proper land use planning and orderly development; promote a balanced economy and alleviate pressures that force conversions of such real estate to more intense uses.

Visitors Center Architect Selected
Visitors Center Will Be Focal Point Of Phase Ii Of The Paul C. Edmunds Jr. Memorial Park Project

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

The Halifax County Recreation Commission has selected the Blacksburg-based Draper Aden Associates firm to provide architectural, engineering and landscaping design services for Phase II of the Paul C. Edmunds Jr. Memorial Park project.

Phase II of the park project will feature the construction of a 1,500 to 2,000 square foot Visitors Center that will include meeting rooms and restroom facilities.

A tentative budget of approximately $200,000 has been set for the project.

The Recreation Commission's recommendation of the Draper Aden Associates firm will be forwarded to the Halifax County Board of Supervisors for confirmation.

Members of the Recreation Commission will be selected in the near future to serve as members of a subcommittee that will meet with architects to begin the planning process.

County Administrator Joe Morgan said officials of the Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall of Fame have expressed an interest in partnering with the county on the visitors center project and establishing a permanent site in the visitors center.

Morgan said Hall of Fame officials will be invited to have a representative serve on the subcommittee that will be involved in the planning of the project.

The Recreation Commission has set a tentative August 20 date for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the first phase of Edmunds Park.

Construction is well underway on a 60 foot by 80 foot picnic pavilion and a 7,000 square-foot playground area that includes a wide variety of playground equipment for both younger children and older kids.

The cost of that project is approximately $50,000.

During Tuesday night's meeting at the park, Halifax County Recreation Department Director Brad Ballou pointed out the area for the layout of a disc golf course around the pond located adjacent to the pavilion.

Ballou said the disc golf course would initially be a 10-hole layout.

Areas that will be used for volleyball courts and horseshoe throwing were also pointed out to Commission members.

Ballou told the Commission that the development of the large pond adjacent to the pavilion is progressing well.

The pond will not be ready for fishing for about two years, he noted.

However, it has been stocked with a variety of fish including bluecats, bluegill, shellcracker, largemouth bass and two different kinds of minnows.

Morgan said the county has filed an application for the $125,000 Virginia Outdoor Trails Fund.

If the county receives that funding, the money will be used to construct a paved half-mile long trail around the pond that will be handicapped accessible.
Also, funds from that source will be used to construct a 7,000-foot gravel trail through the woods and another restroom facility.

Obituaries

Leslie Don Barnett

Leslie 'Les' Don Barnett, 50, of Spearville, Kans. died June 10 at Western Plains Medical Complex in Dodge City, Kans.

He was born December 5, 1953, to Ivan Paul and Florence Margaret Nolder Barnett at Dodge City, and was married to Theresa Hornung, who survives.

Other survivors include two sons, Jason Barnett and wife, Wendy, of Dodge City, and Kelly Bartnett and wife, Melissa, of Spearville; nine brothers, Jim Barnett of Yukon, Okla., David Barnett of Tyler, Texas, Dennis Barnett of Jacksonville, Fla., the Rev. Randy Barnett of Alcova, Wyo., Jack Barnett of Halifax, Jerry Barnett of Ingram, Texas, Pat Barnett of Dodge City, Steve Barnett of Dighton, Kans, and Michael Barnett of Ford, Kans.; three sisters, Margaret Coker of Hutchinson, Kans, Anne Orr of Ponca City, Okla., and Sue Torson of Dighton; and three grandchildren.

A funeral service for Mr. Barnett was held at 10 a.m. on June 14, at Federated Church in Spearville. The Rev. Randy Barnett officiated. Burial followed at Silent Land Cemetery in Spearville.

Clarence Jackson Powell

Clarence Jackson Powell, 76, of 1038 Dove Lane, Scottsburg, died June 16 at Halifax Regional Hospital.

Mr. Powell was born in Halifax County on December 8, 1927, the son of Calvin Dodson Powell and Viola Powell and was married to Sara Childrey Powell who survives. He was a retired employee of J.P. Stevens and a member of Fork Baptist Church.

Graveside services will be held tomorrow, June 19 at 11 a.m. at Fork Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Jason Murray officiating.

Survivors of Mr. Powell include his wife of the home; three sons, Arnold Powell of Scottsburg, Dennis Powell of Chase City and Michael Powell of Drakes Branch; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Mr. Powell was preceded in death by five brothers and two sisters.

The family will receive friends this evening, June 18, from 7:30 to 8:30, at Brooks Funeral Home, and other times at the home.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Fork Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 5202 Falkland Road, Scottsburg, 24589.

Sharon Wright Wilborn

Sharon Wright Wilborn, 43, of 104 Love Shop Road, South Boston, died June 16 at Halifax Regional Hospital.

Mrs. Wilborn was born in South Boston on September 20, 1960, the daughter of Juanita Williams Wright and Kermit Wright. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Republican Grove.

Survivors include her parents of Halifax; two daughters, Donna Wilborn Powell and Dawn Wilborn, both of Halifax; two sisters, Sandra W. Holt of Nashville, N.C. and Shelia W. Daniel of South Boston; one brother, Steven Wright of Halifax; and one grandchild, Daryl T. Powell.

The family will receive friends this evening, June 18 from 6:00 until 7:00, at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel. Services for Mrs. Wilborn will be held at 7 p.m. with the Rev. Shelton Miles officiating.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., 2000 L Street, N.W. Suite 710, Washington, D.C. 20036.

Yvonne Williams Wright

Yvonne Williams Wright, 64, of 4148 Leda Grove Road, Republican Grove, died June 16 at Halifax Regional Hospital. She was the wife of the late Walter Linwood Wright.

Mrs. Wright was born in Campbell County on June 27, 1939, the daughter of the late Benjamin Harrison Williams and Annie Crews Williams. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Republican Grove, and a retired employee of Bassett-Walker Company.

Survivors include one son, Daryl Wright and wife, Kim, of Callands; one daughter, Teresa Wright Anderson of Nathalie; one grandson, Derek Wright; two granddaughters, Tori Wright and Cynthia Woosley and her husband, Eric; one great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Woosley; four sisters including a twin sister, Juanita Wright and husband, Kermit, of Halifax, Nellie Parker of Rustburg, Lacie Dickerson of Nathalie, and Elizabeth Cross of Madison Heights; and a special friend, Robert DeJarnette.

Graveside services for Mrs. Wright will be held at 11 a.m. today, June 18, at First Baptist Church of Republican Grove by the Revs. Shelton Miles and Larry Martin.

The family will receive friends at the home of her sister, Lacie Dickerson, 16178 L.P. Bailey Memorial Highway, Nathalie.