Four local farmers are in the initial stages of seeking permission to build hog farms on their properties, according to Jerry Lovelace, Assistant County Administrator for Planning and Zoning.
Lovelace brought the issue up during Tuesday night's regular monthly meeting of the Halifax County Planning Commission. No actions or official comments on the specifically proposed farms were made during the meeting.
"The applications have just gotten on my desk and I haven't had a chance to take a good look at them yet," Lovelace told the commission.
One of the applicants is Ray Link of Alton, who currently raises tobacco and is seeking diversification of his farming operations, according to Lovelace.
Other possible hog farms would be in other areas of the county, according to Lovelace.
Lovelace did relate to the commission that Dr. Nick Sojka, a professor of veterinary science at the University of Virginia had recently visited the county and discussed with county and agricultural officials a new process of handling hog waste that he says will prevent annoying odors.
According to Dr. Sojka, a major reason that hog farms emit irritating odors to neighboring land owners or motorists is the flooring at hog operations, Lovelace related.
Conventional concrete with no sealer allows bacteria to seep into small holes of the concrete, which generates displeasing odors, according to new process.
The system would eliminate that bacteria buildup by using specially-treated concrete that would periodically be "squeegeed" by built-in, automated wiper blades, Lovelace related.
Stench from the hog waste is further caused by the level of ammonia, since hog waste is highly liquid, according to the professor.
To solve that problem, the structure of the hog waste is changed by mixing the waste with wood chips and dried in the sun. Part of that drying process involves the turning over of the waste at least four times, Lovelace explained.
"The group is trying to find a farm operation where the technology could be put into reality," Lovelace said. "I understand that Ray Link is very interested in that new process."
Lovelace also told the planning commission that U.S. Senator John Warner has offered to find federal funds to finance any such experimental hog farm operation that would effectively alleviate hog odors.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality listed seven streams in Halifax County that was found to be contaminated with fecal coliform.
Lovelace had no recommendation to the planning commission, since the DEQ report merely lists the streams and not any extent of contamination.
The sections are along Birch Creek and the Banister and Roanoke rivers, Lovelace said.
The source of the contamination, according to the DEQ, is agricultural run-off. No immediate health threats appear to exist, DEQ added.
"We are just waiting for additional information to see what, if anything needs to be done about this," commented Lovelace.
The Halifax County School Board will spend more than $580,000 to purchase and renovate the former Craddock-Terry Shoe Factory building in Halifax to house the school system's Alternative Education program.
School trustees voted 7-0 Tuesday night to purchase the building which is situated on a three plus acre site and an accompanying half acre tract located across the street at a price of $212,500 and spend an estimated $367,760 to renovate 21,400 square feet of the 42,000 square foot building.
The renovations to the facility will include the construction of 12 classrooms which will give the center the capacity to serve an estimated 150 to 200 students.
County school superintendent Dennis Witt said that Craddock-Terry Shoe Corporation is in bankruptcy and that a bankruptcy judge will have to approve the purchase. He pointed out, however, that the firm's debtors have agreed on the price and that the purchase is expected to go through with little difficulty.
"I'm real excited about the opportunity for us to have a building as large as this and in such a great location and as good a condition as it is in," Witt said.
"This will give us an opportunity to fashion our Alternative Education program in the way we feel we need and serve our students better."
Witt said that the goal is to put all of the school system's Alternative Education programs under one roof.
"Obviously, we have planning and work to done," Witt remarked.
"But, that is our goal."
The school superintendent pointed out that the night school program, the school system's GED program, the adult basic education program, and the Project YES program at the middle school also have to be considered as part of fashioning an overall comprehensive Alternative Education program.
Trustees wholeheartedly endorsed the purchase of the former shoe factory as step they and school system officials see as the first step toward centralizing all of the school system's Alternative Education programs including Project HOPE under one roof and the creation of a new viable daytime Alternative Education program to serve middle school and high school students who cannot, for whatever reason, conform to the structure of the regular school program.
School system officials indicated Tuesday night that funding the project appears to be no problem since there is a potential pool of $860,000 in revenues available through different avenues.
For starters, the school system is entitled to receive $403,000 from the state, funds that are earmarked for school construction and capital improvements. Also, the school system will sell off one third of its shares of Trigon stock which will make $227,000, a figure that represents half of the proceeds from that sale, available for school capital improvement projects.
In addition, the school system is set to receive an unexpected windfall of $230,000 in the form of credits from the Virginia Retirement System. As a result, when you put the trio of funding sources together, the school system has plenty of money available to finance the project.
Witt pointed out that he didn't feel that the $367,760 estimate for the building renovations would hold.
"We have about a $500,000 pool for renovations," Witt said.
"That is more than enough to get us ready to occupy the building in good fashion."
School system maintenance director Larry Roller reviewed with the school board a report from the Dewberry & Davis architectural and engineering firm which outlined several items that need to be addressed by the school system in putting the building to use as an Alternative Education center.
Among them are the removal of the building's dust collection system and coal chute, the removal of a raised four inch concrete slab measuring 120 feet by 30 feet, replacing the deteriorating concrete window sills and replacing the existing windows with an aluminum window with insulated glass, and replacing the restroom facilities.
The architectural firm noted in its report that repairs are needed to some roof drains and that all of the gutters and downspouts need to be replaced. Also, because the existing building occupancy is listed as factory/industrial and the use will be changed to educational, building codes will require that the entire facility be brought up to current codes. That will mean that the building's electrical power system, fire protection system, and plumbing system will have to be renovated.
In addition, the building's existing telecommunications system will need to be overhauled, as will the interior ductwork and the building's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.
The cost estimates given to school trustees showed $118,760 for the electrical work, $175,000 for the mechanical work, and $239,000 for restroom renovation and classroom construction. That totaled $532,760.
However, school system officials pointed out that school system maintenance personnel could handle some of the work, enough to knock about $165,000 off of the renovation estimate and bring the estimate for the renovation work down to $367,760.
In addition to outlining what work will be needed in order to get the facility in shape for occupancy for an Alternative Education program, the architectural firm noted some other items that will need to be addressed at a later date such as boiler room asbestos abatement, boiler removal, parking lot sealing and line painting and estimated expenses for those items.
School trustees and school system officials stated that if funds are available after the necessary work for occupancy and startup has been concluded some of the work that were designated as needing to be addressed in the future may also be addressed.24 Considered For Council Seat
Two dozen citizens are under consideration for the vacated council seat of former South Boston Town Council member Debbie Morris.
Twenty-one of those names were released after a special council meeting held Wednesday night in the town manager's meeting room. Three additional names came up for consideration Thursday, officials said.
In the meeting, Morris' resignation was officially accepted by the town council under motion of vice-mayor Radford Trent. Morris submitted her resignation in a letter to town officials last Friday, citing a need to spend more time with her family.
The council will hold a meeting on Monday, June 29 to decide on Morris' replacement. The meeting will be held in the council chambers located on Yancey Street.
Town officials point out that additional names could be added to the list prior to Monday's meeting. Anyone who would like to be considered or who would like to see someone else considered is asked to call the town hall at 575-4200.
Among those citizens under consideration are: George Bagwell, Charles Butler, Bill Caldwell, Kenneth Cassada, Billy Clarke, Ann Crabtree, Wayne Dudley, Walter Cox, Levi Hamilton, Betty Hudson, Aubrey Houghton, Ryland Harris, Frank Lee, Les Powell Jr., Dick Pond, Josephine Marshall, David Myers, Virginia Roberts, Larry Smith, Wayne Smart, Eula Williams, and Lee Wray.
Six other citizens had previously declined to have their names put under consideration, Mayor Glen Abernathy said.
Clover residents will be given an opportunity July 6 to express their feelings towards an ordinance that would eventually end the town's street lights. The public hearing is yet another step towards Clover's intention to nullify the town's charter that dates back to 1895.
Street lights, strangely enough, have been the focus of attention since the Clover Town Council made the decision to end its township status and turn the town's services over to the county.
Services that once included police protection, garbage pickup and other maintenance chores, have since ceased as the town's financial troubles worsened. Clover has about 200 residents and operates on a general fund budget of about $41,000.
Assuming that council will adopt an ordinance to end the town's responsibility for street lights, a resolution will petition the courts to hold a referendum in this November's general election.
It will be the decision of the voters whether or not Clover will remain a township. Clover has about 85 registered voters and in recent elections, fewer than 30 have exercised their right to vote.
Clover Mayor Deborah Griles will make no prediction on the outcome of that vote. "I just don't know."
"If they want to keep the town and don't mind paying town taxes for something the county is already providing, that's their decision." she responded when asked this week if she thought the majority of voters would agree to end Clover's town status.
Griles, a county middle school history teacher, was first elected by a write-in vote. Shortly after taking office and discovering what she called a financial "mess", Griles sought assistance from the county as Clover began to curtail such services as police protection and maintenance workers.
Clover's water and sewer system along with the responsibility of administration and service, would be turned over the county. Likewise, all of the town's assets including whatever amount of money is in the bank, would be transferred to the county.
No debt transfer, other than bonded indebtedness, can be transferred. Clover has a bonded indebtedness -all linked to water and sewer- of about $425,000 (as of June 30, 1997).
Town and county officials have tentatively agreed that whatever remains in the general fund at the time of the transition would be used to pay for street lights for what should be a period of about two years.
After that, Clover residents would either have to pay for the lights or live in the dark.
The Berryman Green Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, is about to accent that Revolutionary War turning point, all within view of one of Gen. Greene's crossings, the old Boyd's Ferry crossing in South Boston.
A triangle of land located at the corner of Seymour and Broad Street, which offers a view of the old crossing just beyond the Dan River railroad trestle, is the D.A.R. project site.
A lectern - like those found at many park battlefields - will provide information about Gen. Greene's historic crossing. A plaque, benches, a patio and brick retaining wall are also part of the plan.
"The town is providing the land and a number of contractors have provided labor and materials," said project chairman Betty Willis. Serving with Willis on the committee are chapter regent Frances Page Loftis and Barbara Johnson.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $4,000 by Willis.
The committee hopes to begin grading at the site in August and to complete the project by November.
The committee seeks community support for the project. Anyone wishing to make a donation may forward a check to D.A.R./NationsBank, c/o P.O.Box 387, Halifax, Va. 24558. The funding agency is tax exempt.
The D.A.R. project marks yet a new addition in the revitalization of the historic district in South Boston. The renovation of the Prizery, the emerging Continuing Education Center project nearby and the town's new Constitution Square join an already attractive town entrance the D.A.R. also played a role in establishing.
But in February of 1781, the crossing of the Dan River into Halifax County at Boyd's Ferry and upstream Irwin's Ferry meant safety and time for Gen. Greene and his army to rest, gather "more than 800 recruits" and obtain supplies ...as well as exhaust the British troops, who had burned much of their baggage in an effort to overtake Greene's smaller army.
The British commander, Lord Charles Cornwallis, seeing the Colonials on the opposite bank of the swollen Dan River turned back to North Carolina -Greene's staff had taken all boats and ferries to transport his troops.
While Cornwallis turned back to North Carolina with few provisions and an exhausted army, Greene would return to the field of battle with his army strengthened as the fortunes of war turned in favor of the new nation.
Katherine Blackwell Elliott, born January 21, 1907, in South Boston, died January 22, 1998.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert A. Elliott Sr.; one sister, Jane Blackwell; and brothers, Henry and John Blackwell.
Survivors include one son, Herbert A. Elliott Jr. and his wife, Priscilla; and grandchildren, Andrew and Susan.
A long-time resident of South Hill, she taught high school for nine years, was a well known genealogist, and was active in the Methodist Church, the D.A.R., and other historical societies.
Her ashes will be interred at Oak Ridge Cemetery today, June 26.
Wilson O. Edmonds, 72, of Oak Ridge, TN died Wednesday, May 20, 1998, at his home.
Mr. Edmonds was retired from the Department of Energy and its predecessor agencies, the Energy Research and Development Administration and the Atomic Energy Commission. He worked in Washington, DC, Albuquerque, NM, and Grand Junction, CO, then became resident investigator in the San Francisco, CA office, where he worked for 11 years.
Mr. Edmonds was born in Halifax County and was an Army veteran of WWII serving in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. After his discharge he went on to receive bachelor of arts and law degrees from the College of William and Mary. He was a member of Central Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Sarah A. Edmonds of Berkeley, CA and Karen L. Edmonds of Knoxville, TN; a sister, Mildred Conner of Takoma Park, MD; and three brothers, Buster O. Edmonds of Nathalie, James H. Edmonds of Halifax and R. Thomas Edmonds of Springfield. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Edmonds.
A graveside service was held Wednesday, May 27 at Oak Ridge Memorial Park, Oak Ridge, TN.
Thomas Abraham Rice of Nathalie died Monday, June 22, 1998 at Heritage Hall Nursing Home at the age of 80.
Mr. Rice was born in Halifax County on July 31, 1917 the son of Tom Rice and Mary Elizabeth Rice. He was a member of New Shiloh Baptist Church.
Survivors include three sons, Ruffus Rice, Rogers L. Rice and Earl T. Rice, all of Nathalie; three daughters, Jerolean R. LaPrade and Brenda L. Rice, both of Nathalie and Sandra E. Rice of Lynchburg; one step-daughter, Dorothy C. Hamlett of Brookneal; two step-sons, James 'Bobby' Carter of Brookneal and Reuben C. Carter of Amherst; one sister, Irene Garner of Nathalie; 21 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Rice will be held today, June 26 at 2 p.m. at New Shiloh Baptist Church in Nathalie with Rev. Joseph D. Moore conducting the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Emmit Banks of Halifax died Monday, June 22, 1998 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 83.
Mr. Banks was born in Halifax County on February 22, 1915.
Survivors include his nieces, two devoted, Harriett Outlaw of Halifax and Sallie Fountain of Scottsburg; nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Graveside services for Mr. Banks were held Thursday, June 25 at 11 a.m. at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Scottsburg with Rev. Whitfield Scott officiating.