Monday, June 28, 2004

Land Use Hearing Set Tonight
In Order For Program To Be Implemented In 2006, Ordinance
Must Be Adopted By June 30

Supervisors will hold a public hearing on a proposed land use taxation ordinance during tonight's meeting in the Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.

The public hearing will get underway at 8 p.m.

The Board is considering land use taxation for farmers their property taxes in an effort to preserve the rural character and agricultural heritage of the county, according to County Administer Joe Morgan.

In order for the ordinance to be implemented by 2006, the Board must pass the ordinance during the current fiscal year.

"When you consider it, (the ordinance) has to be on the books a full year before it becomes effective," Morgan said. "The Board has to adopt that ordinance by June 30 before (implementation in 2006) comes into play."

Currently the Board is considering only land that is being actively farmed, and does not include timberland, recreation, residences or other open spaces.

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

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.

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

According to the ordinance, the owner must report the change in use within 60 days.

Failure to pay the roll-back tax within 30 days will result in a 50 percent penalty.

The fee for the initial assessment is $20 plus 10 cents per acre included in the program.

Under the ordinance, farmers applying for the breaks on multiple parcels must file a separate application (with separate fee) for each parcel.

In addition, the property cannot have any leins placed against it by the county or have any delinquent taxes.

Commissioner of the Revenue Danny Jackson has determined that 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.

Jackson said that in investigating the proposal, he used a $1,154 figure as an average value per acre in the county in projecting the impact of the program based on $600 and $800 tax deferred projections.

Using the $600 figure, Jackson estimated that $196,630 would be deferred if 80 percent of farmland is enrolled in the program.

The $800 figure would result in $125,645 with an 80 percent participation rate.
County Agricultural Development Director Linda Wallace said earlier that the 80 percent participation rate was a realistic number to consider, but could be a little high.

Whether the county implements the $600 or $800 figure will be determined by Jackson, Morgan said.

"The Virginia system places the authority to adopt the ordinance with the supervisors, but (Jackson) sets the numbers so there are checks and balances," he said.

County Remembers Battle Of Staunton River Bridge
Events Included Military Service Award Ceremony

A force of Confederate volunteer reserves, assisted by a large number of "young men and old boys" from Southside Virginia, took the measure of vastly superior Union forces to defend the Staunton River Bridge on June 25, 1864.

By all accounts, the battle occurred on a hot and dry day, but weather conditions Saturday were cool, wet and damp as re-enactors and history buffs participated in a series of events commemorating the 140th Anniversary of the Battle of Staunton River Bridge.

Events included a Military Service Award Ceremony presented by the Halifax Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, a guided battle- field tour and narration by Douglas Powell, and presentations by Civil War artist Henry Kidd, Civil War author and historian Chuck Ross, and Thelma Dalmas of the Lynchburg Birding Club.

A Living History Encampment was presented by the 23rd Virginia Infantry, Company I, Central Guards, and Porter Alexander's Battalion, Cape Fear Light Artillery fired a cannon on several occasions from the original authentic firing position in the Fort.

In addition, members of the Sappony Indian Nation were at Randolph Station Museum with displays pertaining to their heritage and history.

The background to the battle is one on simple logistics, as General Robert E. Lee depended on the railroad for supples in his defense of Petersburg.

Union General Ulysses S. Grant dispatched a cavalry raid, led by Brigadier Generals James H. Wilson and August V. Kautz, to tear up the tracks and destroy the railroad bridge over the Staunton River in order to force Lee to abandon Petersburg.

The Confederate force holding the bridge ultimately consisted of 296 Confederate reserves under the command of Benjamin Farinholt and 492 volunteers from Southside, which had to hold the bridge against 5,000 Union cavalrymen.

Farinholt had only six pieces of artillery to bolster his defenses, on the east and west side of the bridge.

Between the artillery positions and the river lay a line of trenches, and across the bridges lay a semicircular line of well concealed rifle trenches.

Though badly outnumbered, the combined Confederate force withstood four separate charges by the enemy, forcing them to withdraw from the scene.

Budget Adoption On Supes’ Agenda
The Proposal Includes Four-Cent Real Estate, 24-Cent Personal Property Increases

Supervisors are expected to adopt their $27.1 million budget, one that includes a four-cent real estate tax increase per assessed $100 and a 24-cent personal property tax hike.

The meeting gets underway at 7 p.m. in the Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.

Finance Committee Chairman Doug Bowman said prior to last week's public hearing on the budget that the proposed increases are designed to fund school improvements and preserve the open spaces in the county.

"The four-cent (real estate tax) increase is specifically designed to raise $1 million for Phase II capital improvements for the schools," he said.

Bowman pointed out that for every cent increase in real estate taxes, the county receives $277,000.

That increase will net the county around $1.1 million, according to Bowman.

Of those funds, $1 million is designated for school improvements.

The personal property increase will be used to fund current needs and position the county to address future solid waste needs, Bowman said.

The finance committee chairman said principal behind the increase is to fund the current needs of the county "now that haven't been being addressed and also begin looking at the solid waste issues facing us in 2007."

Morgan told the supervisors prior to last week's public hearing on the issue that total general fund expenditures projected is $27,119,658, with revenues expected to be $25,514,332.

In next year's budget, county administration recommends funding the following requests:

• $50,000 in pay hikes for the county's general employees.

Morgan said that all of the pay hikes are required increases for constitutional officers and are mandated by the state.

• $50,000 to hire a grants coordinator.

• $25,000 in tax relief for the elderly/disabled.

• $125,000 to switch to a more frequent property reassessment.

The $300,000 projected for the county's coffers takes the investment into account.

• $300,000 investment in water/sewer infrastructure.

• $5,000 in funding for the YMCA.

The recommendations on funding the new requests total $555,000.

The board is also expected to adopt recommendations totalling more than $1,590,000 million in capital improvements.

These include:

• $1 million in school building improvement funds that will be funded by the increase in the real estate tax.

• $50,000 in funding for a county history permanent exhibit at the museum.
• $15,000 to fund a tourism brochure.

• $100,000 for solid waste convenience centers.

• $200,000 to replace sheriff's office vehicles.

• $25,000 for field staff vehicle replacement.

• $150,000 for public works vehicle replacements.

• $10,000 to fund maintenance at the Halifax County War Memorial.

Members of the finance committee are also recommending an additional $7,000 in support for the Vision 2020 program.

Other Agenda Items

County Administrator Joe Morgan is expected to advise supervisors of an increase in state funding for the Project Exile prosecutor by $22,286.

Morgan is also expected to tell the Board that a state grant designated to fund the Victim Witness Program has been reduced by $29,453.

The move will result in the assignment of the program director's time to crime prevention services in conjunction with the Department of Social Services, the Safe and Healthy Family Initiative and the Commonwealth's Attorney.

Board members will hold a public hearing on a rezoning application submitted by M.L.Thomason Sr. to rezone 4.53 acres across from the Riverstone Technology Park from A-1 to M-2.

Assistant County Administrator Jerry Lovelace will present the Board with two land use applications.

Ivan Mast has applied to rezone 4.85 acres on Route 360 at the Short Stop from A-1 to M-1.

Jonathan and Donna Chandler have applied for a conditional use permit to operate a bed and breakfast on 1.08 acres on Bellevue Road just west of Myers Road.

Morgan is expected to brief the Board on the formation of the Southside Regional Public Service Authority including permitting, an engineering cost assessment and the preparation of a mandated solid waste management plan.

Board Chair William Fitzgerald is expected to update the Board on the King Village Road progress.

Prior to the scheduled public hearing, the county's financial advisor, John Anzivino, is expected to offer a presentation on school capital financing, more frequent real estate assessment, a review of the county's accounting system and long-term capital projects planning.

Post 8 Falls To Danville Barrage
Danville Used A Seven-Run Fourth-Inning Rally And A Four-Run Seventh Inning Barrage To Down South Boston Post 8

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

Danville Post 325 uncorked a seven-run rally in the fourth inning and chalked up four runs in the seventh inning to down South Boston American Legion Post 8 16-4 here Thursday night in a game ended after seven innings under a slaughter rule.

Thursday night's loss dropped Post 8 to 2-4 overall. Danville Post 325 improved its record to 5-1 with the win.

Danville Post 325 rocked Post 8 hurlers David Lacks, Justin Worsham and Robert Carter for 17 hits, the most hits any team has tagged Post 8 for this season.

South Boston, by contrast, had six hits with Dion Ferrell leading the way with three hits and Blake Waller, Carter and Ryan Gieselman getting a hit each.

All of Post 8's hits came against Danville Post 325 starter, GW standout Jonathan Walker.

Walker fanned five batters and did not allow a walk.

Danville took a 2-0 lead in the first inning after Lacks walked two of the first three batters he faced and Post 325's designated hitter, Will Inman, lashed a two-RBI double.

Post 8 answered with a run in the bottom of the first inning on a double by Gieselman that plated Blake Waller who reached base on an error.

Danville took advantage of a leadoff walk to GW standout David Divine to add a run in the top of the second inning.

Divine advanced to second base on a passed ball and scored on a base hit by Cam Owen to make it a 3-1 game.

A solo homer by Inman with one out in the top of the third inning put Danville up 4-1.

Post 8 cut its deficit to two runs in the bottom of the third inning with the help of a pair of Danville errors.

Ferrell singled with one out, stole second base and scored when Carter reached base on an error.

The bottom fell out on Post 8 when Danville rallied to score seven runs in the top of the fourth inning to make it an 11-2 score.

Divine walked to start the inning and Owen caked it up with a single.

A base hit from Brent Weaver scored Divine, and a base hit by Lanny Stanfield plated Owen to put Danville up 6-2.

Worsham went to the mound in relief of Lacks at that point but fared no better.
Another GW player, Donny Price, tagged Worsham for a run-scoring single.
A Post 8 error and a walk loaded the sacks and set the stage for a two-RBI single from GW player John Watlington.

By the time the inning ended, Danville had taken advantage of seven hits, a walk and an error to score seven runs and grab a nine-run cushion.

Post 8, trying to stay in the hunt, posted two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to make it an 11-4 score.

The inning started with Ferrell tagging Walker for a two-out single. Waller backed it up with another hit to put two runners on the sacks.

Carter followed with a two-RBI hit that brought the Comets to within seven runs.

Two Post 8 errors and two hits produced a run for Danville in the sixth inning.
Four hits, two hit batters and an error allowed Danville to score four runs in the top of the seventh inning and put the game away.

Post 8 managed to get two runners on the basepaths in the bottom of the seventh inning thanks to a Danville error and a walk to Justin Armistead.

But three straight fly balls to the outfield that followed resulted in outs that ended the game.

Obituaries

Amy Murray Bell

Amy Jo Bell, 35, of Wake Forest, N.C., died Saturday. She was born in Washington, Penn., the daughter of Margaret Dayak Murray and William G. Murray.

She was employed at Raleigh Radiology and was previously employed as the Director of Membership for the Durham Homebuilders Association. She was also a member of the National Association of Women in Construction, the American Society of Radiological Technologists and the Parent Advisory Board at Saint Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church School.

Mrs. Bell is survived by her husband, Steve L. Bell, their 3-year-old son, Zachary Murray Bell, her parents, Margaret Dayak Murray and William G.

Murray of Danville, one brother, Shaun Murray of Austintown, Ohio, one sister, Melissa Ann Layne of Danville, one maternal grandfather, Mike Dayak of Muse, Penn., mother-in-law, Marie Bell of Connecticut, father-in-law, Vonnie Bell of Connecticut, 5 sisters-in-law, 3 brothers-in-law, many aunts and uncles of Cannonsburg, Penn., Washington, Penn. and Pittsburg, Penn., 17 nieces and nephews and many friends in Wilmington, N.C., Danville and the Triangle area.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Peggy Dayak and by her paternal grandparents, Buck and Peggy Murray.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, at the Church of Sacred Heart in Danville.

Friends may visit with the family from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 S. Main Street, Wake Forest with a prayer service to begin at 8:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Zachary Murray Bell Trust Fund, c/o American National Bank, P. O. Box 191, Danville, VA 24543.

Harold Logan Sr.

Funeral services for Mr. Harold Logan Sr. of Mountain Road, Halifax, will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the New Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Harold Logan Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Mr. Logan, 82, died Friday at Halifax Regional Hospital.

Mr. Logan was born in Halifax County on June 15, 1922, a son of the late Floyd Logan and Mary Edmonds Logan. He was married to Minnie Womack Logan.

He was a member of the New Bethel Baptist Church in Halifax.

Mr. Logan is survived by his wife: Mrs. Minnie Logan; two daughters, Mrs. Nannie L. Randolph of Halifax and Mrs. Dorothy L. Wood of South Boston; two sons, Floyd Logan II of Halifax and the Rev. Harold Logan Jr. of Arlington, Texas; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; a devoted sister, Mrs. Ella Logan Shaw of Washington, D.C.; one brother, Samuel Logan of Ft.

Washington, Maryland; one son-in-law, Claude Wood; two daughters-in-law, Mrs. Frances Logan and Mrs. Fardia Logan; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Wood, 1030 Mallard Lane, South Boston.

Clyde Devern Nevel Jr.

Clyde Devern Nevel Jr., 75, of Quinton died June 24 at Chippenham Hospital.
Mr. Nevel was born August 28, 1928, in Prince Edward County, the son of Clyde Devern Nevel Sr. and Lelia Josephine Sheffield Nevel. He was a member of Harvest Baptist Church and was retired as a Building Inspector with HUD.

Survivors include one daughter, Faye Schwartz of Richmond; two sons, Mike Nevel and wife, Debbie, of Richmond, Mark Nevel and wife, Frances, of Quinton, and children, Devin, Amanda and Whitney Nevel; three brothers, Don, Jim and Ray Nevel, all of Richmond; two sisters, Frances Miller of Chesterfield and Majorie Prong of Richmond; and many grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mr. Nevel was held June 26 at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bob Watts officiating. Burial followed in Oakland Cemetery in Scottsburg.

Georgia Bowman Richardson

Georgia Bowman Richardson, 94, of Hudson, N.C., and formerly of South Boston, died Saturday at Abernathy Retirement Home in Newton, N.C.

She was the daughter of the late John Bolin Bowman and Ella Webb Bowman and was the wife of the late Roy Earl Richardson. She was a member of the First Crossroads Baptist Church in Turbeville.

Mrs. Richardson is survived by one daughter, Montrose R. Martin of Hudson, N.C., one son, E. Bowman Richardson of Virgilina, two sisters, Annie B. Hay of Hickory, N.C., and Violet B. Loewenthal of Jacksonville, Fla., her stepmother, Willsie M. Bowman of Ringgold, ten grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, four half-sisters and two half-brothers.

She was preceded in death by one daughter, Ella R. Spencer, and one sister, Dollie B. Moore.

Funeral services will be held today, June 28, at 11 a.m. at the First Crossroads Baptist Church, Turbeville, with the Rev. Dan Ward officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall.