The hotly debated proposed school facility development plan cleared its first major hurdle Monday night when school trustees voted 5-3 to adopt the project.
And, the approval came despite the fact that the estimated price tag for the project that includes closing five county elementary schools (Washington-Coleman, Cluster Springs, Virgilina, Clover, and Volens), renovating and constructing additions at others, and implementing a dual bus transportation system came in at $30.1 million.
The $30.1 million cost estimate was slightly higher than school system officials and school trustees had expected. School system officials had been pitching a $25 million to $29 million price tag for their proposed facility plan but a recent comprehensive architectural study of the county's schools and school sites revealed higher costs.
The report compiled by architects from a Richmond based architectural firm showed an estimated price tag of $35,935,099 for the proposed building program. However, school system officials pared that number by deleting some items such as air conditioning and heating retrofits, lighting retrofits, and window replacements in the old parts of the school buildings that would continue to be used.
By deleting several items, school system officials cut the architects' price tag of $35.9 million down to $28,989,923 for the school facility renovations and construction of new additions. The cost to implement a dual transportation system that would take elementary school children off of the buses with secondary school students was figured at $1,144,000.
"I'm glad that we have adopted a plan," county school superintendent Dennis Witt said yesterday.
"This was the first hurdle. We still have many hurdles to go."
The next step, Witt explained, is to take the plan to the County Administrator and the Board of Supervisors.
"What we need now is some feedback," Witt explained.
"We need to find out what our options are."
A few months ago Witt was hoping the plan would gain quick approval from both the school board and the Board of Supervisors and that a referendum to fund the project could be placed on the November election ballot.
However, after school trustees hit a stalemate over the plan and it briefly stalled, it appeared much less likely that the project, even under perfect circumstances, could be hustled through all of the approval processes quick enough to reach the county's voters this fall.
Witt said yesterday that it will be very tough to get the matter to the voters in November.
"One of the things we're up against is the time line as far the November referendum goes," Witt stated.
"The problem is giving people, especially the Board of Supervisors and their constituents, enough time to study and analyze the plan."
Another factor entering into the picture is the proposed expansion of the Continuing Education Center and the fact that supporters of that project are trying to get a referendum for that project on the November election ballot.
"The CEC expansion, in my eyes, is an important piece of the whole education picture for Halifax County," Witt said.
"The educational program for the community's citizens includes post-secondary education being an important part. We are not competing entities but obviously, we are competing for dollars."
Witt pointed out that while the cost numbers came in a little higher than anticipated, they were still good numbers.
"I think the numbers are better - much better - than those anticipated by the Supervisors and citizens in the community that I've talked to."
Despite the rosy financial picture painted by Witt, school trustees engaged in another contested debate, a debate that ended with trustees Wanda McDowell, D.H. McDowell, Jr., Patricia Nelson, Steve Anderson, and chairman Alan Gravitt casting votes in favor of the project.
Trustees Carl Furches, Lottie Nunn, and Raleigh Moorefield cast negative votes.
Furches stated that he'd like for the school board to sit down with the Board of Supervisors and let the Supervisors tell the school board what kind of project it feels it could financially afford and have the school board go from there.
"If we can't agree on what we want, I don't know where the discussion goes," Gravitt stated.
"Why can't we put it (the project) to them (The Board of Supervisors) now without passing it?" Moorefield asked.
Nelson told the group that "we should know what our educational needs are. We are at a point where we need to say to the Board of Supervisors this is the best plan, this is as economically efficient as we can make it. Can we as a school board say this is what we want?"
"This doesn't mean that they won't come back and say we can't afford it and we can't let you go to referendum," she added.
"Would this be a good plan if we had plenty of money?" queried Witt.
D.H. McDowell, Jr. told his fellow board members that the Board of Supervisors expects the school board to bring a plan to them for consideration.
"We're not going to get anywhere trying to pass the buck to the Board of Supervisors and letting them make the decisions for us. We've got to do it ourselves."
Furches added that he is opposed to the plan.
"The thing I'm hearing the most is that we will be consolidating the elementary schools and that we have a fiasco with the high school and we don't want it in our elementary schools," Furches stated.
He added that he also did not feel that the school board could go to the Supervisors with a 'pie in the sky" and come away empty handed.
Wanda McDowell noted that the plan has both good points and bad points.
"If we can't agree on something and kill it right now, is it right for us to take that opportunity away from the citizens to make a decision?" she asked.
"This isn't the ultimate decision. The Board of Supervisors can have a chance to look at it and then see what they can do. I don't feel I should make that decision for the people. Ultimately, they (the people (of the county) will be the ones to decide it if the Board (of Supervisors) lets it go to bond. Then, we will all have the opportunity and I will have the opportunity to oppose it if I choose to not vote for it."
Trustee Steve Anderson added, "I think the ultimate decision needs to be with the taxpayers. He added that his feeling is that the plan should be taken to the Board of Supervisors "and let them determine what they can do with it."
"The only thing we can do as a board," Anderson said, "is put it to the public and it will be up to the public to decide."
A local tax increase of 10 to 12 cents per year in the first two years will be needed to finance the $30.1 million school facility plan adopted by the county school board.
But, starting with the third year, the tax burden would decrease each year through the 15 to 16 year period that tax hikes would be needed to support the plan.
County school superintendent Dennis Witt told the county school board the school system can qualify for a $20 million Literary Loan for 30 years at two percent interest. And, the remaining $10 million could be secured from the Virginia Public School Authority or through a General Obligation Bond.
Witt pointed out that the greatest impact taxwise to the citizens of the community comes in the first two years.
"The obligation to the citizens would be $1.4 million in the first two years and the amounts would drop dramatically after that," Witt told the school board.
"The impact drops dramatically starting with the third year in terms of the tax pressures and new monies that would have to be put into this project," Witt pointed out.
"That's why I hoping that people will look at the numbers very carefully and see the impact of the funding picture."
Witt pointed out that the school system has monies available in its budget to put toward the debt service on the project including $400,000 in state construction fund money and an estimated $500,000 a year in operational savings that would result from the consolidation of some of the county's elementary schools.
The school superintendent stated that operating 15 schools is forcing the school system to spend a lot of money in operational costs.
"We're spending $1 million a year in excessive operational costs with the arrangement we have with 15 schools," explained Witt.
"If that fact is okay with you, so be it. But, a million a year put toward the debt service and the operation of the schools, you could do a lot with that."
Witt added that "the impact is not nearly as great as what I've heard from folks. It's not quite as alarming, at least in my eyes. It seems at least feasible."
Witt pointed out that in examining the financing issues, he used conservative figures to come up with an operational savings figure of $800,000.
"We're calling it $800,000 in savings," Witt said, "but we think it will be closer to $1 million. We will have to increase our transportation costs by about $300,000 for additional buses for the dual transportation system. That gives us a net savings of $500,000 that we could put back into the debt service."
School trustee Carl Furches, one of the three school board members that voted against the plan, told Witt "you've got to remember that the cost of teacher salaries is going to be going up at the same time. You're talking about a 50 percent jump in taxes. I think we ought to sit down with the Supervisors and see what they can afford."
"We can't spend a penny tonight," Witt replied.
"How are you going to sit down with the Supervisors if you don't know where to go?"
Furches remained opposed to the plan.
"I can't vote for any tax increase I wouldn't want on myself," he remarked.
School board chairman Alan Gravitt pointed out that the school system is spending $1 million a year more in operational costs than it should be spending.
"The tax burden applies to both sets of circumstances," Gravitt pointed out.
"We have the option of doing nothing and continue paying out $1 million," he concluded while pointing out that the already old school buildings continue to grow older and more expensive to operate with each passing year.
Maj. Gen. Carroll Thackston announced his resignation as head of the Virginia National Guard last week, apparently responding to Gov. Jim Gilmore's decision to appoint a new state military leader.
"Our commander-in-chief, Gov. Gilmore, has just advised that he expects to appoint a new adjutant general in the very near future," Thackston wrote to Guard members announcing his resignation last week.
Appointed adjutant general by former Gov. George Allen in 1994, Thackston's command will end August 14.
Deputy Press Secretary Lila Young of Gov. Gilmore's office said yesterday that the governor's only comment was that he was "grateful for the general's service and that "he did an outstanding job."
Young said Gov. Gilmore is on vacation.
"This is the only political job in the Guard, and I serve at the pleasure of the governor," said Maj. Gen. Thackston yesterday in a telephone interview. "And the governor can chose, as he has in many other agencies, people that he knows and is familiar with. He offered me the opportunity to retire. He would like to have his own man, and I understand that," said Thackston.
"I spent a very, very exciting four years, and without question, when you look at all the factors, it has been the most turbulent years in my 35 years in the Guard."
Among those factors, the Guard deployed three units to Bosnia - including one of Thackston's sons, Staff Sgt. Jonathan Thackston, dealt with dramatic downsizing as well as budget cuts.
"Probably not another state had three units at the same time, but the thing I had nobody else had was taking over Fort Pickett," said Thackston of the project he has worked on since July of 1995.
Nevertheless, Gov. Gilmore's decision to appoint a new adjutant general comes the same year Thackston and the Guard would have completed their change of headquarters from Richmond to Fort Pickett.
Fort Pickett's transition from federal ownership to state involved many issues.
"The effort was to make sure Virginia incurred no environmental liabilities (at Pickett). This was assured through nine months of intensive negotiations with the Department of Defense and the Department of the Army," explained Thackston.
On Sept 30, 1997, which was the last day of the fiscal year and the day before the army reserve left, Thackston said, "We signed the contract." That, he noted, was "how close and intense the negotiations were."
The second part of the Ft. Pickett project was moving the Guard's state headquarters there.
"Gov. Allen and I agreed it was the thing to do," recalled Thackston.
The change affects 250 jobs moved from downtown Richmond to Blackstone "to save over $1 million in rent and also to have the staff there so they could help run Fort Pickett," added the general.
General Thackston describes that transition as 90 percent complete, with the renovation of the new building scheduled for completion in October and the movement of 200 more jobs in a November time frame.
"I am most proud of accomplishing that goal, of keeping Fort Pickett operating as it is vital for the training not only of reserve component units but also active units as well," said Thackston yesterday.
"I am also proud of moving headquarters ...where one day we will have our own modern state headquarters instead of renting as we have since I have been in the Guard." Virginia, he noted, was the only state to rent space from a commercial vendor.
Quoting Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's farewell to the Army of Northern Virginia, Thackston bid his own farewell yesterday: "You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed."
Gen. Thackston said yesterday he plans to retire to his South Boston home. He and his wife, Frances, are the parents of three sons. All three sons have served in the Guard.
Gen. Thackston is a 1955 graduate of Virginia Military Institute. He joined the Virginia National Guard in April of 1963, moving through the ranks to Assistant Adjutant General and then his appoint as Adjutant General in 1994.
Charges of robbery and obstruction of justice followed a bizarre incident that began early Monday morning with a flat tire in Sinai.
A 73-year-old man had stopped his vehicle on Sinai Road and was in the process of changing a tire, according to South Boston Police Chief Jim Hall.
He had injured his hand when the jack slipped and he was later treated and released from the Halifax Regional Hospital.
While he attempting to change the tire a yellow station wagon occupied by two females stopped to assist his efforts, Chief Hall said.
"The driver of the station wagon started to help the victim change the tire," he said. "The victim stated he offered them money for assisting and the other female grabbed his wallet and ran from the scene."
When the driver of the station wagon finished changing the tire for the victim, she also left the scene, according to the investigation.
Later, at 7:40 a.m., SBPD Officer Dan Frazier was on routine patrol and observed a vehicle matching the description of the station wagon. He stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Greenfield Road and Old Grubby Road.
The driver, Theresa Bailey, 32, of Drakes Branch was charged with driving on a suspended operator's license, Chief Hall said. She is scheduled to appear in court on that charge on September 14.
While investigating the incident, SBPD Officer Brian Lovelace charged a passenger in the vehicle, Carolyn A. Ferrell, 32, of South Boston with robbery and obstruction of justice, stemming from the incident at 3:30 a.m.
Ferrell is currently in the Halifax Adult Detention center pending her preliminary hearing in the Halifax County General District Court on September 14.
In another case, police are investigating the Monday morning break-in of the maintenance shop of the J. Harman Saunders Construction Company located at 522 Edmonds Street.
Entry was gained by someone who pried through the blades of an exhaust system on the rear of the building, according to the investigation.
A chainsaw valued at $680 and a battery charger valued at $175 was reported stolen, police said.
The incident is still under investigation by the South Boston Police Department.
A prominent banker who was presented the "key to the city" by an earlier City Council pleaded with the present Town Council Monday night to "fulfill its commitment" so that an upscale subdivision may be developed in Waddell Woods.
Worth H. Carter Jr., president and chairman of Community National Bank, was speaking in behalf of Waddell Woods L.L.C.., which has been proposing the development in the vast wooded area since 1992.
Council members appeared to listen intently, went into executive session to discuss "legal matters" and then came back into the open and said the matter will be turned over to lawyers of both sides to prepare a report that will be presented in another executive session July 27.
Carter addressed Town Council for some 30 minutes. His tone was polite and calm, but his message returned time and again to the central point, which was:
His development company believes it has followed the rules, has been promised an agreement by the Council on a number of occasions over the years, and is ready to begin the development, he said.
But some six or seven years have passed, and Waddell Woods L. L. C. still does not have the permit to start building.
"I don't feel we have been treated right," Carter asserted.
Touching on the highlights of the issue in his oral presentation, Carter also handed a 90-page sheaf of testimony to Council members and the press.
"Our intention is to build an extremely nice subdivision. We don't do anything that is not good for the community," Carter said.
Carter's first major investment in South Boston, the downtown offices of what was then South Boston Bank, was greeted with such acclaim that Council was moved to present him with the key to the city.
But he also had some difficulty getting that new bank off the ground--literally.
This was because town engineer Cabell Carrington would not approve the construction, said Carter, who eventually got the okay and built his bank.
"If we didn't have this agreement, there wouldn't be a bank in downtown South Boston today," Carter said.
Carter came away from the Monday meeting feeling a little more confident than he has before in this ongoing standoff.
"We've been pursuing this so long with no results, but I'm cautiously optimistic that Council will do what is right and honor the resolution from 1994" he said.
At the conclusion of his public presentation, Carter requested that Council, in whole or in part, and without lawyers, meet with him and his partner, George Shields.
But Council did not go along with that request. Returning from executive session, Mayor Glen Abernathy reported that Council had instructed the town attorney to work with Carter's attorney to draft a resolution that would be reported in another executive session to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 27.
Carter's criticism with the town was directed toward the administration rather than Council members.
The town did not offer its "side" to the question or, for that matter, have any sort of comment other than the decision to turn the affair over to the lawyers.
Carter said plans for Waddle Woods called for the development of 70 large lots that would accommodate some of the finest homes in South Boston.
One hangup on the installation of water and sewer, while South Boston was still a city, was that Halifax County would not give its needed approval to permit the project to go forward.
That issue was not addressed at the Monday night Council meeting.
Other matters Monday night, as Council began its new policy of meeting on the second Monday evening of every month, were these:
*The governing body adopted a resolution of support for a $1.75 million bond issue for construction of a new Continuing Education Center.
*Council appropriated an additional $3,500 to go with an existing allocation of $7,080 in support of Dixie Youth Baseball and the new Day Complex.
*Approved was an endorsement for a new 120-bed facility to replace the existing Twin Oaks Convalescent Home, at a cost of more than $4.6 million.
*Council okayed a certificate of convenience and necessity for Barbara C. Claiborne to operate a taxi service.
*Council approved a special use permit to allow the property at 1221 Noblin Avenue to be used as an adult home.
*Resolutions of appreciation were approved for J. Aubrey Houghton, long service on the Southside Planning District Commission, and Thomas Matthews and William Caldwell, both for service on the Industrial Development Authority.
An Alphonse Dairy Road man was indicted Monday on nine felony counts involving a series of break-ins and thefts which occurred a year ago in Riverdale.
Gregory Lamont Waller, 19, was indicted by a Halifax County Circuit Court grand jury. He is currently being held in the Halifax Adult Detention Center.
Waller was charged with three counts of breaking and entering Swanee's Restaurant, O'sole Mio Pizzeria, and the offices of Camp Chemical. The alleged spree occurred during July of 1997.
He also was indicted on two felony counts of grand theft, one misdemeanor count of petit larceny, and three felony counts of damage and vandalism to the buildings.
Waller, who was extradited to Halifax County from Connecticut on April 15, is currently being held in the detention center on crack cocaine distribution charges.
He allegedly stole cash from the two restaurants and an assortment of items from Camp Chemical, including cash, knives, and an AM/FM radio, according to the investigation.
The felony damage and vandalism counts stemmed from the destruction of doors to gain entry, as well as other damage done to the interior of the facilities, police said.
Waller will remain in the detention center pending his trial in the Halifax County Circuit Court.
Among other indictments handed down Monday:
· Wille Jeff Henderson III was indicted on three felony counts involving alleged acts of perjury to the Halifax County General District Court on May 28 and June 9, 1998.
Henderson, owner of Bridgeview Exxon in South Boston, allegedly presented false affidavits of speedometer readings for people seeking calibrations after receiving speeding tickets.
Two of his counts read, "Unlawfully and feloniously, after having lawfully been administered an oath to tell the truth, did willfully swear falsely to material facts regarding the accuracy of automobile speedometer readings in an affidavit which he prepared for submittal as evidence in a trial proceeding."
The third felony count was for conspiracy to commit perjury of false speedometer readings, in conjunction with co-defendant Wilber Lloyd Bradshaw, who is a part-time employee of Bridgeview where the calibrations took place, police said.
Bradshaw was indicted on one felony count of perjury and one felony count of conspiracy to commit perjury, according to court records.
The indictments were the result of a three-month undercover investigation that was conducted by special agents of the General Investigation Division of the Virginia State Police in Appomattox, according to VSP Lt. Ray Scott.
The perjury charges are based on the fact that operators of speedometer calibration equipment must swear before a notary of the public that the readings are truthful. Those signed affidavits are then presented as evidence in a court of law when someone is attempting to contest a speeding ticket.
Many of those ticketed who appeared in the Halifax County General District Court court with the calibrations had their speeding tickets reduced to defective or improper equipment violations, according to Halifax County Commonwealth's Attorney John Greenbacker Jr.
Henderson was a member of the county's Transportation Safety Commission which advises the Halifax County Board of Supervisors on matters regarding highway safety. He resigned from that position on July 9.
· Jay Francis Anderson was indicted on a felony count of the malicious wounding of Willie Jerome Betts. The alleged incident occurred on March 12.
· Roger Gregory Bouie was indicted on felony counts of grand larceny of cash and stereo equipment and vandalism of a 1981 Buick owned by Joyce D. Penzer. The alleged incident occurred on March 27.
· Joshua Edward Burton was indicted on a charge of possession of a firearm from hidden view, a subsequent offense. The alleged incident occurred on May 10.
· David Keith Canada was indicted on a felony count of operating a motor vehicle after having previously been declared a habitual offender. The alleged incident occurred on May 23.
· Gary Lamont Carrington was indicted on a count of operating a motor vehicle after having previously been declared a habitual offender. The alleged offense occurred on March 4.
· Todd Curtis Clark was indicted on felony counts of the malicious wounding of Earl Davis and use of a firearm while in the commission of a felony. The alleged offense occurred on January 10.
· Brad Deford Coles was indicted on a felony count of possession of cocaine. The alleged incident occurred on February 21.
· Jerry Eugene Coleman was indicted on felony counts of committing forcible sodomy, unlawfully engaging in sexual intercourse, and abduction with intent to defile. The alleged incidents occurred on February 23.
· Ledon Antwon Chandler was indicted on felony counts of receiving stolen goods and grand theft of a .22-caliber revolver owned by Gloria Bauer. The alleged incident occurred on December 31, 1997.
· James Edward Clark was indicted on a felony count of operating a motor vehicle after having previously been declared a habitual offender. He was also indicted on a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence. The alleged incident occurred on March 22.
· Marcel D. Dance was indicted on a felony count of malicious wounding of an unnamed individual. The alleged incident occurred on April 27.
· James Osborne Edmonds was indicted on 12 felony counts of breaking and entering the property of Charlie Wylie, grand theft of a rifle, shotgun, and checks, and forging and uttering checks. The alleged incident occurred on November 27, 1997.
· Christopher Allen Ellis was indicted on felony counts of distribution of cocaine; conspiracy to distribute cocaine; and possession of a firearm while in possession of cocaine. The alleged incident occurred on January 31.
· James A. Gooch was indicted on two felony counts of oral carnal knowledge with a minor and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The alleged incidents occurred on May 1.
· Steve W. Harrell was indicted on a felony count of malicious wounding of Laura Thompson and a misdemeanor count of assault and battery of Leah Brown. The alleged incidents occurred on April 18.
· Clarence Edward Holmes was indicted on a felony count of making a threat to bomb, burn, or destroy the home of Ola Mae Carden.
He was also indicted on a misdemeanor count of assault and battery of Creola B. Holmes. The alleged incidents occurred on May 3.
· Raymond Stephen Jackson was indicted on a felony count of the abduction of Bobbie Jackson. He was also indicted on two misdemeanor counts of assault and battery of Bobbie Jackson and Brian Michael Jones. The alleged incident occurred on April 24.
· Charles M. Johnson was indicted on three felony counts of stealing a $569.29 payroll check of Mechanical Specialist Contractors, Inc., and then forging and uttering the check. The alleged incident occurred on March 6.
· Simons A. Kirby was indicted on a felony count of operating a motor vehicle after having previously been declared a habitual offender. The alleged incident occurred on March 6.
· Mack Arthur Kincy was indicted on felony counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute; and possession of a firearm while in possession of cocaine. The alleged incident occurred on January 31.
· Acree Devin Lacks was indicted on two felony counts of breaking and entering the property of Charlie Wylie and grand larceny of a 12-gauge shotgun, a .22-caliber rifle, and a Maglite. The alleged incident occurred on November 27, 1997.
· Irvin Thomas Norris was indicted on a felony count of grand larceny of currency from Linda Zuniga and a misdemeanor count of practicing contracting without a state license. The alleged incident occurred on August 26.
· Mitchell Wayne Puryear was indicted on three felony counts of having unlawful carnal knowledge of a 14-year-old juvenile.
· Lorenzo Dow Ragland was indicted on a felony count of operating a motor vehicle after having previously been declared a habitual offender.
He was also indicted on two misdemeanor counts of assault and battery of Deputy Q.W. Clark and obstruction of justice. The alleged incidents occurred on April 8.
· Anita G. Roberts was indicted on a felony count of uttering a check for $750 while knowing she had insufficient funds in the account.
· Elsie Mae Roe was indicted on a misdemeanor count of assault and battery of Deputy L.L. Morphew. The alleged incident occurred on March 15.
· Larry Daniel Scott was indicted on a felony count of grand larceny of $218 in currency from the Super 8 Motel in Riverdale. The alleged incident occurred on February 14.
· Kevin Sims was indicted on a count of uttering three checks within a 90-day period. The checks totaled $175 and were written to the Halifax Pharmacy.
· Robert S. Stanfield was indicted on counts of possession of a unregistered silencer for a weapon and for malicious wounding of an animal. The alleged incident occurred on March 20.
· John Calvin Smith was indicted on a felony count of possession of cocaine and a misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana. The alleged incidents occurred on January 31.
· Dick Melvin Walker Jr. was indicted on felony counts of the malicious wounding of James Grove; car jacking a 1989 Mustang owned by Brenda and Shane Wright; and damaging that vehicle. The alleged incident occurred on April 6.
· Yvette Marie Williams was indicted on felony counts of using a forged credit card and conspiracy to use a forged credit card. The alleged incident occurred on March 18.
·Michael Williams was indicted on a felony count of forcible sodomy. The alleged incident occurred on March 8, 1997.
· Kenneth Dale Wilborne Jr. was indicted on a misdemeanor count of assault and battery of Wendy Morris. The alleged incident occurred on June 15.
· Dwight William Wyatt was indicted on a felony count of operating a motor vehicle after having previously been declared a habitual offender. The alleged incident occurred on May 10.
· James Cory Young was indicted on three felony counts of distribution of crack cocaine; possession of a firearm while in possession of cocaine; and possessing a saw-off shotgun while distributing cocaine. The alleged incident occurred on January 31.
AXA Universite Director Richard Nicol took local officials on tour of Berry Hill Planation yesterday, unveiling plans for AXA's first North American training and conference center here.
Officials told guests the target date for opening the center is July 4, 1999. Excavation at the site was halted during yesterday's tour.
Ultimately the center will welcome managers from the company's worldwide organization covering 53 nations to Berry Hill. Managers will spend a week training at the center.
Yesterday, local elected officials saw plans for the site and heard Equitable Life Vice President and project executive representing AXA, Mary Waisnor, describe the company's aim to "restore the house to its original elegance" as part of the site transformation into a working conference center for managers.
Berry Hill was described as "one of the greatest buildings in Virginia and a tremendous slice of Virginia history" by Va. Dept of Historic Resources Director Alex Wise yesterday. Wise also complimented The Equitable and AXA regarding the project.
Calder Loth, senior architectural Historian for the Dept of Historic Resources, said he was "delighted to see the house restored to excellent standards and preserved at the same time."
"AXA is in position to do things the average person could not," added Loth.
Current plans call for the center's two new wings to be concealed via plantings and placement as one approaches Berry Hill.
The Paris-based global insurance and investment conglomerate, parent firm of The Equitable Insurance Company, has previously restored two historic chateaux in the Bordeaux region of France which house the company's management development program known as AXA University.
Preliminary construction plans for Berry Hill on file at the Halifax County Building Inspector's Office include restoration of the mansion house and selected plantation's dependencies as well as the addition of two new wings, one to be used as a residential complex with guest rooms and a reception area and the second housing a restaurant.
The addition of an amphitheater and fitness center also are planned at the site.
The mansion house will offer a salon, library, lounge, billiard room and breakout room, according to plans. The existing annex will include classrooms.
Berry Hill's owner, James Coles Bruce, had the plantation construction in 1842-44 off Old River Road, an important stagecoach route which passed several of the county's plantation homes.
Often described as the finest example of Greek Revival architecture in the South, Berry Hill is a National Historic Landmark.
Elizabeth Lea Rice Godsey of Kill Devil Hills, NC, formerly of South Boston and Halifax County, died at her home on Friday, July 10, 1998 at the age of 66. She was the wife of the late Richard Lee Godsey.
Mrs. Godsey was born in Halifax County on November 17, 1931 the daughter of Charlie David Rice and Annie Elizabeth Foster Rice. She was a homemaker and a volunteer with the Joy Fund which helped children in need.
Survivors include one son, Richard Carlton 'Rick' Godsey and his wife, Antonia of Cold Spring, NY; one daughter, Gayle G. Navratil and her husband, Gene of Mt. Joy, PA; two grandchildren, Christopher Godsey and Elizabeth Navratil; two brothers, C.T. Rice of South Boston and James E. Rice of Boykins.
Funeral services for Mrs. Godsey were held Tuesday, July 14 at 11 a.m. at Robinson Funeral Home in Appomattox with burial in Liberty Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider The Joy Fund, c/o Art Glidden, 4624 Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.
Bluebell 'B.B.' Morningstar Downey of 805 Grove Avenue, South Boston died Monday, July 13, 1998 at Duke Medical Center in Durham, NC.
Mrs. Downey was born in Halifax County the daughter of John Wesley Morningstar and Marie Elizabeth Tuck Morningstar and was married to Willard M. Downey. She was a member of First Baptist Church, a member of the Henry W. Woodall Chapter #80 of Eastern Star, where she served as Worthy Matron in 1958-1959. She taught elementary school in Halifax County for approximately 40 years, primarily at Cluster Springs Elementary where she was past recipient of the Teacher of the year award.
Funeral services will be held at Brooks Funeral Home chapel today, July 15 at 4 p.m. with Rev. Robert M. Fox Jr. officiating. Burial will take place in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Mrs. Downey is survived by one brother, J.W. Morningstar Jr. of Mecklenburg County; one sister, Margie M. Meeler of Durham, NC; one half sister, Phyllis M. Moore of Burlington, NC; one half brother, Dewey Morningstar of Burlington; seven nieces, six nephews, 23 great nieces and nephews and their children. She was preceded in death by her husband; two brothers, Thomas and Kenneth Morningstar; three sisters, Marie Elizabeth Morningstar, Iva Morningstar and May M. Griffin; and one half brother, George Lee Morningstar.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Lung Association, 6318 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke, VA 24019-1828, South Boston Fire Company, or your favorite charity.
Pearl Puryear Wilborn of Roxboro, NC died Monday, July 13, 1998 in Roxboro Nursing Center. She was 80 years of age at the time of her death.
Mrs. Wilborn was a native of Halifax County, the daughter of John H and Ada Gravitte Puryear and was married to Emmitt J. Wilborn. She was a former resident of Durham, NC for 21 years where she was a member of Mount Herman Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow, July 16 in Bethel Hill Baptist Church by Revs. Steve Nauman and David Moore. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Survivors of Mrs. Wilborn include three daughters, Jean W. Strickland and Loretta Wilborn, both of Roxboro and Barbara W. Strickland of Hillsborough, NC; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at Strickland Funeral Home in Roxboro from 7 until 8:30 this evening, July 15, and other times at the home.