Voters will decide this November whether the county will issue up to $1.75 million in general obligation bonds for the proposed expansion of the Continuing Education Center.
After intense lobbying Monday night from a bevy of area "mover and shakers," the Halifax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a bond referendum on this November's ballot for the CEC expansion project.
"When you support higher education, in Southside Virginia, you are supporting economic development," Dr. Patricia Cormier, president of Longwood College, told the board.
Longwood College is a member of a consortium of four colleges that will oversee the management and curriculum of the CEC if and when it moves to a former tobacco processing building in the lower end of South Boston.
The other institutions include Danville Community College, Southside Virginia Community College, and Averett College. "All four institutions are completely behind this bond referendum," Dr. Cormier, who heads the consortium, pointed out.
"We acknowledge that the present location has done well, but it has outgrown that facility," she added. "(The expansion) will create and save jobs and will bring life to an unused building that is at the gateway to South Boston."
The CEC is currently housed in the former Lowe's building near the intersection of Rt. 129 and Rt. 716 in the Love Shop area of South Boston. It offers continuing education on a college-level basis, but also has numerous other course offerings from adult literacy to summer courses for children.
Plans by the Halifax Educational Foundation, which is the fundraising arm of the expansion project, are to move the CEC to a vacated building recently donated by R&J Investments, which was owned by John Cannon and Eva Harris.
The project is estimated to cost $3.5 million and will include a first stage renovation of between 20,000 and 30,000 square feet of the 70,000-square-foot building located on Factory Street, just off Seymour Drive.
The donated site includes a total of five acres of land in the historic business district, as well as 250 parking spaces and room for an additional 200 parking spaces, officials said.
Chris Lumsden, chairman of the HEF, estimated that if the bond referendum passed, the real estate tax rate in Halifax County would rise 1.5 cents per $100 of assessed value.
That would increase real estate tax rates for citizens of Halifax County from 31 cents per $100 to 32.5 cents per $100. For citizens of South Boston, the real estate rate would increase from 52 cents per $100 to 53.5 cents per $100.
A host of supporters of the project appeared before the board, many with resolutions of support from entities they represented. They echoed sentiments that investments in higher education creates local jobs and raises living standards.
Ann Crabtree, who is chairman of the South Boston Planning Commission, presented a resolution of support which was unanimously approved by that commission. Crabtree is also a member of the Halifax County Planning Commission.
Jerry Grubbs of the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce and Mattie Claiborne of the Economic Development Corporation presented similar resolutions of support.
William Coleman, executive director of the Halifax County Community Action Agency and a board member of the HEF, also expressed support for the project.
A former member of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors who also served as the chairman of the board's Finance Committee, Coleman related to the board that he knew all about spending priorities.
"I am quite aware of competing funding requests," he told his former fellow board members. "I emphasize with you on that, but more often, I sympathize with you."
However, Coleman pointed out the long-term benefits of a strong base of local higher education. "Such a facility will give the community an effective edge to compete (with other counties for industrial prospects)...we must show a willingness to invest in the future."
Detra Carr, representing the Halifax County branch of the NAACP also expressed support for the bond referendum.
The motion to put the referendum on the November 3 ballot was made by supervisor Robbie Smart (ED-8) and seconded by supervisor Tom West (ED-2). It passed 8-0.
The board's approval of the bond referendum request will next be sent to the Halifax County Circuit Court. A judge must then sign on before it can officially be included on the November ballot, officials said.
By ELLIOTT MINOR
Associated Press Writer
WARESBORO, Ga. (AP) - With millions of pounds of unsold tobacco in storage and their industry under attack by some in Washington, Georgia's flue-cured tobacco growers prepared to sell their drought-stricken 1998 crop with apprehension.
Tobacco markets were set to open Tuesday in Georgia and Florida, kicking off a three-month season that is critical to growers who depend on the golden leaf to fund their farming operations. Georgia's 1,500 growers produced $153 million worth of tobacco last year.
This year, cigarette companies face lawsuits by states trying to recoup money spent to treat smoking-related illnesses, some members of Congress are calling for the elimination of tobacco subsidies and tobacco sales have been sluggish on the world market. As a result, 180 million pounds produced last year remains in storage at growers' expense.
''It scares me to death,'' said grower Donald Mixon, 51, of Waresboro. ''The average person doesn't realize what tobacco farmers have invested. We have a million dollars in tobacco equipment. If we were forced out of the business, it would put us in financial ruin.''
Donald Mixon farms with his 71-year-old father, Jack, and his 20-year-old son, Phillip.
With 212 acres of tobacco this year, the Mixons are considered cutting-edge growers. They were among the first to use center-pivot irrigation and they have added five greenhouses to grow tobacco plants.
''Tobacco has been my life,'' said Jack Mixon. ''I was raised on a small farm with three acres. When I was 16, I went to Canada to pick. Their fields were 60 acres. It was my ambition to have a big field of tobacco.''
''Tobacco has been good to us,'' he said as he toured his field.
J. Michael Moore, an extension service tobacco specialist, rates the crop as ''good-plus,'' despite three months of drought and temperatures around 100 degrees. Most of the crop is irrigated.
''It's better than average, but not the excellent crop we expect,'' Moore said.
Georgia had 44,000 acres of tobacco last year, with average yields of 2,030 pounds per acre. The average price was $1.71 per pound.
Growers have 42,000 acres this year, and Moore expects yields to average about 2,000 pounds per acre. The market season lasts for 14 weeks.
Cigarette companies are likely to be very selective because of the stored tobacco and the ''tremendous uncertainty'' facing the industry, Moore said.
''The growers are always hopeful, but they approach this market season with a lot of concern,'' he said.
A 48-year-old Sandy Beach Road man was arrested Tuesday morning for shooting at roofers who had apparently awakened him, according to the Halifax County Sheriff's Department.
Joseph R. Coleman was arrested shortly after 8 a.m. on felony counts of unlawful wounding and shooting into an occupied building, Major Ray Link said.
Three roofers from Danville were repairing the roof on the U.S. 58 West residence of Bill O. Barbour when the alleged incident occurred, Major Link said.
One of the roofers, Brian Harris of Danville, sustained a pellet wound to his lower waist on his left side. He went to an emergency medical clinic in Danville for treatment, police said.
A .12-gauge double barrel shotgun and one empty No. 4 shotgun shell were recovered by deputies at the scene, Major Link said.
The two houses were approximately 50 yards apart and were separated by a thin layer of trees, according to the investigation.
"Coleman stated that he hadn't had much sleep prior to when he first heard the workers," Major Link said. "He then allegedly got the weapon and shot into the trees to stop the noise."
Coleman told investigators that he "was not aware that he had shot anyone," according to the investigation. There were also pellet marks on the side of Barbour's residence, police added.
He was arrested by Deputy C.S. Yeatts. Assisting in the investigation and arrest were Lt. S.M. Cassada and Deputy T.K. Redd.
Coleman is currently being held in the Blue Ridge Adult Detention Center-Halifax pending his preliminary hearing in the Halifax County General District Court.
Proponents of a $30.1 million school facilities development plan will have to wait another month to see if the proposed bond referendum is put on this November's ballot.
Alan Gravitt, chairman of the Halifax County School Board, outlined the proposed plan Monday night to the Halifax County Board of Supervisors.
The project calls for the closing of six elementary schools including Washington-Coleman, Halifax, Cluster Springs, Virgilina, Clover, and Volens. The public school system currently has 15 elementary schools.
Those remaining schools would undergo a massive renovation process. In addition, a dual bus transportation system would be created to separate elementary school students from secondary school students during transit periods, Gravitt said.
The original estimated cost of the project was $35,935,099, but that was whittled down in subsequent school board work sessions to $30,133,923. The renovation costs were estimated at $28,989,923 and the dual transportation system would cost $1,144,000.
Construction costs were lowered when school board officials opted to eliminate some central air conditioning systems, window replacements, and other measures, according to Gravitt.
The project would not generate net savings initially, but would eventually save taxpayers money from lower school maintenance and other operating expenses, such as having fewer principals, custodians, and cafeteria workers, he explained.
Unlike the previous request for a bond referendum by supporters of the CEC's expansion project, the school facility development plan was met immediately with hard questions.
"If y'all are going to close six schools, why are you you going to buy the old shoe factory?" supervisor Dickie Abbott asked Gravitt.
Supervisor Bill Abbott asked if the project could be spread over time, renovating a couple of schools at a time, rather than all at once.
Supervisor Earl Watts cited concern for the real estate tax rate. "If we do that bond, you'd have to double the taxes," Watts said.
Gravitt responded that the overall task has serious political equations that must be filtered into the reality of the situation. He also reminded board members that the newest of the schools are over 30 years old and the oldest are up to 80 years old.
After Gravitt completed his presentation, supervisor Robbie Smart made a motion to put the $30.1 million bond referendum on the November 3 ballot. That motion failed from a lack of a second.
Board chairman Joe Satterfield then referred the matter to the Finance Committee, which will gather more information, study the request, and then come back to the August 3 board meeting with a recommendation.
The time frame for inclusion into the November 3 election will still be in place, though barely so, officials pointed out. The issue must be publicly advertised prior to its inclusion.
"The window is there," commented County Administrator Dan Sleeper. "We're just standing real close to the window."
By Doug Loftis
Today's heat index could top 110 degrees as temperatures flirt with the triple digit mark for the third straight day and more of the same hot stuff is predicted at least through tomorrow and Friday. Even nighttime temperature readings are expected to hover around 80 degrees.
Welcome to summertime in the South!
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for today warning people that prolonged exposure combined with physical activity can cause heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Persons are urged to take precautions by wearing lightweight and lightcolored clothing since it reflects heat and sunlight and helps the body stay cooler.
Drink plenty of liquids - preferable water - and try to get out of the sun and heat and into an air-conditioned location when possible.
Virginia Power had expected to set a summer peak demand record this week but as of yesterday, power demands in the company's 30,000-square mile service area which includes Halifax County and South Boston, had failed to reach that level.
The high so far this year was set on June 26 when 14,776 megawatts of power were generated. The all time peak of 14,910 megawatts occurred February 5, 1996 during a blizzard.
One megawatt is enough electricity to power 250 typical homes.
"At this point, we have adequate supplies to meet the projected demand, but supplies are expected to be tight throughout the region," said James T. Earwood, vice president-Bulk Power Deliver. During the previous heat wave in June, power stations were able to supply the demand for electricity.
Earwood urged customers to use electricity wisely and to check on elderly friends and relatives to make sure they are comfortable. The elderly are most vulnerable during periods of extreme weather.
Virginia Power even provides Virginians over the age of 60 who need help cooling their homes with box fans. Customers can obtain additional information from their local Area Agency on Aging which administers the program and distributes fans.
Fans are essential to for cooling homes with air condition and allow for the thermostat to be raised and energy to be saved without affecting comfort.
As dangerous as current weather conditions are, emergency care providers reported no unusual number of responses.
Similar have been the number of calls for service to air conditioning systems at the area's largest provider, CCI. There, dispatchers say the peak for service calls occurred in the beginning of the cooling season.
South Boston's water treatment plant is being strained somewhat to provide demands on the system not so much because of the heat but construction projects that are taking place in the Centerville area.
Pump stations are being shut down periodically to allow workers to perform installations and modifications but customers should not notice any change in the volume or pressure say officials.
South Boston's supply source, the Dan River, is slightly lower than normal due to the lack of rainfall during recent weeks. Further downstream where the Dan and Staunton rivers form Buggs Island Lake, the elevation yesterday at John H. Kerr Dam was recorded at 297.42 feet above sea level or about two feet below normal.
Steven Wayne 'Brown' Hoke, 14, of Nathalie died Tuesday, July 14, 1998 at Augusta Medical Center in Waynesboro.
He was born May 23, 1984 the son of Dwight Steve Hoke of Waynesboro and Betty Ann Cash Brown of Nathalie. He was a student at Halifax County Middle School.
Survivors include his parents; his paternal grandparents, Ann and Bill Hoke; maternal grandparents, Barbara and Leslie Headrick of Waynesboro, Troy Cash and Stephanie Dudley of Nathalie; one sister, Brooke Ann Hoke of Nathalie; and one brother, Chris Hoke of Waynesboro.
Services were conducted by Pastor Larry K. Martin at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 16 at the Chapel of Reynolds Funeral Service of Waynesboro with burial at Augusta Memorial Park.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Dooms Fire Department or the Waynesboro First Aid Crew.
Rev. Dr. Ernest Wilson 'Sonny' Conner Jr. of 3072 Ball Park Loop, Halifax died Monday, July 20, 1998 at Halifax Regional Hospital. He was 50 years of age at the time of his death.
Rev. Conner was born in Halifax County on May 2, 1948 the son of Ernest Wilson Conner Sr. and Alice Semester Conner. He was a retired minister of the United Methodist Church, having graduated from Asbury College in 1974 with a B.A., received his Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Seminary in 1977 and his Doctor of Ministry from St. Mary's Seminary and University of Baltimore in 1984.
Survivors include his mother of Halifax; two daughters, Marsha Leanne Conner Custis of KY and Deborah Christine Conner Lewis of Chincoteague; two sons, Jeffrey Scott Conner of Fayetteville, NC and Ernest W. Conner III of MT; one sister, Maryann C. Campbell of Chatham; two brothers, Frank Jackson Conner of Halifax and Thomas Alvin Conner of Scottsburg; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services for Rev. Conner will be held Thursday, July 23 at 2 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church with Revs. Les Goode, DeWitt Loomis and Wayne Hart conducting the service. Burial will take place in Halifax Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home tonight, July 22 from 7 until 8:30.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Halifax County Rescue Squad or the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Building Fund.
Loretta M. Gray, 52, a reading specialist at Winston Elementary School in Southeast Washington who was a director of the United Planning Organization, the Humane Society of Washington and other organizations, died of cancer July 1, 1998 at the Hospice of Washington.
Mrs. Gray began her teaching career in 1969 at the D.C. Association for Retarded Citizens, where she was also a movement therapist. She taught at Queen of Peace Catholic School in Washington before going to work for the District school system in 1987. She had to stop teaching in March because of ill health.
Mrs. Gray was born in South Boston and raised in Washington. She was a graduate of Coolidge High school, attended Ohio State University and received a bachelor's degree at the University of Maryland. She did graduate work in education and education management systems at the University of Maryland, University of Dayton, Gallaudet University and Cambridge College.
Mrs. Gray helped found a learning enrichment program called Children Helping Identify Learning Links. She was a director and child care committee chair at the United Planning Organization and a volunteer with the Washington Interfaith Network on Housing.
She was a Eucharistic minister and lector at Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and a member and an organizer of support groups at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Washington.
She participated in the Cursillo movement of the Washington Archdiocese and in the Life in the Spirit Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group.
Mrs. Gray was active in People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, testifying before the D.C. Council in support of legislation to outlaw horse-drawn carriages and picketing establishments accused of using cruel practices toward animals.
She also was a volunteer with D.C. Special Olympics and Washington Center for Aging Services.
Mrs. Gray was president of the How 'Bout Us Social Club.
Survivors, all of whom live in Washington, include her husband of 27 years, Vincent C. Gray, former director of the D.C. Department of Human Services, and two children, Jonice Gray and Vincent Carlos Gray; her mother and step-father, Lillian Marable and John Marable; and a brother, Kenneth Goodson.