Friday,
July 25, 2003
‘Tremendous
Source Of Funding’ Safe
Committee Overturns Recommendation
To Eliminate Federal Grant Program
By KEITH STRANGE | G-V Staff Writer
Following public outcry after a House Appropriations Subcommittee
voted to eliminate a federal grant program, the full Appropriations
Committee yesterday overturned the recommendation, Congressman
Virgil Goode said yesterday.
The subcommittee, faced with record budget deficits, voted
earlier to do away with the Transportation Enhancement Program,
known widely as the TEA-21 grant program.
If the vote hadn't been overturned yesterday by the full
Appropriations Committee, the funding could have been eliminated
entirely.
TEA-21 funds are used primarily for quality of life improvements,
according to Ted Daniel, town manager of South Boston.
Daniel said yesterday that the loss of the funding could
have been a "tremendous blow to Southside."
"It's proven to be a comprehensive economic development
tool," he said. "The focus of the whole grant
program has been to put the public's focus on what the transportation
program has done for the country.
"Everything about the program in my mind has merit.
"If we lose that funding, I don't know where the money
could be replaced from," he added after he heard about
the threat to the program.
South Boston has been planning to apply for a TEA-21 in
the near future to provide a gateway into the town near
Constitution Square, Daniel said.
Carl Espy, who has been instrumental in spearheading the
Town of Halifax's efforts at downtown revitalization, said
the first phase of the project required $385,000 in federal
funds through the program.
"I would say that it would have been alarming in terms
of economic recovery for the region," he said of the
threat to the program.
Plans for the Halifax project call for multiple phases of
federal money, Espy noted.
"It (the program's elimination) would have immediately
altered the dynamic of funding for what we anticipate to
be at least two more construction phase applications,"
he added. "These grants have been used as cornerstones
or building blocks for economic development for the region."
Some of the projects that can be funded with the money include
historic driving tours, walkways, gateway improvements and
other enhancements.
Administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation,
over $143 million has been awarded to 487 projects since
the program's inception in 1991, according to reports.
Across Southside, some of the most visible uses of the federal
funds are in downtown revitalization projects, including
the Town of Halifax.
Chris Jones, executive director of The Prizery, said yesterday
that organizers used $1.6 million in TEA-21 funds to transform
the property from an abandoned tobacco prizery into an arts
center.
Although the group has applied for more federal funds through
the program, "we feel like we've exhausted that source
of funding," Jones said.
Halifax
Town Council Names Tribble New Police Chief
Council Also Worry About Access
Road
Keith Tribble has been named chief of police for the town
of Halifax.
Two other policemen, Mike Womack and William Yancey, have
also been hired by the town of Halifax, adding three new
full-time positions to the town's force.
The new positions were announced during the Halifax Town
Council meeting Tuesday night.
The three new policemen were chosen out of seven applicants.
Council unanimously moved to appoint Chief Tribble to the
e-911 committee.
Mayor Leon Plaster informed Council of a possible problem
involving the access road to the water and sewer treatment
plant that runs through land adjacent to the former Burlington
Industries plant.
The mayor had received a letter from Wayne Stevens of Chaparral
Investments, the current owner of the land, concerning possible
industrial development that would require the removal of
the road.
The letter indicated that the existence of the road would
not allow for the best use of the land, which Stevens plans
to use for industrial entities requiring three to six acres
apiece.
Stevens requested that the town chose one of three options
to solve the problem, by the end of August.
He suggested that the town either buy the land that the
road is on, buy a right of way for the road or build a new
access road along Toots Creek.
If the town should choose to relocate the road, it would
have until November 1 to begin construction.
“He’s got us either way,” said Plaster. “This
could be major expense to the town.
“We may need legal consultation on this,” he added.
The town currently uses the road based on an easement agreement
granted by Burlington in May 1985.
Council asked the Water and Sewer Committee to explore the
mater with Stevens.
Town Finance Director Rocky Reynolds reported that the town,
despite a $59,841.74 loss in the sewer fund and a $2,579.06
loss in the water fund, had ended the 2003 fiscal year with
a $4,530. 67 surplus.
The surplus was a result of a $66,951.47 surplus in the
general fund, Reynolds said.
“We ended up better off thane
were a year ago,” said Reynolds. “We had several
big problems at the sewer plant that have cost $10,000 at
a time to repair.”
“Routine maintenance [of water and sewer facilities]
has to be part of our overall plan,” added Plaster.
Jack Dunavant, chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee,
reported that he had received estimates for expanding the
towns water output capacity from engineers at Dewberry and
Davis.
The plans to increase output from 200,000 to 580,000 gallons
a day will cost the town $2,598,000, said Dunavant.
Plaster explained that it would translate to a $270,000
a year debt payment based on 4.5 percent interest over a
25 year time period.
Phase I of the planned Sinai water extension would cost
$141,900, while phase II would be at a cost of $793,300,
according to Dunavant.
Plaster reminded the council that there is still the possibility
of getting grants for the improvements.
In other Council business, Councilman H.C. Phillips reported
that the fire department had answered 26 emergency calls
in June and, from the beginning of April, 36 fire calls
and 59 EMS calls.
The department had classes on the use of the ladder truck
and vehicle extraction, and all air packs have been float
tested, according to Phillips.
He also reported that a 1970 pumper fire truck had been
sold to Jerry Daniels.
Council again discussed parking problems in the town, commenting
on the municipal lot on the corner of Maple Avenue and Mountain
Road.
“The intent is to be able to rent some of those spaces,”
said Plaster. “Those that are not rented are to be
used for a one hour limit to allow shopping in town.”
Currently, parking regulations are not posted in the lot,
so neither the time restriction or renting possibilities
are enforceable, according to Reynolds.
Council discussed the possibility of getting signs for the
lot or even putting in meters.
“I’m opposed to meters,” said Plaster. “But
the lot is used by visitors to the War Memorial, so we want
to make sure the hour limit is enforceable.”
If meters were used they might create a $10,000 revenue
per year, according to Plaster.
Plaster also reminded Council that town employees are not
to use the spaces on the side of town hall, that are reserved
for 30 minute public parking.
“The idea is to have parking for people to do small
shopping,’ said Plaster.
Council also discussed street parking on North Main Street,
expressing concerns that the marked areas may not be large
enough for safe parking.
Halifax
County Planners Approve Permits At Meeting
IDA Is Applying For Permit For Daystrom
Building
No one spoke in opposition Tuesday night to a proposed conditional
use permit filed by the Halifax County Industrial Development
Authority (IDA) for a manufacturing facility in the former
Daystrom building, aka Medical Textiles building, in the
Halifax County Industrial Park.
The permit is seeking permission to locate a metal working
operation on the 7.5 acre parcel, according to the Jerry
Lovelace, Halifax County assistant administrator for planning
and zoning.
But Scott Morris, executive director of the IDA, said yesterday
that although there is some interest in locating a business
in the facility, the new business is still in the planning
stages.
"All the details are still being finalized," he
said.
"I appreciate the support of the Planning Commission,"
Morris added. "We're still working on the opportunity
and hope something happens with it."
In addition to the IDA application, three other public hearings
passed the Planning Commission with little opposition.
The second public hearing held on a CUP application was
filed by Freddie Jeffress Jr., for permission to locate
a golf driving range and concession facility on a six-acre
parcel adjoining the west boundary of Staunton River State
Park.
Joey and Lisa Long are applying for a CUP for a retail sales
business to be located at the intersection of Routes 58
and 881, Country Store Road.
If approved by the Board of Supervisors, the business will
offer motorcycle repair, motorcycle parts, accessories and
apparel.
The business is proposed for a one-acre parcel owned by
Carl and Helen Morris.
The final public hearing was on a rezoning application by
Emswiler Diesel to zone a 2.8 acre parcel on the north side
of Route 58 west of Alphonse Dairy Road from agricultural
to general business.
The proposed use for the property is a diesel repair facility
with truck and parts sales and storage units.
E. David Hudson is listed as the property owner.
"Randy Guill spoke in opposition, saying that he was
concerned that there is no crossover on Route 58 in front
of the site," Lovelace said.
Guill is concerned that traffic leaving the site will have
to use the crossover in front of the Seven Oakes subdivision,
according to the assistant administrator. "He is concerned
that the crossover is already congested."
But despite Guill's concerns, the Planning Commission recommended
approval of the application, and directed Lovelace to contact
the Virginia Department of Transportation to discuss the
options of the crossover.
"They felt the traffic impact of the proposal will
be fairly small," he said.
The Planning Commission's recommendations will be addressed
at their August 18 meeting.
"Normally, the Supervisors meet the first Monday of
the month, but in August, they will be meeting on the eighteenth,"
Lovelace said.
Obituaries
Carl
Linsey Ashe
Carl Linsey Ashe, 83, of 7110 River Road, South Boston died
July 22 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Ashe was born in Nansemond County on August 12, 1920,
the son of Lonnie Ashe and Ruth A. Ashe and was married
to Mary Brown Ashe. He was a member of Williams Temple CME
Church, was a WWII Army Veteran and a member of the American
Legion.
Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Michelle Butler
of Kew Garden Hills, N.Y.; three sons, Lawrence Ashe of
Fullerton, Cal., Reginald Ashe of San Antonio, Texas and
Alvin Ashe of Virginia Beach; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren;
two stepdaughters, Theresa Williams of Portsmith and Francine
Stephens of Alexandria; four step-grandchildren; one sister,
Erma Holland of Suffolk; and one brother, Clarence Reid
of Suffolk.
Funeral services for Mr. Ashe will be held July 26 at 1
p.m. at Williams Temple CME Church with the Rev. George
Brown officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the chapel of Jeffress
Funeral Home this evening, July 25, from 6:00 until 7:00,
and other times at the home.
John
Fritz Bosiger Sr.
Elsie Dalton Bosiger
John Fritz Bosiger Sr., 83, and his wife, Elsie Dalton Bosiger,
79, of Gretna died July 22 in Gretna due to an automobile
accident.
They are survived by two sons, John Bosiger Jr. and his
wife, Gail, of Halifax and Garet Bosiger and his wife, Martha,
of Appomattox; seven grandchildren, Kristi Saunders, Wes
Bosiger, Suzanne Mills, Scott Bosiger, Melissa Bosiger,
Dana Bosiger and Robert Phillips; six great-grandchildren,
Gavin Saunders, Jared Saunders, Cara Mills, Samantha Mills,
Jax Bosiger and Lukas Saunders.
Mr. Bosiger was born September 3, 1919, in Pittsylvania
County, the son of Charlie Bosiger and Katherine Lovelace
Bosiger. He married his wife of sixty years, Elsie Dalton
Bosiger on October 23, 1942. Mr. Bosiger was preceded in
death by two brothers and two sisters, W.E. Bosiger, Meredith
Bosiger, Rosa Conner and Clara Layne.
He was a farmer having received the Pittsylvania County
Forestry award in 2000, an Army Veteran of WWII, a member
of American Legion Post 232, Anderson Masonic Lodge 258
A.F. & A.M., a retired construction foreman with R.W.
Love and Co., and a member and deacon of Zion United Methodist
Church. In addition to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren,
he is survived by three sisters, Edna Midkiff, Mae Rowles
and Annie Burnett, all of Gretna.
Mrs. Bosiger was born December 16, 1923, in Pittsylvania
County the daughter of Percy G. Dalton Sr. and Lannie Shields
Dalton. She was an active member of Zion United Methodist
Church, a homemaker and was a retired employee of the Pittsylvania
County School System. In addition to her children, grandchildren,
and great-grandchildren she is survived by three brothers,
Emmett Dalton Sr., P.G. Dalton Jr. and Claiborne Dalton,
all of Gretna; and one sister, Lucille Crawley of South
Hill.
Funeral services will be held today, July 25 at 11 a.m.
at Zion United Methodist Church with the Revs. Harold Thornton
and Tim Langston officiating. Burial with Masonic rites
by Anderson Lodge 258 A.F. & A.M. and military honors
by VFW Post 4165 and DAV Chapter 46 will follow in the church
cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Gretna
Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 14, Gretna, 24557.
Hilda
Newbill McMullin
Hilda Newbill McMullin of Richmond, formerly of Scottsburg,
died July 22.
Funeral services will be held today, July 25 at 11 a.m.
at Bliley Funeral Homes' Staples Mill Chapel. Burial will
follow at 3:30 p.m. in Oakland Cemetery, Scottsburg.
Survivors of Mrs. McMullin include five sisters, Florence
Thompkins of Danville, Emily Claytor of Richmond, Dorothy
Watkins of Ashland, Geneva Throckmorton of Scottsburg and
Harriette McGregor of Midlothian. She was preceded in death
by one brother and five sisters.
Shirley
Newton Tarbert
Shirley Newton Tarbert, 90, widow of Allie Clifton Tarbert,
died July 23.
Mrs. Tarbert was a homemaker and a member of Nelson Baptist
Church.
The Rev. Jim McAlister conducted funeral services at 2 p.m.
July 24 at Nelson Baptist Church. Burial followed in the
church cemetery.
Mrs. Tarbert is survived by one daughter and son-in-law,
Frances and Charles Winckler of Virgilina; one sister, Rita
Lowery of Newport News; one brother, Garnett Newton of Nelson;
two grandchildren, Allen Daniel Cosner and wife, Kate, and
Samuel Ora Cosner and wife, Erica, all of Virgilina; two
great-grandchildren, Devin Cosner and Marissa Cosner. She
was preceded in death by three brothers, Tommy, Rommie and
Roy Newton; and two sisters, Ruth Duell and Gertie Rice.
SIX
... AND COUNTING
Halifax County Now
Has Six Teams Qualified For World Series; Three More County
Teams Still In Pursuit Of State Championships
By
JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer
Six and counting.
The ferocious assault on the baseball and softball diamonds
by Halifax County and South Boston all-star teams continued
this week with three more county teams winning state championships
to advance to the World Series.
That bring to six the number of county teams that have qualified
for World Series play.
Having six South Boston and Halifax County teams advancing
to World Series play puts Halifax County at or near a record
for the most Halifax County teams competing in World Series
play in one season.
Halifax County sent five teams into World Series play in
each of the past two years.
The count is not yet over as three more county teams are
still involved in state tournament play, each having a shot
to advance to the World Series.
The Halifax County National Dixie Belles all-star team squared
off against Appomattox last night in Crewe with the Virginia
State Dixie Belles Tournament title on the line.
Halifax County entered last night's game in the driver's
seat as Appomattox, which has one defeat, needed to beat
Halifax County twice to take the state title out of Halifax
County's hands.
Even if Halifax County lost last night, it would still have
a chance at the state title as another game between the
two teams would be needed tonight.
Also, the District 2 champion Halifax County South Dixie
Youth Minor League and the District 2 champion Halifax Dixie
Youth Major League teams open play tonight in their respective
state tournaments.
Both the Dixie Youth Major League and Dixie Youth Minor
League state tournaments are being played at the Moyer Complex
in Salem.
This big season of diamond frenzy continued in a big way
this week as the Halifax County Dixie Debs all-star softball
team upended Clarksville to win the Virginia State Dixie
Debs Tournament championship.
In South Boston, which hosted the Virginia State Dixie Boys
13-Year-Old Baseball Tournament and the Dixie Boys 13/14-Year-Old
baseball Tournament, county teams in big performances.
The South Boston-Halifax County Dixie Boys 13-Year-Old all-star
team defeated North Roanoke Tuesday night to claim the state
title.
Also on Tuesday night, the South Boston-Halifax County Dixie
Boys 13/14-Year-Old all-star team snared the championship
in its tournament by dumping Bedford 4-0.
The Virginia champion South Boston Dixie Pre-Majors all-star
team, which won the state title last week, opens World Series
play Saturday in Thomasville, AL.
Two other county teams that won state championships last
week, the Halifax County National Dixie Angels all-star
team and the Halifax County National Dixie Ponytails all-star
team, will begin World Series play on August 2.
The Halifax County National Angels will play in Muscle Shoals,
AL while the Ponytails will play in Bay St. Louis, Miss.
