The Halifax War Memorial project got a green light from supervisors Monday night.
Supervisors approved Impala black granite for the centerpiece and asked the War Memorial Commission to proceed with final design and construction.
"We look forward to the preparation and submission of the working drawings and seeing the project go forth," Larry Clark, chairman of the War Memorial Commission, said yesterday.
Clark said that Commission members were pleased with the Building and Grounds Committee's report addressing the color of the monument's centerpiece, noting various veterans' organizations support of contrasting black and white colors for the monument.
"We have technical and construction issues to resolve for working drawings," added Clark.
He said that he anticipated a War Commission report on construction would be ready for supervisors within a few weeks.
Supervisor James Edmunds II, chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee, said last week that "opinions of veterans' groups" swayed his decision in favor of the black centerpiece.
In presenting the committee's recommendation Monday night, the following points were noted: the Board's June 4 recommendation be reaffirmed; that the obelisk be composed of Impala black granite; that the War Commission be asked to proceed with final design and construction of the memorial structure and obelisk within the parameters set forth by supervisors; that all applicable codes and standards be followed.
Review of final design and construction documents by the Building and Grounds Committee to assure necessary infrastructure for lighting, roof installation and other necessary work were included, with the Board to have final acceptance.
Decisions from the Building and Grounds Committee's June 4 meeting included: a hexagonal lentil; the roof, if any, was to be phased in at a later date; the monument, excluding the centerpiece, is to be Mount Airy granite; final design specifications were to be subject to approval of War Memorial Commission.
The Halifax War Memorial monument estimate falls in the $150,000 range, according to Edmunds, with the War Memorial Park estimate in the $85,000 range.
However, Edmunds said last week that he hoped community involvement - including tree donations and other initiatives - might reduce the cost of the park, which is located at the corner of Main Street and Mountain Road in Halifax.
At the Monday night meeting, Edmunds told supervisors that the decision on color for the monument's centerpiece had not come easily for him.
He complimented the Courthouse Grounds Committee for its work and said that he hoped that all members would continue to work with the county to insure that the surrounding park is appropriately done.
He noted that committee's charge was to review all landscaping of the courthouse grounds to insure that anything proposed be in keeping with the architecture of the Jeffersonian style of the courthouse.
He said that the committee had reviewed the monument design and recommended several changes, which were done, and that the committee recommended an all-white monument as more appropriate to complement the courthouse.
"They have done their job and I appreciate the time that they have spent on this issue," Edmunds said.
However, he said that the veterans' wishes, which he said carried the most weight in his decision, lengthy discussions with architects and the War Memorial Commission's commitment to contrasting colors led to his final decision.
"Hopefully this issue will be behind us now and we can re-unite as friends and come together to honor those who fought and died for this democratic process," Edmunds said.
"We are going to have to depend on one another's support to finish this project and for this community to survive."

Halifax Regional Hospital's application to rezone a 50-foot strip of property on the north side of Beechmont Road to allow construction of a parking lot was approved for a public hearing by South Boston councilmen after their Monday work session.
The public hearing on the proposed 100-space parking lot will take place next Monday during South Boston Town Council's monthly meeting.
The South Boston Planning Commission held a public hearing on June 20 after which they recommended approval of the rezoning of the property from R-1 Residential to T-1 Transitional.
Hospital officials amended their original proposal to rezone approximately four acres of land along the north side of Beechmont Road after protests from Beechmont Subdivision residents.
Many of those same residents attended the public hearing and spoke in favor of the amended proposal, if issues regarding neighborhood integrity and security were addressed.
Hospital officials Chris Lumsden and Stewart Nelson were also present at the hearing and assured Beechmont residents that all steps would be taken to address their concerns.
Next week's meeting of South Boston Town Council will begin at 7 p.m. at council chambers on Yancey Street.
Councilmen also decided Monday to place a resolution authorizing the Town of South Boston to participate in the Statewide Mutual Aid (SMA) Program for Emergency Management on the agenda for next week's meeting.
With the adoption of the SMA Bill, localities can exchange services and resources in a response to a major emergency, such as a flood or a hurricane.
The SMA program resolves inconsistencies concerning the insurance and liability coverage of emergency workers when deployed from one locality to another and takes advantage of opportunities for federal/state reimbursement of deployment related costs.
The SMA Program may include requests for and provision of personnel, equipment, materials and other forms of assistance, or any combination of assistance, to any entity within the Commonwealth.
Other Items
· Council will consider the replacement of Ted Daniel on the town's planning commission at next Monday's meeting.
Although realizing the importance of Daniel's input as Town Manager during planning commission meetings, members of council mentioned it can sometimes be awkward for the Town Manager to serve on the Planning Commission, particularly when contentious issues arise.
· Councilman Coleman Speece requested that police more aggressively enforce the local noise ordinance.
According to Speece, he had received several complaints from constituents concerning loud noise, particularly loud music emanating from vehicles.
Police Chief Jim Hall responded that his officers currently answer all noise complaints, but that he would re-emphasize the noise enforcement issue with his department.
· Fire Chief William Murray updated councilmen on the search to replace the aerial fire truck.
Murray reported that he anticipates the committee appointed by the County Fire Commission to research the purchase of a new aerial truck will make its recommendation at the July 17 meeting of the Commission.
Financial Report
Town Finance officer Vandie Saunders reported that the town was still in "good shape" financially.
Saunders said that as of the end of May, the town had $5.1 million in the bank, with $4.4 million of that amount allotted to the General Fund.
Saunders added that he was doing everything he could to cut expenses, including the refinancing of bonds issued as far back as 1990, in light of the upcoming closure of JPS Apparel.
VRA Loan Announced
The Virginia Resources Authority (VRA) closed a $1 million tax-exempt loan last Saturday to the Town of South Boston.
The Town will use the loan to finance a portion of the closure costs of the Town's sanitary landfill, including the acquisition and construction of a landfill cap.
The loan to the Town was made available from the proceeds of VRA's $49,650,000 Infrastructure Revenue Bonds (Pooled Loan Bond Program), Series 2001. Under this pooled loan program, VRA issues one large series of bonds and then lends money to each locality according to its needs.
By borrowing through VRA's bond program, borrowers receive the benefits of VRA's AA credit rating which translates into lower interest rates and savings over the life of the loan.
"This is the second time we have borrowed from the pooled loan program. A year ago, we borrowed $5.5 million from VRA to finance water and sewer improvements," said Ted Daniel, South Boston town manager.
"A year ago, we borrowed $5.5 million from VRA to finance water and sewer improvements. That experience was so positive that when the need for financing the landfill closure came up, we immediately turned to VRA.
"Not only is this the most cost effective method of financing that we have found, but VRA makes the financing process so simple.
"As the Town's financing needs arise, it is reassuring to know that we ahve the best possible financial resources available to us."

A 24-year-old Nathalie man was convicted last week in Halifax County Circuit Court of the malicious wounding of Carolyn Waller last October.
George Daniel Palmer was additionally convicted of using a firearm while wounding Waller at a location on Beaver Pond Road, shooting into an occupied building and two counts of possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony.
Halifax Sheriff's deputies and Virginia State Police responded to the scene of the shooting last October 1 on Beaver Pond Road, where the victim was found with a single gunshot wound to the lower abdomen.
Judge Leslie M. Osborn remanded Palmer to custody after the bench trial until a presentence report due for the July term of court.
· A 29-year-old South Boston man was convicted last week of two counts of misdemeanor possession of marijuana after a jury trial in Halifax County Circuit Court.
Louis Elmer Conner Jr. was originally charged with two counts of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and one count of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana.
Judge Osborn sentenced Conner to 30 days in jail for each conviction, to run concurrently, and a fine of $500 for each offense.
· James Earl Hodge, 18, of South Boston, pleaded guilty last week of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
The court granted first offender status to Hodge, and withheld its finding of guilty, on the condition that Hodge undergo drug counseling and perform 100 hours of CDI service.
The court additionally ordered a restricted operator's license for Hodge.
· Emilio Hernandez, 24, of South Boston, was convicted last week of unlawfully throwing a missile against an occupied dwelling.
Hernandez is free on bond until presentencing in the July term of court and was ordered to have no contact with his victim.
· Lawrence Lee Bailey, 36, of Scottsburg, was convicted last week of the possession of cocaine as the result of a plea agreement.
Judge Osborn suspended Bailey's 120-day jail sentence, with credit for time served.
The court additionally ordered Bailey to undergo a six-month probationary period and suspended his operator's license for six months.
· Shaunta Antwon Chisholm, 20, of South Boston, was convicted last week of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and driving an unregistered vehicle, a misdemeanor.
Chisholm is free on bond until presentencing in the July term of court.
· Robert James Marable aka Jimmy Marable, 54, of Keeling, was convicted last week of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Judge Osborn remanded Marable to custody pending a presentence report in the July term of court.

As a result of new state guidelines, the classroom part of Driver's Education will not be offered to ninth graders at Halifax County High School for the coming school year.
The classroom part of Driver's Education will be offered at Halifax County High School July 9-27 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. during the second session of Summer School.
Students must be 16-years-old by January 1, 2002 in order to enroll in the course.
Any students interested in enrolling should contact the Guidance Office at Halifax County High School by calling 572-4977.

Tonight could be the final night of play in the District 7 Dixie Angels and Dixie Ponytails softball tournament.
Then again, maybe not.
Nobody will know for sure until last night's games were concluded. Even then, there could be a wrinkle or two.
With three days of play having been completed in the District 7 Tournament things were looking very good for the Halifax County National Dixie Ponytails and the Halifax County American Dixie Angels.
The two local teams were the lone unbeaten teams through Monday night's action.
Another good note is that both of the county teams in the two divisions were still alive after Monday night, giving Halifax County an excellent shot at sweeping the two tournaments.
Things started to get stickier yesterday, though, starting with a pivotal Angels division matchup late yesterday afternoon between undefeated Halifax County American and once-beaten Halifax County National.
If the Halifax County National team upsets the Americans, the Angels Tournament would then have three teams with one loss, thus forcing play to continue through Thursday night.
A win by Halifax County American would then set up a meeting between Halifax County American and once-beaten Charlotte County in an 8 p.m. game tonight.
In that scenario, a win by Charlotte County would push the tournament into Thursday.
But, if Halifax County American wins in that scenario, the county team would be the tournament champion.
On the Ponytails Division side of things, Halifax County American and Brookneal were to face each other in an elimination game at 6:15 p.m. last night.
In last night's 8 p.m. nightcap, once-beaten Altavista was to face undefeated Halifax County National.
The winners of those two games will play each other tonight at 6 p.m.
If Halifax County National won last night and wins its game tonight, the tournament will end with the local team taking the district title.
However, if Halifax County National won last night and loses tonight, the Ponytails tournament would not end until Thursday night.
Two teams had been eliminated in both the Angels and Ponytails tournaments after last night.
Brookneal and Altavista had been eliminated in the Angels division and Charlotte County and Motley had been eliminated from the Ponytails division.
Following is a brief look at the most recent games:
ANGELS DIVISION
HC Nat. 13 Brookneal 0
Halifax County National downed Brookneal 13-0 Sunday night with Lyndsey Lawter and Jessica Bagbey combining to hurl a one-hit shutout.
The Halifax County National team got only six hits in the game with Megan Day, Lauren Daniel, Lawter, Bagbey, Sharlin Walton and Brittney Cole each getting a hit.
Three of the hits went for extra bases with Lawter getting a triple in the first inning, Bagbey getting a three-sacker in the fourth inning and Cole slapping a double in the second inning.
That was plenty, however, as Brookneal committed 15 errors and gave up eight walks, giving Halifax County plenty of opportunities to score.
HC Amer. 15 Charlotte Co. 11
This game was an offensive barrage dotted by numerous walks and errors from both sides.
Halifax County American had five hits in the contest with Sara Stewart leading the way with two hits and Kelsie Stewart, Christine Degeorgis, Stephanie Clark and Whitney Womack getting one hit each.
Charlotte County opened with a four-run first inning but Halifax County, with the help of seven walks, answered with a five-run rally to take a 5-4 lead.
A four-run second inning allowed Charlotte County to get on top 8-5. Halifax County plated two runs, one on a run-scoring triple by Clark, to make it an 8-7 game.
Halifax County plated six runs in the third inning to regain the lead at 13-8 and held the lead the rest of the way.
PONYTAILS
HC Nat. 30 HC Amer. 3
Halifax County National had everything its way in this one, scoring 13 runs in the third inning and nine in the fourth inning to blow away Halifax County American.
The Nationals had 21 hits in the game with Michelle Davis, Ashley Lewis and Amber Bowman getting three hits to lead the team.
Heather Oakes, Jessica Morris, Brooke Duffey and Mandy Watts each had two hits.
Halifax County American had three hits in the contest with Amelia Saunders, Melissa Sims and Emily Snead each getting a hit.
The Halifax County National team opened up with a six-run flurry in the top of the first inning, taking advantage of five hits including a double by Alyson Thompson and a triple by Watts.
Halifax County American answered with two runs, one of which came on a double by Snead, to make it a 6-2 game.
National ran its lead up to 8-2 in the second inning and blew the game open with the 13-run third inning that included a homer from Morris.
HC Nat. 17 Brookneal 5
Halifax County National found itself in a little bit of a tussle early but scored a total of nine runs in the final two innings to down Brookneal 17-5.
National had a dozen hits in the game with Bowman leading the way with three hits.
Oakes, Morris and Lewis had two hits each in the win.
With Morris on the hill and fanning four of the first six Brookneal batters to come to the plate, Halifax County tallied two runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead.
Halifax County extended its lead to 6-0 with four runs in the top of the third inning only to see Brookneal take advantage of four errors, a walk, a double and a passed ball to score five runs in the bottom of the third inning and cut its deficit to one run.
That was all that Brookneal could do, however, as Halifax County pitchers fanned five of the remaining 11 Brookneal batters that would come to the plate.
In the meantime, the offense remained alive as Halifax County plated two runs in the fourth inning, three in the fifth inning and sixth in the final frame to snare the big win.

Earl Rickman, 79, of Augusta, GA and a native of Halifax County, died June 30.
Mr. Rickman was the son of the late Eddie and Ada Rickman.
His survivors include two sons: Alan and Bobby Rickman of Augusta and two sisters: Cherry Moore of Virginia Beach and Onell Haseltine of Richmond. He was preceded in death by a brother: Emmett Rickman.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Sallie Barbour Jones, 89, of 2216 Crystal Hill Rd., Crystal Hill, died June 28 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Jones was born in Halifax County on April 12, 1912, the daughter of the late William Younger and Cora Barbour. She was married to John Will Jones and was a member of the Sunflower Baptist Church.
Her survivors include her husband; two daughters: Alice Faye Jones Forman of Staten Island, NY and Barbara Jones of New York, NY; four sons: Harry Jones of Mt. Vernon, NY, Frederick and Addie Jones of Crystal Hill and John Wayne Jones of Germany; 17 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Friday, July 6 at 2 p.m. at the Sunflower Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert M. Tucker Jr. Burial will be held in the church cemetery.
Remains will lie in state prior to the service. The family will receive friends are the residence.