July 1, 2009

By Maurice Emery 

Littleton joins Enfield and Scotland Neck in being awarded $500,000 each for water and sewer needs.  The awards were announced last Friday by the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center (REDC) as part of $24 million in grants.  It is estimated that the 55 counties that received awards will be creating 450 jobs.

The $500,000 that has been awarded to Littleton is to upgrade the water distribution system and connect it with neighboring Warren County. They will also be replacing water meters. When the project is completed it is anticipated that water loss will be reduced. 

According to Town Commissioner Betty Willis,”It should give the town enough money to complete the refurbishing of the water system.”  Willis has played a key part in finding money for several water and sewer system upgrade awards. 

According to the REDC the Clean Water Partners Infrastructure Fund was established by the N.C. General Assembly in the summer of 2007. Lawmakers directed the Rural Center to invest appropriated funds in water and sewer grants to correct public health and environmental problems in rural and economically distressed communities

By Maurice Emery
Special to the Observer

The Littleton Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a request for a variance on the property where Minit Chek was located.  Owner Ali Abdo Saleh was required to ask for a variance because the store has been vacant longer than the law allows.  Ali purchased the property in 2006 and the variance that covered it then was allowed to continue. 

He told the board, Chaired by Jim Skilton, that he was forced to close the store because an employee stole $75,000 and he could no longer keep it open.  He would now like to improve it reopen.

There was a discussion about the requirements he needed to get a variance.  They were all based on the number of parking places for the size of the lot and store. The Board, consisting of Carroll Mann, Julie Johnston, Richard Brown, and Mark Forrest all expressed the desire for providing the variance and allowing the store to reopen.  Richard Sherman of Littleton United Methodist Church also supported the reopening. 

The general opinion was that it was a benefit to have the store open.  Members said that Saleh was an asset to the community and not approving the variance was the same as saying the building would stay vacant and eventually become an eyesore.  This means that one more step was completed to reopen the store. 

The Special 2010 Budget Adoption Meeting which was recessed on June 15 was reconvened on Monday morning.  The first agenda item called for the creation of a new budget item, a $37,500 legal contingency fund for “possible future legal consulting fees.” When questioned about the issues which may be addressed, County Manager Brown had no comment except to say “legal consultation.”

The Commissioners then went into a short closed session.

 After the closed session, County Manger Tony Brown provided brief detail on the budget process and requested Assistant County Manager of Financial Services Linda Taylor provided an update on the financial information obtained from Halifax County Schools (HCS).

Ms. Taylor had two major areas of concerns after a three person financial committee reviewed pertinent documents at Halifax County Schools’ Central Office last week

* Lack of a completed 2008 comprehensive annual financial report or a     completed 2008 independent audit report.

Twenty-four months of bank financial statements had not been reconciled and thus HCS can not have an accurate account of their fund balance or cash on hand.

Mr. Brown commented that at this time, Halifax County has concerns about the financial accountability of HCS. We have no concrete reason to provide the requested additional $1.91 million funds.   This additional funding for HCS would result in a higher per pupil funding for HCS than the other two county districts.

HCS could submit additional information which may clarify the funding request but the county needs to approve a budget based on the information currently available.

The Halifax county commissioners unanimously approved and adopted the 2010 Budget.

On June 12, HCS Superintendent Middleton wrote County Manager Brown explaining how their requested additional $1.91million funding would be used. This included 16 teachers, 5 maintenance staff, athletic equipment, and transportation, technology lab replacement as major expenses.

County Manager Brown has stated that the county is sympathetic with the school’s financial needs but the county developed their budget based on available revenue and sound financial revenue based budgeting practices.

The 2010 county budget awaiting adoption includes $3.56 million for HCS, $2.29 million for RR City Schools, and $0.81 million for Weldon City Schools. Per county comments, pupil allocation per district is equivalent.

The fund balance is the counties rainy day fund, and by state statute must maintain a specific amount for emergencies.  A minimum fund balance was a problem in the past and the current financial procedures have resulted in a fund balance of approximately 25%.

Brown had implemented hiring freezes and department expense cuts back in February.  These tight budget practices were even squeezed a little tighter in the final 2010 budget which was formally presented on May 18th.

The 2010 budget of $35.9 million was 13% less than the 2009 budget of $41.2million.

Highlights of 2010 budget include:

 *No property tax increase.*No new positions or departments.  *No new capital outlay (major purchases). *Budget allows 551 positions. *Approximately 30 positions are currently frozen and the budget continues to maintain hiring, travel and reclassification freezes. * Each Dept. is required to reduce expenses by a required 7-10 % but does not require any staff reductions or employee furlough days.*All three school districts and Halifax Community College will have their funding reduced by 7%.*No employee COLA or salary market adjustments.

The 2010 budget is based on an estimated $3.1 billion tax base with a tax rate of $0.68 per $100 value and a 97% collection rate.  The $0.68 tax rate has been in effect for the last two years with 2010 being the third year in effect.

The Budget will go into effect July 1.  If the county determines it must provide additional funds requested by HCS, it can use revenue from fund balance or institute a supplemental tax county wide to fund HCS needs.

Staff writer

Power boats racing returned to the valley after more than a thirty year absence.  Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Carolina Cup Regatta, Inc. co-sponsored The Roanoke Rapids Hydro Power Races held this past weekend at the Roanoke Rapids Dam and RR Lake Park. There were approximately 1200 spectators for the weekend event.

Late Sunday after a weekend of racing, the Observer questioned a dozen teams about their weekend experience. The visitors commented about the  wonderful weekend of hospitality at a great venue.  They loved  the facilities at the park, the fenced off areas for RV and campers, the well attended races and well behaved  audience, interested spectators, the safety  and law enforcement services and

commented that the racing venue and spectators visibility from the park was top notch.

The only ‘issue’ was the boat launching area which most racers thought needed to be enlarged.  The Bried family- mother and son racing and  dad  grandfather  the pit crew -from Morehead City said it was the best first time event they had ever attended.

There were racers from five states who competed in 14 different classes .The boat hauls, size of your dinning room table, are similar but the motors vary in type and size by class.

The J (Junior) class is for beginning racers age 9-12.  This class specifies an 8 hp restricted engine which will provide a top straight-a-way speed of 35 mph. With age and experience, the racers move up in class with standard and modified engines which can reach speeds of 85-100mph.

The racers compete three laps around a one mile oval course. This weekend there were three to six boats in each race which took about five to minutes to complete. After boats jockey for position during a moving start, the referee drops the flag and the sprint power boat race is on. Drivers must be conscious of the boundary flags and their competitors.  On Sunday there were four boats which flip over, not uncommon, but nobody was injured.

Each class runs two daily races and a typical event last two days.  A winner per class is determined on Saturday and Sunday. Racers accumulate points toward national ranking with a goal of competing in regional and national  competitions.

One goal of the American Power Boat Association (APBA) is to promote racing without emptying the racer’s bank account and promoting safe racing. All racers must wear a special helmet, think astronaut, and a full crash suit. 

A family will spend approximately $5000 for a used boat and equipment in the J-class and up to $25,000 in the modified Formula E, Mercury 6 cylinder engines which race at 90 plus mph.

We didn’t find one team which wasn’t a family affair with at least two generations of experienced racers.

Twenty-six year old Abby Pond from Richmond is a VA DUI case worker but her passion is power boat racing.  Her great uncles have been racing since the 50’s and she remembers her first race at 10 years old.  Both mom and dad have been racers and this weekend there were four family members racing.

This weekend she raced her brother Gary for the first time in competition on Sunday.  He won one race and she the other, but she was declared the overall daily winner by a slim margin of 0.3 sec based on total race time.

Abby (Boat 24-E)  is a nationally ranked contender and has been to eight weekend races this year. She was winter national champion in her class and her goals are to qualify for summer nationals in Michigan.

The organization committee wanted to thank the special volunteers who made the event possible: RR Police, RV Rescue Squad, Rheasville VFD and Dive Team, Littleton VFD and Dive Team, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Old Dominion, Fred’s Boats Sales and Service, and Roanoke Rapids Rentals.

June 24, 2009
This marks the fourth time since 2000 that Lakeside Lutheran Church has hosted the community VBS.  This year’s community event is being held from June 22-26 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon with Littleton United Methodist Church, Littleton Baptist Church, Littleton Presbyterian, Elams Chapel United Church of Christ and host Lakeside Lutheran.
The theme of the VBS is life in the 1st Century village. The youth are divided into the twelve tribes of the Israelites and pictured are the youngest Tribe; Benjamin.
The Tribe of Benjamin, youngest and smallest brother, pictured above were clothed in traditional dress.  This tribe took a ‘trek’ on Monday morning across the fields to the ‘Jordan River’ and the ‘promise land.’
The week will be full of activities teaching the children about the bible and the children making the adult leaders smile and laugh.

The Town Board of Commissioners passed the Budget Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2009-10 without an increase in the town taxes.  The tax rate will stay at 61 cents per one hundred dollars valuation of property listed. 

The budget shows only a modest increase from last year’s budget.  This year the town budget reflects $583,864.40 in appropriations.  Last year’s figure was $571,600.  This reflects only a $12,264 increase in the budget, approximately 2%.  

The largest increase in this year’s budget is for the police department.  Their part of the appropriations is $264,456.00.  Last year’s appropriation was $250,476.00. 

According to Mayor Mason Hawfield the income this year will reflect the state of the economy in at least two areas.  The budget allows for a decrease in money from the state caused by people using less gasoline.  Known as Powell Funds the money is disbursed from the state back to the various localities.  The money is generated from the state tax added to each gallon of gasoline.  When qualified municipalities request the money they receive 1-3/4 cents per gallon of gas.   Last year the town received $26,096.99 from the state.  They budgeted $29,300.  This year the town has budgeted $23,226.33 from the funds. With the state starving for cash, it remains to be seen if their need will impact on this money that basically belongs to the localities.   

The budget also reveals less money for interest on investments for the town.  Last year the General Fund figure was $21,545, this year’s budget reflects just $6,503.  This holds true for the Water and Sewer Fund also.  Last year the figure was $20,550.  This year they are anticipating $8,105.

One positive side of the budget for the Water and Sewage is the anticipation of having to purchase less water than last year.  The water purchase charge is part of the $127,281.50 for operations this year.  This represents a savings of over $25,000 from last year’s $152,976.00. In conversations with both Mayor Hawfield and Town Commissioner Betty Willis, they attribute the savings to two things.

First the work on improving the water lines is paying off with less water leakage from the old lines.  Secondly, the Mayor is anticipating an additional savings in water after the county installs a new meter between the county and the town.  “There could possibly be more cuts when the new meter is installed,” the Mayor stated.

The town also anticipates installing new meters to each home or business receiving water from them.  According to a statement made by Willis several months ago this could also see a decrease in water usage.

By Susan Hodge
June 24, 2009

Elma Rae Greene had only been on the job four days when the Warren County Animal Ark had an open house.    The purpose of the open house was to introduce the Ark’s puppies and kittens for adoption but she  was also saying hello and meeting the community as well. Four puppies found a new home Saturday but no kittens were adopted...

Greene is excited to be in Warren County and looks forward to working with the experienced, hard working, and dedicated team of Animal Control officers and utilizing the wonderful facility to implement a few new programs as well as grow other programs already in place.

She anticipates new community’s educational programs on animal ownership and the responsibility that comes with owning animals. She explained her varied and extensive background on educating control officers and the community on rabies control and animal welfare.

She wants the public to know that the Animal Ark is where they can bring animals that they no longer want or cannot care for, regardless of the reason. If an animal is left off on the side of the road, chances are no one will adopt the animal or even stop to give food or water.  A pet is used to being  fed and will generally get sick and die a difficult death if left to fend for themselves. Stray animals become a problem to the community and one of her goals is to reduce the number the animals that the control officers have to capture and quarantine.

Greene  said, “Even if the animal has to be ‘put down’, the procedure is painless for the animal as they die with dignity as opposed to eating out of garbage cans, starving to death, and becoming a menace to the community.  The Animal Ark Director Greene and her team have other means to put up an animal for adoption.

The new director has a passion for public understanding of the importance of spay-neutering of pets.  She commented, “The program already established with the Spray-Neuter Assistance Program of North Carolina (SNAP-NC) is a great start, we just have to build on this program.”

According to information supplied by SNAP-NC: *Fifty thousand kittens and puppies are born every day in the USA. * Only one in nine of these animals will find a home. *An unspayed cat and her litter of kittens can produce 420,000 (yes, that is the correct number) cats in seven years.*Dogs who have NOT been spayed or neutered are three times more likely to bite a human.

Elma Greene has a difficult job in tending to approximately 1,000 animals that the Animal Ark deals with on a yearly basis. Unfortunately, most are ‘put down’ but it was clear that she loves animals  as she had already bonded to a few puppies, knew the personality of the adult dogs, and  was aware of  which of the kittens  purred the loudest.  As she becomes more informed of the needs of the community, the Ark’s animals will have a friend who will deal with their future in a humane, compassionate, but responsible manner.

By Susan Hodge
June 24, 2009

The 17th annual Exodus Youth (EY) Event referred to as Lake Day was held at Edwards Beach last Saturday.  Grover L Edwards, Sr.’s beach park property is open almost every day providing a park for the public to enjoy Lake Gaston for a small fee.  On Lake Day, the third Saturday in June, Edwards donates the park to the Exodus Organization for the youth to be kids and have fun. 

The day long event is aimed towards underprivileged children and teens  experiencing a fun filled day and participating in events which are typically not available to them. Fishing, boat riding, swimming, playing on inflatable slides provided a day of fun.

Once they arrived at Edwards Beach around 10 a.m. the children were free to participate in all the activities that had been made available for their enjoyment including lunch.

The cooks were busy grilling over 800 hamburgers and 1500 hot dogs on an open grill to feed the youth army of approximately 800 and hungry adult volunteers.

The smiles on the small children’s faces as they caught a small sun fish or got to take their first boat ride was heart warming. Halifax/Northampton Wildlife Officers Dustin Durham and Seth Reinhart provided fishing poles and cricket baits and instruction for the children to catch bluegills.  Third grader Naijuan Kennedy from Rich Square was fishing for the first time and was anxious to catch a fish.

The Lake Gaston Lions Club donated pontoon boats and drivers to reduce the cost of the event. The Nu South Riders held a charity motorcycle ride a few ago and made a donation of $1,000 for Exodus Lake Day.

This year’s event was open to all underprivileged boys and girls in Halifax, Northampton, Bertie, and Hertford Counties.   The youth were transported on church buses, vans, cars, and ten buses provided by Northampton, Bertie and Hertford county school districts. 

District Court Judge Alfred Kwasikpui is one of the founders of Exodus Youth organization along with Roanoke Rapids’ Vern Byrant, Weldon’s Doc Brown, and deceased Lawrence Cooper. The organization originally focused on programs which would keep children out of the criminal justice system.  The organization has grown through community support, grass roots faith-based efforts and the hard work of the Exodus Youth Board and their many volunteers. 

The EY Organization mission is for the children to experience a fun day on the lake with police, sheriff, wildlife   officers most of whom were in uniform.  This interaction helps the youth understand that the law enforcement officials can be their friends who can help in a time of need – not just an officer who may arrest them when they may step across the legal line. 

This communication is important as the children grow up facing difficult challenges in today’s society.  Judge Kwasikpui said, “Children just want to be nurtured and understood.  The community needs to provide opportunities for open communication and mentoring between caring adults and troubled youth.” Exodus Lake Day is one of those opportunities.

Uniformed Halifax County undercover drug enforcement deputy summed in up best, “If I can just communicate with just one youth today- my time spent here was well worth my efforts.”

It is a wonderful way to reflect on why we are celebrating and to show our appreciation for those who make freedom possible. If you are coming with a float or vehicle please call Doris Dickens:  586-4337 or Heidi Hogan:  586-6828 to assure a great place in parade line up. Bring your flags to wave as the parade passes by and be a part of this very special celebration of America.

Pictured: (l-r) Alvin Salmon and his son Kyle Salmon receive a scholarship award from American Legion Post Commander Richard Kohl.

July 1, 2009

American Legion Horace Palmer Jr. Post 308 presented Kyle Salmon with a scholarship prior to their meeting on Thursday, June 25. Post Commander Richard Kohl explained that scholarships are usually awarded annually to rising seniors of local schools based on review of applicant records.

Kyle Salmon graduated from Halifax Academy, ranking 5 out of 56 students. He