Surry star Montel White commits to Richmond

By Marty O'Brien Daily Press

At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, with a strong right throwing arm, it's probable Surry County High quarterback Montel White eventually would have drawn interest from Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) schools. But his feeling was that if the big boys thought of him as a fallback pick, he'd prefer to go a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) school that coveted him.

So White committed to the best of the FCS lot - defending national champion Richmond. The fact that Spiders coach Mike London and his staff were so intensely interested in White was the main reason.

"I picked Richmond because they decided I was the No. 1 quarterback they wanted," said White, who said he also received offers from James Madison and Norfolk State. "When picking a school, you always want to go where you're wanted and where you're their No. 1 guy.

"The coaches said I have a chance of starting there my first year. I wouldn't mind redshirting, but anyone who loves football wants to start their first year."

White passed for about 900 yards and 14 touchdowns in only six games last season, according to Surry coach Ervin Jones. He threw for 826 yards as a sophomore in 2007, when he helped Surry go 10-2 and reach the Region A Division 1 final.

White said he likes the fact that Richmond runs a pro-style offense similar to Surry's. White added that his family members urged him to pick Richmond because they feel he'll get a good education there.

White is the third area player to commit this month to Richmond, joining York multi-position star Ben Edwards and Jamestown tight end Andrew Cordasco. White said their decisions affected his.

"Ben Edwards and I are almost best friends," said White, a former AAU basketball teammate of the York senior. "He's the type of wide receiver I like to throw to, because I know wherever I put the ball, he'll jump up and get it.

"Andrew Cordasco is going to be a good tight end at Richmond."

Page 18 - The Smithfield Times - Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010

Surry considers noise ordinance

By Jim Tuttle

Staff Writer

SURRY - Proposed changes to the county's noise ordinance are still in progress after the first draft was criticized during a public hearing earlier this month.

Residents opposed to the construction of a coal-fired plant and an outlying. Navy landing field in the county argued that the new ordinance would make special exceptions for those controversial facilities.

County officials say the proposed ordinance was not drafted with either of those projects in mind.

"Any time you bring up· a noise ordinance it's going to be very controversial, because noise is a very subjective issue and there are a lot of sub-issues involved in it," Surry County Attorney Bill Hefty said in a phone interview.

Hefty was tasked with drafting the ordinance, in response to an April 2009 ruling against the city of Virginia Beach by the state Supreme Court, he said. The ruling stated that the city's ordinance was unconstitutionally vague, because it relied on the individual police officer's judgment.

"All of the localities that have had reasonable person standards in their noise ordinances now have to change them. Ours does, and this was the first attempt to do that," Hefty said.

The proposed noise ordinance makes an exception for "locomotives and other railroad equipment, and aircraft."

It was these exceptions that caused opponents of the OLF" and the coal plant to object. If the OLF were built, the county would see an increase in low flying air traffic. Trains would regularly deliver loads of coal to Cypress Creek Power Station if it were built.

Hefty said trains and airplanes were also excluded in an ordinance template provided by VACO, and he had not even considered the controversial projects.

"It had nothing to do with OLF, it had nothing to do with ODEC. It's just the template that we used that other jurisdictions were using," he said.

Other exclusions in the draft include the sounds of church bells, the striking of clocks, siren equipment on police vehicle and permitted fireworks displays.

The existing ordinance only provides exceptions for noises created by emergency alert systems, the operation of farm and forestry equipment and shooting ranges.

After the public hearing, the Surry County Board of Supervisors decided to take no action on the proposed ordinance.

"We heard a fair amount of comment ... the Board of Supervisors decided that they wanted to look at a few other localities noise ordinances," Hefty said.

The proposed ordinance is now being revised, and may not be ready for further review at the next Supervisors' meeting, County Administrator Tyrone Franklin said.

IW wants independent plant study

By Diana McFarland

News editor

The Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors wants Surry and Dendron officials to order ODEC to pay for an independent study on the health effects of the proposed coal-fired power plant.

The request comes in the form of two letters, addressed to Surry Board of Supervisors

Chairman Sherlock Holmes and Dendron Mayor Yvonne Pierce. The letters express concern about the mercury the plant will emit, as well as the lack of information about pollution controls to be used.

Jeb Hockman, spokesman for Old Dominion Electric Coop said no one from Isle of Wight called to inquire about pollution controls.

The Surry Planning Commission recommended approval Dec. 15 of nine land use applications submitted by Old Dominion Electric Cooperative.

The Surry Supervisors and the town of Dendron are expected to hold public hearings on the applications at its Feb. 4 and Feb. 1 meetings, respectively.

Newport District Supervisor

Stan Clark said the Surry Planning Commission had "abdicated its duty" to look into the potential health effects of the proposed plant.

"As a body, they didn't do their due diligence," he said.

Clark, who campaigned vigorously against the plant when he ran for a General Assembly seat last fall, was particularly worried about the amount of mercury the plant could emit.

"When children breathe the mercury, eat the mercury and drink the mercury ... ," Clark said.

ODEC estimates that Cypress Creek would emit about 118 pounds per year for a plant that is expected to create about 750 megawatts of electricity.

Holmes wasn't happy to hear of Isle of Wight's interest.

"This is Surry County business and to interfere with Surry County business - it's been up to the Surry Board of Supervisors and the Dendron Town Council," he said.

"They have their sovereign duty over there and we have ours here. Give us an opportunity to make a decision."

Clark was also concerned about whether the power plant would negatively affect Isle of Wight's air quality, since it's currently in a pollution non-at-tainment zone.

This could determine whether or not industry can locate in the intermodal park, Clark said.

Currently, the Hampton Roads area is in attainment, but new standards are expected in August, said Thomas Ballou, director of air data analysis t and planning for the Virginia Department of Environmental t Quality.

Attainment refers to EPA air quality standards for ground level ozone.

As for the proposed coal fired power plant keeping new industry from coming to Isle of Wight, Ballou said that the permitting process for the power plant is set up so the impacts on neighboring communities are as minimal as possible.

Hockman had little comment about Isle of Wight's concerns.

"We're only involved with the county of Surry and the county of Sussex. We've had no discussion with Isle of Wight since the two sites are in Surry and Sussex County. We have no comment on anything a neighboring county would mention. We're working with only the two counties where the project would be sited," he said.

Hockman added that the Army Corp of Engineers and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality would be doing extensive environmental impact studies as part of the application process.

ODEC last summer requested the more stringent study by the Corps.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, which made a presentation at Thursday's meeting, "applauds" the Board's decision to send letters to Surry and Dendron.

"By asking hard questions about this environmentally detrimental project, the Isle of Wight board is demanding accountability from its neighbors ... ," said Chris Moore, CBF science advocate.

In response to Clover Hill, Public Hearings, and Chesapeake:

1. I do not disagree with Mr. Savedge. I believe that the public hearings should allow for better public participation by local residents who so desire to avail themselves of such. However, I believe that residents from greater Hampton Roads should also be allowed to voice their concerns. Where would the OLF hearings be, if it weren't for region-wide participation? It is rather unfortunate that both Surry BOS, and the Mayor of Dendron have refused requests for a change of venue (Supervisor Harrison stated that they did not want to be "intimidated" by people coming out to participate in public hearings). Conducting these hearings in the current locations, rather than say, the middle school (like some of the OLF hearings/meetings) limits public participation. What do the people of Surry fear, in allowing residents from neighboring localities to voice their concerns? Perhaps you may have some folks from neighboring localities come to support the plant. You want to limit their participation, too?

2. The location of the town of Clover is 3 miles from the plant. I have, personally, never once stated that I believed that Clover disincorporated because of the Clover plant. Nor do I believe that this might necessarily be the future of Dendron. I do believe, however, that it is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS to insinuate that life for the residents of Dendron will not change, in any negative way, if the plant is situated within the confines of this TINY town. I've noticed Mr. Jones' well-lit ODEC sign, in his yard. Gosh, that's nice. Would you care to trade with me, Harold? I won't have anything but light, in my yard, if CCPS is built--you won't even have to hook up your extension cords. And the value of my home (and others)? It won't be affected? The value will go up? Are the people who believe this sucking on mercury lollipops? Again, ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. Sorry if I am coming across as "blunt". I guess the idea of living next to the largest coal-fired power plant in Virginia makes me a little, how did you say it? Oh, yeah. Blunt. Bluntly, I tell you, that I believe that the nerve of people who think that I should sacrifice my quality of life so that others in Northern Virginia, etc.. can get power, is (shall I say it again?) ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS.

3. Mr. Jones, I am aware that Chesapeake residents have been offered water. Are you aware that your company is not hooking those residents up to the water supply? They have to pay $12,000.00 per household to avail themselves of water that will be safe to drink. They cannot, (as I'm sure you can find, in the lawsuits in which your own company has found themselves involved in) drink their own water. Yeah. It's all about their "whining" to be hooked up to water. Potable water. Water that is not laced with selenium, arsenic, lead. Why don't some of your folks go "to the horse's mouth, so to speak" and speak to the residents of Chesapeake whose lives have been completely demolished by Dominion's deceptive business practices and fly ash?

I believe that some "misconceptions" have, once again, been cleared up--too bad a lot of you refuse to see anything but dollar signs.

Thank you, hope to see you all at the public hearings.

Misti Furr

Oh, and one more thing. Mr. Jones, the "EPA Virginia Dept.? Are you referring to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality? The DEQ regulates fly ash. The EPA does NOT currently have ANY federal regulations in regard to fly ash (they are reviewing this, however, currently) I would hate for you to have unintentionally passed on such a misconception.

Sincerely,

Misti Furr

Chamber planning projects for 2010

By Kelly Donnell

Staff Writer

SURRY - For 2010, the Surry Chamber of Commerce is looking to take a new direction.

Several projects are being developed to provide exposure and support for Surry's businesses - on a higher level than what may have been available in the past.

"There will be a benefit this year to those businesses that are part of the Chamber," said Jason Wiedel, newly elected President of Surry's Chamber of Commerce, rho stressed that the organization's goal is to help other businesses as well as the community.

Chamber members have planned to expand the organization's website, located at www.surrychamber.org, as their first priority.

Plans for the website include adding more information on the local happenings, as well as contact information and services offered by Surry businesses and organizations, Wiedel said.

Another project in the works this year is a Small Business Initiative.

We continue to work toward the development of a program to "mentor" prospective businesses by providing guidance to help people who have been considering starting a business, "explained Chamber Secretary Greg Schaale, "but don't know where to begin or businesses that are falling on hard times and need some support to stay solvent."

Workshops may be planned to offer tips on business issues such as marketing and loans, and to provide networking, said Wiedel.

"I want to see us be able to help the really small businesses here in Surry that often pop up and are gone in a year," he said.

In addition, a business center is being set up at The Center, the coffee shop run by Wiedel across from the Surry County Courthouse.

"Our plan is to set up a meeting room in the building as a business and information center," Wiedel explained. "So, that way, folks here, and visitors passing through have a place to get information" about local businesses and events.

A copier was donated recently by Prince George Electric Cooperative to the Chamber of Commerce. The chamber plans to set up the copier, as well as a fax machine, at the business center.

The equipment at the business center should be available for use within the next two weeks.

"It's a place for small business folks to use, if they need a meeting space or a spot to work on a project," said Wiedel.

This year, the Chamber also plans to continue having a monthly Farmers' Market, and, other events to draw local businesses together with patrons.

N.C. Gov. Perdue says an OLF in Camden county is “Wrong:

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. Gov. Beverly Perdue expressed opposition to a proposed Outlying Landing Field COLF) in Camden County on Tuesday. Perdue voiced her concerns about the Navy's proposal while speaking to Camden commissioners in Elizabeth City.

Perdue made it clear she does not want an OLF in Camden County. "I will not permit it here," Perdue said. "There has to be a way that we can keep it legally from coming here. It should not be forced on any place in this state. It's wrong."

"If an OLF is built here, it would condemn North Carolina land without bringing any economic benefits," said Camden County Manager Randell Woodruff. "After listening to our elected officials and the citizens in our community, North Carolina does not want an OLF."

Over the summer, North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler echoed Perdue's position.

"While we discuss the strategic importance of an OLF, we also need to discuss the strategic importance of the farms here," said Troxler. 'If we need an OLF, let's discuss locations that won't destroy farms and impair the state's $70 billion agriculture industry. Until that happens, I'm going to continue fighting the OLF from the mountains to the coast."

About the OLF

The proposed OLF in Camden County would serve the Master Jet Base at Oceana Naval Air Station located approximately 30 miles over the state line in Virginia Beach, VA.

Local cuts could mean layoffs at schools

By Kelly Donnell.

Staff Writer

SURRY - Additional cuts to school funding are expected this year.

Before leaving office earlier this month, former Governor Tim Kaine proposed a round of budget cuts intended to help balance the state's $4 billion shortfall.

Each school district across the state will feel the pinch.

"We're going to lose over $600,000," said Lloyd Hamlin, superintendent of Surry County Public Schools.

Currently, the school officials are looking for ways to compensate for the anticipated loss.

"We're looking at the budget, and trying to determine how we can adjust those deficits, and what it's going to impact," Hamlin said last week.

"We don't know, at this point, what the county's contribution will be, if the county's contribution will be the same as it was last year," he continued.

Although the school system is already working to manage the budget with $600,000 less funding than expected, that dollar figure may change. Since none of the numbers will be final until spring, Hamlin said he isn't anticipating any cutbacks, yet.

"We can't do a great deal yet based on what Governor Kaine had said, because we felt that it might change, given the' transition at the Governor's mansion," he said of Governor Bob McDonnell's inauguration. "We're waiting, now, to see if those are going to be the actual figures, or if the cuts are going to change as a result of the Governor's new initiatives.

The superintendent said he believes the budget can be managed "without drastic measures" if the county does not impose additional funding cuts. Although there are currently no plans for layoffs, additional funding cuts would result in a loss of personnel, Hamlin said.

Hearings set for ODEC’s proposed power plant

By Kelly Donnell

Staff Writer

WAKEFIELD - Surry County has gotten a lot of attention recently over the proposed Cypress Creek Power Station site in Dendron, but an alternative site has been nearly ignored.

After next week, that will likely change.

Old Dominion Electric Cooperative is evaluating two sites for a possible· future location of a coalfired baseload generation power plant. The second site is near Waverly in Sussex County.

Public hearings are scheduled next week for zoning matters related to' both sites.

The Dendron Town Council will hear citizens' comments on proposed zoning changes on Monday, February 1. The Surry Board of Supervisors will hold a meeting on similar zoning requests on Thursday, February 4.

The Sussex County Board of Supervisors and county Planning Commission will meet jointly on Thursday, as well, to hear public comments on zoning changes requested for the site near Waverly.

ODEC has requested a zoning map amendment and a conditional use permit for the site near the intersection of Warwick Road and Cabin Point Road.

The electric cooperative has asked Sussex County to rezone 126 acres of agriculturally-zoned land for industrial use, and for a conditional use permit that would allow construction of a power plant on that site.

ODEC is not abandoning plans for one site in favor of another; rather, spokesman Jeb Hockman, manager of member and public relations, said the company plans to proceed with evaluating both sites on an ~'apple-to-apple" approach.

"We have been working on a dual schedule for both Surry and Sussex counties since the beginning of the proposed Cypress Creek project," he said, noting that there are requirements to have both a primary and secondary site for the project.

If the Corps of Engineers, through its environmental studies, finds a reason why one site cannot be used for a power plant, it may eliminate that site from consideration.

Dendron was named the primary site for several reasons, but mostly because more preliminary work had already been done there when the permitting process began.

The site work has been completed at the Sussex site, Hockman said, and plans can now proceed at both sites on a relatively equal schedule.

Miss polar (almost bear) taking the plunge for a good cause

By Kelly Donnell Staff Writer

SURRY - The average temperature of the waves lapping the shore at Virginia Beach in February is 38 degrees.

Most beachgoers prefer to wait until the water temperature warms in the summer months before diving in.

Paula Bentley, however, isn't your average beachgoer.

Next weekend, Bentley will be one of more than 3,000 people who will - voluntarily - run headlong into the surf at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront as part of the 17th annual Polar Plunge.

The Plunge is a fundraiser for the Virginia Special Olympics.

Children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special

Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills and to boost their self-confidence.

Bentley, of Surry, will be one of over 3,000 people taking the plunge on February 6. Collectively, this year's goal for the Polar Plunge is to raise $1 million for Special Olympics. .

Before she takes the Plunge this year, Bentley hopes to raise $1,000 on her own for the cause.

Fundraising, she said, is really the only thing she does in preparation for the event. There is no way to prepare yourself for the shock that comes from jumping into the ocean, mid-winter.

"For the last two years that I have done this, I have tried to convince myself it would be good practice to get into a cold shower for a few mornings prior to the Plunge," Bentley said. "However, I have not yet actually put that theory to the test! I'm more of the just show up and do it' type than I am the practice for it' type."

The mother of two - Jacob, age 8, and Catherine, age 5 - refers to herself as "the sort of person who detests cold with a passion," and would much rather have the heat of the summer.

"However, my belief in the amazingness of this particular cause trumps my dislike of cold," Bentley said.

The support from family, friends and the community help bolster her resolve, as well. After putting the time and effort into raising money for the Polar Plunge, she said, it's hard to back out.

"You kind of feel an obligation to go through with it," explained Bentley. "It's a bit like going up to the top of the high dive for the first time, with all of your friends watching you. You can't exactly turn around and go back down! No, you have to follow through!"

It was friends of Bentley's that got her involved "in the cause a few years ago. Monica Calhoun, a special education teacher with the Surry school system, and her husband Tim invited the Bentleys to come watch the Polar Plunge in Virginia Beach in 2007.

The enthusiasm of the Plungers - many in zany costumes - and the spirit of giving is what drew Bentley in. She told her husband, Michael, that she intended to take the Plunge the next year.

She did. Next Saturday, she'll take the Plunge for the third time.

Bentley will be one of the participants adding humor and creativity to the Polar Plunge by running into the Atlantic - in costume.

She describes this year's outfit as a pun, or a tribute of sorts, to beauty pageants, polar plunges, and polar bears. .

The white, fleecy costume she has created will be complete with earmuffs, a tiara, high heels, and a beauty pageant sash proclaiming "Miss Polar (almost) Bear!';

Even with the crazy costumes and levity, the participants keep in mind that there is an important cause behind it all.

"Being a part of something like the Plunge is a tremendous experience, whether or not you participate. You are, for a moment, part of something so much bigger than yourself, something that is directly benefitting those who need it, something that is truly amazing," Bentley explained. .

"When you focus on that - not on the cold, not on the water, not on anything else - you honestly don't feel the cold as much. It's an amazing experience, and I would recommend everyone try it once, whether you Plunge or not.»

The inspiration, she adds, comes from those who have overcome personal handicaps to participate in the Special Olympics.

"Our own struggles seem so small compared to what some people have to go through, and yet they do it with a smile, and an audacity of spirit that is amazing to see and experience. Their joy of life and generosity of heart is something we should all aspire to!" said Bentley.

To find out more about Bentley's fundraiser for this year's Polar Plunge, visit her website at www.firstgiving.com/polarpaula10.

By Kelly Donnell

Staff Writer

SURRY - Preserving the history of Surry County's black community is the ambition of the Surry County African American Heritage Society.

Organized in 2002, the group now has 74 members dedicated to collecting written, pictorial, and oral history on their culture.

Founding member Judy Lyttle said that although there is a historical society in Surry County, the community should tell its own story in its own words.

"We felt like we needed to start our own group to do our research of black history in Surry County," Lyttle explained of the society's formation nearly eight years ago.

Collectively, the group has been working to document history and leaders in Surry County dating back to the 1600s.

"We have been doing research, and doing projects that we hope will be lasting for the youth and for the elderly as well - so that those who live today, and those in the future, will know those families who have made a contribution to Surry County," Lyttle said.

"If we don't start doing the research, and recording it, these things will be lost."

Although the group focuses on the heritage and culture of Surry's African American descendants - as the organization's name plainly states - its membership is open to anyone who is interested in the county's history.

"Our membership is open to all people, not just blacks," said Gwendolyn Brown. Several members belong to both of Surry's historical societies, regardless of race, she said.

Those who have an interest in the local culture and black history are encouraged to join. Another founding member, Purcell Bailey, said it took some consideration before he joined and accepted the position of the group's president in 2002.

Lyttle had asked him to join, he recalled, when he moved home to Surry County after living out of state for 45 years. Despite his initial concerns, Bailey said things quickly fell into place as the society was established.

"1 realized this was one of the most important organizations that 1 could be a part of, because there was so much history that was hidden and needed to be uncovered," he said recently.

Being a part of the African American Heritage Society has honed the interest he always had in local history.

"I've never lost it," Bailey said. "I've always been a part of it. 1 know what we blacks did for Surry County."

A variety of activities have been accomplished, and more have been planned for the upcoming year, to continue promoting this history."

An annual reunion has been established by the group.

For the past several years, the African American Reunion Weekend has been held during the summer at Chippokes Plantation State Park.

This spring, a "Taste of Surry" will be held as both a fundraiser for the society and as an event to gather the entire Surry community together to share good food and fellowship.

"We have also placed markers throughout the county, marking places of significant history for our community," Lyttle noted.

One of the group's recent projects honored Lee Jones, a pioneer of the local black community. .

"He was very instrumental in getting blacks to vote in Surry County," explained Bailey. Jones also worked to provide equal access to education for black students.

Other black Surry pioneers like Jones have also been recognized, memorialized, and their stories preserved.

"There's so many - too many to name," said Bailey, who noted that some are still living and serving the community, and others have passed. "People who have lived in Surry, and had to fight for their rights, and to improve the quality of life for people in Surry. We want to let them know they’re appreciated, and that their legacies will not be lost."

The real story of Clover Hill plant

Dear Editor,

I am writing this letter to clarify some misrepresentations of information and to address some issues. Firstly, the article in the January 20th edition of the SSD that talked about a recent visit to the Clover Power Station had some misleading interpretations. One of which was the black-grayish snow on the sides of the roads around the power station that was considered to be fly ash. Have these individuals who saw the dark colored snow never seen what snow normally looks like after it has been plowed away from asphalt? It is going to be black, grey, and dirty, the reason: because roads are dirty! I noticed when I was at South Park Mall a few weeks ago after that snowstorm hit, the parking lots up there were plowed and the snow was mounded into miniature mountains and guess what?, it was black, grey in color, and very dirty. I had enough sense to know it was not flyash. How convenient there was no sample taken to verify it was indeed fly ash in the snow, maybe because they knew it was dirt to start with? That is enough of that senseless argument. Now on to the next issue of why Clover unincorporated and disbanded a few years after the plant went into operation. It was not due to the plant being present, but due to the age of the elderly citizens, who lived there, they died off and it was cited that only one individual moved because of the plant and that was due to the railroad going across their property. You do not believe me?, Well maybe you missed the article in the Smithfield Times back in December when Jim Tuttle, a staff writer for the Times, actually did some fact finding and conducted phone interviews with individuals who had no relation to the plant who live in Clover. The consensus was that people did not move away because of the plant, nor did they disband as a town because of it, it was due to a naturally declining population of elderly people and the mounting repairs that were needed to their town's water and sewage systems, so they decided to give themselves back to the county rather than continue to be broke. The reason why Clover did not directly benefit from the power plant was due to the fact that the plant was located outside the town limits of Clover therefore the revenue benefits were limited to the County of Halifax., With the proposed plant at Cypress Creek in Dendron, it would allow the Town of Dendron to directly benefit due to the plant's location within town limits. Also the County of Surry would benefit as a whole because parts of the plant would lie outside of the town limits of Dendron. It is a win-win in our particular scenario because all stand to benefit. Of course the opponents of the power plant here did not want you to know the real story of why Clover disbanded and that so far it has had no negative effects on the people there. If the individuals last week had stopped and taken the time to interview and talk with area residents while they visited Clover they would have had a better understanding of all this, but rather than get the facts from the horse's mouth so to speak, they prefer to make up information and provide misleading allegations. I had a couple of friends of mine who visited Clover late last summer on a Sunday afternoon unannounced that they were coming up there and they took pictures and spoke to area residents about the plant. The primary response to the question: How do you feel about the coal plant here? the majority responded: what plant? Then they would say, "Oh those smokestacks over there?", "No we don't even notice it being there." That question was met by many similar responses for whom my friends spoke to. You did not hear the first resident there say anything negative about it. So what is the problem of it coming here? I will tell you the problem and that is a resistance to change. We are heading down a dark path if we do not acquire some industry around here, I hate to burst some people's bubble, but Surry Nuclear is not going to be paying the bills forever, so something has got to be let into the county to widen the tax base or a couple of decades from now most of the individuals fighting this probably will not be able to afford their property taxes and land taxes. If ODEC is not allowed to build here do you actually think that any other industry would be interested in trying to build anything here? I doubt it, because the assumption would be that this county does not want anything here but trees and open fields.

I would also just like to take this opportunity to encourage every Surry County resident who says Yes! to Cypress Creek Power Station to be in full attendance at the upcoming public hearings. Do not let what happened at the November 23rd Planning Commission public hearing happen again. The seats that are filled need to be filled with county residents and not some William & Mary student or environmental radical. It is a crying shame that residents of the county had to be turned away or listen from behind closed doors at a public hearing because of individuals who have no vested interest in the county filling up the seats. I know that Dendron Town Council member Misti Furr would consider me to be a whiner for complaining about the outsiders as she so bluntly put it on the internet about those who whine about the "they are not from around here argument", but I am stating the facts. I hope all of this clears up some misunderstandings, misrepresentations, and the like.

Sincerely,

Steven J. 'Savedge

Elberon, (Surry County native and resident)

Decal sayings should be passed on to citizens

If the $20.00 cost for the county decals on our cars was the cost of administering the decal program, and now the decals are no longer required, why do we still have to pay the $20.00, which is now called a Vehicle license fee? So let me get this straight, Surry County is shoving a highly poisonous coal fired plant down our throat, claiming that WE need the revenue, while on the other hand they are gaining revenue by altering programs; but, the saved cost from eliminating a programs still make has to be paid for? Surry Residents please do not let the debacle in Washington take the focus away from the mess right in front of you. The County stopping the decal program means lest work is required to administer the County. Why did our costs not go down?

Tommy Lindsay

Wakefield, VA

We deserve better government, better representation

Dear Editor,

In advance of another much ballyhooed but misleading State of the Union speeches, I wish to report on a positive note the great opportunity Surry County has before it. With the expanded tax base the proposed CCPP will provide, we have the unique fortune to become the Welfare County idealized in modern literature and academia. Combined with the take from Dominion the revenue afforded to the County is right at 20 million federal dollars. That comes out to right at $3,000 per man woman and child.

One might think that we could then afford to be fair n our other revenue sources, like land use. One might think we could provide bold and insightful ways of offering useful education and health facilities to our citizens. One might think with such revenues at hand we could turn away the Hand of the State dictating the use of the money in its pointed fist. One might think in a county so sparsely populated and divided equally along racial lines dissportionate to the Commonwealth and Union there would be more social mixing of the populace. On all accounts, one thinketh not.

In a county where the County is the only business, business is, as usual, good. It takes 33 of our $3G per to pay for our County Administrator. In researching this I came across some interesting data from the Census Bureau on our fair County, 1,500 people with disabilities are registered here, almost 20% of the population. This struck me twice simultaneously; first that we did not have nearly enough handicapped parking places and second, that I know five of those people and they could all do something productive.

This one thinketh that being further insulated from the costs of the services our government dictates will inspire nothing but more of the entitlement mentality that chokes us from our aspirations.

We as Americans have the unique fate of getting the government we deserve. We would behoove ourselves to choose our representatives more wisely. Personally, I don't think we'd be less served if we picked 'em out of a hat.

Budi Sheckler Alliance

Replies to statements

Linda (?)

I've known people to smoke for 50 years too and think they were okay but now they have developed emphysema, or worse. A wonderful, kind and generous man I knew , a smoker for many years, just died from an inoperable tumor in his lung. Drinking alcohol doesn't kill overnight or in a few months or sometimes for many years but then cirrhosis of the liver develops. Please understand not everything that looks like gold is gold.

Respectfully, Helen