The future of Western Tidewater PROGRESS 2017
The Tidewater News
February 26, 2017
2 • Progress 2017
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Progress 2017 • 3
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Welcome to our 2017 Progress Edition! As many of you will recall, our Progress editions of the past few years have focused on the rich history of Western Tidewater. Yet while it is important to understand from where we have come, it is equally important to look to the future. So the road ahead is the focus of this year’s edition. We have tackled such subjects as economic development, education, government and culture, both as they exist today and where these areas of our community are headed in the years to come. As always, we have spent much effort to bring you our Progress edition, but we truly couldn’t do it without the support of our advertisers. Please spend some time examining their contributions to this publication, as well as visiting and supporting their places of business. We hope you enjoy the 2017 edition of Progress. Tony Clark, Publisher Tidewater Publications, LLC.
CONTENTS AGRICULTURE
Technology could play a larger role on the farm........................7 Agriculture will remain rich heritage in Western Tidewater .........8
BUSINESS
Downtown Franklin weighs in on the future of the city .............15
EDUCATION
School divisions prepare for population changes ....................26
GOVERNMENT
From city...to town? .................................................................31 More Southampton County partnerships on radar ...................36
CULTURE
Libraries, parks and art to still be part of the scene .................43
Progress 2017
The future of Western Tidewater Tony Clark Publisher Stephen H. Cowles Staff Writer Stephen Faleski Staff Writer Ryan Outlaw Lead Designer Loretta Lomax Designer Crystal Parker Designer Mitzi Lusk Advertising Director Sameerah Brown Advertising Representative Rachel Parker Advertising Representative Michelle Gray Office Manager
February 26, 2017
6 • Progress 2017
AGRICULTURE
Progress 2017 • 7
TECHNOLOGY COULD PLAY A LARGER ROLE ON THE FARM BY STEPHEN H. COWLES
Marguerite and Gary Cross
In speaking with people whose business is farming, the future of agriculture will be a steady, even thriving one, in Western Tidewater in the years to come. “I see farming continuing so far as it is now,” said Gary Cross, a farmer in Southampton County. “With technology, we'll continue to feed an increasing population through hybrids and better seeds.” That, he added, will become “better and better through the years.” Cross, who serves as president of the Southampton County Farm Bureau, said he doesn't know if farmland will diminish in the region. But, it's important to preserve what can be grown, such as peanuts, cotton and corn, etc. An aging population will also have an impact. “I think you'll see fewer farmers because many will have either died out or lost out to economics,” said Cross. He added that those farms will be absorbed by younger farmers. “There's a fair number of people wanting to be farmers, and I hope there will always be farm families.” “I don't see corporate farming in the area per se,” Cross continued. “But maybe speciality crops.”
An example of the latter could be the hydroponics farm that he and his wife, Marguerite, established a few years ago. ••• Among those younger farmers is Richard Kitchen, 24, who shares some of what Cross had said. “Farms will be more consolidated. There'll be fewer farmers and, hopefully, those farms will still stay within the families and keep on being family farms,” he said. Kitchen, who lives in Sebrell, seemed to think he'll one day be one of those farmers who will eventually acquire more land in the years and decades to come. “Hopefully so,” Kitchen said. For now, though, he acknowledged that current low commodity prices are making everything more difficult. “Profit margins are a whole lot tighter now,” Kitchen said. That in turn makes buying equipment or paying employees, etc., more of an immediate concern than buying more property.
Richard Kitchen
••• Westley Drake of Newsoms said, “When I think about the future of agriculture, first off I see myself in it still as a farmer as I am today.
Westley Drake
I don't think the concept of farming will ever change. You plant a seed in the field and reap a harvest off of it, using a combination of science, technology and Mother Nature.” The big difference 25 years from now will be in equipment, technology and labor, he said. As an example, Drake, 26, mentioned that Case International has reportedly been working on manufacturing fully autonomous tractors. “How long it takes to be cost-feasible remains to be seen. I think it's going to stay in the Midwest and large operations,” he added. His own experience with technology making its way into farming occurred 12 years ago. That's when GPS-guided tractors were making their debut: “I remember the first time I had ever saw that was in 2005. We [he and father Michael] never thought we'd own anything like that.” Less than seven years later, they had their own. “A lot remains to be seen,” he reiterated. “The art of planting will stay the same. What's going to change are the machinery and practices, implementing drones and computerized vehicles. As we move away from labor in all industries, there'll be fewer farm operators, but just more acres.”
8 • Progress 2017
H C I R N I A M E R L L I W AGRICULTURE R E T A W E D I T N R E T S E HERITAGE IN W BY STEPHEN H. COWLES
Three area Extension agents offer their perspectives and forecasts, beginning with Livvy Preisser in the Southampton County office: “In the state of Virginia, agriculture is both a historical and thriving industry. Fueling the success of agriculture in the commonwealth is diversity. Comprised of five different regions, you can find commodities ranging from aquaculture in the Coastal Plain to maple syrup in the Valley and Ridge. Agriculture serves as Virginia’s largest industry with Livvy Preisser an effect of $52 billion dollars annually. Agriculture provides around 311,000 jobs in the commonwealth. Agriculture and forestry industries combined impact around $70 billion and provide 415,000 jobs in the state of Virginia. Virginia is covered by farms and farmland in total of 8.1 million acres, which equals 32 percent of the state, which equates to 44,700 farms. The Commonwealth’s top producing commodities include broilers ($918 million), cattle and calves ($714 million), and milk ($478 million) with families or individuals owning 90 percent of these Virginia farms. Virginia’s various farming operations allow the opportunity for several diverse operations and value added opportunities. Value added industries are farm dependent, but employ 67,000 workers throughout the state. Due to Virginia’s varied geography, Virginia commodities are ranked in the top 15 commodities among all U.S. states. The Commonwealth of Virginia offers an
array of commodities through the different regions and offers something for everyone to appreciate all year long. “Southampton is home to several family farms and ranks as the 10th county in Virginia grossing $79 million dollars. According to the 2012 Ag Census, the number of farms in Southampton County consisted of 335 farms with them averaging 459 acres each. In 2016, cotton and soybeans were the top crops produced in the county followed by corn and peanuts. Other commodities include hay, wheat, grain sorghum, watermelons, rye, tobacco, millet, sunflowers and oats. Livestock is also present in the county with cattle/calves, hogs, chickens and goats. Southampton has a rich history in agriculture and I only see it growing in the future. Agriculture changes from year to year, but I believe Southampton will maintain and continue to be a strong agricultureproducing county in the Commonwealth. “With the average Virginia farmer being 60 years old, I see a need for encouraging young farmers to join this industry and encouraging positive farm transitions from one generation to the other. Several programs encourage successful transitions such as Farm Seekers and Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmers. These programs offer networking, resources, and opportunities to grow in the agriculture industry. I also see the expansion of our FFA and 4-H programs in the county being a great resource to help in these transition gaps in generations. Agriculture education is extremely important and these groups do a great job of embracing those skills. I foresee Southampton being at the forefront of these transitions and continuing to have a thriving agriculture industry. “As far as Virginia Cooperative Extension
is concerned in the future, I see this adapting to the changing agriculture community. As we see more value-added products, agritourism and local foods movements, I see agents specialties changing a little with time. However, our main goal is to deliver researched-based knowledge from Virginia Tech and Virginia State University and I see that continuing in the future as well. I hope that agriculture producers and Virginia Cooperative Extension can continue to have a close relationship and continue to work close together in the future to ensure a successful agriculture industry.” ••• Neil Clark, Extension agent, ANR, Southeast District Forestry and Southampton UC, had this to say about agriculture and forestry: “In light in what we learned from the last presidential election, with thousands of pollsters and statisticians who failed to predict the result of a two-outcome event, it is likely foolish for me to prognosticate about the broad-sweeping future with hundreds of variables spanning far into the future. Winston Churchill said, “I always avoid prophesying Neil Clark beforehand because it is much better to prophesy after the event has already taken place.” However, from sports to the stock market to deciding what we do when we get out of bed in the morning, we make predictions about the
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Progress 2017 • 9
International Paper Franklin Mill Team and the International Paper Foundation are proud to support our community. Organizations the International Paper Foundation supported in 2016 Ahoskie Food Pantry
Franklin Lions Club
Meherrin Elementary
Blackwater Regional Library
Franklin Robotics
Nottoway Elementary
Capron Elementary School
Graz’n Acres Therapeutic Riding Center
Riverdale Elementary School
Carrsville Elementary School
Hope Focus Center
Southampton Academy
Cover 3 Foundation
Isle Of Wight Edu. Foundation, Inc.
Western Tidewater Free Clinic, Inc.
Provided 157 classrooms with Earth’s Birthday Project Butterfly Kits at these schools Capron Elementary School
Hardy Elementary School
Southampton Academy
Carrollton Elementary School
Meherrin Elementary School
SP Morton Elementary School
Carrsville Elementary School
Nottoway Elementary School
Westside Elementary School
Gatesville Elementary
Riverdale Elementary School
Windsor Elementary School
Earth Day Every April, the Blackwater/Nottoway Riverkeeper Program hosts a project to clean up the community, with emphasis on local rivers and streams. This is accomplished by teams and individuals giving their time to help pick up litter and debris that has been discarded in places it does not belong. Each year, Franklin Mill team leaders participate in the Riverkeeper Program’s community service project. Cleaning up a retention pond behind the Lion State Theater, a boat landing on the Blackwater River and a drainage ditch that feeds to the river, the Franklin Team collected a host of items, including sixty-seven bags of trash.
These efforts, combined with what International Paper does on a daily basis, help ensure that we remain good stewards of our community by going out and making a difference.
10 • Progress 2017
FROM PAGE 8 future. “First, a little perspective from the past. Who from the horse-and-buggy days thought we would be driving cars, now maybe self-driving cars? Who before the age of computers would have predicted that nearly everyone would have an instant communication device, which can access nearly every piece of information ever written, in our pockets? And who 20 years ago would have thought that our local mill would be making fluff pulp for international markets instead of writing and printing paper for home use? “So here is my forecast — don’t blame the messenger — for ag and forestry for the next 20 years in Southeast Virginia. To make a prediction, or build a model, first you have to make some assumptions. One assumption we are “sure” of is population growth. We’ve had steady upward population growth for quite some time. Heaven forbid that this changes abruptly, but we are at 7.5 billion people headed toward 9 billion around 2040. Most of those people will be outside of the U.S., but will still require food and fiber in a global marketplace (another assumption). This “should” continue to increase demand, however supply also increases from competitors all over the world, Supply increases, sometimes dramatically, with each technological advance. “Corn yields went from a national average of 30 bushels per acre in 1940 to 130 bushels per acre today. Pine fiber production also increased four-fold over that same time horizon. In 1914, average cotton
lint yield per acre was 200 pounds, now nearing 1,000. Each American farmer now feeds 155 people vs. just 29 in 1960. So the short answer is the number of farmers will continue to decrease while their productivity will continue to increase. Equipment continues to get larger and more expensive, pushing growers to contract services and form arrangements for custom spraying, harvesting, etc. Genetic improvements are getting ready to explode as the genomes are mapped for more and more crops, further increasing yields and production efficiency. “The biggest unknown is market demand, especially as more and more of those markets are overseas exports. Currently, half of U.S. soybeans are exported, around $20 billion annually. And of course poultry, with broilers always at the top of Virginia’s ag products, will continue to grow. U.S. pork production now surpasses beef, and that is important for our area. A lot of our future direction is going to hinge on trade policies. “Greenhouse and nursery products, which already make up 9 percent of the crop revenue category, should continue to flourish in correlation to housing growth. “Land values, development pressure, limited labor, and regulatory issues continue to stress the profitability of food and fiber production in the area. “Hopefully, more higher-value, niche products will pop up in the area. Youpick, equine and agritourism operations will increase. “Though many factors pointed out appear gloomy, they are observations of what is going on. And we need to plan accordingly. As a counter-balance, food, fiber and fuel production is a noble and necessary profession. Agriculture will continue to be
Virginia’s number one industry, and will continue to grow into the future. “In the meantime, things that we can do to assist by attracting new ag businesses that might diversify our crops, enacting intelligent land use and purchasing local foods can all contribute to a great lifestyle which we have the blessing to enjoy.” ••• Janet Spencer, unit coordinator and Extension agent, ANR for Isle of Wight County, shared her outlook for the territory: “The most recent Census of Agriculture took place in 2012. At that time, the total number of farms in Isle of Wight County was 213, which was a 9 percent increase from the total number of Isle of Wight farms Janet Spencer accounted for in the 2007 Census of Ag. This increase could be attributed to the number of small farms we’ve seen come in to the area, such as small hay operations, produce/fruit farms and small animal farms (alpacas, sheep, goats, etc). “Of the 213 farms in Isle of Wight, 109 of the principal operators work mainly on the farm, while 104 have primary occupations outside of the farm. “So, what do I think this means for the future of ag in Isle of Wight? I see Isle of Wight continuing with its rich history of agriculture, with both large farm operations and plenty of room for smaller operations to
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Progress 2017 • 11
Parker Oil Company began in 1935 with a humble beginning in the small town of Union Level, Virginia. With only one oil delivery truck and one transport, Parker Oil Company has grown to become one of the premier employee-owned petroleum and propane companies in Virginia. The vision of Lewis W. Parker Sr. was to build a successful business, which is still alive today with over 200 employee-owners. With their continued commitment of quality and service, one can only imagine what the years will bring. Thank you for your patronage throughout the years. We look forward to servicing our customers and our new Modern Oil customers for many years to come.
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12 • Progress 2017
FROM PAGE 10 continue to put down roots. We have a large area of urban encroachment in the northern part of the county, so with this influx of people, I believe we’ll continue to see an increase for the demand of locally grown produce. Not only for home kitchens, but for local produce at area restaurants and beverage operations. Local brewers and distilleries want to produce products made from local ingredients, and their customers like knowing they are supporting local agriculture by purchasing these products. “Traditional row-crop farms and livestock operations will always have a place in Isle of Wight, especially since we have such a huge global population that needs to be fed and clothed. The way they farm will most likely
change and evolve in the next 20-30 years, but farms equal food and clothes, so we will always need farmers. “One of the big concerns with our local traditional farms is the average age of our operators, which is 59.2 years old. In order for local farms to continue, we need young people to come back to the farm. Promoting agricultural literacy in our youth is a priority area for the Isle of Wight Extension office. I work closely with our 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent and local volunteers to provide ag education to our local youth. In addition to the standard 4-H clubs and activities, we offer summer enrichment programs designed to teach youth about the local food and fiber system and why our farms are so important.
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“We are also designing programs to educate our youth on job opportunities related to agriculture, with the hope that our efforts, when combined with the efforts of others, will result in an increase in the number of young farmers and young people enrolled in agriculture majors at colleges. “Just like the farmers, Extension may have to adapt and evolve in our changing world and society, but we will always have a role to help our farmers and provide ag education. We will continue to serve as an unbiased source of information to help producers make management decisions and will continue to work closely with them to help make agriculture productive and profitable.”
Progress 2017 • 13
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BUSINESS
Progress 2017 • 15
DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN WEIGHS IN ON THE FUTURE OF THE CITY BY STEPHEN FALESKI
The city of Franklin’s downtown community is currently known both for its smalltown ambiance and its history of spurring entrepreneurship, but what will its future hold in terms of economic development over the next decade or two? While nobody can say for certain, downtown business owners have a few ideas, as do Amanda Jarratt, president and CEO of Franklin-Southampton Economic Development Inc., and Dan Howe, executive director of the Downtown Franklin Association. “I’d like to see a nice restaurant, ice cream parlor or coffee shop,” said Franklin resident Zach Holder, who is working on renovating a building on Main Street to turn it into a banquet hall. “A movie theater would be nice. We had one downtown a long time ago that’s a church now.” He added that he would like to see more walk-in retail businesses rather than services. “Nobody window shops for insurance,” he said. Juanita Richards, owner of Richwood Graphics, said she would like to see a microbrewery with a restaurant and a bicycle or walking trail downtown. “My husband and I like to bicycle,” she said. “Right now, we ride on the country roads. It would also give young local families the opportunity to gather and stay in Franklin. It is also a draw for families looking to move here, especially those with young children.” Adam Foxwell, owner of Gray Fox Electronics on Second Avenue, said that his business would benefit from the city doing something to protect downtown businesses from flood damage when the Blackwater River overflows during hurricanes, such as
dredging the river or building a sea wall. “We almost got sacked by Hurricane Matthew,” Foxwell said. “You’re not going to get the bigger folks [such as retail chains] downtown if you can’t get the water level under control.” He also suggested the need to get more people to move to Franklin and to incentivize brick-and-mortar stores over e-Commerce businesses. “We have to get people back here to
purchases made from another state, so if someone from California buys online from a Virginia-based online retailer, there’s no tax. Whereas, if a Virginian buys online from a Virginia business or visits a brick-and-mortar store, there is tax. Debbie Daugherty, the owner of Resale Boutique on Second Avenue, didn’t have any specific suggestions of what she would
Mayor Frank Rabil recently cut the ribbon for Stepping Stones Counseling Services. With him are property owner Mike Smith and business owner Brenda Davis. Her son, Preston, is standing before her. The counseling service is another business that’s found a permanent home in downtown after developing at the Franklin Business Center. | FILE
spend money,” he said. “There were a lot of houses being built around here that had to stop because the mill closed. [Now] downtown businesses are closing in favor of e-Commerce.” The reason e-Commerce has become favored over physical stores, according to Foxwell, is because the Commonwealth of Virginia does not charge sales tax on online
like to see start up in downtown Franklin but thought that the city was doing well economically in general. “Things are looking up,” Daugherty said. “There’s a lot of new people moving to the area from all over the country and I’ve made a lot of new customers. I send them to all the other stores too.”
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FROM PAGE 15 She added that she thought many of the new people she has met recently were military or retirees who have moved back to be with their families, and that the housing market in the city appeared to be doing well. Howe said that his vision for the city is to have it eventually become a tourist destination, complete with a boutique hotel where visitors could spend the evening in Franklin and then stay overnight. According to him, a boutique hotel is a smaller non-chain hotel with 30 to 40 smaller rooms, typically located in a restored older hotel building or another historic structure. Howe suggested the three-story Coldwell Banker building, were it vacant, would be an ideal location for such a hotel. Another priority for him is to get some of the two-story shops on Main Street zoned for mixed use so that the first floor could be a business and the second floor could be loft apartments or condos. As for the flooding issue, Howe said that the city was working on it and that Main Street has survived and prospered for 100 years despite being located so close to the Blackwater River. “I think people have always worried about [flooding] but the city is working continually with the corps of engineers to see if there’s other things we can do to reduce the probability [of flooding,]” he said. “We have a really good early warning system. There’s been multiple meetings to discuss what can be done other than just early warning. There have been talks about dredging, levees. We surely can’t control mother nature, so maybe
we can do some more preventive things.” Teresa Beale, executive director of the Franklin-Southampton Chamber of Commerce, agrees that Franklin’s future is looking bright. “Groundwork is being laid for new ventures and tools to strengthen existing businesses are readily available,” Beale said. “Growing workforce training programs are in place at Paul D. Camp Community College that provide a competitive edge. New businesses
“The city will be recognized as the retail center for Western Hampton Roads and Northeast North Carolina.” Amanda Jarratt President and CEO of Franklin-Southampton Economic Development Inc.
are graduating from the Franklin Business Center and filling once-empty buildings. Businesses, large and small, are discovering that this is a great place to locate.” Jarratt also predicts the city will continue to prosper over the next 15 to 20 years and that the Franklin-Southampton area could eventually be recognized across the Commonwealth as the gateway to Hampton Roads. “The city will be recognized as the retail center for Western Hampton Roads and Northeast North Carolina,” she said. “The
towns throughout Southampton County will be thriving with locally owned and operated commercial ventures, providing food and services to the local population. We will fully capitale on our access to water, and using the three rivers that wind throughout FranklinSouthampton.” Jarratt added that she would like to one day see that Franklin gets a brewery, as well as several farm-to-table restaurants that highlight the various agricultural products grown throughout the Franklin-Southampton area, and some upper-floor housing with apartments filled with young professionals. According to the City of Franklin’s Comprehensive Plan, published by the city’s Department of Community Development in 2015, Franklin’s population and total number of people employed are both projected to grow significantly through the year 2036. “Franklin will be a hub of entrepreneurship with a Franklin Business Center at capacity, consistently generating graduates into Franklin and throughout the County. Ideas and concepts will be translated into successful business ventures through the communities consistent and thoughtful support of entrepreneurs,” Jarrat said. “A successful Farmers Market will attract visitors from throughout the region to obtain fresh produce and local flavor. A prosperous agricultural and logging industry will be balanced by additional advanced manufacturing companies and food processing operations, providing a mix of job opportunities for all cross sections of our population. The future of FranklinSouthampton is a prosperous one.”
Progress 2017 • 17
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Progress 2017 • 19
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20 • Progress 2017 COME ENJOY THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS AT AIRFIELD!
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Progress 2017 • 21
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22 • Progress 2017
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Progress 2017 • 23
. . . e m o c l Weto your new home. Apartment Amenities • Patios or balconies (in select units) • Cathedral ceilings (in select units) • Cable Television hook-ups • Individual temperature controls • Ceramic tile bath (in select units) • Wall-to-wall carpet • Eat-in kitchen with double sink and disposal (in select units) • Range, frost free refrigerator and dishwasher (in select units) • Mini blinds at all windows
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Community Amenities • Individual entrances and front door parking (select units) • Playground areas • Swimming pool with lifeguard • Laundry facilities or washer/ dryer hook-ups (in select units) • Beautifully landscaped grounds • Professional and courteous staff • 24-hour emergency maintenance service • Pet friendly - breed restrictions apply • Close to shopping, schools, hospital and parks • ADA Handicapped accessible (in select units)
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24 • Progress 2017
EDUCATION
Progress 2017 • 25
Community Banking • Experienced Lending • Trusted Mortgage Few banks have the gratification of serving their community as long as we have. Our values of courtesy, promptness, reliability and security have remained unchanged since 1919, however the products and services we offer have continually improved and evolved to meet the needs of every customer. Whether you’ve banked with us for years or are new to the community, Farmers Bank is here for you.
farmersbankva.com • 757-242-6111
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26495 Old Plank Rd., Courtland, VA 23837
Southampton Academy admits qualified students of any race, color, ethnic background, national origin or religion.
26 • Progress 2017
SCHOOL DIVISIONS PREPARE FOR POPULATION CHANGES BY STEPHEN FALESKI based upon each division’s reported student populations for the past three years, which they average and use to determine how much per-student funding each division receives from the state. Based on Southampton’s most recent calculations, their student populations have not significantly increased or decreased recently. However, Gillette is hoping to see the division’s populations rise in the next few years as a result of their being fully accredited. “We’re one of the few school divisions in the state of Virginia where all of our schools are fully accredited,” Gillette said. “Southampton County Public Schools attracts more people to come to Southampton County to live and work here based on the quality education provided.” Gillette added that only 53 school divisions out of 132 statewide have received full accreditation, and that one of the factors that causes Southampton’s student population Kindergarten teacher Connie Johnson, along with her daughter Brittany, demonstrate the computer program Kahoot to Skylar figures to fluctuate is the number of Hamlin and her brother Tyler. | FILE PHOTO students whose parents are active duty military or government employees. “With us being near the naval port, we have help from state and local resources will be a lot of kids who come in from there and then available to help divisions prepare for their move out,” she said. futures? As for the city of Franklin’s schools, These are all questions that each public according to the 2015-2025 City of Franklin school division in the Western Tidewater area Comprehensive Plan, published by Franklin’s are continually attempting to answer as they Department of Community Development in prepare their academic year budgets and 2015, in spite of overall population growth in capital improvement plans, as well as what the city, Franklin experienced a decrease in grants for which to apply. school enrollment between 2000 and 2010. According to Kelli Gillette, Southampton The decrease affected both black and white County Public Schools’ director of special student populations, a trend that Franklin City programs and instructional services, school Public Schools Interim Superintendent Kelvin division student populations are calculated Edwards Sr. expects to continue according to by the Virginia Department of Education What will public schools in the Western Tidewater area look like in 10 to 20 years in terms of student populations and demographics? What school facilities will need to be changed over the next few years to meet the needs of current and future faculty and students? What
Progress 2017 • 27
Best in Show was awarded to Leah Carroll, whose entry, “Wood” You Rather?” studied the absorption of water in various types of lumber. She is a seventh-grade student at Georgie D. Tyler Middle School in Windsor. In 2016, the school division began putting an emphasis on project-based learning as a way for students to better learn.
the division’s most recent projections. “We see a trend of students being transient, especially at S.P. Morton Elementary,” Edwards said. “We have lost on average 40 to 50 students over the past two years.” For Isle of Wight County Schools, an enrollment and capacity report dated Oct. 27, 2016, predicts that the total population of the division will increase by 1,611 people, or approximately 4 percent over a five-year period. The J.P. King Jr. Middle School Assistant Principal Darren Parker, counselor Meta Stratton, far total population for the division was right, and students show the donations of backpacks and school supplies they received 36,664 as of October 2016. from Norletta Edmond, Levenia Sams-Kenton and Audrey Riddick, members of the Lambda The 0 to 18-year-old population of Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. | FILE PHOTO the division is projected to increase by 48 people, or less than 1 percent, with years, with Carrollton Elementary reaching 100 the population of 0 to 18-year-olds at 8,063 as percent capacity by the 2026-2027 school year. of October 2016. To address these issues, The Isle of Wight As a result, total enrollment of students in the County School Board decided to make all division, which is currently at 5,428, is expected elementary schools in the county kindergarten to increase by 201 students or approximately 4 through fifth grade schools and move the percent over the next 10 academic years, to be county’s sixth graders to middle school in their 5,629 by the 2026-2027 school year. 10-year capital improvement plan, which they Based on this data, the enrollment capacity approved unanimously in December 2016. report predicts that Westside Elementary The plan also includes a new elementary School in Smithfield will be the only school school to be built in Carrollton beginning in in the county over capacity over the next 10 2023 with completion expected by 2027.
28 • Progress 2017
Town Elected Of ficials Carita J. Richardson, Mayor Durwood Scott, Vice Mayor Council Members Greg Willis N. Macon Ed wards, III Patty F lemming Tony Ambrose Walter Ber nacki
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Progress 2017 • 29
has been a proud local service provider in this community for 57 years!
BEST PROPANE GAS DISTRIBUTOR
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“Helping them find and claim themselves and their place in this world.” ❏ Focus on Strong Early Literacy Skills ❏ Instructional Rounds: Strengthening Cultures in Schools ❏ Whole Brain Teaching ❏ Problem Solving and Content Application ❏ Dual Credit Enrollment with PDCCC ❏ Developing Academic, Industrial and Workplace Readiness ❏ Nationally Recognized Industrial Credentialing ❏ Parent, Community, Civic & Government Collaborations/ Partnerships as Efficiency Initiatives Southampton County Public Schools Vision Statement: The Vision of Southampton County Public Schools is that all students will be successful, productive, lifelong learners in an ever-changing world.
30 • Progress 2017
GOVERNMENT
Progress 2017 • 31
FROM CITY ... TO TOWN? BY STEPHEN FALESKI
Given the city of Franklin’s relatively small population, which the city’s website estimates to be around 8,400, would there be any incentive for Franklin to eventually surrender its independent city status and reincorporate as a town under Southampton County? According to City Manager R. Randy Martin, this isn’t a question that gets asked very often, and has not come up in the five years that he has served as city manager. But according to Southampton County Administrator Mike Johnson, there is precedent for smaller cities in Virginia reincorporating as towns — a process the Code of Virginia terms “reversion.” “Reversion is an option that’s been available to small and mid-size cities (less than 50,000 residents) for almost 30 years, and has been exercised by the towns of South Boston in 1995, Clifton Forge in 2001 and Bedford in 2013,” Johnson said. “It has been considered by the City of Martinsville on numerous occasions over the years, and there was some mention by the local media about reversion of the City of Petersburg last year.” Johnson added that discussions of reversion are almost always motivated by fiscal stress. “Prior to 1987, cities were able to effectively manage fiscal stress by ‘annexing’ adjacent portions of counties,” he said. “Annexed areas typically included commercial areas and high-end residential subdivisions, since they generated revenue from property taxes and sale taxes that exceeded the cost of serving them. Under state law at the time, rather than being decided by the people, annexation proceedings were decided by special threejudge panels appointed by the state. This almost always resulted in contentious political
and legal battles between counties and cities. “Beginning Jan. 1, 1987, the General Assembly placed a temporary ban on annexations by cities and that ban has been legislatively continued at least through July 1, 2024. No longer able to grow their tax base by acquiring additional land from adjacent counties, many cities have struggled to meet growing social and educational needs, causing them to seriously consider reversion.” The process for reversion, according to Johnson, could be initiated in one of two ways, either through a resolution passed by city council or through a petition by city voters. Under either method, the Commonwealth’s Commission on Local Government (members appointed by the Governor) would complete an extensive review of the circumstances surrounding the proposed reversion, and would meet with city and county officials, collect and analyze demographic and financial data, and conduct public hearings. Neither of the two methods would require a voter referendum nor approval by the affected county. While the matter is before the Commission, the Commission may actively seek to negotiate a settlement of the proposed action between the affected localities. Following their review, they would publish a written report containing their findings of fact and recommendations. After the Commission’s report has been issued, a city may opt to continue the process by requesting the court to grant it town status, or abandon the process altogether. If a city chooses to pursue reversion, among other things, their petition would have to clearly demonstrate that the proposed reversion will not substantially impair the
affected county’s ability to meet the needs of its residents, and will not result in a substantially inequitable sharing of the resources and liabilities of the town and county. Once the reversion process is complete, the new town becomes part of the county, having surrendered its independent status. Its citizens would pay both county and town taxes and vote in county and town elections. The new town would remain liable for any debts or other contractual obligations of the former city, and the new town would no longer be an independent political subdivision, so property, real and personal, owned by its residents would be subject to taxation by the county at the same rates that other county citizens are taxed. The new town’s share of the local option sales tax would also be substantially reduced, and much of the state financial aid currently received by the city would be redirected to the county. Affected counties would typically assume full responsibility and funding for all constitutional officers, election officials, courts, health and welfare services, solid waste disposal and education, and the new town would typically continue to provide other public services to its residents including police, fire, EMS, utilities, planning, zoning, and subdivision regulation, solid waste collection, street maintenance and recreation. But Martin said Franklin isn’t among the struggling cities and does not envision reversion being likely in the foreseeable future. “I really don’t see any direct parallels with
CONTINUES ON 32
32 • Progress 2017
Franklin’s municipal center. | FILE PHOTO
FROM PAGE 31 Franklin’s situation because we have greatly improved our financial situation in the last five years,” he said. “When International Paper closed the mill, that had a huge impact on Franklin and Southampton and Isle of Wight that hurt economically all the local businesses, but that’s been a few years now. IP has repurposed part of the mill and new jobs have been created, not nearly as many as were lost. But currently we’re on a positive improvement trend, and that’s been
pretty steady for the last five years or so so fiscal stress is not really a problem. We have adequate reserves.” Martin added that the city has been pursuing shared services with Southampton and Isle of Wight counties as alternative cost saving efforts. “We’re already joined at the hip in economic development,” he said. “We have a joint community development department, we are looking at other service areas, particularly utilities, and it’s moving closer together. That, to me, is a much more likely scenario.” “I don’t see the benefit [of reversion] based on the criteria that Mike [Johnson] laid out, because the city would no longer
provide services that counties don’t typically do, such as the level of police, fire, parks and recreation. Any savings you might have could be lost in the disparity between the city and county level of services. As long as we are both functioning as well as we are in terms of fiscal responsibility, and looking at ways we can collaborate, I don’t see the need for [reversion] or the benefit.” Franklin incorporated as a town under Southampton County in 1876 and as an independent city in 1961.
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34 • Progress 2017
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36 • Progress 2017
Y T N U O C N O T P M A MORE SOUTH N RADAR PARTNERSHIPS O
BY STEPHEN FALESKI
More shared service agreements between the City of Franklin’s Public Works Department and that of Southampton County may be on the horizon as the city investigates ways to meet its water and sewer demands over the next decade. According to City Manager R. Randy Martin, Franklin is investigating the potential for increased shared services between the city and county over the next few years, particularly the possibility of sharing Southampton County’s new Courtland wastewater treatment plant to address concerns the city identified with the its wastewater treatment plant in 2015. “The city’s plant is aging and the county’s plant is new and modern, so the city is going to be looking in years to come as to what we will have to do or be required to do with [Department of Environmental Quality] regs next time we have a flood because it is located in a flood plain,” he said. A shared utility services study of Franklin’s and Southampton County’s water and sewer assets, published in September 2015, stated that Franklin’s WWTP is located within a 10-year floodplain as defined by FEMA, and has experienced two significant flood events, one in 1999 and one in 2006, which has caused the plant to shut down for several days after each event. Based upon DEQ sewage collection and treatment regulations, the report concludes that a new wastewater treatment plant will need to be constructed with vital mechanical and electrical equipment located above the 100-year floodplain and all components of the plant constructed above the 25-year floodplain so that, in the event of another flood, the plant would remain fully operational.
Martin added that Southampton’s new WWTP is under capacity, creating the possibility that it could supplement or replace the city’s facility for less than the cost of constructing a new WWTP within city limits. The utility services report estimates that if the city were to construct its own new plant, it
another flood. “We’re not at a point where we’re ready to trigger or be forced to [build or lease a new plant],” he said. “Unless we get some economic development that’s going to use
A carbon-based treatment plant currently being piloted at the HRSD York River treatment plant as part of SWIFT, which stands for sustainable water initiative for tomorrow. Such an option could one day be available to Western Tidewater if the need were to ever arise | FILE
would need a 3 million gallon-per-day Tertiary Treatment WWTP to meet ultimate capacity, which would cost approximately $54,797,000 in 2015 dollars. The current plant’s service life is expected to be several years, provided there is not
a lot of sewer, in that case we would need to expand our ability to treat. That’s where the county comes in. They have the capacity.” In terms of potable drinking water, Martin said the only real change the city is looking to make anytime soon is to renew its DEQ
CONTINUES ON 38
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Progress 2017 • 37
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38 • Progress 2017
FROM PAGE 36 groundwater withdrawal permit to carry the city through the next 10 years. Franklin’s new withdrawal permit may reduce the total amount of groundwater the city is allowed to pump, but he does not expect that to be a problem for meeting the city’s water demands. “Our usage over the last 10 years has ranged between 900,000 to 1.1 million gallons per day, no huge swings, no major declines,” Martin said. “That said, our permit is substantially higher than our current withdrawal so that’s why the state is asking how much we really need. We’re trying to come up with some estimate of that.” According to the city manager, the DEQ believes they have over-allocated the
Potomac Aquifer, which goes all the way from northern Virginia to Hampton Roads, and so they are asking municipalities that draw from the aquifer to reduce their reliance on groundwater. “We’re doing that, we’re working with DEQ and trying to get a permit renewal in place,” Martin said. “We also are partnering with Southampton County because they have a few wells but don’t have a million gallons per day, and they have some wells outside the Potomac basin.” He expects to have a new permit from the DEQ by the end of next year, and does not expect any major capital needs for the city’s water, compared to what is needed for the sewer system. “We have adequate tanks, wells,
infrastructure,” Martin said. “The only challenge would be if the negotiations with state were to steer us to some other source than groundwater. That obviously would require new infrastructure but it’s too early to tell if that is a viable option to ween ourselves off groundwater or supplement it with other sources. Options, such as participating in the Hampton Roads Sanitation District, were deemed too expensive at the time they were evaluated.” He added that the city does not currently have a water treatment plant because of the high quality water that comes out of the Potomac Aquifer. “If we were to consider some alternatives, such as another aquifer, more than likely that would require treatment,” Martin said.
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Progress 2017 • 39
Best Friends Deserve the Best Care
We Provide Comprehensive Veterinary Care for Dogs & Cats of All Breeds & Ages. Immunizations • Checkups • Spay & Neuter Preventive Care • Dental Cleaning • Surgery Microchipping • Flea Control • Radiology Continuing to Help&&Heal Heal YourFurry Babies! Lab Testing to • Behavior Solutions •Furry Pet Babies! Nutrition Continuing Your Continuing toHelp Help & Heal Your Furry Babies! IVOR IVOR VETERINARY IVOR VETERINARY CLINIC VETERINARY CLINIC CLINIC
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Working with the community, parents, schools and early childcare providers to assure that our children are
Ready for School, Ready for Life. Tips for parents to help your children increase their lifelong learning/earning potential. • Read to or with your child at least 20 minutes a day • Use math concepts/language in everyday activities: - If I ate 2 cookies and you ate 1 cookie, how many cookies is that all together? • Hold conversations with your child; learning occurs in two places: - Experience - Conversation • Things to make sure they get plenty of: - Healthy Meals: milk, meat, complex carbohydrates, fruit & vegetables - Exercise - Water - Sleep (at least 8 hours) - Positive feed back, ie. “Good job” Research has determined that the most important factor to increase lifelong learning capacity is feeling safe and LOVED.
Call today toto schedule your next appointment! Call today to schedule your next appointment! Call today schedule your next appointment!
DOWNTOWN SUFFOLK 509 W. Washington St. 757-539-4691 • RWBakerfh.com WAKEFIELD 11414 General Mahone Hwy. P.O. Box 727 757-899-2971 • RWBakerfh.com NORTH SUFFOLK Baker-Foster Funeral Home 5685 Lee Farm Lane 757-483-1316 • bakerfoster.com
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40 • Progress 2017
CULTURE
Progress 2017 • 41
Your Local Husqvarna Authorized Service Center Zero-turn Mowers • Chainsaws Trimmers • Tillers & More ®
Gold Market Realty Real Estate PROUDLY SERVING YOU FOR OVER 37 YEARS Sandra Brinkley .................................................................................................... 630-8934 Angela Denson ..................................................................................................... 562-3302 Robbie Lynn Neave .............................................................................................. 266-1941 Darlene Smithwick, Assoc. Broker ..................................................................... 620-9332 Karen Spivey ......................................................................................................... 334-2903 Darren Stauffer, Broker ....................................................................................... 617-9242 Teresa Unser ........................................................................................................ 641-9832 Donnie Upton .................................................................................................434-594-1733 1393 Armory Drive, Franklin, VA • 757-562-2295 • www.goldmarketrealty.com
Dail’s Home Center 1221 Armory Dr., Franklin, VA • 562-6143 Mon. - Sat. 7am - 8pm • Closed Sundays
42 • Progress 2017
BEST FOOD IN TOWN!
Academically based care in a Christian Environment A ministry of Grace Memorial United Methodist Church
Grace’s Little Angels
Breakfast served 6:30 am - 10:30 am
Fresh Eggs Fried Apples Sausage (patties & links) Biscuits
Fried Potato Ham Bacon Corned Beef Hash
757-562-5464 Grace Memorial United Methodist Church 31036 Peachtree Ave., Sedley, VA www.graceslittleangels.com
Lunch served 11:00 am - 5:00 pm • Fried Fish (whiting & catfish) • Fried Pork Chop • BBQ • Fried Chicken Fried Gizzards • Mac & Cheese Liver & Gravy (Monday) Meatloaf (Tuesday) Salisbury Steak (Thursday)
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1346 Armory Dr.,Franklin, VA 23851 Hours: Mon-Thu 9a-7p, Fri-Sat 9a-8p
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Progress 2017 • 43
LIBRARIES, PARKS AND ART TO STILL BE PART OF THE SCENE BY STEPHEN H. COWLES
Culture can mean many different things to many people. It’s a concept that’s not limited strictly to museums or concerts, although Western Tidewater does have that to offer. You can also see it in the regular gatherings of Ruritans that prepare fundraisers of meals to benefit organizations such as scouting or individual high school seniors receiving scholarships. In short, where there are people gathered for fun or enrichment, there’s culture. ••• Libraries these days are far from the old sanctuaries of books, silence and librarians constantly shushing people who even speak at a whisper. In Western Tidewater, the Blackwater Regional Library has several branches that offer a wide variety of programs for patrons, ranging from art and computer classes, to teen projects or story hours for small children and their parents. At times the libraries sound more like beehives of buzzing and humming activities and people. That’s a trend that Beryl “Bonnie” Roblin hopes will continue and grow in the next 25 years. The manager of the Ruth Camp Campbell Memorial Branch of the Blackwater Regional Library said recently that she hopes “libraries will continue to evolve in the future and keep developing as centers with access for everyone regardless of their situations.” These include job information searches and resumes or recreation opportunities — such as videos or whatever format will be available. “We want to be able to provide a
community center, a meeting place for teens to hang out or parents to bring their He thinks a good long-range plan for children for books and storytelling,” said the future would be use the 10 to 15 acres Roblin. of land located between Paul D. Camp Recognizing that some people process Community College and the Children’s information visually, while other are more Center. tactile or auditory, she wants libraries to “We looked at the possibility to develop provide “as many platforms as possible.” “Technology is so rapidly changing and pervades in all areas of our lives, and the key is to offer education to the public,” Roblin continued. Culture is something that she sees is part of the “natural order.” “There’s a rich and varied culture in Western Tidewater. So much is going on: Family and community events that bring people together. “People are so warm and care about each other,” she said. ••• Frank Davis, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, recalled when the National Guard Armory used to be available for dances, family reunions and the like. Now it’s reportedly Angela Jones of Branchville with her granddaughter, Lauryn Bailey, at the library in Franklin. “I like this facility. It’s much bigger and I can do my own work and keep off limits, he said. an eye on her.” Jones said she wants the library to bring in more activities and “We need a gymnasium, programs, especially for children. | FILE that would make the whole it to a big city park,” Davis said, “and difference for us. We could run all our good make that the hub of the city. It could be basketball programs,” said Davis, who a big, pretty all-purpose park.” along with his staff keep busy providing He recalled such an idea was entertained programs for youth and seniors at the Dr. about 10 years or so ago, but money just Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center.
CONTINUES ON 45
44 • Progress 2017
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45 • Progress 2017
FROM PAGE 43 didn’t come together. “We really need to be able to have something like that in the city. That would put Franklin on the map if we could build a complex of playgrounds, walking trails, but still also have baseball fields.” Presently, the following facilities are available: • Armory Drive Recreational Park • Barrett’s Landing Park • Bruce Street Park • College Drive Park • Franklin Skate Park • Hayden Sports Complex • Memorial Park • High Street Park • Paul D. Camp Field • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center ••• “Hopefully, 25 years from now,
Virginia Symphony’s Associate Conductor Benjamin Rous leads the orchestra in a previous concert performed at Southampton High School. | FILE
the Franklin-Southampton Concert Association, will still be providing quality entertainment in our area,” said Nancy Rowe, director. For years, the organization has been arranging for quality singers, musicians and other sorts of artists to perform in the high school auditorium. But it’s work — and it takes more than just phone calls to make it all happen. Other people willing to put in the time and energy are going to be needed. “This will require new, younger, innovative and industrious leaders. Furthermore, it will require an organization willing to adapt to changing times and tastes. Its survival will depend on what changes occur in the community and the support the citizens give the organization.” ••• The situation for the arts in Virginia, in the country, is tense. But getting young people interested will make the difference for the better years and decades from today. “This is a difficult time now,” said Leigh Anne Chambers, executive director of Rawls Museum Arts. She referenced current threats to the National Endowment for the Arts budget and how cuts could affect artistic endeavors in Virginia. “We’ve been struggling since 2008 with programming,” she added. The outreach for students and adults includes Franklin, Southampton, Isle of Wight and even Surry and Sussex. “Lots of kids” come to the center to learn about art and even how to make it. Most recently, students from Southampton Middle School got a colorful lesson in batik, which uses wax.
Getting young people excited — enthused — about art now will later translate into their becoming future museum attendees,” Chambers continued. “People are blown away by this facility. You can’t beat it. I’d like not more physical structure, but to reach more people,”
Leigh Anne Chambers, executive director of Rawls Museum Arts in Courtland, thinks that it’s important to get young people enthused about the arts now so that they’ll be supporters in the future. Here she’s standing beside a work by Erlene Hendrix for “Double Vision: Double Exposure.” | FILE
she said, adding that inclusiveness is important. “This is not a stuffy place. It’s not a private clubhouse.” “Art can really reach people,” said Chambers, and said that a person doesn’t have to an artist to appreciate what it offers. “Art helps you understand people. You feel a little more comfortable that you’re not alone.” She stressed that art, “makes you feel more connected. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about. I want to see people utilize the museum more and take a chance.”
46 • Progress 2017
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Progress 2017 • 47
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TREASURE IS INSIDE. When what’s right in front of you is particularly captivating, you might be tempted not
The V lag Vil lage at Woods W Edge
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to look around. That’s certainly the case when it comes to The Village at Woods Edge — it’s easy to focus on the spacious, modern cottages and apartment homes and perhaps not notice that there’s even more to this vibrant senior living community. Look around and you’ll see the beautiful countryside of Franklin, Virginia, and the scenic Blackwater River nearby. And this community is also a great value, offering high-quality services and amenities along with a variety of classes and events. There are also activities, like bird watching, that residents simply initiate on their own. To schedule a visit and really look around, call 757-745-4935 today.
1401 North High Street · Franklin, VA 23851 · 757-745-4935 · VillageAtWoodsEdge.com