Despite being late with the August theater lease payment, the city has taken no position on whether that means the $1 million discount Lafayette Gatling will get for making timely payments at the end of the agreement will be applied.

“The lease is strong,” City Manager Paul Sabiston told The Spin this afternoon. “We don’t waive our rights.”

Sabiston in an email yesterday said the Gatlings and L&M Hospitality RR indicated the entire monthly payment of $250,000 was wired to the city. The payments were broken into three wires, Sabiston said.

Sabiston agreed the city walks a fine line between scaring the Gatlings off by enforcing the terms of the contract and protecting the integrity of the document which allowed the Chicago businessman to buy the theater. “We’re glad to get the money,” he said.

Sabiston noted in the email the Gatlings just returned to Chicago this week after spending the weekend in Roanoke Rapids for the recent concert.

Gatling signed papers in March to buy the theater from the city. Timely payments mean Gatling will get a $1 million discount off the $12 million price of the venue.

The city will still have to pay the remaining amount due on the $21.5 million bond package used to finance the theater’s construction, opening and infrastructure needs.

According to the contract, rent payments are considered delinquent if received after the 10th day of any given month. Tenant shall pay the landlord interest at the rate of 10 percent per annum — or such lesser amount as may be the maximum amount permitted by law — on all overdue payments of rent from the due date thereof until payment. Notwithstanding this foregoing, tenant shall not be considered delinquent until after the expiration of five business days following written notice from the landlord.

Sabiston said in the email, not including the August payment of $250,000, L&M Hospitality has paid more than $678,000 since entering the lease and purchase agreements. “The July and August payments alone are $250,000 per month,” he said. “These lease payments are used by the city to repay the debt for the Roanoke Rapids Theatre.”

An elderly man’s act of raring back his cane at his wife did not constitute assault, the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said this morning.

His wife’s actions, allegedly hitting him in the head with a cast iron frying pan and leaving him with 50 stitches, outweighed her husband’s actions, Lt. Bobby Martin said.

Because of these factors, 85-year-old James Lewis of Enfield, was not charged.

His wife, Rosie, 71, who was released from jail yesterday, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.

Martin explained to The Spin just because the man drew back his cane it doesn’t mean assault. Assault means someone was struck. Had the man swung and missed that would mean attempted assault.

It was possible, however, Mrs. Lewis did feel threatened by the act, Martin said. “She went beyond that,” he said. “She took it up another level.”

Martin said in domestic situations, officers look for certain signs, signs of a struggle, signs of injury to both parties. The only evidence was Mr. Lewis was struck, he said.

Had the man swung at her, Martin said, “We would have probably had two people in jail. It was an unfortunate situation, especially dealing with the elderly. The law is the law and we have to go by it.”

The situation stemmed from an argument over breakfast last Friday at the couple’s house in the 5000 block of Justice Branch Road.

Martin said yesterday Lt. Stevie Salmon learned there was an argument earlier in the morning, which is believed to have started over breakfast, when the victim did not like what was cooked for him.

Mrs. Lewis cooked the victim another meal. While this was going on another argument took place and escalated when Mr. Lewis picked up his cane and drew back in an attempt to strike Mrs. Lewis.

Mrs. Lewis picked up an iron frying pan and hit her husband on the head several times, knocking him to the floor and causing a head injury.

The victim was carried to Halifax Regional Medical Center in Roanoke Rapids where he received 50 stitches.

The last check of the victim was that he was doing well.

A 22-year-old Rich Square man was served arrest warrants last week for several breaking and enterings in Halifax County, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

Detective Roy Rooks served the warrants to the man, Jesse Pugh, 22, while Pugh was incarcerated in the county jail.

Rooks charged Pugh with three counts of felony breaking and entering, two counts of larceny after breaking and entering, three counts of felony conspiracy, one count of felony larceny and two counts of injury to real property.

An investigation by Rooks, Detective Doug Pilgreen and Detective Jonathan Merritt revealed Pugh was involved in numerous breaking, entering and larcenies throughout the county.

The co-defendant in these cases, King Whitaker, 23, also of Rich Square, has already been arrested. Pugh was given a $50,000 secured bond and has a court date of Aug. 26.

From school system press release on its website

Geraldine Middleton, superintendent of Halifax County Schools, submitted her  resignation to the Board of Education at Monday night’s meeting.

Middleton became superintendent in July 2007. She was immediately faced with a financial crisis from the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school years. This year, she has faced a state takeover due to low standardized test scores for the past five years.

“It is both with resolve and anticipation that I submit my resignation effective September 18, 2009,” Middleton said. “I have accepted an opportunity to further my current career goals and

achieve growth within a new adventure.”

Middleton said she has accepted a position as Chief Area Officer with the Chicago Public

School System. 

Chicago Public Schools is the third largest school district in the United States with 408,000

students in 666 schools. Middleton said Chief Area Officer is the equivalent of being

superintendent to 30 to 40 schools within that huge district.

In a prepared statement, Middleton told the board and audience, “Two years ago, with a

vision, a dream, and mountains of faith, I accepted the job as superintendent of Halifax County

Schools. In this capacity, I served the children and the community tirelessly. I was vigilant in my

attempts to raise test scores, create positive learning environments, implement new programs and

create the financial stability of the district.

“Many times I was faced with difficult decisions and had to perform what seemed, the

impossible,” she continued.  “Difficult decisions are not always popular; however, if they are

made in the best interest of children, they become challenges you cannot, should not and must

not ignore.

“I will remain committed to cost effectiveness, innovative programs geared to 21st century

learning, research-based professional growth and development – all the while dedicated to

helping children overcome obstacles and reaching higher levels of achievement.  In order to

grow, we will always have to ‘navigate the winds of change.’

“To the children who attend Halifax County Schools,” said Middleton, “I continue to wish

that you will grow educationally and always strive to be excellent in all your endeavors.  You are

the future leaders.  As you ‘navigate the winds of change,’ keep in mind that if you are prepared

intellectually, there is no limit on what you can be.

“To the parents of the children who attend Halifax County Schools,” she continued, “I

challenge you to ensure that your children receive a quality education daily. By attending parent-

teacher conferences, PTA meetings, volunteering and by being an active participant in the

educational process, you can help to facilitate a new vision and a bright future for your child.  

“Underscored in this challenge is that you not just become active in times of crisis incited by

politicians,” Middleton continued, “but instead demonstrate responsible actions throughout your

child’s school years.

“To the teachers,” Middleton said, “I implore you to take advantage of the challenge to

educate all children and to fully embrace change because it is incapable of being avoided. 

Always bring new vitality to the classroom and fresh approaches to teaching.  Our children must

never be the losers in an educational decision, especially if those decisions benefit someone’s

political career and personal ambition.

“To the community,” she continued, “I encourage you to embrace the necessary changes

related to declining enrollment, budget cuts, and low student achievement as an opportunity to

use wisdom versus status quo, excellence versus mediocrity, strength and fortification versus

what is politically expedient for someone else and reason versus inappropriate tactics. 

‘It has been my genuine pleasure to work for Halifax County Schools,” Middleton concluded. 

“I have enjoyed working with the fine staff of professional colleagues and will miss my

association with them.  I will keep Halifax County Schools in my prayers.”

An arrest was made following a Friday assault which apparently started over the victim not liking what his wife cooked for him.

Lt. Bobby Martin  of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release Lt. Stevie Salmon responded to an assault call in the 5000 block of Justice Branch Road in Enfield. 

EMS was already on scene treating the victim, James Lewis, 85, for head injuries. The man’s wife, Rosie, 71, was standing outside with EMS as they were treating the victim.

Martin said Salmon learned there was an argument earlier in the morning, which is believed to have started over breakfast, when the victim did not like what was cooked for him.

Mrs. Lewis cooked the victim another meal. While this was going on another argument took place and escalated when Mr. Lewis picked up his cane and drew back in an attempt to strike Mrs. Lewis.

Mrs. Lewis picked up an iron frying pan and hit her husband on the head several times, knocking him to the floor and causing a head injury.

The victim was carried to Halifax Regional Medical Center in Roanoke Rapids where he received 50 stitches.

The last check of the victim was that he was doing well. Mrs. Lewis was charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and was placed in the Halifax County Jail under no bond under state domestic violence laws. Her court date is Aug. 26.