Assistant County Administrator Jerry Lovelace announced on Monday that he will retire from his position with Halifax County, effective October 31. Lovelace has worked with the County for over 31 years.
"Jerry is only the second planning and zoning administrator Halifax County has ever had," said County Administrator Bryan Foster. "He has overseen some significant changes to the County's development, including technological advances with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and needed updates to the County's land use ordinances. We appreciate and salute his 31 years of dedicated service and wish him well as he begins his retirement."
Lovelace began his career with the County in July 1976 after earning his bachelor's degree from East Carolina University and working in the private sector. In addition to his planning and zoning duties, he became Assistant County Administrator in 1995. During his career, the County has seen many changes in development patterns and land use. Numerous subdivisions have been created, including the County's first gated community at Birch Creek. Commercial development has blossomed in the Centerville and Riverdale areas, as well as the expansion to four lanes of US 501 South to the North Carolina state line.
Major building projects during his tenure include J. M. Huber, the Clover Power Station, Riverstone Technology Park, the renovation of Mary Bethune High School into a County Office complex and the current Halifax County High School.
During his tenure with Halifax County, Lovelace has served as a member of, or staff support to, a number of boards and committees including the Halifax County Planning Commission, Halifax County Board of Zoning Appeals, Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority, Southside Planning District Commission, Halifax County Tourism Board of Directors, Halifax County Transportation Safety Commission and the War Memorial Advisory Committee. The new regional jail facility in Halifax was constructed during his service on the Jail Authority Board. He has also been a part of the management team of numerous Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects.
No replacement has been named to fill this position. "We will put some transition measures in place, and evaluate how to best fill the position," stated Foster. "It's never easy to replace such a long-tenured employee, and we will take our time to make sure we make the best decision."