By MARVIN HAMLETT
Editor
At first glance, the closing of Thomasville Furniture's landmark factory seemed like an obvious choice for the top local story of 2011.
But Thomasville had already announced in 2010 that the factory was shutting down in six months, so the actual closure was not unexpected.
That's in stark contrast to Del. Watkins Abbitt (I-59th), who unexpectedly announced that he would not seek re-election in November's election.
Abbitt's stunning announcement, and its ultimate impact on Appomattox, is why his story was named the Top Story of 2011.
1. Watkins Abbitt won't seek another term
Watkins M. Abbitt announced in May that he would not be seeking re-election to the 59th District of the Virginia General Assembly.
The Appomattox native was elected as a Delegate 26 years ago and had since saw 13 re-election victories, some as a Democrat but for the last 12 years as an Independent.
Abbitt's decision means that for the first time in recent memory, nobody from Appomattox will be represented at the state or federal level.
His official retirement date will be next Tuesday, Jan. 10.
"I just want to do some other things," Abbitt said. "It was a very difficult decision, and I've been thinking about it for a year or more."
A lifetime Appomattox resident, Abbitt was elected to 13 terms and built a solid reputation in the behind-the-scenes politicking that goes on in Richmond.
Abbitt's seniority had elevated him to the No. 5 in Richmond, and was about to leapfrog to No. 4.
In addition, Abbitt's seniority allowed him to secure memberships on the most powerful Assembly committees, such as Appropriations, General Laws, and Rules.
Abbitt's retirement also marks the end of one the last political dynasties for the Central Virginia area.
Watkins' father, the late Watt Abbitt Sr., served as a Virginia congressman.
Abbitt will leave behind a legacy of several proud accomplishments, the most recent of which involved the development of High Bridge Trail State Park in Pamplin.
Abbitt played an important role in the funding and implementation of High Bridge Trail State Park, which starts in Cumberland and has a destination point in the Town of Pamplin.
Abbitt said he also proud of his role in the James River State Park's funding and creation, as well as the U.S. 460 Bypass in Appomattox.
Abbitt also played a key role in securing $2.5 million in Tobacco Commission funds for the Museum of the Confederacy planned in Appomattox.
In November, Abbitt backed Republican Matt Fariss, who won in a landslide.
2. Thomasville Furniture closes its doors
In November 2010, Thomasville Furniture announced that it was closing its Appomattox plant for good.
And even though the factory's doors stayed open for another six months or so into 2011, the finality of the moment struck an emotional chord with those who have worked there.
For many working at Thomasville Furniture, it was more than a job.
For some employees it was like spending time with a second family.
Also for some, being employed there transformed their lives.
All those inspirations came to a halt as Thomasville closed its doors after 36 years in business in Appomattox.
Thomasville's workforce peaked in the 1980s, employing more than 1,000 workers.
At the end, there were less than 200.
3. Waterline construction nears completion
In 2010, Appomattox County agreed that it would pursue a waterline from Concord along U.S. 460.
In 2011, the actual construction of the waterline began.
The 7.5-mile project is now less than a month away from completion, with one mile of pipe being laid.
Appomattox County has agreed to purchase water from Campbell County Utility Service Authority to service 50 county customers and about 900 water connections within the town.
Campbell County will supply Appomattox with between 250,000 to 300,000 gallons of water per day, said CCUSA administrator Mike Damron.
According to the contract between CCUSA and the County, the maximum CCUSA will supply is 750,000 gallons per day.
4. Relay for Life tops $112,000
The volunteers for Appomattox's Relay for Life fundraiser never cease to amaze, and 2011's event was no different.
The event raised $112,000 last year, marking the fifth straight year that it has topped the $100,000 mark.
More than 500 people and 30 teams participated in the Relay.
The staggering number is a major tribute for how a small community can make a big difference.
Beverly Davidson and Cheryl Irby served as co-chairwomen of the 2011 Relay for Life, which raises money for cancer research.
5. Sheriff Wilson Staples retires; Letterman elected
In February, Appomattox County Sheriff Wilson Staples announced that he would not seek re-election, capping 27 years of service and four terms of election as sheriff.
Staples said his decision was based largely on a desire to spend more time with his family.
The battle to fill Staples' seat was set as a race between popular deputies Barry Letterman and Todd Craft.
Letterman and Craft embarked on a campaign of civility, with Letterman defeating Craft in November by a scant 158 votes.
6. High Bridge Trail State Park to extend to the Pamplin Depot
After much negotiation, it was announced that High Bridge Trail State Park could extend a two extra miles so that its final destination ended at the Pamplin Depot on Main Street.
Led by Del. Watkins Abbitt (I-59th), organizers became optimistic in September 2011 that the trail could extend the extra length.
Currently the trail stops at Heights School Road, a little more than a mile from the Pamplin Depot.
There are over 30 miles of trail open and is available to outdoor enthusiasts such as hikers, cyclists and horseback riders.
Several agencies are working to make the extension a reality.
Although there have not been final decisions made, officials are optimistic that the trail will end in the town limits of Pamplin.
7. Regional jail opens; Appomattox jail closes
In December, a grand opening and ribbon-cutting took place for a new 170,000-square-foot regional jail in Amherst County.
The Amherst County Adult Detention Center debuted its new facilities amidst a huge crowd of dignitaries and onlookers.
The regional jail will eliminate the need to house inmates in the Appomattox jail, which will shuffle all of its inmates to Amherst in the next week or two.
The new jail in Amherst will handle Appomattox inmates as well as inmates from Amherst County, Campbell County, Bedford County, Halifax County, the City of Lynchburg and City of Bedford.
The $33.8 million facility off the Virginia 210 connector, near the U.S. 29 Bypass, will house up to 380 inmates, but has been double-bunked to provide greater capacity.
It is believed that each locality can save taxpayer money by joining forces on the regional jail.
8. ACHS Raiders capture district title
Appomattox Coach Ben Martin's Raiders football team lost its opener at Buckingham, but then completed an incredible journey that saw ACHS win its next 10 games in a row.
In the process, Appomattox seized a 10-1 record and won a home playoff game in the Region B Playoffs.
Appomattox went undefeated in the Dogwood District, marking the team's first outright district title in more than a decade.
With do-everything quarterback Josh Wilson leading the way, the Raiders enjoyed their best win-total since the Kevin Ferguson-led Raiders of 1983.
9. County adopts noise ordinance
After a lot of discussion, the Appomattox County Board of Supervisors adopted a first-ever noise ordinance in January 2011, allowing for the arrest of anyone in violation of the new rules.
A split board voted 3-2 to approve the so-called "Peace and Good Order Ordinance."
The new law makes it a misdemeanor for most sounds that reach 80 decibels within 100 feet of another residence between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Potential noise violations that could include radios, musical instruments, loudspeakers, horns, whistles, fireworks, yelling, loud mufflers, construction, chainsaws, animals, commercial vehicles.
Exemptions would be made in several cases, such as emergency sounds, fire alarms, church bells, locomotives and lawful hunting.
Supervisors Sam Carter, Willie Craft and Jerry Small created the three-vote majority to enact the noise ordinance, while Supervisors Thomas Conrad and Gary Tanner voted against the motion.
10. Two charges in ‘largest' indoor pot operation in county history
A search warrant was served on a suspected indoor marijuana operation in December, resulting in what authorities are calling the biggest indoor bust in Appomattox County history.
The bust occurred near the Evergreen community at 891 Cedar Tree Road, where close to $90,000 of pot and drug materials were seized.
Gentry Marshall Maddox, 41, and his wife, Marjorie Anna Maddox, 39, were each charged with felony manufacturing of marijuana, as well as felony possession of a firearm while manufacturing more than one pound of marijuana.
Gentry Maddox is being held at the Lynchburg Blue Ridge Regional Jail without bond, while Marjorie Maddox in being held at the Appomattox County jail without bond.
The Appomattox County Sheriff's Office conducted the narcotics search warrant along with the Campbell County Sheriff's Office.
According to a press release from the Appomattox County Sheriff's Department, "The Search Warrant led to the biggest indoor hydroponic marijuana grow to date in Appomattox County. The grow yielded approximately $50,000 worth of seized marijuana and approximately $30,000-to-$40,000 of seized material that was used in the manufacturing of this marijuana."