Barry Richardson’s goal was to house a community center in a Hollister icon, the old Doespun building. It wasn’t his goal to start something that neighbors would complain about.

Richardson, a Warren County commissioner, said in a telephone interview today, “That building is there for the enjoyment and benefit (of the community).”

Sometimes it used for parties, sometimes karate classes and sometimes the people he rents it to “get out of hand.”

“I’ve got rules,” he said a day after several residents appeared before the county commissioners to express concerns about the parties and the noise that comes from some events held there. “I’m willing to work with the community.”

He said he is willing to abide by any rules the board of adjustment may set, saying, however, “At the end of the day if the restrictions are so much I may have to look at other (locations). The building is not in the best of shape. We’ve got to pay the gas and the electricity. It’s up to the county commissioners and the board of adjustment about what needs to be done.”

Richardson said the good things held at the building through the nonprofit Nation Opportunity Way outweigh the events held there which get out of hand. There are karate classes, domestic abuse workshops are held and he would like to have after school programs and summer events at the old sewing factory.

There are times, however, when the people he rents to get unruly, drink and blast music. “I make a note ‘don’t rent to them anymore.’”

Richardson said he is willing to exercise more control. “We’ve had events and people get out of hand,” he said.

One of his requirements is to have deputies at the building after 10 p.m.

Richardson said he would like to see a business locate in the building. The economy, however, may prevent that. “We have water, no sewer. We’d have to have something hit us in the head so we’ll keep it a community center. Hopefully, we’ll get more programs ... We’ve got the building and we’re trying to take care of it. We try to weed out the riffraff. We want to be one of the good guys.”

Halifax County Sheriff Jeff Frazier says the board of adjustment may be the best recourse for neighbors in the Hollister community fed up with noise from parties held at the building.

Frazier said nuisance abatement proceedings would probably not work because there has to be prolonged pattern of complaints and inaction by the owner of the Doespun building.

Frazier said there have been good activities at the building. The sheriff’s office has also been called to the building.

Dia Denton, assistant county manager of operational services, told commissioners Tuesday night 911 calls confirm there have been problems. She said there have been fight calls, shooting calls and car chases.

Frazier said there have been family oriented activities at the building and there have also been parties where alcohol is served and off-duty law enforcement is called to serve as security.

The sheriff says he sympathizes with members of the community, several who spoke before the commissioners Tuesday night. “I don’t think that’s what they (the residents) had in mind, drinking and parties.”

Frazier said, however, because the building is private the owner can rent to whomever he pleases.

“I think that will cover everything,” he said of taking the matter to board of adjustment, adding the sheriff’s office will cooperate with whatever the board decides.