THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 16, 1995 TAG: 9501160073
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
The 1994-95 book on Virginia government is out.
The secretary of the commonwealth's office last week distributed this year's ``blue book,'' a comprehensive guide that includes the names of nearly every state, town, city and county official in Virginia.
The blue book, officially known as the Report of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, has been published annually since 1903. A letter from Secretary of the Commonwealth Betsy Davis Beamer to Gov. George Allen opens this year's 939-page edition:
``Sir: I am pleased to present to you and the members of the Virginia General Assembly the 1994-95 edition of The Report of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
``Within its pages are the names of countless `insurgents' who share your vision for honest change and are working tirelessly with you to turn your promises - promises that have been mandated by the electorate - into reality.''
Writing the letter was one of the easier parts of compiling the edition, which also lists the members of commissions dealing with issues ranging from child abuse to parole abolition, Beamer said.
Since Allen is the first Republican chief executive in 12 years, Beamer and Kim Shaw, who edited and researched this year's guide, had to wade through a lot of new names and appointments.
Some of those newcomers, Beamer said, don't seem particularly grateful about the effort.
``Somebody'll say, `You left out my middle initial,' '' she said.
Her office plans to release 2,500 copies of the book within the next few weeks.
Besides tracing the inevitable political shifts, the blue book has evolved considerably since the 328-page 1903 edition.
For years, for example, the publication went into excruciating detail about the expenses of the secretary of the commonwealth's office. The 1903 version included these entries: ``Comb, brush and mirror for office - $1.20; post office box rent to Dec. 31, 1902 - $2.''
The book also incorporates significant historical developments.
By 1909, as the horseless carriage was replacing the horse, for example, the blue book listed the names of the state's 3,266 registered automobile owners. And the 1950-51 book lists the members of the Division of Motion Picture Censorship.
In 1971, Linwood Holton became the first Virginia governor to have his picture in the blue book. This year's edition features a color shot of Allen.
The current blue book costs $25. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS photo
Copies of the new ``blue book'' - a guide to officials in Virginia -
sit on the desk of Betsy Davis Beamer, left, secretary of the
commonwealth. With her is Kim Shaws, who researched and edited this
year's guide.
by CNB