ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, February 3, 1997 TAG: 9702030068
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE, ROBERT LITTLE AND LAURA LAFAY STAFF WRITER
House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell of Vinton is such a skilled and feared debater that his colleagues seize any chance for repartee.
They got two chances last week.
In the House Rules Committee, Cranwell spoke against a bill to change the name of Norfolk International Airport to Hampton Roads International, explaining that people from other parts of the state might not understand the latter destination.
The bill's sponsor, Del. Leo Wardrup, R-Virginia Beach, replied, "I can't be responsible if people from Roanoke don't know where they're going."
Two days later, Cranwell was one of several lawmakers who switched from supporting to opposing a bill that would allow the removal of trees that block billboards.
Cranwell and others realized the bill was so broadly drawn that it could lead to clear-cutting along state highways.
House Speaker Thomas Moss, D-Norfolk, couldn't resist taking a friendly dig at Cranwell.
"A lot of people got fooled by this sucker," Cranwell explained.
Moss replied: "None this big."
Trumbo glad Mom not listening
Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo was getting a little thunderous, as he's prone to on occasion.
The Senate was debating a bill Friday that would make altering photographs for campaign advertisements a crime.
Trumbo's main beef: The bill didn't make publishing misleading photographs a crime, simply authorizing their creation.
"Someone could simply alter a photograph and never publish or broadcast it," the Fincastle Republican bellowed to his Senate colleagues. "And they would be guilty of a crime?"
Fairfax County Democrat Joseph Gartlan interrupted Trumbo to point out that, no, one wouldn't be guilty of a crime in that circumstance. Another section of the bill said the photograph must be published or broadcast for the penalty to kick in.
Trumbo stood silent for a moment.
"Mr. President," he said, addressing the Senate's presiding officer, Lt. Gov. Don Beyer. "I'm glad my mother isn't here today."
LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997by CNB