ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 6, 1997 TAG: 9702060066
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: General Assembly Notebook
The House of Delegates confirmed Gov. George Allen's nominee for director of the Department of Environmental Quality on Wednesday, despite what one delegate called his bringing "ridicule" on the state.
The appointment of Thomas Hopkins was confirmed by a vote of 65-1 with 29 delegates refusing to vote and five abstaining. Hopkins, a former attorney for coal and oil companies, has been running the agency since June.
He has come under fire in recent months because of a government report criticizing DEQ for coddling business, failing to enforce regulations, a leaked DEQ memo outlining a political strategy to discredit the report, and a New York Times article about the state's poor enforcement record.
Although several delegates stood to denounce Hopkins on Wednesday, others said they would vote for him because it is ``the Virginia Way'' to approve the governor's appointments.
Williamsburg Democrat George Grayson, the only delegate who voted against Hopkins' nomination, defined the Virginia Way differently.
``I don't think it's the Virginia Way to harass valued state employees,'' he said. ``I don't think it's the Virginia Way to allow pollution to run rampant ... to deceive legislative committees ... and to be ridiculed nationally in The New York Times,'' Grayson told the House.
Some Republicans stood to defend and praise Hopkins.
``I am appalled by this vicious, unwarranted attack, which is unprecedented in my 30 years here,'' said Fairfax County Republican Vince Callahan.
``It's not the Virginia Way.''
What's next
Today, sessions start at noon. Each house must complete work on its budget bills.
Staff writer Laura LaFay and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997by CNB