THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 13, 1995 TAG: 9509120116
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
FOR SIX YEARS, Bill Hopkins sat at a design table at Rickmond Engineering Inc. in Williamsburg, drawing up plans for shopping centers, subdivisions and apartment complexes.
Today, as the new Smithfield town planner, he sits at another table: where town designs are approved or shot back to developers.
In addition to playing gatekeeper for the town's development, Hopkins also performs detailed inspections of roads, utilities and road grades.
``It's a very time-consuming job because you have to coordinate what needs to be done now with what will need to be done later,'' he says.
Hopkins sees Smithfield as a fast-growing town, attracting people who want to escape city traffic and live a peaceful life.
Attractions like this week's Isle of Wight County Fair draw people to the area and make the town a place people want to visit and live in, he says.
``That's all a part of the growth here. And as the growth happens, we want to make sure everything is done that needs to be done.''
Name: Bill Hopkins
What brought you to Isle of Wight County? Good people to work with.
Birthdate/hometown: Aug. 24, 1960/Franklin
What's your fondest childhood memory? Just being young.
Marital status: Married to LouAnne; no children.
Pets: None
What was your first job/worst job? Land surveying/I've never had a bad job. They keep getting better.
Occupation: Smithfield town planner.
If you had a choice, what other type of work would you be doing today? I'd be rich and unemployed.
Favorite night out on the town: The woods during hunting season.
Favorite food/drink: Shrimp/iced tea
Favorite movies/television show: ``Ghost''/``Fresh Prince''
What's your idea of a perfect vacation? Virgin Islands
I can't resist: Eating sweets when they're offered.
Most embarrassing moment: When I got my first driver's license, and it was raining hard, I didn't turned my windshield wipers on until the instructor told me to.
If you won the lottery . . . I'd go to work for myself and build subdivisions the way I'd like to see them.
What is the best advice you've ever been given? ``Do what you want to do. You're the one who has to live with it'' - my father, John C. Hopkins.
What do you think is the best thing about yourself? I'm a caring and loving person.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would it be? It may seem greener on the other side of the fence, but I like just the way I am today, other than losing a few extra pounds.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Getting a four-year degree and marrying the perfect lady for me. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
by CNB