THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 19, 1995 TAG: 9511170728
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER C. O'DONNELL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
Want to help Chesapeake conservation efforts and impress tailgaters at the same time?
If so, you'll want to be on hand Tuesday as the City of Chesapeake kicks off its sales campaign of conservation license plates at Greenbrier Mall.
The conservation plate features the silhouette of a canoeist paddling against the backdrop of a large sun and a cypress tree. The design was approved early last year by the City Council, and a portion of the plate sale proceeds will go to Chesapeake conservation and beautification projects.
Mayor William E. Ward will present Chesapeake native and NASCAR driver Elton Sawyer with a rendition of the new Chesapeake license plate. Sawyer will be available for autographs and will raffle off NASCAR memorabilia.
For each plate sold after the first 1,000, $15 per plate will go to support Chesapeake conservation efforts.
``We're still working on which projects will benefit from the money,'' said Gail Bradshaw, coordinator of special project. ``With all the growth that's going on in Chesapeake, we want to make sure we keep some of our trees. The money from the conservation plates could be a good base to help keep Chesapeake beautiful.''
The conservation plate costs $25; personalized plates are $10 extra, and $15 of the fee may be deducted from the licensee's taxable income for federal income tax purposes.
Although sales of the plates will go to benefit Chesapeake conservation projects, Bradshaw said any Virginia resident may purchase the plate.
``We've received calls from canoeist groups that are interested in the plate. Already more than 100 people have expressed interest,'' she said.
The city needs 1,000 orders before the plate can be printed, and it will take 8-10 weeks before the plates are mailed to the licensees.
The license plate kickoff will be held between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tuesday inside the southeast entrance of Greenbrier Mall, between Hecht's and Profitt's department stores. Elton Sawyer will be available for autographs from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Applications for the license plate are available at Chesapeake libraries and the city treasurer's office. ILLUSTRATION: Drawing
by CNB