THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511230224
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER C. O'DONNELL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
Mayor William E. Ward and area conservationists were on hand Tuesday for the official kickoff of the City of Chesapeake's conservation license plate.
The event at Greenbrier Mall featured NASCAR driver and Chesapeake native Elton Sawyer. Sawyer is a graduate of Great Bridge High School and raced in NASCAR's elite Winston Cup series this year.
``When I drove into Chesapeake today, I thought I might need a road map. This place has changed so much,'' Sawyer said to the crowd. ``I'm here to show support for the license plate because it's for a really great cause,'' he added.
Sawyer signed autographs and posed for photos with his fans. He also presented the mayor with one of his racing uniforms, which will be raffled off later this year by the city. Proceeds from the uniform will go toward the conservation plate program.
Chesapeake is one of only three cities statewide with its own license plate. The plate features a canoeist paddling against the backdrop of a large sun and cypress tree. For each plate sold after the first 1,000, the city receives $15 per plate for local conservation efforts.
``Hopefully, we'll put the proceeds towards buying trees to replace some of those we've lost to progress,'' said Patricia Day, chairman of the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council.
But some of the licensees had other ideas.
``I'd like to see some of the money go to help protect and preserve the Great Dismal Swamp,'' said George T. Wallace IV. ``Over the last two decades, we've lost a lot of our wetlands and we only have so much. I believe the swamp is Chesapeake's greatest natural resource.''
Gloria Elko and her husband, Robert, reserved two plates, one for each of their cars.
``We hope the city uses the money to keep parks and the playgrounds in good condition so the next generation has something to do,'' said Gloria.
Although the city received only 10 reservations for the plates, city officials hope interest in the plate will pick up.
``We handed out quite a few applications on Tuesday, and people have been calling, expressing interest in them for several weeks,'' said Gail Bradshaw, coordinator of special projects.
Applications for the Chesapeake license plate are available at any city library or the city's treasurer's office. The city will register the first 1,000 licensees, after that the Department of Motor Vehicles will handle plate registration. by CNB