THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 7, 1996 TAG: 9601050179
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
As a member of the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council, Kerry Goldmeyer feels strongly about stewardship of the environment.
``Homeowners are the greatest general polluters,'' she said. ``Individuals may not pollute a great amount. But as a group, we do a terrible amount of damage.
``If directions call for one tablespoon (of insecticide), don't think that using two tablespoons would be better,'' said Goldmeyer, 50, who holds both a bachelor's degree and a master of science degree from Cornell University. ``Most pesticides are aimed at specific insects at a specific time in their life cycle. If you don't follow directions, you are wasting time and money and you won't get rid of the targeted pest.''
Some other environmental advice from Goldmeyer:
``Drinkable water is a very limited commodity throughout the world. We need to use it carefully and conservatively.''
``Try to keep in mind that what we have has been loaned to us. It is not ours to use and destroy. It is ours to enjoy but also to pass on to future generations.''
``Every time we cut down pieces of forests for development, we cut into air quality in the city particularly. Those trees are no longer there to clean the air we breathe. No one has ever come up with the financial worth of a big standing tree for cooling and cleaning the air.''
``Buy recycled materials when possible. Be aware of the Tidewater environment and just how close we are to water. Anything that is spilled or thrown away or sprayed on a yard will end up in the Elizabeth River, the Chesapeake Bay or the Atlantic Ocean.''
Goldmeyer is manager and tax preparer at H&R Block in Great Bridge, where she is preparing for another busy income tax season.
Her advice to taxpayers? Be careful with withholding.
``Because tax tables are designed for singles or married couples with only one income, any family or individual with more than one income should watch out for withholding,'' she said.
``And everybody should be reading the various proposed federal legislation relative to a major change in the tax system,'' she said. ``There is a lot of talk about changing the tax system, so we should keep up with this and contact our legislators. It will affect us all. What people should remember is that the Internal Revenue Service is just enforcing the laws the Congress passed.''
Full name: Kerry M. Goldmeyer
Hometown: ``I grew up in the suburbs of Syracuse, N.Y., in a couple of little towns, Fayetteville and Manlius. My husband is retired Navy, and we moved probably 10 times. I guess right here (is my hometown) as much as any place.''
Fond childhood memories: ``I grew up on a small private lake. We had access to about 200 acres of woods, where I searched for wild flowers. At the creek, I cut cattails with my pocket knife. There was a cliff to throw rocks from. They sounded like breaking glass, which was a wonderful sound. There were lots of tadpoles and frogs to catch, too.''
Spouse: Frederick (Rick)
Children: Aimee and James
Occupation: Tax preparer, office manager for H&R Block
Hobbies: ``Reading. I'm a Master Gardener with the state of Virginia, and I'm on the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council.''
Last book read: ``I have been going through Regency Romances at about one or two a day. It's a good contrast to tax preparation.''
What's your favorite game? ``Rick and the kids and I just figured out we can have a lot of fun playing spades.''
Describe yourself as a color: ``Hot pink. That's one of my favorites.''
If you could be any animal, what would it be? ``I'd probably be a chipmunk. They just run around having a good time, and I think they are cute.''
What irritates you the most? ``People, including myself, who complain about something but are not willing to take the time or responsibility to make changes.''
Favorite type of music: ``Nice background music like you can find in the nature stores.''
Can't resist: Chocolate
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To be more patient
Best advice you've received and from whom: ``From my cousin's husband. It was relative to the college search for my daughter. He said, `If you don't like a university, but can't say why, go with your gut reaction.' ''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: Locks Pointe at Great Bridge
Favorite way to spend a day off: ``During the (tax) working season, I go outside and weed, clean up, see what's growing, prune or do whatever needs doing. It's like play.''
What would you choose for a last meal? Pepper steak
If you had three wishes for Chesapeake, what would they be? ``To see an improvement in parental involvement and attitude toward schools. Many students in the United States are drifting; they're not getting anything out of the school system. We should consider a little better how we're growing in the area of education. Also, I see a lot of tree loss and a lot of loss of the environment, and I'm not sure we're making the wisest choices.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
by CNB