THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 25, 1996 TAG: 9602240110
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jennifer O'Donnell,
Mac Daniel and
Eric Feber
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
The minutes ticked by Friday as City Council members anxiously waited for Councilmen Dwight M. Parker and John M. de Triquet to circumnavigate the region's latest ice storm for an emergency meeting.
The two snowbound councilmen called the council's chambers frequently to say they were fighting their way through the blizzard of snow and sleet.
But after more than 30 minutes without the two, Councilman John E. Allen suggested that the council start without them.
``One's a Republican and the other's a Democrat,'' said Allen, ``so they cancel each other out.'' Hope for the future
Kids get a bad rap these days.
But Patricia L. Powers, principal at B.M. Williams Primary School, doesn't believe it.
``I've seen a very positive change in children over the past few years,'' Powers said. ``They're a more positive population than people think. I'm always seeing our students work together to solve problems.''
Powers should know what she's talking about.
As a lifelong Chesapeake resident, she has taught more than one generation of local students.
``I have children of some of my former students in my school,'' she said. ``And a few of my former students are now teaching in the Chesapeake school system themselves,'' she added. Fewer plates, please
The city of Chesapeake recently issued a new license plate featuring the silhouette of a lone canoeist with a bald cypress tree and a radiant stream in the background.
The purpose of the plate is to raise money for local conservation projects. But there's a catch.
Before the plates can be manufactured, at least 1,000 must be sold in advance.
Motorists who have already bought one and are anxiously awaiting delivery are getting a little impatient.
So to solve the problem, city officials have asked the Virginia General Assembly to knock down that pre-sell number from 1,000 to 350.
It makes sense, said Gail McClure Bradshaw with the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department's Special Program office.
``A lot of people are interested in the plates, no question about it,'' Bradshaw said. ``People do want them, and they're excited about them. But some don't want to wait until we sell 1,000. It kind of defeats the whole purpose.''
The city will receive $15 from each plate to be used to fund local beautification and conservation projects. But Chesapeake doesn't get anything until 1,000 are sold.
She said the House of Delegates has approved of the change. Now it's up to the Senate.
``Three hundred and fifty is a much easier number to reach,'' she said. ``And we're sure, once other motorists see them on other cars, that will help sales, too.'' by CNB