THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 5, 1996 TAG: 9606040083
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: CLOSE-UP
SOURCE: JODY R. SNIDER
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: 73 lines
Five years ago, Mary Ann Welton had one duty as an environmental planner for Isle of Wight County: enforce the Chesapeake Bay ordinance.
Today, she's a regular guest at meetings for the board of supervisors, planning commission and the county wetlands board.
She also has one-on-one contact with new residents who decide to build in areas of the county that might be located next to wetlands.
``One of the most interesting aspects of my job is working with the individuals who may be building close to wetlands,'' she said. ``I try to show them that there's something they can do in terms of water quality protection by working with the land.
``This is one of the few places left that's underdeveloped, so it's natural to see development going on. But when people sell their timber rights, it can wipe out the protection to the waterways.''
Welton said that five years ago Isle of Wight had an estimated 75,000 acres of wetlands. But gradually, as timber rights have been sold and new development has sprung up, wetlands acreage has declined.
``We want to maintain the character we have now in Isle of Wight,'' she said. ``Yet, we have to acknowledge the fact that we are going to grow.''
Right now, Welton said 60 to 70 percent of Isle of Wight's 319 square miles is zoned for agricultural use.
``And that's the way we want to keep it,'' she said. ``I see the county growing, but I see it growing under the direction of the board of supervisors. And I think they'll try to maintain that agricultural area.''
Name: Mary Ann Welton.
What brought you to Isle of Wight County? The Chesapeake Bay environmental planner position in Isle of Wight County.
Birthdate: May 6, 1947.
Hometown: Atlanta.
Fondest childhood memory: Smelling flowers in the spring.
Marital status: Divorced.
Children: Three - Amy, 20; Liz, 18, and Mary Francis, 11.
Pets: Perry, an Australian shepherd, and goldfish.
First job: A social planner at Harland Bartholomew and Associates in St. Louis.
Worst job: No bad jobs. I've always looked at a job as a gift.
Occupation: Planner for Isle of Wight County.
If you had a choice, what other type of work would you be doing today? I'd work on establishing high speed train routes on the East Coast.
Favorite hangout: The garden, mowing the yard, and the beach.
Favorite night out on the town: Dinner at the Jewish Mother with a stop at Barnes and Noble bookstore.
Favorite food and drink: Pasta and white wine.
Favorite movies and TV shows: ``Washington Week in Review'' and ``Wall Street Week.''
What's your idea of a perfect vacation? Bicycling in southern France, Italy and Spain.
I can't resist: The beach.
Few people know that I: Enjoy listening to public radio with a cup of fresh coffee.
If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? Get my children through college, give more money to public radio and set up a homeless shelter.
What is the best advice you've ever been given? Don't take yourself too seriously - laughter is very healing.
What's the best thing about yourself? I love to learn new things.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I think it would be interesting to be a Supreme Court justice.
Of what achievements are you most proud? My kids. Raising three kids is important. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II by CNB