THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 20, 1997 TAG: 9701200074
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Staff writers David M. Poole, Warren Fiske and Laura LaFay
contributed to this report.
LENGTH: 67 lines
PETA's protests inspire legislation protecting anglers
PETA's presence in South Hampton Roads has inspired more angler-protection legislation.
Virginia Beach Del. Glenn Croshaw is sponsoring a bill making it illegal for anyone to ``willfully and intentionally'' impede fishing. A bill passed last year made it illegal for boaters to bother fishermen.
Croshaw said the legislation would discourage disruptive actions by PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which moved its international headquarters to Norfolk last year.
A PETA spokesman said the law would not deter the group from peaceful demonstrations at fishing tournaments. Last year, PETA members showed up at the Bassmasters Classic in Alabama, led by a costumed character - ``Gill the Fish'' - carrying a sign that read, ``Get Hooked on Compassion.''
David Shepherd, PETA's campaign coordinator, said the proposed Virginia law is too vague to survive court challenge. He noted that a fisherman could press charges against a wife who kept him off the water.
``It could get as ridiculous as that,'' he said.
Bill broadens definition
Portsmouth Democrat Kenneth R. Melvin is a criminal defense lawyer, but he did his part Friday to toughen a bill designed to help prosecutors.
Melvin offered an amendment to a proposed bill that would change the definition of a drug kingpin from someone who earns at least $500,000 a year selling drugs to someone who makes at least $250,000.
Melvin wanted the standard to be even lower. Under his amendment, which was unanimously approved by the House of Delegates Friday, a drug kingpin is defined as anyone who earns at least $50,000 a year selling drugs.
Melvin proposed the amendment ``primarily because no one's been convicted under the statute,'' he said. ``This makes it easier.''
Anyone convicted under the statute is required to serve a minimum of 20 years in prison.
Drug tests at school
Youths convicted for drug crimes would be required to pass random drug tests to remain in public school, under a bill being introduced this winter by Del. Frank W. Wagner, R-Virginia Beach.
``Right now, if you're caught with drugs at school, you're suspended in most school districts,'' Wagner said. ``But if you're caught dealing drugs on a Saturday or a Sunday, it's usually back to school for you on Monday. There's no correlation between the offense and attending school.''
Wagner's bill would require convicted dealers or users to pass a drug test to re-enter school and periodic ones to remain there. The costs would be borne by the parents. He said minors using drugs would automatically miss several weeks to a month of school because it would take that long for traces of the narcotic to leave their bloodstream.
``If we know that a child is a drug user and a drug dealer, shouldn't we as a state do some proactive things to keep that child from sitting next to your child in a classroom?'' Wagner asked. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Del. Glenn Croshaw
Del. Frank W. Wagner
Del. Kenneth R. Melvin
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTIONS