DATE: Tuesday, June 17, 1997                TAG: 9706170362

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   31 lines

MAYOR DUBS MONDAY OWEN B. PICKETT DAY TO HONOR DEMOCRAT

Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf declared Monday ``Owen B. Pickett Day'' to recognize the congressman's representation of Virginia Beach through his efforts locally and in Washington.

Pickett, a Democrat first elected in 1986, represents the 2nd Congressional District, which covers all of Virginia Beach except a small part of west Kempsville. The district also extends into part of Norfolk.

Oberndorf specifically cited Pickett for the key role he played in defending Oceana Naval Air Station during the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission process, and in securing funds for numerous projects including the Hurricane Protection Project under way along the city's oceanfront.

The mayor's proclamation was marked as part of a ceremony Monday in which the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service presented a $227,938 check to the city. Such checks are presented annually from the federal government to communities in lieu of taxes that might otherwise be assessed on property like the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

The money will be used to help environmental projects, such as the city's Agricultural Reserve Program in which the city buys development rights from farmers. The farmers can continue to live on and farm their land but they give up the right to develop it for other uses such as homes and businesses.

Referring to Monday's warm, sunny weather, Pickett said, ``If this was my day, I couldn't have picked a better one. It was a pleasant surprise, and I appreciate it.''

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu