DATE: Tuesday, August 26, 1997              TAG: 9708260370

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SOURCE: BY CATHERINE KOZAK, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: KILL DEVIL HILLS                  LENGTH:   97 lines

VA. HOPEFUL TALKS ABOUT WIDER ROADS LT. GOV. BEYER PLEDGES ALL-OUT EFFORT TO IMPROVE U.S. 17 AND ROUTE 168

The Virginia Democrat who wants to be governor told a record-breaking Chamber of Commerce luncheon crowd Monday something that could get him elected - in North Carolina.

Lt. Gov. Donald S. Beyer Jr. pledged to make sure U.S. 17 and Route 168 are widened in Virginia.

A show of hands revealed that only about eight people out of more than 350 at the Ramada Inn gathering could vote in Virginia.

But Beyer was not here to drum up votes, said a campaign spokesperson. North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt had invited him to talk about the things the two states have in common.

In an hour of mutual back-slapping and bantering, Hunt and Beyer declared that their states have much to gain with cooperative efforts - like road improvements.

Responding to the governor's joke that he had to point out U.S. 17 and Route 168 to him on a map, Beyer called the quest to enlarge the roads his ``mantra'' for the day.

Widening of the two roads has been a bone of contention between the states for years. North Carolina is already moving ahead with improving the roadways to the Virginia border, but Virginia is still sorting out the details and has not done any construction work yet. The roads have become bottlenecks in Virginia for Outer Banks tourists.

``We will open up Route 17 and Route 168 to make a four-lane highway,'' Beyer promised the crowd packed with government leaders and chamber representatives from the nine-county Albemarle region.

But Beyer, a two-term Democrat, later qualified his position. ``I'll do whatever I can do as governor,'' he said after the event.

Beyer said decisions about road improvements are in the hands of the state transportation board, but he would ``make it clear'' to the panel about his views.

Earlier, Hunt promised that ``by the time I go out as governor, every piece of U.S. 64 highway will either be a finished four-laner or they'll be working on it.''

Hunt, elected to his fourth term last November, has said he will not seek office again.

Before the chamber luncheon, Beyer attended a campaign fund-raiser at Kelly's restaurant.

Hunt invited Beyer to the chamber event because ``he's interested in his candidacy and would like to help,'' said Beyer spokeswoman Page Boinest. ``Don is a huge fan of Governor Hunt because of his commitment to education. I think neighboring states have an interest in healthy dialogue between the governors.''

Neither mentioned an issue separating northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia - the Lake Gaston pipeline - but both spoke in general terms about water quality.

John Bone, executive director of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce, said the luncheon at the Ramada Inn - a kickoff to an effort to unite commerce groups in expanding the northeastern North Carolina economic base - was the best-attended in the organization's history.

``It is about as good as you can get,'' he said of the reception. ``I've been in Dare County for 30 years, and I've never seen such a turnout at ANY chamber function.''

Bone said a regional effort is necessary to diversify the workforce beyond tourism and travel - and encourage year-round businesses.

``The whole crux of it is, this is not a political thing. It's a commerce thing,'' Bone said.

Hunt used the occasion to recognize the history between the Tar Heel state and the Old Dominion before moving on to North Carolina's recent achievements.

``I am here today with Governor Beyer . . . because I really care about the kind of leadership in that state and the kind of relationship we have,'' Hunt said. ``I tell you - this is a good thing. I don't think this has precedent.

``We ought to care about what happens in Virginia, and we want them to care about what happens here.''

Hunt lauded North Carolina's attractiveness to business and the improvements in education and welfare reform. He also credited Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight with prompting a turnaround in the state's attitude toward natural resources.

``Folks, I have never seen an issue in this state change quickly like the issue of the environment has in this state,'' he said. ``We've got to take care of it.

``I would argue that we are charged by God to take care of his handiwork.''

Speaking after the governor, Beyer said there's a ``strong similarity'' in each state's agenda, including focuses on education and the environment.

``Virginia's water is North Carolina's water,'' Beyer said. ``What happens in a hog farm in North Carolina affects us, too.''

Beyer also referred to both states' rich and shared heritage, saying it has made them ``natural allies and competitors.''

``You gave us Virginia Dare,'' he said, ``but you had the good sense to name her after us.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

DREW C. WILSON/The Virginian-Pilot

Gov. Jim Hunt, right, talks with Va. Lt. Gov. Don Beyer, left, in

Kill Devil Hills on Monday on issues of cooperation between the two

states. KEYWORDS: GUBERNATORIAL RACE VIRGINIA CANDIDATES

CAMPAIGN ISSUES NORTH CAROLINA

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