DATE: Friday, October 17, 1997              TAG: 9710170609

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MILESTONES

CHESAPEAKE

Sgt. W.L. Brabson and Officer S.R. Arledge of the Chesapeake Police Department have won the Governor's Transportation Safety Award for 1997 in the law enforcement category.

The policemen were honored Thursday at the Fall Virginia Transportation Conference at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington.

The two officers coordinated the Teen-age Drivers Safety Program, a joint effort between the Chesapeake Police Department and Chesapeake Public Schools. The program, Education Through Awareness, focused on the dangers of drinking and driving, and emphasized safe driving habits.

Brabson and Arledge, on off-duty time, conducted presentations at three high schools and addressed more than 1,200 students, wrote Ann W. Myers, driver education supervisor, in nominating the officers.

NORFOLK

Two Norfolk and two Virginia Beach residents have been honored by the Japan Education Culture Center at Old Dominion University for their work with the Sister Cities Association.

Richard N. Knapp, president of the Norfolk Sister Cities Association and assistant general manager at Virginia International Terminals, received the Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding service to the sister cities, his volunteerism and his ``tireless contribution to the promotion of international understanding and world peace.'' Norfolk's sister city is Kitakyshu, Japan.

Kimberly Baylor, chair of the physical education department at Granby High School, and Ruth Hodges Smith, city clerk of Virginia Beach, were given the International Volunteerism Award for their work with the Sister Cities Association.

Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf was given the International Inspirational Leadership Award for her work with the Beach's sister city, Miazaki.

The director of the Japan center at ODU, Hiroyuki Hamada, who acts as a liaison between the Japanese government and the organization, said the four were honored on behalf of the sister cities. Hamada is an associate professor and martial artist in residence at ODU.

PORTSMOUTH

Portsmouth Mayor James Holley recently presented a Silver Circle Award for Newsletters and a Certificate of Excellence for Communications Planning to Kenneth M. Wheeler and LaVoris A. Pace of the city's Department of Marketing, Museums and Tourism.

The City of Portsmouth recently received the two national awards in the 1998 Savvy Awards competition sponsored by the City-County Communications and Marketing Association. The awards were announced at the association's annual conference in Tacoma, Wash.

The Savvy Awards are the highest honor the City-County Communications and Marketing Association bestows on communities in recognition of outstanding achievement in creativity, innovation and effectiveness. Judging is done by marketing and communications professionals across the country.

Portsmouth won the Silver Circle Award in the newsletter category for its Connections employee newsletter, developed last year by Wheeler and Pace in cooperation with the Public Information Group.

``This is great news, that a national organization has recognized the work produced by the city of Portsmouth, and even better news that the entries were a team effort by staff from all departments and offices of the city government,'' Portsmouth City Manager Ron Massie said.

Wheeler, a Portsmouth resident, is director of the Portsmouth Department of Marketing, Museums and Tourism. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wheeler has worked for Portsmouth since 1995.

Pace, a Chesapeake resident and graduate of Norfolk State University, is the senior graphics designer in the Department of Marketing, Museums and Tourism. He has been with the city since 1996.

SUFFOLK

Three Suffolk high school students won first place in their categories at the Virginia State Fair Vocational Industrial Club of America.

All are enrolled at Pruden Center for Industry and Technology.

Michael Thompson and Steve Wilkins of Lakeland High School competed as a carpentry team. Each received a plaque, tools and gift certificates.

Nick Harvey of Lakeland High School competed in shingle application and was awarded a plaque and a scholarship. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Wheeler

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