THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 4, 1996 TAG: 9610020137
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 43 lines
Chesapeake Mayor William E. Ward has been appointed to the executive committee of the Hampton Roads Partnership, a public-private organization formed this year to promote the area's economic vitality through cooperation and regionalism.
Ward will be one of 15 members to serve on the executive commitee the steering body of the organization. He replaces former Suffolk Mayor S. Chris Jones.
``Mayor Ward's appointment was a unanimous consensus of the board,'' said Barry DuVal, president of the Hampton Roads Partnership. ``His longtime elected experience will be an asset to the partnership.''
Ward said he looks forward to representing Chesapeake.
``This will better bring us to the table,'' he said. ``It affords us the opportunity to articulate for the city and its commitment to regionalism. The partnership is in an embryonic stage. Hopefully, as it matures, its leaders will help break down the traditional barriers that have existed between area cities.''
The mayor was selected by the state last spring to help examine another effort in regionalism. Ward was named by the Virginia General Assembly to a panel to study the Virginia Competitiveness Act, a legislative initiative passed in 1996 that provides economic incentives to Virginia municipalities to work together for their mutual benefit and the benefit of the state.
The act seeks to bolster Virginia's economic competitiveness throughout the country and world. A total of $3 million was allocated for the act this year. Localities demonstrating cooperation will receive funds to further that cooperation.
``The panel will be looking at the entire structure of the act,'' Ward said. ``We will see how the monies are distributed throughout the state. We hope to boost the $3 million figure to $50 million next year. The competitiveness act certainly goes arm in arm with the Hampton Roads Partnership. We're already structured here in Hampton Roads in that we have a regional partnership already organized.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Mayor Ward by CNB