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By Greg Gaudio
VIRGINIA BEACH
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine was in Virginia Beach on Friday to honor the city for becoming the first "green destination" in the commonwealth.
The Virginia Green program told the city it would approve the moniker if 20 restaurants, 12 hotels, one attraction and the convention center could be certified as places working toward environmentally conscious habits.
A grassroots group within the hospitality industry, calling itself the Virginia Beach Green Team, surpassed that goal - motivating 20 restaurants, 16 hotels, four attractions, five events and the convention hall to earn Virginia Green certification.
"Virginia Beach now sets the bar for other tourism destinations," Kaine said at a ceremony that also was attended by Del. Joe Bouchard and Mayor Meyera Oberndorf.
They presented Virginia Beach Green Team leader
Laura Wood Habr a framed copy of a state House resolution commending the team's efforts.
"It validates and kind of rejuvenates us to have that nod and appreciation, and I hope it inspires others to join our efforts," she said.
Habr's restaurant, Croc's 19th Street Bistro, was among the first to be certified by Virginia Green, a marketing program launched by the state Department of Environmental Quality in 2006.
To be certified, businesses must meet basic recycling, energy and water efficiency requirements.
The state relies on consumers to make sure businesses are doing what they promise, said Tom Griffin, Virginia Green coordinator in the DEQ's office of pollution prevention.
Habr said she heard about green resort areas in other parts of the country and asked Virginia Green to set requirements so Virginia Beach could be called one.
"We agreed together that that was a reasonable number to be able to call yourself a green destination with some real clout behind it," Griffin said in reference to the requirements.
Kaine said he was optimistic that other Virginia locales will want to follow the Beach's lead. "It kind of goes viral after you give attention to the first community," he said.
Greg Gaudio, (757) 222-5125, greg.gaudio@pilotonline.com
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What does "Green" mean?
It means commitment. Croc's owners should be commended for leading the Green Team as they were by Governor Kaine. Croc's owners cannot control every aspect or person on their team or what mode of transportation is chosen by the 100's of people that attended the award ceremony. Respectfully, they certainly do lead a team who commit to the "letter" of being “Green”.
It is an oxymoron that this commentary is written on an electric device that is energized by a fossil fuel burning machine. Much like the many people that showed for a green dedication, drove their fossil burning vehicles, entered an enormous air conditioned convention center, into a windowless room with lots of heat generating lights and bodies, to hear electrically amplified speeches and award ceremony. Many aforementioned items are needed in this world today. Maybe, such an event should have been conducted in a more natural setting, same location just outside.
Going “green” is not easy but it can start by planning with two feet firmly grounded and committed not to waste but to conserve and seek out new techniques and cultural changes that make the planet a healthier place to live.
Thanks to leaders of VB Hospitality-BeachSpa Tainted the point
Thanks to leaders of V.B. Hospitality industry -BeachSpa tainted the point. No one can control who walks to such events. This "BeachSpa" owner’s point below, was almost valid until his unsubstantiated comment about the very people who lead this charge - the folks at Croc's.(FYI they did walk, along that crooked 19th Street sidewalk with small children in tow, others walked too.) As far as those who didn’t/couldn't walk to this event, perhaps due to age, health or distance, their presence and support were admired. Flippant remarks as this have no place for the people doing good work for Green.… Shame on you “BeachSpa” you're in the hospitality business!
PS People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
Going Green Starts with Two Feet
I attended the ceremony and our business is recognized as a "Green Business." From my vantage point there was only one bike that was ridden to the ceremony and over 100 people attended. I know many have to drive but Crocs is two blocks away and they drove. If you want to go green it starts with your two feet. Use them and the planet will be a better place. Live closer to work so you can walk or ride. It is simple, you just have to commit.
I felt green
I looked green once after a night at Croc's, but I think it had more to do with the tequila than saving with the planet.
Good step forward!
I think it's great what these restaurants and hotels are doing. Let's give the next generation a better, cleaner place to live. Also, by promoting Virginia Beach as a green location, I think it helps differentiate the Beach, improve its image, and help small business owners in a difficult economic climate. Keep moving this forward!
Very Sad...
That some people deride the good effforts of others to be good stewards of resources. Kind of like the people who make fun of the geeky pupil who loves computers or the young singer with a dream who then turn out to be great successes. Keep up the good deeds folks and ignore the background noise from naysayers.
Virginia Beach Going Green
I applaud the volunteers in the Resort Section's hospitality business who've gone for the Virginia Green designation. It's not fair for anyone to deride it as a joke. It's a first step, admittedly a baby step, in making all of Virginia Beach green but it's an important one. Gov. Kaine thought it merited a visit to Virginia Beach.
I would like to see all the hotels and eateries involved in recycling and conservation efforts. It's a way of demonstrating how we value our city's natural beauty. Portland, Oregon, had to start somewhere. Let's hope this grass roots effort encourages everyone in Virginia Beach to get onboard.
green?
I saw cans with recycle on them but most were just putting trash in. Is that what we call green or is it just a sign put up that says "We are now green...."
Congratulations Virginia Beach Green Hospitality Team
Congratulations to the nearly 60 “city wide” certified Virginia Green businesses for their grassroots effort as the Virginia Beach Green Team including many volunteers from around Hampton Roads who've “stepped up” in this Green effort. A private ad hoc if you will, to support hospitality colleagues to join this green movement and together establish a critical mass. Many, locally owned and operated, are to be commended for their commitment to eco-friendly practices and hopefully inspire others to join or maybe even you, reading this. Why? Because it is the right thing to do, and we’d like to see our city move in this direction. That's it. There's no place for trivializing or demeaning these efforts. Congratulations also go to city efforts for recycling on the beach and the new hybrid buses. Support these certified Virginia Green efforts: www.VirginiaBeachGreen.com & www.VirginiaGreenTravel.com
HA!
I bet all these "green" businesses are within a 10 city block radius down at the oceanfront. How this city ever got classified as a "green city" is beyond me. What a joke.