SML recreation area dedicated to Del. Vic Thomas

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine was a no-show Friday at a ceremony to dedicate Smith Mountain Lake State Park’s recreation area in memory of longtime Del. Vic Thomas of Roanoke.

Mechanical problems prevented a state helicopter from lifting off to bring Kaine to the lake, the crowd of about 100 was told.

Nonetheless, Kaine’s absence seemed to lead many in the crowd to wonder if he was occupied with things related to reports he is on the short list to be Democrat Barack Obama’s vice presidential running mate.

A handful of state officeholders and officials were at the naming ceremony, including Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls Sen. Creigh Deeds of Charlottesville and Del. Brian Moran of Alexandria.

Preston Bryant, secretary of natural resources in Kaine’s Cabinet, told the crowd that naming 200 acres of the park the A. Victor Thomas Outdoor Recreation Area was a fitting tribute.

Thomas, in his 30 years of representing Roanoke in the House of Delegates, “set a very high conservation bar” that included gaining funds for the park’s swimming beach, cabins and boat ramp, Bryant said.

“Governor Kaine and his administration are continuing to work to live up to the very high legacy Vic Thomas set,” Bryant said, and Kaine has declared his final year of office in 2009 as his Year of the Environment, Bryant said.

That will include issues Thomas cared about, including wildlife management, water quality, outdoor recreation, and land conservation, Bryant said.

Also attending the event were state Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, Del. Watkins Abbitt, I-Appomattox, and Del. William Fralin, R-Roanoke, who now represents the same district Thomas once represented.