By Kelly Gerow

Not every legislator celebrated the holidays with a gift box from Philip Morris, enjoyed a night on the town from Sprint or went hunting courtesy of the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association.

Nine delegates and one senator did not accept any gifts from lobbyists last year, according to legislators’ Statements of Economic Interests.

"I’ve made it well known that I’m not particularly interested in them," Delegate Jackie T. Stump, D-Oakwood, said. "Sometimes if you receive nice gifts, you worry about public perception."

People might think that a lawmaker is indebted to the giver and that the gift might influence the public official’s votes. "I guess I’d rather not have that perception," Stump added.

Delegate John M. O’Bannon, R-Richmond, was elected in December to the House of Delegates.

"I may not have been in long enough to receive gifts," he said. "I won’t accept any kind of substantial gifts."

He said he has gotten small things, like coffee mugs and umbrellas, but has given most of those away.

"I’ll have to look at each gift, but my inclination would be to probably not take them," O’Bannon said.

Delegate Beverly Sherwood, R-Winchester, usually does not accept gifts, an aide said. "She feels that it’s just not the thing to do. I know that one group gives circus tickets. She didn’t accept those. She is very careful about accepting any kind of gift from anyone."

Besides O’Bannon, Sherwood and Stump, the following lawmakers did not receive any gifts during the year 2000:

• Delegate William K. Barlow, D-Smithfield
• Delegate Mary T. Christian, D-Hampton
• Delegate George W. Grayson, D-Williamsburg
• Delegate Melanie L. Rapp, R-Yorktown
• Delegate John J. Welch III, R-Virginia Beach
• Delegate Thomas C. Wright Jr., R-Victoria
• Sen. Louise L. Lucas, D-Portsmouth

Many other legislators accepted only a few hundred dollars in gifts last year. Thirty-six lawmakers reported receiving $250 or less in gifts.

In several cases, legislators donated their gifts to charity. For instance, House Speaker S. Vance Wilkins Jr. received a $75 ham as a gift – and gave it to the Salvation Army.

Sen. Emily Couric, D-Charlottesville, accepted just one present: a $250 gift certificate for Barnes & Noble Booksellers, given by the Virginia Nurse Practitioners Association. Couric, who is fighting a battle against cancer, donated the gift certificate to the University of Virginia Cancer Center.