I began my surveying career in 1959.  I was first licensed in 1971 and again in 1972 in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  I obtained my West Virginia license in 1972 (granted by F. Henry Sipe, Surveyor #1).  I was very proud of that license, Mr. Sipe calling me highly adaptable upon granting it to me.  I earned my Maryland Professional Surveyors license in 1979.  I am currently the sole owner and operator of my land surveying firm established in 1983; being with partners in other firms over the 15 years prior.  That folks, adds up to 10 years of on-the-job continuing education with almost another 40 years of the same in responsible charge as partner or sole proprietor of a surveying firm.

Maryland adopted a CE program a few years ago and I decided to opt-out rather than waste my time and money traveling to sundry locations around that State listening to a bunch of bloviating no-nothings bore me things I don't need or care to know; I let that license lapse in 2003 (after paying fees and dues for 24 years).

Then West Virginia adopts a CE program and, after 33 years, I let that license lapse too.  Good riddance.  RIP Mr. Sipe.

My CE takes place everyday I come into the office.  I don't need to go to any seminars.  I don't need any more education to do my job.

Now here we are in 2008 in Virginia proposing the same damn dumb stuff others are trying.  Has anybody bothered to ask if any of these other programs have any practical value?  Does anyone remember the Metric conversion fiasco that cost untold millions (billions) of dollars before the entire idea was scrapped for being beyond stupid?  Pick up any copy of the regulations and take a good look at the list of dopes who took credit for that boondoggle, all good intentioned pillars of the community.

I note that one of the few proponents of CE in the forum is the Educational Chairman of the Virginia Association of Surveyors.  I have been a member, in my name since 1984 and thru other entities much longer.  No more, this is the last year.  I had planned a scholarship fund to be implemented thru VAS in my will.  Forget it!

I have told anyone who will listen, since Maryland adopted CE, and now I am telling you, that if this crap is adopted, I will not be participating.  I fully intend to allow my Virginia licenses to lapse thus joining the ash-heap of history and ending a fifty-year career in the land surveying profession.  I will with deep sadness and regret close my office and retire cursing the Commonwealth and the authors of this proposal each remaining day of my life.