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Delaware Sierra News: Chapter Election Issue - Please Vote!
Delaware Sierra News: Chapter Election Issue - Please Vote!
Candidate Information
For candidate information and statements, see
pages starting on page 3.
Please vote for the Chapter Executive Committee as well as the Executive Committee of the Southern
Delaware Group if applicable. See instructions on page 1, including how to determine whether you are
eligible to vote in the Group election.
Candidate names have been listed in random order.
Please place a check next to each candidate you are voting for, and/or write in candidates in the extra
spaces provided.
Chapter Single Second Southern Single Second
ExCom (5800) Member or Joint Delaware Group Member or Joint
(vote for First Joint Member (5801) (vote for First Joint Member
no more than 4) Member no more than 2) Member
Nancy Carig Phil Shuman
June Satterfield Harry Haon
Debbie Heaton
Dave Keifer
Michael Smith
Jay Cooperson
Dick Bewick
Fold this page along the dashed line, then along the
POSTAGE
HERE
AFFIX
Felton, DE 19943
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another event for late winter. And, in addition to The Sierra Club has a significant role to play in
work on membership engagement, I joined the new Delaware and I’m excited to see that we currently
Political Committee and chaired the Gubernatorial have as a number of very talented and enthusiastic
Candidate’s Debate on the Environment in August members who want to get involved and who are also
2008, which drew an audience of over 300 and raised running for election this year.
the profile of environmental issues in the Delaware Over the past year I’ve worked with June Satter-
elections. field to host the chapter’s first gubernatorial forum
I’ve devoted lots of time and I’ve learned that our that drew a standing-room-only-crowd and consulted
club is made up of many caring and committed indi- with Jay Cooperson as he chaired the chapter and
viduals who, like me, want to make a difference for worked to get more members involved. I’m excited
the environment. I’m hoping to serve on the Execu- to see Nancy Carig running as she was a moving
tive Committee so that I can help offer members force a few years back with the Chapter’s highly suc-
more opportunities to participate, learn, have fun, cessful fundraising efforts and it is gratifying to see
and, most importantly, get something accomplished. new members like Michael Smith stepping forward.
My track record so far has shown that I see my plans We have a lot to do in the coming year - the main
through to fruition, and if elected, I plan to work to channel of the Delaware River is up for dredging; the
improve the viability and effectiveness of our Sierra state’s open space, farm and forestlands preservation
Club in Delaware. programs will need funding to continue their work;
our successful Cool Cites program needs to expand;
Debbie Heaton, Middletown and recycling, global warming and energy issues will
I became active in the Sierra Club in 1989 need supporters to help protect our coast lines,
because I was interested in meeting new people. A waters and reduce our air pollution.
lot has happened since! I’ve been honored to serve as There is much to do. I hope you will vote for me
the Chapter’s Chair, Conservation Chair, Newsletter in this election, consider the other candidates I’ve
Editor and now Political Chair. I’ve been able to par- mentioned, and then join me in getting involved in
ticipate at the regional and national levels serving on the Sierra Club in Delaware.
the Appalachian Regional Conservation Committee
and Council of Club Leaders Executive Committees, David R. Keifer, Dover
Chair of the Nomination Committee for the Board of I have lived in Delaware since 1966. My first
Directors, and as a member of the national board of assignment when I came to work for the State was
directors’ Organizational Effectiveness Governance the Outdoor Recreation Plan, during which I learned
Committee. I also coordinated the Club’s first Club- to appreciate the open space, the beaches, and the
wide national gathering in recent times to discuss, wetlands; an appreciation that has grown over the
formulate and clarify better ways for the groups, years. I became involved with Sierra because I
chapters and the national structure of the Club to thought I could make a contribution to conservation
work better together, and I’ve served on numerous and quality of life initiatives. Much of my work prior
task forces and for one year as an Inspector of Elec- to retirement involved activities that were supportive
tion. I was even employed as chapter staff for almost of good resource conservation and use.
2 years. I made use of my experience in fisheries manage-
I am running for election to the chapter’s Execu- ment by becoming a member of the Sierra Club
tive Committee so that I can use my experience to Marine Wildlife and Habitat Committee. I also
assist members from across the state to get involved served as Sierra’s representative to the Marine Fish
in everything from outdoor activities and volunteer Conservation Network. While a member of the Com-
work days to planning strategies to increase our mittee I drafted comments on the programmatic
statewide recycling rate and getting good people environmental impact statement for offshore alterna-
elected to county and state level offices. Working tive energy program and on the reauthorized
together we can build the chapter’s reputation and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Man-
influence and protect Delaware’s remaining natural agement Act. I testified for the Committee before the
resources. National Marine Fisheries Service on the implemen-
Throughout my experiences with the Club, I’ve tation of the revised Magnuson Act, Unfortunately,
met a lot of wonderful people who were as con- the amount of conservation work needed in Delaware
cerned about Delaware’s clean air and water as I am. forced me to resign those appointments in order to
4
focus my energies on our problems here. and water), to creating leadership programs for sci-
I have served a Chair of the Land Use Commit- ence teachers in Los Angeles, to serving as Director
tee, member of the Executive Committee, of Education for the American Geological Institute,
Conservation Chair, and Chapter Chair. to being a “geologist in the park” for the National
I represented the Chapter on a committee that Park Service at Grand Canyon Parashant National
looked into changes in the New Castle County Uni- Monument. These experiences has deepened my
fied Development Code that would require larger resolve to help others experience and appreciate their
portions of open space when developments are laid natural surroundings and understand why it is essen-
out. tial that we work together to preserve and protect the
On recycling, I testified before the Legislative environment.
Sunset Committee to sunset the Delaware Solid Environmental literacy begins with the lessons
Waste Authority as a way of facilitating recycling. we teach our children. As a member of the Executive
Secured a grant from Sierra National to retain recy- Committee, I will work to develop Sierra Club out-
cling experts to learn effective ways to recycle, reach activities and programs for K-12 teachers and
developed a series of community meetings to allow students throughout Delaware. Key to our success as
these experts to share their knowledge with residents a chapter will be a holistic approach that integrates
and also met with the experts and the Secretary of what teachers and students do in their classrooms
Natural Resources and Environmental Control and with the citizens of their communities. I envision
his staff. programs that create cadres of student leaders who
Continued the Chapter’s work in opposition to the not only explore important issues like alternative
deepening of the main channel of the Delaware energy, conservation, recycling, land use, and the
River, work that is restarting in response to Pennsyl- impact of global change on Delaware’s population
vania’s efforts. and ecosystems, but also share the results of their
Helped defeat construction of a liquefied natural efforts and discoveries with adults. The future of our
gas terminal in the Delaware River opposite Clay- chapter and our planet depend greatly upon our suc-
mont. Testified before the Coastal Zone Industrial cess engaging young people in our mission.
Control Board
I testified before Kent County Regional Planning Jay Cooperson, Wilmington
Commission and the Kent County Levy Court on the I was a member when the Chapter, then the
update of the County’s Comprehensive Plan. Delaware Group, first formed. I have served in many
We must continue work with local governments capacities in the Chapter and Group since that time
on land use issues and with the State on planning; and I currently serve as the Chairman of the Chapter.
air, water, and soil pollution; solid waste; and land The most critical need of our Chapter, as with
use. Land use included stopping sprawl, which costs most volunteer organizations, is to increase participa-
everyone, not only in the waste of the fixed resource tion of its members in the group’s activities. Most
of land, but in increased energy needs and taxpayer essential to that is fostering the role of younger
money for roads, sewers, motor fuel to commute and members and encouraging new leaders. During the
shop, school busses, and on and on. Stopping sprawl past year and a half in which I have served as Chair-
is not a theoretical good cause. It hits you in the wal- man of the chapter we have seen the success of the
let every time you walk out the door. newly formed, young, and energetic political com-
I would appreciate receiving your support to con- mittee, led by Debbie Heaton and ably supported by
tinue these important programs. such members as June Satterfield, who also serves as
Chair of the Membership Committee. Their willing-
Michael Smith, Newark ness to run for positions on the Executive Committee
I am an earth science teacher and geologist. For encourages me greatly.
more than 20 years, I have worked to expand oppor- When the Executive Committee selected me as
tunities for students and the public to become Chair my deepest concern was to hold together a
“environmentally literate” – a goal that is completely body which, at the time, was deeply divided about
interwoven with the mission of the Sierra Club. My tactics for achieving common environmental goals. I
efforts have ranged from creating two earth science believe that the committee has been able to over-
textbook series that focus on understanding Earth as come internal differences without forfeiting each
a complex set of interacting systems (life, earth, air, member’s own deeply held views regarding how he
5
thinks the Chapter should achieve its goals. As a industry in Delaware City area; Active in Chapter
corollary to finding common ground, I have sought public opposition to the proposed 5' channel dredg-
to provide the opportunity for those who were will- ing of the DE River which would solely benefit
ing to engage themselves deeply in such work to do Philadelphia & PA, Chapter Rep for Preservation of
so. At times this has drawn my energy away from AG lands and other open spaces; Chapter Rep on the
seeing that the routine, but essential, management Kent County Comprehensive Plan Working Group,
functions of the committee have been carried out Chair of S DE Group’s Transportation Committee;
expeditiously. If re-elected, I would work to Kent County Rep on the S DE Group’s Land Use
strengthen our environmental and outings program, Committee; Active in Chapter’s support of Coastal
while also making certain that procedural concerns Zone throughout State (Resulted in being appointed
are met in a timely and complete fashion. by Governor to State’s Coastal Zone Industrial Con-
During my tenure as Chair I have also tried to trol Board & Confirmed by DE State Senate);
work with other environmental and public interest Supported closing of Chapter’s seldom used Wilm-
groups such as the Audubon Society, the Delaware ington office (As of 12/08). Supported establishing a
Riverkeeper, and the League of Women Voters. This Chapter meeting room/office in Dover area to pro-
paid off in passage of the enabling legislation for the vide a centralized location for Chapter activities,
off-shore wind farm. Chad Tolman led the chapter’s meetings, along with an enhanced presence at Leg-
work in this effort which many organizations joined islative Hall & State Office HQ’s such as DNREC,
in an informal coalition. etc. Supported the adoption (’08) of standing rules to
Whether as a member of the Executive Commit- define and guide the Chapter’s budgetary process.
tee or in some other role, I shall continue to serve its Supported the adoption (’08) of standing rules to
interests and those of the environment. assure that future elections are conducted in a timely
and effective manner.
Dick Bewick, Dover If re-elected I look forward to pursing the fol-
My wife and I have been active in State, County lowing Chapter related Administrative and
and local community activities throughout our 50+ Conservation issues in 2009: Improved membership
years in Delaware. It became obvious that uncon- communications to encourage members to actively
trolled and/or poorly planned growth was rapidly support Chapter positions; Identify conservation
taking away the major part of the “attractiveness and issues appealing to youth in each of Delaware’s three
charm” that had made Delaware such a great place to counties and encourage their participation: Continue
live. Sprawl and pollution were a few of the many focusing on preservation and conservation issues
reasons I became active in our DE Sierra Club Chap- (e.g. air and water quality, land use and energy…)
ter in 1995 and why I became convinced that there germane to the State of Delaware; Actively support
was a serious need for increased public awareness Local, State & National conservation initiatives to
and actions to deal with such environmental threats encourage political support of anti pollution laws and
as the proposed Delaware River 5' dredging, pollu- issues that have been severely weakened during the
tions by the Delaware City refinery and Indian River past 8 years!!
Power Plant, the high cancer rate in our State, the
DSWA land fill problems, the DuPont Edgemoor & Southern Delaware Group
DE River Treatment Plant pollutions. After actively
serving on the Chapter’s Conservation Committee Candidate Statements
was elected to ExCom in 1991 where for the last 6
years I have demonstrated my continuing strong Phil Shuman
interest in conservation, preservation and related I have been an active Sierra Club member for
issues. over 25 years. I consider myself a lifelong environ-
The following represent some of my past and cur- mentalist/ecologist/worshipper of nature. I am an
rent Chapter ExCom experience and activities: avid back packer, canoer, bicyclist and roller blader. I
Served as Anti-Pollution Chair; Served as Chapter am often called the Turtle Man because of my inter-
Conservation Chair; Testified on behalf of Chapter est in Herpetology.
before the DE General Assembly regarding DSWA I have worked with the City, County and State,
and Recycling issues; Testified on behalf of Chapter the church and scouts as well a business and civic
at DNREC public hearings on pollution caused by groups in promoting environmental causes for over
6
25 years. I have helped plant at least a gazillion trees Harry Haon
for Carl Solberg. Progress is being made on a number of environ-
I am owner of a small business for over 20 years. mental issues in Southern Delaware but there’s still
Previously I was chairman of the Outings Committee much improvement needed – for instance, in the
which organized various outings, many of which quality of the air we breathe, protection of drinking
were water trips. water sources, reduction of pollution of the Inland
I have attended many Club training seminars for Bays, and long-term coordinated land use planning,
leaders. I am a Libra personality who brings folks to name a few. The Club in cooperation with other
together. I am an experienced realist that understands environmental and citizen groups has an excellent
the complexity of successes. Lastly, I am an opinion- opportunity to make a difference in the quality of life
ated old rascal who is not afraid to shake things up. throughout Delaware.
I would appreciate your vote.
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BE PART OF THE ACTION!!!
Group Leaders email to Debbie.heaton@sierraclub.org to be included. This list will key you into state and national
issues of interest to Delawearans.
2. Visit the Sierra Club's Web site at www.sierraclub.org/takeaction, where you can sign up for the Take
Action Network to send free messages to your elected officials.
All phone numbers are Area Code 302 Additional Chapter ExCom Members
3. For the inside story about Club conservation campaigns and how you can help, ask for a free sub-
scription to the bimonthly print newsletter the Planet. Send an e-mail to activist.desk@sierraclub.org
Rich Anthony Explore, enjoy and645-1732
protect the planet
or write the office of Volunteer and Activist Services, 85 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-3441.
Chapter Office rha@de-enviro.net
100 West 10th Street, Suite 1107
Delaware Chapter Sierra Club
Dick Bewick
March/ April/ May 2004 8
736-1670
Wilmington, DE 19801 dynaflow29@verizon.net
351-2776
Southern Delaware Group (SDG)
Chapter Staff Appointed Officers
Member & Community Engagement Coordinator: Chair: Rich Anthony 645-1732
Ezra Temko 981-3007 rha@de-enviro.net
Ezra.Temko@sierraclub.org Vice Chair: Harry Haon 656-4582
Chapter Appointed Officers Conservation Chair: David Keifer
Chair: Jay Cooperson 571-0660 dkeifer@comcast.net
CoopersonArc@aol.com Environmental Justice Chair: Mable Granke 227-6637
Vice Chair: Tim O’Connor 697-7466 Secretary & Membership Chair:
Tim1158@aol.com Carrie Bennett 732-3358
Secretary: Matt Urban 521-4495 c.bennett@de-enviro.net
murban@mobiusnm.com Additional Southern Delaware Group (SDG)
Treasurer: Lorri Fencer LorriFencer@verizon.net ExCom Members
Conservation: Tim O’Connor 697-7466 Dick Bewick 736-1670
Tim1158@aol.com dynaflow29@verizon.net
Cool Cities: Ron Zink 735-8996 Steve Callanen 539-0635
ron_z_19904@yahoo.com prnmed@mchsi.com
Energy: Chad Tolman 478-3516 Harry Haon 656-4582
chadtolman@comcast.net harryhaon@aol.com
Land Use: David Keifer dkeifer@comcast.net Barbara Murray bemursaga@hotmail.com
Litigation: David Keifer dkeifer@comcast.net Terri Usuki 436-2296
Membership: June Satterfield 653-6596 tamaki@prodigy.net
junesatterfield@comcast.net
Outings: Jennifer Egan 540-4546
jennifermegan28@msn.com
Visit us on the Web!
Political: Debbie Heaton
politics@delaware.sierraclub.org
Pollution: Al Denio
Alvaldenio@aol.com
455-0389 i www.delaware.sierraclub.org
Web Editor: Mike Casale 239-2225
mike.casale@verizon.net
New Address
City State Zip
Phone E-mail
Mail to: Sierra Club, P.O. Box 52968, Boulder, CO 80321-2968