Protect America's Environment: For Our Families, For Our Future
Box 3357, Bakersfield, CA 93385-3357
(805) 323-5569
E-mail: kern-kaweah.chapter@sierraclub.org
We Need Your Input Now
What should Kern Kaweah chapter’s stand be concerning proposed reconstruction of Highway 178 into a freeway?
Background of project:
Highway 178, a single lane highway, runs from Bakersfield to Lake Isabella through the Kern River Canyon.
Proponents for the enlargement of the road say:
1. Large senior citizen population in Lake Isabella area that needs more sure access to health facilities of Bakersfield.
2. Heavy truck traffic makes road dangerous for general transportation traffic.
3. Ecotourism development is hampered by “poor roads”
Opponents of the enlargement of this road say:
1. Rebuilding this road will be the cause of much environmental damage to area (erosion, destruction of riparian areas, etc.)
2. Visual beauty of Kern Canyon will be altered dramatically.
3. Truck traffic can be rerouted to other highways.
4. Alternate roads should be developed for truck traffic. (through Bodfish?)
5. Emergency health care needs of citizens could be handled through helicopter service.
6. Construction of freeway will encourage more sprawl.
7. Construction of freeway will be very costly.
If you have more information, questions or opinions concerning this proposed project, please contact Mary Ann Lockhart, 805 242-0432 or email, jmal@frazmnt.com. or mail the following to PO Box GG, Frazier Park, Ca .93222.
Put an x before the statement that best expresses your opinion:
Billion dollar boondoggle:
A newly released government report shows that timber sales on the National Forests lost $1.05 billion from 1995-1997. A previous General Accounting Office (GAO) report concluded the agency lost $995 million from 1992-1994. After spending $1.2 billion on timber sales over the three year period from 1995-1997, only $157 million was returned the Treasury. The vast majority of the money from the sale of trees was kept by the Forest Service in various off-budget funds. "GAO's audit confirms once again that taxpayers pay a huge price to subsidize commercial logging of our National Forests," said Rep. George Miller (D-CA) who requested the study. "The current system provides a perverse incentive for the Forest Service to promote timber sales to provide funds to support agency operations." A copy of "Distribution of Timber Sales Receipts, 1995-1997" (GAO/RCED-99-24) can be obtained by calling (202)512-6000 or at http://www.gao.gov, at the report location of http://www.gao.gov/new.items/rc99024.pdf. Cutting down the National Forests to increase Forest Service budgets will not preserve the National Forests for future generations. Tell Congress and the Administration to end this wasteful practice.
- Ara Marderosian, P.O. Pox 988, Weldon, CA 93283
Sequoia Task Force Update
Slow but painful progress is being made in our campaign to protect the Giant Sequoias in Sequoia National Forest. The good news is that the target for green timber sales in the Forest is 11.2 million boardfeet for 1999. The target for salvage sales is 5 million boardfeet. That is far below the target of just a few years ago. The bad news is that Sequoia National Forest still does not have a managment plan to protect the Giant Sequoia groves.
The Sierra Club has told the Sequoia National Forest staff that we believe this Forest should become a recreational forest and that commercial logging should stop. Of course does not receive a positive response and the timber sales go on. We are busy commenting on the environmental documents relating to the sales and appealing those where we believe we have legitimate grounds to do so. Ten years ago the Forest was trying to sell 100 million boardfeet of timber each year so you can see we have made progress but we won’t stop until the cut reaches zero.
In the meantime we are trying to get Sequoia National Forest to start the process of developing a forestwide management plan for the Giant Sequoia groves. We believe such a plan should include the following principles:
*There must be a scientific, criteria based definition of a Sequoia Grove and ecosystem.
*All Giant Sequoia Groves and the sub watersheds that contain them must be off limits to logging.
*All of the existing scientific information about Sequoia Groves must be compiled and used in developing a management plan. *Because fire will be one of the most important tools to manage the groves the Forest must update its fire and fuels management plan.
We have been told by the staff at the Forest that these are things they would consider but they have no money to develop a plan. We have been discussing ways that money might be found with them but so far nothing has happened. We are currently exploring ways to find the needed funding for developing a management plan for the Giant Sequoias. Once a process is started we expect it will take a two or three year period of time to get the job done.
In the meantime we are still supporting legislation in Congress to set aside that part of the Forest where the Sequoias are found as a Preserve. Restoration of the forest and recreation would be the first priority and logging and new road building would be prohibited. In the meantime we will do our best to protect these magnificent forests of the southern Sierra Nevada from logging and other destructive uses.
If you would like to join us in our work contact Joe Fontaine at 805 821 2055 or by e mail at:
joefontaine@lightspeed.net.
Golden Opportunity For Wannabee Activists To Get Their Feet Wet..And Get A Free lunch besides.
The Sierra Nevada Forest Protection Campaign is sponsoring a Southern Sierra Forest Activists Conference on Saturday, January 30, 1999, 9am to 5:30pm at the Kern River Senior Citizens Center, Veterans Hall, 6405 Lake Isabella Blvd., Lake Isabella, CA. Topics will include Sequoia protection, the Forest Service Sierra Nevada regional Environmental Impact Statement and the Quincy logging legislation, a science workshop on the Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project report with Louis Blumberg of The Wilderness Society, local group reports, forest defense, and more. This is a great chance to learn more about southern Sierra forests, strategize for their protection, and meet fellow forest activists.
The conference is free and open to forest protection advocates. Lunch will be provided if you pre-register. For more information or to pre-register, please contact Bob Brister, Sierra Nevada Forest Protection Campaign, PO Box 2808, Oakhurst, CA 93644, (559)641-7427, sierra_outreach@friendsoftheriver.org
Red Rock Canyon State Park is Gearing up for Public Comments
The information we have now is that the staff of Red Rock Canyon have been working hard on an interim management plan and hope to accept public comments on it as early as late February. There will probably be at least one public meeting as well as a period during which public comments are solicited by mail. We expect to learn more about this during January and will try to keep you informed. It is very important that the park receive many comments from Kern-Kaweah members because it lies in our chapter’s territory and because many anti-environmentalists will be commenting. Please call Jeanie at (760)3758973 or e-mail Stillwell@sfsierra.sierraclub.org if you have questions.
Forest Alert:
Help save the Sierra Nevada National Forests. Without your comments, the Forest Service will continue commercial logging in the Sierra Nevada National Forests, despite the overwhelming body of scientific evidence proving that past commercial logging is the cause of losses of habitats, declines and losses of species, and the cause of erosion and sedimentation in the watersheds, streams and rivers. The Sierra Nevada is an island of trees surrounded by desert and commercial logging drastically alters the fire prevention and moisture retention capabilities of this fragile island habitat. Unbelievably, on November 18, the Forest Service disclosed plans to continue, and in some cases increase, commercial logging as a solution to the problems of the forest.
The Forest Service has held 30 public meetings around California to get public input for their plan revision. The Forest Service has said that in many of these meetings in forest communities the overwhelming sentiment was in favor of commercial logging, off-road vehicle recreation, and local control of National Forests. They are only hearing from the logging industry and other forest spoilers.
Your comment letters, about the Sierra Nevada Framework Project (SNFP) -Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), to the Forest Service are needed to protect and restore the National Forests after years of destructive management practices of commercial logging and grazing. Make sure that your values are represented too! Tell the Forest Service that you want no more commercial logging in the National Forests. The public comment period closes January 19.
Write to: Steve Clauson, EIS Team Leader USDA Forest Service, Sierra Nevada Framework Project, room 419, 801 "I" Street, Sacramento CA, 95814 Fax: (415)705-1097
- Ara Marderosian, Sequoia Forest Alliance
Globally Important Bird Area Transferred To Audubon California
The deed to the 1127-acre Kern River Preserve, located along the South Fork of the Kern River east of Isabella Reservoir, was transferred from The Nature Conservancy to the National Audubon Society on November 25th. . The Kern River Preserve is the core of one of the first ten Globally Important Bird Areas to be designated in the United States. It is Globally Important for its protection of Fremont cottonwood and red willow habitat and major populations of migrating Turkey Vultures and nesting Western Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Southwestern Willow Flycatchers, Summer Tanagers, and Kern Red-winged Blackbirds. The Kern River Preserve is, also, one of four Flagship Projects of the California Riparian Habitat Joint Venture, a coalition of private and public organizations working to restore and enhance the Golden State's riverside forests. The preserve is open to the public every day of the year, including holidays, from dawn until dusk. For more information on the Kern River Preserve contact: KRPFriends, PO Box 833, Weldon, CA 93283 P: 1-760-378-3044
krpfriends@lightspeed.net Web Site:http://frontpage.lightspeed.net/KRP
- Bob Barnes, State Director Bird Conservation Programs Audubon California PO Box 953 Weldon, CA 93283 bbarnes@lightspeed.net
Fight the Kern River Freeway Again
Bakersfield City Councilor Kevin McDermott was a leading proponent of the Kern River Freeway; that is one of the reasons he lost the November, 1998 election to David Couch. Mr. Couch may favor re-visiting the city's decision to build the Kern River Freeway. Most of the freeway opponents, other than Sierra Club members, live in or near Mr. Couch's fourth ward. We live in all seven wards. That is why it is now important for you to inform your City Councilor that you hope they will oppose the Freeway; if you have time, include your favorite reasons. The California Department of Transportation has said they will build the Freeway only because the City and the County want to build it. We must show CalTrans that the city does not want the Freeway.
Please keep a duplicate of anything you write to a decision maker, in case we can notify you of exactly when an issue comes before the decision maker. Sending a duplicate copy at that time makes it more likely they will read and remember what you send. You may find your City Councilor's name and phone number by calling 326 3767. Write them at 1501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield CA 93301. For background see the August, 1997 and/or April, 1998 Roadrunner . To obtain a copy of these articles, receive alerts, or discuss this issue, call Arthur Unger at 323 5569.
Around the Chapter
Mineral King Group Seeks Volunteers
If you are a member and live in Tulare or Kings County, and are ready to become more involved, the executive committee is the place to be. The Ex Comm provides vital functions such as organizing events and engaging in issues. Election of officers will take place in a future meeting. If you would like to serve on the Ex Comm call Mary at (559) 625-0287.
The Kaweah Group also seeks volunteers, for their executive committee. The same group of people have been serving for many years, and would like to see some new faces. All meetings are held in Porterville, and are held several times a year. To volunteer call Theresa at 209-781-0594.
Summer Get-Together With Joe Fontaine
On July 31 the Chapter sponsored a dinner featuring Joe Fontaine, a Kern County (Tehachapi) resident and former President of the Sierra Club National Board of Directors. 72 attended the event at Bill Lee’s Bamboo Restaurant where the food was excellent in quality, plentiful and affordable. After an enthusiastic introduction by Chris Geyer, Mr. Fontaine gave a summary of impressive achievements that the Sierra Club has accomplished in recent years, and he outlined the many challenges ahead in protecting our environment for generations to come. Teresa Stump and Gordon Nipp conducted a raffle consisting of donations from Sherman Lee, Owner of Bill Lee's, activists Michelle Hoffman, Mel & Beverly Rubin, Robert Garcia, Manufacturer of the Backpackers' Cache, Sears, Sees Candies, Inc. and Ed Sampson of the Mourning Cloak Ranch and Botanical Garden. A good time was had by all, and many came away with a renewed commitment to the goals and objectives of the Sierra Club-thanks to the "cheer leading" of Joe Fontaine.
-Glenn Shellcross
The Kern Kaweah chapter newsletter, the Roadrunner, is now available at the Sierra Club web site. We invite members who wish to view the newsletter only on the web to instruct us to discontinue mailing them hard copies. We will save $0.10 mailing costs with each edition we do not send you, this could come to over $200 for the entire chapter each year plus printing. We will also save paper. The entire Roadrunner is on the web at:
http://www.sierraclub.org/chapters/kernkaweah/
If you wish to discontinue receiving hard copies, send an e mail to:
labels@sierraclub.org Make the message: " Please do not produce a label for me when the Kern Kaweah Chapter orders newsletter labels." You must include your membership number, as it appears on a Roadrunner label, name, and address. If e mail is not convenient, please mail your entire Roadrunner label to PO Box 3357, Bakersfield CA 93385 Any one who wants an extra hard copy anytime should call 805 323 5569.
1999 Sierra Club Calendars will be available for Owens Peak Group members from Dennis Burge (760) 375-7967.
1999 Sierra Club Calendars
Wilderness Calendar $11
Wildlife Calendar 11
Engagement Calendar 12
Pocket Calendar 5
The above prices include sales tax. Remember any profit goes to Kern-Kaweah to carry on our conservation mission. To order:
In Tehachapi call Georgette Theotig 822-4371,
Frazier Mountain area Mary Ann Lockhart 242-0432,
Bakersfield Lorraine Unger 323-5569
The local newspaper has been doing a series on growth and development in the valley, with emphasis on Bakersfield. As homeowners here have noticed with mounting alarm, the pace of housing construction has exceeded demand and depressed the value of existing properties. In all this, more than one kind of value has been depressed. As one developer declared, “A house is no longer the rock it used to be. It’s a commodity, like a car.” He finds it lamentable that “Now it’s too expensive to move every five years.”
What have I been missing? I’ve always believed that your house is most importantly your home, and that it appreciates steadily with every precious hour you live in it. Every room is a comfort, every window looks out on the beauty of the familiar, and every door opens to memory.
When I first walked into my house as a prospective buyer twenty-five autumns ago, I knew it was right for me. It was twenty-five years old then, and had been lovingly maintained by a close-knit family who were leaving only because age and illness had forced a move. In the patio concrete was a small handprint with the initials “B.T.”, which I have been careful to preserve, as one preserves the memory of a loved child’s smile. Before I agreed to the purchase, I drove to this street on an October night, parked the car in front of the house and sat listening for a long time. Warm lights shone from every neighboring home, but the only sounds were of crickets. This peacefulness was the first blessing.
On the day I moved in, a neighbor introduced herself over the back fence and gave me a freshly baked pie. Just yesterday I took to the same neighbor part of a delicious cheesecake which had been brought to me by a dinner guest. Of all the houses on this street, only one has been sold for a reason other than the advanced age or death of an occupant. And all but one have been purchased by people who have come to stay. I am not the only one to whom the idea of house as commodity is foreign.
One day, about two years after my arrival here, I found a young girl at my front door. It was she who had imprinted her hand and initials in the patio concrete, and as she told me this, she burst into tears. Would I let her come in and see once more the house where she had spent her childhood and which she had hated leaving? Her grandparents had raised her here, and as she walked about she reviewed her days aloud: “I bathed in that tub. I slept by that window. Grandpa’s chair sat there.” I had made many changes, of course, and when she left it was clear that she had accepted closure on the first great chapters of her life. But her visit confirmed my original impression of this house, not as commodity, but as a beloved home.
When the giant deodar cedar in front began to drop its branches, I was forced to have it removed. The death of that tree and the necessary relandscaping traumatized the whole neighborhood for awhile, and me along with it. But we all recovered, because none of our essential values had been disturbed. Where our homes are concerned, we’re a conservative lot, and now joining the youngest children at play on summer lawns are grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Home is a sense of place, and that can be defined with great variation. It can be in the love of family and friends, in traditions of all kinds, in the welcome we are given anywhere, in the embrace of a secure faith. But I have never heard of it in a “commodity”. In the Old Testament the word “house” symbolized absolute permanence. In this transitory life, we can at least honor it with the concept of home.
© 1998 Ann Williams
These are local Kern-Kaweah Chapter, Sierra Club outings, except as noted. Everyone is welcome; you need not be a Sierra Club member. Space on some outings may be limited by the leader. So as not to hold back the other participants, you should be in appropriate condition and have appropriate expertise for the outing you choose. Note that Sierra Club outings rules are in effect! Call (805) 872-2432 for information about future outings.
Regular Events:
Thursday Evening Conditioning Hike
4-5 mile conditioning hike in the northeast Bakersfield area every Thursday evening to keep us in reasonable shape. Meet at 7pm at the Cadillac Ranch parking lot, just east of Mesa Marin. Call leaders, Eva or Gordon Nipp, at (805) 872-2432 for details.
Tuesday Morning Birding in the Bakersfield Area. Every Tuesday from 7:30 to noon, at various local birding hot spots. Novice to expert birders are welcome! For locations, call La Dona Matthews at Kern Audubon Society, (805) 831-5637. Please note this is not a Sierra Club event.
Special Events:
Jan 16-18, 1999 Sat-Mon Kern-Kaweah Chp/CNRCC Desert Panamint Valley - BLM Adopt-A-Cabin Program & Carcamp: Join BLM Wilderness Staff Chief, STEVE SMITH & historian, STAN HAYE in intro to efforts to preserv old miner’s cabins. Basecamp at Minnietta Cabin in Thomson Cyn, Argus Range nr hist Nadeau Trl. Activ may incl hikes to Lookout City ruins, springs further up Thompson Cyn, trip to Kopper King Cabin and some cleanup work. Mod hiking w/some xc. Area offers geological, hist and environ interests. 2WD vehicles ok; 1 mi requires hi-clearance. Send lg sase, H & W phones, rideshare info to Reserv/co-ldr: DON PETERSON, 620 Beth La, Ridgecrest, CA 93555, (760) 375-8599, donpete@ridgecrest.ca.us.Jan. 18 Mon., 7:30pm - Owens Peak Group Monthly Meeting, Ridgecrest - Steve Smith and Don Peterson will give a program about the Inyo Mountains: descent of Craig Canyon. Meet at the Maturango Museum, 100 Las Flores.
Jan 29-31, Kayak & Canoe Paddling at Morro Bay. Camping in the area. We will start paddling Sat at 9:00 AM. Hiking on Sunday. Heavy rain will cancel trip. You must call Dan Walker (805) 631-0278 for details. Email: dwalker@netxn.com.
Feb 6, 9:00 AM Condor Group, Frazier Park. Snow stuff (Skiing or another section of Pacific Crest Trail. Meet at PMC Clubhouse or Flying J. Be sure to call first for final plans, 805-242-2009 or 242-0423.
Feb 13-15, Sat-Mon Kern-Kaweah Chp/CNRCC Desert Carrizo Plain Study Trip & Car Camp/SE San Luis Obisbo Co: Join us w/Naturalist to explore, photograph & map proposed Caliente Mtn Wilderness Area. Explore Soda Dry Lake (good birding) & San Andreas Fault Zone. Trip will include: area's visitor cntr; Painted Rock (pictographs) & if conditions allow, an easy paced hike to Caliente Mtn (5106') and more. This BLM mgt area has some cattle grazing & is home to pronghorn antelope, kit fox, kangaroo rat & raptors. 2WD cars OK. Dry carcamp w/potluck, campfire, sing-a-long. Send lg SASE or e-mail w/rideshare info, H & W phones to Ldr: JOE FONTAINE, Box 307, Tehachapi, CA 93581, (805) 821-2055, joe.fontaine@sierraclub.org.
February 15 Mon., 7:30 pm - Owens Peak Group Monthly Meeting - speaker to be determined later. Meet at Maturango Museum, 100 Las Flores. Call Dennis at (760)3757967 or Jeanie at (760)3758973 for more info.
Feb 20, Sat. 7:30 am. An exploratory, moderate, cross country hike up one of the Panamint Valley west side canyons, likely Shepherd, Bendire or Revenue Cyn. Meet in Ridgecrest at Cal Trans Parking Lot, (corner of E. Ridgecrest Blvd & Richmond Rd) at 7:30 am. For info call Don, (760) 375-8599 or Dennis, (760) 375-7967.
Mar 6, 9:00 AM, Lockwood Creek Trail. Easy hike in riparian area. Good for birding and flowers. Children over 10 accompanied by adults are welcome. Be sure to call for final plans. 805-242-0423.
Mar 13, Sat. 7:30 am. Climb Haiwee Ridge, the prominent ridge just east of Haiwee Reservoir. A moderate cross country hike, rugged ridge, and great views. Meet in Ridgecrest at Ridgecrest Cinemas at 7:30 am. For info call Don, (760) 375-8599 or Dennis, (760) 375-7967.
Mar. 20, Sat. North Fork of Kern River Children's Hike Easy hike from the Johnsondale bridge to the falls (1.5 miles one way). Have lunch and return. Children welcome. Bring lunch and water. Meet at 8am at the Cadillac Ranch parking lot east of Bakersfield. Call leader Ann Williams at (805)324-1055 for details.
March 27-28, 1999 Sat-Sun CNRCC Desert/Kern-Kaweah Chp Southern Sierra Exploratory: 8 mi rt mod x-country hike into Pine Tree Cyn, transition zone betw Mojave Desert & S. Sierra Nevada. Perennial stream flows thu cyn floor strewn w/Buick-sized boulders, accented by small waterfalls & framed by 1,000' shear cliff walls. We usually spot golden eagle or falcon as well as high desert wildflower displays, as we make our way into the cyn. Car camp in Red Rock Cyn SP Sat night w/potluck & campfire. Sun, we hope to join ranger led hike in the State Pk. Send SASE, H & W phones, carpool info to Reserv: SANDY HARE, 22601 Valley View Dr, Tehachapi, CA 93561, (805) 822-0703. Co-ldr: Georgette Theotig, (805) 822-4371.
April 10-11, Sat.-Sun. - Carrizo Plain Car Camp - The perfect Spring getaway! Activities will include hiking, birding, and botanizing. We'll have a potluck dinner and camaraderie around an evening fire. Meet at 9 am Saturday at the Buttonwillow MacDonald's. Call leader Mel Rubin at (805)831-3333 for reservations and details.
April 23-25, Fri-Sun Angeles Chp/CNRCC Desert Panamint & Death Valleys Sampler: Hiking & driving tour with springtime wildflower poss. Meet in Ballarat ghost town Fri eve. Sat nite we'll car camp in Stovepipe Wells. Hiking will be easy-moderate. Trip will incl: charcoal kilns in Wildrose Cyn, hist miners camps, hike into Mosaic Cyn, Keane Wonder Mine, Titus Cyn, Scotty's Castle, Ubehebe Crater, the Racetrack. Street cars OK. Potluck, campfire. Expect $10 DVNP ent fee & $10 per nite camp fee. Send lg SASE, H & W phones, rideshare info to Co-ldr: RICH ABELE, 8442 Naylor Ave, LA, CA 90045, (310) 649-5403/H, (562) 982-2869/W, rich.s.abele@boeing.com. Asst: VERONICA GRAY.
May 8-9, Sat-Sun Angeles Chp/Toiyabe Chp/CRNCC Desert Owens Valley Desert Study & Car Camp: Sat, with Naturalist, MIKE PRATHER we'll tour Owens Lk wetlands, Lwr Owens R; learn how LA's DWP & Inyo Cty plan to manage Owens Lk restoration. Area is prime location for viewing seasonal neotropical migrants, waterfowl & shorebirds. Expl site of 1872 Lone Pine earthquake fault & visit hist Alabama gates. Sat eve potluck & campfire. Sun, leaders will provide Mother's Day breakfast. Afterwards easy-mod hike in nrby Alabama Hills (western movie site); opt trips to E Sierra Museum, Cerro Gordo Mine above Keeler. Expect $7 per night per vehicle camp fee. Send $5.00 (Sierra Club) for ldrs exp, SASE, H & W phones, carpool info to Ldr: BLAIR KUROPATKIN (Antelope Vly Grp), 3760 W Ave J-14, Lancaster, CA 93536, (805) 943-2603, blair@qnet.com. Co-ldrs: BARRY MC CORMICK, MIKE PRATHER (Range of Light Grp).
May 16 for training and May 17 (Monday) 3rd annual Sierra Club Lobby Day in Sacramento. If you are interested in participating call Art Unger (805)322-5569 or Glenn Shellcross (805)832-3382. More detailed information will be developed, but now is the time to start planning to attend. Food and some lodging assistance will be provided, but transportation will be up to us as individuals to work out. Early responses will help us to know how many will want lodging assistance and what kind of transportation arrangements to make. More next issue.
Bonnie East, Bakersfield
I have lived in Bakersfield most of my adult life and I have been an avid conservationist as well as outdoor enthusiast all of my life. For years my involvement with environmental issues has been pursued through my work as a volunteer, biologist and educator. Whether these issues have dealt with urban sprawl, deforestation, endangered species or scientific research, I have a commitment to continuing my support of the environment.
The Sierra Club stands for what I believe in when it comes to enjoying and protecting the only planet we all have to live on. I have been a member of the Sierra Club for years. The time has come to run for a position on the executive committee. So I'm doing it, I'm running, please vote for me.
Neal Fernbaugh, Visalia
I am running for Chapter Ex-com and Representative to the national “council” for two reasons.
First, I believe our local chapter much take a much stronger, public position on the destruction of our valley. Our elected officials, from congressmen to mayors must be discredited and defeated. We cannot allow them to continue the destruction of our valley. Our Club has spent too much time on internal matters. We must refocus on media and public action.
Second, at the national level, “management,” not Club Volunteers have taken over the decision-making process. The Club must be returned to the hands of capable volunteers. The recent Club “logo” fiasco is a good example of how far from the forests our “bureaucrats” have taken us. The new tree on the logo doesn’t look anything like the Sequoia it is supposed to be. The Club’s leaders base their decision-making on media consultants who’ve probably never even seen a Sequoia. It is time for a change at the top of the Club, and I will be an advocate for that change.
Richard Garcia, Exeter
Machinist/Inventor 52. 1971 Graduate of Fresno State College. Self employed since 1977. Own and manage with my wife Beverly, GARCIA MACHINE and KINETIC LABORATORY EQUIPMENT CO. I have invented and hold patents on several products, including safety devices for machine tools, a tissue pulverizer used in plant disease research, and bear resistant containers used in many National Parks to prevent bears from obtaining food from backpackers. I have developed a special appreciation for bears in the wild and support several organizations that are dedicated to preserving bears and their habitat. I would like to see increased protection of the valleys remaining riparian wildlife and address the alarming overdraft of our underground aquifers. Can a machinist-inventor become an effective conservationist? Hey, John Muir did.
Ara Marderosian, Weldon
With my technical, scientific background, I would bring, to the Executive Committee, experience writing comment letters and appeals against environmentally degrading and illegal Forest Service actions. I hike and backpack and I am on the Kern County Elder Abuse Prevention Council. I am an advocate for elder trees and people.
Gordon Nipp, Bakersfield
I have decided to run again for the ExComm because I think that my long-time activity and experience in the Sierra Club can be valuable assets in making the best conservation-oriented decisions. I am currently Chapter Outings Chair. Previously I was a member of the ExComm for fourteen years, serving three years as Chapter Chair. I am also Treasurer of the Quercus Fund, appointed by the national Sierra Club Board to administer several large lawsuit settlements. I have a good understanding of the environmental issues facing the Kern-Kaweah Chapter, having already dealt with many of them, and I am willing to serve again on the ExComm.
Arthur Unger, Bakersfield
My candidacy is for chapter delegate to the Council of Club Leaders. I have been our chapter's delegate to the Council of Club Leaders for five years. This is a complex job, it takes a while to get oriented; I would like to participate for one more year. I have not found our chapter's interests to be at odds with those of The Sierra Club of North America. I have tried to inform myself about how the Sierra Club is administered. I have written a report of each meeting in the Roadrunner and hope to discuss the Club with any of you. I have received three Chapter awards. Thank you for your vote.
Sierra Club
Kern-Kaweah Chapter
Executive Committee Ballot
Read “Candidates Statements” above
*NOTE* Mailing label must be visible on this ballot, and not blacked-out, as the ballot needs to be verified as an official, valid Sierra Club member by an “outside of the executive committee” person. To maintain the secrecy of the vote, Andy Honig will pick up the ballots at the P.O. Box, verify your membership and remove your identifying label before the votes are counted.
Ballots are due back to PO Box 3357 Bakersfield, CA 93385 by February 1, 1999. Cut at the dashed line, fold, stamp, & return.
The 2nd check box on the ballot is for a joint membership only.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Executive Committee Candidates:
Vote for no more than five.
! ! Bonnie East
! ! Neil Fernbaugh
! ! Richard Garcia
! ! Ara Marderosian
! ! Gordon Nipp
! ! Kevin Royle
Chapter Delegate To The Council Of Club Leaders:
Vote for no more than one.
! ! Neil Fernbaugh
! ! Arthur Unger
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRPEOPLE
All but noted area codes are (805)
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chair: Arthur Unger 323-5569
Vice Chair: Glen Shellcross 832-3382
Secretary: Ann Williams 324-1055
Treasurer: Larry Wailes 873-8060
AT LARGE:
Neil Fernbaugh, Kevin Royle, Mel Rubin, Georgette Theotig, Mary Ann Lockhart
RCC Delegates: Kevin Royle, Mary Moy
Alternates: Mary Ann Lockhart, Lorraine Unger
Committee Chairpeople
Membership: Lorraine Unger 323-5569
Historian: Ruth Allen
Political Committee Chair: Harry Love
S.C. Council Rep: Arthur Unger
Outings: Gordon Nipp 872-2432
KAWEAH GROUP (Porterville, area code 559)
Chair: Theresa Stump 781-0594
Vice Chair: Dianne Jetter
Conservation: Carla Cloer Outings: Jim Clark
MINERAL KING GROUP (Visalia & Hanford, 559)
Chair: Mary Moy 625-0287
Vice Chair: Neil Fernbaugh Secretary: Mike Stone
Conservation: Harold Wood Outings: Brian Newton
Treasurer: Janet Wood Membership: Nina Stone
Environmental Education & Computers: Harold Wood
OWENS PEAK GROUP (Desert area code, 760)
Chair: Dennis Burge 375-7967
Vice Chair: Steve Smith Conservation: Jeanie Haye
Treasurer: Dolph Amster Secretary: Helen Huntley
Outings: Don Peterson 375-8599 At Large: Dorothy Vokolek
CONDOR GROUP: (Frazier Park & Pine Mountain area)
Chair: Chester Arthur Outings: Harry Nelson
Historian: Marion Knapp Conservation: Kevin Royle
Membership: Barbara Matthews
Hospitality: Elsbeth Feldman Publicity: Karen Cotter
Treasurers: Jean & Ed Rustvold
Newsletter: Mary Ann Lockhart
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