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| NEWS:Turtle Tracks Newsletter |
| Turtle
Tracks
Newsletter of the Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group Volume 28, No. 5| October/November 2004 |
Back Issues Newsletter Editor
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MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD IN SCRIPPS SITE SELECTION
- Barry Silver
The environmental community is making great progress in alerting our community, and confronting our political leaders with the truth about Scripps. Under the direction of our governor, who along with his brother has shown himself to be no friend of our environment, political heavyweights met behind closed doors to arrange for this invasion of the last vestiges of our open space and natural areas in Palm Beach County.
The County Commission has said for many months that the placement of Scripps on the Mecca/Vavrus site is a done deal in order to lull everyone into passivity and inaction in the face of this huge threat to our quality of life in this county. Well, this done deal is now in the process of being undone thanks to the dedication and perseverance of many dedicated activists, including the leadership of our local Sierra Club Group, who have attended numerous meetings, voiced the concerns of our membership, and supported litigation to move this project to a less harmful site. As of this writing, the County Commission is now considering other options, and we hope that by the time you read this newsletter, they may have already decided on an alternative site, such as the Briger tract, which has the advantage of being far less harmful to the Loxahatchee, the Everglades and the Corbett Wildlife Sanctuary, and will cost the people of Florida far less money in this latest attempt at corporate welfare at the expense of the taxpayers.
As Scripps knows very well, cancer is defined as uncontrolled growth, and that is exactly what Scripps threatens to inflict on the rest of us if they are successful in plundering the wetlands and environmentally sensitive areas of the Mecca/Vavrus site with their proposed taxpayer-financed bio-tech community. With this project, some politicians and wealthy developers are attempting to usurp the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and circumvent laws which protect the scenic beauty of our land and water.
If the County Commissioners have not yet committed to an alternative site, we urge you to continue to support your local Sierra Club Group by writing letters to our political leaders, attending meetings, and staying active with this issue until they decide to act in the best interests of the people and the environment. In this way, each one of us can play a role in helping to make our community a better place to live, and in protecting and preserving the natural beauty of our nation which belongs to all of us and not to the highest bidder. Thanks to your support of Sierra Club, you are making a difference in helping our community to preserve what is left of the pristine areas of our region.
If you would like to be directly involved in this action contact me at 561-483-6900 or e-mail at barryboca@aol.com
Barry Silver is the Loxahatchee Group Liaison for Scripps Legal Matters and Co-chair of the Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition.
GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENTS
National Sierra Club has endorsed John Kerry for president. Florida Chapter Sierra Club has endorsed Robert Wexler and Alcee Hastings for US House of Representatives.
Other local endorsements include Florida State House, District 86 Anne Gannon and District 88 Susan Bucher. We are pleased to announce an endorsement for Harriet Lerman in her first attempt to unseat Warren Newell for District 3 of the Palm Beach County Commission. Previously the Lox group endorsed encumbent Karen Marcus for County Commission in District 1.
The candidates and their opponents were interviewed. Much consideration was given to these endorsements. We hope Sierra Club members will support them.
HOLIDAY PARTY & SILENT AUCTION
- Sheila CalderonWOW !! Time sure flies when you are having fun and especially when you are visited by the likes of “Frances” and Jeanne!! Well Sierra Friends, it is time to announce our third annual “Silent Auction” to be held at our Annual Holiday Party on Saturday, December 4th. So as not to take any chances on a December rainstorm this year, we will have our party indoors. Location and details will be announced on the Loxahatchee Forum and in subsequent issues of Turtle Tracks.
Donation offers for our Silent Auction are off to a good start. Gift certificates have started rolling in. We will have a great choice of restaurants, Florida attractions, theatre tickets, native plants and other great gift items, such as a week at a North Carolina vacation home. Funds raised by the silent auction will be used to support our Inner City Outings Program, the Elaine Usherson Environmental Camp Scholarship program and other local projects. Call me at (561) 968-4166 or send an e-mail to Shecal@Bellsouth.net, with donations of items (min. value - $25) or any gift certificates you procure from your favorite restaurants or attractions.
Remember, save the date and check the December issue of Turtle Tracks for final party time and details.
FROM THE EASY CHAIR. . . . .
- Kay Gates, ChairpersonIn the aftermath of Frances the words of wisdom are – plant native trees! Many of us are looking forward to Lisa Hanley’s annual fall wildflower walk in one of the County’s native scrub preserves. With all the fallen trees, it may be an adventure. See Outings.
Our summer picnic was a great event. Location, location ... on the beach at Carlin Park. Fun music provided by Sonny Russell (www.titlewavemusic.com/russell.htm), an interesting introduction to Enviroman Inc., Dr. Robert Rod (www.safeinsecticide.com), local group awards presented, and lots of good picnic food, conversation, and company to share. We were pleased to have a large contigency join us to promote Jupiter's Open Space Referendum. (It passed by a whopping 70%!) Thanks to Sonny, Dr. Rod and all the wonderful volunteers who made this a memorable occasion.
September’s General Meeting was enlightening! A huge thank-you to Attorney Lisa Interlandi, Planner Joanne Davis, and Palm Beach Post Editorialist Joel Engelhardt for their knowledgeable panel discussion on how Mecca Farms was selected as the Scripps development site, environmental concerns with this location, and other options available. Their commitment to changing this potential environmental disaster is commendable. Lox Group appreciates their sharing a comprehensive understanding of this topic. See Barry’s article on status as of writing date.
Elections are upon us again, government and your local Sierra Club Executive Committee (Excom). We know you will do your part in voting on November 2. I’m asking you to consider running for Excom. We need new blood, fresh ideas, help! Opportunities abound to be involved in our local, grassroots Sierra Club. Please call
GENERAL MEETINGS
- John Gates Program ChairThe October 19th general meeting will be our version of Smokestacks, Impacts and Talkbacks – clear skies and muddy waters. We’ll have presentations on the current administration’s environmental record. There will be plenty of time for comments and audience input. So if you’re concerned with mercury pollution and noxious chemicals that spew from our smokestacks, be sure to make this meeting.
General meeting for November 16th will be a slide show & lecture on native plants, by Osorio Rufino, horticulturist, photographer, author of “A Gardener’s Guide To Florida’s Native Plants”. Mr. Rufino does an exceptional presentation, and includes live samples. For those who wish to purchase his book, signed copies will be available in limited quantities.
Our meetings are held at the Boynton Beach Fire Station corner of Miner Rd. & Congress Ave. (see map below). Meet at 7:00 PM for socializing; the meeting opens at 7:20 PM. We look forward to seeing you.
Please visit Events.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED? HERE'S YOUR CHANCE
Your friendly Nominating Committee, Louise Austin, Sheila Calderone and Marcia Karasoff
It's Executive Committee election time again for the Loxahatchee Group, Sierra Club. Terms are for two years. Once seated, the Executive Committee selects officers for Chair, Vice chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Before you pass this opportunity by, please read on. There are three reasons to seriously consider joining the Executive Committee.
-- One, you don’t need to be an expert on the environment. All that counts is an interest in getting involved. Everyone just helps each other!
-- Two, it's a great opportunity to meet interesting and enjoyable, nice people. Friendship is an important benefit!
-- Three, think about the terrific things the group does: A variety of outings; fabulous picnics; interesting speakers; group efforts to promote environmental stewardship in our community; vibrant environmental scholarship program for youth, very active Inner City Outing (ICO) program. These things don't "just happen." If you've enjoyed any of them, perhaps it's your time to give back a bit... and have a heck of a good time while doing it!
If you're interested -- or just want to talk about it -- call a current ExCom member. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are on page 2.BYLAW 4: NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
3.1 Annual Election
An Annual Election shall be held in the fourth quarter of each year to choose ExCom members. This election and any special elections shall be conducted by secret written ballot mailed to all Group members at least four weeks before the closing date of the elections, and shall be conducted in such a manner as to ensure facility of voting and tabulations, and secrecy of ballot. The ballot shall allow each voter to vote for as many candidates as there are positions to be filled. A voter may not cumulate votes for any candidate.
For the annual election, the ExCom shall specify the calendar dates and deadlines for appointing a Nominating Committee (NomCom), production of eligible voter lists, receipt of names for consideration by the NomCom, receipt of ballot issue petitions, the NomCom report of the names of nominees, receipt of candidate petitions, appointment of the Election Committee, printing and mailing dates for ballots allowing at least four weeks for return of the ballots, receipt of returned ballots, and the date, time and place for counting ballots. The ExCom shall provide written notice of this schedule and of the opportunity to nominate candidates by petition to all Group members.
3.2 Nominating Committee
A Nominating Committee of at least three Group members, at least one not an ExCom member, none of who may be a candidate, shall be appointed annually by the ExCom not later than four months before the designated closing date of the election. Sufficient opportunity shall be given for Group members to submit names for consideration by the NomCom. The NomCom shall attempt to nominate at least two more candidates than the number of ExCom members to be elected, and shall report the nominees' names to the ExCom at least two weeks before the deadline for submission of nomination petitions and five weeks before the scheduled mailing of the ballots. Nominees shall be Group members who give their consent. If the NomCom chooses not to nominate a willing candidate, the NomCom shall promptly inform that candidate of the opportunity to seek nomination by petition.
3.3 Petition Candidates
The name of any Group member proposed in writing by a least fifteen Group members prior to the deadline, and who gives consent, shall also be included on the ballot. The nomination petitions shall be retained until the ballots are destroyed.
3.4 Election Committee
An election Committee of at least three Group members, at least one not an ExCom member shall be appointed annually by the ExCom prior to the scheduled date of mailing of ballots. No candidates may serve on the Election Committee. The Election Committee shall cause the ballots to be prepared and mailed and shall count the returned ballots. Challenges of the conduct of candidates or their campaigns shall be referred to the Elections Committee. Decisions of the Election Committee may be appealed to the ExCom.
3.5 Mailing Ballots
Ballots shall be mailed to all Group members of record according to the voter list obtained prior to the election.
3.6 Return of Ballots
Ballots shall be returned to the Elections Committee as directed the ballot instructions. Return of a minimum number of valid ballots shall not be required for the validity of an annual or special election.
3.7 Counting Ballots
The Election Committee shall count the ballots on the closing date of the election, or as soon as practical after the closing date of the election. The candidates or their authorized representatives shall be permitted to be present. The candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected. Any tie shall be resolved immediately, first by a recount, then if necessary by lot at the ballot counting. The Election Committee shall report the results immediately to the Secretary. The Secretary shall immediately notify the candidates, the ExCom, membership and other interested parties, and shall report the results to the ExCom at its next meeting. The ballots shall be retained until the ExCom directs their destruction.
COME TO THE 5th ANNUAL CYPRESS SEED HARVEST
Sponsored by the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation
525 South Flagler Drive, #456, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 805-TREE (8733) -plantcypress@aol.com
FREE admission for all Harvest participants
When: Saturday, October 30, 2004
8:30am: Volunteer Recognition Breakfast
9:00-noon: Cypress Seed Harvest
Where: Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (North Entrance) 10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach, Florida
Why: To engage children and families in a wholesome, outdoor community activity of harvesting native cypress seeds in preparation for future plantings that contribute to the Everglades restoration effort
Who: Over 500 volunteers are expected, including local youth groups representing the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Brownies and Cub Scouts.
Contact: Advance registration is required. Please call 561-805-TREE (8733) if you would like to participate or make a donation to the cause.
The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is located in Palm Beach County, Florida. Take I-95 to Boynton Beach Blvd., go west to Hwy 441, turn left, then proceed south about 2 miles to Lee Road. Turn right and drive 0.3 miles west to the Refuge. For complete information about the Refuge, please log on to http://loxahatchee.fws.gov.
Everglades Restoration for the Future of Florida!
DON'T MISS THE ANNUAL FLORIDA CHAPTER OF THE SIERRA CLUB CONSERVATION CONFERENCE AND AWARDS DINNER, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2004!
This year the conference will again be held at the beautiful Luther Springs campground on Lake Vause in western Putnam County between Hawthorne and Interlachen. The theme of this year’s conference is “Florida’s Water Heritage” We will have workshops and presentations covering the Florida Gulf and Atlantic coasts and the Florida Keys; our drinking water, and our rivers and lakes. Some of the presenters already lined up are Honey Rand, author of “Water Wars, a story of people, politics and power”; Dr. Larry Brand, Professor of Marine Biology, Rosensteil School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, who will talk about nutrient pollution of our waterways; Adam Cummings, Charlotte County Commissioner who will talk about phosphate mining and its’ effect on our water; Karen Mulcahy, J.D., Regional Conservation Organizer, Florida Coastal Protection, Sierra Club, Florida Office, who will talk about coastal issues; John Glenn, Florida Safe Drinking Water Issues Chair for the Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club whose topic about deep well injection is titled “It’s All Lies”; Kathy Cantwell, Public Lands Issue Chair for the Florida Chapter; and Laurie Macdonald, Defenders of Wildlife, who will do a program on Public Lands. You will learn how you can become an advocate for conservation lands in small and big ways. A variety of topics will be presented, including how to help evaluate the state management plans of your local parks and how to start a land-buying program in your county.
The keynote speaker at the awards dinner is John Moran. John will present pictures and a narrative of the wild Florida he has come to know in his 25 years of capturing photos. He is a published photographer whose photos have been published in National Geographic, Life, Time, Newsweek, Smithsonian, The New York Times Magazine and the cover of the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida. His awards include Photographer of the Year for the Southeastern U.S. by the National Press Photographers Association, first runner-up in the National Collegiate Photojournalism Championship, and a photography internship at the National Geographic Society. His photograph of alligators at dusk at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park was selected as the top winning American photograph in the United Nations Earth Summit photo contest in 1992. His first book, published in 1999 with writer Bill Maxwell, is titled Finding Yourself: A Spiritual Journey Through a Florida Garden. You don’t want to miss this guy! He is great!
For more information, contact Kathy Cantwell at kacmd@aol.com or 352-395-7441or 400 NE 13 Ave, Gainesville, Fl. 32601.
SPACE IS LIMITED AND IT FILLS UP FAST SO HURRY! DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION NOV.13!! NO REFUNDS AFTER THIS DATE!
Visit www.gatorsierra.org (click on “events”) to download a registration form.
NEXT EXCOM MEETINGS will be at 7:00 p.m. will be at 7:00 p.m. on Oct. 11 at the Gates home, and on Nov. 8 at Maryvonne’s home. Call John & Kay for directions if you plan to attend.
LOX GROUP NEWSLETTER LABELING PARTY
Turtle Tracks labeling party will be on November 21. Exact date and time to be announced in the Forum. Call 561-742-9219 if you would like to be notified by phone.
JOIN OUR E-MAIL FORUM
- Ron HainesGet on board with the Loxahatchee Group's very own e-mail forum. This is a general e-mail discussion and announcement list for members of the Loxahatchee Group of the Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club. Our forum is a strong network for communications, announcements, action alerts and just plain fun for members of the Loxahatchee Group. To sign onto the list, have your Membership Number handy and fill out the form on one of the following websites: http://www.sierraclub.org/memberlists or
http://www.sierraclub.org/memberlists?listname=FL-LOXAHATCHEE-FORUM
PARTY IN THE PARK X
The Conservation Alliance of St Lucie County is inviting the Lox Sierra Club to participate in their 10th PARTY IN THE PARK at the beautiful Fort Pierce Inlet Park on Saturday November 13, 2004 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This event is an environmental fair with various environmental organizations from Martin, St Lucie and Palm Beach counties. There is also music, food and the beach. We need volunteers to staff our booth, sell T-shirts, calendars and simply talk to people about the Sierra Club issues, outings etc. If you have a few hours to volunteer on November 13, please call Maryvonne, at (561) 369-3462.
CLASC - Conservation Land Acquisition Selection Committee, 1st Monday of the month, 1:30 p.m. ERM Building #509 off Belvedere Rd, West Palm Beach. (561) 233-2400.
ERM - Environmental Resource Management Constituency meets on last Wednesday of every 2nd month,1:30 p.m. ERM Building #502 off Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach. (561) 233-2400.
NAMAC - Natural Area Management Advisory Committee to Board of County Commissioners, 3rd Thursday of the month, 1:30 p.m. ERM Building #509 off Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach. (561) 355-3229.
CTF - Citizen Task Force meeting date varies, at Planning and Zoning (on 4th floor) at I-95 and Southern Blvd. (561) 233-5000.
SFWMD - South Florida Water Management District Governing Board: Workshop 2nd Wednesday 9AM, business 2nd Thursday 8:30AM, at 3301 Gun Club Rd. WPB. (561) 686-8800.
WRAC Water Resources Advisory Commission (Advisory body to SFWMD) 1st Thursday 8:30 AM at SFWMD. Dates and locations occasionally change. (561) 686-8800.
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION COMMITTEE - A group of environmentalists meeting informally, usually at a SFWMD conference room on the last Friday of the month. Contact John Marshall at the Marshall Foundation, (561) 805-TREE (8733). Not a government meeting, but good for learning issues.
PALM BEACH COUNTY COMMISSION - First and Third Tuesdays, 9:30 AM. Televised on Cable TV Ch. 20. We need someone to monitor the PB County Commissioners, either on TV or in person. For information, visit http://www.pbcgov.com/PubInf/Agenda/index.htm, or call (561) 355-3229.
Audubon Meetings: First Tuesday of the month, 7:30 p.m. at Howard Park Community Center, West Palm Beach (corner of Parker & Okeechobee). Call Claudine Laabs (561) 655-9779.
PB Pack & Paddle Club, Second Monday of the month, 7:00 p.m. at Okeeheelee Nature Center, WPB.
PBCEC - PBC Environmental Coalition Conferences Third Monday of the month at Pegasus Restaurant. 301 N. Dixie Hwy., Lake Worth, 7:00 p.m. Contact Steve Bell (561) 632-7737, livingscape@ cs.com.
Pine Jog Environmental Education Center - Native Plant Workshop, 4th Tuesday, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Contact Ann Weinrich (561) 582-2235
(These activities are not sponsored nor administered by the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club has no information about the planning of these activities and makes no representations of warranties about the quality, safety, supervision or management of such activities.)
Turtle Tracks is published bi-monthly by the Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group, P.O. Box 6271, Lake Worth, FL 33462-6271. Non-profit postage paid at West Palm Beach, FL. The purpose of this newsletter is to inform members about environmental issues and events. Members subscribe through their annual dues; nonmember subscriptions are available for $12/year. Send address changes to: Sierra Club Member Services, Box 52968, Boulder, CO 80322
Newsletter submissions are welcome. The deadline is the third Tuesday of each month. Email articles to Marcia Karasoff at karasoffm@bellsouth.net (phone 561/968-4058), or deliver Macintosh format 3.5" disc or Zip disc copy to general membership meeting. (Typed hardcopies are also acceptable, but not preferred).
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The
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Beach County, Martin County, St. Lucie County and Okeechobee County, Southeast
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