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COASTAL BEND SIERRA CLUB September 2008 Meeting Minutes

The Coastal Bend Sierra Club met on Tuesday, September 2 from 11:30 am until 1:15 pm at the Central Library, 805 Comanche Street. Chairperson Pat Suter welcomed members and reminded them that minutes of the May meeting, the last one prior to the summer recess, are posted on the CBSC website. Pat’s news that Membership Chair, Kathy Griffith, is making good progress in her recovery from recent heart bypass surgery was welcomed by members.

In her report, Treasurer Teresa Carrillo stated that the checking account balance is approximately $1271 and that there are funds in three CD’s containing a total of approximately $7278. Two of these are invested with the Navy/Army Federal Credit Union and the third is invested at the IBC Bank. Pat Suter reported that there were expenses related to publishing and mailing the newsletter and stated that several members had made contributions recently to help defray this cost.

Political Chair and Coastal Bend Sierra Representative to Lone Star Sierra’s Executive Committee, Hal Suter, is Chair of the Lone Star Sierra Nominating Committee. He announced that four positions on the Ex Com will be open this fall. Three current Ex Com members, David Griggs, Margo Clark, and Teresa Carrillo, have agreed to stand for reelection. Members interested in running for one of these positions have until October 1 to submit their names to the Nominating Committee for consideration. Hal also reminded the group of the November general election and stated that Sierra has endorsed all three of this area’s representatives, Juan Garcia, Abel Hererro, and Solomon Ortiz, Jr., for reelection. Hal reminded us that we need to work to support the campaigns of these candidates.

In other committee reports, Joyce Jarmon, who attended a recent update meeting of the industrial area, reported that air monitors show benzene emissions continue to decrease. Pat Suter reported that recycling is a main area of interest in the work of Corpus Christi’s Clean City Committee. Venice Scheurich reported another record year for Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nests on the Texas coast where the count this year is 195—compared to the previous high recorded last year of 128.

Mina Williams and Venice Scheurich reported that TCEQ is presently drafting new regulations for uranium mining and that there will be a public meeting in Austin on September 16 when TCEQ officials will take comments on the draft rules. Written comments will also be accepted until October 6. Hal Suter moved that Mina and Venice be authorized to write the Coastal Bend Sierra’s official position statement on these proposed regulations. Teresa Carrillo seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Mina, Pat, and Venice also reported on the recent formation of the Alliance of Texans for Uranium Research and Action (ALTURA). South Texas Opposes Pollution (STOP) and Uranium Information at Goliad (UIAG) were the first two groups to join ALTURA. Lone Star Sierra’s Communications Director, Donna Hoffman, spearheaded the formation of the alliance, whose Mission Statement is:

ALTURA, through research, education, and outreach, seeks to protect

our citizens, our natural resources, and our economies from uranium

exploration and mining contamination in the State of Texas.

Teresa Carrillo moved, with a second by Joyce Jarmon, that Coastal Bend Sierra Club join ALTURA. The motion passed unanimously.

Prior to adjourning, Pat reminded members of the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation (CBBF) meeting to be held at the Natural Resources Center, Rm. 1003, TAMUCC on Monday, September 8 at 5:30 pm.

Submitted by Venice Scheurich

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COASTAL BEND GROUP

                       EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Pat Suter	852-7938	Chairman
phsuter@stx.rr.com
Mina Williams	882-1179	V.Chairman
Teresa Carrillo	361-672-4703	Treasurer
Venice Scheurich	241-4289	Secretary
Hal Suter	852-7938	Lone Star Chapter   Represent.
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Recycling	993-3737	Kenn Jobe
Venice Scheurich  & Mina Williams	241-4289 882-1179	Uranium Mining
Bill Alling	289-9090	Air Quality
Kathy Griffith	578-5291	Membership/Publicity/Audubon Club Liason
Hal Suter and Mina Williams	852-7938	Political
Hal Suter	852-7938	Walks
Hal Suter Teresa Carrillo	852-7938	Representataive to Lone Star Chapter
Joyce Jarmon		Refinery Emissions & Community Advisory Council/Long Term Health Care
Edie Cosgrove		Refinery Emissions
Cheryl McGrath		Webmaster

  Cheryl McGrath      Webmaster
  csmcgrath@earthlink.net             

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        Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa    Commissioner Jerry Patterson
        P.O. Box 12068                            GLO 1700 Congress Ave.
        Austin, TX 78711-2068                 Austin, Texas 78701

         Commissioner (Chairman)                                          
         TCEQ                                       
         P.O. Box 13087                      
         Austin, TX 78711        

        FEDERAL

        President George Bush
        The White House
        Washington, DC
        president@white-house.gov
                                             
                             

Coastal Bend Sierra Club E-Mail

This page was last updated on 10/07/08.

 Protect America's Environment.
For our families, for our future.
       
A Philosophy of Stewardship               
The Sierra Club's statement of Purpose is:  To explore, enjoy and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.

As a grassroots-based organization, we rely on individuals for our resources, talent, and energy.  Our members are our most important assets.   


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This page was last updated on 10/07/08.