SIERRA

     Virginia is 50th in the nation for funding the operation and maintenance of our state parks. This 50th with regard to funding per person and per the state budget.

     Twice in the last 12 years the citizens have voted overwhelmingly (69 % in favor in one referendum) to purchase more park land. However, the legislature has done nothing but cut the budget for the park system during the same period.

     There is not a more obvious disconnect between legislaturers and we citizens. This is politics at its very worst! During elections these politicians pander to the citizens and during the sessions they pander to the money interest, which you can see is less than a third of the population.

     A major part of the "frustration" is the money interest have so little concern for the welfare of the majority of the public. It appears that the politicians just don't care and have such a low opinion of the public that they can just ignore us. Our legislature is more concerned about being the waste dump capital of America than supporting a first class park system.

     Our objective is to become the 49^th state with regard to support for our park system and next year work on becoming the 48^th.

     We are in the perfect position to get something done about this situation. The core of the resistance to supporting state functions is right here in Hampton Roads. The local republicans have no interest in supporting anything related to the people or the environment.

     The immediate action to take is:

• Write the governor
• Write your delegate
• Join the CBG online and form an activists group working to make a difference
• Come to the meetings and become better informed

     We will have a speaker at the next meeting that will provide up-to-date information.

Every year we get better at this. Let's get active. Be ready to write letters and make calls. Learn more about the process and how to make a difference. We have learned that we can make a difference; we have to make a difference. We are up against money and we need numbers of citizens to be active. The entire movement in Virginia is much more effective now!

     We will coordinate our efforts not only with the Sierra Club Chapter in Richmond; but also with VCN, the Virginia Conservation Network; VALCV, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters; and CBF, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Fred Adams Click to email comments, or call 467-2775.

• BACKYARD WILDLIFE HABITATS,
• FUNDING FOR OUR STATE PARKS,
• WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH CHESAPEAKE'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN,
• SHARING PHOTOS AND SLIDES OF YOUR LAST YEAR'S VACATION

     The date is 3 January 2005, the time is 7-9 PM and the location is the Virginia Beach Central Library. Come and bring a friend.

     The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is working through litigation to hold Virginia accountable for restoring the Bay. The number one enemy of the Bay is nutrient pollution. Virginia continues to grant discharge permits to sewage treatment plants without requiring reduction in pollutants. This Lobby Day, JANUARY 17^th 2005, is the day CBF and Sierra Club members are going to Richmond and show the legislature that it is time to get serious about cleaning up the Bay.

     CBF needs numbers and not speakers. Sign up on the web at www.cbf.org/valobbyday or contact Christy Everett at 757-622-1964. You can contact Christy for more information at ceverett@cbf.org. Be sure to reserve a seat on the Lobby Day Bus!

     Have your own Wildlife Habitat certified by the National Wildlife Federation.

     The Chesapeake Bay Group will provide information, contact data, consulting services at the January and February meetings. Come and find out what the criteria is to have all the fun that comes from having such a backyard. Birds, butterflies and flowers and much more can be yours. They are satisfying and heart warming.

     The January Outing is a hike on the Noland Trail in Newport News. If you have never done this trail you will be very impressed and pleased. It is absolutely an excellent trail.

     This outing is open to all members. The date is the 22nd of January and the time is 9:30 AM. Meet in the Mariners Museum parking lot. Contact Nancy McAdoo with questions at 464-4483 or via email at NancyMcAdoo@aol.com.