MOTHER LODE CHAPTER BALLOT STATEMENTS 2016 Jim Cramer

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1 MOTHER LODE CHAPTER BALLOT STATEMENTS 2016 Jim Cramer I seek re-election to the Executive Committee to pursue my passions for conservation, environmental advocacy, and outings. First elected in 2013, I ve served as chair of the Membership Committee and member of the Outings and Climate Change committees. Having learned something of the culture and personalities of the Executive Committee, I m now prepared to assume a more active leadership role. I ve been a life member of Sierra Club for over 50 years and a member of the Mother Lode Chapter since moving to Davis in I ve been active in conservation, education, and outings most of this time. As a demographer at UC Davis I taught graduate and undergraduate courses on population and environment for 30 years, immigration for 12 years, and environmental policy analysis for 8 years. I conducted research projects on family structure and residential energy use in California, and on population growth and air quality in California. As professor of Sociology, I also was an active member of the Graduate Group in Ecology, the Environmental Policy and Planning program, and an interdisciplinary training program on invasive species. In 1950 at age 5 I went on a 2-week family backpack trip in the Sierra and have been hiking ever since. I was assistant leader on multiple national backpack trips, and since 1980 I ve led annual hiking and backpack trips for youth groups, church groups, and friends. Currently I lead day hikes for the MLC Seniors Section, the Yolano Group, and Tuleyome. I chair the Yolano Group Outings Committee. Over the years I ve served on three City of Davis environmental advisory committees - - the Pull the Plug energy conservation program, the Climate Action Team, and the Cool Davis Initiative. In I served on the Social Impact Panel of the California Comparative Risk Project. As a member of the Yolano Group Management Committee I ve worked on projects dealing with creation of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and fighting Sierra forest clear cutting. For Sierra Club California I participate on the forest policy committee and the energy and climate change committee. My agenda for the next three years is to continue working on issues related to forest management and climate change. Jon McHugh Jon McHugh is a registered Mechanical Engineer and the principal of McHugh Energy Consultants Inc. He started in the energy field 30 years ago installing solar water heating systems. Jon was the assistant director of the DOE sponsored Colorado State U. Industrial Assessment Center. Over the last 20 years, Mr. McHugh has helped develop or upgrade cost-effective state and national energy codes including California s Title 24 and the Federal efficiency regulations for walk-in refrigeration. Jon s recent projects include strategic planning for meeting California greenhouse gas objectives and developing an

2 implementation plan for achieving widespread adoption of Zero Net Energy home construction in California by I have a long standing interest in promoting and protecting health of people by advocating for the health of the environment. The Sacramento/Roseville area is ranked 5th highest in the United States for the amount of ground level Ozone by the American Lung Association. I would like to be part of a Sierra Club that helps restore clean air to the Central Valley. I have spent many summers backpacking with my children in the Sierras, rafting in California's rivers and swimming in the ocean. I would like to be part of a Sierra Club that maintains water quality from the Sierras down to the ocean. I think I can contribute to the Sierra Club at a time when environmental progress seems precarious. Nick Lapis My name is Nick Lapis and I am running for reelection to the Mother Lode Chapter Executive Committee. I have served on the Chapter Executive Committee for two years, and I have recently taken on the role of the Political Chair for the Chapter. In that capacity, I intend to build up the Club s political presence and electoral clout, in order to elect environmental champions and work to improve the voting records of those incumbents who do not come from environmental backgrounds. This is especially important in our region because the Mother Lode Chapter covers several heavily contested districts, so we have a greater ability to influence the make-up of the state legislature and congress than most other Chapters. We also have a responsibility to hold legislators accountable for their voting records so that they know that there are environmental voters and community leaders who pay attention to what they do. In addition to the Political Committee, I serve as our Chapter s delegate on the Council of Club Leaders and as a Convention Delegate. I also serve on the Executive Committee of the Sacramento Group. For the last decade, I have worked for Californians Against Waste, a Sacramento-based environmental organization focused on recycling policy. As the organization's Director of Advocacy, I have helped pass several landmark pieces of legislation and led CAW's climate change and organic waste campaigns. Before joining CAW, I completed my BS in Environmental Biology and Management (minoring in Environmental Policy and Political Science) at UC Davis, and interned for Coalition for Clean Air and California State Parks. I originally developed a passion for environmental advocacy while working and volunteering in the Golden Gate National Parks throughout high school. I worked on native habitat restoration in the San Francisco Presidio through an internship with the National Park Service and spent several summers doing seasonal field ecology work for the Parks Conservancy. I also spent two years in a youth environmental leadership program called Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders. On a personal note, my wife Karen and I both grew up in the Bay Area, but we have lived in Sacramento since we graduated from college. We currently live in Sacramento s Curtis Park neighborhood.

3 Anastasia Dodson Sacramento Group Executive Committee Ballot Statements I am a policy wonk who loves nature and people. I was raised in the bay area and spent many summers in Trinity County (far northern California). I enjoy hiking, camping, and backpacking in California and the western US, often on Sierra Club outings. I would like to serve on the Sacramento Sierra Club Executive Committee to support the Club s overall activities, and to focus on two issues: protecting and restoring forests, and connecting new members and younger generations to Sierra Club activities. In recent years I have participated in efforts to address OHV and hiking trail conflicts in Trinity County, and the environmental impacts of marijuana grows in sensitive natural areas. In 2009 I successfully led a group of neighbors in Pinole to stop Praxair from constructing a hydrogen pipeline between the Richmond and Rodeo refineries. I have also served as a foster parent for several years. My professional experience includes 15 years of work on state policy in health and human services. I have a master s degree in public policy from the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy. Vanessa Emerzian My name is Vanessa Emerzian. I am new to the Sierra Club. It was suggested to me that I may be of use to your organization. My personal and professional background has been focused on the environment for 25 years. My degrees (B.S. and M.S.) are in Natural Resources Planning. I moved to the Sacramento area in 2008 and was an environmental consultant for six years. I am now with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation where, among other water-related projects, I manage the water recycling program for the Mid-Pacific Region. My paid work as a consultant was focused primarily on habitat conservation for special status species, preservation of Delta area natural communities, and climate change adaptation strategies. I led the drafting of California s first climate adaptation strategy (2009).

4 My personal interests include infill development, protection of green space, tree preservation and planting, control of invasive species, climate change mitigation and adaptation, local farming and gardening, pollinator protection, water conservation, waste reduction, and recycling. My recent personal projects have focused on Mather Field, a retired Air Force Base south of Rancho Cordova. This has included formation of the Mather Neighborhood Alliance in 2015 (now Mather Alliance) to help guide development at Mather Field towards preservation of vernal pools and wildlife habitat. The Alliance meets monthly with Sacramento County Planning staff to further these goals. I helped form and chaired the Mather Stewardship Network in 2013 and 2014 to address and comment on Sacramento County s Wetlands Management Plan for Mather Field. In 2016, with the permission of Sacramento County, I began removing invasive weed species at Mather Field and led volunteer groups in these efforts. Next year I hope to enlarge the volunteer base. If I may be of service to your organization, I am happy to help. Thank you for your time and consideration of my letter of interest. --Vanessa Emerzian Rick Guerrero The Sierra Club is the premier organization for protecting communities, wild places, and the planet. As the largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the world, I am honored to run as an incumbent candidate for the Sierra Club Sacramento Group Executive Committee. We re in the midst of a new wave of eco/social activism that is focused on creating a healthier planet, a green and just fossil-free economy, and social justice. This new Green Wave is moving into the epicenter of politics, culture, and economics and is helping to shape the values of the New America, the New World. I will work hard to ensure that the Sierra Club Sacramento Group plays a vital part in shaping this Green Wave in the Sacramento Region. We can help create a better tomorrow where energy is renewable and the climate is safe for all; where Green jobs are not only the norm but help lift up working people, poor people, and communities of color; and where the Green Wave finally brings justice for all. In order to move the Green Wave into the center of the Sacramento Region, I believe the Sierra Club Sacramento Group needs leadership that is based on Collaboration, Communication, and Commitment. As the former chair of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1000 Environmental Committee and as the current staff organizer, I ve worked with diverse people, communities, and organizations to improve our climate and waters for all and to fight of environmental, economic, and social justice by helping to formulate and pass legislation that made California the first state in the nation to divest from holdings in thermal coal (SB 185 De Leon, 2015) and worked in coalition to stop the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). As President of the Green

5 Democrats, I helped lead regional efforts to protect our food supply by promoting labeling of GMOs. As President of the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS), I worked hard in the region to stand up against sprawl development, promote smart growth including affordable housing, improve air quality, and establish a regionally coordinated conservation strategy. I was honored to be awarded ECO s 2015 Environmentalist of the Year for my efforts. Having been a military officer for about 20 years, serving in submarines and ships, as well as in the Pentagon and with Capitol Hill staffs, I know not only how to lead people and get things done. I also am comfortable dealing with all types of people and in all levels of an organization. The Sierra Club is the premier organization that cares about people, the earth, and all species. As a Sierra Club Sacramento Group Executive Committee, I will work to make the Sierra Club Sacramento Group a major contributor to a better greener future for all. Barbara Leary I have been a Sierra Club member since My goals in seeking re-election to the Sacramento Executive Committee are to continue work on the retention of open space and native species habitat in our area, inhibiting urban sprawl, eliminating harmful chemicals from our environment, and promoting policies that put our environment first so that all of us thrive. For the past year I have served as the Chairperson of the Sacramento Sierra Club Group, working to expand our partnerships with local like-minded organizations, helping to organize and provide more outreach to our members and improve our communication with our local members. In this capacity I have had the opportunity to support likeminded local groups such as Trees for Sacramento, Friends of Del Paso Park, the Citizens Climate Lobby, Californians Against Waste and others in their efforts. I have initiated ongoing efforts since the early 1990 s to retain open space and native trees in the Folsom area. I have been successful in retaining numerous native oaks and other native species, ensuring mitigation measures for historic sites, and successfully promoting the retention of open space in the face of rapid development. This year saw the culmination of a 20 year project that resulted in the creation of a permanent open space entry to our City which allows for the retention of a large number of genetically diverse Blue Oaks. I have spent a great deal of the last two years working with a coalition of groups on behalf of the Sierra Club and with the Sierra Club leadership on efforts to stop the Trans Pacific Trade Partnership agreement, one of the greatest threats to our environment. There is still much work in this area to be done as we apply pressure on our elected officials to vote in opposition to this agreement.

6 I continue to serve as a delegate to the California Democratic Party (CDP) and submitted a successful amendment to the State Democratic Party platform, to curtail and eliminate the use of neonicotinoids and other pollinator killing pesticides in order to preserve our bee and other pollinator populations. This is an area that needs additional work. I have participated in State Legislature hearings to put a moratorium on fracking in California. I have worked to promote safe, clean and affordable water for our residents and the preservation of the Delta. In summary, I believe I have the experience in working on complex environmental issues and knowledge of the challenges we are facing that can continue to benefit the Sierra Club. Career: Nurse Practitioner at UC Davis Medical Center; prior Critical Care RN at Stanford University Hospital, Stanford and Queen s Medical Center, Honolulu Public service: Parks & Recreation Commissioner, City of Folsom , Chairperson 1998 Board member Friends of Folsom Parkways 2009 to present Co-Founder and Current President, American River Democrats Arts & Cultural Commission, City of Folsom 2010 to present, past Chair & Vice Chair Conservation Committee member Sacramento Chapter, Daughter s of the American Revolution Historic Preservation Committee Chairperson D.A.R., 2012 to present Sierra Club, Sacramento Group Executive Committee, Secretary 2015; Chairperson 2016 Sierra Club, Mother Lode Chapter Executive Committee member and Political Committee Member Delegate, California Democratic Party; Member of the Environmental Caucus Pastimes: Travel, scuba diving, hiking, photography