Candidates Answer Green Questions
Local policy makers can have the largest effect towards helping individuals and businesses become more sustainable. Through leadership and incentives, the people you elect can make a large difference in the entire community.
If we want our elected officials to follow the path of sustainability and green living, Florida Keys citizens need to know which candidates are most committed to making the changes needed now to reduce carbon emissions, conserve energy and preserve natural resources in the Florida Keys. GLEE has asked each of the candidates running for office to answer five "green" questions. You decide who you want to represent you on these pressing issues."
To see how each candidate answered click on their name in the green sidebar on the right side of this page.
U.S. Representative
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
1) What does green mean to you?Green living is not a future challenge but a present opportunity. Green initiates can be undertaken by individuals and governments alike. I believe that the state of Florida has a tremendous innovative capability to be a leader in green jobs and green technology. I applaud local interest groups, such as GLEE, for its commitment to the sustainability and environmental integrity of the Florida Keys.
As a Member of Congress, who has been recognized for my support of green initiatives by Florida Keys GLEE, it has been a pleasure to advance federal policies which recognize the need for greater investment in alternative sources of energy, fuel-efficient transportation systems, as well as increased protection of our natural resources and diverse eco-systems.
I applaud recent efforts by legislators in Washington to “Green the Capitol,” including an initiative to ensure that House and Senate offices maximize their energy efficiency, which in turn saves taxpayer dollars.
I have supported a number of green measures this year, which have already been adopted by the U.S Congress and signed into law.
1. Establishing a national renewable electricity standard. This standard requires non-public utilities to generate 15% of all power from renewable sources, such as solar and wind power, by the year 2020.
2. Increase fuel economy standards. I recently voted for legislation which requires that automakers increase fuel efficiency for cars, pickup trucks and SUVs to an average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020—the first increase in the federal auto fuel economy standard in 32 years.
3. Support greater federal investment in alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and hydrogen fuel cell power. I recently voted for the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act, a bill to provide billions of federal dollars in tax incentives for increased investment in renewable energy, carbon capture, energy efficiency, and conservation.
There are a number of issues that I hope will be addressed in the upcoming session of Congress.
1. Enact legislation to address global climate change. Global climate change is a serious issue with far reaching implications for both our environment and our local economy. The increasing intensity and frequency of natural disasters including tornadoes, tropical storms, and hurricanes are linked to a change in our global climate. As such, acting in a proactive manner to address the causes of global climate change could protect Keys residents from stronger, more frequent hurricanes.
2. Pass legislation to increase tax incentives for the purchase of a hybrid or other fuel efficient vehicle.
3. Secure increased federal funding for the Florida Keys Wastewater Project. Funding for this project is vital to the preservation of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which includes one of the most extensive coral reef systems in the world. This area is of national importance, which is why I have been working hard to increase federal appropriations to this project. To date, I have secured over $9 million in Congressional appropriations to the project.
It is an honor and privilege to represent the interests of Keys residents. If re-elected, I will continue to prioritize initiatives to make our communities less reliant on traditional sources of energy from abroad, and focus on increased investment on clean, safe, renewable sources of energy.
(top)Annette Taddeo
1.) What does green mean to you?Green means being passionately committed to protecting our environment and creating a clean, independent energy future. As your next Congresswoman, I will be a voice in Washington for smart, green-energy policies that lower fuel prices, combat global warming, create good new jobs, and ensure that America’s national security is protected.
2.) What green actions have / do you take in your personal and professional life?
For years, I have heated and lit my entire house through solar energy and halogen light bulbs. I believe that we all must do our part to combat global warming, and so when I am in Congress, I will be a leader and an educator on protecting the health of our planet.
3.) In your opinion, what are the three, easiest green changes that Congress could implement right now?
Change is never easy, but three things that Congress could do include:
- Increasing CAFÉ standards
- Speeding up the date when Congress itself becomes the world’s first-ever carbonneutral legislative body.
- Fully fund pre-existing environmental and endangered species legislation.
- We need to create serious economic incentives for clean and renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and ocean turbine, that will create good jobs right here in Florida.
- Future generations deserve an environment planet, and so Annette will work in Congress to establish a National Renewable Portfolio Standard and to establish clear goals and benchmarks that reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.
- Drilling in pristine environmental habitats is not a solution to our energy crisis. I will instead work in Congress to create a comprehensive plan to reduce our dependence on global warming-causing energy sources.
A healthy earth and a healthy economy depend upon a green-energy future. When I am in Congress, creating this future and preventing catastrophic global warming will be a top priority of mine, and I will focus on passing progressive legislation that encourages this. This means we have to abandon the half-steps of the past, and follow a bold, new path toward a sustainable, clean energy future.
While concentrating on clean energy solutions, we must also protect our fragile ecosystems that are in more immediate danger. In Florida’s 18th Congressional District, the Everglades and the Coral Reef of the Florida Keys are in grave danger of being permanently devastated. In Washington, I will fight to bring federal funds to the Florida Keys to create a functioning sewer system in order to protect the Reef, as well as properly regulate the Everglades to ensure their permanent health.
Additionally, I am strongly opposed to off-shore drilling as the solution to our energy crisis. This stands in stark contrast to my opponent, who in the recent past has voted against a ban on off-shore drilling (HR 4671 in 2006) and in favor of opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for drilling (H. Amdt. to HR 4 in 2001).
Lastly, I will use my position as a Congresswoman to speak to my constituents about these issues. My own home is heated and cooled entirely by solar energy, and I will urge the people of South Florida to find common sense ways that they can reduce their carbon footprints. Global warming is real, and it poses a threat to our entire way of life. Combating it will be a top priority of mine in Congress.
(top)State Senate
Larcenia Bullard
No ResponseState House
Ron Saunders
No ResponseErnie Hernandez
No ResponseState Attorney
Dennis Ward
No ResponseMark E. Kohl
No ResponseCircuit Judge 004
Richard M. Behr
No ResponseManny Madruga
1. What does green mean to you?
Green living is a commitment to understanding your impact on the environment and making educated decisions to live your life in a manner that minimizes all negative impacts on the environment. The process encompasses your professional and personal life and includes the efficient use of energy sources and the avoidance of wasteful and harmful conduct.
2. What green actions have you / do you take in your personal and professional life?
In my personal life I make efforts to plan my day and travel in an efficient manner to avoid duplicating efforts that are unnecessarily wasteful. I start with my choice of transportation. I am an avid cyclist and enjoy the exercise
.I will on occasion stop and shop for any small items I may need for my home on my return trip from a bike ride. If I do not have to transport passengers or bulky property I will often use a small four cylinder jeep I own with a manual transmission to reduce fuel consumption. Research has shown that absent using a hybrid vehicle the best way to conserve fuel is the manner in which you drive as opposed to many after market products which claim to increase fuel efficiency. Gradual starts and slow anticipated stops with an effort to avoid abrupt stop and start driving can help reduce gas consumption. I always maintain my vehicles very well and make sure I have correct tire pressure. I use my cruise control on the highway and when I change the oil on my vehicles I discard the used oil with a local auto store that provides that opportunity free of charge to it’s customers.
Around my home I maintain the temperature at 78 degrees when I am home and 82 degrees when I am away. I never use my fans unless I have opened up my home to air it out, which is highly recommended to maintain good air quality. I change my air filter at the required intervals and have my air conditioning system checked and cleaned. In the evenings I usually don’t turn on the lights unless I am cooking, working or reading. I prefer to watch television with no secondary lighting and make sure not to leave lights on in my home unnecessarily. I am fortunate to have a city street light outside my home so I have no need to use my porch light. I keep my water heater at 120 degrees and have low volume toilets and shower head. My home’s landscaping does not require much watering and I have an automatic watering system timed consistent with FKAA recommendations. My last water bill was $39.58 and my last electric bill was $163.91 for June of this year.
I also make an effort to use products in my home that are safe for the environment. I have been using simple green for many years. It is effective for cleaning, does not damage surfaces and is safe for the environment. I use fragrance free laundry detergents and stopped using indoor air fresheners upon learning of their harm to air quality. I use toilet paper and paper towels made from recycled paper.
In my workplace many of the decisions are made by the County concerning maintenance, but our office does recycle and uses recycled paper for our copiers. I have four fluorescent light fixtures in my office that held three bulbs each. I have taken out 2 bulbs from each fixture leaving only one in each. The lighting was excessive and unnecessary.
3. In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that the (insert elected body that you are running for) could implement right now?
I must confess I am not completely familiar with how the County has decided to provide maintenance services and materials for the new courthouse. It is not open at this time and I was not involved in the planning and design. It will soon be open and I will have an opportunity to asses it at that time.
4. In your opinion, what are three of the most important green changes needed within the (insert elected body that you are running for). (not necessarily the easiest).I am not aware if the new courthouse was certified through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Council. I would like to see us involved in the National Association of Counties Courthouse Campaign (NACo). We should strive to receive the EPA’s ENERGY STAR designation. According to the EPA, if all buildings met this goal, by 2015 Americans could reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to 15 million vehicles a save about $10 billion on energy bills. In Florida the following counties participate in the NACo ENERGY STAR: Alachua, Broward, Hillsborough, Lee, Leon, Manatee and Sarasota
5. What priority will you give green initiatives if you are elected?
If elected I will give high priority to green initiatives. In my personal life I am very much an outdoorsman. I have spent a great deal of time in the woods and on the ocean. In fact I am writing this response on a vessel while on the water in Monroe County. We need to protect our natural resources four ourselves and future generations. It must be priority in our lives. I participate in projects through the civic organizations I belong to that help beautify the Keys, provide clean water abroad, and provide and preserve parks in our community. I will continue to work toward educating myself on how to better live a green lifestyle and encourage my daughter to make it a priority in her life as well.
(top)Jiulio Margalli
No ResponseTegan Slaton
1. What does green mean to you?Any actions taken, either individually or collectively, that serve to decrease our carbon footprint giving due consideration to the negative or positive economic impact of those actions is what green means to me.
There are many things we have done at home in this regard. We changed our light bulbs to the spiral fluorescent tubes, we recycle (I still remember going to the collection facility at Peary Court), we plant native plants when possible, we mulch and use ecofriendly green household products. When it is practical to do so, my wife reuses the green shopping bag given to us at the GLEE forum. We also regularly participate in the Clean Key West trash cleanups. Professionally, I use recycled paper and print cartridges at my office. I also recycle cardboard boxes through the restaurant near my office. My campaign materials are printed on recycled paper products when offered by the supplier.
3. In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that the (insert elected body that you are running for) could implement right now?
The three easiest green changes I could implement as a Circuit Judge are as follows: I would continue to maintain the changes already implemented in my personal and professional life by requesting public works to install spiral fluorescent tubes in my office and throughout the courthouse. I would also request that when paper products and replacement cartridges are ordered, that ordering recycled products become a priority.
4. In your opinion, what are three of the most important green changes needed within the (insert elected body that you are running for). (not necessarily the easiest).
The three most important green changes needed within the jurisdiction of a circuit judge are as follows: Several years ago, I was invited to participate on a Florida Supreme Court sponsored panel to discuss the implementation of electronic filings and recordings in Traffic Court. I was surprised to learn that other counties were further along in this regard and I would make it a priority to assist in the implementation of electronic filings in all appropriate proceedings. To successfully accomplish this goal, three important green changes would have to be implemented. Pleadings filed by attorneys, law enforcement officers and litigants would done so electronically, the Clerk of Court may be required to upgrade its computer system to handle the paperless filings, and the judges must have immediate access to this information in chambers and in the courtroom. I will do what I can to facilitate the needed changes.
5. What priority will you give green initiatives if you are elected?
When elected, I will give green initiatives the same priority already given in my personal and professional life as discussed above. My first priority is to ensure that the public has confidence in the fair and open administration of justice no matter the cause or the litigant’s standing in the community.
(top)Mary Vanden Brook
1. What does green mean to me?
Green is being mindful of the effects of my activities on the environment, and taking steps to reduce waste and minimize pollution whenever I can.
I recycle, and use recylced products. I drive a car that gets 50 miles per gallon (diesel) and look forward to having biodiesel available to use.
The three easiest green changes that the Circuit Court could implement right now: Require the use of recycled paper; turn off lights and turn up the AC when offices and courtrooms are not in use; put recycling bins in areas where bottles and cans are disposed of.
The three most important green changes needed within the Circuit Court: move to e-filing to reduce travel to court; increase use of video and teleconferencing to reduce travel; turn off lights and equipment when not in use.
The costs of travel to court are increasing, both in the cost of fuel, and the environmental costs associated with burning fuel. I am committed to making court more affordable and accessible, and will maximize the opportunity for Circuit Court litigants to appear by phone and via teleconference to achieve these goals. Less travel means a healthier environment as well -- so I consider this to be a green and ecomonic priority.
(top)Clerk of the Courts
Danny L. Kohlage
No ResponseMosquito Control Bd. Dist. 1
Joan Lord-Papy
1. What does green mean to me?Saving the environment.
I recycle all newspapers, cans, bottles, plastics, plastic bags, use fluorescent bulbs in my lights, save plastic from newspapers, cut down on electric & water usuage.
They have already changed to light switches that turn off automatically
They are switching to all fluorescent lights
They should recycle all plastics
Hopefully can switch to vehicles that are electric and fuel efficient.
Start getting the vehicles transferred to electric & fuel efficient.
(top)Pat Unferth
1. What does green mean to you?
In nearly everything we touch today, whether it is a light switch, the car or scooter we drive, the water we turn on, our computers, or the trash can, there are consequences in the way we handle ourselves. Reduce, reuse and recycle. We should look for ways to reduce, reuse and recycle that are beneficial to our islands and reduce the impact on natural resources.
2. What green actions have you / do you take in your personal and professional life?
In my personal and professional life I have found many ways to contribute to the green effort. Using appropriate light bulbs, reducing water temperature control on the water heater, keeping the thermostat settings at 78 degrees or above, using low flow shower heads and recycle bins all contribute to reduction. At the office, there are many opportunities. When purchasing supplies, ordering recycled copy paper and paper towels is simple. Recycling used paper and ink toner cartridges are just a few to mention.
3. In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that the (insert elected body that you are running for) could implement right now?
The three easiest changes that our Mosquito Control District can do is 1) recycle office supplies and maintain proper waste disposal, 2) use compact florescent light bulbs, and 3) purchase hybrid vehicles.
4. In your opinion, what are three of the most important green changes needed within the (insert elected body that you are running for). (not necessarily the easiest).
Part of the Mosquito Control District’s mission is to provide a safe and healthy environment for the public. Again there are opportunities on the horizon to reduce our environmental footprint which is the most important thing any organization can do. Three items Mosquito Control can do: 1. We can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our oil by purchasing hybrid vehicles. 2. We can continue to purchase chemicals accepted by the EPA to ensure a clean and safe environment in relation to water quality. 3. With new energy technology like hydrogen energy which is coming about in Key West right now, we can utilize this new energy source which will reduce GHG emissions, improve our air/water quality and public health, and protect our environment.
5. What priority will you give green initiatives if you are elected?
Because green initiatives are not new to me and are a part of my everyday life, it would be natural for me to make certain that every effort is made in every aspect of the Mosquito Control District operations.
(top)Andy Williams
No ResponseChris Zuelch
1. What does green mean to you?
To me green means implementing ideas now with respect for our future. Brighter, cleaner, healthier future for our children, our community, our fragile environment and humanity.
Personally and professionally I bring awareness to my every day choices to live greener. Some examples are I recycle at home and at work, I carpool with my wife as often as possible, I ride my bike as frequently as allowable, I reuse/recycle plastic grocery bags, I purchase recycled paper goods and have implemented a paperless policy at my office for everyday practices. To include double monitors, scanner, and electronic storage software and hardware to eliminate the need to print.
In my opinion, the Mosquito Control Board can immediately start by recycling at all of their offices. They should invest in a paperless office as I have already, and lastly protect the health of our community by using greener, friendlier chemicals both to kill mosquitos as well as in the maintenance and cleaning of buildings and equipment. Also, I will propose hybrid or biodiesel vehicles in all future acquisitions.
I believe that every Mosquito Control Board Member should passionately commit to our environment. They should implement a paperless office, recycling should be mandatory and any new mosquito controlling substance must be environmentally friendly.
Green initiatives are encompassed in my platform which includes physical conservancy and controlling mosquitos in an environmentally friendly manner.
(top)Mosquito Control Bd. Dist. 3
Stephen Smith
No ResponseMosquito Control Bd. Dist. 4
Bill Shaw
1. What does green mean to you?To me, “green” means accomplishing a task with the least amount of environmental damage, and using the most efficient, effective and environmentally friendly products to do so.
2. What green actions have you/do you take in your personal and professional life?
Long-time residents will remember the yellow DC-3 aircraft that used to wake them up in the mornings with the smoke trailing behind the plane. That smoke was caused by mixing spray oil (a high grade of diesel) and our mosquito pesticide. This mixture was injected into the plane’s exhaust manifold, and the smoking chemical was sprayed from the plane. Over the years, we burned thousands of gallons of diesel fuel and sprayed the residue over the Keys. One of our biggest “green” accomplishments has been changing our spray systems to an ultra-low volume method. This method uses no spray oil and breaks down the droplets to such a small size that we can cover an entire acre with as little as ½ ounce of chemical. This has been a huge environmental step forward. Also, we use chemicals that do not linger in the environment and break down rapidly so that they do not harm fish or birds. In addition, we spray for adult mosquitoes much less now than in the past. Our new method is to kill the mosquito larvae before they hatch into adults by using an agent that does not allow the larvae to digest food and mature. This “green” method kills the larvae, but leaves the larvae in the environment so that it is available as food for fish and birds as it is completely nontoxic.
I try to lead my personal life in an environmentally friendly manner by landscaping to provide shade for my home to lower electrical consumption. I also try to minimize trips to reduce my family’s fuel consumption.
3. In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that Florida Keys Mosquito Control could implement right now?
The three easiest “green” changes that Mosquito Control could implement right now are:
(1) using smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles for our vehicle fleet;
(2) install program-mable thermostats in all of our buildings to control the air conditioners; and
(3) research and implement any solar and/or alternate fuel technology that could be used in our operations.
Since the Florida Keys are in a National Marine Sanctuary, one of the most important changes that our agency can make is to maintain our scientific departments and constantly research new chemicals and new methods of applying them so that we will not harm our environment in any way. In my mind, the most important endeavor would be to constantly strive to spray less and expand our treatment of mosquito larvae. I would like to expand our public education. Education is probably the most “green” way to treat mosquitoes in a residential environment. If we can teach homeowners to maintain their properties in such a way that mosquitoes do not breed, then we will not have to apply chemicals to spray adults. I will also make sure that any new facilities we may erect in the future use the most energy efficient methods available.
I will give “green” initiatives the highest priority.
(top)
Daniel Zieg
1. What does green mean to you?Green means to lessen my carbon footprint, to use less of all resources including electricity, water and gasoline.
2. What green actions have you / do you take in your personal and professional life?
I have taken numerous green actions in my personal life including; replacing all light bulbs with CFL's, consolidating and minimizing errands run in my car (drive less than 10,000 miles a year), drive a high efficiency/mileage car, turned off my yard irrigation system several years ago, replaced my air conditioners with high efficiency models, replaced thermostats with computer controls set at 82 during the day and 77 at night, changed the water heater to a tankless model, capture condensation from the a/c unit to water plants and trees, replaced clothes dryer and washer a few years ago with high efficiency front loaders and I recycle at home.
Steps taken in my professional life include; installed computerized thermostats set to 85 at night and 78 during the day, changed all light bulbs to CFL's, replaced all gas powered golf carts to electric models, replaced gas powered mowers with electric rechargeable models.
3. In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that the County Commission could implement right now?
The 3 easiest changes for the Mosquito Control Board to implement now; change light bulbs to CFL's, set computerized thermostats up at night and in the day, convert entire truck fleet to hybrid or diesel models.
4. In your opinion, what are three of the most important green changes needed within the County Commission (not necessarily the easiest).
The 3 most important changes would be:
- Convert truck fleet to hybrids.
- Eliminate one of the office buildings entirely and consolidate workers into the remaining facility.
- Find a safe treatment for mosquitoes which lasts longer and cuts the number of sprayings required.
5. What priority will you give green initiatives if you are elected?
I am committed to a green lifestyle and will bring that thinking to the board with the proposals listed previously and other suggestions as I find them.
Tax Collector
Danise Henriquez
No ResponseCounty Commission Dist. 1
Dixie Spehar
No ResponseKim Wigington
1. What does green mean to you?
“Green” means having a responsibility to those who will be here after us. “Green” means conserving precious natural resources, lessening waste to an absolute minimum and doing as little harm as possible to ourselves, our home, and our future generations.
2. What green actions have you / do you take in your personal and professional life?
I grew up on a farm with a grandmother who had a goal of being totally self-sufficient and wasting nothing. I was green without even knowing I was green. The practice of releasing ladybugs and planting marigolds in a garden instead of using pesticides was a way of life. Conserving water and energy was a way of life. Recycling was creative and perfected to an art form. As an adult, I personally and professionally have been frugally conscience of the use of energy and water, used alternatives to harsh chemicals, recycled even my neighbors trash, changed to energy efficient appliances and methods of lighting, and lived without a car for years while choosing to bike and walk. “Green” is a mindset that would be difficult for me to change. It has been rewarding both to my health and my budget.
3. In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that the County Commission could implement right now?
It would be easy to purchase hybrid vehicles, drought tolerant native plants, water conserving fixtures, energy efficient air conditioners and lighting to replace those needing replacement. It would be easy to teleconference meetings instead of traveling, whether it's to Tallahassee or within the Keys. And it would be easy during commission meetings to turn up the thermostat to above “freezing” and for commissioners to drink from a glass instead of those tiny individual water bottles and canned sodas.
4. In your opinion, what are three of the most important green changes needed within the County Commission (not necessarily the easiest).
The one most important change that could be made would be to have a mindset for making every decision for long-term efficiency and conservation. Making wise financial decisions overall makes funds more available to invest in energy efficient assets that save both resources and money in the long term. (i.e. - Recently constructed and soon to be finished buildings still have irrigation systems for water hungry landscaping.) If I had to choose only 3 changes, it would be for energy efficiency standards to be met or exceeded for all county buildings. That county travel be kept to a minimum and only when necessary, coupled with a community transit system reliable to commuters as well as tourists. And last, hopefully, every decision would be made with consideration to a fragile environment, limited natural resources, and a sincere respect to those who worked in the past to protect what we enjoy now and with a genuine sense of responsibility to those who will be here after us.
5. What priority will you give green initiatives if you are elected?
Green initiatives will be a high priority for me. In addition to wasting natural resources, much of our county budget is for maintaining buildings that could have been built to lessen the impact on our ad valorem taxes paid each year by property owners. In addition to wasting energy resources, much productive time is lost in traveling needlessly. I think the rewards for making “green” a priority will be recognized quickly and rewarding for both the budget and our environment.
(top)Bill Estes
1. What does green mean to you?
As a diver green means protecting the environment.
2. What green actions have you / do you take in your personal and professional life?
We use recycling at home and at the office. My personal support for protecting the environment by finishing the Keys wastewater project is part of why I'm running for office.
3. In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that the County Commission could implement right now?
Requiring that all new vehicles be state of art Hybrid, or totally electric where possible. Recycling at all County locations. Implementing landscaping at all locations that use native plants that thrive with very little water.
4. In your opinion, what are three of the most important green changes needed within the County Commission.
Completing the County wastewater system. Solar Panels on County buildings. Wind turbine generation on County open lands.
5. What priority will you give green initiatives if you are elected?
I believe it should be given top priority if we expect to keep the quality of life we now enjoy. I would like to sit down with the members of GLEE to see where they feel their expertise could best be utilized.
(top)County Commission Dist. 3
Charles "Sonny" McCoy
No ResponseSloan Baskinsky
1. What does green mean to you?
Living in harmony with Mother Nature.
2. What green actions have you / do you take in your personal and professional life?
Not many. Very hard to do this in the Keys. In fact, living in the Keys and green living is nearly an oxymoron. What I do that is green is I grow some of the green vegetables I need to be healthy. I do not smoke tobacco, which probably is the No. 1 cause of air pollution. I do not drink alcohol, which probably is the No. 1 cause of human pollution. I used to ride my bicycle mostly around Key West, until it was stolen. I use my Toyota Highlander only when necessary. It is not green, because it only gets around 20 miles per gallon and uses regular gas, which was about $1.50 a gallon when I bought it. It is in good shape and I do not see trading it in for a good while.
3. In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that the County Commission could implement right now?
a) require maximum solar panels for all new construction
b) require self-supporting cistern systems for all new construction
c) create community gardens on all feasible county land
4. In your opinion, what are three of the most important green changes needed within the County Commission (not necessarily the easiest).
a) bring modern sewerage treatment county-wide
b) bring treated wastewater to potable standard and put it back into the Keys Aqueduct
c) halt all new commercial development, allowing only commercial redevelopment in same general footprint of existing property/use
5. What priority will you give green initiatives if you are elected?
Top priority to the priorities stated above
P.S. In yesterday's (12 July 08) KEY WEST CITIZEN was a letter to the editor from No Name Key resident Beth Ramsay-Vickery, praising County Commissioners DiGennaro, Spehar and McCoy for their efforts to bring county-wide sewerage treatment to the Keys. Especially small-pipe technology, like what is being used at Punta Gorda. Small pipe is considerably less expensive, according to Beth Ramsay-Vickery, who said Commissioner Spehar is behind bringing it to the Keys. All laudible, but the money Beth Ramsay-Vickery said Commissioner DiGennaro had raised for Keys-wise sewerage treatement is not available, because the money has not been appropriated and very likely will not be appropriated, thus made available anytime soon, given the sad financial state of Monroe County, the State of Florida and the United States of America. Beth Ramsay-Vickery said in her letter that there is no electricity running out to No Name Key, which caused me to wonder if her letter was prompted by the County Commision recently turning down a proposal to run electricity out to No Name Key, even as the County Commission was exploring ways to run sewerage lines over there from Big Pine. Beyond all of that, I am wondering just what is going to happen when the deadline for Keys-wide sewerage treatement runs out? Is the State of Florida going to send in the militia to take our property away from us? Are we going to stop going to the bathroom? Is it a Mexican standoff? Sort of looks like that to me. I don't like it, nor thinking that if the County Commission had started working on installing small-pipe county-wide sewerage when the state mandate first came down, instead of building edifices we certainly did not then and still do not need, we might already have county-wide small-piple sewerage treatment, right Beth?
Sloan Bashinsky, non-partisan county commission candidate, District 3/Sonny McCoy’s seat
Political advertisement, from the the land of redneck mystics, written, borrowed, approved and paid for by me
(top)Carlos Rojas
1. What does green mean to you?
Green means taking personal responsibility for the health of the planet.
2. What green actions have you / do you take in your personal and professional life?
I live in an 80 year old house made of wood, a renewable resource. It is xeriscaped and has a water recycling system in it that I designed. I drive a 22-year-old car maintained with recycled parts. I recycle. My office is sun lit. I design wastewater systems, cisterns, and energy efficient structures. But the single greenest thing I have ever done is to choose to use my professional skills to rehabilitate historic structures in Key West, rather than build new buildings on the mainland.
3. In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that the County Commission could implement right now?
Conserve energy by frugal use of electricity and water. Help organize carpools, and phasing out county conventional engine vehicles for hybrid, electric, or alternative fuel vehicles.
4. In your opinion, what are three of the most important green changes needed within the County Commission (not necessarily the easiest).
Provide user-friendly mass transportation keys-wide. Supplement the energy supply with wind power. Implement a planning code that rewards construction projects that add cisterns, provide energy efficiency, and use recycled materials.
5. What priority will you give green initiatives if you are elected?
Green initiatives will be a top priority if I am elected.
(top)Heather Carruthers
1. What does green mean to you?
It means living in harmony with our environment as much as possible, minimizing human impact in disturbing natural ecosystems, and preserving the natural surroundings and resources that make our life on the planet possible. Simply stated, as a commissioner, it means making choices and taking action to encourage Monroe County to lead a sustainable existence, 365 days a year.
2. What green actions have you / do you take in your personal and professional life?
I lived in a city for much of my adult life and purchased my first car (a “pre-owned” vehicle that I still own) just six years ago. I recycle in my home and have done so for as long as I can remember. I ride my bike rather than drive whenever my schedule permits it. We have a black-bottom pool that minimizes our demand on a pool heater and we use propane for our stove, hot water heater and clothes dryer. Our plan is to upgrade to an on-demand water heating system, consider adding solar panels and install more energy-efficient windows and doors.
At my business, we have recycled for years, instituted a linen re-use program eight years ago, and use a solar panel to provide some of our hot water. We use energy-efficient fluorescent lighting in 70% of our outdoor fixtures, have just installed low-flow shower heads in all guest rooms, use bio-friendly cleaning supplies and have converted to amenity dispensers to eliminate all those little plastic bottles. We have just applied for “Green Lodging” status.
3. In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that the County Commission could implement right now?
- Turn the thermostats up by a degree or two in all public buildings and especially at Commission meetings (which are freezing).
- Duplex print all County documents (including PowerPoint handouts).
- Put recycling bins in all public buildings.
- Complete our wastewater treatment project.
- Demand that LEED standards be met in all new government projects including development and redevelopment.
- Convert to propane/natural gas for all government vehicles.
5. What priority will you give green initiatives if you are elected?
A high priority, not as a separate initiative, but more as a way of viewing all decisions on issues before the commission, whether they are current projects, changes to projects or new initiatives, through the lens of improving our green status. It’s not just trendy and economical to think green, it’s vital to the long term health of our Keys’ economy and environment.
(top)County Commission Dist. 5
Gary Bauman
1. What does green mean to you?
My passion has always been to cleanup near shore water quality. I know green means so much more than this but water quality is something I am personally fixing as Chairman of the KL Wastewater District and it is something I will continue to lead and fix as County Commissioner.
My wife and I have been recycling and conserving resources for 25 years. We walk to the store, turn off lights, set our thermostat at 80, only plant native plants, buy energy efficient appliances, low water use toilets, etc.
The biggest waste at the county is the multiple copies of every document, the printing of every form and the printer ribbons that are used. All of this document routing can be done electronically with software and computers already owned by the county.
The hardest change, because it takes 600 million more dollars is sewering Monroe Co. to clean up our near shore water. As Commissioner I will lead this job and make sure half of the money comes from the State or Federal governments. We can not afford to do this ourselves.
Every new project should include an analysis of its green components. Just as you look at the payback analysis and the ROI analysis, we will also look at the green analysis to determine whether this project should go forward.
Sylvia Murphy
No ResponseSalvadore Gutierrez Jr.
No ResponseProperty Appraiser
Chris Sante
1. What does green mean to you?
Conserve, reuse, and protect the environment, which means better health, less demand on our resources and environment.
In both my professional and personal life we have switched to energy star compact florescent light bulbs “CLE’s”. Initially I was concerned about the mercury content. After learning more about the CLE’s I feel very comfortable with my choice.
At home we invested in a more fuel efficient car with almost triple the gas mileage and lower emissions than the other vehicles we drive. At most of my business locations and at home we installed automatic temperature controls. I have begun replacing bathroom fixtures (toilets) to the 1.3 gal flush model and have already seen a savings in my water bill. Computer automation has decreased the paper needs for all of my businesses. We implemented scanning for current and previous activity, especially for archiving purposes, as much as possible. Regarding landscaping, we continue to change plants to a more zero-scape and the use native plants. Recycling is a big part of our effort. I provide recycle bins at my office building and at home and encourage 100% participation. I also use reusable bags for shopping, or request paper bags.
The three easiest green changes I would implement right away are:
Purchase of electric/hybrid vehicles for the staff as the budget allows
Archive reduction by scanning and CD storage rather than using paper archiving which requires AC storage space.
Encourage car pooling to work and around the county.
Recruit the various agencies and organizations to come in and pinpoint the immediate areas of concern of waste. I would specifically like to incorporate the use of solar panels, cisterns and green approved building products such as insulation; CLE’s and recycled office supplies. One of the major concerns is the waste of water; I will promote the review and changes to low water use toilets as well as waterless toilets. My office will be sure to highlight the availability of credits and grants as well as other information to help inform the public how to be green. It is up to the leaders to set examples which will help create a healthier environment.
Again, the need to reduce our fuel consumption and the benefits to our sensitive environment that come from that is essential. Reduction of waste and to show the community that it can be done is extremely important. Fuel is a major expense of the budget and my number one priority is hybrid vehicles.
(top)Ervin Higgs
1) What does green mean to you?Being Green means that we personally and collectively pursue policies and actions that are environmentally sound or beneficial. This can be difficult as a unique constitutional office, but we can make a contribution.
2) What green actions have you / do you take in your personal and professional life?
The Property Appraiser’s Office recycles all materials that we can (white paper, printer cartridges, etc.). We operate under the County’s building management which mandates power shut down of any room not in use. We have moved to computerize as many forms as the State of Florida Department of Revenue will allow. Over the last several years the Property Appraiser’s Office has replaced its aging fleet of vehicles with the most fuel efficient cars available as our budget has allowed.
In my personal life, my wife and I have been avid recyclers for years. We recycle plastic, glass, aluminum, newspapers, magazines and white paper. When we have large piles of cardboard we take them directly to the recycling center ourselves. We have replaced as many light fixtures as possible in our home with the energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL’s). We turn the AC to 85’ when we are leaving the house for extended periods of time. We return any plastic bags to the grocery store. We utilize the “green” bags that are now being provided by the stores. As our appliances have been replaced we have purchased only those with the “Energy Star” symbol. With just the two of us, we utilize our smaller appliances for heating foods, thus saving energy. We believe in recycling and do so as much as possible.
3) In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that the (Property Appraiser’s Office) could implement right now?
Our office has been concerned with energy and resource conservation for some time now and as such there are few easy changes that can be made. We are looking into consolidating any necessary travel so that we can keep fuel costs to a minimum or possibly restricting travel days for field staff.
4) In your opinion, what are three of the most important green changes needed within the (Property Appraiser’s Office). (not necessarily the easiest).
Power and fuel consumption are critical costs to property owners/taxpayers. There is little that we can do at this time to reduce the power requirements for computing but power for lighting could be reduced if the County implemented supplemental solar lighting systems in all office buildings. This would have to be analyzed for its cost benefit ratio but it is possible that long term savings could be achieved. It is very possible that we will move to electric vehicles for work around local offices, should the budget allow.
5) What priority will you give green initiatives if you are elected?
The Property Appraiser’s Office is very supportive of green initiatives and will strive to give any initiative the highest priority allowed within budgetary and legal constraints.
(top)School Board Dist. 2
Andy Griffiths
1. What does green mean to you? Green for me is reducing our collective carbon footprint on the planet.
My family has always recycled cans, plastics, paper and glass.
The Monroe County School Board is considering purchasing a hybrid school bus and we will also consider using corn based “paper” lunch trays. We are also talking about using cups and water versus bottle water. Unfortunately during difficult budget times, going Green is not economical in all aspects.
Student achievement comes first and we need to educate our youth on Green initiatives. We are taking small steps but the biggest issue is our country’s addiction to fossil fuel.
(top)School Board Dist. 3
Duncan Mathewson
1. What does green mean to you? Going “Green” means adopting energy saving sustainable procedures for reducing a community’s carbon foot print.
As a school board member, I proposed the removal of all Styrofoam food service ware from all our 15 school cafeterias. It was approved by a unanimous vote by the Board. The Superintendent is now searching for $40,000 to replace it with a corn based product. I am presently looking at a grant to cover the cost of this conversion.
I have also been a strong supporter and advocate for the bio-diesel project being launched by KWHS students. I fully supported Josh Clearman’s idea by providing $50,000 seed money for it by taking it out of the School Board’s discretionary expenditures in the general school district budget.
I was happy to organize and implement with Phil Frank, Chuck Freeman and his school district grounds crew and all our E.C.M.C. friends with the Incredible Fruit Stand, the planting of about 100 indigenous plants and trees at Sugarloaf School. This “Project Green” program was a model pilot environmental project for other schools in the district who want to “go green” in a win-win collaborative program mixing on-going learning for students and the community at no cost to the school district.
I believe the School Board could institute a pilot solar paneling project of the type I discussed with “Solar George” some four years ago for the Big Pine Key Neighborhood Charter School. I also think it wouldn’t be difficult to get students involved with a refuse recycling program in all districts in the Keys which is closely tied with Chris Belland’s “going green” effort already launched in Key West by the Chamber of Commerce. School students should also become more involved with local clean-up projects for community service hours.
Three most important “green” changes in the school system would begin with the conversion of school buses to bio-diesel. There should be a district-wide after-school environmental education hands-on component as part of the 21st century program. An energy saving program with a cut-back on A/C use in after school hours should begin this next school year.
As a retired professor with a Ph.D. in Environmental Science Education, I have always championed “Green” initiatives in both my personal and professional life. When I’m re-elected to the School Board, I plan to continue to push forward to implement energy-saving “Green” projects within the school system in close collaboration with non-profits and the wider Keys community.
Matt Cochran
No ResponseSchool Superintendent
Fred Colvard
No ResponseRandy Acevedo
1. What does green mean to you?Being environmentally friendly and making choices and taking actions that will protect our environment in the future. We all must become involved and aware of our surroundings.
2. What green actions have you / do you take in your personal and professional life?
Attended GLEE meetings and supported initiatives that involve our schools.
Funded the start up of Key West High School’s Bio Diesel program and supported the extension of the program this next school year.
Researched and found an environmentally friendly corn based tray to replace our Styrofoam trays that we use for student lunches and breakfasts. I will recommend to the boar that we convert to using a corn-based tray which will cost $45k more, but, will be well worth what it means to our kids and their future.
Created the Dan’s Cans project and partnership. It takes around 1.25m aluminum cans to make a 747 jet. Danny Dell, an adult with special needs, is a graduate of our Transition for Independent Employment and Success Program (TIES) that has started an aluminum can recycling business (Dan’s Cans). Our schools will partner with Dan’s Cans and commit to a goal of 1 can per student per day to meet that mark and “build” a 747 during the 2008-2009 school year.
New schools to be constructed will be LEED certified.
Will be working with Alicia Betancourt to develop a comprehensive plan for our organization.
Below are some other activities our schools are involved in:
3. In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that the (insert elected body that you are running for) could implement right now?1) Corn based trays instead of Styrofoam
2) Bio-Diesel (B20) in our busses (we are using it in lower keys and need to work out with BOCC in the middle and upper Keys as we use their tanks in those areas)
3) Recycling of paper.
4. In your opinion, what are three of the most important green changes needed within the (insert elected body that you are running for). (not necessarily the easiest).
1) Educating our youth on the aspects of green living and sustainability.
2) A comprehensive plan for the organization so that we are not doing things piecemeal. Because growing awareness has to come with change.
3) Solar power and water reuse.
5. What priority will you give green initiatives if you are elected?
Priority will be given to both becoming a model organization for use of green initiatives and educating our youth on sustained living. Monroe County Schools will start a new generation of advanced thinking.
(top)
Sheriff
Phil Mandina
No ResponseBob Peryam
1. What does green mean to you?
To ‘go green’ means to protect the environment and the neighborhoods we work and live in. The three “R’s” must become more than a saying, they must become a way of life: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
- Reduce what you waste. Things such as water, electricity, fuel, and house- hold trash are all small things that make a huge impact on the local environment in the Florida Keys.
- Reuse containers. Use reusable bags when at the store or taking things to work or use refillable water bottles instead of plastic ones.
- Recycle items such as plastic, paper, cardboard, newspapers, glass bottles and aluminum cans to reduce trash.
We must also conserve energy and be eco-sensitive to reduce our carbon footprint. We must research ways to cut our electricity and water usage. We must find ways to reduce the mileage a vehicle is driven and use vehicles, which utilize alternative fuels such as propane, BioDiesel, natural gas and hydrogen.
Green also means living a healthier lifestyle, conserving our resources and using fewer chemicals that can contribute to the contamination of our environment. Buying organic foods, using fewer chemicals in our landscaping and xeriscaping to use less water are some examples of “going green” in our lifestyle choices. Using organic cleaning supplies is another area to be mentioned when looking at the green footprint or your business or home.
All of the above mentioned items are safe for the environment and while they are modest starts, it will all help to reduce the effect of global warming, pollution and help reduce our footprint on earth, here in Monroe County and worldwide.
2. What green actions do you take in your personal and professional life?
In my personal life my family recycles most items to reduce the amount of trash we put out into the environment. We try to be conscious of waste and make sure to turn lights and fans off when no one is in the room and turn faucets off when they don’t need to be running. This is a pet peeve of mine. I am always turning the lights off and the air conditioning thermostat up.
It is the little things that count. We do not use the hot water cycle on the washing machine unless it is necessary and we use florescent light bulbs. We use eco-sensitive cleaning products like vinegar and laundry detergent. I try to car pool whenever possible.
In my professional life I have reduced patrol mileage in my area of command. We are doing more stop and talks, business checks on foot, and bicycle patrols. Like I do at home, I am always walking through the office building turning off lights. I turn off electronics when they are not in use and we recycle at our substation. We have become mostly paperless at the Sheriffs Office and do almost everything on the computer, which has reduced paper usage by about eighty percent.
3. In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that Monroe County Sheriff could implement right now?
The three easiest green changes to implement in the Sheriff’s Office, because they would not involve major fiscal changes and would in fact save money, are as follows:
- a. Require thermostats for air conditionings in the Jails and all Offices be set at 78 degrees.
- b. Install timers or motion detector lights in all public rooms, such as restrooms, break rooms, mailrooms, and copy rooms and eliminate unnecessary lighting after hours. Install compact fluorescent or LED lights wherever possible. Install motion detector on/off water faucets in bathrooms to save water and hand dryers to reduce the number of paper towels used. Also restrict inmate shower usage and restrict the use of hot water in inmate showers and in our corrections laundry facilities.
- c. Recycle and reuse products in all of the Sheriff’s Office buildings with a concentration on efforts in the correctional facilities. We also can reduce the amount of junk mail we receive and paper we use.
- a. Change vehicles to hybrid cars and use BioDiesel for jail buses. Also look into alternative fuel sources such as propane and natural gas. Cars like the Toyota Prius, getting over fifty miles per gallon, would be perfect for civil process servers, some detectives and personnel that are not on patrol. Ford Escape Hybrids could be used for road patrol. These would be large enough to accommodate prisoners and high profile for times of flooding or natural disasters. I would prioritize the replacements of vehicles starting with those employees that must drive the most in the performance of their duty.
- b. Reduce the Sheriff’s Office’s carbon footprint by installing solar photovoltaic panels on the roofs and taking advantage of the newly available net metering with Keys Energy and the existing one with Florida Electric Cooperative. Rebates from the state should make this affordable. The department has a tremendous amount of roof space. Installing solar hot water heaters on all buildings would also be green and fiscally sound. I would additionally request that an energy audit be done by the utility companies and appoint a staff member to oversee the Office’s Green Policies. Whatever up front costs there are to implementing these changes will be recovered in the savings and we will be ahead of the game when the federal government implements a tax on carbon.
- c. Where ever possible change our cleaning supplies to a more environmentally friendly product.
With the global climate changes becoming a significant social and environmental issue, we must all be more aware of how our daily choices affect the environment. With Monroe County being one of the most environmentally fragile and vulnerable areas in the state, if not the country, I think that green efforts are extremely important to the Sheriff’s Office. This is because it will have a direct effect on everyone’s future quality of life. We need to be environmentally conscious and well informed of our carbon footprint and what we can do to reduce it to make sure it becomes more earth friendly and energy efficient.
When I am elected Sheriff, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office will be committed to the principles of environmental stewardship. This will go a long way in our goal of being effective, efficient and fiscally responsible as well as setting a positive example for other government agencies and for the public at large.
(top)
Sandy Downs
1. What does green mean to you?
Respecting Mother Earth, and holding it in reverance and awe. We must preserve, conserve, and leave resources and beauty for the future generations to use and enjoy.
2. What green actions have you / do you take in your personal and professional life?
I come from a family of farmers. We have always recycled everything from metal to buttons. We patched buildings, fences, and clothes much like the Keys residents did in days gone by. In the last 30 years, society has become accustomed to everything being brand new and shiny, and anything old is simply tossed away. Out of sight, out of mind. Buy it brand new, it's cheap at Wal-Mart. Never do we consider what is raped and pillaged from the earth to make these "new" shiny items, nor do we consider where all the discarded items will go!
We can't go on living like this. We are taking too much from the earth's limited resources, the population is growing bigger every day. The US can't be gluttonous pigs any longer and expect the rest of the world to not despise us.
I have taught my children, all 6 of them this message. I have sent them every summer to work on our family's farm. They harvest the vegetables and fruit and then can them for use later. We have always had a close kinship with nature. My children wear old clothes, fix everything they can that is broken, and waste almost nothing. They certainly do not take Nature for granted, or our resources. All of my children have chosen to live here in the Keys, though one son is at U of F getting a Doctorate degree, and his major is Horticulture. He primarily studies trees, ways to grow more in less time, and ways to save the sick and injured ones. My husband is an arborist. Trees are our business. We mulch everything we can and give it away. My husband saves fronds for the weavers, gives tree stumps and branches to the Boy Scout camp for firewood and saves coconuts for cancer patients or whomever wants them.
2 of my sons are fishermen. Their life is the water. We take the Keys and it's beauty very seriously as we have already seen the decline in just 6 short years here. We fix everything we can so there is less to discard. We reuse what would be trash to most people, parts on engines, metal, wood, clothes, fishing line, etc.
I also spent 6 months living at Arcosanti and studying the city built to co-exist with environment, manage a growing population burden, and live within our own means "locally". We recycled EVERYTHING including water, garbage, etc. We grew most of our food, and lived in very small spaces so that the environment could be saved for all to enjoy. Grand, spectacular amounts of it! Google it. It is well worth the study and well worth the trip if you can go there. Take your kids. It is near Scottsdale AZ and was created to be a model for the future 30 years ago. The future is here now!
Paolo Soleri was the man behind it all and he was brilliant in
predicting the calamity that was to come if we didn't change our ways.
If we don't start respecting Mother Earth again..she will bring us to
our knees. If you can't afford the trip to Arcosanti, just take the
whole family to see Wall-e the movie.
1)Get rid of 200 cars and the Trauma Star helicopter and all the fuel they use. Cut out the 200 cars that are given to desk staff at Headquarters. We don't need to own, maintain, pay insurance for, or fuel these vehicles at over $4.00 per gallon! They are perks for civilians and supervisors that never patrol. Many make $70,000.00 plus a year while the deputies that need the cars and face the bullets on patrol make $50,000.00. We don't need Trauma Star. We have LifeNet services for air ambulance. Miami Children's has their own service. Baptist Hospital is in negotiations to take over Lower Keys Medical Center and they have their own helicopter service. Also, West Palm Beach Hospital has been advertising their air ambulance service available from the Keys to their hospital and they can handle any emergency and are fully staffed. Get rid of Trauma Star now.
2) Save all we can on electricity and water usage at all facilities,
all substations and jails.
I want to triple the work release program inmates and start new work
programs involving inmate run gardens/nurseries and recycling centers. I
can close portions of the jail down in the day when the inmates are
working. I can close one sub-station and possibly the Marathon jail for
intake. This would produce quite a bit of savings on electricity and
water.
3) Recycle everything that is used by MCSO and it's employees.
1) The inmates need to be working. I want a recycling center and a
garden/nursery.
I want a recycling center where the inmates sort, and prepare everything
from plastics to metal for resale.
I also would eventually like to have a pick up service run by inmates
where they can disassemble and recycle most of what is thrown away.
I want an inmate run garden/nursery. The produce would offset the cost
to feed the inmates, and also could be sold to the public. The nursery
items could be sold to the public and also donated to beautify the Keys.
Both programs would create responsibility in the inmates and give them a
purpose for their life while in jail. Wayward people are a big problem
the world faces, we can't diminish the value of a human when going
"green". We need to "recycle" them as well and teach them to co-exist
with nature and others.
2) Get rid of all the unnecessary cars, helicopters, offices, etc. as
described in #3.
3) Enforce environmental laws! The Sheriff has the authority to do
this, but has been unwilling to take this on. Enforcement is passed on
to DEP.
DEP is closed on the weekends,...but the Sheriff isn't. I have a
tremendous interest in our environment here. I am sure you have heard
about my attempts to stop my neighbors from hacking down our state owned
mangroves for their view. I respect and will enforce the environmental
laws vigorously if I am elected.
HIGH Priority. The Earth sustains our life. If we don't respect that, obviously we won't respect anything or anyone else. To have a beautiful and peaceful community, we have to pull together and live in harmony with nature and others. Times have changed. We took everything for granted for so long and it's coming to a halt. Pressure is on everyone to conserve.
We have to leave something for future generations. Previously law abiding citizens might be tempted to cheat here and there to maintain their comfortable lifestyles. Taking a little more than you need is no longer acceptable. If you abide by the law out of fear, you might succumb. If you abide by the law out of respect for others, and for justice, you won't be tempted.
Citizens that abide by the law out of respect, tend to be conscientious and passionate about others and the environment. Respect and consideration for nature and others goes hand in hand. I want everyone treated fairly. I want the laws to apply to all equally. I do not tolerate abuse of any kind, not to others..or to nature. There should be more awareness about our environment. We need to start learning to live together better, and not because we are afraid of breaking the law, but because we actually care about our fellow humans and we want to co-exist peacefully. I know this is a dreamer message, but if we don't dream, we will die. Our old ways don't work. We have to bring this community together on this mission. Abide by the laws concerning others and the environment or...leave.
Bob Horan
No ResponseKenneth B. Davis
1. What does green mean to you?Being responsible to lead and develop a life that is environmentally friendly. Adjusting my life personally and professionally to leave a smaller carbon and ecological footprint -- one that will leave a better, cleaner earth for my grandchildren.
Limit water use with landscaping requiring minimum water. Recycling products, beginning to adjust energy use for more energy efficient products for lighting, cooling etc. We are currently shopping for more fuel efficient transportation.
(1) Reduce vehicle fleet and begin introducing more fuel efficient transportation. Seek more fuel reducing options.
(2) Put into place a responsible procurement system that seeks or consults for environmentally safe alternatives when purchasing or making acquisitions. Conduct a total review of all Sheriff’s Office buildings, including jails, for more efficient energy and water use. Decide what cost saving and energy saving measures can be put into place, to include but not limited to solar energy and recycling.
(3) Minimize paper use within Sheriff’s Office and put paperless systems in place where they can be effectively utilized.
(1)The introduction of a more fuel efficient vehicle fleet while maintaining safety standards for officers and the community.
(2)Introducing environmentally safe systems, solar energy, paperless systems etc. that are costs effective during a time of budget crisis.
(3)Reducing energy and water use within the jail system while maintaining Florida Model Jail Standards and safety criteria.
As a cost saving measure, Green initiatives will be a priority second only to public safety.
(top)Supervisor of Elections
Harry L. Sawyer Jr.
1. What does green mean to you?I was born and raised in the Florida Keys and green is what natives used to call conservation. We had to be mindful that if we did not protect our environment, we would not have the basic life sustaining elements to survive.
Clean water, most people had cisterns to catch rain water until the Navy brought in the pipe line. We had to plant trees that did not require too much water to survive. We had to pay attention to the amount of fish, conch, shrimp, and lobster we took from our surrounding waters. Take too much and there would not be enough for the next season. It was as simple as that. The fishermen knew they had to take care of their source of revenue or they could not survive themselves. They had learned a lesson from the sponge divers.
Green to me means that you have to care for your environment or you will suffer the consequences.
2. What green actions have you/do you take in your personal and professional life?
I try to do the same at work as well as at home. We recycle paper and glass. Conserve water and electricity. At home we keep the A/C turned up to 76 degrees. At work we recycle all paper. Once the Division of Archives allows us to destroy old ballots we recycle the used and unused ballots. Old pens, rulers, etc., we send to the schools for students to use. We limit travel and if travel is called for, more than one employee will travel in one vehicle.
3. In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that the Supervisor of Elections could implement right now?
We are recycling all paper products, Monroe County controls the A/C, we regulate the use of lights in rooms we are not using, I think at this point we are doing everything we can to be good citizens of the Earth.
4. .In your opinion what are three of the most important green changes needed within the Supervisor of Elections?
A system that provides a paper trail but is less paper intensive as the optical scan system in use at this time. A system that provides enough of an audit trail that the people will trust the system as being accurate and easy to use. Less paper would save many trees. I really don’t foresee this happening any time soon.
5. What priority will you give green initiatives if you are elected?
I am assuming you are referring to ballot initiatives. All initiatives are treated with utmost care and are made available to the voters well in advance of an upcoming election. If you are referring to initiatives as ideas to make the world a better place, I will do my best to see that our office complies.
(top)Henry L. Woods Jr.
1. What does green mean to you?
“Green” to me means that every action I take in my daily life should take into account the consequences of that action on the sustainability of our environment.
2. What green actions have you/do you take in your personal and professional life?I am trying to be more cognizant of the need to recycle, both at home and in my daily routine. I find that I look more for a recycling bin or basket for bottles or cans rather than just tossing them in the nearest trash can. The lip balm that I am distributing as a campaign handout was GLEE-approved for the contents of the product. I pledge to use my bicycle more and my automobile less (once this campaign traveling 100 plus miles up and down the Keys several days a week is completed).
3. In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that the Supervisor of Elections could implement right now?First, I would make sure the latest technology recycling bins are located in all Supervisor of Elections office sites.
Second, I would include links to appropriate “green websites” on the Supervisor’s homepage that give citizens tips on who to be “more green” in their daily lives.
Third, I would make sure that all office envelopes and forms and letterhead are printed on recycled paper. Ultimately, ballots should be printed on recycled paper (I discuss that more in the next question as this is not as easy to obtain).
4. In your opinion, what are three of the most important green changes needed within the Supervisor of Elections office?Ballots should be printed on recycled paper when appropriate technology is available. My reading on the subject found that this is not currently possible since specks on recycled paper are sometimes recorded as a vote by optical scanners. I am confident that technology will be forthcoming that will allow for this. It is important that we do so since voters have more confidence in an elections system that has a reliable paper trail.
I think the Supervisor of Elections could partner with companies like Waste Management in providing for recycling bins to be distributed at polling sites as voters exit a polling station during at least one election each year. This would aid companies seeking to help make our communities “more green” by saving on manpower needed to deliver/equip households throughout the county with such bins to get us “back in the habit” of recycling.
I’d also like to see the Supervisor’s office partner with companies to provide complimentary seeds for individuals to begin planting small gardens in their yards or in a designated “community garden” in neighborhoods throughout the Keys. These could also be distributed as voters exit a polling place.
5. What priority will you give green initiative if you are elected?I have made the basis of my campaign increased civic education through the leadership of the Supervisor of Elections’ office. While I would emphasize educational programs that better prepare voters for casting their ballots on issue initiatives, I would include a “green education” component at all such educational opportunities and would be willing to partner with the business community to make sure such information on new technologies is available when individuals exercise their civic responsibility on election day.
Marathon City Council
Ginger Snead
1. What does green mean to you?
To me being green refers to doing everything in your personal ability to preserve and attempt to restore our natural resources for future generations. I believe the ideas have "hit home" more significantly since the arrival of my first grandchild. I want him to have the opportunity to enjoy all the wonders of nature that my children and I were able to enjoy. I want him to enjoy the waters off the Keys - whether he chooses to be a fisherman, a diver, or an observer.
2. What green actions have you/do you take in your personal and professional life?I believe that the responsibility falls on everyone - every small effort when duplicated among a large number can and will matter. To that end, I have begun to do small things in my daily life to attempt to help. I have begun to walk or ride my bike instead of driving for short errands around town. I have changed my light bulbs to the recommended energy efficient bulbs. I have increased the thermostat on my air conditioner, at home and at work. I carry and use reusable grocery and shopping bags. I recycle all items that are locally accepted. Prior to moving into a townhouse setting without a yard, I composted as well as had a rain barrel for landscape watering. I am sure there are other things that I could add to my everyday activities of which I am not aware - but I am open to suggestions.
3. In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that the City Counsel could implement right now?In April of 2008 at the regularly scheduled city council meeting resolution 2008-62 was adopted representing the city's commitment to energy conservation as well as protecting our local resources. I also understand that the green team has presented their recommendations for city improvements (I am unable to find that document on the website however). I must admit that I am not sure of all the recommendations made by the green team or the extent to which they have been implemented. There are a few things I see that I believe would be useful in the green efforts of Marathon. I should preface this next part with my belief that the city council has the job of setting policy. It is the job of our city manager and his employees to implement these activities. I believe that the City of Marathon could help in these efforts in a few small ways that may produce large savings in the long run. The first thing I believe the city should do is to supply the ability and encourage recycling at all of our parks and special events. Also as a resident that lives on one side of the city park and works at the other end, I have difficulty with the lighting at the park glaring throughout the evening, many times when there are no events occurring. Perhaps the lights could be put on timers or motion sensors. I am not sure of the fix for this as I haven't really researched it in depth - but there must be a solution.
4. In your opinion, what are three of the most important green changes needed within the City Council (not necessarily the easiest).The larger activities that I believe would have greater impact on the environment but likely have greater financial implications are in the areas of building and transportation. I believe where feasible the city should build green energy efficient buildings with the lowest environmental impact. I believe this is especially important when contracting for public buildings and facilities. I also believe that as the city vehicles become outdated or are ready for trade that the vehicles that replace them should be the most cost and energy efficient possible.
5. What priority will you give green initiative if you are elected?In closing, I would like to say that I personally believe that our
environmental assets are a high priority. Without the unique
environmental resources that we enjoy we are just a rock in the ocean.
Additional, the preservation of our natural resources is also included
in the mission statement of our city. This leads me to believe that the
environment and its resources were at some point a high priority with
the citizens of Marathon. I must clarify however that as a city council
member, I believe that it is not my desires that are the deciding
factor, but the citizen's views and desires that are important. My job
as a council member is to represent the citizens of Marathon.
Kevin Woodland
No ResponseAllen Pedersen
1. What does green mean to you?Protect the environment and make others more aware of our environmental issues.
2. What green actions have you / do you take in your personal and professional life?
In my personal life I separate plastics and aluminum cans for recycling. I have a small motor scooter that gets 90 mpg which I use for local commuting. I have planted numerous palm trees,and fruit trees to enhance the air quality on my personal property. I also plan my fishing trips in the most economical way. I use water-saving shower heads and apply water saving devices to my gardening. Before I retired from Delta Airlines I iniated the idea of using 50 electric baggage tugs on the international concourse in Atlanta. This worked perfect to their limited 12-hour daily operation. It eliminated 50 gasoline and diesel motorized baggage tugs, thus making it a more environmentally friendly work place and an estimated savings of 2 gallons of fuel per hour per tug, saving 800-1,000 gallons of fuel per day. day.
3. In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that the City Counsel could implement right now?
Pass an amendment to separate the recycling garbage into four separate containers. For example aluminum, plastic, glass and paper and apply this to all commercial use as part of a business license. Preplanning the use of vehicles by carpooling. Ride bicycle to work if possible. Make all hotels green.
4. In your opinion, what are three of the most important green changes needed within the City Council (not necessarily the easiest).
All commercial businesses would be required to operate in a green manor such as garbage. Implement to any city or government a 40 hour, 4 day work week. This would cut the cost of air conditioning and electric usage by average of 16%, and, it would also save the commuter 20% in already high transporation fuel cost. Encourage businesses to install water saving devices in their bathrooms.
5. What priority will you give green initiatives if you are elected?
One reason I live in the Keys is its natural and unusual flora and fauna. These must be protected.
(top)Pete Worthington
1. What does green mean to you?- Earth friendly!
- Something that is good for he environment.
- Beneficial to the long term of our planet, whether it is recycling, air pollution or use of our finite resources.
- I have been recycling household items for at least 15 years or longer
- I have made improvements to my home that make it more energy efficient, such as; energy star appliances, energy efficient light bulbs, added 14 inches of insulation to my attic for cooling purposes; energy efficient toilets with water saving features and energy efficient window treatments.
- When purchasing new vehicles we look for fuel efficient models for the type of vehicle we are looking to purchase.
- Professionally, I operate my commercial fishing boats in the most fuel efficient manner.
- As your City Councilman I support energy efficient use of lighting, as well as introduced and supported the purchasing of 2000 recycle bins for the residents of Marathon to encourage recycling.
- Mandatory recycling at all City properties for day to day business as well as special events.
- Energy efficient lighting to include light sensors with automated shut off when room is not in use
- Adjust air conditioning thermostats at City offices by 2 degrees,
- Encourage the use of 5 gallon office water bottles over individual plastic bottles.
- Future City buildings to be energy efficient meeting Leed standard.
- Through attrition replace City vehicles with hybrid energy efficient models
- Low water maintenance vegetation for landscaping City properties (all new as well as any landscaping needing replaced)
- Continue supporting & expanding public transportation in the City of Marathon
In addition to the above, I would give careful consideration to green initiatives as they pertain to issues under consideration.
(top)Marylyn Tempest
1. What does green mean to you?
"Green" means preservation of the environment; and going "Green" means making an effort in my personal and professional life to preserve the environment on which I have an impact.
Personally, I have recycled papers, bottles, and cans for years; used both sides of paper; started using the new light bulbs at home; turned the A/C up an average two degrees; replaced grass with pea rock; reduced other electricity useage; et al. Professionally, I have supported Marathon's effort to exhibit a more environmentally friendly profile.
Lighting cost reductions; recycling in parks and public areas; car pools.
Gradual introduction of fuel efficient autos; reduction of electric useage in public buildings; reduction of paper use in favor of digital storage of data.
All initiatives that have a green component will receive serious consideration. I will support all changes at City Hall that make economic sense. It won't happen over night, but we should make steady progress.
Josh Bartus
No ResponseJoannie Nelson
1) What does Green Mean to you?
Green means glee -- joy -- to the world if we people commit to living Energy Efficient. Recyclable, clean, anti-greenhouse gas energy. Green also brings to mind the Green Party which advocates world peace & an environmentally friendly stance. I believe homo sapiens should be intertwined with, not a separate entity from, the rest of the globe. Therefore if we the people don’t want to hurry up & go the way of the dinosaurs we need to try real gleefully hard to go green & then maybe a renewable green grass spring will for many seasons follow fall & winter. I dig Sloan’s answer: Harmony with Nature -- but I would amend -- Harmony with the rest of Nature. Green is a hue in the part of the spectrum lying between blue & yellow. Green is close to aquamarine. Green means Go environmentally friendly versus Stop messing up our blue green planet.
2) What green actions have you / do you take in your personal and professional life?
When I travel locally I ride my 1420 purple TREK bicycle. When I go to do demos out of town, I ride the pink/green shuttle & American Coach busses. I ride Max Bus, Metro & Tri-rail when venturing to the mainland. I am a rider & fan of the Monroe County Transportation vans. Instead of deadly household cleaning chemicals, I mop the floor with white vinegar. I switched to energy smart (CFL -- compact florescent) light bulbs. On my own property, I just let nice natives grow instead of landscaping with the more thirsty, chemically fertilized dependent exotics. I don’t smoke. I use the blue containers that the City provides to recycle on Thursday. I invite geckos rather then hire bugs exterminating burgers to discourage roaches & ants from trespassing.
3) In your opinion, what are the three easiest green changes that the Marathon City Council could implement right now?
Go Green like the County Commission & have laptops for Marathon City Council persons to take to meetings loaded with agenda & all other pertinent paper (dead tree) material. Pass a resolution to commit to going Green proactively with & reaching out to the County via the proclamation recently signed by Mayor Mario Di Gennaro -- Change the World, Start with ENERGY SMART Campaign & the Drive $marter Challenge.
Cut from the top. Don’t skimp from the bottom. Example: No salary increases, no new building like the firehouse. Instead longer fire hoses & more hydrants. Bring back the local volunteers who know the town’s water sources & live here. Give them equal opportunity with the Union guys. Fires wipe out greenhouses of families who are into this aquamarine world. Example: Rocketman.
Add to the appointed committees – a Green Glee think tank to reach out to & join forces with Last Stand, etc. & municipal, county, state and federal officials interested in going Green. United instead of divided with Monroe County to research the permitting & the encouraging of solar, wind, cistern alternates to oil energy choices.
4) In your opinion, what are three of the most important green changes needed within the Marathon City Council (not necessarily the easiest).
The Marathon City Council body needs to be more friendly with groups like Last Stand & CitizensNotSerfs rather than serving the whole enchilada on a silver platter to the high rise condo & hotel wolf developers in the guise of sheep’s Cay Club & Marlin Bay ornate clothing without us upfront collecting impact fees & sans dictation green & other architectural permitting parameters.
Marathon City Council needs to be united in opposing the Area of State Critical Concern from being lifted from Monroe.
Marathon City Council needs to be united in worrying more about near off shore drilling that Bush just lifted the moratorium from than meeting the 2010 unfunded sewerage mandate that is eliminating another segment of Marathon’s longtime affordable housing segment out of here. Despite the promises of the Oil Industry’s CEOs that their new technology insures O oil spills, their drilling will disturb the bottom & surface sledge killing the canary yellowtail in an aquamarine watery coal mine.
5. What priority will you give green initiatives if you are elected?
As long as the existing Marathon human beings endangered of being squeezed of the Florida Keys economically & lifestyle wise are fairly equated into the green pie, top priority.
Thoughtfully yours,
Bicycle Joanie Nelson