2002 Oklahoma Chapter Awards

The Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club held their annual environmental awards banquet recently at the Commons Restaurant in Norman. Tom Libby, incoming Chapter Chair, presided over the ceremony, recognizing several Oklahomans for their distinguished work on behalf of Oklahoma's environment. Following are summaries of the great work accomplished by the recipients.

• Conservation Journalism Award
• Outstanding Public Servant Award
• Environmental Education Award
• Earth Care Award
• Outstanding Service Award
• Distinguished Service Awards
• Bulldog Award
• Marvin Baker Lifetime Achievement Award

Conservation Journalism Award

The Conservation Journalism Award is given to an individual or organization, generally in the print, TV or radio media for outstanding reporting on environmental issues. Paul Moore, Chapter Conservation Chair, presented the 2002 award to Shaun Schafer, who accepted for himself and co-author, Zeva Branstetter, who was unable to attend. They were honored for their muckraking June 2002 series in the Tulsa World on Oklahoma's environment. Schafer and Branstetter fearlessly released names of some of the state's most prominent industry polluters. They held state agencies accountable for their lack of enforcement and interviewed our own Jeannine Hale to get the environmentalist’s point-of-view.

In the series, Schafer and Branstetter reviewed a database of enforcement actions taken by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality since the agency's inception in 1993 through 2001. The agency took more than 4,800 enforcement actions against individuals, government agencies and businesses that violated state or federal environmental regulations during that time. The review did not include actions taken by the EPA, as they have delegated most of their authority to the DEQ. Tulsa County businesses filled seven of the top 15 spots in terms of environmental fines.

Outstanding Public Servant Award

The Outstanding Public Servant Award is given to an Oklahoman for outstanding commitment and/or public service consistent with the conservation ideals of the Sierra Club, sometimes in the face of opposition or personal cost. Often given to a politician or government official. Jeannine Hale, EPEC Conservation Organizer, presented the award to Ed Brocksmith, well-known "water warrior" who is a former "vocal" member of Scenic Rivers Commission and President of STIR (Save the Illinois River). Jeannine's nomination summary noted Ed's following efforts, as well as many more.

Ed Brocksmith has worked with Oklahoma Sierra Club on multiple press conferences, has tirelessly written LTEs to set the record straight on water quality issues and has gotten many others in Eastern Oklahoma to become aware and involved. He created and still maintains a water quality Listserv, works media, trains activists and relentlessly birddogs agency meetings. When something is happening related to water quality, Ed is right in the middle of the action fighting for protection of our rivers. Ed is the watchdog for the Eastern part of the state.

Ed is a driving force behind one of our staunchest allies in protecting water quality—Save the Illinois River (STIR), arranging for their participation in hearings and writing comment letters. Early in 2002, Ed helped generate hundreds of cards and letters to the Water Board in support of the new Phosphorus standard. Between Ed, STIR and the Club, we filed the most comments ever received by the Water Board in a rulemaking.
Ed alerts us about important issues related to the Scenic Rivers Commission even now that his term as a Board member has expired. When Ed was a Board member, he worked relentlessly—sometimes as the lone soldier—in support of environmental protection in every matter before the Scenic Rivers Commission. He also made sure that important issues were brought up at Commission meetings.

Environmental Education Award

The Environmental Education Award is given to an individual, special group, or institution providing the greatest effort to inform citizens (general public, students, or special target groups) with information that would be valuable to their process of critical thinking and decision-making in the area of environmental education. Susie Shields, Chapter Environmental Education Chair, presented the award to the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Accepting the award was Dr. Jim Horne, President and CEO of the Center. Additional honoree, Maura McDermott, Kerr Center Communications Director, was unable to attend.

The Kerr Center works for and with rural people and communities in Oklahoma and across the nation and globe. Their focus is on education, with the program staff producing a variety of publications for use by farmers, ranchers and agriculture professionals. A free newsletter, "Field Notes," is distributed by mail and is also available on their website: www.kerrcenter.com.

The Kerr Center is a mover and a shaker in Oklahoma's efforts to promote the purchase of food grown by local family farms. Jim and Maura are both members of the Oklahoma Food Policy Council, with Jim serving as co-chair. They are also involved in the movement to preserve farmland, working alongside the Oklahoma Trust for Public Land to promote conservation easements and land legacies.

The Kerr Center has provided many opportunities for education in the sustainable agriculture field, through their conferences such as "Future Farms I" and "Future Farms II," and enlightening publications such as the book, "The Next Green Revolution, Eight Steps to A Sustainable Agriculture." Their informative exhibits are set-up at a variety of conferences, with such materials as green investing made available. Everywhere you go, you will see the efforts of the Kerr Center to provide environmental education to all.

Earth Care Award

The Earth Care Award is given to an environmentally conscious business or organization, particularly one that promotes recycling efforts. Dr. Lynn Musslewhite, Chapter Vice-Chair, presented the award to Bill Barwick, manager of the Fort Sill Recycling Center in Lawton.

Under the management of Barwick, the Fort Sill Recycling Center has become a leader in recycling on military posts. Operating in a world-class facility, the center conducts a series of recycling programs on Fort Sill. Not only residents of post housing, but also offices and units throughout the post are involved in recycling. Incentive programs reward participation, and everyone on the post is encouraged to get involved. Not content just to serve Fort Sill, Barwick has made the center the recycling hub of southwestern Oklahoma. The center played a vital role in creating a recycling program in Lawton. It made its facility available for the processing of the city's recyclable materials and even arranged to transport those materials from drop-off sites within the city to the center on post. The center partners with the Lawton and Duncan Public Schools, providing them with containers for their recyclable products and transporting those products to the post. Barwick has reached out to the corporate community, and the center conducts partnering programs with the Goodyear tire plant and the Republic paper plant in Lawton as well as the Haliburton facility in Duncan. Most of the paper collected from the post, the city of Lawton, and other sources goes to the Republic paper plant where it is used in the manufacture of paper for wallboard.

The Fort Sill Recycling Center processes over 3,600 tons of recyclable material a year, diverting glass, plastic, paper, and metal from the landfill into productive resources.

Outstanding Service Award

The Outstanding Service Award is traditionally given to only one Sierra Club member who has worked consistently and outstandingly at the Chapter or Group level, contributing his/her time and talent in a way which has been of significant benefit to the Oklahoma Chapter. David Franklin, Oklahoma City Group Chair, was the 2002 recipient.

Since taking over the reins as Chair of the Oklahoma City Group, David has provided outstanding leadership, encouraging the Executive Committee (ExCom) and the membership to participate in important Chapter (statewide) programs such as the Capitol Action Network for legislative action alerts and the Environmental Public Education Campaigns (EPEC) for clean water.

Since becoming a member of the Chapter ExCom, David has dedicated a great deal of effort to the redesign and maintenance of the website, allowing members much greater access to current Club information. He scans the news headlines daily and distributes relevant articles to the other members of the ExCom. He replies to every discussion items sent out on the ExCom list serv with insightful and creative ideas. His input has become very important to everyone on the ExCom.

Distinguished Service Awards

Distinguished Service Awards are given to individual members for work done at the group or chapter level which is beyond the normal call of duty. Recipients of the 2002 awards were Paul Moore, Green Country Group, Sandra Rose--Red Earth Group and Larry Swanson--Oklahoma City Group,

Paul Moore. Paul, our Chapter Conservation Chair, has been an effective leader for the Club on conservation issues, working in a remarkably quiet and calm, but also intelligent and persistent, way. Although he is an effective leader and keeps us focused on priority issues, Paul always listens to what others have to say, is a strong team member and is a pleasure to work with. Paul always follows through on what he says he will do and offers help in the many ‘emergencies’ that arise.

Paul’s efforts to respond and organize others on hot issues were critical to having the Chapter weigh in on many important issues. He always takes the time to read every email and document sent to him, provides a rapid response, sends out alerts and helps get volunteers involved. He always participates in reviewing documents and making decisions on EPEC program issues and is especially helpful in focusing our efforts, developing strategy and acting as a sounding board and an idea man. His input is always extremely thoughtful and his comments carefully worded – they reveal that underneath his calm and rather quiet outward appearance he has an exceptional depth and scope of knowledge of important issues, but he never takes credit . . .

Sandra Rose. Although Sandra has received this award twice in the past, as well as the Outstanding Service Award, the Awards Committee felt she deserved recognition again. In 2000, after eight years of dedicated service, Sandra decided not to run for re-election to the Chapter ExCom, telling us she wanted to retire. Since that time she has served on both the Legislative and Political Committees where she is always a "shining star." Sandra can turn more folks out to leaflet for campaigns and lobby at the Capitol than the rest of us put together. When one of bills is in trouble at the legislature, Sandra is always out there helping Keith Smith, our lobbyist, work our side of the issue. She led the coordinated efforts to campaign for all of our endorsed candidates in statewide races, as well as some in her local area. She also writes alerts and posts them on our Capitol Action Network list serv. And you should have seen her work before she was "retired."

Larry Swanson. Larry has been active a both the Group and Chapter level for about ten years and has just always been there when we needed help. For several years he managed the maintenance of trails at Connors State's hiking and camping area and served as the Group newsletter editor as well, a task he is still doing. For Chapter Environmental Public Education Campaign (EPEC) activities, Larry is there doing whatever is needed. He does tabling, collects fees, hangs posters and banners, and much more. Larry is the champion when it comes to getting post cards for our issues signed at public events, with five clipboards underway at all times. He is active every year with our Capitol Action Network, helping get the word out about important bills pending at the legislature.

Bulldog Award

"Bulldog" Award--Charles Wesner, founding member of the Oklahoma Chapter, presented this one-time award to Ed Kessler, Red Earth Group member and longtime President of Common Cause of Oklahoma. The following narrative was written by Suzette Hatfield, Sierra Club member and founder of the Oklahoma Family Farm Alliance.

Ed Kessler: the face of tenacity in the public interest. I know there are places where one can find people who would say bad things about Ed Kessler. But these are dark, dank, slimy places where the residents are actually trolls, even though they may wear fine clothing and hold high public or corporate positions. No, I didn’t want to go there. Instead, I accessed those folks who have linked arms with Ed to push for truth, justice and the American way, making life better for you and me.

The words I heard about Ed, over and over again, were: Mentor . . . friend . . . unassuming . . . leader . . . honest . . . fair . . . indefatigable . . . beneficent . . . a man of unusual ability. I find Ed to be exceptional because he sees the big picture. If you talk with him about road programs, you’ll eventually discuss the state constitution, public finance, education and the environment because they are all part of the same web. A conversation with Ed always leaves me enriched.

Terms like “liberal” or “conservative” don’t apply to Ed because he is undefinable. Ed evaluates an issue by asking questions such as, “Is it legal?”, “Is it fair?”, “Is it ethical?”, “Does it make sense for the long run?”, “Does it improve life for most people?” Because Ed acts on principle, rather than for expediency, he has friends and admirers from a variety of political ideologies.
Although he is a famous scientist, Ed’s name, these days, is mostly associated with Common Cause. As such, he has been out promoting open, honest, accountable government. This is something most of us want, but too darn few of us work to preserve. Let’s go through the short list of issues where Ed has been out front.

Ed exposed the fallacies in “technology transfer” whereby public money and facilities are used to provide private research labs for corporate interests. When the State of Oklahoma went into tremendous debt for the governor’s extensive and expensive road program, Ed and Common Cause exposed the unconstitutional financing. When Oklahomans were on the verge of losing control of southeastern Oklahoma water by the actions of a State-Tribal Relations Committee that can meet in secret and is accountable to no one, Ed brought Common Cause to join with other groups—including Sierra Club—to pass protective legislation.

Ed wasn’t afraid to go before the TV cameras and denounce companies like Chesapeake Energy, whose executives conspired to push the bounds of ethics rules to purchase the election for Corporation Commissioner. As real estate developers pressed for sprawling outer loops to serve their interests, Ed was there to propose alternative transportation plans for the public benefit. When our state officials threatened to close public records and end open meetings in the name of "Homeland Security”, Ed and Common Cause were there to say “NO”.

Right now, Ed is working to correct a legislative misdeed. Last year, our elected officials robbed funds dedicated to remediation of leaking underground storage tanks and appropriated the monies for a new building at the University of Oklahoma. They acted on the basis of false information. Ed is determined to get the law repealed, even though he knows the deception originated either in the highest offices of the legislature or the university. Some hesitate to confront giants, but not Ed.

Marvin Baker Lifetime Achievement Award

The Marvin Baker Lifetime Achievement Award is a very special award given to an individual who has exhibited a lifetime of personal commitment to the Sierra Club and its issues. It is not given on a regular basis. The first award was presented in 2001 to Dr. Marvin Baker, who returned from the west coast to present the 2002 award to Charles Wesner. Marvin’s historical prospective follows.

I first met Charles at a Norman group meeting in the spring of 1972, shortly after the group got formally organized. Charles became our first Vice Chair and first Program Chair, thus was a founding leader in the group. Right from the start Charles' intense focus on the political dimensions of environmental activism was manifest in our programs. If there is a defining theme to his thirty years of Club leadership it is his passion for the political side of our conservation efforts.

Charles continued to serve as Vice Chair and Program Chair until September 1974 and served as Group Chair from that date until January 1974. Upon stepping down from his Norman Group duties Charles was quickly appointed Sierra Club Council Delegate in January 1976 and served in that role for three years until December 1978. In January 1977 Charles was elected to the Chapter Executive Committee. He was elected Chapter Chair at that time and served two years (1977-78) .

In January 1979, Charles was re-elected to the Chapter Executive Committee and also appointed delegate to the Southern Plains Regional Conservation Committee. In 1980 he was elected Chapter Vice Chair and served one year in that office. Charles’ dogged enthusiasm led the Chapter Executive Committee to nominate him for a Council Service Award in 1980 and the case they made was so strong that he received the even more prestigious Susan B. Miller Award from the Council at the National Club's annual banquet that spring in San Francisco. In recognition of his continued leadership the Chapter awarded him its Outstanding Service Award in 1981.

Now in the mature years of his Club career, Charles' skills in leading our political organizing were recognized by his appointment in 1982 as the first chair of the Chapter Political Committee. His success resulted in his continual reappointment through 1993, a total of eleven years in this vital position. In the midst of this, he received a Certificate of Appreciation at the 1985 Chapter Banquet for his leadership. In 1989 Charles was appointed Chair of the Chapter Tall Grass Prairie Task Force, a lively time that challenged even his political skills!

In the 1990s Charles stepped back a bit for a short breather, but not for long. In 1996 he was elected once more to the Chapter Executive Committee, where he served as Chapter Vice Chair for that year. In 1997 he served as Chapter Secretary. Then it was back to another term as Chapter Vice Chair in 1998. To keep Charles busy on weekends, he was appointed once again as Chapter Fund Raising Chair in 1996 and shared this job with Sandra Rose in 1997. He has been Chapter fundraising chair for the past two years, 2001 and 2002. Just to ensure he did not spend all his time working in his garden, once more he was appointed Chair of the Chapter Political Committee in 1998 and continues in that role to this day...a real life sentence! He also continues to be a member of the Chapter Legislative Committee and has actively served on that committee since 1997.

All in all what is revealed here is just the bare outline of a life of commitment to environmental protection. It simply hints at the work Charles has done. For every formal title listed in our publications and the annual "blue sheets" submitted to the national Sierra Club offices, Charles was engaged in a dozen unrecorded never ending hands-on works of leadership...solving a minor squabble between leaders in a group here, making last minute appeals to a political leader there, providing press releases on short notices, pulling together an issue of the Oklahoma Sierran when an editor had quit, writing endless letters to the editor, meaty articles for the Oklahoma Observer, and providing, with the amazing support of his wife Lyntha, endless hospitality for meetings, parties, and work sessions at their home. Examine the battered condition of the telephone in the Wesner household to gain an idea of how much time he and Lyntha spend in communication to keep us all together. It is not really true to say that the Oklahoma Chapter has never had a formal Chapter office. Even though the sign is not painted on the door, it has always been there 1972 to the present....616 Tulsa Street in Norman!