Jane B. W. Winn
Environmentalist of the Year
Long an environmental advocate and mobilizer of community interest and involvement in wetlands permitting deliberations and open space preservation in the Berkshires, Jane Winn is fierce in her determination and seldom willing to take “no” for a final answer. She has demonstrated many times over that perseverance is a powerful advocacy skill. With the creation, fundraising, nurturing and day-to-day management of the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and the weekly e-publication of the BEAT News, Jane has become a leading spokesperson on environmental issues. Her courage, dedication, and boundless energy have already produced stunning successes — and are creating a broad constituency of knowledgeable, caring activists and stewards to carry the work forward.
Paul Strauss
Conservation Commissioner of the Year
Paul Strauss is a 12-year Conservation Commissioner with many wetlands and open space achievements both locally and regionally. Paul has demonstrated integrity, intelligence, and genuine commitment to protecting the natural environment of Martha’s Vineyard. Acknowledged as a leader par excellence, Paul has repeatedly committed huge amounts of time and energy to getting the job done. His credits include creation of the town’s wetlands bylaw regulations, updating the open space and recreation plan, increasing the professionalism of the Commission, and supporting diverse initiatives to preserve coastal and inland wetlands, wildlife habitat, historic parks, and public recreation access.
|
Awards:
2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997
Carol Murchie
Citizen Activist of the Year
As de facto leader of a thorough and persistent campaign, Carol Murchie sparked opposition to the proposed demolition of historically and architecturally significant buildings and a violation of public interest in a riverfront area of New Bedford. The City had taken the land and buildings for tax delinquency, and proposed to sell the site to Home Depot for commercial redevelopment at a bargain price of only $10,000. Among other impacts, the mill demolition and new construction project would have paved over a large swath of Riverfront Area. Under Carol’s leadership, private citizens organized to fight City Hall, and won. They were vindicated by a formal investigation that found irregularities in the procurement process that did not “serve the best interests of the city of New Bedford.” A new mayor was elected, and Home Depot’s interest in developing the site evaporated.
Angela Frick
Lifetime Achievement in Conservation
For almost four decades the town of Lexington has benefited from the dedication and institutional memory of Angela (Jere) Frick, who joined the Conservation Commission in 1968 and has led the way on wetlands protection, open space preservation, and many other community projects ever since. Drawing on her long experience in analyzing proposals and studying the land, Jere voices the truth carefully and firmly, even when it is not popular. It has been said that she certainly knows every wetland and probably knows every tree in town. She never waivers in defense of the environment, and her tenacity, perseverance, and commitment have been an inspiration to her fellow Commissioners and townspeople.
Senator Robert S. Creedon, Jr.
Representative Geraldine M. Creedon
Legislators of the Year
Robert S. Creedon, Jr. has served in the Massachusetts Senate since 1997. Geraldine M. Creedon has served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives since 1995. This husband and wife legislative team lives in Brockton, where both were formerly City Councilors. Senator Creedon and Representative Creedon received high scores for their votes on key environmental legislation in the 2006 legislative session, scoring 100 and 85 percent, respectively, according to the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters. Senator Creedon and Representative Creedon came to our aid when MACC filed legislation last year to correct serious deficiencies in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, § 53G, the so-called consultant fee law, which provides often-critical expert support for Conservation Commissions. Senator Creedon guided the bill through the Senate, and then Representative Creedon worked closely with the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Third Reading to secure passage in the House. MACC and Conservation Commissions are deeply appreciative of their outstanding effort in support of environmental protection.
|
