The newly formed Sierra Club North Olympic Group has endorsed John Austin for Jefferson County commissioner and John Miller for director of the Department of Community Development in Clallam County.
The group, which claims 800 members in Clallam and Jefferson counties — from Forks to Port Ludlow — was formally recognized in September, said Bob Lynette, co-chairman with John Woolley.
It’s part of the Cascade Chapter, based in Seattle. Members have been meeting for about a year, Lynette said, adding that most meetings are in Sequim.
“When we had our first meeting and 60 people showed up, it surprised us,” Lynette said.
“That’s a large number.”
The group has a social get-together at The Buzz, 128 N. Sequim Ave., in Sequim, at 1:30 p.m. the third Saturday of each month.
A website is now under development, Lynette said.
The Sierra Club environmental organization has 1.3 million members nationwide and 26,000 members in Washington state.
Unlike many other environmental groups, the Sierra Club endorses and works for political candidates, Lynette said.
Austin’s record
The group endorses Austin in his bid to retain his District 3 Jefferson County commissioner seat because he “has worked hard for our environment,” the group said in a prepared statement.
“John Austin is educated on the issues, has shown strength of leadership, and has the experience to responsibly lead Jefferson County for the betterment of its health and that of his constituents,” the group said.
Austin, a Democrat and retired psychologist from Port Ludlow, is challenged in his re-election bid by Port Ludlow Republican and home-builder Jim Boyer in the Nov. 2 election.
The group listed Austin’s support of the county critical areas ordinance and the Shoreline Master Program.
It said he was instrumental in keeping two state parks open and saved a mature forest between Gibbs Lake and Beausite Lake by initiating a transfer from the state Department of Natural Resources.
It also said he is working to curb transferring DNR public forest lands in Eastern Jefferson County into private ownership so as to keep public lands in public ownership.
Austin serves on the local climate advisory council and co-chairs the Strait Environmental Ecosystem Recovery Network consisting of representatives from business, tribes, government and nongovernmental organizations.
DCD director
The Sierra Club’s North Olympic Group based its endorsement of Miller, who is seeking re-election as the Clallam County community development director, on an interview and questionnaire.
The group said that his opponent in the nonpartisan race, Sheila Roark Miller, “declined to complete” a questionnaire.
The group cited John Miller’s environmental record in its endorsement, saying that he supports watershed buffers to protect against flooding and to maintain healthy streams and salmon populations.
“He influenced watershed protection in WRIA 19 and 20” — Water Resource Inventory Areas 19 and 20, which are the Lyre-Hoko watershed and the Sol Duc-Hoh watershed, respectively, said the group.
The group said that he had directed his staff to work collaboratively with local factions to develop a good storm water plan and served on the governor’s advisory committee addressing rising sea level impacts.
“John has worked to clear all growth management appeals facing the county in 2007, except sewer in Carlsborg, and there is a funding plan being developed for solving that,” the group said.
“John Miller has the insight and the breadth of experience to take Clallam County through the needed planning steps while maintaining a healthy environment,” the group said.
The Sierra Club also endorsed Sen. Patty Murray, D-Freeland, who seeks to retain her seat against a challenge from Dino Rossi, Republican; and Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, who is challenged by Republic Doug Cloud for his seat representing the 6th Congressional District seat — which includes the North Olympic Peninsula.
The group endorsed a “yes” vote on Referendum 52, Healthy Schools for Washington, and a “no” vote on Initiative 1053, which would require a two-thirds majority vote of the state Legislature or a statewide popular vote for any tax increases.
For more information about the Peninsula Sierra Club group, e-mail Lynette at windenergy@olypen.com.