2015 Political Leadership Awards: A day dedicated to honoring the greenest elected officials

The Angeles Chapter Political Action Committee presented its Political Leadership Awards for 2015 to an outstanding group of honorees at a celebration event held at Chino Hills State Park Discovery Center on Aug. 16. Proceeds from ticket sales for the event will help fund the Chapter’s political action program.

These Leadership Awards were established in 2007 by the Angeles Chapter Political Committee as a means of recognizing public servants who have demonstrated a commitment to protecting the environment.  For the first time, at the behest of Sierra Club California Political Chair Alex Mintzer, the San Diego and San Gorgonio Chapters of the Sierra Club selected award recipients from their areas.

This year’s honorees included an executive director of a non-profit organization, two city council members, and two members of the California State Assembly. Attendees at the fundraiser consistently used one word to describe the award recipients:  INSPIRING!  All have compelling stories to tell of humble backgrounds, a history of giving back to their communities, and what can be accomplished by the efforts of a few dedicated individuals. Let’s meet them:

Claire Schlotterbeck, executive director of Hills for Everyone, led grass-root efforts for more than thirty years to establish the 14100-acre Chino Hills State Park.  This endeavor involved the most expensive and complicated array of acquisitions in state park history.  Today the park lies at the juncture of four of California’s most urbanized counties, and is within an hour’s drive of half of the state’s population.

Schlotterbeck continues to be a voice for the protection of open spaces by working to preserve the Puente-Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor. Her example demonstrates that the dedication and determination of one extraordinary individual can lead to results for the benefit of all.

Nanette Barragán has been a member of the Hermosa Beach City Council since 2012.  We honored her this year primarily for leadership in opposing oil drilling in Hermosa Beach, which resulted in a successful campaign to defeat Measure O.

The youngest of 11 children, the daughter of Mexican immigrants, Ms. Barragán is the first Latina elected to the Hermosa Beach City Council. She noted that the battle over Measure O was a grassroots, community effort that faced an oil company spending $2 million in two months versus a $170,000 campaign by activists.

Barragán also spoke about her run for Congress and the need to re-message the environmental issue as a public health crisis to voters. In her district, one of the most polluted in Southern California, children walk around with inhalers around their necks because of industrial pollution.  Barragán emphasized the need to stand together, to protect the environment and ensure a bright and healthy future for our children and our families

Todd Gloria is a member of the San Diego City Council.  Recently, while serving as interim Mayor of the city, he drafted a bold, progressive Climate Action Plan (CAP) which sets aggressive greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, invests in renewable energy and community choice energy, and begins the shift to a more bicycle-friendly, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use city.

Todd Gloria continues to advocate for final passage of this draft CAP which, if passed, will be a model for the nation while improving the environment and quality of life for every person in San Diego.

Eduardo Garcia was elected in 2014 to represent California’s 56th Assembly District, encompassing the eastern portion of Riverside County and all of Imperial County.  Garcia has been a strong advocate for protecting the environment and addressing its effects on the health of his constituents.  Restoring air quality, solving the problem of the dying Salton Sea and cleaning up the toxic New River, have been priorities for him.

First elected to the Coachella City Council in 2004, two years later at the age of 29, Garcia became that city’s first elected mayor.  In that role, he directed large-scale citywide park renovation and expanded green space.  As a member of the State Assembly, Garcia has made a particular effort to engage young people in his district.  

Anthony Rendon is serving his second term representing California’s 63rd Assembly District, which includes nine cities in southern Los Angeles County.  A staunch supporter of the environment, he authored Proposition 1, the $7.5 billion water bond passed by voters in November 2014.  He also saw the passage of AB 2403 which streamlined storm water capture programs and facilitated water conservation in California.

In 2015, Rendon was named Chair of the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce.  In that capacity, he introduced legislation to combat climate change, including AB645, which would require all California utilities to procure a minimum of 50% of their power from renewable energy sources by the year 2030.

This year’s honorees all provide a convincing response to those naysayers who believe nothing can be accomplished through our political system.  The accomplishments of these five individuals to date, and the promise of their future achievements, are an inspiration to anyone seeking to make change happen.

The honorees join previous recipients of the Political Leadership Award, including Fran Pavley, Paul Koretz, Mike Eng, Beth Krom, Larry Agran, Alan Lowenthal, Holly Mitchell, and Eric Garcetti, to name a few.

Sierra Club members can help by letting our our honorees know we support their actions and by lending a hand in their next campaigns.  Contributions to the Angeles Chapter PAC are always welcome and can be made by going to the link:  www.angeles.sierraclub.org/pac.   

The Angeles Chapter Political Committee welcomes any Sierra Club Angeles Chapter member who wants to participate in the process of selecting candidates for endorsement, and working to elect them to public office.