Meet your candidates:
Alex Yasbeck
I am an environmental engineer with a lifelong passion for protecting, preserving, and restoring the natural world. I grew up in South Africa and my childhood included a lot of gardening, exploring outdoors, hiking, and trips to game reserves. My mother instilled a deep respect for the natural world and insisted on taking actions to protect the environment regardless of how weird they seemed at the time. Elephant and rhino poaching were hot topics then (and unfortunately continue to be) and heavily influenced my thoughts on humans role as a species on this planet.
I was involved with the first Solar Decathlon competition in college, eventually leading the team that built and then displayed our solar powered house on the National Mall. I went on to become an environmental engineer working primarily in water treatment and wastewater treatment.
More recently I started a cargo bicycle company based on the concept that more people would ride a bicycle if they had one that could carry the same amount of stuff as a small car (i.e. two children and a load of groceries). This has been a great experience and has served to highlight the need for improved active transportation infrastructure.
My latest focus is on climate change mitigation and restoration. I believe that simply polluting less, driving less, or consuming less is not enough and we need to move to the next step of actively removing excess carbon from the atmosphere and sequestering that carbon along with repairing and restoring natural systems.
I hope to bring my enthusiasm and dedication to the Executive Committee to help further exploring, enjoying and protecting the planet.
Erica Stanojevic
As a mother of a young child, I strive to promote sustainable living for future generations while protecting biodiversity. For the past three years I have been honored to serve as secretary on the Santa Cruz Sierra Club executive committee. I earned a degree in Ecology and later became an elementary school teacher, which has helped me become an effective communicator and advocate. I value transparent communication and empowering community stakeholders in any given issue.
I represented the Sierra Club on Santa Cruz's Water Supply Advisory Committee and helped the city create a sustainable water plan. During this time I always spoke towards making sure environmental health was a top priority.
I am advocating for the restoration of Jessie Street Marsh within the city of Santa Cruz, which should be a biodiverse gem for all to enjoy. We held an event regarding the marsh which the Sentinel did an article on you can read it here. I believe biodiversity is the key to maintaining healthy ecosystems and for helping our planet process toxins.
My bike is my main method of transportation - I love riding my cargo bike with my son on the back and modeling for other parents how it is possible to go about daily life on a bike. I strongly support creating safe bicycling routes for all, and plan to attend upcoming county transportation issues to advocate for the wise use of funds to create healthy neighborhoods. I hope for your vote!
Jane Mio
My long time social and environmental engagements date back to my childhood and teenage years. As a young person I learned that my participation in shaping social and environment government policies furthered a more balanced government for people and environment. As an adult I have stayed true to this commitment. My engagements range from hands-on environmental and neighborhood clean-ups, serving on City committees and commissions and encompass action to preserve the health of the Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz County watersheds. I was a member of the Beach flats movement, am moderator for my SC Neighborhood Group and am the Group liaison to the City. I have advocated for strong environmental policy as a member of the San Lorenzo River (SLR) Taskforce, the SLR Paddle Pilot Program Advisory Group, and as Conservation Officer of the Santa Cruz Bird Club. In 2015 I initiated unification of upper and lower SLR communities by joining the Valley Women's Club (VWC); as VWC Native Restoration Committee Co-Chair, I presented the 'SLR Estuary Stretch Vegetation Proposal' to the City. These valuable experiences have shown me repeatedly that ill-conceived environment actions are preventable by dedicated, determined people/organizations, who changed the course of plans, developments, and policies that pose high risk to the environment. In the spirit of 'participate and initiate for environment protection', I would be honored to receive your vote to serve on the Sierra Club Executive Committee and the Conservation Committee.
Keresha "care-sha" Durham
As an educator and writer, I am currently contributing to our Conservation, Transportation, Political Committees and social media. I chaired our Events Committee, organizing educational presentations for many years. I began our intern program. I spearheaded the first fundraiser in 20 years which honored fellow Eco-activists.
Mark Mesiti-Miller
As a Water Supply Advisory Committee member, I was strong advocate for the endangered fish in our river by arguing we give them 110% of what they need rather than cutting it close. I advocated for a fail-safe back-up plan and hard deadlines to guarantee the fish don't become extinct. I believe we must do more than simply protect, we must proactively help species thrive.
I volunteer with and financially support the Coastal Watershed Council in protecting and enhancing the San Lorenzo River watershed. I'm on the Friends of the Rail & Trail board where I advocate for sustainable solutions to our transportation needs and increased facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.
With your vote, I will bring my experience and knowledge to bear on the important environmental advocacy work of the Sierra Club while addressing the need for affordable housing, sustainable transportation and ample opportunity for all of us to explore, protect and enjoy our natural environment.
Micah Posner
It would be a great honor to serve on the Executive Committee of the Santa Cruz County Sierra Club. I have spent my adult life exploring, enjoying and protecting the planet.
In my twenties, I led mountaineering trips for Outward Bound and climbed in the Sierras, the Andes, and the Himalayas. I worked to protect Castle Rock State Park, the Moore Creek Reserve and the Westside Homeless Garden and stopped a road that would have bisected the Great Meadow of UCSC.
In my thirties and forties, I took leadership in the movement to defeat Measure J- a sales tax initiative to widen Highway One, and to create the City's Climate Action Plan. I played a role in most of the improvements to bicycle infrastructure in Santa Cruz County including bike lanes on Soquel and Beach Street, and the emerging rail trail.
As a City Councilmember for the past 4 years, I voted to protect Santa Cruz's heritage tree ordinance, opposed a mercury emitting crematorium, stood up against desalination, and got funding for the rail trail.
My family of 4 generates our electricity via solar panels and stores 500 gallons of water for our garden and fruit trees. I ride a bicycle and walk for transportation.
The Sierra Club is one of the very best organizations to protect the environment. Together, we will make a difference across the United States and here in Santa Cruz County.
Contact me at: micahposner@cruzio.com or 831 227 4772
Rick Longinotti
Rick Longinotti, Marriage & Family Therapist, co-founder and teacher with Nonviolent Communication Santa Cruz; co-chair of Santa Cruz Desal Alternatives; chair of the Campaign for Sensible Transportation.
I want to contribute to making it satisfying and enjoyable for Club members to become active and supportive on local issues.
Since preserving natural systems is fundamental to human livelihood, I want to look for opportunities to unite with labor and social justice advocates to work towards common goals.
Within the Club I'd like to foster a culture of empathy, that is free from judgmental attitudes towards those who hold conflicting views.
I will look for ways to make the connection between work on single issues and the need to democratize our economic system that currently degrades natural systems as a matter of course.
Ron Pomerantz
I'm a retired firefighter and long time community activist. I participate in many community organizations and activities. My family shares environmental appreciation and protection. I'm a long-time environmentalist and currently an Executive Committee member emphasizing issues of water, energy, and transportation, while engaging in the political process.
I'm a backpacker and explorer. I love the wilderness.
I was active during the 1970's working to prevent PG&E from building Diablo Canyon.
In the mid-1980's I was a Cabrillo student in the Solar program and used my knowledge to install 4 alternative energy systems on my house.
I'm a past boardmember of the Friends of the Rail Trail that worked to bring public ownership to the train corridor for bike and pedestrian use and develop for transit.
From 2007-12 was a Commissioner on the Santa Cruz City Transportation and Public Works Commission, promoting alternative transportation.
As a Desal Alternatives member I worked to assure the community had an opportunity to engage and decide if a desalination plant should be built and promote other ways for a sustainable water future.
I'm a member of the Community Water Coalition working to stop UCSC from expanding development into a Nature Reserve.
I work to prevent waste and actively make the most out of resources with the motto of reduce-reuse-recycle-repurpose.
I will continue to work on issues for a healthy environment and environmental justice and encourage participation and leadership of the next generation in this effort.
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Additional Questions:
1) How long have you been a member of the Sierra Club?
Alex: I joined the Sierra Club earlier this year after coming to the realization that my individual actions are not enough and that I can bring about more change by being a member of a larger group.
Erica: About 5 years
Keresha: I became a lifetime member of the Sierra Club as a young person and I have been active in our Santa Cruz County Group since the 1990s. For over 25 years I have been hiking, organizing monthly social events with George Jammal, and being trained as an Outdoor Leader.
Mark: I first became a member more than 40 years ago and, with a few lapses, have been a member ever since.
Micah: I have been an active member of the Sierra Club for most of the last 25 years. I currently serve on the Transportation Committee of the Santa Cruz Group.
Rick: I have been an active or lapsed member since the 1980's.
Ron: Approximately 10 years
2) What do you view as the most pressing environmental issue facing Santa Cruz County?
Alex: The most pressing environmental issue facing Santa Cruz is climate change and the actions we take as a community to mitigate pollution and restore the atmosphere - actions such as transportation changes, adjusting our diet, switching to a low energy lifestyle, planting trees, and finding ways to sequester carbon.
Erica: In the wake of the election I fear for global environmental health. All of our local efforts must take climate change into consideration. That said our county is one of the most biodiverse places in the nation and we must strive to protect biodiversity by saving space for nature.
Jane: At this point of history it will be more important than ever that Santa Cruz County organizations find reinforcement for their mission of effective environment protection. Building strong coalition with like-minded individuals and organizations will form a supporter base, which provides the required momentum to achieve their goal.
Keresha: Our environmental issues are linked to overpopulation. The impact of unchecked population growth negatively effects our quality of life and natural beauty. Overpopulation accelerates the Climate Crisis, threatening life with extreme weather, straining resources as we build over habitat, over-pump our aquifers, invite heavier traffic and endanger biodiversity.
Mark: The lack of adequate and thoughtful planning and effective public policy to sustainably manage the impacts of growth on water, energy, housing and transportation resulting in continued sprawl, decreased affordability, deteriorating quality of life and loss of natural habitat. We can and must do much better!
Micah: Our most pressing issue here in Santa Cruz County is our wasteful and destructive transportation system, which is our leading local cause of greenhouse gasses. That is why I have devoted decades working for alternatives to the automobile and fighting freeway expansion.
Rick: We need to develop a vision of community economic well-being that does not depend on perpetual growth and environmental degradation.
Ron: Protecting open space and our environment. Continuing to halt Global Climate Disruption. Examples include putting in place non-carbon based alternatives: 1) In transportation with bike, pedestrian and use of electrified mass transit. 2) Local energy production with solar photovoltaic. 3) Water systems that are not based on energy intensive manufacturing.
3) What is one of your favorite places to explore in our County?
Alex: It is hard to choose but Wilder Ranch might be my favorite - I love that most of the ecosystems of Santa Cruz are represented from redwoods to chaparral and coastal bluffs. Where else can you see hawks, coyotes, bobcats, and humpback whales all in the space of a few hours!
Erica: Wilder Ranch is always fun as the combination of ocean views and meadows is gorgeous. That plus the goats and chickens makes it a win for a fun day with my son!
Jane: It's difficult to choose one out of so many County breath taking places & so I'll say that my favorite place is by waterbodies.
Keresha: I have been walking the Santa Cruz Mountains and beaches of Monterey Bay for over 50 years, I know the area intimately. On hikes, I have favorite trees that I have given names, whom I visit regularly and consider family.
Mark: One of my many favorite places is Wilder Ranch State Park where ocean meets land in a timeless demonstration of nature's power and where a richness and diversity of wildlife and habitats can be enjoyed throughout the seasons. It is also the only place I have seen a mountain lion.
Micah: Lately, my favorite place to be in the County is out at the mile buoy on my stand up paddleboard. I also have a longstanding love affair with a natural pool on Moore Creek.
Rick: Pogonip, Wilder Ranch, San Lorenzo River, Neary Lagoon, Fall Creek
Ron: I love first growth redwoods in Big Basin and the ocean beauty.
4) What aspects of the Club's work are you most interested in being involved with?
Alex: I am interested in the Transportation Issues and Water Issues committees because they tie in well with my environmental engineering background. I am also interested in the possibility of starting a Climate Change committee.
Erica: I am most interested in continuing advocating for sustainable water solutions, restoring Jessie Street Marsh, and advocating for sustainable transportation. I also want to promote using reusable containers, such as mason jars, instead of plastic bags in bulk sections at grocery stores.
Jane: I like to be involved in the Conservation Committee since my previous experiences, community & agencies connections have been in that direction.
Keresha: I would like to continue my contributions to the Outreach, Conservation, Transportation and Political Committees. I want to continue educating the public and sharing important environmental information by assisting with Social Media and tabling at local events. I am also interested in helping organize another member dinner-fundraiser.
Mark: I am most interested in working with the Club to advocate for improving public policy such that human impact on the environment is minimized. I am especially concerned that we further reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming, the single greatest threat to all life on earth.
Micah: I would like to build the Club's membership and keep the Club involved with local issues including sustainable water use and transportation.