Loo Wit Rumblings Winter 2025

Mt. St. Helens, as viewed from Elk Rock in January 2015 Photo by Elizabeth Westby

Mt. St. Helens, as viewed from Elk Rock in January 2014
Photo by Elizabeth Westby

In This Issue

Message from ExCom
Meet the Candidates
Outings
Info and Action
Join Us!

Message from ExCom

Please Vote in ExCom Election

Loo Wit's ExCom (short for Executive Committee) makes decisions on administrative and environmental issues of significance for southwest Washington. Members of ExCom volunteer their time and talents, and are elected by Loo Wit members for rotating two-year terms.

Candidates for this year's election are listed below, along with their personal statements. Sierra Club members may vote for any or all candidates. Please send your vote by email to markleed02@gmail.com, specifying:

You are voting for all candidates

You are voting for certain candidate(s) by name.

Your vote matters. Thank you for voting!

Meet the Candidates

Lehman Holder

Lehman Holder

I'm honored to serve on ExCom, and ask for your vote to continue for another two-year term in 2026-2027. During my many years on ExCom, I've served as political chair, vice chair, and chair, in addition to leading outings. In 2021, I became outings chair. Since then, six additional outings leaders have been certified to lead outings. We now have an assistant outings chair, and outings leaders meet quarterly to plan outings for Loo Wit members and non-members. Getting participants outside is a critical part of supporting Sierra Club's motto: "Explore, Enjoy, Protect." Thank you for your consideration.

Steve Foster (front left) and Richard Kolber (front right) at Sierra Club picnic

Steve Foster

I seek reelection to the Loo Wit ExCom. I currently serve Loo Wit as ExCom treasurer and acting secretary, also handling Sierra Club calendars and merchandise. I am active in conservative issues, writing letters, and signing many petitions. I hold membership in several other environmental and conservation groups, including Defenders of Wildlife, Environmental Defense Fund, National Wildlife Federation, Earthjustice, Center for Biological Diversity, National Geographic, International Wolf, National Parks Conservation Association, World Wildlife Fund, and Nature Conservancy. I am committed to the Sierra Club's mission of exploring, enjoying, and protecting the planet, as well as protecting endangered species and responding to climate change -- especially in today's highly toxic political climate with the future of the environment threatened.

Richard Kolber

I have been a member of the Loo Wit Group ExCom for four years and Loo Wit Political Chair for six years -- helping to endorse candidates and establish relationships with office holders to help Sierra Club meet its objectives. I am a Washington State Chapter Political Committee member. Before moving to Vancouver in 2017 I was involved in Sunnyvale, CA Cool City, which was supported by Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter. I have enjoyed bicycling outdoors, including riding in local, county, and state parks, both in California, and locally. I am running for re-election to a position on the Loo Wit ExCom.

Teresa Hardy

Teresa Hardy

I have a love of the outdoors and strongly believe we need to protect our environment. I am a long-time member of the Sierra Club. My first role in advocacy was on the Transportation and Mobility Commission for the City of Vancouver. Since then I have worked collaboratively with other local environmental organizations on land and water issues in Clark County. Most recently I have been involved with saving our structurally complex forest units from DNR sales. I believe in the goal of focusing on responsible development within our community. I support environmental justice for cleaner, healthier, affordable neighborhoods for all.

A Loo Wit summer hike

Hike Outings Continue in Winter

by Lehman Holder

Loo Wit's bike and kayak outings are paused during the winter months. Hike outings will continue, offering Sierra Club members (and non-members) an opportunity to experience beautiful trails in our area.

To sign up, go to Loo Wit's Meetup site: https://www.meetup.com/portland-vancouver-sierra-club-outings-and-events/.

If you have questions about outings or are interested in becoming an outings leader, please contact Lehman at tripsguy@aol.com.

2026 Sierra Club Calendars are Available Now

Consider Sierra Club calendars as holiday gifts and a donation to the Loo Wit Group.

The Wilderness Wall calendar costs $18.00. This is the same price as last year: discounted from the book store price $18.95 plus sales tax. Payment can be made by cash or check (payable to Sierra Club).

To order your calendar(s), contact Steve Foster (email preferred):

siberman88@aol.com
(360) 892-4289 or (360) 607-8076

Please leave a message if there is no answer.

Info and Action

For Sierra Club's Washington Chapter information, see https://www.sierraclub.org/washington.

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For Sierra Club's national issues, see https://www.sierraclub.org. To sign up for environmental news and commentary, go to sc.org/the-latest.

Join Us!

Loo Wit’s General Membership meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 6:45 p.m. on Zoom. For the link, contact markleed02@gmail.com

Loo Wit Rumblings Winter 2025

Join the Sierra Club Today

Become a member and support our work in Washington State

Join us outdoors! Visit our Washington State outings webpage!