OntheWilderSide

On November 8, 2011 long time Green Party member, Chris Simmons took the majority of votes for the Loudoun Soil & Water Conservations District. Chris is a known leader among his peers in both parties, but the fact that the majority of votes were cast for him is telling.  Elected for a second term, District Vice-Chair and Treasurer, Simmons has spent his last term  great deal educating Virginians about the important work done by the organization. His commitment to preserving and conserving Virginia natural resources, as well as educating citizens is what makes him so influential in his community. He hopes to focus his energy this term on addressing the rampant polluting of Virginia’s  watersheds before delicate ecosystems are irreversibly altered. Some answers says Simmons are easy, “It starts with “Conservation:  Every body, every where, everyday”

Joining Simmons as Directors for the next four years is Giannina Ienco. Ms. Ienco won a seat on the Tri-County/City Board which is based in Fredericksburg. Although Giannina entered the race at the last minute, she managed to run a successful write-in campaign reaching many voters in the City of Fredericksburg. Giannina’s decision to run was not an easy one:

With a full-time job, traveling husband and two young children at home, I was concerned that I would not have the resources needed to fulfill a director position. However, with support and encouragement from my fellow Virginia Greens, I decided that I wanted to pursue a more active role in protecting and conserving the natural resources of our community for future generations. 

Giannnia spent 11 years working on environmental issue for the US government. Green Party member, Ira Richards who won his bid for Warren County Soil and Water Director brings with him needed professional experience in sustainable agriculture. “I am very pleased that I will now be able to apply my 30 years consulting experience in soil and water conservation to local issues,” says Richards.

With development on the rise and plans around Virginia to start producing more carbon based energy at home, citizens concerned about the condition of our states soil and water gained ground this November.  Greens will influence improvements of Virginia environment serving on the The Virginia Soil and Water Board. The Board is made up of elected Directors to represent most  communities in Virginia.  Many of the values and concerns of the organization, which gets it funding from federal, state, local and grant monies, mirror those of the Virginia Green Party. Directors, serve in non-partisan and unpaid positions, working on behalf of their Districts and the Commonwealth.

Individuals interested in learning more about the role the Greens play in the promoting environmental sustainability should contact their local chapter.   Additional information is available online at http://www.vagreenparty.org

The Green Party of Virginia is the electoral arm of the Green movement within Virginia. Recognized by the Commonwealth’s State Board of Elections, the GPVA consists of affiliated locals and “at-large” members.  The GPVA is accredited by the Green Party of the United States.

The GPVA provides and promotes leadership in its 10 Key Values, including nonviolence, social justice, environmentalism, grassroots democracy, decentralization, community-based economics, sustainability, feminism, diversity, and personal & global responsibility.

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Filed under: Ecology, Election 2011, elections, grassroots democracy, Green Party Tagged: | Chris Simmons, Virginia, Water Board, Water conservation