1. A BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE KERN-KAWEAH CHAPTER OF SIERRA CLUB
NOV./DECEMBER, 2009
The Roadrunner
HECA FACILITY TO CREATE POWER BY GASIFICATION
Kern Kaweah Chapter concerns include added traffic, farmland loss, endangered species habitat
Our chapter will try to mitigate without releasing CO2, the chief guarantee that twice as much
the negative effects of a proposed global warming gas. We hope that farmland of equal value is
local plant that will produce the success of this plant will mean allowed to remain farmland
electricity by gasification. that soon all fossil fuel plants will forever.
For this plant, gasification require CCS. The roads and pipelines of this
means combining petroleum coke The company that will build project cut across endangered
(the tar-like stuff left over after this plant is called Hydrogen species habitat. We want them to
crude oil is refined and the Energy California (HECA). It is a set aside other land to preserve
gasoline and other chemicals are project of British Petroleum and some of the affected species of
separated) and coal with water at Rio Tinto, a coal company.. concern—the kit fox, blunt-nosed
extraordinary temperatures and HECA received a $308 million leopard lizard, badger, loggerhead
pressure to make hydrogen and subsidy from the US Department shrike, Hoover 's eriastrum and
carbon monoxide. The hydrogen of Energy probably because it horned lark.
and carbon monoxide will be will demonstrate CCS: The project claims to capture
burned to carbon dioxide (CO2), Here are our biggest concerns: only 90 percent of the carbon
water and heat. The heat makes The plant and its truck and dioxide it makes. The remaining
water into steam to turn turbines train traffic will make a lot of air 10 percent is appreciable and
and generate a net of 250 MW of pollution for the polluted southern should be mitigated.
electricity. end of the San Joaquin Valley . In order to present our concerns
The plant will be just west of They plan to “off set” this by and have them acted upon, our
Bakersfield and south of paying to reduce pollution attorney, Babak Naficy, will
Buttonwillow. CO2 is trapped and elsewhere. We demand the intervene at our expense before
piped to the Elk Hills oil field for pollution be mitigated by the California Energy
injection and enhanced oil removing an equal amount of Commission (CEC). We hope
recovery. That is called carbon pollution from local polluted CEC will require HECA to
capture and sequestration (CCS). areas like Arvin and Lamont. mitigate these and other concerns.
Experts assure us that in this case The plant will occupy 473 acres
CCS is a safe and effective way of the best prime farmland. We —Gordon Nipp/Arthur Unger
to produce energy from fossil fuel hope they will be required to Chapter ExCom Members
FALL DINNER COMING TO THE RICE BOWL ON NOV. 7; RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
This is a reminder to register for the hiking destinations in the High Mojave Desert
upcoming Chapter fall dinner on Saturday, and adjacent Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Nov. 7. (The reservation deadline is Nov. 5.) The title of his presentation is “Gems of the
Thanks to those of you who have already Eastern High Sierra and the High Desert.”
signed up!
Our dinner this year is at the Rice Bowl The cost of $17 per person includes an eight-
restaurant at 1119 18th St. (same street and course dinner, tax, and tip. Drinks are separate
just west of last year’s place). The social hour (but hot tea is included with dinner). Dinner
starts at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. and a includes egg flower soup, orange chicken,
great program at 7:30 p.m. sweet and sour pork, and more. See
Chapter Outings Chair Jim Nichols will reservation form in the last Roadrunner or call
show us beautiful photos of scenic drives and Georgette Theotig at 822.4371.

2. THE ROADRUNNER
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 2009
FROM THE CHAIR: ‘Paying it forward’ is in spirit of season
The November – December attending hearings and making a
season is traditionally a time of brief statement of support when
giving, and our generosity he speaks on behalf of the
towards others is part of the Chapter. Here’s another saying
holiday spirit. We’ve learned that for you – “giving money has a
giving is better than receiving. price, but giving time is
As Winston Churchill said, “We priceless.”
make a living by what we get, but Next, you read about long-
we make a life by what we give.” time member Jean Bennett’s
I am asking that you consider passing in the September-October
giving to the Chapter in two Roadrunner. Jean generously left lives, and we give back by
important ways. a bequest of $75,000 in offering our time and money to
First, we ask for your time. One unrestricted funds to the Chapter. causes we support, to make a
way to give your time is to help The Executive Committee is difference in the world. If you
the Roadrunner committee mail asking the membership for ideas feel the same, we ask that you
out Roadrunners once every two on how these funds should be “pay it forward” by helping the
months. This only takes two to used by the Chapter. As you plan Chapter. Call Georgette,
three hours in someone’s home, your own bequest, we 661.822.4371, to find out how
with refreshments and respectfully suggest mentioning you can help. Thank you in
camaraderie to help the time pass. the Kern-Kaweah Chapter advance for your gift of time.
Another important way to give specifically as a beneficiary.
time is to support our local Many of us have been —Georgette Theotig
activist, Gordon Nipp, by fortunate to live comfortable Chapter Chair

3. THE ROADRUNNER
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 2009
Governor signs solar power feed-in tariff into law
California Gov. feed-in tariff of about 15 to 17 cents meet their requirements. The agency
Arnold Schwarze- a kilowatt-hour, which they said is still reviewing proposals for the
negger signed wouldn't be high enough to spur program and could make a decision
legislation early in significant investment. But others sometime next year.
October that will create a said the program would create In a letter to the state Senate on
European-style above-market tariff, opportunities for lower-cost projects Sunday, Gov. Schwarzenegger
called a feed-in tariff, for small solar- for which there isn't currently a said he was signing the bill because
panel generators. market. the state "will need to use all of the
California's abundant sunshine, Supporters of the legislation, tools available" to meet its goal of
relatively high utility rates and including the California Solar using renewable sources for a third
solar subsidies have already made Energy Industries Association, said of electricity sold by utilities by
the state one of the world's top solar the bill's feed-in tariff will be high 2020.
markets. This measure seeks to enough for schools, local The CPUC should proceed with its
expand the market by requiring governments, farms, warehouses and own feed-in tariff program, he said.
California utilities to buy power other low-cost property owners to Pacific Gas & Electric Co.,
from solar-panel generators of up to take advantage of it. Southern California Edison and San
3.0 megawatts in size, at set rates Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. Diego Gas & Electric are required to
above what the utilities would pay (STP), SunPower Corp. (SPWRA), tap renewable sources for a fifth of
for wholesale power from Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) and their retail power by next year. All
conventional sources. other companies have pointed to a California utilities will have to use
Utilities would have to purchase a separate effort at the California renewables for a third of the power
certain amount of solar power from Public Utilities Commission to they sell by 2020 under an executive
customers using the feed-in tariff establish a feed-in tariff-type order Schwarzenegger signed last
until a statewide total of 750 program as more viable. month. A pair of bills passed by the
megawatts was reached. They could The CPUC staff has proposed legislature last month also would
count the purchases toward a state requiring the state's three large require the state's utilities to use
requirement that they use renewable utilities, owned by PG&E Corp. renewables for a third of their retail
sources for a third of the power they (PCG), Edison International (EIX) power by 2020. Schwarzenegger has
sell by 2020. and Sempra Energy (SRE), to said he plans to veto one of the bills
California's renewable-energy collectively buy 1,000 megawatts of because it would limit out-of-state
mandate is a key component of the power from solar-panel generators purchases.
state's 2006 law to combat climate sized between 1 MW and 20 MW
change. over four years through "reverse
—Cassandra Sweet
Some solar companies said the auctions" in which they would pick
the projects with the lowest bids to Dow Jones Newswires
bill's pricing scheme would create a
only contributor to the campaign, according to California’s
Sierra Club warns against Secretary of State.
PG&E initiative requiring 2/3 If it passes, the referendum would amend California’s
Constitution so that communities that wish to give
majority for electricity providers consumers an alternative to investor-owned utilities would
first need two-thirds approval from voters. PG&E is
Sierra Club California is urging voters not to sign an trying to trick voters into thinking that this is about taxes
initiative entitled “New Two-Thirds Requirement for and taxpayers when in fact it is about choice of energy
Local Public Electricity Providers.” This measure would service.
allow utility companies to use the state constitution to beat PG&E also makes it sound like the initiative would
back local governments that try to provide energy choices “give taxpayers a choice.” But PG&E has designed this
for their communities. “choice” to be as difficult as possible for voters. With a
PG&E, which provides electricity to about three quarters two-thirds vote, where the utility can spend an unlimited
of Northern California, has put $750,000 into signature among of the campaign and local governments are banned
gathering for a statewide ballot measure that is likely to be from campaigning at all, would set up a hurdle too high to
up for a vote next June. It needs 694,000 signatures by get over.
Dec. 21 in order to qualify for the ballot. The measure
came to the Attorney General from PG&E’s Beale Street —Adapted from an article in the
corporate offices in San Francisco and, so far, PG&E is the Santa Lucia Chapter newsletter in San Luis Obispo

4. THE ROADRUNNER
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 2009
KERN KAWEAH ROUNDUP
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY IF YOU PLAN TO PARTICIPATE IN SIERRA CLUB HIKES:
Everyone is welcome, Sierra Club members and non-members, to join in any of the outdoor activities. Requirements: You
must be in condition for the type of hike, equipped appropriately for the activity and prepared to sign a Sierra Club release
for liability. You must be willing to follow the leader’s directions. Be sure to bring any personal medicines you might need.
Customary appropriate equipment includes good hiking shoes, plenty of water, snack, sunglasses, suntan lotion, and layered
clothing. The following might be helpful but definitely is not required: compass, whistle, matches or lighter, and a good first
aid kit. Long paints are recommended. Unprepared for the prospective hike? It will be a no-go for you. Participation must
be leader approved. Please let the leader know ahead of time that you are intending to participate. Check individual group
listings for the desired means of communication.
Since unexpected change of plans may be necessary, it is recommended that YOU contact the hike leader the night before to
be assured that the hike is still going to happen.
New California legislation designed to protect the consumer requires us to publish this notice: CST 2087755-40. Registration as a seller of
travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. This legislation is designed to protect the user of outdoor activities that
require cash payments of more than $50 for participation.
BUENA VISTA GROUP
More info? Call Donnel Lester at 661.831.6784 or e-mail donnelc3bvg@earthlink.net
or Isabel at 661.246.6195.
Tuesday Conditioning Hikes of 4 or 5 miles at 7 p.m., meet at corner of Highways 178 and 184. Contact Gordon
(gnipp@bak.rr.com) or Larry (661.873.8107) for more information.
Saturday, Nov. 7— Joe Fontaine, former Sierra Club President (1980-82) and currently Vice Chair of the SC Sequoia Task Force,
presents “The Kern Plateau and Other Gems of the Southern Sierra” at 10 a.m. Camino Real Restaurant, 3500 Truxtun Ave. at the corner
of Truxtun and Westwind, just west of Oak Street. Brunch is $7.50/person (plus tip). Info: 661.246.6195
Saturday, Nov. 21—Adopt-A-Highway cleanup, 9-11 a.m. Meet at the corner of Old River Road & Highway 119. Bring water, a hat, and
sturdy hiking shoes. We will provide gloves and cleanup gear. For info call 661.319.6996.
Saturday, Dec. 5—Horizon 2010: Open discussion of issues and concerns for the coming year. Ask questions. Share your ideas. Camino
Real Restaurant, 3500 Truxtun Avenue at the corner of Truxtun and Westwind, just west of Oak Street, at 10 a.m. Brunch $7.50/person
(plus tip). Info: 661-246-6195
Saturday, Dec. 19—Buena Vista Holiday Party in Bakersfield, 7 p.m. to ??? Come one, come all to socialize and share good food! Arthur
and Lorraine Unger are opening their home for a holiday party. Bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Please call for info & directions:
661.323.5569.
No Adopt-A-Highway clean-up scheduled in December. Meeting Notices—If you would like to receive Buena Vista Group meeting and
activity notices by email, please contact Donnel Lester, at donnelc3bvg@earthlink.net, with Add me to the email list. You can opt out of the
email notices at any time. We try to limit this to once-a-month emails.
CONDOR GROUP
More info? Mary Ann Lockhart (661.242.0432). Hikes? Dale Chitwood
(661.242.1076)
Saturday, Nov. 28— Visit Condor Group booth at Holiday Fair, Pine Mountain Clubhouse.
Saturday, Dec. 5—Holiday party at 6 p.m. Pool Pavilion Room. Please bring a white elephant,
wrapped, for gift exchange and dish to share. Be ready for a cheery evening with new friends and old.

5. THE ROADRUNNER
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 2009
KAWEAH GROUP
More info? Call Pam Clark (559.784.4643) or Diane Jetter (559.781.8897).
Saturday, Dec. 12—Christmas potluck at the home of Boyd and Mary Levett, 5:30 p.m.
Bring side dishes. Everyone is welcome.
OWENS PEAK GROUP
More info? Chair Dennis Burge (760.375.7967) or e-mail dennis93555@yahoo.com. Jim Nichols,
hikes (760.375.8161) or e-mail jnichols@ridgecrest.ca.us.
Saturday, Nov. 21—FABULOUS MINER'S CAMP (a few mi NE of Ridgecrest in the Argus Range, 5000 ft max elevation, 2400 ft elev
gain, 11.5 mi RT (maybe only 1300 ft elev gain, 4.2 mi RT, more about this later!)). This cabin is a little visited treasure from a lost age.
Historical and cultural aspects of these early times are documented here at this site in a most unusual fashion. Bring your camera. We
have a known route, a moderate hike, but there is a possibility of an easier route. Watch for a hike reminder email, or call Dennis Burge at
760.375.7967 or Jim Nichols at 760.375.8161 for more info.
Saturday, Dec. 12— GREAT TRONA SAND DUNE (5 mi NE of Trona, 3000ft max elevation, 1100 ft elev gain, 5 mi RT) We will visit
this unusual deposit of blow sand in the Searles Lake valley. We will learn how dunes can form in the most unexpected places. Looping
on up and around, we will descend into an interesting drainage via burro trail. We will visit a peculiarly eroded canyon and explore the
ruins of a mine and mill site. This will be a good photographic and physical workout for December. Easy hike. Call Dennis Burge at
760.375.7967 or Jim Nichols at 760.375.8161 for more info.
MINERAL KING GROUP
More info? Please also visit mineralking.sierraclub.org for more info.
Wednesday, Nov. 4—Dinner Social. Please join us at 6 p.m. for a “no host” dinner at Mimi’s Café, 4004 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia.
Contact Beverly for reservations at bev.garcia@kernkaweah.sierraclub.org or 559.624.0199.
Saturday, Nov. 14 —An easy 3.5 mile hike on the Congress Trail in Sequoia. This will include a visit to the General Sherman Tree and
then a stroll through the magnificent grove. Rain cancels. Call Joanne or David at 733.2078.
Saturday, Dec. 12—Kaweah
Lake hike. We'll see if we can
hike around the lake and either
up one of the surrounding
hills or up the river
depending on what
the group wants to do.
Moderate difficulty.
For more information
contact Dave Keller,
688.4813,
COACHK24@aol.com
—PEN & INK DRAWING (right):
Courtesy of a Sierra Club/ Kern
Kaweah Chapter member

6. THE ROADRUNNER
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 2009
California/Nevada Regional Conservation Committee
Desert Committee Outings
For questions about, or to sign up for a particular outing, please contact the leader listed in the write-up. For questions about Desert
Committee outings in general, or to receive the outings list by e-mail, please contact Kate Allen at kj.allen@wildblue.net or 661.944.4056.
Friday-Sunday, Nov. 6-8—Mojave National Preserve service trip. Help the Mojave National Preserve clean up a large illegal dump that
has built up over the years. Work Saturday and until noon on Sunday. Barbecue dinner provided on Saturday evening. Hike on Friday
morning, Ranger talk about the Preserve on Friday evening. Camping is rustic, but there will be a portable restroom. High clearance
vehicle is recommended to access the site, but we can shuttle people and gear if needed. Email or call leader for reservation information.
Leader: Rich Juricich, rich.sac@pacbell.net, 916.492.2181. CNRCC Desert Committee
Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 7-8—“Bowling Alley” car camp & hike. This narrow strip of land between Death Valley National Park and Fort
Irwin is lovingly referred to as the “Bowling Alley” and is an ideal wilderness candidate. With unique and beautiful geology, several
perennial springs, and habitat for desert tortoise and bighorn sheep, we’ll have lots to explore! We’ll drive in on some rough routes and
then day hike from our car/tent campsite. Potluck dinner Saturday night. Leader: Carol Wiley 760.245.8734, desertlily1@verizon.net .
Reservationist: Kate Allen kj.allen@wildblue.net 661.944.4056. CNRCC Desert Committee
Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 12-13—Service and hiking in a Southern desert. This is the cooler season to visit the southern deserts. Our
project on Saturday will be on the east side of the North Algadones Dunes Wilderness, approximately 20 miles east of Brawley, CA,
where we will rebuild facilities at the Watchable Wildlife Site. Saturday evening is a carcamp with potluck dinner. Sunday we will take a
recreational hike either from our work site or else in the nearby Indian Pass Wilderness. For information contact leader Craig Deutsche,
craig.deutsche@gmail.com, (310.477.6670). CNRCC Desert Committee
Monday-Saturday, Dec. 28 - Jan. 2, 2010—Holiday service in Carrizo Plain National Monument. Celebrate the end of one year and the
beginning of the next in one of our new national monuments. The Carrizo Plain, west of Bakersfield, is a vast grassland, home to
pronghorn antelope, tule elk, kit fox, and a wide variety of birds. A welcome hike Dec. 28, three and a half days of service modifying
barbed wire fencing, and a full day for hiking and exploring are planned. Use of accommodations at Goodwin Ranch included. Limited to
14 participants, $30 covers five dinners. .for more information, contact leader: Craig Deutsche, craig.deutsche@gmail.com,
(310.477.6670), or co-leader Melinda Goodwater, mgoodwater@sbcglobal.net, (408.774.1257). CNRCC Desert Committee
Genetic engineering threatens SAVING RESOURCES
Mexico’s corn culture PDF version of Roadrunner now available
Proud native corn in Mexico may soon be a thing of Want to stop extra trees being cut down for a paper
the past, overwhelmed by or cross- pollinated with the Roadrunner? To switch to an online edition Type to
imported biotech corn flooding the Mexican market. enter text of the Roadrunner, please do the
Corn genetically engineered to contain a toxin following two things:
produced by Bt, Bacillus thuringienis, comes courtesy
of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which 1. Email Lorraine Unger <lorraineunger@att.net>
opened the Mexican market to cheap grain from El and ask to be taken off the hard-copy Roadrunner
Norte. In 1999, Mexico imported 5.5 million tons list.
of corn, three times as much as before NAFTA.
No one knows how much of that corn is genetically 2. Log on to http://kernkaweah.sierraclub.org/
engineered. Cargill, the world’s largest grain dealer-- email.html and join the KERN-NEWS email list.
and the dominant grain distributor in much of
Mexico--doesn’t separate Bt and natural corn imports. Alternatively, send an e-mail addressed to:
Maseca, which monopolizes tortilla production on listserv@lists.sierraclub.org
both sides of the border, concedes that it is milling Bt with a one-line command in the message body
corn, but can’t say how much. Hector Magallon, who stating [substitute your first and last name where
directs Greenpeace-Mexico’s campaign against indicated]:
genetically engineered foods, guesses that since at
least a quarter of U.S. corn is Bt-embellished, Mexico SUBSCRIBE KERN-NEWS Yourfirstname Yourlastname
imports at least the same proportion. “But it really
could be much more,” he says, “since major U.S. corn If you do both these things, you will then receive bi-
exporters take pains not to send genetically modified monthly notification when the Roadrunner is posted,
products to Europe or Japan, where they are subject to instead of the paper Roadrunner. (Please allow up to eight
prohibitions. We get what’s left over.” —John Ross, or ten weeks for the change.)
whose latest book is The War Against Oblivion—
Zapatista Chronicles, 1994-2001

7. THE ROADRUNNER
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 2009
MIDGEBUZZINGS
When I joined the Sierra Club in 1972 we were living in another world. The passing of the Wilderness Act
was still being celebrated, the Kern-Kaweah Chapter was much smaller, and first time members found
themselves solicited right away for various activities including appearances at hearings, letter writing, and
hosting executive committee meetings.
Old-timers like Ardis Walker, the legendary Kernville poet, were campaigning diligently with dynamic young
people like Joe Fontaine toward such goals as the establishment of the Golden Trout Wilderness, or quietly
working behind the scenes as Ruth Allen did creating chapter scrapbooks. I typed my monthly Midgebuzzings
columns on a standard typewriter, and delivered them by hand to the editor, who arranged the Roadrunner cover
page using gorgeous black and white photographs by our brilliant photographer, Bev Steveson. When the copy
was put together, it went to one of our most dedicated and generous members, Will Dallons, who, with his wife,
Sue, had a printing business in Bakersfield and later in Tehachapi. Reviewing photographs from outings in those
days is like going through the pages of history, and I’m one of the old-timers now. Ruth Allen, historian that she
was, kept all the original Roadrunners, and they rest on a book shelf in my study. Major issues were almost
exclusively about wilderness protection, and the time was right for them. Public opinion supported such heroic
efforts as those of John Harper, who, with others, was instrumental in helping save Mineral King from becoming
another Disneyland.
That atmosphere began to change in the 1980’s with the appointment of James Watt as head of the
Environmental Protection Agency. Since that time the struggles for protection of wilderness values have became
more intense. Increases in population and corporate domination of the media have resulted in more demand for
vehicular recreation, more timber sales from public lands, and increased losses of farm and forest land to
housing, along with many other threats to the environment, both urban and rural.
Today many chapter activists, Gordon Nipp prominent among them, work in urban areas to protect air quality
and endangered species from corporate abuses, and to oppose urban sprawl and the loss of prime farm land.
Always before us is the issue of global warming and the task of increasing public awareness of its causes and
possible effects.
Years ago agendas for the chapter’s executive committee were relatively simple and included plans for outings,
ice creams socials and the like. Today, given the number and immensity of threats to our environment, they are
intense and many-faceted. Now chapters include groups that gather in a more social setting for discussion of
environmental matters. Programs are given by presenters concerned with single issues. The invitation to attend is
extended to all interested people, and the discussions are lively and engaging. Social events like those once
generated by our governing board have been relegated to these groups.
Now, as secretary for the chapter executive committee, I appreciate more than ever the valuable work being
done by its members in an era of constant and growing environmental challenges. Our concerns range from
urban sprawl near our immediate communities to county and state problems. The advent of the internet has
changed entirely our ways of communicating, making them swift and immediate. A completed copy of
Midgebuzzings goes from my computer to the editor with a single click on “send.” The Roadrunner can be read
online, for that matter, though I have to confess preference for a hard copy in my hand that I can shelve, when
I’ve finished reading it, alongside Ruth Allen’s ancient volumes. For old-timers, there is still comfort in archaic
ways.
—Ann Williams
Executive Committee of the Kern-Kaweah Chapter
Chair: Georgette Theotig (Tehachapi), 661.822.4371. Vice-chair: Gordon Nipp (Bksf), 661.872.2432. Secretary:
Ann Williams (Bksf), 661.324.1055. Treasurer: Lorraine Unger (Bksf), 661.323.5569. Donnel Lester (Bksf),
661.831.6784. Richard Garcia (Min King), 559.624.0199. Arthur Unger (Bksf), 661.323.5569. Mary Ann
Lockhart (PMC), 661.242.0432. Ara Marderosian (Kernville), 760.378.4574.
Chapter ExCom Meetings: All Sierra Club members are always welcome to attend these meetings. Call
661.323.822.4371 to confirm all meeting dates as well as location and time.

8. THE ROADRUNNER
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 2009
Non-Profit Org.
Forest Talk The Roadrunner U.S. POSTAGE
2815 La Cresta Dr. PAID
Two days in the forest Bakersfield, CA 93305-1718 Permit No. 498
Does wonders for me. Bakersfield, CA
I pause and everything
There talks back to me
When I listen,
The sights, the sounds, the smells.
One small tree spoke the loudest,
Barely eighteen inches tall,
Maybe a year or two old,
A cedar growing out of a rock
With no visible soil at its roots.
I stood there gazing at it,
Amazed at what it was doing,
Amazed at its determination
And then it spoke:
“Do you not see
The same in yourself,
Your own belief
In the strength within you?”
I stepped back,
Startled by the question,
Not certain that I had heard it.
Then the tree spoke again,
“You would be amazed
At who you could be
And what you could do
If you believed in yourself”;
I thought I heard a slight chuckle,
And the forest breathed a soft
“amen.”
—Donnel Lester
STAYING INFORMED:
Join our KERN-NEWS & KERN FORUM e-mail lists at: http://
kernkaweah.sierraclub.org
Submit articles (your own or suggestions for reprints) to The
Roadrunner at sierraroadrunner@gmail.com. To contact Marjorie Bell, the
editor, by phone, call 661.322.4891.
The Roadrunner is printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper.

9. SIERRA CLUB ELECTIONS
In accordance with the Sierra Club bylaws, annual chapter and group elections are
required in the fourth quarter of each year to elect replacement Executive Committee
(ExCom) members for those whose two year terms are expiring. All members of the chapter are
eligible to participate in the chapter election process (and group members in the group election
process). Each ballot must contain the membership number of the voter; membership numbers are located
above your name on the Roadrunner address label or on your membership card. There are two spaces for
couples so that each person can vote if both are members.
Kern-Kaweah Chapter Executive Committee Kaweah Group Ballot
2009 election Elect no more than two persons. Mail ballot by
Nominations for the Chapter ExCom have been Dec. 1 to:
received by the Chapter Nominating Committee Pam Clark
and are shown below. Your ballot voting
631 North “G” St.
selections (no more than four) may be
submitted to the Election Committee (ElCom) by Porterville, CA 93257
mailing them to the Kern-Kaweah Chapter
Election Committee, 1626 19th Street, Suite #3, Member Number(s) # _____________________
Bakersfield, CA 93301 in an unmarked envelope
placed inside another envelope. Ballots will not ( ) ( ) Diane Jetter
be accepted after Dec. 1, 2009.
Kern-Kaweah Executive Committee 2009 ________________________Write-in Candidate
Election Candidates
Instructions: Check the column to the left of the
candidate you wish to vote (a maximum of Mineral King Group Ballot
four) for. Cast your completed ballot using the Vote for no more than five candidates for office.
instructions above. By Dec. 1, mail ballot to:
Sierra Club MKG
P O Box 3543
Member Number(s) #_____________________
Visalia, CA 93278
( ) ( ) Arthur Unger
Member Number(s) #______________________
( ) ( ) Georgette Theotig
( ) ( ) Beverly Garcia
( ) ( ) Richard Garcia
( ) ( ) Peter Clum
( ) ( ) Dave Keller
( ) ( ) Brian Newton
_______________________Write-in Candidate
( ) ( ) Janet Wood
_______________________ Write-in Candidate
________________________Write-in Candidate
Remember: All members are allowed to vote for
Owens Peak Group Ballot both Executive Committee candidates and group
candidates. All ballots are due back to their
Send to: Dennis Burge respective addresses by Dec. 1, 2009.
624 Randall St.
Ridgecrest, CA 93555 Group leaders who did not send ballots to the
Roadrunner for publication should
Member Number(s) #______________________ contact their group members
( ) ( ) Steve Smith
to give further information
( ) ( ) Dennis Burge
on open leadership
_______________________ Write-in Candidate positions.