Barbara Wagner and other community members involvement in Havre de Grace's Green Team:
Our Green Team Gets Off The Ground
Columnist Amber Woods discusses her role in forming and serving on a "Green Team" which will research, identify and present green initiatives for the city of Havre de Grace.
One of the awesome things about the citizens of Havre de Grace is their willingness to take part in initiatives that can help benefit the future of our city.
While I often witness that in its many forms, I had an up-close view this week when the newly-formed "Green Team" met to discuss how we would take shape and what issues we would discuss and try to tackle going forward.
For those who have been following, earlier this year on Patch I wrote about energy issues and recycling initiatives in this column.
I then suggested the formation of a Green Commission during a recent City Council meeting, which I had hoped would be result in the formation of a group of citizens who could research and aid in the implementation of sustainable and environmentally-friendly initiatives throughout the city.
In turn, local business-owner Barbara Wagner suggested the commission be formed underneath the Main Street umbrella since there are opportunities for funding that already exist, among other benefits.
Informally, a group of residents, business owners, city employees and council members met this week to decide how to approach and examine green initiatives starting at the lowest level (recycling) to alternative energy sources for the city government and possibly residents, which could potentially save us money (and help save the environment).
It was decided that, for now, until we can determine how much steam will be generated, we will remain one group (a sort of grassroots group that works beneath Main Street), later branching off to a city commission should we need to expand.
During a meeting with Barbara Wagner and myself, Mayor Wayne Dougherty showed his support of our efforts to research and possibly implement more green initiatives throughout the city.
Additionally, council members Mitch Shank and Jim Miller have jumped on board and are assisting in generating ideas and serving on the Green Team.
I won't be reporting on the actions of the Green Team, but I wanted to bring full disclosure to my role on the Green Team.
That said, this column will be the extent of what you hear about it from me in this venue.
For background sake, the "Green Team" idea picked up momentum because so many residents (and Patch readers) are interested in the future of our environment and this beautiful city we call home.
I can't help but feel we're fortunate to live amongst people who are so interested that they willingly dedicate their free time to volunteering to find alternatives to energy, research environmental impacts of what we do throughout the city, and recognize businesses and residents who are going above and beyond in their green initiatives.
I can think of several businesses and residents who deserve recognition already, but will refrain from mentioning them now, since the Green Team will be rolling out a recognition program.
As part of the recognition program, we will also be recruiting Havre de Grace students (in all grades) to help us come up with a design for a sticker and sign which will be awarded to local businesses and residents who are showing green initiatives that benefit the city and the environment.
We thought it would be exciting to include the children in our community, and the contest will also give us an opportunity to educate about the importance of environmentally-friendly efforts.
Please keep your eyes and ears open in the coming months as we get the Green Team off the ground, and also please encourage your children to participate in the "Havre de Green" sticker and sign contest.
And if any of this sounds interesting to you, or you have a skill set or idea that may take off, please join us in our mission to improve our quality of life here in Havre de Grace.
I look forward to continuing as your community columnist here on Patch, and apart from that, also serving with a team of people who are looking out for the future of our children, and our great city.
http://havredegrace.patch.com/articles/our-green-team-gets-off-the-ground
While I often witness that in its many forms, I had an up-close view this week when the newly-formed "Green Team" met to discuss how we would take shape and what issues we would discuss and try to tackle going forward.
For those who have been following, earlier this year on Patch I wrote about energy issues and recycling initiatives in this column.
I then suggested the formation of a Green Commission during a recent City Council meeting, which I had hoped would be result in the formation of a group of citizens who could research and aid in the implementation of sustainable and environmentally-friendly initiatives throughout the city.
In turn, local business-owner Barbara Wagner suggested the commission be formed underneath the Main Street umbrella since there are opportunities for funding that already exist, among other benefits.
Informally, a group of residents, business owners, city employees and council members met this week to decide how to approach and examine green initiatives starting at the lowest level (recycling) to alternative energy sources for the city government and possibly residents, which could potentially save us money (and help save the environment).
It was decided that, for now, until we can determine how much steam will be generated, we will remain one group (a sort of grassroots group that works beneath Main Street), later branching off to a city commission should we need to expand.
During a meeting with Barbara Wagner and myself, Mayor Wayne Dougherty showed his support of our efforts to research and possibly implement more green initiatives throughout the city.
Additionally, council members Mitch Shank and Jim Miller have jumped on board and are assisting in generating ideas and serving on the Green Team.
I won't be reporting on the actions of the Green Team, but I wanted to bring full disclosure to my role on the Green Team.
That said, this column will be the extent of what you hear about it from me in this venue.
For background sake, the "Green Team" idea picked up momentum because so many residents (and Patch readers) are interested in the future of our environment and this beautiful city we call home.
I can't help but feel we're fortunate to live amongst people who are so interested that they willingly dedicate their free time to volunteering to find alternatives to energy, research environmental impacts of what we do throughout the city, and recognize businesses and residents who are going above and beyond in their green initiatives.
I can think of several businesses and residents who deserve recognition already, but will refrain from mentioning them now, since the Green Team will be rolling out a recognition program.
As part of the recognition program, we will also be recruiting Havre de Grace students (in all grades) to help us come up with a design for a sticker and sign which will be awarded to local businesses and residents who are showing green initiatives that benefit the city and the environment.
We thought it would be exciting to include the children in our community, and the contest will also give us an opportunity to educate about the importance of environmentally-friendly efforts.
Please keep your eyes and ears open in the coming months as we get the Green Team off the ground, and also please encourage your children to participate in the "Havre de Green" sticker and sign contest.
And if any of this sounds interesting to you, or you have a skill set or idea that may take off, please join us in our mission to improve our quality of life here in Havre de Grace.
I look forward to continuing as your community columnist here on Patch, and apart from that, also serving with a team of people who are looking out for the future of our children, and our great city.
