Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 20, 1993 TAG: 9305200062
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FLOYD LENGTH: Medium
Jeffrey Founds received the award on behalf of the Floyd Environmental Action Team. Founds and Donna Whitmarsh are co-founders of the group.
Consumer advocate Ralph Nader and Clearinghouse founder Lois Gibbs presented the award to Founds.
The clearinghouse recognized the Floyd group for its two-year effort to develop a solid-waste ordinance that allows Floyd County to ban hazardous and nuclear waste from the county for disposal, treatment, storage or transportation. The county adopted the ordinance at the end of last year.
Being recognized nationally means a lot to the group, Founds said. When you're involved in a citizens' effort like the one in Floyd you don't get many rewards, he said.
A certificate presented to the group recognizes it for its work promoting a clean environment, promoting the public health and supporting goals of environmental protection for all people.
The group has a core membership of roughly two dozen people, but the number varies depending on the issues involved, Founds said.
Roughly 100 grass-roots efforts nationwide were recognized at an awards luncheon. The other two honorees in Virginia were Citizens for a Clean Environment in Alleghany County for its work on the Kim-Stan landfill and Sensible Concerns About Toxics for efforts surrounding a hazardous waste storage yard in Martinsville.
Founds said Pete Castelli, a clearinghouse regional representative who lives in Floyd, nominated the group for the award.
by CNB