Gilroy
– You live in the most polluted area in Santa Clara County.
And Gilroy’s new Environmental Oversight Committee (EOC) wants
to do something about it.
Gilroy – You live in the most polluted area in Santa Clara County.
And Gilroy’s new Environmental Oversight Committee (EOC) wants to do something about it.
According to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, a government agency developed to maintain air quality standards, the southern portions of Santa Clara County are among the most polluted areas in terms of air and water quality in the Bay Area.
Blame it on living in the valley. Blame it on the winds pushing the pollution southbound.
But the EOC wants to take responsibility.
“I think people take our world for granted sometimes,” said Joan Spencer, a respiratory therapist and Gilroy Parks and Recreation Commissioner.
After a conversation between Spencer, Chris Cote, a local businessman and Patti Bloomquist an energy consultant, the three decided a committee should be established that would promote recycling and environmental awareness throughout the Gilroy Unified School District.
Currently, the committee consists of seven members from various fields, city counselors, teachers and health care professionals, that will be responsible for addressing the community’s environmental concerns and introducing alternative environmental technologies throughout the Gilroy Unified School District.
An example of the type of activity the committee hopes to continue is the district’s use of energy saving, longer lasting light bulbs.
This year, GUSD received 960 free bulbs, and their installation should cut labor time and produce energy savings.
The EOC is run entirely by volunteers and grant sponsorship, and their primary goal is to make recycling on GUSD campuses and facilities as well as at sporting events commonplace.
“It’s really hard to get a recycling program where everyone’s on the same page,” said committee member Denise Apuzzo, a local Realtor and GUSD parent.
Apuzzo became involved with the group after organizing a district clean up through the GUSD Parent Club, and signed on to keep such efforts running.
“There’s so many areas in Gilroy that need cleaning up,” she said. “If you have a clean city and nice surroundings, people will be more conscientious of taking care of it and their bodies.”
The hopes of the EOC is that by starting students young, a culture of environmental awareness will be blossom.
“And in 20 years, maybe we’ll live in a community that’s the cleanest in the county, rather than the dirtiest,” Apuzzo said.
To learn more visit www.wbprints.com/green. For more information contact: 831–320–8702 or cc***@ca*****.org.
What:
Environmental Oversight Committee meeting
When:
Today, 4pm
Where:
GUSD offices, 7810 Arroyo Circle
Source: Gilroy Unified
School District
