Coastal Progressives honor Lincoln County Commissioner Bill Hall
Thursday Dec. 10, 2009 was Universal Human Rights Day, and on that day the Coastal Progressives of Lincoln County presented Commissioner Bill Hall with a certificate of appreciation for his work on behalf of human rights and service to the community. This is the third year Coastal Progressives have presented the Human Rights Day award in Lincoln County; previous winners were Centro de Ayuda and its director, Jorge Hernandez, for their work with local immigrants’ rights and Ginger Gouveia of Waldport, for her work in New Orleans to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Evelyn Brookhyser, Bridget Dix and Bruce McCain of Samaritan House met with Commissioner Hall in his office on Thursday to thank him for his extensive efforts on behalf of homeless persons, including work in conjunction with the Community Services Consortium to establish a 10-year plan to end homelessness in the county. Commissioner Hall also initiated the annual Homeless Connect program which offers services and hot meals to homeless persons and established the Warming Center at the county fairgrounds to offer warmth and shelter in winter weather.
Dr. Tom Kerns, on behalf of the Environment and Human Rights Advisory and Concerned Citizens for Clean Air, was also in attendance to thank Commissioner Hall for his significant work to assure the right of Lincoln County residents and visitors to a clean and healthy environment and their right to be free from exposure to environmental toxics.
Mark Saelens, Program Manager and Sustainability Coordinator for the Lincoln County Solid Waste District, was unable to be present, but in a letter of appreciation, he thanked Commissioner Hall for his many new and important initiatives for the community, the economy and the environment. According to Saelens, “Bill provided essential support for ushering in some focus on sustainability issues in Lincoln County by supporting (along with the other commissioners) establishment of the Lincoln County Sustainability Committee and appointment of a County Sustainability Coordinator.”
Rennie Ferris, board member of the Rural Organizing Project, and Alice McCain made the presentation of the award certificate on behalf of ROP and its member group, Coastal Progressives.