When I first contacted the Washington County Board of Commissioners about global warming and the US Cool Counties Declaration, it sometimes seemed like I might as well be yelling at a black hole.  Commissioner Dick Schouten, supporter of many sustainability policies, responded to my emails; the other four members of the Board, however, barely acknowledged them.  The one message I got from those four individuals was an email from Chairman Brian, basically telling me to buzz off and "rest assured" that the county was already trying to decrease its carbon footprint.  I love it when politicians use the term "rest assured"; it means, "stop bugging me about this, because I'm right and you're wrong and I really don't care what you think."

Well, things have changed some since those first months.  The Cool Washington County movement has held a rally outside the county building, and thrown an event at Pacific University to raise awareness about energy issues.  We've been in multiple local papers, and a letter about the County Board's habit of ignoring citizen input has appeared in the Oregonian.  Portland pollster Adam Davis has reported that Washington County citizens are increasingly concerned about making "environmentally responsible" choices.  And in the face of all this, I recently got an email from County Commissioner Desari Strader, asking me to meet with her.  Amazing what a little grassroots activism can do.

Momentum has been gathering a long time, and we are finally seeing some results.  Near the end of this month I will be sending the Board of Commissioners a petition with over 100 signatures from Washington County residents, asking them to pass the Cool Counties Declaration.  In January, we will be holding another event outside the county building.  And, perhaps most importantly of all, the Oregon Sierra Club is about to join the fray, and will begin meeting with each of the county commissioners in turn after the new year. 

Please help keep this movement growing.  If you live in Washington County, ASK THE COUNTY BOARD TO PASS THE COOL COUNTIES DECLARATION!

-Nick