Annual Meeting 2012:
Telling the Mystic River’s Story
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Photo by David Mussina.
The Annual Meeting of the Mystic River Watershed Association was held on October 25, at Anthony’s in Malden. This 40th anniversary celebration coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. It capped a year of activities designed to create greater awareness of the watershed and its beauty and rich history. ;)
Keynote speaker Tim Purinton. Photo by David Mussina.The theme of the meeting – Telling the Mystic’s Story – was highlighted by keynote speaker Tim Purinton, Director of the Division of Ecological Restoration for the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game. Mr. Purinton's address, Restoring Our Rivers: Advances in Ecological Restoration focused on Urban River Restoration in Massachusetts. Purinton reviewed many of the projects his department is working on across the Commonwealth and spoke to the fact that the work of watershed associations are the “heart and soul” of good preservation work. He noted the toll that commercial and community development have taken on our rivers, but that fully integrated activities can reverse the degradation and stresses we have seen, and that aquatic ecosystems can be returned to sustainable health and their natural state. He congratulated the Mystic River Watershed Association for its leadership in this area.
Building upon river restoration, EkOngKar Singh Khalsa, Executive Director of the Watershed Association spoke to the jobs that lie before us. “The problems to be solved,” Khalsa stated, “will be done by the people in this room and all the people they represent who are concerned about the river. Working with our cities and towns and their residents, we can accomplish our goals in an integrated way and help build stronger, healthier communities.”
Mayor Gary Christenson, Mayor of Malden was present and thanked the Association for helping to make the Malden River, part of the watershed, a great urban resource. Carey Duques, Director of Energy and Environment of Medford, represented Mayor McGlynn of Medford and presented a citation thanking the Association for its dedication to the river.
The business meeting portion included the elections of John Reinhardt of Somerville as President, Michael Fager of Somerville as Vice President, Minka vanBeuzekom of Cambridge as Treasurer, and Mark Jacobson of Arlington as Secretary.
The evening included a tour of the Malden River, part of the watershed, and a silent auction.
Check out the MyRWA 40 years timeline!
2012 AWARDS
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Emily Cole and Matt Wilson receive the Five Year Monitoring Award. Photo by David Mussina.
The Five Year Monitoring Award recognizes volunteer water quality monitors with MyRWA's Baseline Monitoring Program who have served for 5 years. Congratulations Emily Cole and Matt Wilson!
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MyRWA's Katrina Sukola presents the Volunteer of Year Award to Meghna Marjadi. Photo by David Mussina.Meghna Marjadi, MyRWA's Herring Monitoring Intern, received the Volunteer of the Year Award. Meghna managed over 80 volunteers during the inaugural year of the Herring Monitoring Program, overcoming bumps along the road with grace and enthusiasm. Meghna has been volunteering with MyRWA since January 2012.
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Ripple Award recipient Ken Krause. Photo by David Mussina.
The Ripple Award recognizes the efforts of an individual that have had a broad impact on the community. Ken Krause of Medford received this year's Ripple Award of recognition and appreciation for his many years of dedication to community improvements.
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Patrick Herron presents the Mystic Municipal Collaboration Award to Wayne Chouinard. Photo by David Mussina.Wayne Chouinard, Town Engineer for Arlington, received the Mystic Municipal Collaboration Award, for his dedication to stormwater awareness and improvements for the Town, and his strong collaboration with MyRWA.
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Peter Braun shares his memories of MyRWA's earlier days. Photo by David Mussina.Honoring Our Founders: As part of the 40th Anniversary, MyRWA President John Reinhardt honored those individuals involved with MyRWA at the outset. While not all of the founders were able to with us to celebrate, John highlighted the work of Peter Braun, Doug Turner and Ingeborg Hegemann.
MyRWA Thanks Our Generous Sponsors
GreenHome Realty of Somerville
Whole Foods Market, Fresh Pond
Derby Farm & Flowers
2012 Candidates for Election to the MyRWA Board of Directors and Officers
The Nominating Committee proposes the slate listed below for the 2012 - 2013 Officers and Directors of the Mystic River Watershed Association.
Nomination of Board Members whose term will expire in Oct. 2015
- Lori Kennedy
- Debbi Edelstein
- Mark Jacobson
Nomination of Board Members whose term will expire in Oct. 2014
- Minka vanBeuzekom
- Michael O'Brien
Nomination of Officers
- President: John Reinhardt
- Vice-President: Michael Fager
- Treasurer: Minka VanBeuzekom
- Secretary: Mark Jacobson
2012-2013 Nominating Committee
- Mark Jacobson, John Reinhardt, Clay Larsen
Existing Board Members whose term expires in October 2013
- Karen Grossman
- Carolyn Mieth
- Stephen Murphy
- John Reinhardt
- Clay Larsen
- Michael Fager
Planning Commitee
- Clay Larsen
- Emma Shaw
- Ken Krause
- Maria Simoneau
- Sue Bass
- Lisa Brukilacchio
- Julie Anthony
- Michael Fager
- Michael Ripple