Earth Day presenter invites all
To the editor:
I just thought I’d let you know that I’ve been asked to give a presentation at the Beach Library on Earth Day, April 22 at 1:30 p.m. It is especially personal because of my grandfather, George P. Smith.
Grandpa was a very early environmentalist. He became involved with and then became the chairman of the Cuyahoga River Reclamation Committee after the Cuyahoga River caught on fire in 1969. He was honored last year by the Akron Beacon Journal with an article in celebration of the 40-year anniversary. We’ve come a long way! Grandpa was acknowledged by the Governor of Ohio, went to Washington, D.C., etc.; and his papers have now been donated and archived for posterity. He always said we were his motivation-his six children and fifteen grandchildren and great grandchildren to come. I am his granddaughter, goddaughter and namesake.
The following year, 1970, Earth Day was born. (Some say 1969, 1970 or 1971.) None the less, the burning of the northern Ohio Cuyahoga River was one of the many motivators. The Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act and other environmental legislation were outgrowths of those early pioneers for the environmental movement.
Our Pilot Club’s first community project was the Beach Clean-Up way back in 1985. I served on the formation committee and first board of directors for Keep Lee County Beautiful. Our Fort Myers Beach Pilot Club has carried on the tradition and I feel we have kept the faith with Grandpa.
This is part of what I’ll share at the presentation next Thursday. You are most welcome to join us.
Georgia Shakti-Hill
Fort Myers Beach