Some action request I received from another group led me to believe that there is a brief recess of the legislature and they may be back in the area.

"Contact your Elected Officials over the President's Day Recess!

This week is the President's Day District Work Period and your legislators are back at home in their states, congressional districts and communities and want to hear from you!"

Which congressperson has offices where? that we could maybe visit?? Take some photos/videos to show a rep or a staffer to make a point??
----------------------------
Mitch McConnell 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 108 Lexington, KY 40503 859-224-8286
Jim Bunning 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 105 Lexington, KY 40503 859-219-2239
Hal Rodgers 551 Clifty Street Somerset, KY 42501 606-679-8346
Ben Chandler 1010 Monarch St., Suite 310 Lexington 859-219-1366

McConnell and Bunning have offices in the same building. Chandler's office is in Beaumont Center, not that far from those two. Rodgers' local office is in Somerset, and he has one in Hazard and Prestonsburg, also.
congressional contact information for KY



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/17/2010 05:23PM by paddlezrm.

Here is what I got back from Kevin and Mark:
Brent
Brent,

Thanks for keeping us in the loop on this. I posted a web article this morning and we have been working with Gene Counts who is a stalwart advocate for the Russell Fork. There are certainly no shortage of great projects for us to work on - and this is one of them. Thankfully I feel like our interests are pretty well covered for now, and I look forward to engaging more if/when the study process begins.

Kevin Colburn
National Stewardship Director
American Whitewater
2725 Highland Drive
Missoula, MT 59802
kevin@americanwhitewater.org
(O) 406-543-1802
(C) 828-712-4825



On Wed, Feb 17, 2010 at 10:04 AM, J. Brent Austin <baustin@jbrentaustin.com> wrote:

FYI from the BWA/AW forum - to keep you guys in the loop.
Brent

Brent,


See Kevin's post: [www.americanwhitewater.org]


Mark Singleton
Executive Director
American Whitewater
PO Box 1540
Cullowhee, NC 28723
828.586.1930 (o)
828.508.1726 (c)
www.americanwhitewater.org


American Whitewater is the primary advocate for the preservation and protection of whitewater rivers throughout the United States and connects the interests of human-powered recreational river users with ecological and science-based data to achieve goals within our mission.

Brent, Thanks for letting them know my impression that they are not being represented during our very productive and important meeings. Will Kevin/Mark be at NPFF? I want to hear how they think they are "covered" and explain my perspective in depth (preferrably away from the buzz of the festivities).

This wouldnt make me think twice except in the past there were two very specific (one illegal) access issues I tried to raise with them and was ignored because "a large amount of their resources are being dedicated to the western US". Their words, not mine. The two issues meant nothing to them so they now mean nothing to me. Unfortunately for them this RF deal is huge and they will continue to have their feet held to the fire by me until I see them engaged.

Please let them know I would like to have a meeting with them and show them my notes in order to see if they are aware of the things going on with the project that they seem to be covered on. I am not a betting man but think I could get rich on a bet that they dont know half of whats gone on at the last meeting regardling releases, changes in schedules etc.

Jason

Jason,

You are welcome and I did think they should see what is being felt about their role. Now, I do think that AW does as much as they can on the budget they have and it is often not possible to fight all the fires at once. And, I think of Mark and Don, particularly, as friends. I admire Kevin's savy and commitment to access issues and we are lucky to have him with AW.

All that said, I agree that we need AW help more than ever. Some of the problem with AW could be my fault too. As you know, I have been a long time advocate for the RF and releases. AW knows that and often would say to me, and Ruthie and Gene that they would like for us to be emmissaries for AW. And, I have always felt overwhelmed with the political puzzle this seemed to represent. That is all well and good, as you know, but there comes a time when we need more muscle from them and I think that time is now. A good plan for their role would be very helpful.

I do think, since you are on the forefront of this issue, that it would be fruitful for you to meet with Kevin for sure, if not Mark. I don't know yet if they are coming to NPFF. If they do, I agree that a meeting is in order.

Would you like me to set up a telephone conference with you and me and Mark and Kevin to discuss? I bet we could do that.

Brent

pass on the phone conference.

I will contact AW directly with what I think they need to know. Thanks for your concern here.

Ok Jason. Thanks for all you do.

Brent

Brent / Jason,
Thanks guys for getting AW involved in this. Was great to see the Action Alert on the AW front page today! Awesome! That can only help us! Jason for AW volunteer of the month!
Wes