Changes

The '''CARE Party of Oak Park''' (Citizens Active for Respect for the Environment) had its founding in 1985 in Oak Park, [[Illinois]].  From 1989 until the current date, its president has been [[Les Golden]].  Under his direction, CARE has achieved numerous environmental successes, including the ban of pesticides, conservation of water and paper, reform of garbage collection, preservation of trees, landscaping, and the election of numerous individuals to positions on various boards to legislate such concerns.

The '''CARE Party of Oak Park''' (Citizens Active for Respect for the Environment) had its founding in 1985 in Oak Park, [[Illinois]].  From 1989 until the current date, its president has been [[Les Golden]].  Under his direction, CARE has achieved numerous environmental successes, including the ban of pesticides, conservation of water and paper, reform of garbage collection, preservation of trees, landscaping, and the election of numerous individuals to positions on various boards to legislate such concerns.<ref> (2001) Golden, Les, “It’s not easy being green, but here are some ideas”, ''Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest'', April 11, p. 40</ref>

==Political Activity==

==Political Activity==

===Political Candidates===

===Political Candidates===

[[File: LesGoldenNotEasyBeingGreen.jpg|thumb|left|175px|<small> One of the leading environmentalist spokesmen and activists in Illinois, Les Golden as President of the CARE party in Oak Park, Illinois, secured the election of a majority on the Park Board which on their first day in office banned pesticides in the parks and recreation centers.</small>]]

[[File: LesGoldenNotEasyBeingGreen.jpg|thumb|left|175px|<small> One of the leading environmentalist spokesmen and activists in Illinois, Les Golden as President of the CARE party in Oak Park, Illinois, secured the election of a majority on the Park Board which on their first day in office banned pesticides in the parks and recreation centers.</small>]]

Dr. Golden has directed successful candidacies for nearly 10 people and has slated dozens, all with a focus on environmental issues.  He has also run as a candidate for the park board to bring forward environmental concerns.[[File: LesGoldenParksCandidacy.jpg|thumb|left|175px|<small> As a candidate for the Oak Park Park District, Les “Cut the Taxes” Golden suggested an imaginative use for a local park among tax-saving measures.</small>]]

Dr. Les Golden of Oak Park, Illinois, has directed successful candidacies for nearly 10 people and has slated dozens, all with a focus on environmental issues.  He has also run as a candidate for the park board to bring forward environmental concerns.[[File: LesGoldenParksCandidacy.jpg|thumb|left|175px|<small> As a candidate for the Oak Park Park District, Les “Cut the Taxes” Golden suggested an imaginative use for a local park among tax-saving measures.</small>]]

===Save the Pedestrian Mall===

===Save the Pedestrian Mall===

==Ban on Pesticides==

==Ban on Pesticides==

In 1991, as the president of the CARE party (Citizens Active for Respect for the Environment), the local environmental group, he slated and led the campaigns of three individuals who won election.  On the first day in office in April 1991 they banned pesticides in the parks of Oak Park.  For years a group of women in town had been writing letters and giving speeches to ban pesticides, to no avail.  Dr. Golden knew the only way to achieve this was to get control of the park board, which he did.  The ban remains in effect to this day!  Before the ban, dogs had died of ingesting pesticides and kids who had crawled in the grass were developing intestinal problems.

In 1991, as the president of the CARE party (Citizens Active for Respect for the Environment), the local environmental group, he slated and led the campaigns of three individuals who won election.  On the first day in office in April 1991 they banned pesticides in the parks of Oak Park.  For years a group of women in town had been writing letters and giving speeches to ban pesticides, to no avail.  Dr. Golden knew the only way to achieve this was to get control of the park board, which he did.  The ban remains in effect to this day!  Before the ban, dogs had died of ingesting pesticides and kids who had crawled in the grass were developing intestinal problems.   Dr. Golden wrote about organizing school kids to pick the weeds instead, which received widespread accolades in the local presss.<ref>Linden, Eric (1991), “’Dandelion Dig’ idea blooming,” ''Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest'', May 29, p. 7</ref>

==Tree Activism==

==Tree Activism==

===Saving Old Growth Trees===

===Saving Old Growth Trees===

In 2007, Dr. Golden discovered that all the old growth trees in a park in Oak Park were to be destroyed for a ball field.  He contacted the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, organized a rally on two days notice, arranged for the Chicago Tribune, Chicago t.v. stations, and the local media to be present, had speakers including the Green Party candidate for governor appear, and in an emergency meeting the Department of Natural Resources forced the local park district to save many of the trees slated for destruction.

 

In 2007, Dr. Golden discovered that all the old growth trees in a park in Oak Park were to be destroyed for a ball field.  He contacted the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, organized a rally on two days notice, arranged for the Chicago Tribune, Chicago t.v. stations, and the local media to be present, had speakers including the Green Party candidate for governor appear, and in an emergency meeting the Department of Natural Resources forced the local park district to save many of the trees slated for destruction.<ref>http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2004-11-24/news/0411240206_1_new-trees-oak-park-district-mulberry-trees</ref><ref>Dwyer, Bill  (2007), “Tree Fury at Field,” ''Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest'', July 10, p. 1; http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/07-10-2007/Tree_fury_at_Field</ref><ref>Noel, Josh (2007), “Oak Park tree-removal plan heads for debate,” ''Chicago Tribune'', July 12, p. 7; http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2007-07-19/news/0707181717_1_trees-park-renovation-plan</ref><ref>(2004) http://www.oakparkjournal.com/2007/2007-Field-Park-ralley-July-8th-2pm.html</ref>

===Prevention of Deforestation===

===Prevention of Deforestation===

===Road Kill===

===Road Kill===

Dr. Golden has organized a “road kill” brigade.  For years, he has written a column each fall and each spring asking motorists to slow down and “stop the roadkill.”  He regularly monitors the busy streets and picks up the roadkill and brings it to the proper location for disposal.  This prevents other critters from going onto the road and trying to eat the kill and getting killed themselves.  He is currently lobbying the village to place speed bumps on the streets next to the forest preserves where many critters live.

Dr. Golden has organized a “road kill” brigade.  For years, he has written a column each fall and each spring asking motorists to slow down and “stop the roadkill.”  He regularly monitors the busy streets and picks up the roadkill and brings it to the proper location for disposal.  This prevents other critters from going onto the road and trying to eat the kill and getting killed themselves.  He is currently lobbying the village to place speed bumps on the streets next to the forest preserves where many critters live.<ref> Golden, Les (2002), “All it would take is a fence to keep critters alive,” ''Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest'', June 12, p. 41</ref>

 

 

==Animal Welfare==

==Animal Welfare==

Believing that the Earth belongs to all its creatures, Dr. Golden writes frequently about animal welfare and is an activist on their behalf.<ref>Golden, Leslie M. (2005), “Elephant deaths are a matter of physics,” ''Chicago Sun-Times'', January 28, p. 24</ref><ref>(2000) “Trailside needs a champion,” ''Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest'' (editorial), November 1, p. 32</ref><ref>Vincent, Ed (2002), “The Lost Chukar,” http://www.suburbanjournals.com/Stories2002/Lost-Chukar-Returned-Home-2002.html, August 10</ref><ref>http://www.elephantinformation.com/CEMENT%20FLOORING%20or%20HARD%20DIRT%20GROUND.htm </ref>

Believing that the Earth belongs to all its creatures, Dr. Golden writes frequently about animal welfare and is an activist on their behalf.<ref>Golden, Leslie M. (2005), “Elephant deaths are a matter of physics,” ''Chicago Sun-Times'', January 28, p. 24</ref><ref>(2000) “Trailside needs a champion,” ''Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest'' (editorial), November 1, p. 32</ref><ref>Vincent, Ed (2002), “The Lost Chukar,” http://www.suburbanjournals.com/Stories2002/Lost-Chukar-Returned-Home-2002.html, August 10</ref><ref>http://www.elephantinformation.com/CEMENT%20FLOORING%20or%20HARD%20DIRT%20GROUND.htm </ref><ref>Golden, Les (2000), “Hey, Sylvestri, save our furry and feathered friends,” ''Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest'', October 25, p. 34</ref>

 

 

==Toxic Chemical Removal==

==Toxic Chemical Removal==

==Intergovernmental Cooperation in Environment==

==Intergovernmental Cooperation in Environment==

===Government Mulch===

===Government Mulch===

Around ten years ago, Dr. Golden suggested that the chipped up mulch from dead parkway trees be used in the parks and school grounds for landscaping rather than driven to landfills, with the waste of gas and associated pollution.  He contacted the school district, the park district, and the village and organized them to cooperate to make this their policy.

Around ten years ago, Dr. Golden suggested that the chipped up mulch from dead parkway trees be used in the parks and school grounds for landscaping rather than driven to landfills, with the waste of gas and associated pollution.  He contacted the school district, the park district, and the village and organized them to cooperate to make this their policy.<ref>“Oak Park Environmentalist Persuades  School to Save Taxpayer Dollars,  Intergovernmental Cooperation the Key to Recycling Dutch Elm Mulch,” www.oakparkjournal.com/stories2004/2005-les-golden-mulch-nov.html</ref>

===Citizen Mulch===

===Citizen Mulch===

===Political Lawn Sign Recycling===

===Political Lawn Sign Recycling===

He has consistently lobbied against the use of political lawn signs during election cycles.  After the polls are closed, he contacts the schools, churches, and other polling places to gather the yard signs.  He also has organized volunteers to walk the neighborhoods to pick up yard signs.  He then delivers the yard signs and their metal spines to orphanages, schools, and libraries for use by children for art and architecture projects.

He has consistently lobbied against the use of political lawn signs during election cycles.  After the polls are closed, he contacts the schools, churches, and other polling places to gather the yard signs.  He also has organized volunteers to walk the neighborhoods to pick up yard signs.  He then delivers the yard signs and their metal spines to orphanages, schools, and libraries for use by children for art and architecture projects.