Award worthy

Friday, March 12, 2010

I read that the Charles County Democratic Central Committee is looking for a recipient of their annual Truman Award. The criteria include "one who took action that was/will be considered far ahead of its time. This individual is recognized for making a difference."

It is for that reason that Ken Robinson should be honored for installing the first (and only) residential wind turbine in Charles County. Though Mr. Robinson has received a lot of publicity including a positive editorial in the March 25, 2009, edition of this newspaper, Charles County has not, to my knowledge, honored this achievement in any way.

Because Mr. Robinson is a candidate for Charles County commissioner, the windmill raising ceremony, which included the community at large and school children from the Green Club of the Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School, was not attended by our current commissioners.

Mr. Robinson's efforts opposing the expansion of the coal-powered Morgantown generating station are well known. He followed that up by putting his money where his mouth is with placing a wind turbine on his property. Mr. Robinson is also spearheading other renewable energy projects. If change is the true criterion of the Truman Award, then this year's recipient should be Ken Robinson.

William A. Bartelt, Swan Point