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L-R Citizen activist Nancy Partlow, David Ingram of Dark Skies Northwest,
Tumwater Planning and Facilities Director Mike Matlock, and Associate
Planner David Ginther at the Tumwater City Council meeting March 16. Ingram
presented the trio with certificates in recognition of their work on the city's new
outdoor lighting ordinance. Photo: Greg Scheiderer.
The local chapter of the International Dark-Sky Association has recognized three people for the key roles they played in getting a night-sky-friendly outdoor lighting ordinance enacted in the City of Tumwater, Washington.
Citizen activist Nancy Partlow, Mike Matlock, director of the city Planning and Facilities Department, and Associate Planner David Ginther were singled out at the March 16 Tumwater City Council meeting for their efforts on the ordinance.
Partlow has been working the issue in Tumwater for some 15 years, and has amassed a file nearly a foot thick filled with photos, studies, and other documentation about light pollution in the city.
"I think I finally wore them down," Partlow joked.
David Ingram of Dark Skies Northwest said that the IDA board of directors reviewed the Tumwater ordinance and staff report and found it to be "outstanding work, much of it taken directly from IDA, from Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and other technically respected sources."
"The IDA has asked me to present with pleasure this certificate in recognition of your work to keep nighttime skies natural by advocating environmentally responsible outdoor lighting," Ingram told Partlow, Matlock, and Ginther. "Thank you for your hard work to educate the public about the negative impacts of light pollution and the money-saving solutions of quality outdoor lighting."
Tumwater Mayor Pete Kmet said the ordinance was a big step for the city.
"It applies to new development and trying to get our lights pointed downward and shielded so that we can actually see the stars at night, and also save energy and have better lighting for the money we spend on the lighting," Kmet said. "Your organization has provided some extremely valuable information for us at the city and was instrumental in helping staff come together with a proposal that ultimately gained the support of the council."
The city council approved the ordinance in November and it took effect January 15.
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