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To the Editor: 

In a letter (Forum, Nov. 12), Carl A. Adams attacked two good candidates on the Sierra Club’s Northern Alameda County Group (NACG) ballot. He also railed and railed against the acronym “NIMBY” that he failed to define. I’ll do so on his behalf: it stands for “Not Intimidated By Mad Yelling.” In that spirit, after reading Mr. Adams’ letter, I’ve resolved to enthusiastically vote for both Carrie Olson and Elliot Cohen for the NACG executive committee. 

I don’t know Carl A. Adams and can’t guess what his credentials might be for criticizing such well-qualified and hard-working activists. But as a 10-year Sierra Club member, I do know that I’m tired of outsiders trying to use the club’s Bay Chapter for their own ends. Mr. Adams’ letter typifies two flaws common to these meddlers: First, they’re curiously obsessed with building stuff in Berkeley (even though we’re one of the few East Bay cities to have met our “fair share” housing targets and therefore deserve much less badgering than our underperforming neighbors). And second, they lack the vital quality that is at the root of the word “ecology”: balance. 

The Sierra Club deserves balanced and capable officers who will guard its reputation, build on its strengths, and protect it from becoming a doormat for developers or kooks. Please unwrap the ballot from your Yodeler well before Dec. 2, and help elect the strong candidates who will help achieve this. 

Michael Katz