Ohio’s leading environmental group has honored Senator Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, with its 2014
Public Servant of the Year Award, citing his work as Lake Erie’s most effective legislative advocate.

Gardner will receive the award Saturday in Columbus at the Ohio Environmental Council’s annual awards
dinner.
The OEC highlighted Gardner’s numerous efforts, including establishing the Healthy Lake Erie Fund, Ohio’s
first-ever state fund to reduce the disposal of dredge materials in the lake, and for serving as
co-chairman the Lake Erie Legislative Caucus.
 While progress has been made, Gardner said there remains much work ahead.
"There is no issue more important to our region than a healthy Lake Erie," Gardner said.
"Hundreds of small businesses, tens of thousands of jobs and ensuring safe drinking water for our
communities are all at stake. Fighting for the lake is necessary and just the right thing to do."