A Muldrow resident was recently honored for his work in weatherization locally and throughout Arkansas.

Mark Whitmer, the director of the Weatherization Assistance Program for the Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council (C-SCDC) in Fort Smith, Ark., was recently honored by the U.S. Department of Energy, William Green, Arkansas Community Action Agency Association communications director, said in a press release.

Whitmer, 51, who was born in Fort Smith and lives in Muldrow with his wife, Sherry, recently received a "National Recognition Award" plaque for "outstanding service and contributions" to the weatherization program, at a national weatherization training conference in Atlanta, Ga.

Green said weatherization is one of a number of programs operated by C-SCDC, which is a private, non-profit organization, to help low-income residents in Crawford and Sebastian Counties gain the basic necessities and advance economic self-sufficiency. Green explained that weatherization means making improvements to homes to make them more energy efficient, safe and healthy, including weather stripping doors and windows, caulking and sealing cracks and holes, and insulating attics.

Weatherization is funded nationally by the U.S. Department of Energy and administered in Arkansas by the state office of community services, which nominated Whitmer for the award. Since it was begun in 1976, the program has injected more than $91 million into communities throughout the state to improve more than 61,000 homes, according to Green. It is operated primarily by the Arkansas's 16 private, non-profit community action agencies.

According to the press release, Whitmer was nominated because he strengthened the program in Crawford and Sebastian Counties and throughout the state by developing innovative measures that have been used by other weatherization directors, working with the city of Fort Smith to expand weatherization opportunities, providing training, serving as the chairman of the Arkansas Weatherization Policy Advisory Council, and working with others to help Arkansas become nationally recognized as a leader in promoting the program.

Whitmer had his own window manufacturing company before he joined C-SCDC in 1998, and he became weatherization director in 2000. In the last year, Whitmer worked to improve 45 homes in the two counties.

C-SCDC received $148,000 for the program last year and is able to invest up to $2,700 in a home, but because of limited funding isn't able to serve all those in need, Whitmer said in a press release.

Whitmer noted that President George W. Bush had proposed that funding for the program be reduced nationally by a third in the next fiscal year. If approved, the proposal would "be devastating to our effort to help the thousands of individuals and families throughout the state who need the service. So many are struggling, and their lives will become much more difficult if they aren't able to gain more decent, energy-saving shelter," Whitmer said.