Woods & Wetlands 2002 Primary Endorsements Vote March 19th

Don't be fooled by candidates' claims - check our endorsements!

In district after district, the races for the county board are shaping up as contests between those who embrace preservation of open space, watersheds, traffic relief and carefully planned, sensible, economic development – and those who want to turn back the clock to the days when developers had a field day building in every direction.

We believe that the current leadership of the County Board has amassed an impressive record of community service. This board has added 1100 acres of new land to the forest preserve system, protected wetlands and floodplains to stem flooding, increased transportation spending to double the amount of any previous administration, and cut county property tax rates.

But this is no time to rest. Hundreds of thousands of new residents expected in Lake County in the next decade will place unprecedented stress on our environment, and bold leaders will be needed to guard our shared resources. Many of the incumbents responsible for the recent successes now face challengers who believe the county should head in a different direction – by walking lockstep with the same special-interest groups that backed the unfettered "pave-it-over" policies of past administrations. And lurking in districts where our previously endorsed allies are not running are more candidates eager to backtrack to serve development.

This sharp contrast may not be blatantly obvious at first. Candidates with links to developers have learned to camouflage their positions in the color green. They espouse their support for environmental protection even as they try to evict the leadership that has made it a priority. It is critically important for voters to know the difference between the candidates who will back up their word on environmental issues and those who merely pay lip service to those themes.

Our endorsements will help you make this distinction. We have researched the candidates and subjected them to our usual scrutiny. Please remember to vote, and take your endorsement issue of the W&W News with you. The stakes are high, and the votes of Lake County’s environmental community are dearly needed if we are to protect the county board majority that has protected our communities and quality of life.  Otherwise it could be open season on open space.
 

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