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Woods & Wetlands2002 Fall EndorsementsVote November 5th |
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Woods & Wetlands2002 Fall EndorsementsVote November 5th |
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| We’ve had enough narrow losses. We need to win — and this November we have a real chance to win BIG. All of our members know the importance of voting to protect our environment. We know that most of you, especially those reading these words, flocked to the polls in droves this spring to support our carefully selected candidates. But we know that at least one of you stayed home, and we won’t be satisfied until each and every one of you grabs this newsletter, and heads for the polls! Consider the consequences. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last year a paltry 16 votes blocked George Bell’s
bid for Lake County Board. As a result, retiring John Schulien remained
to water down the wetlands protections adopted by the Storm Water Management
Commission. George would have insisted on stronger protections to stop,
or even reverse the continuing loss of wetlands. Schulien thought that
would be undemocratic.
This spring we lost Larry Leafblad by only 17 votes to Rt. 53 sprawlway monger Don Bauer. The County can do many things to relieve traffic, but Rt. 53 isn’t among them. Desperate for relief from congestion caused by sprawl, many bought Bauer’s false promise of a quick fix from Rt. 53, rather than the smart path to less congestion through needed road improvements and regional planning that Leafblad has lead. If Bauer gets his way, a new wave of environmentally devastating sprawl, attracted by the extension, would raise tolls and taxes on residents for decades. Both of our endorsed candidates for the North Shore Sanitary District were neglected by voters this spring, leaving the old guard in place with their plan to pollute our air and Lake Michigan with mercury and dioxin from a new sludge incinerator. But all is not lost. With your vote, a brighter future is within our reach. Strong new candidates have stepped forward who consider protection of our environment the foundation of our future, and bring enthusiasm to direct our prosperity as responsible stewards of our rich natural resources. This spring, Ann Maine handily defeated Tom Adams, another wetlands foe. With our votes, she’ll bring her initiatives for transportation improvements and stormwater management to the County Board. Steve Carlson, determined to rein in sprawl in his district, also won his bid this spring and needs our votes. Ann Bassi won her primary and our endorsement for the general election for her commitment to efficient transportation solutions and alternatives to sprawl. And Harold Rafson, a published and experienced authority on pollution control facilities, earned our endorsement for NSSD’s Ward 5 (Moraine Township) for his strategy to lead NSSD to be a better public citizen—without an incinerator. They need our votes too. Returning endorsed candidatesOur returning endorsed candidates are just as worthy of our votes. Judy Martini, Sandy Cole, Bob Sabonjian, and in Cook County, Gregg Goslin, are in the vanguard of board members constantly working to slow the sprawl unleashed by the early 1990’s pro development era. They know firsthand that Sprawl Costs Us All, have requested more tools from the state, and invited municipalities to join their lead for better regional planning to protect the quality of our region. |
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Leadership in SpringfieldGetting help from the state of Illinois has become a problem with the present state of Springfield. We have some great legislators there whom we are endorsing again, but the Senate leadership has blocked every single recommendation of its own Smart Growth Task Force, and even the House was fickle on restoring wetlands protection. With our votes for the new leaders that we have endorsed for the Illinois legislature, our regional leaders might get the help they need. Elaine Nekritz and Kathy Ryg are eager to put our hard won lessons of the costs of sprawl to good use, and give more say to regional planners to design out regional transportation, watershed and airshed problems. And promoting our cherished IL Representative Susan Garrett, who this summer attacked the water quality problems that close our Lake Michigan beaches, is our best assurance of a more responsive Senate. We also need to re-elect Karen May for her outstanding first term sponsorship of wetlands protection legislation, and Beth Coulson for her firm support of open space and the wetlands bill.Leadership in WashingtonWe’ve also endorsed Mark Kirk in the US 10th Congressional District for his willingness to just say "no" to President Bush’s assault on our environment. Kirk, earned a 71% League of Conservation Voters score for his tough stands. Meanwhile, Phil Crane (8th District) sold out the environment on every vote to earn his 0% LCV score this year. Melissa Bean gets the Club endorsement to give Crane the boot for her support of the 3 E’s: Economy, Environment, and Education. If you’ve been reading our statewide Lake & Prairie newsletter, you know that Dick Durbin is an exemplary Senator for environmental leadership, that Rod Bagojevich got our first ever nod for IL Governor, and Lisa Madigan earned our support for IL Attorney General to oppose the NSSD incinerator and make "polluter pays" a reality through active enforcement.Mark your calendar now for November 5. While our 2300 votes can make the difference between winning and losing, we need everyone to know that good environmental stewardship is the hallmark of a wise and trustworthy leader. Consider calling our candidates to offer your support before the election too. A few votes makes all the difference! Click here to see endorsed statewide candidates beyond the W&W territory, and click here to see the endorsed federal candidates on the national site. |
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