Sierra Club endorsements!

The Sierra Club announced its endorsed candidates in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough today.

In Chapel Hill the Sierra Club endorses Kevin Foy for Mayor, and Mark Kleinschmidt, Laurin Easthom, and Will Raymond for Town Council.

In Carrboro, the Sierra Club endorses Mark Chilton for Mayor, and Jacquie Gist and Randee Haven-O'Donnell for Board of Aldermen.

In Hillsborough, the Sierra Club endorses Tom Stevens for Mayor, and Mike Gering and Frances Dancy for Town Board.

Having been a part of this process I am thrilled with all of these selections. I think the club definitely made the right choices. Just as a disclaimer, I recused myself from voting on Chapel Hill endorsements because of my positions in several of the candidates' campaigns.

Issues: 

Comments

I find the whole tone of this string depressing and making me wonder about any real value of this "conversation". I also find it laughable that the Sierra Club doesn't know or won't say how many members it has in Carrboro. C'mmon guys, either you know and won't share or national won't tell you. Which is it? It just ain't that hard to sort addresses by town and count them up.

John, I'm not sure whose vote you think you're winning by attacking me or Tom. We're just a couple of concerned citizens among many who participated in the SC endorsement process. We have no special power or agenda other than to promote good environmental candidates. As you know better than others in this discussion. Bernadette Pelissier is the spokesperson for the club on the endorsements. You should talk to her if you have questions or concerns.

But, of you me and Tom, you're the one running for office. And what's with the no-shows? You did not show up for the DTH forum. I'm told that you have not been to an Orange Economic Development meeting in some timer or attended Recreation and Parks Commission meetings both of which you are board liaisons to. Don't blame your kids. I have a lot of respect for people like Marshall and Chilton who run despite responsibility for small children. But, in their case, they understand that they have to find away to maintain both commitments. It's not easy but you don't hear them making excuses.

Wow, very good picks. I only have a few small disagreements (about who was omitted). For more information about these and the rest of the candidates http://orangepolitics.org/elections-2005

I'll concur with that Ruby- I'm thrilled with all the candidates we DID endorse- there are a few who we didn't endorse that I really like too but who for whatever reason didn't make the cut.

Felicitaciones to all the 3 Carrboro candidates endorsed by the Saw Club (Sierra Club) excellent picks. It must be hard to pick candidates on an town full of active environmentalists. However, I am surprised they did not Endorsed envirnmentalist leader Ed Harrison of Chapel Hill. It makes me question their criteria and objectivity of the selection committee.

John Herrera For OneCarrboro
www.votehererra.com

John, you'd probably do well to worry about your own re-election and let Ed worry about his. Ed is not an environmental leader. He says he is but that does not make him one, any more than George W calling himself compassionate makes him so.

Hopefully this will provide an opportunity for Ed to do some soul-searching and ask himself how he could have moved so far from an organization that he's dedicated so much of his life to. Don't forget that the endorsement is not made by the local group. It is made by the state chapter.

BTW, I see it as a real credit to the Sierra Club that we do not let organizational loyalties blind us to Ed's short-comings on the Town Council.

Speaking only for myself, I have to say that Ed's tenure on the council has been incredibly disappointing.

Congrats to all who received the Sierra Club endorsement, and thanks to Tom Jensen for conducting that worthwhile exercise.

I still maintain that commercial development and environmental protection are not incompatible objectives. If this constitutes a losing stance, then Carrboro can't win.

My deepest felt congratulations to all who have received this fantastic honor!!

I think in my heart that this is the most important endorsement a candidate can receive, not just for its influence on election day, but because of what it represents. The environment is a limited, priceless resource that can never be compromised. I am proud of all of you, endorsed and non-endorsed, who work tirelessly to improve air and water quality, and who fight unceasingly for the protection and conservation of our natural habitats.

Mark, Jackie, and Randee: I am looking forward to learning more about how to be an advocate for the environment.

OK, here come my sour grapes (I'm no Herrera or Marshall!):

Dan, would you have us believe that the local Sierra Club members (you know, the ones who show up) have little to do with the local endorsement process? Here is how it works (according to Capowski on the web site): ‘Each election season, the Orange-Chatham Group's political committee reviews candidates for local offices and recommends endorsements to the state chapter.'

Being the astute observer that I am, I had a strong hunch that Joe Capowski's OP quote in June was the writing on the wall for Chilton:
“Best of luck Mark. I'd vote for you (again) if I lived in Carrboro.”

The Capowski/ Eastholm connection does not escape me either.

Alas, congratulations to all the winners--- especially Randee, who most deserves it!

I hope that people will not read too much into this particular endorsement. A Sierra Club endorsement today does not mean nearly as much to me as it did 30 years ago. The endorsement has become far too political. I miss the old Sierra Club.

I'd be very interested to hear more about the Carrboro mayor's endorsement since Mark and Alex agreed on every single issue that was presented to them.

Joe told me in advance I wouldn't be getting the endorsement, so there are no sour grapes on my part, but I'd love to hear more from those on the committee as to their thoughts on the differences between the two candidates.

Congratulations to all who received the endorsement. I don't feel I'm qualified to speak to the other municipalities, but here in Chapel Hill the three who were endorsed were certainly deserving of it - and in my opinion, three of the candidates who will best serve the environment on the Council regardless of any endorsement.

Of course I'm a little disappointed I didn't get it myself. But I really think the Sierra Club made the best decision based on the material they were presented with. As a non-incumbant and a relative newcomer to town, I only had my interview and the forum to make my case, and I think I did poorly in both. While I do have some background in environmental policy here in Chapel Hill (working for the Green Energy Campaign and the Environmental Purchasing policy workgroup), I don't have anywhere near the level Mark Chilton did when he received the endorsement as a student candidate fourteen years ago. I made a poor argument on my own behalf, and I hope to join the Council and provide a flawlessly pro-environmental record on which to be considered in 2009.

Congratulations to everyone who received the endorsement. For some it is truly deserved. I hope in future elections the local Sierra Club will recover some of its lost credibility by not allowing individual campaign advisors and those with personal vendettas against individual candidates to serve as reviewers.

Terri,

It seems a little premature to refer to the Sierra Club's 'lost credibility.' In 2003 7 out of its 8 endorsed candidates in southern Orange County won so that seems like people take the endorsement pretty seriously to me.

Just because some folks who support candidates who weren't endorsed have sour grapes does not mean there is any loss of credibility.

The Sierra Club's process is extremely open. It is voted on at the local level by both the Political Committee and the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is elected by the entire membership of the group- voting is open to its several thousand members. Opportunities to run and vote for these offices are well publicized.

The Political Committee is more self selecting but opportunities to participate on it are also very well publicized. Solicitations for volunteers to join the committee were placed in the club's newsletter several times, including once as its headline story.

You can disagree with the endorsements but disagreements with the process are pretty lacking.

Anyone associated with a campaign is required to recuse themselves from voting. Pointing out that an incumbent has a lousy record on the environment does not constitute a personal vendetta.

Jason and David, I really applaud both of your comments. It seems that having gone through the forum and interview, you both gained a good perspective on the process. And, you show a maturity perhaps lacking in some others in recognizing that not receiving any particular endorsement is not a time for recriminations. Far better, if you believe in the issues and values the endorsement represents, to commit oneself to, in Jason's words "a flawlessly pro-envirnmental record." It seems to me that such a positive attitiude will win you some votes this year and also help you continue to make a strong contribution in the future.

Tom,
A Sierra Club endorsement is gold because voters (in these parts) associate the name with all that is good. Candidates know this and, unfortunately, some candidates will do what they have to do to get the endorsement. That's the ugly part.

I personally disagree with you. I don't believe the Sierra Club has flawless credibility, and I don't think a Sierra Club endorsement means what it used to mean. I really do believe that the right political connections can mean more to candidate reviewers than the right record or a profound regard for the environment. Your point about opportunities for participation though is well-taken. If all Sierra Club members bothered to become knowledgeable and vote, there would be less room for abuse or suspected abuse.

Unlike you, I don't think of the Sierra Club as the great organization that you seem to. Last year's national fight to turn the club into an immigration organization was an indication to me of just how ugly and sordid the politics of the club has become. It is truly a shame that this club is the target of such blatant political manipulation these days. This isn't all sour grapes; mostly it's the truth.

Oh Dan!

Mary, I'd like to hear some elaboration on how candidates will do what they have to do to get the endorsement and that's the ugly part.

You're right, the candidates did do what they needed to do to get the endorsement. For incumbents we expected a strong record of environmental leadership in their service. Kevin Foy, Mark Kleinschmidt, Mark Chilton, Jacquie Gist, Mike Gering, and Frances Dancy fit the bill.

For challengers we expect to see some level of environmental activism in their past and some vision for preserving the environment if elected. Laurin Easthom, Will Raymond, Randee Haven-O'Donnell, and Tom Stevens fit the bill.

These candidates have all done what they needed to do to get the endorsement by showing a strong concern for the environment in their sevice to the community. That seems beautiful to me, not ugly.

If you're upset about Alex Zaffron not being endorsed I sympathize. He's a great guy, he cares about the environment. Few communities will ever have a chance to pick between two such great leaders for Mayor. Carrboro is lucky that no matter who wins, both of these guys will still be on the Board.

The attempts by anti-immigration folks to take over the club at the national level have absolutely nothing to do with our endorsements at the local level, and they have also been overwhelmingly defeated by our club's membership. This seems a rather flimsy argument for denying the credibility of the endorsements in Orange County, North Carolina.

Tom,

If you think "disagreements with the process are pretty lacking," you're hanging out with a limited set. And if more people knew the environmental credentials of people denied your endorsement because of your quantitative restrictions, there would be more disagreements.

Stonewall, for example (per Kleinschmidt on 2001 CH mayoral race), is perfectly willing to endorse more candidates than slots available.

What's more, Groundswell Sierra -- the establishment group that thankfully fought off the take-over attempt at the national level -- last spring endorsed one more candidate than slots available on the Sierra Club board. Talk about hypocrisy. It's time for the national organization to review its process of winnowing out more local candidates than it should.

Suggestion: Your endorsements could have two orders, one based on institutional (not to say necessarily elected) experience in environmentalism, and one based on observed intent yet untested.

Dear Dan Coleman and Tom Jensen
Local Sierra club: to whom it may concern:

I am just curious to know how many people (elegible voters) who leave in Carrboro does the Sierra club represents. Also I would like to know how many people of color are members of the local chapter and how many of those are are Hispanic or immigrants? Of your club, how nany people of color are in positions of leadership? ie. Boad of Directors, Selection committees, etc. and are there any those a member from any prominent immigrant group of our community?

Thank you for your work and will appreciate your information. Depending on your responses I may decide to join the Local Sierra club. Mean while I will continue to send my contributions to NRDC, Green Peace, WWF, TNC, CI and many others who inspire me to support them.

John Herrera, For Onecarrboro

Alderman Herrera,

The Sierra Club does not ask you to define your race or ethnicity when you join the club so I can't give you any numbers on that as it pertains to our membership or leadership. Speaking for myself, I would like to see the local group be more diverse but membership is open to any and everyone so it would be hard to argue that we are exclusionary.

We have thousands of members in Orange and Chatham Counties, I couldn't tell you the exact number in Carrboro but it is signficant.

Just for the record Alderman Herrera was the only candidate in Carrboro who chose not to do an interview with the Sierra Club. We rescheduled other candidates' appointments to accomodate Alderman Herrera for a time when he said he could do it, and then he didn't show up, without ever e-mailing to give an explanation or ask for it to be rescheduled.

TOM:

OUCH THAT HURTS..... Do not get defensive on me, I am just trying to get to know you. so, the answers ARE none and not too many AND, I AM VERY WELCOME TO JOIN YOUR CLUB!! RIGHT? SINCE THIS IS A CHEAP SHOT IN PUBLIC I FEEL THE NEED TO GET THE RECORD STRAIGHT AND RESPOND IN PUBLIC. I HOPE ANY OTHER ISSUES YOU MAY HAVE WITH ME FEEL FREE TO CALL ME 933-4765 OR WE CAN TALK FACE TO FACE IN PRIVATE AT A MUTUALLY CONVINIENT TIME.

FYI I APPRECIATE YOU MOVING THE APPOINMENT 1/2 HOUR EARLIER, DURING THE DINNER TIME AND BATH TIME OF MY THREE KIDS. AT THE ONLY TWO VERY INCONVINIENCE TIMES 6:30 PM AT WEAVER STREET AND DURING MY WORK HOURS IN DURHAM. I OFFERED TO DO IT BY TELEPHONE OR IN THE WEEKEND OR AFTER THE BOARD OF ALDERMAN MEETING, BUT YOU GUYS DID NOT CARE TO CONSIDER ANY OTHER OPTION. I AM SORRY I MISSED YOU TOO. I DID ARRIVED 25 MINUTES LATE, WASTED MONEY HIRING A BABYSITTER AND THE VALUABLE READING TIME OF MY KIDS BEFORE GOING TO BED. I SPENT THE NEXT HOUR LOOKING FOR YOU, AND SINCE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE ..ALSO I WAS HOPING TO SEE YOU AT THE FORUM TO MEET YOU AND RESCHEDULE. I GUESS YOU WERE NOT THERE EITHER?

I AM WONDERING TO KNOW WHAT THE QUESTIONS YOU ASKED WERE, I IMAGENED EACH CANDIDATE WAS ASKED EXACTLY THE SAME QUESTIONS? DO YOU MIND SHARING THEM WITH ME? i WILL ANSWER THEM AND POST THEM ON MY WEBSITE. IF YOU THINK YOUR MEMBERS MAY CARE TO KNOW WHAT I THINK. CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTION FOR THE FUTURE. THIS IS THE KIND OF INSENSITIVITY AND OVERSIGHT THAT SOME GOVERNMENTS AND SOME COMMUNITY GROUPS HAVE WHEN TRYING TO DO OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY. I AM EXCITED TO GET THE RESIDENT'S OUTREACH AND LEADRSHIP ADVISORY BOARD OF THE GROUND, SOON AFTER RE-ELECTION SO THAT WE CAN SHARE HELPFULL CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE WITH ALL GROUPS AND PEOPLE INTERESTED IN DOING EFFECTIVE OUTREACH TO UNDER-REPRESENTED PEOPLE WHO HAVE VERY VALUEABLE IDEAS TO SHARE IF WE CARE TO BUILD ONE SUSTAINABLE CARRBORO THAT VALUES DIVERSITY BECAUSE IT IS TRULY DIVERSE.

JOHN HERRERA FOR ONECARRBORO

Alderman Herrera,

I'm sorry you feel my informing the OP community you did not show up for your interview is a cheap shot. However, it seems reasonable that if you are going to attack our club for not endorsing you, that people should know you didn't bother to interview with us like all of the other candidates did.

All candidate interviews were supposed to be held on Friday, September 23rd and Saturday, September 24th. You said this was not an option for you so we accomodated you by agreeing to schedule an interview on Tuesday, September 20th at 6:30, a time which you requested in an e-mail.

Dan Coleman (who I'm sure you know) and I waited until after 7 PM before giving up.

If you had wanted to reschedule your interview we would have been glad to, but I never received an e-mail from you to that effect and it would be hard for you to claim you don't have my address since you e-mailed me on the 19th of September to set up the interview for the next day.

The Sierra Club is not the only group Alderman Herrera has blown off this fall. According to the Chamber of Commerce website he did not respond to their request for an interview.

If anyone who is not either a) a candidate mad they didn't get endorsed or b) a supporter of a candidate mad they didn't get endorsed has any questions about the Sierra Club endorsement I'd be glad to answer them. Other than that, I'm done with this thread.

We endorsed great candidates through a fair and open process and I'm confident Orange County voters will support them next month in part because they know our group has a solid track record of endorsing good, progressive candidates.

Tom:

Grow up! I gave you may telephone number 933-4765. I am doing the Chamber interview another day, they were very accomodating and flexible. Tom, I am not attacking the Sierra club. just asking legitimate questions, I have not drawn conclussions yet. I really hope you send me the questions. not just for you, but if you care in providing your members truthfull information and not gossip. I got top go to the airport.

John Herrera for OneCarrboro

The group of Sierra Club folks who worked on these endorsements had as much integrity as any I've seen in local politics. Their commitment to the environment was fierce and uncompromising.

I hope John H got some sleep. Telling Tom to 'grow up' is incredibly undignified. Like Jason, Tom has shown great maturity and savvy throughout these discussions. In a community in which students are such a vital component, we should not be telling them to grow up, we should be welcoming them and applauding their involvement.

Tom,

I respect your decision to recuse yourself from the Chapel Hill endorsements. The endorsements would be more credible had Joe C and Dan C done the same. Their failure to do so not only calls into question the endorsements themselves, but reflects poorly on the other members of the executive committe, two of whom I know and respect.

The other factor weighing against credibility in my opinion is the lack of any criteria for the public to use in understanding the endorsements. By providing a list of names only, you and all the other committee members must become apologists for a non-transparent process. As an example, take the choice between Mark C and Alex Z. Two prominent Carrboro environmentalists, Allen Spalt and James Carnahan, have both endorsed Alex. What was it about the data collected by the Sierra Club that would challenge the opinions of those local environmentalists?

I seem to recall Joe C saying that the Sierra Club would NOT explain its endorsements, but providing the criteria upon which the endorsements are made would not violate that practice and make the process somewhat more transparent. Transparency should be the goal of any political process in a progressive society, don't you agree?

Y'all grab the reins! Endorsements cannot make up for running a crappy campaign or being out of touch with voters. (Similarly, the lack of endorsement won't hinder a well-run campaign.) There are no local endorsements, even the Independent's, that solely make or break a campaign. Only the candidate can do that.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, even the local Sierra Club. If you don't share it then feel free to tell the world you disagree with them. We all know they don't own environmentalism any more than OrangePolitics owns progressivism. But it's sort of pointless to attack them personally for not agreeing with you.

Tom,
May I have you email, and discuss privately?

Dan:

Thank you for your cancern about my well being, I did got some sleep. Dan, I am begining to see your personal style to interpret reality and people's comments, it sounds like an amateurish Carl Rove. Please do not offend the intelligence of any person in this forum. People who can read this comments can see clearly what have been said. Progressive students and people young and old who are looking for healthy, dynamic, DIVERSE, open and welcoming organizations, will question and stay away from this kind of leadership style and clubs. Cortesy and respect are very simple concepts to understand. My 6 year old son, understands them, he knows what I mean when I ask him to call me directly if he has something important tell me. I extend the same kind of advice to you too. my telephone is 933-4765. Reasonable can arrive at reasonable conclusions.

John Hererra For OneCarrboro

Terri (et al),
I did recuse myself from the endorsements for CH
Town Council as I have been an advisor to campaigns
in that race.

Thank you for the clarification Joe. I respect your decision as I do Tom's.

Joe,
>Will there be public written explanations explaining why candidates were either endorsed or not endorsed?
>May I see the interview questions candidates were asked, and candidate responses?
>Also, why did you tell Katrina in advance that she would not be getting the endorsement?

Dan,
Did you recuse yourself from any endorsements? If so, which ones?

I hadn't been reading the forum very often becase I've been busy lately, but I apparently missed a doozy here.

Alderman Herrera, I am appalled by the childish way that you responded to Tom.

I'm sorry you didn't get picked for the kickball team, but caps-lock, misdirection, exclamation points, misinformation and flimsy excuses don't add a lot to your cause. It is unfortunate that sometimes public duties conflict with homelife, but that happens. By refusing to show up at forums without providing good excuses, you indicate that whatever demographic holding the forum is unimportant to you. You also demonstrate an unwillingness to be "inconvenienced" by the people that you serve. Heaven forbid the town needs you at bath time -- it seems to me that long nights, late dinners, and making compromises are a part of public service.

Telling a student who has acted more maturely than you to "grow up!" demonstrates overwhelmingly that you would rather take cheap shots based on stereotypes of students as immature to distract from your own childish behavior. Your schoolyard comebacks instead of apologizing for failure to appear are telling. Showing up is half the battle -- you've certainly lost that half.

If anyone ever questions why we have so little minority participation in this town, this thread is a great illustration of the unfortunate reality. John Herrara congratulated the Carrboro selections and noted his surprise about Ed Harrison's omission. Dan Coleman turned around and told him to worry about his own campaign before launching into yet another diatribe against Ed. John followed up with a request for demographic information on the Sierra Club. The response came from Tom Jensen who started the spiral down into nastiness for whatever reason.

Tom brings his youth to the table and John is a non-native English writer/speaker. Their responses deserve some degree of mature understanding. Unfortunately, John seems to be taking all the heat. Not a particularly progressive way of communicating cross cultures folks.

And might it also help to explain why so few citizens will even bother voting? A turnout of 18% might be huge. At some point, the laws of Physics will kick in and ...

This thread is not an illustration of why we will have low turnout. It's also has a lot less to do with bad cross-cultural communication and more to do with bad communication in general.

As a candidate for public office, Herrera is in charge of communicating his qualifications for office, his message, and his interest in his constituents. It's a little difficult for him to do that if he's not at forums, misses interviews and is antagonistic toward student leaders.

Having seen non-native speakers/writers who are able to do communicate these things effectively, I have a hard time writing it off on the "cross-cultural communication" line.

Mary asked me these three questions:

>Will there be public written explanations explaining why candidates were either endorsed or not endorsed?
>May I see the interview questions candidates were asked, and candidate responses?
>Also, why did you tell Katrina in advance that she would not be getting the endorsement?

The answer to the first two is that personally I would be happy
to make them public and I am now trying to find out what the
Sierra Club procedures are that relate to this.

Pertaining to the third question: I did not tell Katrina in advance that she would not be getting the endorsement.

I want to make this general statement. We knew before
we started the endorsement process that
the local Sierra Club endorsements had the potential
to be controversial, and that it was likely that some
candidates or their supporters who did not receive
endorsements would challenge the process. As a consequence
as political chair, I demanded a high level of rigor and documentation. I can understand that non-endorsed candidates may be unhappy because ultimately
all endorsements come down to the votes (i.e., personal
opinions) of a group of people. But the process was
sound and no Sierra Club member who wished to participate
was rejected.

Finally, I agree with Tom Jensen when he stated
above that Sierra Club
national issues that pertain to immigration
played no part in any of our endorsements.

When people feel detached from the political process for whatever reasons - real or imagined - they tend not to vote.

It's true, Joe did not actually say I wouldn't get the endorsement. he said 1- I wouldn't like forum, and 2- that he didn't think I could say anything that would impress the committee. I made the assumption he meant I should not expect an endorsement.

That's fine. I didn't expect it and didn't get it. I'm still curious as to how one decides between the two mayoral candidates, who didn't differ in their answers in any real sustantive way.

I'm sort of surprised John is upset. He didn't make the interview. He closed with a statement that he though we'd spent enough money on the environment, and now we should spend money on "people". I think that's probably an honest answer from his perspective, but that certainly isn't going to win you any votes at the Sierra Club.

On we go into the home stretch of campaign season.

I am confused. Did Joe C participate in any way in the candidate interview process and/or endorsement discussions? I can't figure that out from the comments posted here.

Joe,
Thank you.
Let me know if the information makes it to the Sierra Club website.
Also, my statement about immigration controversy was in relationship to the national organization. My point was that the Sierra Club, of which we have been guardians of for years, is no longer the impeccable environmental group that it used to be. Transparency is extraordinarily important to me at all levels of club organization.
Quite honestly, I wish the local club merely gave a seal of approval to all candidates with good environmental records. Choosing amongst 'green' candidates comes down to personal preference which should be left to the voters, not to a small political committee which could easily be loaded with friends of a particular candidate.

There really isn't any way to get around dissent over endorsements. But when all that is presented is a list of names, with no explanation, there also isn't a way to question the selections without it sounding like sour grapes. It's rather instructive to read a 2003 forum called Do Endorsements Matter. They were able to debate the lack of an Indy endorsements as a contributor to the ouster of an incumbent based on the substance of the commentary since the Independent explains their decision for and against each candidate.

I'm not sure there wasn't an explanation. At least one of the articles in the papers covering the endorsement listed reasons cited by the Sierra Club for their endorsement. Perhaps there were reasons in the press release. Has anyone seen it? I haven't.

Sierra Club Announces Chapel Hill Endorsees

The North Carolina Chapter of the Sierra Club is proud to announce its endorsements in the 2005 Chapel Hill Town Council race. The endorsed candidates are Kevin Foy for Mayor, and Mark Kleinschmidt, Laurin Easthom, and Will Raymond for Town Council.

In his two terms as Mayor, Kevin Foy has compiled a solid record of environmental leadership. We appreciate his leadership on the multi jurisdictional purchase of Erwin Trace and the strong commitment the Council has made to significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions. We look forward to his advocacy during his next term for alternatives to single occupancy vehicles as a means of accessing the Carolina North development.

Mark Kleinschmidt has been a strong leader on environmental issues during his first term on Town Council. We appreciate the tough stands he took with developers in putting together the Land Management Use Ordinance, as well as his advocacy for strict steep slope and stormwater requirements. We look forward to seeing him fulfill his promise to strengthen the tree ordinance during his second term.

Laurin Easthom has been an effective environmental activist as a private citizen. She wrote a resolution supporting the purchase of Erwin Trace that was approved by the local Sierra Club Executive Committee. As a member of the Horace Williams Citizens Advisory Committee she has advocated for an environmentally responsible Carolina North. We look forward to her leadership in support of preserving Bolin Creek and her efforts to conserve undeveloped portions of the Horace Williams property as a member of Town Council.

Will Raymond has been an effective citizen activist in Chapel Hill in recent years. We look forward to him using his talents to advocate for the environment as a member of Town Council. In particular we are excited about his initiatives to promote energy efficiency in town buildings. He will also work to protect lesser known creeks in the Chapel Hill area and to minimize the number of single occupancy vehicles at Carolina North and thereby prevent increased air pollution and traffic congestion.

We strongly encourage Sierra Club members and any residents of Chapel Hill who care about the environment to support these four candidates in the November 8th election. They are the best hope for a Town Council that will place a priority on minimizing negative environmental impacts as Chapel Hill grows.

Sierra Club Announces Carrboro Endorsees

The North Carolina Chapter of the Sierra Club is proud to announce its endorsements in the 2005 Carrboro Aldermen race. The endorsed candidates are Mark Chilton for Mayor, and Jacquie Gist and Randee Haven-O'Donnell for the Board of Aldermen.

During two terms on the Chapel Hill Town Council and a term on the Carrboro Board of Aldermen, Mark Chilton has shown himself to be an authentic environmentalist. As an Alderman he has been a strong advocate of Carrboro establishing minimum storm water runoff standards. We appreciate his attitude toward potential developers in Carrboro who shy away from meeting minimum environmental standards- that these are probably not the kind of developers Carrboro needs working within its borders anyway. He will bring a strong environmental foundation to a style that is inclusive and that works to ensure that all parties feel that they have a place at the table.

Jacquie Gist has been a passionate defender of the environment during her 16 years on the Board of Aldermen. Most recently, she was the leading voice on the Board of Aldermen in support of purchasing and protecting the Adams Tract. During her time on the Board she has also co-sponsored the 40% open space ordinance and successfully saw the watershed protection ordinance to passage. We look forward to seeing her fulfill her pledge to strengthen environmental regulations for builders and to push for easy bicycle and pedestrian access to Carolina North.

Randee Haven-O'Donnell has shown a true commitment to the environment during her career as an educator. While working in the CHCCS she secured a solid waste grant from the state to do a school composting program, and worked to set up similar programs in school districts across the state. As a member of the Carrboro Planning Board she has been vigilant in ensuring that developments are environmentally responsible. We look forward to her promised efforts as an Alderman to maintain tree top canopy, preserve open space, and promote pedestrian pathways as an alternative to driving.

We strongly encourage Sierra Club members and any residents of Carrboro who care about the environment to support these three candidates in the November 8th election. They are the best hope for a Board of Aldermen that will always make reducing environmental impact a top priority as Carrboro grows bigger.

Sierra Club Announces Hillsborough Endorsees

The North Carolina Chapter of the Sierra Club is proud to announce its endorsements in the 2005 Hillsborough Town Board of Commissioners race. The endorsed candidates are Tom Stevens for Mayor, and Mike Gering and Frances Dancy for Town Council.

As a challenger for Mayor, Tom Stevens has shown a great interest in environmental issues. He is very concerned about implementing storm water standards in Hillsborough. He thinks the town needs to develop a master plan for growth that ensures the environment is taken care of. He wants to increase walkability in order to help reduce the Triangle area's air pollution. Another goal of his is to help get Hillsborough connect into regional transportation networks since so many of the town's residents commute to jobs in other municipalities.

Mike Gering has established an admirable environmental record during his time on the Hillsborough Town Board. He opposed a controversial asphalt plant that was viewed as problematic by local environmentalists. In general, he has been a leader in fighting urban sprawl. Mike would like to see Hillsborough improve its protection of watersheds. He thinks the town needs to require more innovative storm water design.

Frances Dancy has also been a solid advocate for the environment during her time on the Town Board. She has advocated for improving waste water treatment during her time on the Board. Frances thinks the promotion of walking and sidewalks are a good antidote to the problem of increased air pollution across the region. She would like to see better regional transportation operations. In addition, she wants to make developers pay for better storm water management.

We strongly encourage Sierra Club members and any residents of Hillsborough who care about the environment to support these three candidates in the November 8th election.

Thanks for posting those Tom.

Two days ago I left these two questions unanswered until
I could find out the Sierra Club's regulations on them.

>Will there be public written explanations explaining why candidates were either endorsed or not endorsed?

The press releases that Tom Jensen has posted do answer
one half of the first question, why candidates were endorsed.
The Sierra Club does not publicly state why candidates are
not endorsed.

>May I see the interview questions candidates were asked, and candidate responses?

The interview questions and the candidates' responses are not
public, were not presentated to the candidates as
public, and the Sierra Club does not disclose this information.

Obviously the questions asked at the three forums and the
candidates' responses there were public -- they were on
TV.

I realize that some of you will be unhappy with this. But I
remind you that the endorsement recommendations to the
state Sierra Club were made by the local executive and
political committees. The executive committee is elected
by all local Sierra Club members. We boldly advertised for
members of the political committee to all local Sierrans,
and accepted all who applied.
So while some of the information remains confidential, participation was open to all Sierra Club
members who chose to participate.

Dear amigos:

I hope we can end with a positive conclussion on this topic of discussion. As Alderwoman Gist remainds us all, "this is just the price you pay for democracy" DTH 10/14/05.

This is a very simple process and not a big deal. I never question the Sierra club. I only ask questions that any potential member would need to ask in order to get to know the organization. I only congratulated the candidates and continue to do that. no har feeling there are a lot of good and people of great intergrity in the Sierra club. ( this is not attack I am sincere and I apologized if I offended any one personally for asking this) Since the questions are not public information, but are use for a public purpose to inform citizens to make educated descisons in our open democratic process I think it will strengthen their descisions. I do not care how people voted, I trust they did it objectively and respect the secrecy of that process. But the questions I assume were formulated but a committee with key knowledge of the important issues to the environmental community, and my scientist research methods tellms me that when survey people to obtain comparative information all candidates should have been asked the same questions on the issues , off course there could be room for an open question that will be left for the public to make their own judgement. Since the Sierra Club, does not share the questions, for whatever reason. I am asking all the candidates who got interviewed to share with us what questions were ask.

Please share the following short an to the point:
1- How many questions were you asked? and what where they?
2- date, time and place of the interview meeting
3- duration of interview, and who the interviewers were?
4- Are you a member of the Sierra club?

I belive in a progressive community like ours, this should be embrace and is expected. It can only help increase support and credibility for any organization. I still have not giving up my hope to join the Sierra Club. I really respect their commitment and work to protect the environment.

So, interviewed canditates is up to each one of you to share with us the answers. Please do not interpret this as an attack on the Club or any particular individual. This is also not about being mad, but about an opportunity to learn and be educated. One's again I reaffirm my sincere congratulation to all the endorsed candidates, as well as the not endorsed canditates who care about the environment.

Peace,
John Herrera for OneCarrboro

John,

Every Carrboro candidate was asked the same six questions.

All interviews were held at the same table at Weaver Street Market.

On September 20th David Marshall interviewed at 5:30, and Randee Haven-O'Donnell interviewed at 6. Dan Coleman and I conducted the interviews.

On September 23rd, Mark Chilton interviewed at 9, Cat DeVine interviewed at 9:30, and Katrina Ryan interviewed at 10. Dan Coleman, Dana Thompson, and I conducted the interviews.

On September 24th, Jacquie Gist interviewed at 9, and Alex Zaffron interviewed at 9:30. Dan Coleman, Dana Thompson, and I conducted the interviews.

All interviews were transcribed verbatim and released to the rest of the committee members.

I do not know whether any of the candidates are Sierra Club members or not.

I hope you find this information helpful.

I missed one of your questions- every candidate was given 30 minutes to interview. Some took the whole time, some did not,

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