Campaign Watch: Local Races Elevate Environmental Issues
Create new parks or sell off the land of existing ones? Require tree protection in new developments or expand the parking lots and pave it all? Add new greenways, bike paths, and transit options or rely on just more roads, roads, and roads?
Local leadership posts that make the calls on these and other environmental decisions may be on the ballot in your city or town this fall. And while NCLCV doesn’t make endorsements in municipal contests, we encourage our members and supporters to examine the candidates for mayors and city/town council members, and vote in your local races with the environment in mind.
The North Carolina Chapter of the Sierra Club is among the citizen groups which are tracking key local races and recommending choices based on environmental concerns. This month, Sierra announced its recommendations in local contests including the hotly contested race for mayor of Raleigh, NC’s capital city.
In that contest, Sierra endorses incumbent Mayor Nancy McFarlane for re-election. Sierra’s endorsement announcement notes McFarlane’s “demonstrated commitment to protecting the environment” including her support of the “Mayors for 100% Clean Energy” initiative. Conservation advocates have also noted McFarlane’s leadership in negotiating with the state to preserve as a public park the former Dorothea Dix property.
Sierra’s other Raleigh endorsements can be found here.
Sierra has also announced endorsements in two other NC cities:
- Asheville: Mayor, Esther Manheimer; Council at Large, Gwen Whistler.
- Cary: Council at Large, Ed Yerha; Council District A, Jennifer Robinson; Council District C, Jack Smith.
Important local contests are being held in multiple other cities and towns this fall, including Greensboro, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Burlington, and smaller towns like Morrisville. Election day comes as soon as October 10 in locales including Asheville, Burlington, Cary, Fayetteville, Greensboro, and Raleigh, where early voting is underway now.
Do you know of another contest in your city or town involving an important local environmental issue? Let CIB know the details, and spread the word directly to your own contacts as well.
Not sure whether/when your municipal elections are this year? Check this link.
Vote! Your community’s environment depends on it.
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