FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July
16, 2002
SIERRA CLUB MONTGOMERY GROUP ENDORSES EIGHT COUNTY COUNCIL CANDIDATES IN PRIMARY RACES
ROCKVILLE - The 6000
member Sierra Club, Montgomery County Group unveiled its list of primary endorsements
for County Council candidates today putting its weight solidly behind a number
of challengers. The group will review the results of primary races and make
final endorsement decisions prior to the general election.
"We are pleased
to see a new crop of energetic, exciting candidates who have pledged to fight
for what's important in this county – protecting the environment, preserving
open spaces, and stopping the out of control development that threatens our
children's future quality of life," said Betsy Johnson, the group's Chair.
"Records of campaign contributions show that a few of our councilmembers
have been heavily supported by corporate developers who are pushing their
narrow interests - it's time to get a council that is not beholden to special
interests and that better represents the pro-environment views of our
citizens."
The Sierra Club
endorsees are:
¨
District 1: Duchy
Trachtenberg (D)
¨
District 2: Chuck
Young (D)
¨
District 2: Nancy
Dacek (R)
¨
District 3: Phil
Andrews (D)
¨
District 4: Marilyn
Praisner (D)
¨
District 5: Tom Perez
(D)
¨
At-Large: Blair Ewing
(D), Marc Elrich (D)
The Sierra Club
believes that slowing development and changing the way development occurs is
the key to protecting our air and water quality and preserving what is left of
Montgomery County's green space. The group reviewed the records and campaign
contributions of incumbents and interviewed challengers before making its
decision to endorse candidates who most closely share its vision for Montgomery
County. Prior to the general election
campaign contributions of all candidates will be available and will influence
the group's final endorsement decisions.
"We urge voters
to strongly consider whether a candidate is representing their interests, and
the interests of a clean, green Montgomery County when going to the polls this
fall," added Johnson.
CONTACT: Betsy Johnson,
Sierra Club Montgomery County Group Chair 301-656-4948 (h) or 202-752-8323 (w);
or Gary Skulnik, Sierra Club Montgomery County Group Executive Committee member
202-413-8534