« Site upgrade and redesign | Main | Howard County 2006 General Election Voter's Guide »

Sierra Club Maryland endorses Ken Ulman

October 25, 2006

Sierra Club endorses Ken Ulman for County Executive

Please support the environment by voting for Ken Ulman for Howard County Executive on November 7, 2006. The Sierra Club is endorsing Mr. Ulman as the best candidate to protect the environment, preserve open space, and control growth.

First and foremost, Ken has made a public commitment to create a Department of Environmental Protection in Howard County. This is a long overdue step and one of the greatest things any County Executive could do to protect our natural environment, open space, clean air and clean water. In Montgomery County, the Department of Environmental Protection has made progress on everything from commercial and residential clean energy use, to air quality, to reduced chemical use on public lands. Ken’s commitment to creating this Department for Howard County speaks volumes about the direction his administration will take.

At the Sierra Club, our primary source for decision making on endorsements is record – not political party or election-year rhetoric. Ken started his tenure by sponsoring legislation to establish a 5% price preference for purchasing environmentally preferable products and equipment. Chris voted against this legislation and criticized the proposal as fiscally irresponsible. Ken also sponsored a smoking ban to promote clean air and public health. Again, Chris voted against the bill.

Ken has repeatedly taken the initiative on environmental issues. He introduced legislation that required a minimum 35 foot buffer of trees along wooded scenic roads. This bill finally put teeth in the Scenic Roads Act, and removed the inherent bias toward maximum development. Concerning growth - Ken voted to maintain environmental zoning on land that Chris voted to rezone, effectively removing environmental protections. Chris voted in support of extending water and sewer across Marriottsville Road, while Ken held the line against this expansion of water and sewer to the western part of the county. Ken also voted to decrease the number of annual housing allocations for the rural west in order to slow the rate of growth in that area and help the county achieve its agricultural preservation goals. Chris voted against it.

Chris’s record makes us skeptical of his recently touted “green” plan. We are endorsing Ken on the basis of his record, and his commitment to creating a Department of Environmental Protection for our county. This is a long overdue step and one of the greatest things any County Executive could do to protect the health of our natural environment and our communities.

This is why we are supporting Ken Ulman for County Executive and hope you will too. Please vote for Ken Ulman on November 7.