Environmental organization Sierra Club has announced its endorsements of the campaigns of Richard McKinnon, Ted Winterer, Terry O’Day, and John C. Smith who are vying for four open seats on the Santa Monica City Council on Nov. 6.
The club released a statement late Monday night announcing the endorsements, saying that its organization has endorsed in previous City Council elections for many years.
“Out of the 15 candidates and after interviewing nine of those who completed questionnaires for consideration for endorsement, we believe these candidates best reflect the ideals of Sierra Club that John Muir would be proud of and who can lead the City of Santa Monica in its next stage of being a truly green city,” said Darrell Clarke, a former Santa Monica Planning Commissioner who is also a former chair of the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter and is currently co-chair of the national Sierra Club’s “Beyond Oil” campaign.
Among the significant issues candidates discussed with Sierra Club leaders were pollution and health concerns caused by Santa Monica Airport, over development and traffic issues, regional wildlife protection including Santa Monica’s continuing partnership with Sierra Club on protection of the Ballona Wetlands, leading-edge sustainability, energy and water conservation, and tree-protection in the city.
