Sierra Club Candidate Questionnaire

One project I'm helping with is the local Sierra Club's candidate questionnaire and forum for Springfield Alderman and Mayor candidates. The Sierra Club isn't endorsing candidates in the city elections so no one should interpret what I write as an official or unofficial endorsement.

The survey responses will be released to the public and press sometime in the next week. I've seen some of the responses already and I have to say that I'm seriously impressed. I've come to expect caution and timidity from Springfield candidates, but several surveys that I've seen so far offer exciting new ideas. Greg at CESblog has a post about one of the questions.

I'm sure some candidates won't return the questionnaire. I can understand why someone who doesn't agree with the Sierra Club's agenda to protect the environment would not want to answer the questions. They're letting us know where they stand by not responding.

What I don't understand is the attitude a few candidates have that they won't respond to surveys from any group at all. I'm not picking on Frank Kunz because I know he's not the only one, but he was quoted in the SJ-R as saying that he doesn't fill out any such surveys because the groups who send them out usually want something.

Yes, of course they want something. The Sierra Club wants to improve the environmental quality of life for all residents. The NAACP wants civil rights and equal opportunity for all people regardless of race. Unions want good jobs, safe working conditions and a better standard of living for their members. Is there anything wrong with that?

At least these groups work in the public interest and are open about what they want. Can the same be said of everyone who shows up at political fundraisers? Shouldn't we be more worried about contributors who want something at taxpayer expense rather than citizen groups who are only seeking to impact the public debate?

I only received two candidate questionnaires when I ran for county board and I filled them both out. I think its one of the basic jobs of a candidate to let people know where you stand on the issues. If someone can't do that then they should reconsider running for office.

All Springfield candidates for Alderman and Mayor have been invited to speak briefly at the Sierra Club's next meeting, Tuesday, March 27, 7:00pm in Carnegie Room of the Lincoln Library.