Date: October 22, 2001

Contacts: Dan Coleman, 928-9237, Robert Porter, 933-7613,

The Orange-Chatham Group of the Sierra Club (OCG) today announced its endorsement of Ed Harrison, Dorothy Verkerk, and Mark Kleinschmidt for Chapel Hill Town Council. OCG Political Chair, Dan Coleman explained, "In a year with only one incumbent seeking reelection, we are pleased to be supporting two candidates with strong environmental track records on local issues and one with an overall excellent understanding of the issues. If voters elect these three as well as Kevin Foy for Mayor, Chapel Hill will at last have a Council whose environmentalism matches that of its citizens." The endorsement was based on the candidates' records of public service, their performance at the Sierra Club forum, and the candidates' responses to a questionnaire.

Coleman stated, "Although Mark Kleinschmidt lacks the record of environmental involvement of Harrison and Verkerk, his performance at our forum and on our questionnaire was head and shoulders above the other seven candidates. Particularly strong were his critique of road widening and walled neighborhoods and his objection to the projected traffic increase stemming from the planned development of UNC's Horace Williams property. We are confident that Mark Kleinschmidt will be a strong environmentalist on the Town Council."

The Orange-Chatham Group of the Sierra Club has approximately 2400 members. Endorsement recommendations are made by an executive committee that is elected by the members and are approved by the executive body of the North Carolina chapter.