Letter To The Editor:

Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards, the Democratic candidates for Montgomery County commissioner, have received the endorsement of Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania.                

This is the second major environmental organization to endorse Shapiro and Richards in the campaign.  Earlier, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Group of the Sierra Club endorsed the pair.                

Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania is an organization that works to elect leaders who understand the importance and urgency of protecting our environment.  

“The citizens of Montgomery County deserve clean water, safe air and green open spaces that protect their quality of life,” said CVPA Executive Director Josh McNeil.  “Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards have the experience and the commitment to keep Montgomery County and its families healthy.” 

In announcing its endorsement, CVPA said, “With the right commissioners in charge, the Montgomery County Commission has the potential to significantly improve the health of the environment for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians. As supervisor of Whitemarsh Township, Leslie Richards has led important efforts to improve storm water management and to preserve the Erdenheim Farm – one of the great open space successes in recent years. As a state legislator, Josh Shapiro maintained an excellent environmental voting record and championed important conservation legislation like Growing Greener 2.” 

Richards said, "It is an honor to receive the endorsement of the Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania. The preservation of Erdenheim Farm is the signature accomplishment of my time as a Whitemarsh supervisor, and I look forward to being able to do similar projects as a Montgomery County commissioner."

Shapiro said, "Protection of the environment has been an important part of my work in the legislature and the endorsement by the Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania is a distinct honor. As a Montgomery County commissioner I will work hard to continue the county's open space program and continue to develop the planned trail program throughout the county."