Dear friend:

There are now less than three weeks left until election day! Many of the
closest races for Congress in the country are happening right here in Iowa.
Most of these races involve clear differences between the candidates on
issues like environmental protection, sustainable agriculture and renewable
energy.

Clean Water Action is working  to help get out the vote for
pro-environment/pro-healthy community candidates. We're writing to request
your participation in this effort, by attending events in communities
throughout the 4th congressioal district to "get out te message" on
environmental issues, or joining our friend-to-friend postcard campaign or
letter to the editor network.

Here's what is going on and how you can help:

Friday, October 18th.
This is the 30th Anniversary of the passage of the Clean Water Act, which was
written with the goal of "making all waters safe for fishing and swimming by
1985." Clearly, we have a long way to go. Write a letter to the editor
highlighting that contrasts positions of candidates on environmental issues.

Saturday, October 19th.
Please join us in Algona for the kick-off of an efffort with the League of
Rural Voters to raise "heartland security" issues in the final weeks of the
campaign. There will be a press conference in Veterans Park along the Des
Moines River at 2:30 urging support for candidates that support issues such
as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, water quality protections and
rural economic development. Afterward, we'll distribute literature throughout
the area and celebrate with locally grown food and local musicians at Trio's
in Burt. For more information and to volunteer, contact Stephanie Weisenbach,
<A HREF="[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]</A>
.
October 19th -- Sierra Club lit drop of piece comparing 4th CD candidates
(Norris, Latham) on environmental issues. Meet at 10 a.m at the Ames public
library. For more information, contact Lyle Krewson, <A HREF="[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]</A>

Iowa Citizen Action Network (ICAN) is hosting four rural forums to examine
the impact of corporate dominance in agriculture. The schedule is:

Oct. 15, 4-H building at Adair County Fairgrounds, 7-9 p.m.
Oct. 17, Dyersville, Country Junction restaurant, 7-9 p.m.
Oct. 24, Webster City, Middle School Commons, 7-9 p.m.
Oct. 29, Fairfield, Best Western Fairfield Inn, 7-9 p.m.

For more information about how you can help make these rural forums
successful, contact Stephanie Jobst of ICAN, <A HREF="[log in to unmask]" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]</A>.

Clear Lake. Press conference on "heartland security" issues followed by
distribution of literature. Date to be determined.

October 26th, 27th -- Literature distribution in Clear Lake,  Decorah and
towns in between
>
Nov. 2 and 3rd -- Final blitz of towns to to get out the
pro-environment/healthy communities vote before election.
>
Nov. 5th -- election day
>
Letter to the Editor Network
>
We are looking for folks who can help "get out the message" about sustainable
agriculture, the environment, local economic development, renewable energy or
related areas of interest to you through letters to the editor in local
papers.
>
Postcard Campaign
>
Clean Water Action has postcards available that promote support of candidates
strong on the issues described above in the U.S. Senate race and 4th
Congressional district race. Contact Lori Hunt (<A HREF="[log in to unmask])" target="_blank">http:[log in to unmask])">[log in to unmask])</A> if you
would like some to distribute to friends and colleagues.
>
We look forward to hearing from you!
>
Stephanie, Lori and John, Clean Water Action


forwarded by
Erin E. Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
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