How green is your candidate? Well you may have a chance to find out. The BlackHawk Sierra Club is holding a candidate’s forum at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4848 Turner St., Rockford.

Winnebago County Board candidates have been invited to attend and talk about environmental and land use issues facing Winnebago County.

The biggest issue is how to handle growth that is expected in coming years. DeKalb County is already facing many of the issues residents here will soon face (see post, Farmland vs Sprawl)

According to the Blackhawk Sierra Club:

It’s critical that the County Board candidates know you are concerned about urban sprawl and the quality of air and water. This is the time to tell them about your support of bike paths, hiking trails and land acquisition for the forest preserves.

Land use and zoning, forest preserves, economic development and transportation are topics candidates will be asked to discuss.

Reginald Arkell, long-range planner for Winnebago County, will introduce the Forum with a presentation about the update of the County Land Use Plan, and what the County Board can do to control urban sprawl, protect natural areas and preserve farmland.

Jamie Johhansen will present the results of the “Green Communities” public opinion poll about preserving open land and greenways along our rivers and streams. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call Stanley Campbell, conservation chair, at (815) 964-7111.