A local political action group has endorsed City Council candidates who they said fit their ideals for Ames.

Ames Citizens for Better Local Government formed during the summer of 2004 to try to elicit change in council representation and to get their opinions heard. In the past, the group has opposed the construction of a new mall in Ames.

“We believed there was a need for change in leadership in City Council due to several decisions made in the past years, especially in land use,” said Erv Klaas, board president for the group.

On Wednesday, Klaas said the group voted to endorse 1st Ward candidate Dan Rice, 3rd Ward candidate Ryan Doll and at-large candidate Jim Popken.

The group, comprising approximately 70 members, invited each candidate to give a 10- to 15-minute speech on his or her visions, then group members asked the candidates specific questions.

Klaas said two of the issues they focused on during the individual interview process pertained to land-use policies and environmental concerns.

“We need to establish a land-use policy that reflects the smart growth principles, which they are not using currently,” he said. “We also need to protect the streams that flow in the city. The city should take a lead in trying to establish those streams into high-quality waterways.”

Klaas also said the city needs to have a much stronger recycling program and aggressive energy protection.

Rice said he was happy to have the group’s support.

“This group is the one group that is looking for candidates that will represent the citizens of Ames in the way they want to be represented,” he said. “This is a group that wants the best for Ames and I am very glad they endorsed me.”

Doll also said he was glad the group supported him, and its stances are in line with his.

“This says a large group supports you and that is important,” he said.

Candidates who weren’t endorsed by the group expressed few hard feelings, although some were not surprised.

“Their endorsement is like any other political action group endorsement,” said Robin Habeger, 1st Ward candidate. “I would have appreciated their support but they have their own initiative. I do look forward to being on council and hope to hear their input on where they want the city to go.”

Jeremy Davis, 3rd Ward candidate, said he respects the group’s decision, but said voter endorsement is what counts.

“I think my most important endorsement will come from the Ames residents in the 3rd Ward,” he said.

Daryle Vegge, 3rd Ward candidate, said he wasn’t surprised the group didn’t support him.

“I feel that they are a ‘single-issue’ group – the mall – and so far, I have been on their wrong side of that issue,” he said. “They are supporting the candidates I thought they would.”

Russ Cross, at-large candidate, said the group is an extension of the activist anti-mall group Smart Growth, which was formerly headed by Popken, so it was no surprise to him that the didn’t group support him.

Klaas said the group, although divided, decided to remain neutral on the mayoral candidates.

“We were disappointed that we don’t have a candidate that we could endorse,” he said.

Ann Campbell, mayoral candidate, said she thought it was worth noting that they couldn’t make a decision.

“It’s interesting that they didn’t see a difference between us,” she said. “I hope that, if elected, I would still be able to work with them.”