By Janice Garry
Dear Alachua County,
Happy New Year to each of you! I hope you enjoyed a joyous holiday season with those you love.
We’ve entered 2023 and exited The Year of the Huge Elections. As such, your hard-working Board has already pivoted our attention to important local issues and preparing voters for the 2024 elections. This month the Board will have an in-person (yipppeee!) planning session.
Also this month, we’ll be welcoming two interns. Leah, from Santa Fe College, and Bella, from UF, will be with us all semester. Of note, Bella used league voter information (produced by our Voter Services team) to make her ballot choices and was so impressed with the material that she decided to do her senior-year internship with us. Both have an interest in water, so they will be working on the Right to Clean Water (RTCW) petition drive with the Natural Resources Committee.
Speaking of which, if you have not yet caught the wave to help gather RTCW petitions, the momentum is building. Author Maya van Rossum, who wrote The Green Amendment, spoke in Gainesville recently. She is leading a nationwide effort to pass state constitutional amendments to give people the fundamental right to clean air, water, and a healthy environment.
In Florida, we’re focusing on water. Each of you can help. Start by contacting me. Then sign a petition. Get copies for friends and family.
- Want to stop reading about 1,000 manatees dying? Sign a petition.
- Want to stop reading about fecal material in springs too toxic for swimming? Sign a petition.
- Want to stop corporations from overdrawing water from springs that threatens the quality and quantity of drinking water? Sign a petition.
Finally, in 2023 we would like to form a committee on health care. To do that, we need leadership. If you’re interested, contact me.
Scroll down for more news-worthy information from your League of Women Voters!
In League,
Janice
[email protected]
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The Alachua County LWV needs volunteers (or suggestions for volunteers) to fill the following leadership positions: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and three elected Board directors. The Nominating Committee (Donna Waller, Janet Allen, Elaine Francis, Diana Boxer, and Roberta Gastmeyer) will begin meeting at the end of the month. If you are interested in holding any of these positions or wish to suggest someone, please contact a member of the committee.
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Introducing New Board Members | |
Please welcome our newest board members. Donna Waller has joined the team as Nominations Chair, and Mary White has taken over as Oak Hammock Committee Chair and will continue to lead LWV of Alachua County's role in Naturalizations. Thank you both for your service! You can meet the entire board on our website. | |
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Nominations: Donna Waller
I came to Gainesville as a graduate student in political theory in 1980 and never left. I was lucky enough to snag a job at SFC teaching U.S. history and American and State and Local Government. When I retired a decade ago, I became active in the LWV, serving as Speaker's Bureau chair and working on a student internship program. I have served on nominating committees in the past, and I am confident that we will find volunteers who will continue to provide excellent leadership for the chapter.
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Oak Hammock: Mary White
I have lived in Gainesville since the early 70's when my husband took a job in the math dept at UF. I taught for several years at Idylwild Elementary School. I now live at Oak Hammock, just a few blocks from Idylwild. I have two sons and three granddaughters. I have been a League member for several years. I was put in charge of the naturalization ceremony for the League by my dear friend, Kathy Kidder, several years ago.
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Join us for this exciting and timely, in-person Hot Topic where UF College of Law Professor Lyrissa Lidsky will discuss "Ten Things Everyone Should Know About the Supreme Court in January 2023" including recent decisions and predictions of future decisions. This event will occur in person on Thursday, January 26th at 6:30 p.m. in the LifeSouth Community Blood Center at 1221 NW 13th St, Gainesville. Attendees should enter the parking lot on the north side of the building and proceed to the main entrance under the portico. Then take the elevator or stairs to the second floor.
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Supreme Court Panel Discussion, March 2 @ 2 p.m. | |
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Our Voter Services team and the Santa Fe College Social and Behavioral Sciences are co-hosting a panel discussing Supreme Court cases that impact voting rights on the SFC campus on March 2nd beginning at 2 p.m. UF Professor Lyrissa Lidsky and SFC Professor Alan Beck will serve as panelists and LWV of Alachua County's own Donna Waller will moderate. Watch our website and Facebook page for more information.
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Want to bond with LWV members across the state? Want to remember why you are loyal to the League? Consider attending the LWV Lobby Days in Tallahassee March 7-8 and participate in advocating for the LWV's state legislative priorities. You will learn a lot about how the League and Tallahassee work! Watch for more information next month and a possible scholarship/sponsorship opportunity.
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LWV of Alachua County is joining LWVFL in supporting the Florida Right to Clean Water campaign, which is a constitutional amendment to clarify our priorities and a civil action to enforce our right to clean and healthy waters. The mission is to take this to Florida's voters; to educate them, to collect their petitions, and to ensure their voice is heard.
In Alachua County, we are responsible for getting 3,000 - 5,000 petitions signed and submitted to the Supervisor of Elections by March 1. We are already 25% of the way there, but we have a long way to go and can use any and all help to get there. In support of that, we will be at the following events:
- Jan 21 @ Florida Springs Institute Open House
- February 12 @ Vegetarian Festival
- April 8 @ Friends of O’Leno State Park
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We are also petitioning at farmer's markets around town including but not limited to Haile, US 441, Heartwood, and Cypress and Grove.
Are you available to volunteer during any of the above events? Is there another event you think we should attend? Are you interested in petitioning at your local farmers market? If so, please contact Janice ASAP! There's no time to waste!
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We have lost another strong supporter of LWV of Alachua County. If you know of a member who has passed, please let us know. | |
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Elizabeth Powers, a dedicated LWV volunteer and active member, passed peacefully on November 19, 2022. I overlapped with Elizabeth mostly circa 2007-2011, while I was in various leadership roles and always looking for League members to lend a hand. Luckily, Elizabeth was always there to answer the call, whether it was coordinating meeting reservations, bringing snacks to events, or attending events, usually with her husband, Stewart Neilson, in tow. She was particularly active and passionate about voter services, assisting with staffing and timekeeping for the candidate forums, helping with tabling events, and distributing voter information. Elizabeth was also active with the Fair Districts campaign in 2009-2010, helping with petition gathering, fundraising, and outreach. Elizabeth was sociable and opinionated, and usually had a good story about her time abroad in the U.S. Foreign Service or a critique of current affairs and politics. But most of all, she was always willing to show up and lend a hand. Elizabeth will be remembered for her staunch dedication and service to the League and the global community.
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The Latest From Your Committees | |
In this section, we bring you updates from your LWV of Alachua County committees. Committees are the best way to get involved in LWV of Alachua County and your local community. Feel free to reach out to the Committee Chairs to express interest, join their meetings, and get involved. | |
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Contact: Karen McCann
The Education Committee meets via Zoom on the second Wednesday of the month from 12:00-1:30 p.m. Our next meeting is on February 8, 2023. Please contact Karen for the Zoom link if you would like to attend. We welcome everyone!
Our committee is currently discussing student behavioral issues that have dramatically increased in our schools, not just locally, but across the state and nation as a result of the pandemic. We are looking at the data, how schools are reacting to the problem, and investigating what can be done to improve student behavior. During our January meeting, we reviewed and discussed Lake County's PASS (Positive Alternative to School Suspension) program and decided to request a visit to observe how the program operates. Lake County passed a .75 millage referendum that funds safety and mental health in each of their schools. As a result, they employ four additional support persons at each school to work with students who are having difficulty with behavior and/or mental health.
You may have also seen that the LWVFL is hosting in-person community conversations throughout the year and around the state. The first one will be co-hosted with the LWV of Sarasota County on January 23rd at 6:30 p.m. and will address a range of topics related to the current state of public education in Florida including funding, teacher shortages, and the impact of COVID-19 on schools. For those interested in the conversation, the event will be live-streamed on the LWVFL Facebook page.
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Contact: Jeff Shapiro
Late last year the Gainesville Sun discontinued publication of all “Guest Articles” and letters from readers. For many years publication of our own Guest Articles served our League well. The Local Issues Committee published two such articles in 2022 about racial inequities in health care. Excellent reporting by WUFT and Mainstreet Daily News has partially replaced the Sun’s absence and should be supported.
Local Issues proposes more volunteerism by League members. This year we should resume observation at and reporting on meetings of our City and County commissions and advisory committees. This can be done in person at public meetings, or at home via live or recorded video. The information gleaned will contribute solutions to the many local problems that we face in 2023. We can take a cue from our Natural Resources Committee, which is already doing an excellent job of speaking to local governments on environmental issues.
We need to advocate for positive actions. For example, blocking housing development in north Gainesville and western Alachua County will only exacerbate the local housing situation. Climate change is already accelerating immigration from South Florida, disadvantaging those here who can’t afford competitive rental and purchase prices. Recent protests and a vote against affordable housing in east Gainesville will increase the housing inequities and are threatening funding for affordable housing.
PLEASE JOIN the Local Issues Committee on Zoom on Thursday, January 19th at 5:30 p.m. and learn how YOU can get involved. Contact Jeff Shapiro.
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Contact: Jay Rosenbek or Roberta Gastmeyer
Next Meeting: January 18th @ 5:30 p.m.
County Commissioner Anna Prizzia will be zooming with the Natural Resource committee on January 18th at 5:30 p.m. to talk about the 1% sales surtax referendum voters approved in November and how the Wild Spaces Public Places portion of that tax will be used to support land conservation, parks and recreation, and our local agriculture. All League members are welcome to join us. Email Jay Rosenbek to sign up to receive the meeting Zoom link, which then will be emailed on January 17th.
We continue to watch for the GRU gas rebates and the Hickory Sink/Lee Property issues to be addressed in the Gainesville City Commission and Alachua County Board of County Commissioner meetings, respectively.
Please contact Roberta or Jay if you want more information or to join our meetings.
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Contact: Mary White
Next Meeting: February 14th @ 7:00 p.m.
In January, Oak Hammock hosted Dr. Frank Catalanotta, a member of Florida for Dental Access, who informed the group that inside a massive appropriation bill now in Congress is a provision to allow federal funding for dental therapists.
Our February 14th meeting will feature Phillip Benson, Hydrologist with the Bureau of Water Resource Information, St John’s River Management District, speaking on Managing Florida’s Biggest Waterbody, the Florida Aquifer.
Oak Hammock typically meets at 7:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month in the Oak Room. The meetings may be recorded and available to watch at a later date. Watch for more information.
After 65 years of active League service, June Girard has retired as Chair of the Oak Hammock Committee (thank you, June!). Mary White now takes over, so please contact Mary if you have any questions.
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Contact: Bennett Brummer
The focus of SCJC is on improving the adult and juvenile criminal justice system. We emphasize deflection and diversion from the criminal justice system through prevention and treatment consistent with accountability and justice.
While the SCJC does not meet regularly, any LWV of Alachua County member who would like a committee orientation or would like to initiate a new committee project (and who is willing to do the work to carry that project forward) is also welcome to consult the chair to screen and plan for that project.
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Contact: Gwen Wagner and Diana Boxer
Our next meeting is currently scheduled for February 1st at 6:30 p.m.
A handful of tabling events are coming up. All League members are welcome to volunteer. Contact Gwen or Diana. Since there is overlap with the Florida Right to Clean Water campaign, you may also contact Janice to volunteer.
- January 21 @ Florida Springs Institute Open House
- February 12 @ Vegetarian Festival
- April 8 @ Friends of O’Leno State Park
We are also petitioning for the Florida Right to Clean Water campaign at farmers markets around town including but not necessarily limited to Haile, US 441, Heartwood, and Cypress and Grove. We are always looking for volunteers.
On March 2 from 2-4 p.m. at Santa Fe College, we are co-hosting with the SF College Social and Behavioral Sciences, a panel discussing Supreme Court cases that impact voting rights. UF Professor Lyrissa Lidsky and SFC Professor Alan Beck will serve as panelists and LWV of Alachua County's own Donna Waller will moderate. Watch for more information.
We are exploring Voter Registration at local high schools and considering voter registration events at public library branches.
Several committee members plan to attend Lobby Days in Tallahassee on March 7-8.
Contact us to get involved.
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LWV of Alachua County Leadership Team
President: Janice Garry
Vice-President: Deb Shimon
Secretary: Eileen Roy
Treasurer: Fran Towk
Past President: Lynn Frazier
A full list of LWV of Alachua County Board Members and Committee Chairs can be found here.
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To avoid missing future LWV of Alachua County email, please add our email address to your Safe Senders List or add the From address ([email protected]) to your Address Book or Contacts. | | | | |
