The Voter

April 2025

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President's Message

By Janice Garry


I have great news! Two new members, Jennifer Hoover and Suzanna Smith, have stepped up to restart our Education Committee! It has been latent for over a year after the chair stepped down. As co-chairs, Jennifer and Suzanna will attend school board meetings and home in on local education issues to address. When they’re ready to begin committee meetings, we’ll spread the word!


More good news: Emmy Scott, a Santa Fe College chapter member, has stepped into the Hospitality Chair position. Emmy has organized and marketed a number of events, most recently her own wedding. Congratulations, Emmy! She’ll plan our Fall Luncheon, Holiday Party and Annual Meeting.


I have sad news. Ruth Angaran, a longtime and devoted League member, passed away on March 31. The celebration of her life took place on April 12. Her thoughtful sister, Rebecca Watson, has asked those who love her to donate to our League in lieu of flowers. We are grateful.


Now, here is our needs list:


*Sherry Steiner and Jeff Shapiro are a sterling team as our Membership Co-chairs. Jeff does the Zoom and video tech, Sherry runs the New Member Orientation discussion each month. This is a key function where we welcome new members and learn about their interests as League members. Due to health issues, we need a tech person to handle Zoom-host duties during the meetings, with a time commitment of 1-2 hours a month. Can you help?


*It’s time to put together our Budget Committee to review and revise the budget for 2025-26. Last year’s committee did an outstanding job and Anne D’Amico, our treasurer, has designed clear, helpful spreadsheets. We need a budget chair and another one or two people to help. How about you?


*We need a new president! Many of you have heard me say that being president is the best job I’ve ever had. It is rewarding and interesting. It has allowed me to use the League's outstanding brand to lend a strong voice to community issues. Much of the role is up to the individual president’s time and interests. Find a friend and be co-presidents!


*We need a new Communications Chair! Many thanks to Mickie Anderson who has stepped up to compose the Voter and Calendar each month. Now we need somebody(s) who can manage the website and social media. How about you? Or somebody you know? Let’s all recruit!


*If you can’t do any of the above, there’s something you can do. Take action every single day to object to the breakdown of our branches of government, the questionable firing of federal workers, the national security breach by officials using the unsecure Signal app and the breach of security at Social Security. Join our What You Can Do (WYCD) Campaign! Send me an email with “What You Can Do” in the subject line and about once a week, an email will come with topics, suggested questions and legislators' phone numbers. Info on local actions such as protests are also promoted.


Our goal is that WYCD will take 10 minutes or less every day.

In memoriam: Ruth Angaran

Ruth Slaughter Angaran, a longtime League of Women Voters of Alachua County volunteer, died March 31. She was 82.


Angaran, who lived in Gainesville, served as the LWVAC's roster manager. Chapter president Janice Garry wrote that Angaran was "a steadfast, devoted League member. Her life continues on in the good work that touched many lives."


A memorial service was held April 12 at The Village.


Please see her obituary.

Gun violence team secures grant

The League of Women Voters of Alachua County's Gun Violence Prevention and Safety Committee has been awarded a $9,800 grant to help thwart the rising numbers of gun-related deaths.


Labeling gun violence a public health crisis, county leaders created a $50,000 grant fund in late 2024 and invited non-government grassroots organizations to submit proposals aimed at curbing the issue.


The Gun Violence Prevention and Safety Committee had been studying the issue of gun violence for months. They've brought in experts, dissected the topic and reviewed loads of data.


Following the data, they zeroed in on the fact that suicides by firearms are responsible for more deaths locally than gun-related homicides.


The project is a community awareness campaign with a goal to prevent firearm suicide and unintentional firearm death and injury by focusing on safe gun storage.


In 2023, there were 40 firearm-related deaths in Alachua County. About 75% of the deaths were suicides, 21% were homicides. The trend has been steadily upward: In 2019, there were 13 suicide deaths in the county, compared with 30 in 2023.


The plan calls for using the money to buy gun locks and palm cards the League can give away during public events and tabling sessions. Some of the money may also go toward public events to raise awareness about suicide, such as warning signs.The primary message is that to prevent suicide death and accidental injury, gun owners must store firearms safely. The League will likely sponsor presentations and create public service announcements about safe gun storage.



LWVAC Vice President Gwendolyn Saffo chairs the Gun Violence Prevention and Safety committee; LWVAC Secretary Diane Dimperio wrote the grant proposal.


If you'd like to be part of the effort, please get in touch with Gwendolyn. Want more data on gun violence in Alachua County and beyond? Here it is.

'Remembering Hope' concert

LWVAC President Janice Garry and Lizzie Robinson Jenkins, founder of The Real Rosewood Foundation.

First United Methodist Church of Gainesville sponsored "Remember Hope," a March 29 concert celebrating the 200th anniversary of Alachua County through our shared history of civil rights, women's suffrage, LGBTQ+, veterans, and all those who struggle for equality and to be seen in North Central Florida. 


LWVAC was proud to be a community partner for this event, which according to LWVAC President Janice Garry, "was amazing." She spoke at the event and you can read her address here. There was a choir and orchestra made up of church and community members. Other speakers included Lizzie Jenkins, who spoke about the Rosewood massacre, as well as representatives from the Gainesville Area Aids Program and the Pride Center.


County Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler read a proclamation. A recording of the full concert is here.  


Thanks to FUMC and all of the sponsors for this wonderful event.

Time to ask to Vote by Mail

Did you know all Florida voters who want to vote by mail in 2025 and 2026 must submit a new vote-by-mail ballot request to their county Supervisor of Elections?


You must renew your request every two years.


Renew now: VoteAlachua.gov/Voters/Vote-by-Mail

Need a speaker?

Speakers Bureau expands topics


The League of Women Voters of Alachua County Speakers Bureau is happy to announce an addition to our list of available presentations.


Alachua County has awarded LWVAC a grant to reduce firearm-related suicides and we have prepared an informational program available to interested groups.


If you need a speaker, contact Candy Birch. Here are topics we cover:

  • Gun violence prevention in Alachua County
  • Medicaid expansion in Florida
  • Building resilience to mis/disInformation
  • Restoring voting rights to felons
  • Civics/civility/critical thinking 
  • National Popular Vote
  • What is the League of Women Voters?

Committee updates

Campus Outreach


Santa Fe College

Linda Mussillo, LWVSF liaison/adviser

Gianna Rivera, LWVSF chapter president

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The LWVSF chapter has tabled at least once a week during "Active April!" At our table, students on campus are informed and engaged about voting by mail, petitions, legislative priorities, local protests supported by LWV, and the League in general. Next month, we look forward to planning the year's activities.


University of Florida

Diana Boxer, LWVUF liaison/adviser

Megan Jenkins, LWVUF chapter president

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The LWVUF chapter has new officers for the coming year. They are: Megan Jenkins, president, and Eden Layman, vice president. Contact us to get involved!

Gun Violence Prevention and Safety

Contact: Gwendolyn Saffo


The committee meets on Zoom the third Tuesday each month at 6:30 p.m. This month, the meeting is April 15.

 

Meeting ID: 874 0958 3526

Passcode: 962879


Did you know? Suicides account for about 27% of gun deaths for children and teens. The vast majority of child and teen gun suicides and unintentional shootings occur at home. Nearly 80% of child gun suicides involve a gun that belongs to a family member.


Health Care

Contacts: Barbara Frentzen and Kim Walsh-Childers

 

The Health Care Committee's meeting date has shifted and the group will meet April 21 at 4 p.m. in Conference Room A at Oak Hammock. Next month's meeting is set for May 12.

Oak Hammock

Contact: Mary White


The Oak Hammock committee's next meeting is set for Tuesday, May 13 at 7 p.m. The planned speaker is Dr. Alexandra Monaco, who will discuss the state of women's health in Florida. All are invited.

Voter Services

Contact: Dillon Boatner


The Voter Services committee meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Join us on Zoom. May 5 is the next meeting date.

Comments, Questions, Feedback? Contact the editors, Connie Nicklin and Mickie Anderson

LWV of Alachua County Leadership Team


President: Janice Garry

Vice President: Gwendolyn Saffo

Secretary: Diane Dimperio

Treasurer: Anne D’Amico


A full list of LWV of Alachua County Board Members and Committee Chairs can be found here.

League of Women Voters of Alachua County

info@lwv-alachua.org | www.lwvalachua.org

352-448-5408

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