By Janice Garry
Dear Alachua County,
Have you seen the robins? Have you noticed the longer days? The sun is still shining. The world is still a beautiful place. Be glad.
We’ve been looking for a fun social event for getting together and enjoying fellow Leaguers in a safe space. On February 25 from 4-8 p.m., at Cypress & Grove Brewery, there will be a documentary showing about Grow Hub. You may know that Grow Hub is a local nonprofit nursery that employs adults living with disabilities. It is a wonderful place for native plants as well as other landscape plants. What better way to celebrate spring than with your fellow Leaguers in a fun setting, learning about a local nursery? You might even be inspired to dig in the soil and plant beautiful green things. At the event, some of us will be holding clipboards and soliciting signatures for the Right to Clean Water amendment. Come early and help us! We will have LWV lanyards to pass out to Leaguers so we can identify each other and sit together. RSVP to me.
Looking for a way to help your League? We have a member who is interested in joining one or more of you to form a Healthcare Committee. She’s a retired nurse practitioner with a wonderful background. Let me know if you would like to join her and others on this important issue.
Go look in the mirror and ask, “What I am I doing to help boost my community?” If you are not completely satisfied with the answer, scroll down and help one of our committees, volunteer for a board position, or contact me to help with the Right to Clean Water petition drive. We need more hands.
In League,
Janice
[email protected]
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Call for Nominations
The Alachua County LWV is seeking nominations to fill the following leadership positions: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and three elected Board directors. If you are interested in holding any of these positions or wish to suggest someone, please contact a member of the Nominating Committee (Donna Waller, Janet Allen, Elaine Francis, Diana Boxer, and Roberta Gastmeyer).
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Education Committee Chair
After two years of great work as chair of the Education Committee, Karen McCann will be stepping down at the end of May, the current term. Prior to being chair, Karen was co-chair and worked on such important issues as the teacher shortage. Currently she is leading the group as they examine post-COVID student behavior issues and solutions. If the education of our next generation is your interest and you would be willing to provide leadership to the group, please contact Janice.
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Local Issues Committee Chair
For some two years, Jeff Shapiro has led the Local Issues Committee where many important issues have been discussed, including healthcare disparity and affordable housing shortages. Thank you, Jeff! As Jeff has taken on a new League role, the Local Issue Committee is looking for new leadership. One member has expressed an interest in forming a healthcare committee, but she can't do it alone. Are you interested in healthcare or maybe another local issue? Please contact Janice if you can help.
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Introducing the new Membership Co-Chairs | |
Sherry Steiner and Jeff Shapiro are teaming up to be Membership Co-chairs. Jeff is moving over from chairing the Local Issues Committee. Sherry is new to league leadership. As such, she has shared her story below. Thank you both for your service! You can meet the entire leadership team on our website. | |
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Membership: Sherry Steiner
I joined the League in 2017. I have started to attend Natural Resources Committee meetings and have decided to become more involved in League activities because of our increasingly threatening climate situation and the difficult political challenges we face. I retired in 2015 after teaching homebound special education for 39 years in Levy County. Since the 1980s, I have worked to elect local officials who care about our climate and have been active in numerous environmental projects, most recently concerning renewable energy. I feel that the League is a great avenue through which to pursue a more hopeful future for our children and grandchildren. I am excited to co-chair the Membership Committee with Jeff Shapiro and look forward to meeting new (and old!) members.
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As mentioned above in Janice's letter, we are planning an in-person social get-together at the February 25th Grow Hub event from 4-8 p.m. at Cypress & Grove Brewery. Some of us will also be soliciting signatures for the Right to Clean Water amendment. Come early and help us! We will have LWV lanyards so we can identify each other and sit together. Please RSVP to Janice if you'd like to help petition, join the social event, or both. | |
Our Voter Services team and the Santa Fe College Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences are co-hosting a panel discussion on the Moore v. Harper Supreme Court case and its potential impact on our elections. It will occur on the Santa Fe College northwest 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. Find out more and then mark your calendars! | |
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Registration is now open for Lobby Days in Tallahassee. This is a unique opportunity to meet with our local legislators and discuss our legislative priorities, get familiar with the Capital, and network with other League members.
LWVAC is pleased to offer reimbursement of your registration cost of $175.00 and to reimburse $110.00 per night of hotel for up to two nights. All reimbursements require participating in lobbying events and submitting receipts to our Treasurer, Fran Towk, AFTER you participate and the event has concluded. If you prefer to submit your receipts by USPS mail, they can be sent to Fran's attention at P.O. Box 15285, Gainesville, FL 32604-5285.
Please email Jean Robinson and Deb Shimon that you will be attending so appointments and training can be coordinated. If you have additional questions, please email Deb Shimon, Vice President of LWV of Alachua County.
All travel arrangements must be made by each individual, LWV of Alachua County is not arranging these details. Shared rooms and carpooling are recommended for cost savings. LWVFL has reserved a limited block of rooms so make your reservations soon.
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New members and continuing members alike are invited to come Zoom with us on Wednesday, March 8th at 7:00 p.m. We will share our League orientation video and get acquainted. Find out how you can get engaged in League committees. There will be time for questions. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP at least 1 day before the event to receive the Zoom link by email. | |
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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 well on our way there, but we have a long way to go and can use any and all help to meet our goals. In support of that, we will be at the following events:
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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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Julia Reiskind was a much beloved League member at the time of her death. She had been chair of the NR Committee and then later co-chair with Jay Rosenbek. For several years she and her husband, Jon, graciously hosted the League's Holiday Party in their home. Julia was a wonderful person and a champion for the environment. Those who knew her were grateful for the experience. She is sorely missed.
Jon Reiskind now invites you to a Celebration of Julia's Life on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Cotton Club Museum, 837 SE 7th Avenue, Gainesville, FL or via Zoom (Meeting ID: 847 0121 2225 and Passcode: 826035).
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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 March 8, 2023. Please contact Karen for the Zoom link if you would like to attend. We welcome everyone!
During our February meeting, we reviewed data on student discipline and attendance provided to us by Alachua County Public Schools. The information on discipline gave us monthly data by grade level (elementary, middle, and high), individual schools, and race. Student attendance was given in the same categories with the additional category of chronically absent. The data helped to substantiate the fact that schools with the lowest test scores also had higher rates of absenteeism and behavior issues.
As mentioned above, Karen is stepping down as Committee Chair at the end of May and we are actively seeking a new Chair. Please contact Janice or Karen if you may be interested in this important work.
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As noted above, Jeff Shapiro has taken on a new league role. As a result, the Local Issue Committee is paused while we look for new leadership. There are a number of local topics on which we could become informed and be advocates for our community. One member has expressed an interest in forming a healthcare committee, but she needs company. Will that be you? Or is there another topic of interest? Contact Janice if have ideas and would like to help. | |
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Contact: Jay Rosenbek or Roberta Gastmeyer
Next Meeting: February 22nd @ 6:30 p.m.
County Commissioner Anna Prizzia will be zooming with the Natural Resource committee on February 22nd at 6:30pm to talk about the 1% sales surtax referendum that voters approved last 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 receive the Zoom link.
More fun things in the works:
Stay tuned for more information.
Please contact Roberta or Jay to join our meetings.
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Contact: Mary White
Next Meeting: March 14th @ 7:00 p.m.
A video of our January presentation by Dr. Frank Catalanotto is now available on our website. Dr. Catalanotto discussed the state of oral health care in Florida and how we (and you) can help improve access.
In February, Oak Hammock hosted Phillip Benson, Hydrologist Bureau of Water Resource Information St John’s River Management District discussing the management of Florida’s biggest waterbody, the Florida Aquifer. A recording may be available at a later date.
Our March 14th meeting topic is still being finalized but will likely cover education and possibly banned books. Watch the website for more details.
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.
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Contact: Bennett Brummer
The SCJC focuses on improving the criminal justice system. We emphasize deflection and diversion from the criminal justice system through prevention and treatment consistent with accountability and justice. The committee is promoting implementation of a central receiving network, including co-responder units and improved dispatch. We have previously dealt with expanding the right to vote for felons who have completed their sentences, reforming money bail procedures, reducing drivers’ license suspensions, and reducing the transfer of juveniles to adult felony court.
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Contact: Gwen Wagner and Diana Boxer
Our next meeting is currently scheduled for March 1st at 6:30 p.m.
The Right to Clean Water petitioning continues at several tabling events:
- Ongoing petitioning at Farmers’ markets
- Feb. 4 event at First Magnitude Springs run
- Vegetarian Festival on Feb. 12
- High Springs Art Fair, March 24-26
March 2 event at Santa Fe College in Building WA, Room WA-108 at 2:00 p.m.
- Panel discussion about the Moore vs Harper Supreme court case
- Panelists: Dr. Alan Beck, Professor Larissa Lidsky; Moderator: Donna Waller
Lobby Days in Tallahassee: March 7-8: Several VS members are going
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. | | | | |
