LWV Logo 

THE VOTER    

September  2016

 

In This Issue
Like us on Facebook

LWV Events 

Thu, Sep 22
LWVAC Fall Luncheon
Gainesville Golf & Country Club
11:30 am

Tue, Sep 27
Education Team Meeting
Santa Fe College Downtown
Campus Board Room
11:30 am 


Save The Date
Wed, Oct 5  
Natural Resources Committee Meeting
 Ideas Room (DB 120) CIED building Downown  Santa Fe College
     5:30 pm

 
Mon, Oct 17
Satirical Skit: Political Folly
Oak Hammock
 Oak Room

 7 pm
Meet and greet social to follow

Sun, Oct 23
LWVAC General Election
Candidate Forum
Downtown Library Hqtrs.
Meeting Room A, 4th Floor
1:15 - 3 pm



GET UP-TO-DATE CALENDAR information:
www.lwv-alachua.org




2016-2017
Leadership Team
LWVAC
Pres: Sue Legg
VP: Janet Allen    
Secretary:Arlene Brummer 
Treasurer:  Karen Seabury
  
Elected Directors:
Diane Dimperio
Barbara Glass
Gail Sasnett-Stauffer
Wes Wheeler   

Oak Hammock Unit:
  
The Village Unit:
Rosalie Bandyopadhyay

Advocacy:
Katy Burnett

Citizenship Ceremonies: Mary White

Communications:
Barbara Glass

Dues Treasurer & Roster Manager:
Carole Fernandez


Education:
Jean Robinson

Events:
Billie Staff

Health Care:
Diane Dimperio

Hot Topics:
Mitzi Austin &
Harvey Goldstein

Internships:
Katy Burnett

Local Issues:
Sue Hatch

Membership:
Kathy Kidder &
Mary Monahan

Natural Resources:
Julia Reiskind

Social & Criminal Justice: Bennett Brummer

Speakers Bureau:
Donna Waller

Unit Coordinator:
Rosalie Bandyopadhyay

Voter Service:   
Gail Sasnett-Stauffer  
  
Update contact information or obtain a current membership directory:   
Quick Links
Our local League website

Florida League website
http://thefloridavoter.org/

LWV US website
LWV Education Blog
http://lwveducation.com/
patriotic-graphic-banner.gif
The League Readies for the 2017 Legislative Session
 
By Sue Legg Sue Legg
The committees for the 2017 legislative session will soon be organizing in Tallahassee.  A joint budget review meeting has already been held, so committee members will be able to estimate how much revenue they can expect.  While the session itself begins March 7, 2017, new requests for general bills must be filed in late January.  The League of Women Voters is getting prepared.
 
Local leagues submitted their legislative priorities to the LWVF state office on September 15th.  Members of the board will synthesize the local league priorities and submit the official state priorities to each league for review.
 
Once the priorities are adopted, they become the basis for League advocacy in the 2017 legislative session.  Our lobbyist, Debbie Harrison Rumberger, will attend committee meetings, track pending legislation and give us updates.
 
Our local league priorities were:  1) Voter Service  2) Education 3) Natural Resources 4) Health Care and 5) Social and Criminal Justice.  For more detail see:  LINK 
 








 
LAST REMINDER:  Fall Luncheon

Thursday, September 22nd, 11:30 am, Gainesville Golf & Country Club.


 OR  use the registration form that was included with your invitation and mail your check to:
                        Jean LeMire
                        3746 NW 55th PL
                        Gainesville, FL 32653-0815



In November, vote NO to utility-backed Amendment #1
   
By Pamela Goodman
     President, LWVF

 
Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, free market advocates, solar industry reps and non-partisan advocacy groups joined together to launch a citizen-led "Vote No On 1" campaign explaining that "Amendment 1 Blocks the Sun."
 
In true "David and Goliath" form, this grassroots campaign must compete against the nearly $19 million contributed by utilities and their supporters to date.
 
Leaders from across the political spectrum explained how Amendment 1 will stifle solar power and keep Floridians captive power consumers because Amendment 1 is funded by Florida's big utilities to protect their monopoly markets and limit customer-owned solar, Amendment 1 paves the way for barriers that would penalize solar customers, and  Amendment 1 misleads Florida voters by promising rights and protections that Florida citizens already have.
 
If you agree with the League of Women Voters of Florida that clean solar energy makes SENSE in Florida, stand up for solar in Florida on November 8, 2016 and vote NO on Amendment 1.
 
 

patriotic-graphic-banner.gif
 
2016 General Election Voter Guides
By Billie Staff

The Voter Guides have arrived!  This is one of the League's most popular publications.  It is published every four years to inform voters of the pros, cons and consequences of the amendments, and the FAQs about the Supreme Court.

BUT, they won't be informative if they stay in my garage!  PLEASE help in getting them out to your community.

They will be available at the luncheon for anyone wanting multiple copies.

Contact me:  [email protected] , or 352-338-8352.
Thanks in advance!


graphic-american-flag.gif
Important Voting Dates
and Resources

Last date to register to vote:            Oct. 11
Early Voting                                      Oct. 29-Nov. 5
Election Day                                     Nov. 8

patriotic-graphic-banner.gif
General Election Candidate Forum: DATE CHANGE
 
New date:  Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016.

Downtown Library 1:15 - 3pm.

More details to come.




Speakers Bureau is looking for committed volunteers
By Donna Waller
 
The goal of the League of Women Voters is to empower citizens to shape better communities worldwide.  As a nonpartisan political organization the League encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
 
YOU can be part of fulfilling the League's mission by reaching out to the public and providing information on a variety of topics: 
  • Voting and Election process;
  • Ballot Issues;
  • Constitutional Revisions;
  • Health Care,
  • Land, Energy and Environment,
  • Social & Criminal Justice.
Coaching/training is provided by highly qualified members.
Contact:  [email protected]


Local Issues Committee has launched!
By Sue Hatch


The LWVAC Local Issues Committee met for the first time.  Members discussed specific local problems of mental health, good government, economic inequities and racial tension.  One topic that surfaced repeatedly was the relationship between the University of Florida and the City of Gainesville, especially in light of the university's proposed strategic development plan. 
   
We agreed that gaining a clearer understanding of the inner working of local government was a good place to start.  At our next meeting Jeanna Mastrodicasa will chart which offices within the City government are responsible for each of our identified issues
 
Please join us.  The date and place are pending, so please contact our chair, Sue Hatch at [email protected] , for updates. We look forward to an interesting presentation and lively discussion.


BIG THANK YOU
By Karen Seabury

The LWVUS recently let us know that we currently have a $500 balance in our national education fund!!!  

Great news - but because of a new system, we cannot identify WHO donated this gift.

If it was you, please let us know.  We want to let you know how much this means to us.  THANK YOU! 



GOOD JOB LWVAC: MEMBERSHIP HITS 300!!

Keep up the good work!!
New goal:  325?  350??


The VOTER is the official newsletter of The League of Women Voters of Alachua County/Gainesville