| October 2024 |
| Vol. 71 No. 2 | | |
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LWVMI Helps Local Leagues
Denise Hartsough
Your State League receives $23 of the dues every member in Michigan pays. With those funds, plus donations and grants, LWV of Michigan and the LWVMI Education Fund help LWVKA and other local Leagues.
The State League:
- Passes through grants for local Voter Guides and townhall presentations
- Creates materials for presentations on key topics such as New Voting Rights and Resisting Disinformation
- Covers the $6000/year fee for the VOTE411 system
- Gathers candidate information and responses for state-level races
- Manages the training, sign-ups and reporting for observation of the Boards of Canvassers
- Provides inexpensive insurance for General Liability and Directors & Officers Liability
- Offers virtual forums for information sharing from LWVMI and among local Leagues regarding Voter Service, Membership Leadership, Observer Corps and Treasurers
- Maintains a League presence at the State Capitol; provides advocacy updates and alerts
- Offers virtual presentations on DEI and from networks on the Environment and Gun Safety
For more information, check out www.lwvmi.org. If you need the password for the LWV Only section, please ask an LWVKA Board member.
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October Voter Registration Update
Aimée Bedard
The League has had many requests for Voter Education and Registration Activities heading into the Fall and prior to the November Election. On September 17th which was National Voter Registration Day, the League participated in Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College registration events where we connected with over 100 students. We participated in back-to-school activities at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, WMU Lee Honor College, and WMU Multicultural Affairs. Other events included tabling at the YMCA, Art Hop, and Nation Outside. The League is playing a crucial role in providing voting information, answering questions, and directing voters to the best resources for their information needs.
Many thanks to past and new volunteers who supported our September Activities: Kimberly Bender, Emily Bettencourt, Aedin Clements, Barb Dircks, Sarah Erdmann, Denise Hartsough, Lotta Jarnefelt-Burns, Chris Kuthe, MerriKay Oleen-Burkey, Kay Perry, Kathy Purnell, and Ineke Way.
Please be on the lookout for emails requesting volunteers for October volunteer opportunities. Please contact me if you are not receiving volunteer emails.
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LWVUS Update — October
By Paula Manley
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National Voter Education Month
7-11 National Voter Education Week
11 International Day of the Girl
14 Indigenous People’s Day
15 National Hispanic Heritage Month Ends
24 United Nations Day
27 VOTE411’s 18th Birthday
29 Vote Early Day
October 11th is International Day of the Girl. In 2011 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. The theme for 2024 is "Girls’ Vision for the Future."
On October 14th we recognize Indigenous People’s Day which celebrates the history and contributions of Native Americans. It has been federally recognized since 2021.
United Nations Day October 24th commemorates the official creation of the United Nations on October 24, 1947. The League led a nationwide public campaign to establish a United Nations at the request of President Roosevelt. In 1945 President Truman invited the League to serve as a consultant to the US delegation at the UN Charter Conference. Since that time, the League has had a presence with one official and two alternate observers. In July 1997, the League was granted Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This consultative status allows intervention on issues the League supports. LWVUS can make formal oral or written statements to the UN and be consulted by the UN on areas in which the League has expertise.
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LWVKA’s Fall Candidate Forums
By Chris Kuthe
The Kalamazoo County Commissioners forum that was planned for September 11th was canceled because only 4 out of 16 candidates accepted or responded and they were all Democrats. This made it impossible for us to have a non-partisan forum.
The September 18th “Meet the Candidates” event at El Concilio was very successful. Candidates for County Sheriff, Treasurer, Clerk and District 9 Judge were all invited. Five candidates attended:
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County Treasurer candidates Dale Shugars and Thomas Whitener
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County Sheriff candidate Richard Fuller
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District 9 Judge candidate Christine Morse
Meredith Place, candidate for County Clerk, sent a statement that was read aloud as she was not able to attend the event due to a previous engagement. Mariko Willis, candidate for District 9 Judge, had to cancel at the last minute due to personal reasons. She sent a statement to be read out loud, but unfortunately we were all setting up for the event and did not see the email.
El Concilio had a mix up and double booked the facility, but they worked hard and we held the event outside. They provided tables and chairs and tents. About 50 people were in attendance. This event was co-sponsored by ISAAC, NAACP, WMU’s WeVote, Kalamazoo College, El Concilio, Disability Network of SW MI, Douglass Community Association and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense.
Thank you to MerriKay Oleen-Burkey, Denise Hartsough, Barb Dircks, Jennifer Snyder, Lindy Rose, Shardae Chambers, Kimberly Bender, Emily Bettencourt and Ineke Way for their help at the information table and the candidate tables.
We have been working very hard with the Holland and Berrien/Cass Leagues to arrange a Congressional District 4 forum with Bill Huizenga and Jessica Swartz. Unfortunately we have not received a response for possible dates from Representative Huizenga’s office.
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Volunteer for Public Accuracy Test and BOC
By Chris Kuthe
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Kalamazoo County Public Accuracy Testing at 9:00 am at assorted Clerks Offices(20 total). Public Accuracy testing is conducted to determine that the program(s) and the computer being used to tabulate the results of the November election counts the votes in the manner prescribed by the law. Testing is conducted by the Clerks. The LWVKA would like members to observe as many sites as possible. Please consider signing up. Observers will be asked to send their observations to Chris Kuthe and Aedín Clements. The sign up states that shifts will be two hours long, but we expect testing will take less than two hours.
Please Sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAAAB2EA0FECE9-51063183-public
Thursday, November 7, 2024
The Kalamazoo Board of County Canvassers will convene to begin the process of certifying the November 5th election. We expect this process to last until at least November 15th and possibly beyond. In the current political climate, it is extremely important for League members to observe this process. The BOC meets in Room 105 at the Kalamazoo County Administration Building, 201 W Kalamazoo Ave. and Portage City Hall, 7900 S Westnedge Ave, Portage. They meet from 9:00 am to 5:00pm with a break for lunch. Observation shifts are two to three hours long. It involves observing the BOC and sending in a report online. There will be a training video to help you prepare. The Sign Up Genius is not yet created for this process, but please watch your email for the link.
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ACLU Dismisses Case With Kalamazoo Board of Canvassers Member
By Chris Kuthe
In early September the ACLU filed a suit in Kalamazoo County Circuit court against Robert Froman, a member of the Kalamazoo Board of County Canvassers. It was reported in the Detroit Free Press that Froman believed that the 2020 election was stolen and that he would not certify the November Presidential results if the “election unfolds like the 2020 election did.” The ACLU suit argued that a “failure to certify results would be a violation of the state constitution and state election law.” The group sought a court order indicating that "county canvassers may not refuse to certify election results based on information extrinsic to the statements of return.” An affidavit was signed by Froman, stating, "I may not, and will not, refuse to certify results of the election based on any information extrinsic to the statement of returns.” Because of Froman’s affidavit, the ACLU dismissed the lawsuit. If Forman does not adhere to this affidavit after the November election, the ACLU can notify the Circuit Court by email to reinstate the lawsuit providing a speedy path back to court.
(Source: Detroit News)
Links to news articles about this case are provided here:
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2024/09/10/aclu-michigan-kalamazoo-county-republican-canvasser-election-results-certify-lawsuit/75156442007/
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/michigan-canvasser-promises-follow-elections-law-aclu-drops-suit
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LWVKA Observer Corps Needs Volunteers
By Regena Nelson
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Do you attend or watch local government meetings to keep up with issues and policies on housing, education, climate change, and racial equity? Do you want to discuss ways the LWVKA can raise awareness about these issues in the community to help find solutions? If so, become a member of the LWVKA Observer Corps. You will be the eyes and ears present at meetings. Observer Corps members observe governmental meetings to ensure the meetings are run appropriately and take notes about any issues on the agenda that are aligned with the LWVKA’s strategic plan priorities.
There are 9 LWVKA Observer Corps members who watch online or attend Kalamazoo County Commission meetings, Kalamazoo Road Commission meetings, Kalamazoo Public Library board meetings, Kalamazoo Public Schools board meetings, Portage City Council meetings, and Oshtemo Township meetings. We need more volunteers to observe the Kalamazoo City Commission meetings and Portage Public Schools Board meetings. If you would like to become a member of the Observer Corps, contact Regena Nelson (nelsonr@wmich.edu) to get trained.
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Vote411 and Voter Guides
Aedín Clements
Please help us to get the word out! By the time you are reading this, over 20,000 printed Voter Guides from the LWVKA should be distributed to points throughout Kalamazoo County. Voting and candidate information is also available on Vote411.org, and a PDF file of the printed guide may be downloaded from the LWVKA website.
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E.V.E.N.T.S. Highlights & Issues
By Barb Dircks
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The busy election season doesn’t look like it will slow down until November. Our discussion on September 14th focused on the ways we can match, educate and motivate volunteers. Communication and continued social media connections mean “liking” posts and doing outreach, so volunteers find their fit. Future goals were set, with three possibilities for follow-up actions suggested:
- Examine/assess our website to make sure it continually evolves and accurately answers the public's questions & engagement frequency
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Draft an appropriate media splash message that promotes the League as a dependable, trustworthy resource!
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Plan a You're Invited event for October and invite members interested in communications and League publicity.
League members interested in any of the areas of discussion can watch for further details, or reach out to barbdircks@gmail.com.
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LWVKA Book Group
By Aedín Clements
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Our book group is now reading the last book of the year, Master Slave Husband Wife, an Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom, by Ilyon Woo. We plan to meet at our usual place, Kazoo Books on Parkview, on Tuesday, November 19, and our discussion will begin at 6:30.
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Kalamazoo Renewable Energy Contract
400 Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide
to be Avoided
By Rick Freiman
The Kalamazoo City Commission approved a 20-year contract for renewable energy at its September 16th meeting. The City agreed to participate in Consumers Energy’s Large Customer Renewable Energy Program (LCREP). This state-wide program solicits large energy users to pay a fixed monthly subscription for renewable energy generation to be built by 2028 when the subscription payments would begin.
The clean energy created by the new facility (wind and solar throughout Michigan) would be sold on the wholesale energy market with the revenue appearing as credits against the subscription cost on Kalamazoo’s electric bill. The amount of credit could be more than the subscription cost, or less than the subscription cost, thereby creating a savings on the City’s electric bills, or an additional cost. The subscription cost is over three million dollars per year.
The motive for the City is to reduce the carbon dioxide Consumers Energy creates when it generates electricity for Kalamazoo. The amount of clean electricity Kalamazoo will help to create through this program is nearly equal to the amount of carbon-based electricity it is currently using, and therefore Kalamazoo will be able to say that its electricity is “carbon-neutral” or “Zero Carbon”. The amount of carbon dioxide to be avoided over 20 years is estimated at over 400 thousand metric tons. This greatly reduces Kalamazoo’s “Carbon Footprint” for municipal operations.
Nearly 85% of Kalamazoo’s municipal energy use is for providing drinking water and waste water treatment for the surrounding area. Roughly 150 acres of land or rooftops owned by the City would be needed to generate enough solar electricity (about 50 million kilowatt hours per year) for these uses and that amount of space is not available.
As our League’s Climate Emergency Resolution requires us to educate our membership and the public on the climate emergency, we will continue to report on such developments.
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LWVMI Environmental Network | |
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Membership
By Jennifer Snyder
Since our last newsletter, LWVKA has welcomed several new members, all residents of Kalamazoo County: The Susan Hendricks household, Alice McCotter, and Kathleen McCreedy.
Please note! The League’s membership renewal process is changing nationwide. As we transition to a new system, it’s very important that we have accurate email addresses for partners or others who currently share your household membership! Please send these to Membership Chair Jennifer Snyder, jsyndergaardsnyder@gmail.com
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Special Tributes
Aedin Clements
in Memory of Millie Lambert
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In Memoriam:
Millie Lambert
By Debbie Phillips
A recent past LWVKA board member and the leader of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative, Millie Lambert, passed on August 27, 2024, after a long and valiant battle with a rare form of cancer.
Millie’s life wasn’t easy, beginning at a very young age. But hardship didn’t stop Millie’s tenacity or drive to make the world a better place for others.
Her professional career as an educator for Kalamazoo Public Schools included teaching at all levels, from K-5 to High School and Alternative Ed. She served as Union President from 1986-1992 and 2000-2014, and as President of Kalamazoo Education Association for 14 years.
Millie lived a life of service, not only on a personal level, spending much of her time generously gifting those in need, and supporting the art and music communities, but also serving on the Boards of many non-profits, including that of the LWVKA from 2017 to 2022. At the Founders’ Day Brunch in 2019, Millie first brought together a group of like-minded members interested in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). From that initial meeting, a LWVKA DEI Committee was formed, and Millie was its leader and the DEI liaison to the board. This role was especially important to Millie, who was the personification of DEI. Every person who caught her gaze, regardless of appearance, style, dress, perspective, speech, social status or thought, was greeted with a warm heart and loving smile. She never forgot a face, a name, a need, or an act of kindness.
Millie initiated a sensible system of submitting written reports ahead of meetings, an improvement for which we continue to be grateful.
Millie was a motivator with a dedication to assisting people toward their goals. A fierce advocate for fairness and right, her energy rose above and inspired everyone who knew her.
Millie’s resume made one think “What can you NOT do?” The answer to that was simple. Millie could not be idle when there was a need. She refused to miss an opportunity to lend a hand, share a smile, lift her voice, or support another when it is needed most. Millie believed that our most important job in life is to fight, not only for what is right, but also that every person we meet feels valued, cherished, capable and respected, so they too can be their very best. She will be dearly missed but will continue to inspire through her memory.
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Calhoun County Unit
By: Susan Stuart, Board member
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A candidate forum sponsored by thirteen community organizations, including LWVKA/Calhoun, will be held on Sunday, Sept. 29, 3 PM, at the Maranatha Family Life Center in Battle Creek. Candidates for the 4th Congressional District, State Representative District 44, and Calhoun county and Battle Creek city offices will be present.
10 members volunteered to write 50 postcards each for a GOTV effort to young voters in Battle Creek. Packets were distributed at an open invitation event on September 19 at Maria’s Uncorked wine shop in Marshall. Members also picked up yard signs, early voting posters, VOTE411 bookmarks and other voter information materials to distribute throughout the county.
Voter Registration events are on-going at the Share Center in Battle Creek, a food distribution site at Marshall United Methodist Church, at Kellogg Community College’s Bruin Blast on Sept. 10, the Festival of the Forks in Abion on Sept. 19, and at Albion College on Oct. 7.
Susan Anderson, board member of LWVKA/Calhoun attends a monthly Community Connect meeting at KCC where representatives of various community groups share information about community issues and events, including voter information.
At our Board meeting on September 24, we learned that print Voter Guides have been received and a community distribution network is being organized. Linda Smoot and Susan Stuart will attend the Oct. 17 meeting of the Calhoun County Municipal Clerks Association where Voter Guides, yard signs, and early voting posters promoting early voting will be distributed to each clerk.
We are seeking members in each of Calhoun County’s three cities who will volunteer to be a distribution point for these items, where members can pick them up and distribute them to places the public will have access.
155 races and proposals have been entered into Calhoun county’s VOTE411.org website. 236 candidate questionnaires were sent. Only 23 responded. A reminder email was sent 9/23.
The next Board meeting is Oct. 22 at 1:30 PM at Marshall District Library Conference Room; Susan Stuart will convene.
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