APRIL MEETING. League of Women Voters of Henderson County. Candidate Forum April 9 6 p.m. City Operations Building

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1 April 2014 League of Women Voters of Henderson County Contents General Meeting pg. 1 Budget pg. 2 Nominating Committee Report pg. 2 Budget pg. 3 proposed study pg. 4 Agricultural Study pg. 5 Immigration Committee pg. 5 League in Action pg. 6 Calendar pg. 7 Bulb Sales pg. 7 Ethlyn Byrd was a former member of the Henderson County League and a tireless advocate for children in our community. Her funeral was March 29. She will be missed. APRIL MEETING Candidate Forum April 9 6 p.m. City Operations Building NOTE This Bulletin contains information for the May Annual Meeting. The Budget for Slate of Officers for May Primary May 6 Check our website for Votersʼ Guide From the President It's April! The daffodils are up on Main Street and, thanks to our Bulb Sale, in our yards. Spring is here, we hope. Snow, sleet and soggy weather are hopefully gone. No wonder it's such a busy time for League this year. with Voter Registration, Candidate Forums and the LWVNC State Council Meeting here in Hendersonville. As I write this, we have had our first Candidate Forum for NC House District 117 and the County Sheriff. We were overwhelmed with the community attendance and participation. More importantly, voices were heard and League kept up the tradition of Making Democracy Work. Our LWV volunteers were Sharon Burlingame, Helen Wright, Karen Jones, Charlyne Coleman, Linda Hansma, Becky Armstrong, Shoshana Fried, Linda Weldon - and especially Marian Lowry for her devotion to Voter Service support. We're looking forward to April 9 and the County Commissioner's Forum. LWV Bulletin 1 April 2014

2 Proposed Budget Income IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION Page 2-4 Nominating Committee Report Proposed Slate Submitted by Nominating Committee Chair: Helen Wright "" Iris Vanek "" Natalie Zitnick OFFICERS President: Sharon Burlingame Vice-President - Elizabeth Moss Treasurer - Bill Wilkes Secretary - Linda Weldon ELECTED DIRECTORS Barbara Updike Stan Kumor Iris Vanek ANNUAL DUES $50 PER SINGLE MEMBER $75 PER FAMILY PLEASE MAIL TO League s Address LWVHC PO Box 2238 Hendersonville, NC Nominating Committee Chair: Judy Wilkes Renee Kumor " " " One member to be " " " appointed by Board LWVNC is holding State Council in Henderson County April Henderson County members interested in attending please contact Marion Huffman or mlhuff6@morrisbb.net LWV Bulletin 2 April 2014

3 Proposed Budget Expenses LWV Bulletin 3 April 2014

4 Many things happen at our Annual Meeting. We must adopt the budget, elect new officers and consider any new studies. According to our League Policy, a minimum of 5 members are needed for a study. Please contact Linda Miller - millerdh@bellsouth.net - if you want to be a part of this local study The new study proposal is below. A Proposal for a LWVHC Study ! The National League s Position Statement of Position on the Federal Role in Public Education as announced by the National Board in March The League of Women Voters believes that the federal government shares with other levels of government the responsibility to provide an equitable, quality public education for all children pre-k through grade 12. A quality public education is essential for a strong, viable, and sustainable democratic society and is a civil right. Quality Education from the LWVUS Website: The l LWVUS Program included the phrase equal access to...quality education, reflecting League recognition that equality and quality are inseparable. However, the LWVUS has never undertaken a process for determining a common League definition of quality education that could serve as a basis for action nationwide. Therefore, when the definition of quality is a key factor in a state or local community, a local or state League must conduct its own study rather than relying on the LWVUS position to take action. Many Leagues that have member agreement on quality education in specific terms use their positions to support an array of local and state educational reforms. A number of Leagues have used this position to oppose private school vouchers. The LWVUS is a member of the National Coalition for Public Education, which opposes vouchers. Proposed Local Study Because the National LWV has never defined a "quality" education, local and state Leagues have taken up their own studies to define a "quality" education. I would, therefore, like to propose that the Henderson County League of Women Voters do a study of what should comprise a "quality education" in Henderson County. We would start after the November 4th election and finish the study in March. We would interview HC Commissioners, State Representatives, School Board Members, Educators, Parents, and Community members to come up with what a "quality" education should be in Henderson County. The HC quality education study committee would compile a summary and present it to the Henderson County community. Because it is The Year of the Voter, the League will be sure to make note that a quality education involves a thorough, interesting, interactive civics program. Our HC League can then advocate for a defined "quality" education for Henderson County Students. Submitted by Linda Miller LWV Bulletin 4 April 2014

5 Agricultural Study Our Food System is it Safe? If you grew up prior to the early 1990 s when GMO s were first introduced, then today s food system does not resemble the one you knew. Our food system is an Agribusiness comprised of large corporations and industrial farms using very different farming methods from the traditional family farms we once knew. The farming practices of today are raising questions about environmental and human safety. The practices in question include: large scale confined feeding operations (CAFOs) that require the use of antibiotics in animal feed, and the impact of CAFO waste management; the use of mono culture crops that are genetically engineered, and also require vast amounts of herbicides and pesticides. These common practices raise serious questions centered on our right to know. As informed citizens and voters, do we have the right to know the source of the food we eat? What are the independent research findings on the long-term effects of genetically engineered (GE) crops? Have GMO s been proven safe? What are the potential impacts on human health? What are the facts surrounding the effects of industrial farming practices on our environment? Who are the stakeholders in Agribusiness? What conflicts of interest might there be? Has public information been suppressed, and if so by whom? What is at stake here? Stay tuned for more info in April as these questions and others are considered in a special supplement to the Bulletin. The League of Women Voters US is currently conducting a study that will update its positions on public policies in Agriculture today. What positions might you take? For more information contact Rudi Simko. Immigration Committee On Monday, March 17, 2014, Sergeant Nicholas Neal, the deputy in charge of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in Henderson County, spoke to our Immigration Committee and answered questions about the 287(g) program. The 287(g) program was originally enacted by Bill Clinton in 1996, and it allows local law enforcement agencies to partner with ICE in order to identify and detain potential violators of immigration laws who are charged with a crime. After a violator of immigration violations is identified and detained, if ICE chooses to commence deportation proceedings, Henderson County is reimbursed for detaining and transferring the detainee to a larger detention facility. Approximately 48% of detainees processed through the 287(g) program are actually deported; the rest either leave the country voluntarily or are eligible for some type of relief, allowing them to stay in the United States. There are currently 36 jurisdictions in the United States with 287(g) programs, including five in North Carolina. Henderson County s program is the second smallest in the state. Several changes have evolved since the program started here in Deportations through the program have starkly dropped since 2009, in part due to the high costs of detaining, completing medical examinations, and transferring detainees. In , ICE put 278 undocumented immigrants in removal proceedings through Henderson County s 287(g) program. In contrast, in , that number decreased to 92. Due to the high costs and inefficiency of the program, many jurisdictions are phasing out the 287(g) program. Sergeant Neal was very informative and helpful, and we thank him for his time and his service. Annual Bulb Sales Page 7 LWV Bulletin 5 April 2014

6 League in Action! 94 Years for LWV League keeps voter education out front as we celebrate 94 Years. Judy and Martha help register new voters at West Henderson High School Visit to Sugarloaf Elementary Shared lunch and learning with faculty and students Can a beautiful new school and dedicated teachers overcome the statistical odds that children in low-income families and poor geographical areas face? On March 20, our League members were presented with information about the many strategies being used at Sugarloaf Elementary School, and all the county schools, to tackle this question. Since it's opening 7 years ago, Sugarloaf students have been increasingly successful in achievement scores, beating the odds even when last year's testing standards were increased! By having our March program Children: Poverty and Health at the school, we were able to see what a mainstay our public schools are for children without resources at home, and the many details that contribute to the childrens' pride, resilience, and persistence that are keys to success. Mr. Matt Gruebmeyer, Director of Title 1, a federal poverty program designed to level the educational playing field for low-income students, provided US, NC, and local statistical rationale for some of the strategies. Over 80% of the children at Sugarloaf receive "free or reduced lunch'" (a measure of low-income), for example, and all students at Sugarloaf receive free breakfast. Homeless students are monitored by a skilled team, not just their teachers, to assure that their needs are met. A plethora of clubs enrich leadership and skill-building opportunities outside the classroom. Children's photos are posted all over the school, imbedded in math, language, and social studies-related bulletin boards, lending a sense of pride and identity. We had young student guides who could point out their work posted in places of honor in more than one hallway. Beautiful murals are painted in open areas. A security system is in place to monitor visitors efficiently. Because Principal Peggy Marshall could not be present, Lead Teacher Cindy Ellis joined Mr. Gruebmeyer in answering our many questions. The lunch staff served us a great meal. LWV Bulletin 6 April 2014

7 OUR ANNUAL FUND RAISER LWVHC Calendar April 2 Candidate Forum 6 pm 3 Board Meeting (10 am - Noon) 9 Candidate Forum 6 pm LWVNC State Council in Hendersonville 21 Immigration Meeting (3:30 pm) 22 Earth Day Candidate Forums - May Primaries May 1 Board Meeting (10 am - Noon) 6 May Primary - State and County offices 15 Annual Luncheon 19 Immigration Meeting (3:30 pm) June 5 Board Meeting (10 am - Noon) 19 Board Retreat (10 am - 3 pm) BULBS We hope you will consider helping with sales this year. There will be a bonus gift to those who sell $50.00 and up. Your friends, family and neighbors will be thrilled to purchase some of these beautiful flowering bulbs that make your yard sing in the Spring! We will be putting the order form on our Website or you can call Rose Stone to get a brochure and form. Pick up brochures and order forms at the Annual Meeting, May 15. Contact: Rose Stone Rosestone555@gmail.com OBSERVER CORPS Publisher, Editor, and Reporter Bill Moss gave a candid and interesting short history of his Hendersonville Lightning weekly newspaper for the 15 League members attending the March Observer Corps Sunshine Luncheon at the Sol Y Luna restaurant. As League members interested in campaign finance reform, we were happy to hear his background stories about publishing Henderson County candidatesʼ campaign contributions, which were eye-openers to many of us and have already helped to spread sunshine into local campaign finances and inform voters. Moss also validated the Observer Corps members mission to take the time and make the effort to observe many local government board meetings in order to keep the sun shining on our government officialsʼ actions. He said that when someone is monitoring a boardʼs action, whether it be the media, Observer Corps, or an interested citizen, government board members try harder to measure up to public expectations of open-government. We were all happy to see our trooper co-chair Sharon Burlingame back from her adventures in Thailand at the Sunshine Luncheon. Sharon will be moving on up to President of our Henderson County League, so we are looking for a great volunteer to be the Observer Corpsʼ new Co-Chair. Are you interested? Contact Sharon at sburlingame401@gmail.com or at or Linda Miller at millerdh@bellsouth.net or This is a heads-up for April 24 th, our last Observer Corps meeting this year. Please mark your calendar! It will be our wrap-up meeting and a send-off for Sharon Burlingame after four years of leading the Observer Corps. Please come celebrate with us! Time and place will be announced shortly. LWV Bulletin 7 April 2014