NEWSLETTER. Public Schools Proposed Bond Issue. Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

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1 NEWSLETTER Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate Board President: Dottie Haase Vice President: Trina Borenstein Treasurer: Jennifer Dutcher Secretary: Ann Hardesty Membership Chair: Doris Feys Leadership Team: Marcia Aten Bev Bodem Pauline Buchner Robert Kennedy Anne Nave Vernie Nethercut Florence Stibitz Newsletter: Trina Borenstein Website: Jennifer Dutcher Mission Statement: The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. Public Schools Proposed Bond Issue A.L.L. is hosting an informational meeting with Superintendent Dr. John VanWagoner, on Thursday, April 18, from am, in the M. Briggs Center, ACC. An important bond issue for Alpena Public Schools will be on the May 7 ballot. There are repairs and security issues that must be addressed in the Alpena Schools. To see a list of the tentative plans, see the school website at Dr. VanWagoner will talk about these concerns and why the bond issue is a necessity. He will discuss the disparity in funding between Alpena and some of the downstate school districts. Dr. VanWagoner has worked in education for over 20 years as a teacher, administrator, instructional specialist, high school redesign manager, legislative liaison for the MI Dept. of Ed., Associate Superintendent at the county level, and his current role as Superintendent of Alpena Public Schools. He holds a B.A. in Secondary Ed. from Saginaw Valley State Univ., M.S. in K-13 Ed. Studies from MSU, M.A. in K-12 Ed. Leadership, and a Ph.D. in K-12 Ed. Leadership from WMU. THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!1

2 Calendar of Events April 18, Thursday, am - Public School Bond Issue informational meeting with Dr. John VanWagoner, Superintendent, ACC, Briggs Center April 19, Friday, noon - Lunch Bunch, 19th Hole, 1081 US-23 N., Alpena May 17, Friday, noon - Lunch Bunch, Connie s Cafe, US-23 S., Ossineke May 17-19, LWV-MI State Convention, Embassy Suites, Livonia May 21, Tuesday, 5:30pm - LWV- AC Annual Meeting, ACC BTC room 104. Dinner is $15 per person. June 21, Friday, noon - Lunch Bunch, Shotmakers, corner of US-23 and Main St., Harrisville July 19, Friday, noon - Lunch Bunch, The Portage, 5529 E. Grand Lake Rd., Presque Isle August 16, Friday, noon - Lunch Bunch, The Fresh Palate,109 N. 2nd Ave., Alpena September 20, Friday, noon - Lunch Bunch, The Mountain Inn, 5495 US-23, Black River October 18, Friday, noon - Lunch Bunch, Chee Peng, 1237 US 23 N, Alpena November 15, Friday, noon - Lunch Bunch, As You Wish, 104 2nd Ave., Alpena Should the League of Women Voters of Alpena County Change our Name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began my participation in the Observer Corps progam for the League of Women Voters in February of This process involves having league members attend various public meetings that are of potential interest to LWV and keeping our membership informed on local issues of interest. As an observer I introduce myself and wear a LWV name tag at all meetings. Observers do not participate in any part of the proceedings. I have attended 3 Alpena Township Board meetings this calendar year. Anyone interested in being an observer may contact me via dgsjr1@yahoo.com Don Speer!2

3 WOMEN'S RIGHT TO VOTE: TOPIC FOR LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS The 72-year campaign by U.S. women to be allowed to vote was the backdrop for a community program Sunday afternoon, March 31, at the Alpena County Library. It was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Alpena County as part of Women's History Month. Leading the discussion and presenting background information through a power point and a summary of author Elaine Weiss' book The Woman's Hour was League member MaryAnn Crawford. Audience and panel members responded to core questions about what the vote means and what might the world be like without women's vote. They also discussed the impact of powerful antisuffrage political, economic and social influences. Panel members, representing diverse backgrounds and ages, ranging from pre-teens to adults, were Sarah Brown, Adrienne Puryear, Isabel Luther, Jessica Luther, Sylvie Luther and Sonya M. Thomas. Fifth grader Sarah Brown also read her essay "The Women's Sufffrage Campaign," a prize-winning essay in the Daughters of the American Revolution writing contest. Participants in the LWV program came away with an understanding of the strong and bitter feelings that dominated the fight for women's right to vote in the early 1900s. Opponents included anti-suffrage women, powerful railroad lobbying interests, religious leaders, states rights advocates and racists supporting the rise again of the Klu Klux Klan. It was noted that many of the same issues are still being debated today, such as women's roles and equal treatment, states rights and racial issues. Today's League of Women Voters grew out of the women's suffrage organization that was a major player in the passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.!3

4 LWV State Convention Details Let s gather up a car load of our members and head to the LWV state convention, Friday, May 17 1 pm Sunday, May 19, 9 am Highlights Author Elaine Weiss, The Woman s Hour, speaker Chris Carson, LWV US President, speaker Celebrate 100 years Expenses hotel (Embassy Suites, Livonia) for 2 nights for 2 people per room $ each person LWV Registration per person $190.00, includes Sat. lunch, Sat. banquet and breakfast Sat. & Sun. (our LWV may help with some of these expenses depending on how many go) Call Dottie or if you are interested or dsbhaase@live.com Deadline April 25 The Zonta Banquet to honor the Woman of the Year will be held on Wednesday, April 24 at The Aplex. The theme this year is Becoming a Butterfly. Social time will begin at 5:30, dinner at 6:00. Jennifer Ordway, the speaker, will offer suggestions on creating a monarch butterfly garden. Please consider attending this event to help celebrate a special woman in our community. For questions and tickets Ann Hardesty, (989) , yogagal72@charter.net!4

5 LWV!MI NEWS The For the People Act Moves to the Senate This month, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the For the People Act, the sweeping democracy reform bill that will make our elections fairer and put power back in the hands of the American voters. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration! This landmark legislation is the biggest improvement to our democracy since the Voting Rights Act. From election modernization to redistricting reform, the For the People Act levels the playing field to allow more Americans to participate in our democracy. The extraordinary and comprehensive reforms in the For the People Act are good for all Americans and deserve bipartisan support. Help us build momentum to move this bold legislation forward. Contact your Senators today! Voting Changes in Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson recently announced the implementation of Proposal 3 s specification of no-reason absentee voting that will make voting easier for people across the state. Voters will no longer be required to provide a reason for requesting an absentee ballot. Absentee ballot requests are available at No-reason mail-in voting is a convenience that will help many people at election time, Benson said. Secretary Benson also announced an Election Modernization Advisory Committee to advise her administration and the Department of State s Bureau of Elections on the implementation of Proposal 3 and further election reforms. Members of the committee include county, city, and township clerks from across the state, Michigan-based voting rights advocates, and local and national election experts. Chris Thomas, former Director of the Bureau of Elections, will chair the committee. The results of last November s election are clear: Michigan voters want to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat, Benson said. I am grateful to the local and national experts who have agreed to come together to ensure we do just that, modernizing our elections, applying best practices, and making Michigan a national model for clean, efficient, and secure elections. (Source: Press Releases from Secretary of State)!5

6 LWV!US NEWS H.R. 4: Voting Rights Advancement Act Introduced This Week!! LWV is proud to support the Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRAA), which would restore the VRA by updating the coverage formula to determine which states and localities must pre-clear election changes with the Department of Justice. The bill would essentially restore section 4 of the VRA, which was gutted in the Shelby County v. Holder decision. Read our statement on the VRAA. utm_source=leagueupdate&utm_medium= &utm_campaign= LWV Supports Passage of HR8, the Bipartisan Background Check Act The League of Women Voters joined the Brady Campaign and other groups to support HR8 in the U.S. House. HR8 will require Brady background checks for all firearms, which is a provision supported by 97% of Americans. utm_source=leagueupdate&utm_medium= &utm_campaign=022819!6

7 LWV Swag Available! The League of Women Voters of Missouri are making various pins, patches, and more available to members everywhere. If you are interested in exhibiting some LWV flair, let Jennifer Dutcher know,!989" 657#4406.!7

8 Membership Be sure that you invite your friends to join LWV. Membership is open to men and women, 16 years or older. Membership in LWV!Alpena County includes membership in LWV!MI and LWV!US. "55 Individual Membership for one year #not tax deductible$ "82.50 Household Membership for one year #two members at same address, not tax deductible$ Educational Fund Donation #tax deductible$ Make check payable to LWV of Alpena County, and mail to LWV, 307 W. Maple St., Alpena, MI Name#s$ Address City State Zip code Phone!8

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