The Voter The League of Women Voters of Columbia-Boone County, MO

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1 Volume 80 Number 1 JANUARY 2015 The Voter The League of Women Voters of Columbia-Boone County, MO LUNCH & LEARN JAN. 20 WITH DR. PAUL LADOFF: CIVIL DIALOGUE ACROSS POLITICAL DIFFERENCES For the January 20 Lunch and Learn session, we have invited Professor Paul Ladehoff to speak on the topic of Civil Dialogue across Political Differences. While some political leaders may disagree with LWV positions on certain issues, to keep lines of communication open we need to engage with them in useful dialogues rather than ugly arguments. Professor Ladehoff is the Director of the LL.M. in Dispute Resolution and Campus Mediation Services at the Center for the Study of Dispute Resolution in the MU School of Law. He was also one of the principle investigators and instructors with the MU Difficult Dialogues program funded by the Ford Foundation. The session is open to all and will be held 12-1:00 in the second floor meeting room at the Hy-Vee at Nifong and Providence. Get there early to grab some lunch in the deli or bring your own lunch and learn! --Peggy Placier, Education Chair TOWN HALL MEETING WITH STATE LEGISLATORS FEBRUARY 5 The annual League of Women Voters Town Hall Meeting with State Legislators will be held on Thursday, February 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the Columbia Public Library (Friends Room). Refreshments and social time will begin at 6:30. This is the annual event when we hear directly from our area legislators about their views on the priorities of this year's legislative session, which committees they will serve on, key legislation, and actions they would like to see taken. All of our Boone County Legislators have been invited. As of the publication of this issue of The Voter, we have heard from the following legislators that they will attend: Rep. Caleb Rowden (Dist. 44), Rep. Kip Kendrick (Dist. 45), and Rep. Stephen Webber (Dist. 46). We are hoping that Rep. Chuck Basye (Dist. 47) and Senator Kurt Schaeffer (Dist. 19) will also attend. Rep. Caleb Jones has a previous commitment and will not be able to attend. A question and answer session will follow the legislators' statements. It s a great opportunity for citizens to share issues and concerns. This event, which is cosponsored by the Columbia Public Library, is free and open to the public. -- Marilyn McLeod, Co-President Marilyn McLeod, U.S. District Judge Nanette Laughrey, Outstanding Citizen Awardee Representative Chris Kelly, guest speaker Representative Vicky Riback Wilson, and Carol Schreiber at the Nov. 12 Founder s Day Luncheon.

2 Thirteen board members were present for our November 24th Board Meeting. Board actions included: Selected socks as our charity donation for the Room at the Inn for the December 11th Holiday Party. Approved Ed Funds for the March 17th local Candidate/Ballot Issue Forum for the April Election. Approved sponsorship of the Pro/Con Forum on the Covering of the Icthus on the Boone County War Memorial. Set the Annual Meeting date on April 7th. We also decided it would either be a pot-luck or have it catered as a fund raising project at a reasonable price (not $25). Approved continuation of the Mental Health First-Aid Sponsorship project. We are sponsoring the first project on December 15th presented by Compass Prevention Services, Family Counseling Center/Pathways Behavioral Health. The Board heard reports on upcoming forums for Oral Health (Dec. 3), Home Energy Rating NOVEMBER BOARD REPORT PAGE 2 Systems (Jan. 22), State Program Planning (Jan. 28) and the Legislator Town Hall (Feb. 5). State Program Planning will look at current LWVMO policies and see if they need to be updated or changed. A brief description of the state positions is included as an insert in this Voter. The Board also heard a plea by LWVMO President Elaine Blodgett to attend legislative hearings and make a presence during the State Legislative Session. The next board meeting will be on January 26th at 6:30 p.m. at Broadway Christian Church. All members are welcome to attend. --Carol Schreiber, CoPresident JAN. 14 CAT TV: HOW TO FUND GOVERNMENT SERVICES Recently tax issues on the ballot failed badly, but there are needs, such as infrastructure, roads, sewers, etc., that government must fund. How should we do this? Our next CAT TV program will have a panel of three experts discussing the issue. (Names TBA). Jim Robertson, managing editor, Columbia Daily Tribune will moderate. The program will originate Wed., January 14 at 7 p.m. It will be replayed on CAT TV (Mediacom Channel 85; Charter Communications Channel 983; and CenturyTel Prism Channel 98. Replay times on CAT TV are 7a.m. Tues., Thurs. and Sat. and 7:30 pm on Mon., Wed., Friday and Sunday.) The program will be available on the League website (lwvcbc.org) and at columbiaacess.tv. --Marilyn McLeod, Co-President FRIENDS OF THE LWV OF COLUMBIA-BOONE COUNTY The LWV of Columbia-Boone County recognizes the many organizations and individuals who have helped us educate the public, provided meeting space and gave their time, talent and treasure to the LWV. Each month we are recognizing a group of our Friends of the LWV as voted on by the LWV of Columbia-Boone County membership at our Annual Meeting on April 10, For January 2015 we recognize: Columbia Public Schools for providing speakers for our CAT TV show on 3-D Printing and providing Dr. Chris Belcher as a speaker for a ballot issue. Adam Saunders, Dr. Bill Heffernan and Dr. Gregg Suhler for being on our CAT TV show entitled Feeding the People: Local and Global in January Thanks for being a Friend of the LWV!

3 JANUARY 28 STATE PROGRAM PLANNING: OUR ADVOCACY BEGINS WITH OUR POSITIONS The LWV uses grassroots consensus to determine our policies at the local, state and national levels. On January 28th we will look at our state policy positions to determine if they need to be updated or if there are new positions we need to take. Enclosed in this Voter is an insert that details our state positions. Please review this material and LUNCH & LEARN - CHANGE IN DATES attend our State Program Planning meeting on January 28th at 7:00 p.m. in the Friends Room at the Columbia Public Library. Local Leagues will submit their report to LWVMO and these results will then be voted on at the LWVMO State Convention in May. Let your voice be heard! --Carol Schreiber, Co-President We heard from a number of members that they are unable to attend our Lunch & Learn events on Wednesdays. In order to include as many members as possible, we have changed the time to the third Tuesday of the month from 12 to 1 p.m. We will continue to meet in the Club Room of the HyVee Store on Grindstone (Nifong). Be sure to mark your calendar for the following dates: January 20, February 17, and March 17. Watch for details as to speaker and topic for the individual program! --Marilyn McLeod, Co-President HOLIDAY PARTY Ava Fajen, Win Colwill and Dick Parker. Marilyn McLeod, Rachel Brekhus and Liz Schmidt. Pam Springsteel and Janet Holt, David Leuthold s daughter. Priscilla Bevins Bartlett, Carol Schreiber and Midge Pinkerton. PAGE 3

4 LWVMO STATE PROGRAM POSITIONS IN BRIEF GOVERNMENT Constitutional Revision Adopted 1941, Updated, 1962 Support of a permanent constitutional commission in addition to other methods for initiating constitutional change Support of specific constitutional revisions to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of state government County Home Rule Adopted Support of measures to extend home rule to counties Election Process Conflict of Interest Adopted Support of financial disclosure to expose potential conflicts of interest among public officials and candidates Legislative Reform Adopted 1964, Updated 1967 Support of measures to improve the organization and powers of the Missouri General Assembly Support of standards for apportionment to make congressional and legislative districts as compact, contiguous, and as nearly equal in population as possible Presidential Nominee Selection Process Adopted 1970, Updated 1986 Support of measures to increase the informed participation of Missouri citizens in the selection of presidential nominees Voting Rights Adopted 1919, Updated 1966, 1970 Support of an accurate, efficient, accessible, accountable, and uniform election process Support of measures to ensure a secret ballot Support of absentee voting, advance voting and measures that facilitate participation in the election process Adopted 2010 Fiscal Policy Adopted 1940, Updated 1973, 2003 Support of a balanced and progressive tax system to finance necessary governmental services Opposition to revenue and expenditure limits to control the growth of state government. Fiscal policy should be in state statutes, rather than the Constitution. JUSTICE Judicial System Adopted 1940, Updated 2007 Support of a flexible unified system of courts under the Supreme Court Support of the Nonpartisan Court Plan and an improved system of selection, tenure and retirement of judges Juvenile Justice Adopted 1974, Updated 1987 Support of measures to insure a coordinated system of juvenile justice which treats children fairly and effectively PAGE 4

5 NATURAL RESOURCES Hazardous and Solid Waste Adopted 1972, Updated 1987 Support of strong provisions to fulfill state and local government's responsibility for hazardous and solid waste management Land Use Adopted 1976 Based on National Positions Support for the adoption and implementation of long range land use plans and regulations by state, county and municipal governments which incorporate sound policy development based upon the goals, needs and resources of each locale. Effective land use management requires adequate financing, involvement of professional planners and increased public information and participation. (LWV Washington) Water Adopted 1958, Updated 1984 Support of a comprehensive water policy for Missouri, one that includes the public trust doctrine SOCIAL POLICY Education Adopted 1965, Updated 1970, 1974, 1983 Support for equal opportunity in education, access to quality programs and adequate financing. Charter Schools Adopted 1999, Updated 2007 The League does not support or oppose charter schools. Since Missouri law permits Charter schools, the League supports criteria for governance and operations similar to those of traditional public schools. Family Planning Adopted 1988 by Concurrence w Springfield/Green Co. Support state family planning programs and educational programs about family planning including funding for these programs. Public Libraries Adopted 2007, Amended 2013 Support of a public library system as a basic community service, including internet access, with a long-term assured, stable and adequate funding source. Support of access by all persons to public library services as a major source of knowledge and information necessary for informed, active participation in a democratic society. $95 FOR 95 YEARS: THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS Moray Loring Kiehl wrote on Dec. 9, 2014: "I am happy to recognize the birthday of the LWV. It coincides with my own 95th which was in September. Just think -- my mother couldn't vote until I was a year old! It's hard to imagine. It's so important to be informed and to vote. I can't be active, but I commend the League of its diligence." The LWV of Columbia-Boone County received over $2000 in donations from our $95 for 95 Years fundraising campaign. These donations will be used for more public education and advocacy on issues of importance from Medicaid PAGE 5 expansion to mental health services to protection of voter rights. As an example, through our advocacy on the Early Voting Amendment 6 issue, we helped to defeat a bad Constitutional Amendment. We are also planning a competition in Columbia high schools for a short video on citizenship or a similar topic. We invite our members and the public to attend our upcoming events, such as our Lunch and Learn on Civil Discourse on January 20th and our Legislator Town Hall on February 5th (see articles in this Voter on these events). Thank you for giving to the LWV! -- Carol Schreiber, Co-President

6 Upcoming League Events! JANUARY 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Jan CAT TV How to Fund Government Services 7:00 p.m LWV on Paul Pepper KBIA 8:50 a.m LWV Board Mtg 6:30 pm Broadway Christian Church 20 Lunch & Learn: Paul Ladoff on Civil Discourse Noon - 1 p.m. HyVee Mtg Rm State Program Planning 7pm Library Forum: Home Energy Rating System 7:00 p.m. Library FEB Legislative Town Hall 7p.m. Library CAT TV 7:00 p.m Lunch & Learn Noon - 1 p.m. HyVee Mtg Rm LWV Board Mtg 6:30 pm Broadway Christian Church Early Childhood Education was topic of Nov. 13 LWV Forum Member Dr. Vena Long served as moderator. PAGE 6

7 LWV Officers: Co-Presidents: Marilyn McLeod ( ) and Carol Schreiber ( ) 1st VP: Liz Schmidt ( ) 2nd VP: Ava Fajen ( ) Secretary: Marcia Walker ( ) Treasurer: David Leuthold ( ) Elected Directors: Rachel Brekhus ( ) Joni O Connor ( ) Peggy Placier ( ) Sharon Schneeberger ( ) Mahree Skala ( ) Pam Springsteel ( ) Jan Swaney ( ) Shirley Troth ( ) Appointed Directors: Elaine Blodgett ( ) Dick Parker ( ) Diane Suhler ( ) Lael Von Holt ( ) Committee Chairs: Budget: Shirley Troth Civil Liberties: Marilyn McLeod Education: Peggy Placier Energy Matters: Dick Parker Fundraising: Win Colwill Health: Jan Swaney & Mahree Skala Hospitality: Pam Springsteel Membership: Liz Schmidt Mental Health: Lael Von Holt Voter Service: Carol Schreiber Voter Editor: Ava Fajen Board Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. on the 4th Monday of the month at Broadway Christian Church. All members are welcome to attend. Websites: Local: lwvcbc.org State: lwvmissouri.org National: lwv.org Thanks to all who have responded to our $95 for 95 years membership drive. We appreciate all of you who have paid the regular dues and those who have donated more. If your label is stamped "your dues notice", you still owe for Please send your dues to Membership Chair, League of Women Voters, P.O. Box 239, Columbia, MO Dues are $55 for individuals, $80 for a household and $25 for local students. Individual and household memberships also include state (LWVMO) and national (LWVUS) membership. Name Address Street City State and Zip Code Telephone I am particularly interested in. I would like to receive my Voter by (Note: Tax deductible donations to the Education Fund should be a separate check payable to LWVMO Education Fund.) Member News To the friends of Holly Burgess, who passed on Oct. 29, 2014: you are invited to a Celebration of Life, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, 2-5 PM, Bleu Restaurant, 811 East Walnut. Condolences may be sent to her sister, Jill Muth, 9435 Sunny Creek Lane, Sunset Hills, MO We also remember former LWV members Beverly Murrell and Barbara Greeley Kopta, and send our sympathy to their families. We welcome new members Summer Allen, Ron Kucera, and Gayla Neumeyer. David Lile of KFRU moderated a recent forum on the Boone County Icthus controversy. He has assisted with numerous LWV forums at the library. PAGE 7

8 League of Women Voters PO Box 239 Columbia MO NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID COLUMBIA MO Permit No. 122 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED JAN. 22 FORUM: WHAT S YOUR HOME S EFFICIENCY SCORE? Would you like to know how energy efficient your house is? You can find out by participating in Columbia Water & Light s Home Performance with Energy Star program. It includes a free Efficiency Score and a Home Energy Score based on the U.S. Dept. of Energy s whole-house approach to energy efficiency. Similar to miles per gallon rates for cars, the Home Energy Score shows how your house rates in energy performance. Come to the LWV forum at the Columbia Public Library on January 22 at 7 p.m. (refreshments at 6:30) to learn about this new tool. Bandon Renaud, Home Performance Manager, supervises Columbia Water & Light s Efficiency Score program. He will tell us how the program works and how it can add value to your home. Renaud s presentation will be followed by a round table discussion by a panel of housing industry individuals on how the Efficiency Score and Home Energy Score may be applied now and in the future. The panel will include Nick Peckham, past President of Am. Institute of Architects, Kenneth Kroll, home builder, and Justin Wiles, Energy Link head auditor. We have also invited a mortgage loan officer and a realtor to be on the panel. The Efficiency Score is a program developed by Columbia s electric utility to provide objective information on a home s efficiency independent of who lives in the house and their habits. Columbia s electrical utility is a leader nationally in home energy efficiency and has one of the best programs in the nation. Come learn about this new, locally developed tool for evaluating your home. -- Dick Parker