THE NEWSLETTER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY

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LWV Chautauqua County PO Box 42 Fredonia, New York 14063 Inside This Issue Reservation Form for April About Our Speakers

Building Bridges Polysterene Calendar Membership Form 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 6 6 7 8 The Leaguer Volume 21, Issue 7 April - May,

1 LWV Chautauqua County PO Box 42 Fredonia, New York Inside This Issue Reservation Form for April About Our Speakers From the President Plaque Dedication Budget Capitol Beat Roadmap for Const. Conv. Building Bridges Polysterene Calendar Membership Form The Leaguer Volume 21, Issue 7 April - May, 2017 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY lwv@lwvchautauqua.org, Moon Brook Country Club in Jamestown April 26, 2017 at noon

Volume 21, Issue 7 Page 2 New York State Constitutional Convention: Promise or Peril On November 7, 2017 voters throughout New York State will consider the question: Shall there be a convention to

2 Volume 21, Issue 7 Page 2 New York State Constitutional Convention: Promise or Peril On November 7, 2017 voters throughout New York State will consider the question: Shall there be a convention to revise the constitution and amend the same? The outcome of this election day referendum could have far reaching effects for decades to come. Do you want to know more? Join the League of Women Voters, Chautauqua County for a luncheon presentation at the Moon Brook Country Club in Jamestown, NY on April 26, 2017 at noon. We have invited speakers to address both sides of the issue. Jonathan Chausovsky will be speaking on the pro side for the convention. He is an Associate Professor of Politics and International Affairs at the State University of New York at Fredonia. Dr. Chausovsky teaches courses in Constitutional Law, Civil Liberties, and Courts and Social Policy, and Law and Society. His research is in American Political Development and judicial politics. His area of expertise is the historical development of corporate legal rights, including its politics in 19 th century New York State legislative and constitutional debates. His published work concerns the development of state incorporation laws, and on the development of federal regulation in the early twentieth century. Speaking against convening, Mary V. O Leary will address the dangers of voting for the convention. Mary is retired from teacher and administrative positions for the Buffalo Board of Education. She also excelled as an educator for the U.S. Department of Defense Schools and the University of Maryland. Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from D'Youville College, a Master of Science in Education and a Certificate in Administration and Supervision from the State University College at Buffalo. Ms. O Leary is a member of the Board of Directors of the N.Y.S. Retired Teachers Association (Western Zone), the League of Women Voters of Buffalo/Niagara and the Alpha Lambda Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma International Educators Society. Following the presentations, we will conclude the program with a question and answer session. New York State Constitutional Convention: Promise or Peril Moon Brook Country Club on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at Noon Luncheon Cost is $15.00 Make check payable to LWV Chautauqua County. Mail reservations to Genevieve Ludemann, 129 Lambert Ave., Fredonia NY Please reply asap for best room availability. All reservations must be received before 04/18/17. Coffee, tea and/or water are included with each entree. Please select one of the following: Chicken Salad Stuffed Pita w/ Seasonal Fruit Tuna Salad Stuffed Pita w/ Seasonal Fruit Bowtie Pasta w/ Asparagus, Fresh Tomatoes and Chicken Vegetable Teriyaki Glazed Stir Fry over seasoned rice If you wish to attend the program only, contact Gen at (716) or genl@netsync.net and plan to arrive at 12:30 P.M. Phone

3 Volume 21, Issue 6 Page 3 From Our President Two important announcements were made at the March 22 nd meeting. We have a request from the State League to consider a ban on polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) products for our community. Please see the article in this Leaguer. I will be sending out an opinion survey to all our members after the Leaguer has been published. There is a vacancy on the Chautauqua County Ethics Committee. Anyone interested in considering this committee please contact mcroxton51@gmail.com or and I will forward your name to Rose Sebouhian who is currently chair of the ethics committee. As a follow-up to our meeting on solid waste management ; Master Gardener Steve Rees will present his power point on composting. This will be April 5 th at the Incubator in Dunkirk at 6:30 p.m.. We will also discuss the potential for community composting. The Incubator is at 214 Central Avenue, Dunkirk, We have been asked by the governor s office to support Excelsior Scholarship NYS Tuition Plan. Let me know what you think. I am contacting the NYS League to see if any position has been taken by them. Rose Sebouhian is writing an article on our local LWV history using our archive in Reed Library. The article will go to the State LWV for its centennial celebration. If you have anything interesting to add let me know. We are in the process of transferring our website to the NYS League server as well as establishing a local VOTE 411 website. This page will give our community information about local candidates running for office. We will be hosting meet the candidates for school board in May. The dates will be announced shortly We have invited the new local Chautauqua County Women s Action Group to have a regular liaison with us. Tina Rausa, a co-president of the group, has agreed to be that liaison.. Warmly, Mary Croxton, President Minda Rae Amiran, Priscilla Bernatz, Gen Ludemann, Marcia Merrins, Judy Reynolds, Rose Sebouhian, Linda Warner DAUGHTERS OF 1812 TO DEDICATE PLAQUE IN HONOR OF THE WIDOW COLE AT DUNKIRK, NY The State of New York Society, United States Daughters of 1812, will dedicate a new plaque in recognition of War of 1812 Heroine, Celea Sampson Widow Cole on Saturday April 1, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the following location: Dunkirk Lighthouse & Veterans Park Museum, 1 Lighthouse Point Drive N.,Dunkirk, NY Celea (Sampson) Cole was the wife of Seth Cole, first settler in the Dunkirk area and a Revolutionary War Soldier who had settled at the mouth of Canadaway Creek. Celea was widowed upon his death in Widow Cole was known for the great courage she displayed during the War of 1812; serving as patrol, spreading the alarm among settlers, feeding the soldiers stationed near her home, as well as melting her pewter dishes and precious teapot to make bullets for their use. The plaque which will be placed by the State of NY Society, U.S. Daughters of 1812 reads: On September 26, 1812 and from this site, some of the first shots of the War of 1812 were fired by local Militia at armed soldiers from the British Schooner Lady Prevost. When a small boat carrying the soldiers from the British ship was sighted rowing in pursuit of an American Salt Barge that had taken refuge at the mouth of Canadaway Creek, local citizen Celea Sampson Widow Cole rode her horse to the settlement of Canadaway (Fredonia) to secure reinforcements. Recognized as a War of 1812 Heroine for her efforts to spread the alarm, the Widow Cole reportedly also carried food and water to the militiamen and melted her pewter dishes to make bullets for their use during the attack. (Inscription details were researched by Mary Raye Casper, State Historian). In recognition of the significant impact made by Widow Cole in both the Dunkirk and Fredonia areas in 1812, NY Daughters are inviting the public to join them on the grounds of the lighthouse for this plaque dedication.

4 Volume 21, Issue 7 Page 4

Volume 21, Issue 7 Page 5 By Barbara Bartoletti, LWVNYS Lobbyist March Budget Madness Continues Monday, March 13 th started with a conference and rally by NYCLU dealing with reproductive justice,

The speakers delivered moving firsthand accounts of challenges they have faced as a result of outdated and prejudicial laws surrounding reproductive health care, the judicial system, and immigration.

5 Volume 21, Issue 7 Page 5 By Barbara Bartoletti, LWVNYS Lobbyist March Budget Madness Continues Monday, March 13 th started with a conference and rally by NYCLU dealing with reproductive justice, GENDA legislation, and legal services for the indigent and immigrants. Over 2,000 rallied outside of the Capitol in very cold temperatures. The speakers delivered moving firsthand accounts of challenges they have faced as a result of outdated and prejudicial laws surrounding reproductive health care, the judicial system, and immigration. On Tuesday New York State was hit with a large snow storm that stalled budget negotiations in the Senate and Assembly. On Wednesday business resumed with two houses debating their budget resolutions. The Assembly included early voting, automatic voter registration, closing the LLC loophole, and other ethics reforms in their package. They also included as a priority Raise the Age, funding for immigration services, a $1.8 billion increase in school funding, and a commitment to a full phase-in of the Foundation Aid formula starting with a $1.4 billion increase this year. The Senate s proposal was quite different with a heavy focus on further reducing taxes on the middle class and wealthy 1%. The Senate also proposed an increase in school aid by $1.2 billion and increase in foundation aid by $4.7 million over executive proposal. Both houses disagree with Governor over the elimination of foundation aid formula. Both resolutions also included a clean water bond act, and an opioid addiction plan. Senate Democrats put forward their own resolution that was not permitted by the majority to be considered by the full Senate. There was extreme tension between the GOP and Democrats that resulted in a heated debate between Senators Bonacic and Gianaris. The Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) also created their own budget resolution. The Senate GOP allowed the conference to have their resolution come to the floor for a vote. Mainline Democrats were furious and all voted against the resolution after some very raucous debate. The IDC resolution was largely the same but did focus on Raise the Age (although not the same Raise the Age provisions as the Assembly), more money for legal defense for immigrants, different monetary amounts for Medicaid, the DREAM act, and a few other progressive policies. Over all the two bills are very similar and the Democrats were furious over the obvious power play by Senator Klein. Senator Gianaris was particularly upset and got into a heated debate that continued with Manhattan Senator Marisol Alcantara. She eventually went on to accuse Gianaris of white privilege because he was opposing the DREAM Act (a bill of which Gianaris is actually a staunch supporter). Eventually Senator Flanagan had to rise and remind the Senators to keep with chamber decorum or else face being removed from the chamber. Even though the IDC resolution passed, it really doesn t mean anything. We expect the General Conference Committee (aka Mothership) will meet this coming Monday (3/20) and LWVNYS s hope is that they will set table targets for the different issue area committees to discuss (ex. health care, education, transportation). As always, the three men in the room do the actual budget negotiations behind closed doors. The League will continue to push for open leaders meetings as the budget negotiations continue. It is likely that many of these proposals will be stripped from the final bill but we hope that the Assembly will stand strong on their proposals to include Raise the Age and a full phase in of Foundation Aid.

Volume 21, Issue 7 Page 6 Bringing Two Sides at One Site In this time of increasing polarization of views and demonization of opponents, a small group of local citizens has been meeting to find

We believe that our democracy is harmed when people can t listen to one another and speak to one another in a civil manner, and we are all deeply committed to the wellbeing of our country.

6 Volume 21, Issue 7 Page 6 Bringing Two Sides at One Site In this time of increasing polarization of views and demonization of opponents, a small group of local citizens has been meeting to find common ground among people who voted for Secretary Hillary Clinton and people who voted for President Donald Trump. We believe that our democracy is harmed when people can t listen to one another and speak to one another in a civil manner, and we are all deeply committed to the wellbeing of our country. Our focus has been on issues not personalities; on action for the future, not on blame for the past. We are not actually trying to change one another s minds, but rather to see where we might advocate for the same things, and furthermore, to understand one another s thinking on the issues that concern us. The group has met once a month on a Friday afternoon at 2 in a public venue. If you are interested in learning more about the group, please Minda Rae Amiran, amiran@fredonia.edu. MINDA RAE AMIRAN, Fredonia Polystyrene Polystyrene plastic is made from petrochemicals. Polystyrene is commonly used in food packaging, where it comes in two forms, rigid and foam. The rigid form is used for clear food containers, plates, bowls, beverage cups and lids, utensils, and straws. The foam form (sometimes known by its trade name styrofoam) is used for plates, insulated beverage cups and bowls, clamshell food containers, and trays. You can recognize it by its resin code of 6.

Volume 21, Issue 7 Page 7 MARK YOUR CALENDARS APRIL 18 1:30 p.m BOARD MEETING Mary Croxton s, 22 Gillis St. Fredonia APRIL 26 NOON Topic: New York State Constitutional Convention: Moonbrook C.C. Promise or Peril?

m. Program Committee - at Deb Schwert s house JUNE 11-13 Holiday Inn Express, Liverpool, NY JULY 19 AUGUST 27 LWVNYS Convention Meeting on wind energy M.

com Fairmount House ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES, GIFTS 12 E. Fairmount Ave. Lakewood 708-8549 679-1981 www.fredopera.

7 Volume 21, Issue 7 Page 7 MARK YOUR CALENDARS APRIL 18 1:30 p.m BOARD MEETING Mary Croxton s, 22 Gillis St. Fredonia APRIL 26 NOON Topic: New York State Constitutional Convention: Moonbrook C.C. Promise or Peril? MARCH 28, 6:30p.m. PPT presentation on the Constitutional Convention SUNY Incubator Dk APRIL 5 6:30 p.m. Presentation by Steve Rees on composting SUNY Incubator Dk MAY 17 5 p.m. ANNUAL MEETING Celebrating the 100 th Domus Fare Anniversary of NYS Suffrage for Women MAY STUDENTS INSIDE ALBANY May 22 1:30 p.m. Program Committee - at Deb Schwert s house JUNE Holiday Inn Express, Liverpool, NY JULY 19 AUGUST 27 LWVNYS Convention Meeting on wind energy M. Twichell details tba Lily Dale Celebration of Women s Suffrage THANK YOU TO OUR ADVERTISERS Dunkirk & Fredonia Yoga Center Supporting Your Journey in Health & Wellness carolyngrady.com Fairmount House ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES, GIFTS 12 E. Fairmount Ave. Lakewood Fredonia Baptist Christian Nursery School Wheelock School Room 306 Chestnut Street Fredonia, NY, Investing in Their Future DARWIN S Health Club, Inc Water Street, Fredonia

8 Volume 21, Issue 7 Page 8 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY lwv@lwvchautauqa.org, The League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County is where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement. Invite a Friend to Join or Give the Gift Of League Membership!! League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County Management Team Mary Croxton, President Minda Rae Amiran Priscilla Bernatz Gen Ludemann Marcia Merrins Judy Reynolds Rose Sebouhian Linda Warner Make Your Voice Heard! Join Us Today! Membership Form Mail to: LWV Chautauqua P.O. Box 42 Fredonia, NY Membership Dues: through December 31, 2017 Individual: $60; Family: $90; Student: $25 (Check payable to LWV Chautauqua County) Name Address Phone Fax I would like to get involved with: Local Issues Voter Service State/National Issues Local Newsletter Assisting with minor tasks occasionally Other:

NYS Expansion of Voters Rights Explained

NYS Expansion of Voters Rights Explained LWV Chautauqua County PO Box 42 Fredonia, New York 14063 Inside This Issue About Our Program & Reservation Form From the President Women s Summit Annual Meeting Reservation Form Call for Inspectors Proposed