LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WOODLAND THE WWW.WOODLAND.CA.LWVNET.ORG DECEMBER 2007 VOTER Michael Brady Receives LWV DEMOCRACY WORKS AWARD On November 6, the LWV Woodland held the second Democracy Works Award dinner. Mike Brady was the award recipient. LWV Co-president Nancy Rice (pictured at left) presented Mike with the award, after general introductions by co-president Eileen Racki (pictured at right). Approximately 40 people attended the event. Annual LWV Woodland Holiday Progressive Dinner When: Friday, December 14 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Where: 512 Woodland Ave; 524 West Keystone; 1113 McKinley & 131 Hayes League members and their guests are welcome. Invitations are arriving by mail. RSVP to Pat Murray by December 12 662-9092 After receiving his award, Mike said a few words about his experience leading the Green Waste Citizen Advisory Committee that he described as both satisfying and at times frustrating. Several members of the Advisory Committee attended the event to support and honor Mike s work. Mayor David Flory stopped in - on a brief break from presiding over a City Council meeting that night. The League appreciates the Mayor taking the time to come over and help honor Mike. PAGE 1
LWV Board of Directors 2007-08 Please contact any member of the board with your ideas and questions. Co-presidents Nancy Rice 662.9766 nrice@sbcglobal.net Eileen Racki 666.1811 edrack@dcn.davis.ca.us 1st Vice-president Publicity Barbara Fleck...661-9555 cbfleck@sbcglobal.net2nd Vice-president Membership Loretta Hansen 669.6669 lhansen1226@sbcglobal.net Recording Secretary Kathy Harryman 662.2189 rosekay@hotmail.com Treasurer Judy Simas 662.1343 jsimas@wjusd.org Voters Service & Publications Pat Butler 530.525.0641 tahoebutler@sbcglobal.net Legislation Bj Ford 662.0952 bjford@pacbell.net Natural Resources Director Debra Chase 473.2820 dchase@tuleyome.org Finance Directors Lucinda Talkington 662.0535 lucbobtalk@sbcglobal.net Sadie Barga 662.5136 Voter Editor Carol Souza Cole 666.2097 carolsouzacole@cal.net Hi Leaguers, The dialogue continues... Nancy: Hi Eileen and everyone! Such a busy time - yet I have to save some time for just quiet. Eileen: Yes, this is a busy time especially with the holiday season fast approaching and a December celebration of my son Alex s wedding. I am beginning to feel like I am running out of time. I am sure League members are busy with holiday preparations- cooking, traveling, shopping, wrapping presents, etc. Nancy: We all have our special things to do. I have to make my house child-resistant and clear out space for my family from New York state to stay. We ll all be together for the first time in years, so it s exciting. Eileen: Don t forget the holiday party for members on December 14. Look for more information in the invitation that has been mailed to members. Nancy: It s wonderful to see our old and new friends at this time of year - you all come to the party... Eileen: The State of the Community Luncheon Committee will be asking members to volunteer their time and soup making skills soon. This is the League s big fundraiser for the year. The Board doesn t want to have all of the fun... Nancy: Please volunteer, or at least say yes, when you are asked. Please. Please. Please! Eileen: Hope to see all the League members at the holiday party. Both of us: Best wishes and happy holidays to League members and their families. See you...! Nancy and Eileen PAGE 2
Global Climate Change a Priority Issue for LWV by Debra Chase, LWV Natural Resource Director The League of Women Voters has a long history of protecting the earth s natural resources. As early as the 1920 s and 30 s the League became concerned about our weakening resources and the necessity for conservation. Back then, the League undertook a study of flood control, erosion, and the creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority. In the 1950 s water resources were the focus, and in the 1970 s the environmental movement prompted the League to build a broad national program focused on protecting and managing the interconnected qualities of our air, water, land use, energy and waste management. Ever in the forefront of the environmental protection movement, the League has helped to frame landmark legislation and seeks to preserve and protect life - supporting ecosystems and public health. Striving to increase public participation on natural resource issues has always been a League theme. Now here we are in the new millennium and our concerns about the environment are more focused than ever. Global Climate Change is the most serious threat to our environment, our health, and the economy of our nation. In previous editions of The Voter we referred to an ad by the Ad Council that depicts Global Warming as a train coming at us from thirty years in the future. We now know that we may not have that much time after all, that the effects of climate change are upon us and we must speak out now to our government leaders urging them to take more than just a casual notice. On November 15, 2007 the League urged the House and Senate to support both fuel economy and renewable electricity standards. The League believes that the two provisions, together, should form the basis for energy legislation in this Congress. You can see the letter to the members of the Senate and House of Representatives by going to: www.lwv.org and clicking on the take action button. You can also write to your senator or congressman and let them know that Global Climate Change is at the top of your agenda. Our cities, counties and states are now the leaders in making the changes needed to slow down this train called Global Climate Change. California passed its first greenhouse gas law in 2002, the first of its kind in the nation taking the lead in reducing motor vehicle greenhouse gas emissions. Right here at home, Yolo County has made some significant changes as well. In September, Yolo County joined with 13 other counties in the United States to participate in the Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration, thereby making Yolo County one of only 13 charter counties in the entire country making this commitment. A significant act of environmental leadership, this commits Yolo County to seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the year 2050. Yolo County has also committed to join the California Climate Action Registry and has submitted to an audit of the county s baseline energy use. There is more to do: by we the people; by leaders in local and national government. The lives of our children, our grandchildren and future generations depend on the decisions we make today. Remember that old song by Joni Mitchell written in 1970? They took all the trees, Put em in a tree museum, And they charged the people a dollar and a half just to see em, Don t it always seem to go, That you don t know what you ve got, til it s gone...?. Act now! PAGE 3
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE Dues are now due! Many thanks to the following members who joined or renewed their memberships at last month s Democracy Works Award Dinner: Judy Simas Bj Ford Kathy Harryman Loretta Hansen Eileen Racki Carol Souza Cole Ann Thurston Brown Leslie & Bill Marcus Margaret Nicolson Pat Murray Dorothy Minges Deborah Liles Please renew your membership today using the membership form on the next page. If you have questions phone membership chair, Loretta Hansen at 669 6669 or email her at lhansen1226@sbcglobal.net LWVC Ballot Positions February 5, 2008 Presidential Primary At its November meeting, the League of Women Voters of California board decided positions on the following measures: * OPPOSE Proposition 91: Transportation Funding Initiative Prohibits transfer of funds earmarked for the Transportation Investment Fund. This position reflects the continuing concern about funding earmarks in the state constitution, despite our support for the importance of transportation funding. * OPPOSE Proposition 92: Community Colleges Establishes independent public community college districts and Board of Governors in the state constitution, includes minimum levels of state funding for this segment in the Proposition 98 formula, reduces student fees, and other matters. This position was a difficult one, as we truly want to see reform of the community college system on the basis of our position adopted in 2003. However, we continue to have concerns about changes to the constitution that would further restrict the ability of the state to continue other important programs in the future. Proposition 92 would set up a designated funding structure without providing new funds and its provisions would be difficult to modify. * NEUTRAL Proposition 93: Term Limits Initiative Changes the maximum length of state legislative service, allowing 12 years to be served in either house or any combination of the two. This initiative, by itself, makes relatively minor changes to the current term limit structure, and, without redistricting reform as part of a government reform package, does not achieve meaningful reform. It is moreover involved in an increasingly partisan campaign. * NO POSITION Propositions 94-97: Referenda on Indian Gaming Agreements The League has not studied the issues of the benefits of Indian gaming compacts nor the potential detriments of gaming and other community impacts. PAGE 4
THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WOODLAND DECEMBER 2007 Become a member today! Name: Address: City: Zip: Phone: email address: I would prefer to receive the monthly newsletter, The Voter, by: email USPS mail both MAIL MEMBERSHIP FORM TO: LWV WOODLAND P.O. BOX 2463 WOODLAND CA 95776 Dues: $45 individual, $60 for a family. Voluntary contributions of $5 are welcome to cover recent state dues increases. While dues to LWV are not tax deductible, contributions to our Education Fund are deductible to the extent allowed by law. Education Fund contributions are needed and used for voter outreach and education. The League of Women Voters of California, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. WWW.WOODLAND.CA.LWVNET.ORG Calendar 2007-2008 December 14 LWV Holiday Party January 8 LWV Board meeting LWV WOODLAND P.O. BOX 2463 Woodland 95776 January 21 Last day to register to vote for the Presidential Primary February 5 Presidential Primary Election February 13 LWV State of the Community Luncheon <http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_j.htm>..