THE LEAG UE OF WO MEN VO TERS OF EAST NASSAU www.lwvofeastnassau.org info@lwvofeastnassau.org At local, state and national levels the League works to influence public policy through education and advocacy. June/July 2018 SAVE THE DATES Tuesday, July 11, 7:15 pm LWVEN Business Meeting Wednesday, July 18, 7:15 pm New & Prospective Members Get-Together Levittown library Sunday, August 26, 11:00 am LWVEN Summer Social Home of Mimi & Mike Hirsch Cost: $10/person All members are welcome to attend business/ board meetings, as well as general meetings. If planning to do so, please call 516-221-1948 to assure that the time and/or place has not been changed. Unless otherwise indicated, LWVEN meetings are held at the Levittown Library. In this Issue p. 2 A note from LWV of Port Washington/Manhasset Pres., Disaster at the Border p. 3 Students Inside Albany p. 4 News from LWVNC, Candidate Forum, Member accepts award p. 5 & 6 Ads, Membership Form, Keeping Connected p. 7 News from LWVNYS, Fact Checking Made Easier p. 8 NY Suffragists Inspired by Native American Culture, Help Protect the Environment. Election Day was chosen in 1845 as The first Tuesday after the first Monday In November to accommodate farmers by having it after the harvest and for traveling long distances to polling places. Come One, Come All Wednesday, July 18, 7:15 pm Levittown Library New and potential members are invited to our Get-Together to meet each other, meet current League members, and learn more about the League of Women Voters. Find out what League s plans are for the coming year(s) and see where you might want to play a role. Ask questions, make recommendations, have refreshments. For information, contact Barbara Epstein, epsteinb1@gmail.com or 516-221-1948. Please Join Us for the LWVEN 2018 Summer Social What: Join us for good food, good conversation, and hopefully, good weather. When: Sunday, August 27, 2017, at 11:00 am Just $10/person Home of Mimi and Mike Hirsch 84 Victor Street, Plainview 11803 Directions: from south Southern State Parkway to Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway N (28A North). Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway North to Old Country Road. Make a right turn onto Old Country Road going East. Make a left turn onto Rex Place, then an immediate right onto Knowles St. Remain on Knowles till it becomes Victor St. The house is on the left. Please reserve place(s) @ $10.00/person for the LWV of EN Summer Social. My check for $, made out to LWVEN, for attendees, is enclosed. I cannot attend, but would like to contribute to League. My check for $ is enclosed. Name Email address Phone Please clip and return this form with your check payable to LWV of East Nassau, to Barbara Josepher, Treasurer, LWVEN, 339 Cold Spring Rd., Syosset 11791, on or before August 17, 2018.

A Note From Julie Meer Harnick, President, LWV of Port Washington/Manhasset Dear LWV members and friends, In Oprah Winfrey s commencement address at USC Annenberg School for Journalism and Communications, she offered up 10 points of advice: Be the Truth, Stay Hopeful, Be Good to Everyone, Vote, Live Responsibly, Be Kind, Splurge on the Right Things, Be Upstanding, Your Job is What You Do - Not Who You Are, and Be Yourself. Oprah has quite a way with words and delivery. I enjoyed the speech and her points are all well taken. We at the League of Women Voters like VOTE quite a lot. Abraham Lincoln also spoke to the VOTE point in a way that only Honest Abe would say it: Elections belong to the people. It s their decision. If they decide to turn their backs on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters. How apt. With all our Voter Service work, we are certainly trying to keep our bums in good shape. HOW? We are educating voters, registering new voters, demanding fairer election districts and encouraging people to vote. Oprah also talked about issue fatigue. For me, I find this the biggest struggle. There are just so many pressing issues to take up climate change, healthcare, gun control, women s equality, and other social justice matters. Where do we begin? Sometimes the number of tasks seem so overwhelming that we are tempted do nothing. Resist that urge! I encourage everyone to pick just one (or two) issues and really go for it. Do everything you can for the safety and preservation of Long Island s water, or bust your a** for healthcare for all New Yorkers! But take action on ONE thing at least. Don t know how to do it? The League can help. My overarching goal as president of [my] local league is to give [our members] a platform for [their] voices. Tell us what you believe in and we ll support you in your efforts. After all, you ll need to figure out what you are going to say in your commencement address! We're attacking this issue from a few different angles. From LWVUS Re: Disaster at the Border We've added the League's name to two coalition letters. The first is from the Value Our Families Campaign. The letter opposes cuts to our family-based immigration system and the diversity visa program or ramped up enforcement measures that would further tear families apart as outlined in the Goodlatte bill up for consideration. The second letter calls on Congressional leaders to oppose actions that facilitate the Department of Homeland Security's mass detention and deportation, especially of people of color, construction of a harmful border wall, or further border militarization. Specifically, it urges Congress to significantly cut funds for immigration detention and enforcement within the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) budgets. We'll be sending our own memo to the House outlining our opposition to the proposed immigration bills that are up. If there are groups that you work with that are holding rallies or events in communities around this issue please get involved as you are able. If you have additional questions, you can contact Jessica Jones Capparell, JJones@lwv.org, Policy and Legislative Affairs Senior Manager, League of Women Voters of the US. 2

Students Inside Albany, May 2018 Above: Students from all over NYS attending the 2018 LWVNYS Students Inside Albany Conference. Right: Alexandra Dixon, LWVEN s representative to Students Inside Albany, at the Annual Meeting on June 13, at Per Un Angelo. Left: Alexandra with her parents and LWVEN SIA Coordinator, Lorraine Newman. LWVEN held its 2018 Annual Meeting at Per Un Angelo Italian Restaurant in Wantagh, on June 13 th. After our business meeting, we were pleased to hear from Alexandra Dixon, a junior at Freeport High School, who was our 2018 representative to the LWVNYS annual Students Inside Albany conference. Alexandra spoke with enthusiasm about her experiences at SIA, about the program, her fellow students there. The Presenters and all that she learned. We have had similar reports from previous SIA representatives, but Alexandra s discussion was surely one of the most cogent descriptions. A few of us spoke with her parents and learned how important learning and knowledge are in their home. We are certain that this young lady will do well in her senior year and into the future, and we wish her the best of luck. 3

News from LWVNC The Nassau County ILO (Inter-League Organization) will have an intern over the summer, who will be doing research regarding the use of disposable plastic bags. Her research will help us to take a position, on the county level, on this issue. She will also be an observer for the League at meetings of the Nassau County Legislature. For many years, the various local Leagues took turns having an observer at the legislative meetings, reporting back to us on what was happening at the county level. Unfortunately, this important task is not currently being met on a regular basis, and we should endeavor to revive the previous arrangement. Anyone can be an observer at any county or town meetings. At times, the meetings are tedious and boring. At other times, they are exciting and informative. Either way, attending allows us to keep up with local issues and to let our legislators know that we are doing so. If you are interested in attending either county or town meetings, you can go to their respective websites to know when and where the meetings are taking place. The schedule of these meetings is also in our county directory of public officials, They Represent You. You can receive answers to any questions about these meetings by contacting Barbara Epstein at epstein1@gmail.com or 516-221-1948. Our County League Affordable Housing committee is planning to meet with Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen regarding zombie homes and how to get more affordable homes for purchase and rentals. The committee is seeking other organizations to work with on this issue. Anyone interested in working on this issue can contact Barbara Epstein (contact information above). A Candidate Forum for the Democratic Primary Election for CD 2 (Seat currently held by Peter King) was held on June 11, at the Massapequa Public Library at Bar Harbour, which cosponsored the forum. Candidates: DuWayne Gregory and Liuba Grechen Shirley Moderator: Paula Blum Did you know. The Public Trust Doctrine is a legal principal (environmental law) derived from English Common Law. The essence of the doctrine is that the waters of the state are a public resource, owned by and available to all citizens equally. This trust is not invalidated by private ownership. Francesca Carlow, President of the National Council of Chambers of Commerce, accepted the Small Business Growth Award, at the Vision Long Island 2018 Smart Growth Awards on June 8, at the Crest Hollow Country Club. Francesca is a valued member of the LWVEN. She is seen above with Barbara Epstein, member of the LWVEN Management Team. 4

Please patronize our advertisers. Their ads help to defray the cost of distribution and printing. Hirsch Electric FOR HOME AND SECURITY MIKE HIRSCH Licensed Master Electrician 84 Victor St. Plainview, N.Y. 516-822-5044 Since 1987 (516) 795-8325 590 B R O A D W A Y MASSAPEQUA, NY 11758 Members: Ask your favorite professional or retail store to take this ad space. TSG FINANCIAL INSURANCE FINANCIAL SERVICES BENEFITS Benjamin R. Chafitz bchafitz@tsgfin.com w w w. t s g f i n. c o m Cosmetic, Implants, Restorative Root Canal and Family Dentistry 516.336.5991 1325 Franklin Avenue Suite 540 Garden City, NY 11530 2565 Beverly Road Merrick, NY 11566 Tel: 516-378-8600 stevenmlevydmd@gmail.com WWW.M E R R IC K D E N T IS T R Y.C O M 3728 Park Avenue, Wantagh, NY 516-826-5555 Worldgym.com/wantagh Glenn-Scott Landscaping Save-On Sprinklers savonsprinklers.com glennscottland@aol.com 2285 Bedford Ave. Bellmore NY 11710 516-826-2815 516-781-0535 fax-516-826-1120 Name: Membership/Contribution Form Yes, I want to support the LWV s work in citizen education and advocacy. membership dues $ 55 Individual Membership $80 H ousehold Membership (2 or more) $20 (Full-time) Student Membership $75 Supporting Membership Tel: Address: Email Address: Areas of interest: Enclosed is my (our) check payable to LWV of East Nassau for contribution Please clip & send with your check to: Barbara Josepher LWVEN Treasurer 339 Cold Spring Road Syosset, NY 11791 Total: 5

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. N EW Y OR K STATE SEN ATE LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING ROOM 513 ALBANY, NEW YORK 12247 (518) 455-2765 (518) 426-6925 8 TH SENATE DISTRICT SENATOR JOHN E. BROOKS E-MAIL : BROOKS @NYSENATE.GOV DISTRICT OFFICE 5550 MERRICK ROAD, SUITE 205 MASSAPEQUA, NEW YORK 11758 TEL: (516) 882-0630 FAX: (516) 882-0636 M ICHAEL A. M ROOM 437 LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING ALBANY, NEW YORK 12248 TELEPHONE: 518-455-4684 FAX: 518-455-5477 ASSEMBLYMAN 15 THDISTRICT ONTESANO 111 LEVITTOWN PARKWAY HICKSVILLE, NY 11801 TELEPHONE: 516-937-3571 FAX: 516-937-3632 E-mail: montesanom@assembly.state.ny.us (516) 571-2660 Fax: (516) 752-4099 MAUREEN O CONNELL, RN, JD OFFIC E OF TH E COUNTY CLERK NASSAU COUNTY CLERK 240 OLD COUNTRY ROAD MINEOLA, N.Y. 11501 Www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/clerk/ 1 SCHOOL STREET, SUITE 303B GLEN COVE, NEW YORK 11542 (516) 676-0050 FA X: (516) 676-0071 NEW YO RK STATE ASSEM BLY CHARLES D. LAVINE MEMBER OF ASSEMBLY 13TH DISTRICT E-MAIL: LAVINEC@ASSEMBLY.STATE.NY.US ROOM 441 LEGISLATIVEOFFICE BUILDING ALBANY, NEW YORK 12248 (518) 455-5456 FAX: (518) 455-5467 NASSAU COUNTY LEGISLATURE (516) 571-6213 FAX: (5160 571-6746 E-MAIL: tmckevitt@nassaucountyny.gov T HOMAS MCKEVITT LEGISLATOR, DISTRICT 13 1550 FRANKLIN AVENUE ROOM 209 MINEOLA, NY 11501 N EW Y OR K STATE SEN ATE LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING ALBANY, NY 12247 (518) 455 2390 e-mail: marcelli@nysenate.gov SENATOR CARL L. MARCELLINO FIFTH SENATE DISTRICT 250 TOWNSEND SQUARE OYSTER BAY, NY 11771 (516) 922-1811 FAX (516) 922-1154 NASSAU COUNTY LEGISLATURE ROSE MARIE WALKER NASSAUCOUNTY LEGISLATOR DISTRICT 17 (516) 571-6217 FAX: (516) 571-6277 E-MAIL: rmwalker@nassaucountyny.gov 1550 FRANKLIN AVENUE MINEOLA, NY 11501 See See page page 1 for 1 for details details regarding our New New Member Get-Together and and our our Summer Social ARNOLD W. DRUCKER NASSAU COUNTY LEGISLATOR, 16TH DISTRICT ME MB E R: HE A LTHA NDS OCIALS E RV ICE S P UB LICWORK S GOV E RNME NTS E RV ICE S& OP E RATIONS RA NK ING: P LA NNING, DE V E LOP ME NT& E NV IRONME NT (516) 571-6216 FAX: (5160 571-6287 E-MAIL: adrucker@nassaucountyny.gov NASSAU COUNTY LEGISLATURE 1550 FRANKLIN AVENUE M INEOLA, NY 11501 LWVUS & LWVUS Education Fund 1730 M St. NW, Ste. 1000 Washington DC 20036 www.lwv.org lwv@lwv.org KEEPING CONNECTED LWV of Nassau County PO Box 221 Port Washington NY 11050 516-431-1628 www.lwvofnassaucounty.org info@lwvofnassaucounty.org LWVNYS & LWVNYS Education Foundation 62 Grand Street, Albany NY 12207 518-465-4162 www.lwvny.org lwvny@lwvny.org 6

News Bulletin from LWVNYS Legislative Session Wrap-Up The legislative session has ended. As expected, the Legislature failed to pass any of the progressive reforms we advocated for. We weren't the only group scorned by the Assembly and Senate; very few issues were able to be resolved before the two houses gaveled out. Election law reforms, single payer health care, the Reproductive Health Act, the Contraceptive Coverage Act, and closure of the LLC loophole all passed in the Assembly but were not taken up by the Senate. Our two priority anti-corruption bills, the Database of Deals and Procurement Integrity Act, were passed by the Senate but not the Assembly. Typically, towards the end of session, the "three men in a room" (the Governor, Senate Leader, and Assembly Speaker) get together and make a deal on what issues they are willing to trade in order to pass a large package of reforms known as "the big ugly." This year, there was no package of reforms. Instead of meeting with the house leaders, the Governor appeared on several national news stations to chastise the federal government over family separation (an issue our National League has been working to end). The legislature did manage to pass an opioid take back program, implementation of a prosecutorial accountability office, a mandate for feminine hygiene products to be available for all female inmates, and tougher laws on ticket scalpers. It was a difficult year for all advocates. Between the Senate stalemate and the fear of looming state primaries for nearly all sitting members, it seemed the Legislature was afraid to vote on any meaningful reforms that could hurt their reelection bid. Now that the session has ended, we are turning our focus to the upcoming primary and general elections. The League has been actively promoting our new electronic voter guide for the Congressional primary on June 26th. You can find our guide here or at https://lwvny.civicengine.com/ We will continue our election education work into the summer and fall. Over the course of the session, we were able to hold several member-wide calls on issues and advocacy that could be taken by members. We also kept members informed using our Facebook and Twitter pages to share what was happening in real time at the Capitol. Fact Checking Made Easier How do you know whether the email you received is providing you with correct information. Many people assume that if it was sent to you by someone you know and trust, that it is accurate. However, there is always the possibility that the person who sent it received it from someone else, and that it might contain misinformation. In this era of fake news we do need to be careful. So, what can you do? There are a number of fact checking resources to which you can turn to avoid the spread of rumors and misinformation. Among them are the following: Snopes.com investigates a variety of online information including urban legends and rumors. Factcheck.org provides accurate information to media consumers. Politifact evaluates statements by elected officials, candidates, activists, etc. American Press Institute provides vetted resources for fact checkers and journalists 7

NY Suffragists were Inspired by Native American Culture In the 1840s, when most women in the U.S. were considered the property of their husbands and courts blocked the use of domestic violence protections, early suffrage leaders, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Jocelyn Gage, saw that their neighbors, members of the Haudeosaunee indigenous people, had rights for women against assault and rape which were unknown in the white world. These women also worked in the fields, managed community resources and shared government responsibility with their men, while women in white society were wearing binding corsets and pounds of petticoats. In this indigenous society, everything from property rights to child custody to family lineage passed through the generations via the women, who had full rights to divorce their husbands and were not considered legal possessions, while white women were considered "nameless, purseless and childless." In the Haudenosaunee Nation, male chiefs were chosen by clan mothers, who required that the men not be thieves, murderers or sexual assailants, while American women had no say in their government at all. These early feminists were inspired by the Haudeosaunee society, and brought the knowledge that there can be a different relationship between the sexes to the first women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, which happened to be located on Haudenosaunee land. The Seneca Falls Convention was the meeting that led to the Constitutional amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote. Source: Betty Lyons & Sally Roesch Wagner, NY Daily News, April 2018 Help Protect the Environment All Natural Air Freshener The best method is always the more natural method. There is no need to buy products filled with harmful ingredients when you can make healthy alternatives at home, with just a few ingredients. The things you ll need to create your own natural air freshener are: 1 tablespoon baking soda 2 cups distilled water 10 drops essential oil (You can use whichever scent(s) you want.) 1 clean spray bottle Mix the baking soda and essential oil in a bowl with a fork to keep the oil suspended in the water. Pour the mixture into the spray bottle (a funnel works wonders) and top off with the distilled water. Shake before every use and enjoy clean, fresh air at home. Wood Furniture Dusting and Cleaning 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons olive oil 10 drops lemon oil 1 soft rag or 2 tablespoons lemon juice 10 drops lemon oil A few drops olive oil or jojoba oil 1 soft rag Mix the ingredients in a bowl. Dab a soft rag into the solution and dust, polish, and shine your wooden furniture. You can re-use the rag over and over again. (There are a myriad of other similar formulas available.) The League of Women Voters of East Nassau www.lwvofeastnassau.org, info@lwvofeastnassau.org Management Team: Barbara Epstein, Barbara Josepher, Norma Schaeffer, Peggy Stein Editor: Paula Blum, paulablum@hotmail.com Circulation: Mary Price Advertising: Barbara Levine 8