Au revoir!

To my many League friends,

First, I am not dropping off the face of the planet, only stepping into "support mode" as the New League with a Place for You! takes flight.  I could not leave you in better leadership hands than the 2011-2012 Board of Directors slate.  This board is balanced including seasoned and new members and includes women of diverse experience and talent.  Each of them brings to the table expertise in her field, as well as an understanding of collaboration and teamwork.  They will map a clear and focused course for LWVPBC in the years ahead.  I will remind all of you that the League needs our support.  A New League with a Place for You! includes a role for each of us.  I'm working on mine...please identify yours.

Second, the next two years present overt challenges to the League's positions on many fronts: offering opportunities for advocacy and citizen education; opting out of Affordable Health Care; Education reform; fiscal and taxation issues (TABOR); Restoration of Civil Rights for Felons; and implementation of the Redistricting Constitutional Amendments we worked so hard to pass, to name just a few.  In the next few months the Speakers' Bureau will be ready to speak to organizations around the county on several of these issues.  Keep track of the legislative action by reading Capitol Reports issued each Friday during the session by our lobbyist in Tallahassee, Ben Wilcox (www.thefloridavoter.org or lwvpbc.org).  Remember:  those who oppose our positions are publicizing their opinions from the rooftops.  Please, do your best to share League issues and information with all those you associate with...every chance you get!

I will review 2011-2012 with all of you at the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 13.  Please come, hear our guest, former Representative Carl Domino and recall with me the events and efforts of the year and the people who brought them to you.

It is through challenge and the contributions of many that we find satisfaction and I have found my share. My thanks to each of you who helped me along the way.

Warmly in League,

Kathe

April 2011- May 2011 Palm Beach County LWV Calendar

APRIL

MAY

April 7^th Town Hall Meeting On The New League

Barbara Eriv 

Have you heard about the "New League"?  If you have, but still have questions, would like to provide your feedback or perhaps, you don't know what the "New League" is and want to find out, then come to the Town Hall Meeting on the New League and let's have a conversation.  The Town Hall is being organized by the LWVPBC Transition Team and is scheduled for Thursday, April 7^th from 11:30 AM to 1PM at the Delray Beach Public Library Tower Room, 100 West Atlantic Avenue, just west of Swinton Avenue.  For directions, call the main library phone number 561-266-0194
Chilren's Services, Gateway and I-95.

The "New League" is a term we are using to reflect the plans we have made to restructure our organization, based on a streamlined model recommended by the League of Women Voters US and already adopted by other Leagues across the country.  The New League of Palm Beach County will continue to focus on maintaining our mission and traditions as we also look to new ways to increase community involvement, build awareness of our mission and attract new members.

This is a process and we are still evolving our plans.  We want your participation in the design.  Come to our Town Hall to hear more about the New League, but more importantly, we want to hear from you.

New Voters Digests Now Available

The new Voters Digest 2010 will be available at the April 2 luncheon.  You will be able to sign-out as many as you want at that time.   

You can pick up a few copies for your friends and neighbors and offer to take some to your public library.  The new Voters Digests have the Supervisor of Elections' government logo on them, so they will be accepted by the county libraries.  

If you are not able to attend the April luncheon, please send your request for Voters Digests to info@lwvpbc.com.

Good information for all county voters!

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Eckler Citizenship Awards

Emily Rosen

The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach's annual citizenship award, presented to Palm Beach high school seniors, honors Ingrid Eckler, one of the founding members of the South County League.  Ingrid served as President for two terms and held a myriad of other leadership roles.  

 

This award is given to students who have been engaged in extraordinary community service; who have exhibited outstanding leadership skills; and whose response to an essay question germane to the mission of the League is cogent, focused, and indicates an understanding of the value of education for an informed citizenry.  

 

Grace Lee

It wasn't easy choosing a winner.  Our committee began by eliminating all but eleven submissions, narrowed them down to six, interviewed four, agreed on two and then we were stymied.  Charged with choosing one winner, we agreed unanimously that the two remaining submissions were equally worthy of reward.  Thus our two winners, Grace Lee from Atlantic Community High School in Delray Beach and Shaun Brian Plunkett from Lake Worth Community High School in Lake Worth will each receive an award of $1500.00 at the April 2nd Annual Luncheon.  

 

The award funds are taken from the Eckler Fund (separate from other League monies), for which we unabashedly solicit donations to assure that our presence in local high schools continues in perpetuity and inspires serious participation in government by the very people who are our future leaders.  To make a donation,please make your check out to League of Women Voters - Eckler Fund and

Shaun Plunkett

mail it to LWVPBC, Box 6208, Delray Beach, Florida 33482-6208.

 

Be sure to meet our two winners at the Annual Luncheon where you will receive a handout showing their accomplishments.  

 

Eckler Committee:  Karnie Hill, Joan Karp, Barbara Kestenbaum, Emily Rosen

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The Palm Beach County Charter

Susan Litchfield

Article II Form and Powers of Legislative and Executive Branches

The legislative/policy functions are carried out by the Board of County Commissioners.  This board consists of seven popularly elected District Commissioners, serving staggered (even and odd numbered districts) terms of four years.  A term limit of eight consecutive years applies.  One commissioner residing in each of seven districts is elected by residents living within that district.  The commissioner must live in that district and reside in that district during his/her term. 

Commissioners receive salaries as established by State Law for non-charter counties.

• current ordinances,
• rules of procedure adopted by the Board of County Commissioners,
• organization of county departments,
• statements of established county policy, and
• administrative regulations.

• job description and pay plan,
• fringe benefits,
• personnel review system,
• a procedure for hearing terminations and disciplinary actions for all county employees, and
• an affirmative action plan.

1. How does the Palm Beach County government, under the County Manager form, provide for the benefit of the whole county if and when district needs, desires and interests conflict?
2. Is it the role of the Administrator to moderate these issues to the benefit of the county as a whole?
3. Would the process be better served if two or more "at large" Commissioners were added to the Board of County Commissioners?
4. Would or could the process be better served by establishing a procedural mandate that any major policy decision be accompanied by a written and publicly discussed cost/benefit analysis, including social, political, and economic costs and benefits to the affected communities?
5. Do you think that the Palm Beach County Charter creates a powerful non-elected official in establishing the County Administrator position?

Article III Specific Duties of Legislative Branch

Voters Service Candidate Forums

Ellen Sanders

Municipal candidate forums, an important League activity to educate voters, were held again this year. Requests come from town clerks, interested residents, candidates, or League members.

Candidate forums are an opportunity to demonstrate the commitment of the League to non-partisan citizen educational development.

In Boca Raton, the mayoral forum was expertly moderated by Sally Robinson.  Other volunteers who assisted on March 1 were Joan Karp, Charlotte Nash, Karn Hill, Emily Rosen, Barbara Kestenbaum, Dora Merris and Barbara Little.  In addition, Annette Evans provided background documents on city issues for the committee.

The Ocean Ridge Council candidates forum was held on February 24.  The moderator was Ellen Sanders and Linda Sorenson did a great job gathering League and non-League volunteers to organize a successful forum.  Kathe Thompson, Barbara Little and Stella Kolb facilitated by filling essential roles.

As previously reported, we partnered with NOWPBC to sponsor the West Palm Beach mayoral forum in January.

The Highland Beach mayoral forum was cancelled due to the withdrawal of the incumbent mayoral candidate.  Members who had been ready to volunteer included Joan Karp, Karn Hill, Cecily Feldman and Ellen Sanders.

The Palm Beach Gardens council forum was cancelled due to the failure to respond of the incumbent candidate.  Our volunteers who were ready to assist included Marcia Halpern, Karen Wilkerson, Gloria Alexander, Patty O'Connor, Dorothy Weiss and Kathe Thompson.

In Greenacres, two council seats were up for election with two candidates vying for each seat.  The challenging candidate for one seat withdrew from the forum, and one candidate for the other seat did not respond.  Volunteers who were ready to help included Estelle Friedman, Sondra Hill, Bea Perkins and Kathe Thompson.

Delray Beach did not have a municipal election because none of the candidates were opposed.  An attempt to have a forum of the returning council members regarding their vision and plans for the city has not yet occurred.

MANY, MANY THANKS to all of our members for their time and expertise!!  However, overall, the voter turnout in Palm Beach County for municipal elections was less than 15%, with some towns only having a single digit turnout.  This is a disgrace.  We may need to re-consider the expenditure of our time and effort to plan, organize and hold candidate forums when the voters do not show up at the polls.

National (LWVUS) News     

Bea Perkins   

Redistricting, a Hot Topic

The 2010 Census prompts legislatures around the nation to begin the redistricting process. The League has worked for many decades to reform this process. In California, there is an Independent Citizens Commission that will draw the lines. In Virginia, a mapping contest is challenging teams of college students to draw the districts. In Massachusetts, this process will take place behind closed doors as in previous years. In the Midwest, there are Midwest Democracy Networks which will launch campaigns focused on empowering citizens to influence this year's redistricting. Of course, we know our Amendments 5 & 6 were passed and now we will closely monitor the legislator's maps in the coming months.

Resources for LWV Action to Protect the Clean Air Act and EPA

The LWVUS Toolkit for Climate Action includes a set of materials to support the Clean Air Defense. It includes background information and suggestions our League can do to help to safeguard the EPA's ability to establish the clean air protections in the Clean Air Act.

League Files Amicus Brief in Opposition to Arizona Proof-of-Citizenship Requirement

The League asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals NOT to grant en banc review of a previous decision invalidating the Arizona requirement for voter registration.

Elections: LWVUS Supports State LWVs in Battles Against Voter Photo ID

In addition to the LWVMO testifying before its legislature, the LWVUS and coalition partners sent a letter to key legislators in Missouri urging them to oppose ID legislation.

Sunshine Week

On Friday, March l8, the LWV Education Fund again co-hosted the Annual Sunshine Week National Dialogue. The event, "The Road Forward on Open Government," was broadcast live via the web. To learn more, visit our event partner at www.OpenTheGovernment.org. As you may be aware, there are currently several controversies regarding the implementation of the Sunshine Law in Florida.

For more information on LWVUS, go to

www.lwv.org

.

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Bea Perkins is taking a break from her "State News" column this month.  But, don't miss her article in the May VOTER where she will report on her travel to Tallahassee (along with 21 other LWVPBC members) to meet with our legislators, attend a committee meeting or legislative session and take part in our LWVF State Convention.  Stay tuned.

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An Overview of My Visit to Cuba - "Sisters Across the Straits"

Sondra Modell Hirsch

When:            MONDAY, April 11, 2011, 2:00-4:00 PM

Where:            "505" Teen Center, 505 SE 5^th Avenue, Delray Beach  

Topic:             The Horn of Africa

Charles F. Dunbar, a 31 year veteran of the United States Foreign Service and now teaching International Relations at Boston University is the author of this extremely informative and interesting briefing.  Members are certain to find much to appreciate in it. 

This subject is timely since only recently four captured Americans were murdered off the Horn of Africa by pirates from Somalia.  The piracy flowing from Somalia is hugely prevalent and tremendously dangerous to commercial shipping as well as pleasure craft of all nations.  Ransom of persons and goods does seem to be the ultimate goal of this present day form of piracy.  Only extraordinary acts and solutions seem to reach the U.S. media as when in late winter five captured pirates were tried and sentenced in U.S. courts.

There is more to the Horn of Africa than Somalia. That part of the globe includes Ethiopia, Sudan, Djibouti, and Eritrea.  Those are not parts of Africa often in American thoughts and concerns, except for the genocidal civil war between North and South Sudan in Darfur.  That finally drew celebrity attention.

Donna Haltman will be our Great Decisions presenter of The Horn of Africa on April 11th.

Since the early 1990's, the United States government has monitored the Horn of Africa due to security concerns.  Monitoring has also involved considerable aid and development funds.

Some discussions points to be considered may be:

·       How can countries with internal instability and weak governments be expected to       thrive?

·       How have regional rivalries and a lack of development been conducive to       terrorism?

·       Can the U.S. protect its national interests while mitigating the dangerous conditions       in the region?

The Great Decisions program began 57 years ago.  The Foreign Policy Association permits fellow United States citizens to discover, discuss, and conclude how world challenges can be met.  Great Decisions takes one behind and beyond the headlines.  It provides insight into the challenges we face.

Great Decisions 2011 Briefing Books may be purchased from The Foreign Policy Association by calling (212) 481-8100 or by going online to www.fpa.org.

Great Decisions meetings are open to everyone, but to be fully meaningful attendees should be informed by the Briefing prior to the presentation.  If bringing a guest to the meeting, please do share your Great Decisions 2011 Briefing Book with that person.  Discussions are always more relevant and stimulating when everyone is up to speed.  Of course, discussion is open to all.

Future Meeting Dates, Topics, and Presenters for 2011: 

Four hundred thousand Americans participate yearly in this program.  Please become one of them.  You will gain a better understanding of global topics.

What's Happening in Palm Beach County

The following community-related events may be of interest to our members.

Note:  If you know of a nonpartisan event that would be of interest to our members, please email it to editor@lwvpbc.org.  Appropriateness for inclusion in the VOTER will be at the discretion of the editor.

Josette Kaufman

Anne Jiovanazzo

Shirley Sokolsky

Shirley Sokolsky - Ed Fund

Dorothy Einstein

Lotte & Morris Povar, in honor of Gerda Shay's birthday

Gerda Shay, in honor of Elayne Russell's Birthday

Betty Batchelder

Myrna Goldberger, in honor of Elayne Russell's 90th birthday

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