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League of Women Voters of Kent
e-VOTER
May 2011
 
In This Issue
From the President
LWVK Annual Meeting, June 4
Cuyahoga River Day is May 21
Finance Drive Needs Your Help
Members Put the "Fun" in Fund Drives!
LWVO State Convention
League Urges Balanced State Budget
State House Day Report
Fireworks and Festivals:Volunteer for Heritage Festival
Park District is Membership Event Topic
Observer Corps
Save the Date
Join the League
Volunteer Opportunities
Catch Up on League Reading
Directory of Portage County Public Officials
Up-to-Date with LWV Ohio
Up-to-Date with LWV US
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Welcome to the May 2011 issue of the Kent League of Women Voters' e-newsletter. We hope you find it informative.
presTerrie
Kent LWV President Terrie Nielsen
 
I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every member of LWVK for the help that they provided to our organization over the last two years.The League is a highly respected organization in the community. This would not be possible without the dedication, thought-fulness and commitment that each one of you have to the League and local issues. It was my pleasure to serve as president of LWVK for the last three years. As I step down from that position, I know that my life has been enriched by all of you, and I thank you for the opportunities that you have provided. Thank you!

 
Sincerely,
Terrie Nielsen, President
League of Women Voters of Kent
    
  
voterchoicesLWVK Annual Meeting Set for Saturday, June 4, at Patton House . . . a Reminder to Also Pay Your Dues!

 

  

Kent's historical Patton House will be the site of the 2011 Annual Meeting for the League of Women Voters of Kent.

 

Come to network at 10:15 a.m. The meeting will follow at 10:30 a.m. with brunch set to begin at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $17 per person. The Patton House is located at 529 W. Main Street. Reservations are due by May 28 to Nena Hankins, 1950 Kimberly Drive, Kent, OH 44240.

 

All members should have received a packet with the reservation form, meeting booklet and dues form. If you did not receive a packet, e-mail Nena or call her at 330-673-0128.

 

Please send in your dues at this time also. On the dues form, you can make a donation (with an option where your contribution is tax deductible) and volunteer to help with our many activities.

  
 
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bttFor New Members--Annual Meeting Sets the Stage for a New Year
 

The Kent League's Annual Meeting is the changing of the guard as we say thanks to those who have led us well and welcome our new leaders.

 

Roberta O'Keefe, our current treasurer, will step up to become president, taking over from Terrie Nielsen, who held the office for the past three years. A new co-vice president, yet to be named, will be elected. Jackie Waltz, who has led our fundraising campaigns, will become the new treasurer. Vice president Debby Newberry will be elected secretary. Officers and board directors have two-year terms.

 

New directors will be Stacy Yaniglos and Kerry Macomber. Current director Amie Cajka will be re-elected and Jo Eschler, who also is on the board, will be elected to fill a one-year term. Continuing officers and board members are: Jane Rose, co-vice president; and directors Nena Hankins and Barb Watson.

 

Thanks to Delores Durbin, Christine Bhargava and Melissa Long who served on the board along with Terrie Nielsen.

 

The focus of the meeting will be voting to retain local program positions. The Kent League has positions on intergovernmental cooperation and regional tax-base revenue sharing, the Kent city charter, Kent city finances, Portage County justice system, parks and recreation, land use and zoning and Kent city schools. Over the past 30 years, the Kent League has studied these areas of civic concern in order to be involved in public discussions and election issues that affect the community.

 

To see the positions in their entirety, click here.

 

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voterchoices21st Annual Cuyahoga River Day Set for Saturday, May 21: Celebrate Our Natural Heritage 

  

All events are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

  

MORNING EVENTS

 

Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: Tannery Park (at Stow Street Bridge, coming west from Summit Street or south from Pearl Street intersection on Haymaker Parkway)

Description: Celebrate the many recreational opportunities on the free-flowing Cuyahoga River. Hike, bike, paddle, picnic, bird watch and explore Tannery Park, rain-barrel display, fly casting demonstrations, hands-on activities for children, self-guided history and nature walks, Portage Hike & Bike Trail information; welcome from Charles Frederick, Kent Environmental Council chairman at 10 a.m.

Sponsors: Kent Parks and Recreation Department and Kent Environmental Council

Contact: Edith Chase 330-673-1193 (for a schedule, click here
)
 

KSU Crooked River Adventure Center's canoe, kayak and bike livery OPEN ALL DAY! Information and reservations: 330-541-7467

 

AFTERNOON EVENTS

 

Event: Kent Water Plant Open House
 

Time: Noon-3 p.m.

Location: 5860 Hodgman Lane (just east of the S.R. 261 and Summit Street intersection)

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Event: Kent Bog Open House

Time: 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Sponsor: Friends of the Kent Bog

 

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Event: Kent Community Dinner

Time:
5:30 p.m.

Location: Fred Fuller Park, 496 Middlebury Road

Description:
Join today's participating groups for a potluck Dinner to celebrate the river with the greater Kent Community. Bring food to share.

Contact: 678-8760

 

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voterchoicesHelp! Send money! I am in London, and I have been robbed! 

 

If you are an Internet user, you may have received a pleading e-mail from a friend with the message above. It is an e-mail virus, but have no fear! No one is in peril here--we just wanted to get your attention because the League is fundraising also! Legally, of course.

 

The community finance drive is under way. The committee has sent out 200 letters to friends of the Kent League seeking their support. If you know of a business or individual who appreciates our work in the community, e-mail Roberta O'Keefe, or call her at 330-673-2058. Give her the name and address of the individual or business, and the committee will do the rest.

 

  
voterchoicesYou--Our Members--Put the "Fun" in Fund Drive!  

 

Members are encouraged to join in the League's fundraising campaign by making a contribution. All members should have received a form with your dues notice that will make it easy to donate. If you can't find that form, here is all the information you need:

 

You can send a tax-deductible donation to the LWV Education Fund for the Kent League. The fund, which we use to support educational activities, is in need of replenishing, according to Kent League Treasurer Roberta O'Keefe. Please make the check payable to "LWV Education Fund," and mail it to Nena Hankins, 1950 Kimberly Drive, Kent, OH 44240.

 

Others ways to donate include a donation designated for the Book Award for a graduating senior at Kent Roosevelt High School. This gift is also tax-deductible and must be made out to  "LWV Education Fund." Please mail to Nena Hankins, 1950 Kimberly Drive, Kent, OH 44240. Please specify if the do- nation is earmarked for the Book Award.

 

Finally you can give a donation to the League of Women Voters of Kent. The latter is helpful because it is unrestricted in how it can be spent and the money is critical to supporting the League's activities. This type of gift is NOT tax-deductible. Make your check payable to "League of Women Voters of Kent." Please send to Nena. Thank you for your support! 

 

  
voterchoicesReport from LWVO Convention: "Sustaining Democracy through Sustainable Communities" 

 

LWVO LogoKent League President Terrie Nielsen and board members Nena Hankins and Gail Pytel attended the State LWV Convention at Maumee State Park May 13-15. Hankins was elected treasurer of the state board. Nielsen has been serving as a state board member and providing leadership as Kent LWV president. She is continuing on the state board. The Kent League also can be proud that the state League's outgoing treasurer is one of our own--Gail Pytel. Thank you, Gail, for your services and all that driving to Columbus!

 

Hankins reported that one of the workshops at the State Convention was "Election Monitoring: Working Together to Ensure a Fair Election in 2012." The state League conducted a pilot program after the 2010 election in which 14 local Leagues participated in observing the county audits of ballots and election results.

 

The state League now is looking for volunteers to observe the postelection audit of general elections in even-numbered years and both primary and general elections in presidential years. The League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund will provide training and other support. Volunteers would monitor their local board of elections and possibly boards of elections in counties where there is no local League. 

 

The state League also is recommending that local Leagues create an observer corps that will regularly attend board of elections activities. For more information, e-mail Nena or call her at 330-673-0128.

 

Terrie reported that she attended a workshop on nominating committees and how to approach leaders in one's local League to server on the organization's board. She also attended what she described as an informative discussion on fracking, a gas-drilling method that comes with many potential environmental hazards.

 

The Saturday lunch speaker was Tom Henry, environmental reporter from the Toledo Blade who discussed some of the changes that have occurred in environmental reporting and his perspective on those changes.
 
On Saturday evening, Lynn Henning from Michigan and the 2010 winner of the Goldman Prize for North America spoke about Concentrated Agriculture Feeding Operations in her area and the havoc they wreack on the people and resources who are unlucky enough to be located nearby. Henning is a dynamic speaker who left all who attended with the desire to get involved.
 
A Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) is a term that was first coined by the United States' Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to describe animal agricultural facilities that have a potential pollution profile. Specifically, the EPA defines a CAFO as an animal feeding operation (AFO) that (a) confines animals for more than 45 days during a growing season, (b) in an area that does not produce vegetation, and (c) meets certain size thresholds.

Convention delegates also approved a new state study. The topic is human trafficking. It is a human rights issue that is growing in Ohio. The Kent League board will be looking for members to form a study committee in the next several months. For more information about human trafficking, click here for a transcript and audio file of National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation" program from April 28. 
  
The next State Convention is scheduled for 2013 in the Cleveland area.
  
 
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voterchoicesLWVO Urges State Lawmakers to Take Balanced Approach to Budget Cuts 

 

The League of Women Voters of Ohio believes it is the responsibility of Ohio state government to ensure that all Ohio children have access to quality education and to protect basic human services, including health care for vulnerable Ohioans. Gov. John Kasich seeks to achieve these outcomes while simultaneously addressing the $8 billion budget shortfall and encouraging business growth to improve Ohio's economy and reduce unemployment. LWVO respect and applaud these goals.

LWVO also applauds the governor's desire to increase the cost-effectiveness and quality of service delivery to Ohioans. Likewise, it is commendable to ask local governments to seek ways to consolidate services and thereby reduce costs.

However, rather than create a more business-friendly climate for business, the proposed budget threatens to undermine the supports necessary for an educated workforce and a business-friendly tax environment. For example:

  • Significant cuts in funding will cause many school systems to face sizeable budget shortfalls. They will need to increase local revenues to cover the shortfall or significantly reduce educational services.
  • The proposed budget cuts are likely to contribute to increased inequity among the educational systems across the state, as wealthier school districts are likely to be able to increase taxes to maintain quality education while other districts will not. If Ohio is to have an educated workforce, the state needs to provide a quality education to all Ohio children--not just those in wealthy districts.
  • As counties, local governments and school districts seek additional local tax revenue to address their budget gaps, the governor's goal to make Ohio a more tax- and business-friendly state will be undermined.
 
LWVO also believe that the needs of Ohio's vulnerable citizens will not be addressed with a budget that relies only on cuts in funding. For example:
 
  • The proposed budget reduces funding for home care to Ohio's seniors and persons with disabilities. The result of such cuts is that it is likely that these citizens will be forced to rely on more expensive nursing home care. 
  • Cuts to state services will force county and local governments to 1) cease providing essential services, e.g., mental health services; or 2) find new sources of revenue to maintain community services - thereby increasing the tax burden on Ohioans in an ad hoc and piecemeal fashion. 
  
LWVO believes there must be a balanced approach to Ohio's budget challenge. For example, Ohio's approximately $7 billion in tax expenditures must be reviewed critically to determine which serve an important purpose and which can be eliminated without harming the state's economic development. In addition, LWVO suggest serious consideration be given to the following:
 
  • Implementation of a means test the homestead exemption.
     
  • Restoration of the income tax rate to the rate in effect in 2010.
     
  • Retention of the estate tax. This is not the time to eliminate a tax that is of paramount importance to many localities already facing budget shortfalls.
     
  • Expansion of the base of the sales tax to include more goods and services.
 
LWVO urges Ohio's legislators to consider a balanced approach to the 2011-2013 state budget that includes creative ways to reduce costs, moderate increases in taxes and the elimination of some of tax expenditures. LWVO believes that Ohio can achieve both the goal of an improved economic environment in which Ohioans can find employment and earn a living wage--and the goal of ensuring that Ohio's children and most vulnerable citizens are protected.
  
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voterchoicesState House Day Once Again a Success

 

On April 7, the League of Women Voters of Ohio held Ohio Statehouseanother successful State House Day. State House Day is an annual oppor-tunity to learn more about what is going on in olumbus. Kent League members Melissa Long and Kady Downing-Pownell and League President Terrie Nielsen and 100 other guests attended the event.

The day started with Fred
Anderle, who spoke about civil discourse.The message of his discussion was that we are not going to agree with everyone all of the time, and that is fine. 

A separate panel discussion about Gov. John Kasich's budget proposal featured Timothy Keen, director of the Ohio Office of Budget and Management; Gail Channing Tanenbaum, cochair of Advocates for Ohio's Future; and Ann Rohling McGee, president the Health Policy Institute of Ohio. Given the panel members' background, one can imagine the differing views that were presented.

The luncheon speaker was Secretary of State Jon Husted who talked about his plans for changes in voter laws, specifically making changes to the identification requirement.

In the afternoon, several workshops on various topics were held. Long met with Rep. Kathleen Clyde's staff person.
Overall, State House Day was a great educational and networking opportunity. Please consider attending next year.
  
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voterchoicesVolunteer for the League Booth at Kent Heritage Festival

 

Mark your calendars--July 2--for the annual Kent Heritage fireworks2 - RESIZEDFestival. The League will again have a booth to educate and sign up voters and be cheerful, friendly advocates of the League of Women Voters. We need members to sign up for two-hour shifts from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or help with set-up at 7:30 a.m. or teardown at 6 p.m.

 

Check your calendar and select your time! Sign up at the League's Annual Meeting on June 4. You also can e-mail Roberta O'Keefe or call her at 330-673-2058 to get your desired time scheduled. This is a fun event to meet and greet, eat foods that are bad for you and, of course, check out all the festival activities.

 

Help us by volunteering, and pray for dry weather to enjoy the day! 
  
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voterchoicesMembership Event Featured Park District Director

 

ParkDistrictLogo
Kent League Membership Chair Chris Schjeldahl reported that 13 people attended the last membership event. Kent League member Barb Watson brought one guest. The food was great as always, and Karen Fuller's house is perfect for a group like ours.

 

Portage County Park District Director Christine Craycroft was the speaker for the annual "Conversations with Women in Public Service" speakers series hosted by the Kent League. With a PowerPoint presentation, Craycroft provided information about her background and how she worked to establish the county park system on a part-time basis. She discussed the district's current projects, future plans and funding. A Portage Park District Foundation has been set up to develop more funding sources. Watson is a foundation board member.

 

To learn more about the county park district and its programs, click here. The concern about fracking and oil wells on national parks property was discussed.

 

Everyone agreed that Craycroft is doing an amazing job with so few funds available. She thanked the League for supporting the park district's efforts and its tax levies over the years.
  
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voterchoicesObserver Corps

 

An important activity of the League of Women Voters is the Observer Corps. As Corps volunteers, League members regularly attend government meetings to observe proceedings. The Internet has made it a little easier on us! Here are links to the minutes for Kent, Ravenna and Portage County government units whose decisions affect our everyday lives:

 

Kent Board of Education (not available online)
Ravenna Board of Education (available only as briefs)
  
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Save the Date . . .  
 
June 4 - Annual Meeting
Patton House, 529 W. Main St., Kent; 10:15 a.m.

July 2 - Kent Heritage Festival
Downtown Kent

 
Join the League of Women Voters Today! 
 
Click here here for a membership form.
  
Looking for a Way to Volunteer with the League? 
 
You're just a click away from communicating with a member who is working on a project:
 
Program Planning Committee - Jane Rose
 
Voter Service - Christine C. Bhargava
 
Finance Committee - Jackie Waltz

Kent City Finances Study Update - Melissa Long

Regionalism in NE Ohio - Jane Rose

Voting on Campus - Barb Hipsman Springer  

Membership - Chris Schjeldahl

Elected Officials Reception - Terrie Nielsen
 
Catch Up on Your League Reading . . . Links to National, State, Local Voters  
Directory of Portage County Public Officials Available  
 
Click here
for a directory of Portage County public officials, including complete addresses and terms of office. 
 
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Stay Up-to-Date with LWV Ohio  
 
Click here
for stories on Election Wait-Time Report
. . . League Encourages Full Census Count . . . League Settles Historic Lawsuit . . . Redistricting Contest Winners 
 
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Stay Up-to-Date with LWV US  
 
Click here
for releases and letters on Congressional Ethics report . . . Health Care for America Act
. . . repealing the Clean Air Act.