LWV of Rochester has been busy with forums on voting reforms – and will continue the forums in the future. Following are YouTube links to the recording (in 3 parts) of our 9/2016 forum on “Voting in Monroe County” presented by our BOE Commissioners – the “seed” from which this plan started. It’s a really good overview of election process and various issues:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G03Lyh6yju0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2BfaCIZfdw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg9cfnPlceI
The LWV of Huntington’s second Issues Education session, Voices from the Front, held on Wednesday, March 8th at the South Huntington Library was a panel discussion with opening remarks by our League President, Colette Knuth and moderated by member, Dianne Slavin. Panelists included medical practitioners, an employer, a patient advocate, an insurer and a policy maker. The panelist gave the audience real life examples of the American health care and insurance systems at work; systems that certainly have flaws but that are essential to our general well-being.
On Friday, May 5th, LWV of Syracuse invites its members to attend the annual legislative breakfast with their state senators and assembly members. The Syracuse League is also hosting the state Convention in June and would love people to help volunteer at the Convention. Contact Joan Johnson at jaj62@twcny.rr.com if you are willing to help!
LWV of Chautauqua, with League leadership, has organized a small group of local citizens to find common ground among people who voted for Secretary Clinton and people who voted for President Trump. These citizens reject the polarization of views and demonization of opponents that has marred public discourse in recent months. They believe that our democracy is harmed when people can’t listen to one another and speak to one another in a civil manner. The group’s focus has been on issues not personalities; on action for the future, not on blame for the past. And indeed, a lot of common ground has emerged during the three monthly meetings this gradually growing group has held.
A panel discussion on the Electoral College was organized by the LWV of Eastern Putnam County. Panelists included: Dr. Jeanne Zaino, Political Science Faculty member, Iona College and New York University; Barbara Bartoletti, LWVNYSLegislative Director; and Anthony G. Scannapieco, Jr., Republican Election Commissioner, Putnam County Board of Elections.
There was standing room only for a meeting organized jointly by the LWV of Albany County and the NYS Women’s Press Club, entitled, “Endangered Species? The Future of Journalism and the 1st Amendment.” Guest panelists included Rex Smith, TU editor; Rosemary Armao, UAlbany Journalism professor, Robert Heverly, Assoc. Professor at Albany Law School with Moderator: Angela Ledford, Professor of political science at College of St. Rose
LWV of Tompkins County held a meeting to discuss the legacy of the Rockefeller drug laws, the capacity of local organizations, the success/challenge of drug court, the public’s attitude toward addicts, and the relationship of alternative programs to the proposal to increase the size of the local jail.
The LWV of Broome and Tioga Counties is a member of the Status of Women Council in which women from twelve other organizations cooperate to highlight the importance of women’s contributions in our community. Great collaboration, League!
Ten members of LWV Saratoga recently squeezed around a table in Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s rather small Glens Falls district office to talk about issues of concern. They discussed voting reforms, healthcare and environmental issues.
More than 90 percent of the people fleeing to New York from conflict-ridden countries have resettled in one of five upstate counties. Erie County is one of those, welcoming refugees and asylum seekers from Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Burma, Bhutan, Nepal and more. LWV of Buffalo/Niagara held a meeting to hear about their real-life experiences, and how the Center for Survivors of Torture helps them heal and make their home in a new land.
On February 22, a group representing LWV of the Hamptons (GlorianBerk, Carol Mellor, Martha Potter and Judi Roth) met with Congressman Lee Zeldin to advocate for LWVH positions including comprehensive health care for all.
