July 15, 2022
Dear Members,
Let’s begin this message with some inspiration. Jay Rosenbek, co-chair of our Natural Resources Committee, has been accepted to serve on the Alachua County Environmental Protection Advisory Committee (EPAC). That body “advises the County Commission on appropriate measures to safeguard air, water, and natural resources and on the responsible management of public lands and natural resources,” per the website. Jay inspires me by lending his expertise to our chapter and, as a community representative, to the county EPAC.
For additional inspiration, read Langston Hughes' poem, “Let America Be America Again", which was shared with the country by Cory Booker, US Senator, New Jersey, for the 4th of July holiday. In graceful terms, Mr. Hughes reveals the failings, but deep hope, for a more perfect democracy. I am grateful to our community partner, Nkwanda Jah, chair of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Committee, for passing on this beautiful work.
Last week I spoke with Tim Williams in the Supervisor of Elections office. Mr. Williams said that, for the time being, there are sufficient poll workers for the August 23 primary election. However, he offered that they appreciate having an abundant stash of election worker applications in the event of an urgent need, such as when COVID struck. Visit the SOE website to apply. If more workers are needed, additional training dates will be scheduled.
On June 26, thanks to the work of our Voter Services team and their partners at the UF Bob Graham Center for Public Service, we produced a successful Primary Candidate Virtual Forum. With record attendance, at least 350 viewers were able to hear the candidates for Gainesville Mayor and City Commission, Alachua County Commission and School Board, and Circuit Judge Group 12. Did you miss it? Not a problem. You can watch the recordings on our website at your convenience. The diligent hands and bright minds of the partners who produced the forum are an inspiration.
On a more somber note, it is hard to convey all the feelings that each of us experienced when Roe vs Wade was struck down by our Supreme Court. Let those feelings be a motivator for taking action. The national, state, and your local LWV will continue to support a women’s right to choose her own healthcare.
If you’re inspired to act on local issues, please join us for a tour of the Family Learning Center at Metcalf Elementary School on July 25, at 10:30 am. Mr. James Lawrence will be hosting us. We will learn about the vision of the center, the goals for the first year of operation beginning this fall, and whether our LWV would like to support this effort through an Action Team. If you would like to join the tour, please info [at] lwv-alachua.org (email me).
Finally, our Membership Chair, Sue Legg, will be stepping away from her role In September. That position welcomes new members through a monthly new member video presentation on Zoom and fields communications with new members. The fun is discovering the backgrounds and talents that each new member brings to our chapter. Please info [at] lwv-alachua.org (email me) for more information.
info [at] lwv-alachua.org
