Worried about national and state events? Concerned about the chaos of executive actions and a silent legislature? Want to do something but can’t figure out how?
The League of Women Voters of Alachua County is preparing a series of action plans. They are intended to encourage you to respond to the daily breach of the rule of law and the separation of powers. That separation has nourished and guarded this nation since its inception. We are calling this the What You Can Do (WYCD) campaign.
These WYCD Action Items will appear regularly. They will be designed to provide concrete actions to give you a mechanism for doing something. Daily assaults on personal freedoms and institutions meant to serve American citizens can be
overwhelming. Ignoring the worst and retreating inward can seem like the only response. Fear is
understandable. But fear contributes to the dismantling. Action, because it is the right thing to do, helps us sleep at night. Action, regardless of outcome, makes a pillow softer.
The League suggests that you post each message in your kitchen. Grab your morning beverage, grab your phone, and take action.
To receive the What You Can Do actions directly, please email info [at] lwv-alachua.org (subject: What%20You%20Can%20Do) with "What You Can Do" in the subject line. Request to be added to the email list. Messages come out about once a week.
CURRENT ACTION TOPICS:
1) Banned books 2) Climate Action Plan 3) Climate Festival 4) GRU referendum 5) Federal troops in Chicago 6) Shutdown 7) Epstein files
Action Items:
LOCAL
1) The Lynx Bookstore campaign
1) The Lynx Bookstore campaign, The Lynx Watch, seeks to protest and take action against
the censorship and banning of books. October 5-11 is “an annual effort to fight back against book banning through education and civic empowerment.” We can still contact local and state legislators.
Actions:
a. To receive all the info and/or subscribe to the Lynx newsletter, go to thelynxbooks.com.
b. The Lynx asks us to write to (not call or email) leadership that has some jurisdiction over the banned books matter. The Lynx has provided the names, addresses and suggested verbiage to the leaders. It is attached for you to use. Consider inviting friends over for a letter writing party.
2) Alachua County Climate Action Plan
Alachua County Climate Action Plan draft is available for review and input by residents. We’ve written about this before, but since it is fundamental to our quality of life, we’re promoting it again. Go to Alachua County Climate Action Plan or copy/paste https://alachuacounty.us/Depts/epd/Pages/Climate-Initiatives.aspx to read it and fill out the form to provide input.
3) Alachua County is organizing a Climate Festival on November 15, at the IFAS Extension
Office, 22712 W. Newberry Road. Time and final details are pending.
Action:
a. Complete the Climate Action Plan and attend the Climate Summit.
4) GRU Special Election Referendum is on November 4. The governor-appointed Authority
cut funding to the city in the name of cutting waste and paying down debt. Dozens of
city staff were laid off and positions were cut to the tune of 125 staff. Meanwhile, the
CEO the Authority hired Ed Bielarski, who was on the Authority board but resigned so he
could be CEO, was awarded a salary of $332,000 (raised to $342,000 on 10/8/25), the
highest salary of any city, county or school board employee and significantly higher than
his predecessor. And the separation of GRU from the city (legally it is still a department
of the city) means that there are duplicate staff for attorneys, clerks, human resources
and other administrative staff. The Authority has divided our city into two governing
entities with the need for two bodies of staff. Taxpayers are paying for that. And
taxpayers are paying for the onslaught of legal actions and suits the Authority has filed
against the city. You heard right - the Authority uses Gainesville money to pay for legal
action against Gainesville.
Actions:
a. 1) Vote YES on the GRU referendum
2) Make a plan on how you will vote
3) Talk about the referendum and encourage contacts and groups to vote YES. The League of Women Voters of Alachua County strongly recommends a YES vote
4) a. You may pick up informational handouts to distribute to your contacts and groups at your
convenience. Contact Janice at jgcommunity [at] gmail.com or rosenbek1940 [at] gmail.com to get
the address.
b. Help with canvassing (knocking on doors and distributing information), phone banking, sign
waving and other get-out-the-vote activities. Contact the Alachua County Labor Coalition to
help. info [at] laborcoalition.org
5) Oct 18 is the No Kings protest day; 10 – noon; Cora Roberson Park.
