Local LWV members lobby for felons' right to vote

Photo ID left to right) Joan Peoples, Gail Waldeck, Joy Frasier, Carla Gilbert, Wes Wright (team leader from Ky. Fair Tax Coalition), Elise Andre.

LWV of Kentucky joined a coalition of groups to lobby for automatic restoration of voting rights for ex-felons Feb. 27, 2007, in Frankfort. They met with a number of legislators including Sen. Ed Worley, D-Richmond. For a full report, see our March 2007 Newsletter .

On Nov 2, 2006, state LWV held a news conference with NAACP in Frankfort to urge changes in the current method by which felons can regain the right to vote. State LWV President Teena Halbig said LWV is lobbying for a constitutional amendment to restore the voting rights of felons who have completed their sentence. The report is available at the LWKY Web site.

The LWV of Berea and Madison County held a public forum on the issue in Berea in February, reported in our March 2006 Voter. Members agreed to support a stronger state LWV position.

For information about LWV Lobby Day, contact Joan Peoples, LWVKY treasurer and a member of LWV of Berea and Madison County.

Tips on Saving Energy presented at Feb. 19 LWV meeting

Photo far left) LWV president Elizabeth Crowe showed a map that illustrates states in red whose residents have the highest death rates from air pollution blamed on power plant pollution. Kentucky and West Virginia have among the highest.

Next photo) Local physician Dr. George Schloemer presented pictures of the energy efficient measures that went into his medical building at 305 Estill Ave. in Berea. They included using "solar light tubes" to bring light into inside rooms and a solar hot water heater.

An attentive audience in Berea learned simple tips on how to lower their energy bills, breathe easier and save the world at the same time at the Feb. 19 meeting of the League of Women Voters of Berea and Madison County. In fact we all can, by taking simple steps toward energy efficiency, four panelists said.

The meeting included some tips from Richmond CPA Danny Parker for taxpayers seeking to take advantage of energy efficiency tax credits. "This is a way to encourage homeowners and businesses to use more energy-efficient items such as skylights, solar water heaters and storm doors," Parker said.

When making these changes to the home, all receipts for materials should be kept in order to verify them during tax refund preparation, he said. "These are things that are not only good for the environment, but they also are good for your pocketbook."

National and State LWV has for years promoted clean air policies. In recent years, LWV has joined numerous other organizations, scientific groups and agencies in promoting solutions to our country’s energy use and pollution problems.

These include supporting greater energy efficiency and use of clean renewable energy. In November 2006 LWVUS and 21 other national organizations signed a Citizens Climate Policy statement of principles which, in part, calls on us all to promote clean and efficient sources of energy.

For more information, see Richmond Register reporter Ronica Shannon's story in the Feb. 13 newspaper. Help the planet, save some money