In the second of its energy study meetings this Fall, the League of Women Voters of Berea and Madison County (LWV) will host three energy experts for a panel discussion on Kentucky's energy policy future. The meeting will be on Monday, November 9 at 7 PM, at the Berea branch of the Madison County public library.
Andy McDonald of the Kentucky Solar Partnership, will speak on the current opportunities and future of solar energy to generate electricity on small and large-scales in our state. Elizabeth Graves, with the Energy Efficient Enterprises project of the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED) will address the ways in which businesses are grasping opportunities to save money through energy efficiency. Robert Ukeiley, a public interest attorney and clean air expert, will discuss the potential for wind energy in our state.
"We want the panelists to help us understand the current reality of these sources of energy savings and generation, and what the barriers are to implementing clean energy programs in Kentucky," said Jeanne Nakazawa, a LWV Board chair and coordinator of the LWV energy study.
The LWV of Kentucky is conducting a statewide energy study in 2009 focused specifically on policy directives for energy efficiency and renewable energy. "We want their input on how best Kentucky can achieve these energy goals, so we can take informed action in the upcoming legislative session," Nakazawa said.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Louisville LWV hosts candidate training workshop
The League of Women Voters of Louisville will reprise its highly successful “Training to Run” workshop to encourage non-traditional candidates take the plunge into electoral politics. First offered in 2001 to assist a huge field of candidates for the post merger Louisville Metro Council, this year’s workshop is designed for state and local candidates, campaign managers and treasurers throughout Kentucky.
The “Training to Run” workshop will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the League headquarters, 115 South Ewing Ave. The workshop will feature representatives from the Jefferson County Board of Elections, Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, and the Legislative Ethics Commission, media and direct-mail professionals providing information on the requirements for running (e.g., financial reporting of expenditures and contributions), as well as information on voter registration records, printing cost for items such as yard sign and how to organize volunteers for canvassing.
“We developed this workshop in 2001 after the merger referendum and we started getting requests for information from potential candidates,” League President Vicki Willard said. “We feel the same thing is stirring today, that new leaders are emerging for the state legislature and city councils throughout Kentucky, and we want to encourage these true grassroots campaigns, won or lost on the basis of energy and vision, rather than money and connections.”
“Potential candidates and campaign managers will leave with the basics they need to start organizing a campaign. They won’t make the kind of avoidable mistakes that disqualify candidates, and they’ll meet the people who regulate the electoral process and will know who to call for more information,” said Willard.
The cost of the workshop, which will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the League headquarters at 115 S. Ewing Ave in Louisville is $100 per person and includes lunch and all materials.
For registration information or additional details, contact the League at trainingtorun@insightbb.com.
The “Training to Run” workshop will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the League headquarters, 115 South Ewing Ave. The workshop will feature representatives from the Jefferson County Board of Elections, Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, and the Legislative Ethics Commission, media and direct-mail professionals providing information on the requirements for running (e.g., financial reporting of expenditures and contributions), as well as information on voter registration records, printing cost for items such as yard sign and how to organize volunteers for canvassing.
“We developed this workshop in 2001 after the merger referendum and we started getting requests for information from potential candidates,” League President Vicki Willard said. “We feel the same thing is stirring today, that new leaders are emerging for the state legislature and city councils throughout Kentucky, and we want to encourage these true grassroots campaigns, won or lost on the basis of energy and vision, rather than money and connections.”
“Potential candidates and campaign managers will leave with the basics they need to start organizing a campaign. They won’t make the kind of avoidable mistakes that disqualify candidates, and they’ll meet the people who regulate the electoral process and will know who to call for more information,” said Willard.
The cost of the workshop, which will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the League headquarters at 115 S. Ewing Ave in Louisville is $100 per person and includes lunch and all materials.
For registration information or additional details, contact the League at trainingtorun@insightbb.com.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
How can we predict Future of Madison County?
League of Women Voters of Berea and Madison County will kickoff its fall season by examining “Long-Term Trends & Public Policy: Are we prepared for the future?” Michael T. Childress, executive director of the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center, will be the featured speaker.
The meeting will be held Monday, Sept.14 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the Madison County Public Library in Berea. The public is welcome to attend, and the League hopes public officials will also take advantage of this opportunity especially since all three local governments will be revising their Comprehensive Land Use plans in 2010.
The state government agency which Childress directs was created by the General Assembly in 1992 to bring a future-oriented perspective to decision-making in the Commonwealth. The work of the Center includes research, policy analysis, communications with all branches of government and public outreach.
Childress became the first executive director of the Center in 1993. He oversees the Center's numerous research activities and has written many of the Center’s reports. The Center publishes a biennial trends report, a widely used compilation of benchmarks that have measured the state’s progress since 1994.
One Kentucky legislator described the report as "one of the most useful tools available to policymakers at every level. It’s an accessible guide for anyone who wants to improve the lives of Kentuckians.”
The report also includes results from statewide surveys that measure public opinion about the progress of citizen goals for the state and the relative importance of each. A “State of the Commonwealth” index provides the Center’s quantitative analysis of the state’s status relative to other states.
For the past five years, LWVBMC has used the theme “Madison County 2025: What’s Your Vision?” to focus its local agenda.
Our vision statement for Madison County addresses Planning & Development, Governance, Energy & Environment, Social Justice, Taxation, Education & Youth and Health & Welfare. A copy of the vision statement and additional information about the League is available at: http://lwvbmc.org.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
LWV plans movie showings for Women's Equality Day in Berea and Richmond
Join the League of Women Voters of Berea and Madison County in a free movie showing of Iron Jawed Angels, the true story of how defiant and brilliant young activists took the women’s suffrage movement by storm, putting their lives at risk to help American women Win THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
Actors Hilary Swank, Anjelica Houston, Julia Ormond and Frances O’Connor portray these activist women who worked tirelessly to finally have Congress pass the 21st Amendment in 1921, giving women the right to vote.
The movie can be seen at the Madison County Library Public on 507 West Main Street at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26 and Friday, August 28.
It will also be shown at the county library in Berea at 319 Chestnut Street at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26 and Friday, Aug. 28.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Annual Meeting April 20 at Berea College
Mark your calendars for the League of Women Voters of Berea Madison County Annual Meeting!
Monday, April 20, 2009
6 PM
Berea College Seabury Center Trustees Room
Berea, KY
We'll have a delicious meal of mostly-local foods; a silent auction featuring prints by African-American historian and artist Margaret Burroughs; great company of League members and friends!
Our program speaker will be Dr. John Heyrman, Political Science professor at Berea College: "How We Elect the President," a review of the electoral college and national popular vote. This is a critical issue currently being addressed by LWV for which our input is needed.
Monday, April 20, 2009
6 PM
Berea College Seabury Center Trustees Room
Berea, KY
We'll have a delicious meal of mostly-local foods; a silent auction featuring prints by African-American historian and artist Margaret Burroughs; great company of League members and friends!
Our program speaker will be Dr. John Heyrman, Political Science professor at Berea College: "How We Elect the President," a review of the electoral college and national popular vote. This is a critical issue currently being addressed by LWV for which our input is needed.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Do we need to change how we elect the President?
Join the League of Women Voters of Berea and Madison County on Monday, March 23, for a primer on the electoral college and popular vote election processes and an important discussion on the merits of the national popular vote compact.
The member meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Richmond branch of the Madison County Public LIbrary at 507 W. Main St. All LWV members and the general public are encouraged to attend the presentation. Refreshments will be served.
Guest speaker is Dr. John Heyrman, a political science professor at Berea College who has studied the presidential election process.
Our chapter will use this discussion as a basis for our national consensus study on whether or not to support adopting an alternative process for presidential elections called the National Popular Vote Compact. The NPV compact is an initiative to elect the president by nationwide popular vote. It does not abolish the electoral college, but instead allows a state to award its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who receives the largest number of popular votes nationwide. For more information, see the LWV Web site under For Member/Projects and Programs.
The member meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Richmond branch of the Madison County Public LIbrary at 507 W. Main St. All LWV members and the general public are encouraged to attend the presentation. Refreshments will be served.
Guest speaker is Dr. John Heyrman, a political science professor at Berea College who has studied the presidential election process.
Our chapter will use this discussion as a basis for our national consensus study on whether or not to support adopting an alternative process for presidential elections called the National Popular Vote Compact. The NPV compact is an initiative to elect the president by nationwide popular vote. It does not abolish the electoral college, but instead allows a state to award its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who receives the largest number of popular votes nationwide. For more information, see the LWV Web site under For Member/Projects and Programs.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Revival of Observer Corps begins
LWV Observer Corps held its first “revival” meeting Feb. 23 in the Community Room of the Madison County Public Library in Berea.
Board members Jeanne Hibberd and Howard Bowden organized the training session. Long-time LWV members and observers Joan Peoples, Betty Wray and Elise Andre provided helpful examples of present and past day situations that observers might be exposed to and the positive influence the League was and is able to exert due to observers’ diligence.
The session also included topics on: local government; sunshine laws; what is the Observer Corps; who we observe; what are our goals; best practices; observer reports; role of Observer Coordinator; and resources.
Although the majority of attendees expressed an interest in becoming an Observer, we still need more volunteers. Our initial goal is to have a pair of observers available to attend each of the county and city governing bodies’ and planning commissions’ meetings.
There will be more specific training, in the near future, on the purpose and scope of the Madison County Fiscal Court, Berea City Council, Richmond City Commission, and all three Planning &/ Zoning Commissions, LWV positions, and convenient reporting procedures.
Members interested in expanding their and the communities awareness of the decisions that impact their lives and promoting government transparency and accountability are encouraged to contact the Observer Coordinator, Howard Bowden at (859) 624-5453 or Howbowden@aol.com .
A successful program requires citizen power. With a large enough group, we can share the task.
Board members Jeanne Hibberd and Howard Bowden organized the training session. Long-time LWV members and observers Joan Peoples, Betty Wray and Elise Andre provided helpful examples of present and past day situations that observers might be exposed to and the positive influence the League was and is able to exert due to observers’ diligence.
The session also included topics on: local government; sunshine laws; what is the Observer Corps; who we observe; what are our goals; best practices; observer reports; role of Observer Coordinator; and resources.
Although the majority of attendees expressed an interest in becoming an Observer, we still need more volunteers. Our initial goal is to have a pair of observers available to attend each of the county and city governing bodies’ and planning commissions’ meetings.
There will be more specific training, in the near future, on the purpose and scope of the Madison County Fiscal Court, Berea City Council, Richmond City Commission, and all three Planning &/ Zoning Commissions, LWV positions, and convenient reporting procedures.
Members interested in expanding their and the communities awareness of the decisions that impact their lives and promoting government transparency and accountability are encouraged to contact the Observer Coordinator, Howard Bowden at (859) 624-5453 or Howbowden@aol.com .
A successful program requires citizen power. With a large enough group, we can share the task.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Local leaders address State of Communities
Photo by Cecile Schubert
Mayor Connie Lawson met with LWV and the public Jan. 22 to summarize the status of projects in Richmond. Download our February newsletter to read what she said as well as reports from Mayor Steve Connelly and Madison County Judge Executive Kent Clark.
LWV to join KFTC lobbying efforts in Frankfort
February 10 RESTORATION OF VOTING RIGHTS LOBBY DAY
. Kentucky is one of just 2 states that take voting rights away from all former felons and this impacts 186,000 Kentuckians, weakening our democracy and our justice system. We'll have a rally and will form lobby groups early in the day, including a mix of experienced lobbyists and first-time lobbyists to talk to their representatives and senators.
Schedule for the day: - 8am-9am Annex Room 171 - Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee. HB 170 might be heard on this day. If it hasn't been heard yet, it is still valuable to have members in the room to make an impression on committee members.
9am-2pm, basing out of Annex Room 113 - We'll form lobby teams, orient people, and assign legislative targets. This will be our base of operations throughout the day.
10am-11am Annex Room 131 - Press Conference/Speak-out (continued lobbying) - 1:45pm - 2:05pm - Last chance to talk to legislators as they walk to their respective chambers. - 2pm-3pm - Debrief in room 131.
FEB. 17 I LOVE MOUNTAINS DAY
11 a.m. Gather at the Kentucky River where Capitol Ave crosses the River and intersects with Route 60.
11:30 a.m. Begin March to Capitol (the route is .6 miles and mostly flat.)
12 p.m. Rally on the Capitol Steps
1-3 p.m. Lunch in the cafeteria in the basement of the Capitol Annex, followed by efforts to see our own legislators.
1:15-2:15 p.m.: Optional orientation in Capitol Annex Room 113 for people who plan to visit their own legislators.
2:30-3:15 p.m.: We have reserved Room 113 of the Capitol Annex for residents of Madison County to meet with their legislators.
1:30-2:15 p.m.: We have reserved Room 154 of the Capitol Annex for residents of Fayette County to meet with their legislators.
2:30-3:15 p.m.: We have reserved Room 154 of the Capitol Annex for residents of Jefferson County to meet with their legislators.
3-4p.m. We will all gather outside the visitor’s entrance to the Capitol Annex in order to be visible as legislators head to their afternoon session in the Capitol.
. Kentucky is one of just 2 states that take voting rights away from all former felons and this impacts 186,000 Kentuckians, weakening our democracy and our justice system. We'll have a rally and will form lobby groups early in the day, including a mix of experienced lobbyists and first-time lobbyists to talk to their representatives and senators.
Schedule for the day: - 8am-9am Annex Room 171 - Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee. HB 170 might be heard on this day. If it hasn't been heard yet, it is still valuable to have members in the room to make an impression on committee members.
9am-2pm, basing out of Annex Room 113 - We'll form lobby teams, orient people, and assign legislative targets. This will be our base of operations throughout the day.
10am-11am Annex Room 131 - Press Conference/Speak-out (continued lobbying) - 1:45pm - 2:05pm - Last chance to talk to legislators as they walk to their respective chambers. - 2pm-3pm - Debrief in room 131.
FEB. 17 I LOVE MOUNTAINS DAY
11 a.m. Gather at the Kentucky River where Capitol Ave crosses the River and intersects with Route 60.
11:30 a.m. Begin March to Capitol (the route is .6 miles and mostly flat.)
12 p.m. Rally on the Capitol Steps
1-3 p.m. Lunch in the cafeteria in the basement of the Capitol Annex, followed by efforts to see our own legislators.
1:15-2:15 p.m.: Optional orientation in Capitol Annex Room 113 for people who plan to visit their own legislators.
2:30-3:15 p.m.: We have reserved Room 113 of the Capitol Annex for residents of Madison County to meet with their legislators.
1:30-2:15 p.m.: We have reserved Room 154 of the Capitol Annex for residents of Fayette County to meet with their legislators.
2:30-3:15 p.m.: We have reserved Room 154 of the Capitol Annex for residents of Jefferson County to meet with their legislators.
3-4p.m. We will all gather outside the visitor’s entrance to the Capitol Annex in order to be visible as legislators head to their afternoon session in the Capitol.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Feb. 23 meeting to revive Observer Corps
Plan to attend and bring a friend to the next LWV member meeting when we work to revive the LWV Observer Corps. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23 in the Community Room of the Madison County Public Library in Berea. Bad weather in December led us to move the meeting to February.
Board members Jeanne Hibberd and Howard Bowden are organizing the training session with help from long-time LWV members and observers, Joan Peoples and Betty Wray.
LWV hopes to make use of its Web site and televised meetings to make the task of observing and reporting on local government more convenient. Observers will be able to write up their reports and place them on the newest “blog” on our Web site: LWV Observer Reports.
Through the revival of the Observer Corps, LWV hopes to expand citizens’ awareness of the decisions that impact their lives and to promote government transparency and accountability.
But a successful program requires citizen power. With a large enough group, we can share the task.
The informational session Feb. 23 will provide an orientation to observing local government, including how to get meeting agendas in advance and how business is handled in pubic meetings. It will also provide tips on reporting on local government for our Web site. For an example of an Observer Report, see Joan People’s report on the Nov. 12 Fiscal Court meeting.
We need your help and feedback. What agencies should we monitor? It depends on interest from our old and new members.
Board members Jeanne Hibberd and Howard Bowden are organizing the training session with help from long-time LWV members and observers, Joan Peoples and Betty Wray.
LWV hopes to make use of its Web site and televised meetings to make the task of observing and reporting on local government more convenient. Observers will be able to write up their reports and place them on the newest “blog” on our Web site: LWV Observer Reports.
Through the revival of the Observer Corps, LWV hopes to expand citizens’ awareness of the decisions that impact their lives and to promote government transparency and accountability.
But a successful program requires citizen power. With a large enough group, we can share the task.
The informational session Feb. 23 will provide an orientation to observing local government, including how to get meeting agendas in advance and how business is handled in pubic meetings. It will also provide tips on reporting on local government for our Web site. For an example of an Observer Report, see Joan People’s report on the Nov. 12 Fiscal Court meeting.
We need your help and feedback. What agencies should we monitor? It depends on interest from our old and new members.
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