President’s Corner LWVOA OFFICERS 2014-2015 President: Ellen Mavrich

[email protected] First Vice President: Mary Kirtz Van Nortwick [email protected] Second Vice President: Mary McDaniel [email protected] Treasurer: Sue Simonson [email protected] Secretary: Elizabeth Aldrich [email protected] ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS: Heather Adelman Barbara Barna Kathie Linehan Alison Ricker APPOINTED BOARD MEMBERS: John Pesuit Editor of The Oberlin Voter Elizabeth Aldrich [email protected] LWVOA Website: James Pugsley [email protected] PHOTOS: Eleanor Helper

SPRING 2015

Wednesday evening, April 29, the Baltimore Orioles played the Chicago White Sox in a completely empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Outside the ballpark, while this game was being played, were the remnants of an urban rebellion. Baltimore is a city where unemployment is 8.4 % citywide. Estimates place unemployment in the African American community at double that of the white community; 23.8% of the people in Baltimore live below the official poverty level. And only 56.4% of Baltimore students graduate from high school. While thousands marched in peaceful protest of social and economic injustices, sparked by the horrible death of Freddy Gray while in custody of the Baltimore police force, the media mostly focused on the anger that led to property damage. I can’t recall when two major league sports teams played in an empty stadium. Think about all those empty seats, no fans to cheer. How strange for the players. To me, the thought of it is surreal. On that same day, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra gave a free, outdoor performance not far from the site of the rebellion. Two different managements, two different risk mitigation strategies, two different commitments to community. If this were your decision to make, how would you decide? Would yours be the group taking the risk, but making a public statement, or would you opt for the safe, but removed, position? To add to the complexities, there was not only a reputational but also a financial expense to playing that game without fans. Reported altercations occured between fans and protesters at Sunday night’s game. But the Orioles play in a public-funded stadium. Dollars shifted to build stadiums or retire the debt on stadiums are dollars not available for public schools or after-school programs or vocational training. Most of us are just glad we don’t have to make such decisions. But the inherent problems in Baltimore and in other cities across the nation send an urgent message that we must be vigilant and long-sighted about the future of our communities. How do we plan for economic and social justice? How do we make certain that grievances are addressed? And how do we make sure that we have skilled, talented and responsible leadership? The League has long been engaged in this inequality struggle beginning with the . 70-year-long battle to win the right to vote for women. To quote LWVOA VicePresident Mary Kirtz Van Nortwick, “An effective democracy requires two key components: an informed, engaged, electorate voting in every election and government officials continually responsive to the needs of their constituents.” Without these we are left with the illusion of democracy. -Ellen Mavrich, LWVOA President

LWVOA 11th Annual Meeting - Sat., June 6, 2015 - Oberlin Inn Check in: 10:45 am Lunch: 12:15 - 1:00 pm

Business Meeting: 11:00am - 12:00 pm Speaker David W. Orr and Q&A: 1:00 - 2:00 pm Join us for this year’s meeting at the Oberlin Inn where we will overlook the construction of the new hotel and listen to David Orr speak about the “Political Realities of Leadership in the Greening of Oberlin.” Dr. David W. Orr is Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics and senior adviser to the president of Oberlin College. He is a founding editor of the journal Solutions, and helped found the Oberlin Project, a collaborative effort of the city of Oberlin, Oberlin College, and private and institutional partners to improve the resilience, prosperity and sustainability of Oberlin. We welcome the chance to talk about this year’s accomplishments, elect new board members, listen to your suggestions and hear Dr. Orr.

Speaker Dr. David W. Orr. Photo: Oberlin College

2015 Nominating Committee Report Submitted by 2015 Nominating Committee: Robin Jindra, chair; Ellen Broadwell, Linda Gates, Elizabeth Aldrich, Barbara Barna. 1st Vice-President: Barbara Barna (one-year term) 2nd Vice-President: Mary McDaniel (two-year term) Treasurer: Sue Simonson (two-year term) Elected Board Members: John Pesuit, Kathy Plank (two-year term) 2016 Nominating Committee: Linda Gates, chair; Ellen Broadwell, Lorie Chmura (one-year term) + two appointed LWVOA Board members. In 2015-2016 President Ellen Mavrich; Secretary Elizabeth Aldrich; and Members at Large Heather Adelman and Kathie Linehan will serve the second year of their terms. NOTE: Nominations will be accepted from the floor at the Annual Meeting, if the permission of the nominee has been obtained by the person nominating him/her. PAGE 2

LWVOA Program for 2015-2016 We propose to support LWVUS and LWVO program with these actions:

1. Continue to focus on voting rights and redistricting initiatives. 2. Hold educational events related to LWV high-priority advocacy issues. 3. Monitor, participate and educate the membership regarding upcoming LWVO and LWVUS study issues, if any. 5. Continue to support positions of LWV regarding gun regulation and gun safety legislation through advocacy and education efforts. Related to local issues, we will: 1. Encourage citizens to participate in local government (running for public office, serving on city commissions, observing public meetings, etc.). 2. Continue to register and inform the voting public. Sponsor or cosponsor public forums on candidates, including judicial candidates, and/or ballot issues in elections. Prepare Voter Guides for the general and primary elections, as needed. 3. Continue to sponsor meetings with elected officials and appointed administrators. 4. Educate and advocate for transparency and monitoring of the extraction technology known as hydraulic fracturing and procedures related to it as it impacts on such LWV positions as clean water and clean air, use of renewable energy sources, the public’s right-toknow, transportation and waste storage.

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SPRING 2015

LWVOA-PSI Workshop: How to Run for Public Office On May 23 the League of Women Voters of the Oberlin Area and the Public Service Institute of LCCC offered potential candidates for local office – city council, township trustee, county commissioner -- the tools needed to help them attain their goals. Jim Trakas, a seasoned former office holder, led the workshop, focusing on the ins and outs of running an effective campaign. Among his elective offices, he served four terms as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from southeastern Cuyahoga County, serving as House Majority Whip for two terms. In addition, Paul Adams from the Lorain County Board of Elections dis-

cussed the various deadlines and other legal requirements potential candidates must meet in order to run. About 20 participants were provided with documents outlining the rules which govern the operations of various local offices. Knowing how a council or board functions is a necessary first step towards governing effectively once in office. An effective democracy requires two key components: an informed, engaged, electorate and government officials continually responsive to the needs of their constituents. From its beginning in 1920, the League of Women Voters has run programs to help both voters and candidates understand their rights and their roles in making democracy work. -Mary Van Nortwick

LWVOA 2015-2016 Proposed Budget Income Ind. Members (65x$60) Household (30x$90) Student Dues (2x$25) Donations to LWVOA Member Mtgs/luncheons Donations to ED Fund Grants Collaborative Projects Reimbursement Ed Fund Total Expenses Oberlin Bus.Partnership Collaborative Projects Community Events Convention Registration Luncheon Expenses Misc. *PMP Ohio (102.5x$25) *PMP US (102.5x$32) PMP student Supplies/Mailings Website Vtr. Serv./Candidates Night/Vtr. Guide Publicity (posters, brochure, etc.) Scholarships Transferred to Ed Fund Total

SPRING 2015

LWVOA

Ed Fund

3900 2700 50 550 2000 2500 60 9260 LWVOA

2475 4925 Ed Fund

250 125

250 90 9292.5

3900 2700 50 550 2000 2500 0 60 2475 14,235 Combined

250 225

75 60 100 750 2000 200 2562.5 3280 0 500 350

1000

1000

500

750 90 2500 14217.5

75 60 500 2000 100 2562.5 3280

Combined

100 250 100

2500 4925

Celebrate Women’s Equality Day Sat., Aug. 29 - 12:00-2:00pm at the Oberlin Inn The League of Women Voters of the Oberlin Area will be one of many local groups co-sponsoring the 95th Anniversary of Women’s Equality Day. This year’s luncheon topic: “Laudable Lawyers,” women who have made a difference as practicing attorneys. This is the 21st annual celebration in Oberlin of the women’s right to vote. We have Ovidia Guaderrama to thank for initiating and continuing the Oberlin Area observance The annual event provides a wonderful opportunity to meet other women, share interesting conversations and learn some of the things women have accomplished. -Mary McDaniel

*Per Member Payment (PMP) is based on number of members we recorded on the LWVUS website as of February 1, 2015. We pay for that number summer 2015. We reported 121 voting members - 60 individual members, 28 1st household, 29 2nd household, 4 lifetime (no charge). That is the equivalent of 102.5 full pay members. We are budgeting for a $1 increase in the national membership fee from $31 to $32 per full paying member.

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LWVOA President Ellen Mavrich (left) introduces State Rep. Dan Ramos (center) at the January Legislative Luncheon as Barry Richard (right), president, Oberlin City Schools Board of Education, looks on. Photo: Eleanor Helper

LWVOA’s January 15 Legislative Luncheon with Representative Dan Ramos League members and friends gathered in Kendal’s Fox and Fell Dining Room on Thursday, January 15, for an informal, off-the-record conversation with our State Representative Dan Ramos (D- Ohio 56th District). Dan is currently serving his second term in the Ohio House of Representatives. He gave us some insights into the political scene in Ohio and his expectations for upcoming legislation, then graciously answered our questions.

First elected a state representative in 2010, Dan was selected by his peers in June 2013 to serve as part of the Democratic leadership team as Assistant Minority Whip. The Lorain native is a graduate of The Ohio State University. Prior to elected office he served as a Legislative Aide to thenRepresentative Joseph F. Koziura (D-Lorain). He later worked as a Senior Policy and Budget analyst under former Speaker Armond D. Budish.

Membership Report from LWVO Membership Chair Mary McDaniel The League of Women Voters of the Oberlin Area is the fifth largest league in the state of Ohio with 124 active members. We held our annual Membership event in February with a program entitled “Pizza and Pipelines” to give members an opportunity to socialize and learn something as well. Our fiscal year ends June 30 and begins anew on July 1.

We are counting on everyone to renew their membership -- except our three newest members -- Janet Garrett, and Laurel and Rys Price Jones who joined in February. When you receive a request for renewal, fill out your check and send it to LWVOA, P.O. Box 543, Oberlin, OH 44074. We look forward to hearing from you.

League of Women Voters for Women and Men in the Oberlin Area! Please join or renew today. Our membership year is July-June. Mary McDaniel, LWVOA Membership Chair. Dues: $60 Individual; $90 Household Please send your check, payable to LWVOA, to: Sue Simonson, Treasurer, P. O. Box 543, Oberlin, OH 44074 Name: ___________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________ Phone: _____________________ Email: ___________________________ PAGE 4

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SPRING 2015

LWVOA Focuses on Public Transportion in Lorain County One of LWVOA’s program proposals for 2013-2014 was to undertake a study on public transportation in Lorain County with the aim of developing a local League “Position Statement on Public Transit.” The LWVOA Transportation Study Committee (Chair Barbara Barna, CoChair Ted Chmura, Betty Blair, Carol Ganzel, Sharon Pearson, John Pesuit, Mary Van Nortwick) developed a survey for Lorain county residents, analyzed the data and reported responders’ comments. The group collected transportation ridership and cost data for the past 10 years from public officials and other knowledgeable individuals within the county. It also studied current public transit data from several transportation-focused state or national organizations such as the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA). As part of this continuing focus on transportation, LWVOA was one of the sponsors of the Lorain County Public Transportation Forum held at Lorain County Community College on February 4, 2015. Ken Prendergast, executive director of All Aboard Ohio, and Tim Rosenberger, transporation planner for Parsons Brinckerhoff, spoke to about 80 people, an impressive number considering the severe winter storm conditions at the time. Because the weather prevented others from attending the meeting, LWVOA presented a video of the Forum (prepared by LCCC’s Public Services Institute) on March 3 in Kendal’s Heiser Auditorium for our membership and the Oberlin comunity.

Audience members listen intently at the Lorain County Public Transportation Forum held at LCCC on a snowy February night. Photo: Steve Manheim, Chronicle-Telegram.

Ken Prendergast, executive director, All Aboard Ohio. Photo: Morning Journal.

Tim Rosenberger, Parsons Brinckerhoff. Photo: Steve Manheim, Chronicle-Telegram.

On April 11, LWVOA held a consensus meeting at Kendal to discuss questions posed by the Transportation Committee. The Committee had previously provided the background material (including a copy of the Forum video) needed for the LWVOA membership to reach consensus on the issue of public transit in Lorain County. Facilitators from the Oberlin College Dialogue Center helped the attending members achieve consensus on eight questions critical to public transit services. These questions form the basis for the LWVOA Position Statement on Public Transit Services which was approved by the LWVOA Board and will be presented to the membership at the Annual Meeting on June 6, 2015. -Barbara Barna

Sustainable Water Resources Considered a “Core Issue” for LWVUS The Board of the League of Women Voters of the Oberlin Area has asked LWVUS to designate sustainable water as a legislative priority. We joined fellow members of the LWV Lake Erie Basin Committee in an effort to move the issue forward at a national level. The Lake Erie Basin Committee was organized as a five-state multi-league group in 1963 and now encompasses 32 leagues. We made the request to designate Sustainable Water Resources as a “core issue” because the need for sustainable water clearly meets that criteria in terms of current grassroots action, strategic value and overall public interest. Sustainable water resource management is a major financial and environmental problem. By taking this step, the LWVUS has the opportunity to demonstrate the leadership it has shown on water issues since the 1920s and the creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority.

SPRING 2015

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Remembering Marilyn Fedelchak-Harley and Jean Binford As 2014 drew to a close, two Oberlin residents died who had played instrumental roles in resurrecting the League of Women Voters of the Oberlin Area: Marilyn Fedelchak-Harley and Jean Binford. Marilyn moved to Oberlin in late 1995 to marry Doren Harley, a native Oberlinian and skilled cabinetmaker. She became part of our emerging Members-atLarge Unit and soon she and LWVOA First President Jean Binford, placard in hand I were “co-chairs,” helping to Photo: Norman Henderson define program and priorities and making sure a quality Voter Guide was published biannually in both English and Spanish (with the help of the now-defunct Citizen League of Lorain). At the time I didn’t know that, two decades prior to moving here, Marilyn had been an activist for improving family farms and small towns as a self-employed farmer on a piece of land in Churdan, IA. That would have explained how quickly she familiarized herself with the state of farms in the Oberlin area. Nor did I know that she had worked for the National Family Farm Coalition, National Archives and Records Service, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. I only remember how impressed I was when we went to Katy Lester’s Kendal cottage to cull her abundant League papers for our archives. Marilyn seemed to have a gift for knowing what to keep and what to let go. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2000, Marilyn decided to let go of her League commitments. But her significant contributions to the community continued through her excellent work for O.H.I.O (now Oberlin Historical Society) and the Lorain County Historical Society. Despite increasing difficulty with mobility, she served on the Oberlin Planning Commission for 11 years. She also served as treasurer for the newly formed Fireland Land Conservancy, her friend Kate Pilacky recalls. Jean Binford and I were colleagues at the Oberlin College Library. Around the time of her retirement, I invited her to lunch. As we talked, her passion for politics was apparent and I suggested she might like to join the League. Little did I know at the time that, later, as chair of the Members-atLarge Unit, she would be the one to steer our little group to PAGE 6

become a full-fledged League in 2004 and serve as its first president. In spring of 2006 she was elected for a second two-year term before resigning in spring 2007 for health reasons. Vice President Fran Baumann served out the rest of her term. Considering that she had no previous League experience, Jean was a quick study. She ran efficient board meetings, taking care to adhere to League principles and advancing our agenda. Membership grew significantly under her presidency and Jean inspired new members to assume leadership positions. The League was a perfect fit for her energy and passions in her retirement years. -Linda Slocum, immediate LWVOA past president

LWV Ohio Statehouse Day Report League representatives from every corner of the state met in downtown Columbus on March 31 for the annual Statehouse Day. After welcoming remarks from LWV Ohio President Nancy Brown, we heard a presentation from Jennifer Branch, Attorney at Gerhardstein & Branch, on “Reproductive Rights: Fighting to Keep Ohio Clinics Open.” She put in stark focus the relentless pressure from antiabortion activists to erode constitutional rights of women. House Bill 69, the so-called “heart beat” bill passed days earlier, would prevent a legal abortion if a fetus heartbeat is discernable. Rep.Teresa Fedor then gave an accounting of her own abortion story, never before shared publicly, which occurred after she suffered a rape while serving in the military. The bill has now passed to the Senate. The second all-conference presentation on “Clean Water: Protecting our Lakes” was by Mike Bailey, Chief, Ohio Division of Nature Resources, and Kathy Hanratty, Co-Chair, Lake Erie Basin Committee. Legislation recently passed to reduce nitrogen and phosphate runoff into Lake Erie are good first steps to mitigate the conditions that led to a toxic blue-green algal bloom in the western end of Lake Erie last summer, but neither the senate or house bills go far enough to protect all of the lake from surface water pollution. Luncheon speaker Professor Erin O’Brien of UMass Boston presented “data-driven, fact-based research results” on voter restriction legislation nationwide. Her presentation can’t be summarized in a few sentences, other than to say that the likelihood of voter restriction legislation passing increases significantly when a state Governor is of the same political party as the majority of both the senate (Cont’d on p. 7)

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SPRING 2015

Statehouse Day Report ... (Continued from p. 6) and house legislatures of that state. Data also show that issues of race, class and partisan “voter demobilization” are squarely at the heart of voter restriction legislation, wherever it occurs. Breakout sessions in the afternoon covered effective lobbying and reports from LWV Ohio lobbyists; we received written reports from our lobbyists, which can be found on the LWV Ohio website. I had time to visit with both Rep. Dan Ramos and a legislative aide in Sen. Gayle Manning’s office. The day ended with a detailed summary of the Ohio state budget from Wendy Patton of Policy Matters Ohio, and a report from Melissa Cropper and Darold Johnson of the Coalition for Public Education. It was a privilege to take part in Statehouse Day, to hear inspiring presentations, and see so many other League members engaged in these important issues; asking pointed questions and discussing ramifications of legislation; and taking time to talk to their elected representatives. -Alison Ricker

Vote411.org: a “One-Stop Shop” for Election-Related Information

LWVOA Looks at Pipelines’ Effects on Citizens and Local Government On Monday, February 23 LWVOA invited members and friends to join us at our annual Pizza at the Magpie social/ informational event. Our “Pizza and Pipelines” evening was the first of three local League events focusing on pipelines and their effects on citizens and local government. About 50 of us socialized, enjoyed pizza and listened to LWVOA member John Elder’s short talk on “The Future of the Pipeline in Oberlin.” John is active in Oberlin’s Communities for Safe and Sustainable Energy group. On Thursday, March 26, Lynda Farrell, Executive Director, Pipeline Safety Coalition, led an evening panel discussion on “Pipeline Safety, Impacts to the Environment and Health, and Regulations.” Joe Osborne of Pittsburgh’s Group Against Smog and Pollution addressed environmental and health impacts related to pipeline compressor stations and Attorney Terry Lodge discussed citizen rights; a representative from the National Transportation Safety Board was unable to attend but did provide copies of the recently released Safety Study “Integrity Management of Gas Transmission Pipelines in High Consequence Areas.”

On a chilly Saturday morning, in October several members On Friday, March 27, Linda Farrell, who is also a member of the League of Women Voters of the Oberlin Area gathof the Mayors Council on Pipeline Safety, led the morning ered to paint a rock in Tappan Square to get our message Municipal/Trustee Pipeline Workshop. Invitations were out about www.VOTE411.org, our new on-line voters sent to local and municipal officials, representatives and guide. Vote411 is a program of the national League of safety personnel. Attendees included Lorain County ComWomen Voters Education Fund to provide U.S. voters with missioner Matt Lundy and elected officials from Fulton searchable election information. This year the Oberlin County and Medina County. League purchased this software that allows us to formulate questions for candidates, then request their responses electronically. Each candidate LWVOA President Ellen Mavrich (left), Mary McDaniel (Membership follows a link taking them to a page where Chair) and Kathie Linehan (Voter Services). Photo: Eleanor Helper they update their biographical information and answer the League’s questions. When you go to Vote411.org and enter your address, all candidates and issues that pertain to your address will be shown. In addition to giving information about candidates and issues, the Vote411 website allows you to compare candidates, make a choice and even print a sample ballot when you finish. The website also offers information about upcoming election-related events, voter registration, absentee ballots, ID requirements, and polling place location. All information is kept up to date on the website right up until election day. SPRING 2015

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DATES TO REMEMBER Saturday, June 6, 2015 LWVOA 11th Annual Meeting and Luncheon, Oberlin Inn 11:00 am: Annual Business Meeting 12:15 am: Luncheon, $15 1:00 pm: Speaker Dr. David W. Orr. Saturday, June 13, 2015 Juneteenth Downtown Oberlin We need volunteers to staff our voter registration table: 10:00 am-4:00 pm. Call E. Aldrich, 774-1283. Saturday, August 8, 2015 Family Fun Fair Downtown Oberlin Classic summer festival with sidewalk sales, kids’ games, and more. We need volunteers to staff our voter registration table: 10:00 am-4:00 pm. Call E. Aldrich, 774-1283. Saturday, August 29, 2015 Women’s Equality Day Luncheon 12 noon, Oberlin Inn “Laudable Lawyers: Women who have made a difference as practicing attorneys."

LWV Mission Statement The League of Women Voters, a non-partisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

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LWVOA banner in downtown Oberlin. Photo: Sue Simonson

Contact these websites to keep informed...

THE OBERLIN VOTER

• About National League: www.lwv.org • About Ohio League: www.lwvohio.org • About Local League: www.lwvoberlinarea.org

SPRING 2015