NEWSLETTER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF OZAUKEE COUNTY Board Members VOL. 57 ISSUE NO. 3 SPRING 2014 THE BRIDGE Officers President: Donna Fowler Vice-President: Delores Bogenrief Secretary: Jayne Miller Treasurer: Mary Fran Lepeska Elected Directors Dorothy Boyer - Voter Service Barbara Hunt- Membership Nancy Haacke - Program Patty Kubala - Bridge Editor Vonna Pitel - Webmaster Dorothy Nowicki Appointed Directors Claire Vanderslice Mary Jean Hefle LWVWI Investment Committee Mary Fran Lepeska LWVWI Legislative Committee Marge Palleon LWV Lake Michigan Region Marge Palleon Nominating Committee Claire Venderslice, Chair Carol Hertz Barbara Hunt Marge Palleon Resources: LWV-USA Website: www.lwv.org LWV-WI Website: www.lwvwi.org LWV-Oz Website: Upcoming Events April 8 “The Roberts Court” Book Discussion see page 6 May 6 LWVOZ Annual Meeting Dinner & Business Meeting 5:30-8 Galioto’s Twelve 21 Restaurant, Cedarburg Details will be emailed & posted on website May 30-31 LWV-WI Annual Meeting Radisson Paper Valley Hotel Appleton WI Details at LWVWI.org The League of Women Voters, a non-partisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. NEWSLETTER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF OZAUKEE COUNTY One of the main goals of the League of Women Voters is to educate citizens on important issues. As we come to the end of the 2013-14 year, this is a good time to review in what ways LWV-OZ provided that education. VOL. 57 ISSUE NO.3 SPRING 2014 Letter from the President DONNA FOWLER At our Women’s History Month luncheon, our speaker Janine Geske spoke about Restorative Justice. For many of the over eighty attendees, Restorative Justice was a new concept. Professor Geske, through her stories, painted a vivid picture of the benefits of this process. Like a new word just learned, Restorative Justice now seems to appear in many places. In recent articles and news stories, we’ve learned Restorative Justice is used in schools in Madison and Waco, Texas. Through our luncheon, we introduced our audience to a new way to look at justice. Although Wisconsin elections nationally have a well-earned reputation of being run fairly, with new election laws being passed and unregulated public media, Wisconsin citizens have come to question the security of their elections. To help answer those questions, LWV-OZ organized a presentation by Kevin Kennedy who heads up the Government Accountability Board, the nonpartisan agency that runs our elections. The community room at the Cedarburg Police Station was filled to capacity with voters who wanted to know about the safety of their elections. Mr. Kennedy provided the kind of information voters needed and answered their questions. Membership Dues Reminder Educating voters through candidate forums is one the League’s most effective tools. On March 20, Dorothy Boyer moderated a forum for Belgium village trustees. Although the audience was small, the forum was conducted with decorum and with respect. A second forum for County Supervisors is scheduled for late March. Our forums are the hallmark of the education service provided by the League. As our League makes plans for next year, what issues or topics would you like explore in 201415? If you have ideas for topics or speakers, pass on that information to the board members. Plan to attend the Annual Meeting on May 6 to take a look at 2013-14 and bring your thoughts and ideas for next year. PAGE 2 LWV-OZ membership dues for 2014-15 are $60 for individuals, $90 per one year household membership. The end of the fiscal year is June 30, and most members find it convenient to pay their dues at the May Annual Meeting. Treasurer, Mary Fran Lepeska, will be all set to take your checks at that meeting on May 6. Dues up to $75 and all contributions are tax deductible as LWV is a 501(c)(3) organization. NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER OF OF THE THE LEAGUE LEAGUE OF OF WOMEN WOMEN VOTERS VOTERS OF OF OZAUKEE OZAUKEE COUNTY COUNTY VOL. VOL. 57 57 ISSUE ISSUE NO. NO. 33 SPRING SPRING 2014 2014 Slate of Officer and Elected Directors SUBMITTED BY CLAIRE VANDERSLICE, CHAIR – NOMINATING COMMITTEE Officer Election – 2 year term 2014-2016 Treasurer – Mary Fran Lepeska Elected Directors – 2 year terms – 2014-2016 Dorothy Boyer Dorothy Nowicki Barbara Hunt Nominating Committee – 1 year term – 20142015 Claire Vanderslice, Chair Carol Hertz Marge Palleon (2 additional members from the board are chosen by the board immediately after the annual meeting. Barb Hunt and Nancy Conway Haacke from the board would like to continue on the committee.) PAGE 3 NEWSLETTER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF OZAUKEE COUNTY VOL. 57 ISSUE NO. 3 SPRING 2014 LWV Women’s History Month Annual Luncheon SUBMITTED BY BARBARA HUNT, CO-CHAIR The League’s annual fund raising WHM luncheon was held on March 15, 2014 at the Ozaukee Country Club at noon. The event was Co-Chaired by Vonna Pitel and Barbara Hunt assisted by Donna Fowler, Carol Hertz, Mary Hefle, Kate Logan and Marge Paelleon. Others at the event who helped included Delores Bogenrief and Mary Fran Lepeska. The speaker was the Honorable Janine Geske who spoke about “Restorative Justice”, a healing way to bring the victim and the perpetrator together for dialog and mediation. She was well received with many compliments from those who attended. The event had 81 guests who enjoyed shopping among the 35 baskets and items. All the baskets were sold to the guests. The baskets were provided by League members who collected, donated and assembled them at Barbara Hunt’s home prior to the event. The invitations and posters were designed by Vonna Pitel and several members stuffed 400 envelopes and added postage. They were mailed out 3½ weeks before the event. The posters were distributed to businesses and public places in communities in Ozaukee County. Several articles appeared in the News Graphic and Ozaukee Press. All written and printed material (bid sheets, auction sheets, name tags, and programs)for the actual event were done by Donna Fowler and Vonna Pitel. The annual fund raising event brought in $2118— a memorable and successful luncheon! LWVOZ President, Donna Fowler, the Honorable Janine Geske, event co-chairs, Vonna Pitel and Barbara Hunt. Village of Belgium Trustees Candidate Forum PAGE 4 Voter Services Chair, Dorothy Boyer, moderates a candidate forum at Legion Hall in Belgium on March 20. NEWSLETTER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF OZAUKEE COUNTY VOL. 57 ISSUE NO. 3 SPRING 2014 Book Discussion Tuesday, April 8 at 6:30 pm Please join us for the book discussion on Roberts Court by Marcia Coyle. The book highlights four recent cases that point out the emerging agenda of the Roberts Court. Read one or all four of the cases and join us at Barbara Hunt’s home on Tuesday, April 8 at 6:30. The discussion will be informative and the company will be friendly. RSPV to Barbara or Donna. LWV OZAUKEE PROGRAM PLANNING MEETING BMO Community Center— Saturday, January 25, 2014 Ozaukee league members enjoyed a bountiful breakfast buffet and gained knowledge of state redistricting and the LWVUS Agricultural Policy Update at the annual program planning meeting. Andrea Kaminski, Executive Director of the LWVWI, traveled on a snowy, cold morning to join our meeting. She presented the PowerPoint entitled, “Putting Voters Back in Control: The Challenge of Redistricting.” Following the presentation on redistricting, Andrea updated the group on pressing issues in the state legislature. Andrea came for breakfast and stayed for the entire meeting. We were delighted for her company and her expertise. Claire Vanderslice concluded the meeting by providing an introduction to the LWVUS Agriculture Update study and consensus project. Andrea Kaminski, Executive Director LWVWI PAGE 5 NEWSLETTER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF OZAUKEE COUNTY VOL. 57 ISSUE NO. 3 SPRING 2014 Wisconsin Supreme Court Arguments on Voter ID Case SUBMITTED BY VONNA PITEL Delores Bogenrief and I heard oral arguments on Voter ID at the Wisconsin Supreme Court on February 25, 2014. Visiting the Supreme Court of our state was quite an experience. It is an impressive and historic room that all Wisconsin citizens should visit. The Voter ID argument was scheduled by the court for the League of Women Voters Education Network, Inc. v. Scott Walker, governor of the state. Along with the League, the Milwaukee Branch of the NAACP also presented arguments. Attorney Lester A. Pines, speaking for the League and the NAACP, presented an outstanding case to show that many voters would be disenfranchised by being required to have a Voter ID. People who do not have a driver’s license and do not have a birth certificate would have to pay $20.00 to obtain a certificate. This was a concern to more than one Supreme Court member. Attorney Pines presented his arguments well and now we will have to wait several weeks to hear the final decision of the court. Andrea Kaminski, the League’s Executive Director, stated, “The League certainly supports high integrity in elections, but we saw the voter ID law as a solution in search of a problem. It placed a heavier burden on several groups of citizens who are less likely to have an acceptable ID, making it difficult, if not impossible for them to vote.” Photo from Wisconsin Supreme Court publication, Madison, WI. PAGE 6 NEWSLETTER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF OZAUKEE COUNTY VOL. 57 ISSUE NO. 3 SPRING 2014 LWVUS Agriculture Policy Update Consensus Meeting Submitted by Claire Vanderslice, Natural Resources Chair Public Policy Positions are the basis for the League’s impact on issues at all levels of government. The membership of LWVOZ was invited to a meeting Feb. 11, 2014 for an Agriculture Update Study and Consensus to create a new LWVUS Agriculture Policy Position. There have been stunning changes in recent years to the way commodities, food, fiber (cotton, etc.), animal feed, and biofuel are produced and traded here and around the world. Production overall increased dramatically. Large-scale agriculture included confined animal farming operations (CAFOs). Agricultural runoff of manure and chemicals and large-scale irrigation resulted in groundwater depletion and pollution problems. Growth hormones and antibiotics have been used as growth promoters in feed. Many crops were genetically modified and their production managed by fewer and fewer farmers as farm businesses consolidated. Regulations were changed to comply with international treaty requirements. Small and large farms offered organically raised food and standards were legislated. The old farm safety net created to protect farmers from flood and drought and price swings due to over-production became unpopular and reform was sought. Health concerns such as allergies and obesity made food labeling of ingredients and nutrition information more of an issue. agricultural prices, agriculture and trade, and farm credit. The statement by the national Board was: “The LWVUS believes that federal agricultural policies should promote adequate supplies of food and fiber at reasonable prices to consumers, farms that are economically viable, farm practices that are environmentally sound and increased reliance on the free market to determine prices.” In the Agriculture Update to that position, we were guided to study: 1) current technology issues in agriculture including genetically modified organisms (GMOs), herbicides, pesticides, agriculture water pollution, aquifer depletion, antibiotics in livestock, and accurate food labeling; and 2) current agriculture finance issues including consolidation in agriculture industries, crop subsidies and the federal agricultural regulatory process. Study materials are available on the LWVUS website. The meeting was held at the Cedarburg Art Museum W63 N675 Washington Ave. Vonna Pitel gave a tour of the historic residence that now houses work by local artists, including paintings from Cedarburg’s Plein Air Events. Many artworks reflected the family-farming legacy of Ozaukee County. Ten members attended the background presentation by Claire Vanderslice, natural resources chair, who guided the process of answering 11 consensus questions. Answers and comments will be collated and sent to LWVUS by April 18. The consensus result or a new position statement will be announced before the National Convention in June. The position that was adopted in 1988, after a two-year study, focused on sustainable agriculture, research and development, PAGE 7 NEWSLETTER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF OZAUKEE COUNTY VOL. 57 ISSUE NO. 3 SPRING 2014 Save the Date! LWV Lake Michigan Region Annual Meeting Oct 3-5, 2014 Traverse City, MI LWV Lake Michigan Region Update The LWV Lake Michigan Region is holding its annual meeting in Michigan this year. In order to allow as many of you as possible to attend, we’re holding the meeting portions of the program on Saturday, October 4. There will be a meet-andgreet gathering Friday evening with a special presentation on a dam removal project in the Traverse City area. On Sunday following the breakfast guest speaker, attendees may depart for their selected field trip. Assembly Bill 655 relating to establishing the Lake Michigan shoreline in the City of Milwaukee was passed in Assembly and will go to Senate. The bill does not appear to require environmental studies in decisions about whether property may be privately developed. The overall topic this year is “Climate Change and Biodiversity of Lake Michigan”. Among our speakers are: • Dr. David Bunnell, Research Fishery Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey • Dr. Jeffrey Andersen, Associate Professor of Geography, Michigan State University • Hans VanSumeren, Director of Water Studies Institute, Northwestern Michigan College Field trips include: • Paddling the Boardman River • Walking in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Plan to join us in Traverse City!!! Check Traverse City out at www.TraverseCity.com SUBMITTED BY MARGE PALLEON, LEGISLATIVE MEMBER LWV-LMR A group called Preserve Our Parks raised a concern with AB 655 that the 2. 2 acre transit center site is covered by the Wisconsin constitution’s public trust doctrine. The doctrine largely bars private development on former lake beds. The group says it must be upheld to prevent private development on other filled lake beds throughout WI. The DNR is reviewing City of Waukesha’s water diversion application. Waukesha claims the request cannot be reduced because of projected water needs for local industries over next 40 years. Industries are projected to boost water demand by 1.2 million gallons/day by 2050. The LWV-LMR drafted a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers dealing with control of invasive species getting from Mississippi River to Great Lakes based on the League’s Great Lakes Ecosystem position. LWVWI Natural Resource chair will modify this letter for Wisconsin and send it to Army Corps. The proposed new water position draft was completed and will be presented to the Leagues for approval at the state convention in May 31, 2014. PAGE 8 NEWSLETTER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF OZAUKEE COUNTY VOL. 57 ISSUE NO. 3 SPRING 2014 In Memorium Cathy Wagner Dereatha (Dee) Miller Cathy Wagner, President of our League from 19911993 passed on March 16, 2014, after a battle with leukemia. After serving as our League’s president, Cathy remained active for many years and could be counted on to facilitate the Program Planning Meeting every January. She was an informed, involved citizen and served the Town of Cedarburg and the Cedarburg School District in countless ways. She was the prime mover in the construction of the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center. Cathy and her husband, Tom, loved to travel and see the wonders of the world. In 1977, they traveled around the world, which took over one year to accomplish. In her lifetime she visited upwards of 50 countries. In 2011, Cathy and Tom retired, bought a motorhome and toured the United States and Canada, stopping along the way to help build homes for Habitat for Humanity. Dee Miller, of Port Washington, passed away early Monday morning, December 9, 2013 at Lawlis Family Hospice in Mequon at the age of 76. Dee was born July 27, 1937 in Harrisville, PA, the daughter of Raymond and Verda Hockenberry Allison. For many years, Dee was a special education teacher for Port Washington-Saukville School District. Dee was a member of the League of Women Voters of Ozaukee County, of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Port Washington, as well as the Daughters of the American Revolution. She proudly served on the Board of Directors for the Niederkorn Library, where she also helped start Friends of the Library. She enjoyed dancing, gardening, reading and playing cards. Their son, Vic, lives in the Nashville, Tennessee area and it was there that Cathy received treatments and where she died. She requested to be buried in Walnut Hill Cemetery overlooking the Baraboo bluffs near which she was born, grew up and was married in. PAGE 9