Coconut Creek commission supports League gun safety efforts

New League member Gregory Gayle got right to work with the gun safety committee and approached his city, Coconut Creek, about issuing a proclamation in support of the mission of the League's gun safety team.

As a result, Coconut Creek commissioners issued a proclamation at their Jan. 11 commission meeting.

City by city, the League is demonstrating that Broward County supports sensible gun regulations. In a time when the NRA smothers the voices of local elected officials, this effort helps change the narrative. 

The gun safety committee has previously received proclamations from Broward County and the cities of Pembroke Pines and West Park. Additional cities are being contacted (and you can help!)

Want to join the gun safety team? The next meeting will be a lively dinner gathering at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 16 at GG's of New York, 5440 N. State Road 7, N. Lauderdale. All are welcome! http://www.ggsofny.com  

Contact chair Bradette Jepsen, [email protected], and let her know you're coming..

Sunday, Jan. 21, Women's March Power to the Polls rally

On the first anniversary of the historic Women's March of 2017, the theme of this Miami rally and day of action is "Power to the Polls: In 2017 We Marched! In 2018 We Act!"
The League will participate with a voter registration table and many members are attending and participating as individuals. To volunteer to do voter registration, call Laura Simon, 954-430-5234 or 954-668-4763.
Note: If you plan to participate in the rally, members should know that it is OK to carry signs or posters mentioning LWV or with the League logo. but these messages should be non-partisan (i.e., no mention of candidates, parties on elected officials.) If you want to carry a partisan message, don't use the League name or logo.
When: January 21, 2018
Time:  11  a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Mana Wynwood, 2217 NW 5TH AVE
Miami, FL 33127
Organizers describe the event this way:
"This anniversary event in Miami will be a community event focusing on voter registration, ending voter suppression in Fl orida and supporting our marginalized communities. We seek to register new voters, engage impacted communities, harness our collective energy to advocate for policies and candidates that reflect our values, and collaborate with our partners to elect more women and progressives candidates to office. It will be a day filled with tremendous speakers, community activists, performers and community vendors."
The League of Women Voters  opposes
  • A proposal to drill for oil in the Everglades
  • Proposals to loosen regulations and to open offshore areas for oil exploration
  • A proposal for an FPL gas fracking plant in Dania Beach.
The League supports recycling efforts.  Recycling is down in Broward County while landfilling of trash is up.

Florida Legislature Environmental action to watch:
  • SB574 would allow the state to control all tree trimming, overriding local efforts to retain and increase our tree canopy
 
The League supports
  • A ban on fracking in Florida
  • Full funding of Florida Forever to purchase and protect environmentally sensitive lands.
 
For more detail and how to contact state and federal officials,  read the entire story here. Calling or writing NOW about the gas fracking plant in Dania Beach is critical. 

Environmental committee meets Jan. 27

Environmental Issues Committee will meet at 1 p.m.  Saturday, Jan, 27 at the meeting room in the Dunkin Donuts,  9170 W. State Rd. 84 in Davie.
Contact Committee Chairperson,  Stephanie Pearson if you would like to receive emails or join the Environmental Committee.  [email protected]


Protect the privacy clause in the Florida Constitution
 
Let's sound the alarm against a
Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) proposal to weaken the
Privacy Clause in Florida's Constitution.

Language included in Proposal 22 would restrict protections to "information privacy" only, leaving Floridians open to government intrusion into our most private decisions, including healthcare, intimacy and abortion.

The CRC meets once every 20 years to propose changes to the state's constitution. The Florida Supreme Court has cited the Privacy Clause in multiple rulings to overturn laws which restricted access to reproductive health care.

Join us on Tuesday Feb. 6 for the only CRC hearing held this year in South Florida.
For more information - Contact Women's Issues Committee Chairperson, Linda Bloomfield: [email protected]

Broward Charter Review Commission: Next meeting Jan. 24

The  League of Women Voters of Broward County  supports changing the Broward County Charter to allow for a county-wide elected mayor.
The Charter Review Commission is considering putting this issue on the November 2018 general election ballot so that voters can decide.  This is a contentious issue, with strong opinions on each side. The  CRC  will meet Jan. 24 to hear from the public and is expected to vote on this issue.
When:  Jan, 24 , 1 p.m.
Where:  Broward County Governmental Center  - Room 430,  115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale 33301
Once the Charter Commission decides on the charter amendments for the ballot, there will be four public hearings during which the commission can still make changes:
  • March 7, 6-8:30 p.m. Lauderhill City Hall
  • March 15, 6-8:30 p.m. Pembroke Pines City Hall
  • March 27, 6-8:30 .m., Coral Spring City Hall
  • March 28, 6-8 p.m., African American Research Library

Important  events in  January 

Watch your email for notices about monthly state League issue conference calls and possible schedule changes.


Tuesday, Jan. 16 - City of Fort Lauderdale primary election

Saturday, Jan. 20, 9:30 a.m. LWVBC Board meeting

Saturday, Jan. 20,  12:15 p.m.
New Member Orientation and lunch.


Tuesday, Jan. 23 - 6:30 p.m. Speakers Bureau training.  League Office, 5101 NW 21st Ave, Suite 450, Fort Lauderdale. If interested, please contact Carol Smith (Speakers Bureau Chair) at [email protected], 954-341-9221 or 954-232-5276

Wednesday, Jan. 24 - Broward Charter Review Commission, 1 p.m., Broward County Governmental Center, Room 430, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale 33301. Key issue before the commission is deciding whether to place a question on the ballot in November on whether Broward County should have an elected mayor. 



Wednesday, 
Jan. 31 
5:30-7:30 p.m.

League of Women Voters of Broward 

Happy hour fundraiser
YOLO, 333 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale. 

Make a toast to democracy and help raise money for voter registration and education in the 2018 election. Meet and network with League members and civic leaders. Minimum donation of $10 is asked.  

Please RSVP here so we can have an accurate count. We must cap attendance at 75.


Welcome New Members

Encourage your friends and family to join us in our important work in Making Democracy Work!

Sarah Leonardi, Pompano Beach
Ronnie Heller, Plantation
Annalisa Pederson
Jocelyn Wright, Plantation
Alexander Johnson, Fort Lauderdale
Gregory Gayle, Coconut Creek