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April 28, 2017
In This Issue:
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April 28 & 29, begins Friday at 11:00 a.m., LWVMA Convention, "The Future of Democracy: Facing the Challenges." Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center.
April 29: People's Climate March, Washington, D.C.; Climate Rally, Boston, The Common, 12-3 p.m.; Climate Marches, Greenfield, 10:30-noon; Springfield at 3 p.m..
April 30, 2-4 p.m., "Sing Into Spring," a Family Concert in support of Single Payer Health Care. Immanuel Lutheran Church, Amherst.
May 2, 5:30 p.m. LWVMA Regional Forum on Climate and Energy Solutions, 1st Baptist church, Worcester. More info at LWVMA News.
May 9, 7 p.m., Special Members Meeting on LWVA's position on structure of town government, Bangs Center.
May 15, 3 p.m., Book Discussion of The Wright Brothers by David McCullough, 197 Pondview Drive.
May 17, 2-3:30 p.m., Board Meeting at Cynthia Brubaker's. Contact Cynthia if you wish to attend.
May 22, 6-8 p.m. LIPPI Dinner, Log Cabin, Easthampton. See below for info.
June 1, 7 p.m., Annual Meeting, Woodbury Room, Jones Library. Refreshments at 6:30 p.m.
June 30-July 18, Donations for Book Sale accepted at Fort River School ONLY.
July 3, Pricing and Sorting for Book Sale begins.
July 28-30 and August 4-6, Book Sale at Fort River.
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Sing Into Spring! Come to a Family Concert to Celebrate Spring!
 Sunday, April 30, 2-4 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church,
867 North Pleasant Street.
Jay Mankita, singer,
and Henry the Juggler
will perform.
Tickets $20 a family OR
a donation of any amount.
No one will be turned away from celebrating spring.
Light refreshments will be served.
Sponsored by the Health Care Committee of the LWV Amherst, which advocates for single payer health care. Funds collected are for the Universal Health Care Education Fund, which supports legislation establishing a single payer health care plan in Massachusetts
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Today's News! Sudha Setty, Rebecca Fricke & Cynthia Brubaker with Solomon Goldstein-Rose at the State Convention in Framingham on April 28.
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Members Meeting on Structure of Town Government Position, Tuesday, May 9,
7 p.m., Bangs Center
The League's reactions to the first two Charter Commissions were controversial, both inside and outside of the League in 1996, and especially within the League in 2003. What should we as a League do between now and March of 2018, when a third proposed Home Rule Charter will be placed before Amherst voters? This is the topic of this membership meeting. The meeting will be facilitated by Suzanne Patnaude. Please contact Rebecca Fricke or Kathy Campbell if you have questions, and PLEASE JOIN US!
To read a history of the evolution of the LWVA's two positions, or to consult the 2015 Program book, check the LWVAmherst website here.
LWVAmherst Takes Positions on Several Warrant Articles
Before every Town Meeting, the League reviews the articles in the Warrant and determines which it can support based on its positions. This year's articles include several in areas with which the League has been concerned at all levels as well as others related to our local positions.
To read brief descriptions of the six articles the LWVA supports, and to access fuller explanations for that support,
click here. See
LWVMA News for the State League positions on Carbon Pricing and "Safe Community" bills.
Two Energy Presentations Co-sponsored by the Energy Study Group of the LWVA and Sustaining Amherst
On Thursday, May 18, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Town Room of Amherst Town Hall, Dr James Manwell of UMass Amherst's Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering will speak on "Solar Energy," and Rep. Solomon Goldstein-Rose, 3rd Hampshire District, will speak on "Energy Bills in the State Legislature."
The Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact Celebration: Women Lead Change
On Monday, May 22, the Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts celebrates the graduation of the 2017 LIPPI Class,. From 6-8 p.m. (after Graduation at 5 p.m.) there will be a dinner at the Log Cabin, Holyoke. The keynote speaker will be Evelyn F. Murphy, President of the WAGE Project, Inc., and 67th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts.
The LWVA is co-sponsoring this event; its current president, Rebecca Fricke, a graduate of LIPPI, will be attending. To join Rebecca in celebrating the LIPPI class of 2017,
click here to purchase tickets. A ticket is $65.
To register off-line, contact
Julie Holt at 413-529-0085, or
email her. This is a fundraising event to benefit the Women's Fund LIPPI program and Strategic Initiatives.
The new Greenfield League's March program "So you want to run for office....Now what?" was the focus of a thoughtful editorial in the Greenfield Recorder on March 23.
Click here to read it.
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"Learn About Threats to the Safety Net: A Community Conversation" A program associated with the Amherst Survival Center's "FEED DEMOCRACY INITIATIVE," was co-sponsored by LWVA. Rebecca Fricke served as Moderator of the April 5th panel, which included Michael Knapik, Director of Governor Baker's Western MA Regional Office; Keith Barnicle, Regional Manager for Congressman James McGovern; and Michelle Geoffroy, Advocacy and Agency Training Coordinator of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
Each panelist discussed a number of priorities and concerns. Michelle Geoffroy described federal and state programs that warrant immediate advocacy, including SNAP;Michael Knapik described the MA health care priorities of accessibility and affordability as a model for the nation; Keith Barnicle commented on Congressman McGovern's senior position on the US House Rules Committee, enabling him to monitor proposed major cuts to federal agencies that will affect food support and health care.
The program concluded with audience members being given the opportunity to address postcards and letters to express their specific concerns about proposed cuts to safety net programs. See the spring print bulletin for Kay Fite's longer report, from which this is excerpted.
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The 2017 CivicsFest was a roaring success...a good turnout, lots of spirit and much fun! Master of Ceremonies Rep. Solomon Goldstein-Rose led the proceedings.
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Chief Justice Story
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MC Solomon Goldstein-Rose
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Debates by high school teams were a highlight. The winners were determined by the Amherst Supreme Court of nine justices (nine members of the Amherst Community.) Ellen Story acted as the esteemed Supreme Court Chief Justice.
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The Justices and MC Goldstein-Rose
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Teams of community members also participated in a trivia contest about local, state, and national political issues.
The theme of the CivicsFest this year was " Political and Governmental Institutions."
A grand time was had by all!
Thanks to Amherst LWV members for providing food,
and Cynthia Brubaker for her organizational skills.
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GET INVOLVED! HELP WANTED! PLAN AHEAD for BOOK SALE!
Advance notice about Book Sale activities:
Book Sale 2017 will be held on Friday-Sunday, July 28-30 and August 4-6, at the Fort River Elementary School. Donations will be accepted ONLY at Fort River ONLY June 30-July 18. Sorting and pricing will be done July 3 through July 25. We'll have a Children's Day and a Dealers' Day before the sale opens to the public. So check your schedules and keep us in mind as you plan your summer!
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LWVMA Climate and Energy Solutions Series Kicks Off in Worcester, May 2
The LWVMA Steering Committee for Environmental Action and Advocacy is presenting a series of five regional forums in 2017, as part of its Climate and Energy Solutions Series. In collaboration with the League of Women Voters of the Worcester Area, the first forum, "On the Path to 100% Renewable Energy," will be on Tuesday, May 2, at 5:30 pm, at the First Baptist Church,
111 Park Avenue, Worcester, MA.
Click here to access the LWVMA's Advocacy page,which provides links to legislation in the current General Court which LWVMA supports. Bills on themes addressed in Amherst's warrant articles include two carbon pricing bills, Sen Barrett's S1821, "An Act combating climate change," and Rep Benson's H1726, "An Act to promote green infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs." These have gone together to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. (They are listed on LWVMA'a advocacy page under Environment.)
The "Safe Communities Act" on immigration enforcement is S1305/H3269, "An Act to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residents." In addition, S787/H873 would prohibit registries based on religion, national origin, etc. (These are listed under Immigration.)
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The recent statement on immigration of LWVUS president Chris Carson can be
found here.
Here's
a statement of the League's policy on the environment.
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