President’s Message

I hadn’t been on my bike for more than a month when my spouse thought yesterday (last Tuesday) was such a gorgeous day that we should take a little ride. We went to the Towpath Trail and rode from Boston to the Canal Exploration Center in Valley View. It was only 19 miles, but it felt like 50. Quite a few people were out walking, running, and biking. They were all happy and friendly and just glad to be alive on such a beautiful day. All along the trail, I noticed lots of woolly bears. They reminded me of our beloved weatherman, the late Dick Goddard. He started the Woolly Bear Festival in Vermilion 50 years ago. That was a much simpler time. It probably didn’t seem that way back then.

You may have heard there is an election coming up. I’m trying to put the lies, conspiracies, hatefulness, and disinformation surrounding our elections into perspective, but I’m having a tough time. In this mid-term election, quite a bit is at stake, but I just don’t remember so much chaos in years past. In Arizona, armed vigilantes in tactical gear are intimidating voters at drop-box locations. They are getting away with this! In Texas, more and more hurdles have been put in place to reject mailed ballots—by the thousands. You probably read about the 20 voters in Florida who were arrested for voting in their August primary, believing they did so legally under the 2018 Florida law that restored voting rights to felons. Don’t forget the asylum-seeking immigrants who were flown to the East Coast under false pretenses. I still find it incredible that candidates who have totally bought into “The Big Lie” are running for and winning important positions. 

And, on a local level, we had a very successful Face2Face candidate forum on October 8, with nearly 100 attendees. Unfortunately, only Democrat candidates participated. Republican candidates chose to stay away. These types of events and debates are essential to a functioning democracy. Perhaps “functioning” is the operative word.

You may have heard about Moore v. Harper, a case before the Supreme Court. It relates to the independent state legislature theory, which Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer, describes as “a legal theory that claims state courts do not have oversight power over election policy set by state legislatures.” Common Cause calls the theory “the Lawless Legislature Theory.” Democracy Docket puts it more bluntly, calling the theory “a right-wing constitutional theory about who has the power to set rules for federal elections.” However you describe it, application of the theory is truly a frightening attempt to put another nail in the coffin of democracy. The LWVUS has filed an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to reject this dangerous, fringe ideology. Please become informed about this case.

After all this gloom, I encourage you to VOTE on November 8. Also, you need to know about Election Protection. If you see or experience anything suspicious or questionable at the polls, call 866-our-vote immediately.

I hope to see you at our November 15 All Member Meeting at Kent Social Services. We have several new members to meet.

As we approach the holidays, please plan to join us in person for our Holiday Brunch on December 10. It will be a lovely time for all to be together, enjoy a delicious meal and learn about the history of our democracy.

Stay warm, hug a woolly bear, get your vaccines and, most of all, VOTE. Remember, democracy only works when we work for democracy.

In League, Unity and Equality,

Debbie

The family is gathered around the Thanksgiving table. The turkey is carved. The mashed potatoes await the rich pour of gravy. The green bean casserole releases its oniony aroma. After the giving of thanks, the conversation begins. And so does the heated political debate. 

Have you ever experienced this scene? Have you hoped each year to mollify the intense opposing beliefs that divide even the closest of families? 

The All Member Meeting on November 15 may be just what you need. We’ll consider how to talk across these divisions by listening differently, reframing our comments, and asking judgment-free questions. Tips and resources will be provided, which you can share with others—maybe even with your family.

LWV Kent member Jackie Peck will lead the discussion. The AMM starts at 7 p.m. at Kent Social Services, 1066 S. Water St., Kent. MAP It is open to the public.

Holiday Brunch features presentation by Kent State University historian about the Founding Fathers and their "intentions"

Kim Gruenwald, Ph.D., will be the featured speaker at the LWV Kent’s December 10 Holiday Brunch. Gruenwald, an associate professor at Kent State University, has been a faculty member in the History Department since 1995. She is a Kent League member, serves on the Board of Directors and chairs the Diversity Program Committee.

She will be sharing a historical perspective on democracy, including its creation, development and challenges. About her talk, titled “The Found Fathers Intended,” Gruenwald says, “The musical ‘Hamilton’ has made many Americans aware of how deeply divided our Founding Fathers were on a number of issues. In addition, they were truly making it up as they went along.” So, says Gruenwald, when someone proclaims, “our founding fathers intended,” ask the person “which one and at what point in his career?” That is the only proper response, says Gruenwald.

The event will be held at Laziza Restaurant, 100 S. Depeyster, Kent, Ohio 44240 starting at 9 a.m.

The cost is $25 per person for the meal. Members can pay by check and postal mail (download the reservation form here); by credit card through PayPal; or by Venmo through PayPal.

The board would like to share that there was a strong desire to bring members together for this annual event, something we have been unable to do for two years. With the cost being $25, our League will incur processing fees for those who pay by credit card. Members can choose to increase their payment for up to $30 to help pay for the processing. Thanks for your understanding!

Head to the brunch webpage to make your reservation and pay online. 

LWV Kent organizers of the Face2Face candidate forum were ecstatic with the turnout of nearly 100 at Pierson Hall of the Kent United Methodist Church. However, the lack of participation by Republican candidates was noticed and disappointing. The absence was not unique to Kent. It was widespread, attracting the attention of media outlets across the state and the country. 

It is fair to say that when candidates from either one of the two main political parties opt out of attending such events, voters lose out. The matter is one that the LWV Kent Board of Directors and the Voter Service Committee will be talking about for future candidate forums.

LWVUS President Deborah Turner, MD, JD, recently wrote an op-ed for The Hill on the "ghosting" going on. She says, "It’s vital that voters have the opportunity to hear directly from candidates. In local races with modest budgets and limited media attention, debates and forums create a unique space for open dialogue and conversation, tailored to the needs of the community and the issues they care about." Read the piece here.

Face2Face in photos . . .

Thanks for attending! Members starting clockwise top right: Barb Hipsman Springer, David Dix, John Graves, President Debbie Barber, Board Member Jane Preston Rose, Voter Service Co-Chair Stacy Yaniglos, Voter Service Co-Chair Jill Hazelton, Al Barber, a guest, Jack Amrhein, Mary Myers, Treasurer Gail Pytel, Ann Ward, Jim Redmond and Carol Redmond.

The League of Women Voters of Kent established the scholarship in memory of Helen Dix, a founding member of the organization. When she died in fall 2013, she was the organization’s last surviving charter member.

The League of Women Voters national organization was formed in 1920 to help women take a larger role in public affairs after they won the right to vote.

Dix was instrumental in furthering the League mission in Portage County from Kent’s LWV establishment in 1953 throughout the rest of her life. She was passionate about the importance of education and its accessibility to an informed citizenry.

Tax-deductible donations to support the scholarship may be sent to Helen Dix Scholarship at The Portage Foundation, P.O. Box 623, Kent, Ohio 44240.

Book Club keeps the holiday spirit going!

The Book Club meeting for December will be on Wednesday, December 14, rather than the usual meeting date, which conflicts with Statehouse Day in Columbus. We will discuss Chasing History: A Kid in the Newsroom by Carl Bernstein and in keeping with tradition, join in a holiday lunch, beginning at noon. A Zoom option will be available for those who would prefer not to meet in person. All are welcome to join. Contact Jane Preston Rose for details about the meetings. Click here to email her. 

The Voter Service Committee was busier than ever during the months leading up to the mid-term elections. Here are highlights, provided by Co-Chair Jill Hazelton at the October All Member Meeting:

• Staffed a voter registration booth at four major events. A total of 66 volunteers participated and worked 150 hours.
• Staffed a voter registration table at five events sponsored by Kent State University events. At one of these events alone, we registered 65 new voters.
• On National Voter Registration Day, registered people at Kent Social Service, Center of Hope in Ravenna.
• Provided 180 voter information cards to Head Start for inclusion in fall parent packets.
• Provided the Kent Free Library and Ravenna’s Reed Memorial Library with several hundred pieces of voter information materials.
• Collected voter registration cards from and provided voter information to shoppers at Haymaker Farmers’ Market on four different days.
• Registered voters and provided voter information at Kent Rainbow festival. North Water Street Brewing graciously provided space and help for event.
• Logged record-breaking attendance at Face2 Face candidate forum with just under 100 attendees.
• Submitted more than 120 voter registration forms and 22 absentee-ballot request forms to Portage County Board of Elections.
• Purchased 1,500 business-card size election-information cards and distributed 1,300 of them.
• Distributed 700 Voter Resource cards.
• Mailed 1,000 Vote411.org information postcards to intermittent female voters in Portage County asking them to please vote.
• Placed about 30 Just Vote Please yard signs at locations in Kent and elsewhere in the county.
• Launched an electronic-media ad campaign that is still in full swing and will continue until the elections on Nov. 8. Ads appeared in The Portager, the Record-Courier, the Villager and Kent Wired.

We’ve done a lot this election season! And it’s because of all of you that we have been able accomplish so much. Thank you again for all you do. It takes a village to do this work, and you are a great village to be a part of! 

Voter Service Co-Chairs Jill Hazelton and Stacy Yaniglos.

LWV of Ohio is hosting the Annual Statehouse Day unusually late this year, as it expects the outgoing Ohio General Assembly to attempt to pass legislation that could reduce early voting, make it harder for citizens to place initiatives on the ballot, enact even harsher abortion laws, or infringe on the rights of diverse Ohioans. 

LWVO needs as many members and supporters from throughout the Buckeye State to converge on Columbus. You’ll hear from experts about pending legislation, learn best practices for lobbying elected officials, and enjoy an inspiring keynote lunch. Teams of advocates will then be assembled to educate lawmakers on our policy priorities. 

Ready to sign up? There will be a group heading to Columbus for the event. Email LWV Kent President Debbie Barber here by November 27. It's a great event for all members to see LWVO in action!

Read the latest from the LWV Kent Observer Corps. Click here. Interested in an outreach activity that puts you in the rooms where it happens? Click here.

SAVE THE DATE...All events are free except where noted

Nov 15 | Tuesday | 7 p.m. | All Member Meeting | In Person

| Kent Social Services, 1066 S. Water St., Kent

Dec 7 | Wednesday | 9 a.m. | LWV Ohio Statehouse Day | In Person | Sheraton Columbus Capitol Square | Contact Debbie Barber at dbarber@kent.edu

Dec 10 | Saturday | 9 a.m. | Holiday Brunch | In Person | Laziza's in Downtown Kent | Make a reservation here | Per person cost starting at $25