President’s Message
My mother was from West Virginia, and she had a lot of strange sayings. My kids always got a kick out of them while they were growing up. So, I can’t resist. “Hurray, hurray the first of May. Outdoor neckin’ starts today!” My guess is that most folks today don’t even know what that means.
Speaking of children, how about the Ohio Redistricting Commission? While under Ohio Supreme Court orders (notice, this is plural) to present a fair map, they have consistently and predictably refused to do so. I have to admire the amazing restraint exhibited by Allison Russo and Vernon Sykes, the two Democratic members of the commission, in the face of the blatant rudeness and maneuvering by the Republican members of the commission that continues to take place. Now, the Republican members have decided to snub the Ohio Constitution, the Ohio Supreme Court, Ohio voters and the rule of law and hold fast to the most recent illegal map because a federal court says they can. How does this happen?? Professional mapmakers were hired to create fair maps, which they did. Why isn’t one of those the mandated map in this case instead of another illegally gerrymandered one?
As of today, the Democratic members of the commission, along with Republican member Keith Faber, have agreed to meet before the Ohio Supreme Court deadline of May 6. To hold a meeting, three members must be present.
I’m not holding my breath.
On a more positive note, there will be a lot happening in May and June with our League. Please try to make our All Member Meeting on May 19. This is our first in-person gathering since the pandemic. We will meet at the newly renovated Kent Social Services on State Route 43 at 7 p.m. Our program will include some poetry by Kent’s own Jacquie People Dukes, who will read from her book, South End Serenades, and talk about growing up in Kent’s South End.
June 4 will be our annual meeting. This is a very important business meeting where you will approve the budget for the year, elect officers and approve our programs. We will begin the meeting with a presentation by Lynn Vogel, a very engaging conservationist and environmentalist. You will not want to miss this.
Now more than ever it is evident that Democracy is most definitely not a spectator sport. Stay tuned.
In League and Unity,
Debbie
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Kent poet headlines May 19 first in-person All Member Meeting in two years! Goal is to meet and have fun! |
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Finally! Inviting all members to the May 19 All Member Meeting, 7 p.m., at Kent Social Services. To meet some of you for the first time. To see some of you face-to-face rather than on a screen. To be together after a difficult two years and with so many voting rights issues hanging in the balance.
Kent Social Services is located at 1066 S. Water St., Kent, Ohio. MAP There will be refreshments and a program of mingling, announcements, sharing and welcoming activities.
The evening will start with a new member orientation session from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. at the same location.
During the All Member Meeting, we will introduce poet Jacquie Peoples Dukes. Dukes is a lifelong resident of Kent. She grew up on the South End of Kent, which has been the impetus for her first published book of poetry, South End Serenades. Read more about Dukes here.
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Cover of South End Serenades by Jacquie Peoples Dukes. |
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ATTENTION, MEW MEMBERS!
New Member Orientation begins May 19 at 6 p.m.!
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Join Membership Chair Sherry Rose for all you need to know about getting the most out of your LWV Kent membership. She also will answer any questions you may have. The All Member Meeting will follow at 7 p.m. at Kent Social Services, located at 1066 S. Water St., Kent, Ohio.
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You are invited . . . to the in-person 2022 LWV Kent Annual Meeting, Saturday, June 4
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Setting the stage for the next program year!
Brunch, speaker and business meeting.
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We’re back in person for the LWV Kent Annual Meeting after two years of being online. Thank you for your patience. Join us for a potluck brunch (no admission) or come for the speaker or meeting. Now for all the particulars . . .
Date: Saturday, June 4, 2022
Time: 8:45 a.m. to Gather; 9 a.m. for Brunch; 9:30 a.m. Welcome; 9:45 a.m. Speaker; 10:30 a.m. Business Meeting; Meeting ends at 11:30 a.m.
Where: Pierson Hall United Methodist Church, 1435 E. Main St., Kent, MAP
Cost: FREE. Join us for our potluck brunch and feel free to bring a brunch item to share.
RSVP: RSVP HERE by June 1.
What to Bring: Your meeting packet (click here to download it for printing), a brunch item to share (if you like) and your own reusable place setting. Please review the packet which contains the proposed budget for next year, board nominations, positions and more!
Speaker: Lynn Vogel, environmentalist and stormwater educator for the Portage County Soil & Water Conservation District. Her list of accomplishments and activism that protect our environment are long and significant.
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Lynn Vogel, stormwater educator for the for Portage County Soil and Water Conservation district conducts a nature education program for young people. |
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Missed it? Here's the link to the LWV REAL TALK
program on housing
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The two-part program examines the history of redlining and how it shaped and continues to influence Northeast Ohio communities. Housing experts from local governments and nonprofits discussed innovative programs and strategies to erase the red line by providing greater housing choice and economic opportunity across the region. Click here to watch the program. Click here for other past RealTalk programs.
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Thanks, Voter Service Committee, for an outstanding candidate forum! |
LWV Kent’s Voters and Candidates Face2Face forum April 2 went smoothly despite the short time to organize it in the face of redistricting chaos. More than 50 people attended and filled the tables for the small-group discussions with candidates. To see more photos, head to our Facebook page. The photos were posted on April 6. Interested in joining this critical committee? Email here.
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VOTE411.ORG and VOTERS' GUIDE |
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A project of the Kent League, the local Voters' Guide is online at https://www.vote411.org. The guide, supported by LWV Kent, allows voters to enter their addresses and see candidate and issue information.
A downloadable version of the LWV Kent Voters' Guide is available at https://my.lwv.org/ohio/kent/voting on the League website. The Record-Courier also publishes the guide content in print and online closer to the election.
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Well, the 2022 planting season has begun
Here is an opportunity for members to engage in a fun and healthy project in the Kent Historic South End on Saturday, May 7. Just meet at the garden with your gloves. A signed waiver is required. There's lunch, too, and you know it'll be good if
Doria Daniels, Historic South End Association chairwoman, is in charge!
Location: 1102 Walnut St., Kent, Ohio
Date: Saturday, May 7, 2022
Time: 8:30am - 1:00pm
Work to be done: 3 loads of mulch to spread; speading woodchips to redo walk; rebuilding the walkway with available bricks; KidPower library needs stained
What to bring: rubber mallets, hoes, shovels, wheel barrow, gloves
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RALLY TIME IN COLUMBUS WITH FAIR DISTRICTS |
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Fair Districts Coaltion members started out at the Ohio Supreme Court and marched to the Ohio Statehouse on April 28, 2022 in a show of force for fair voting district maps in the state.
To see the video of the event, head to the League of Women Voters of Kent Facebook page here. The video was posted April 29, 2022.
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Second photo: “Too busy” is what a delegation of Ohio citizens was told by Speaker of the House Robert Cupp's office when they asked to meet with him Thursday afternoon. The group was carrying a petition signed by thousands of Ohioans imploring the Ohio Redistricting Commission to do their job and follow the orders of the Ohio Supreme Court to draw fair district maps. |
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Book Club makes selections for May, June |
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The next Book Club meetings are Wednesdays, May 4 and June 1, at 1:30 p.m. All are welcome to join. Contact Jane Preston Rose for details about the meetings including locations. Click here to email her. Here are selections for May and June:
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May 4 Book Selection: Laboratories of Autocracies by David Pepper
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June 1 Book Selection: Ukraine and Russia: From Civilized Divorce to Uncivil War by Paul D'Anieri
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Observer Corps . . . the new Portager staff reporter?!
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The Portager had two shout-outs to the LWV Kent Observer Corps with links for readers to learn more about the April Streetsboro Board of Education meeting and the March meeting of the Franklin Township Trustees. See the issue here. Read the latest from the LWV Kent Observer Corps here. Interested in an outreach activity that puts you in the rooms where it happens? Click here.
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SAVE THE DATE...All events are free except where noted
May 19 | Thursday | 6 p.m. | New Member Orientation | In Person | Kent Social Services, 1066 S. Water St., Kent
May 19 | Thursday | 7 p.m. | All Member Meeting | FREE | In Person | Kent Social Services, 1066 S. Water St., Kent
June 4 | Saturday | Annual Meeting Brunch | FREE | 8:45 a.m. Gather & Brunch | 9:30 a.m. Welcome | 9:45 a.m. Speaker | 10:30 a.m. Business Meeting | In person | Feel free to bring a dish to share | Pierson Hall, United Methodist Church, 1435 E. Main St., Kent
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Connect with us by email . . . and |
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