First Thursday Forum: February 5

Masterful Planning:
Renaissance of the Detroit Shoreway Neighborhood
and Gordon Square Arts District

Guest Speakers
Jeff Ramsey, Executive Director
Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization
Joy Roller, Executive Director
Gordon Square Arts District

Thursday, February 5, 2009
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Trinity Commons at Trinity Cathedral
2230 Euclid Avenue

An overview of the highly-successful collaborative efforts of the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization (www.dscdo.org) to enhance the neighborhood’s quality of life, including the Gordon Square Arts District (www.gordonsquare.org), a national model of how the arts can be used to stimulate economic development.

Free parking for attendees behind Cathedral off Prospect Ave.
$5/person, ($3/student) at the Door

For information call 216 781-0555 or visit www.LWVCuyahogaArea.org.
Program funding provided by the League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area Education Fund.

League Mock Elections Video

An exciting simulated voting experience for over 1,800 area student was held in four public high schools prior to the 2008 Presidential Election. The LWV Cuyahoga Area, with the participation of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections and the schools' government teaching staff, designed these mock elections to show young citizens how the process works and encourage a lifelong interest in voting.

This project featured: distribution of several thousand LWV Voters Guides, candidate forums featuring County Commission candidates, and simulated elections.

Over 60 League and community volunteers made this project possible.

Funding was provided by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation and LWV Cuyahoga Area Education Fund.

Here is a video highlighting the Valley Forge High School mock election. The video was made possible by Cox Cable.

LWVO Taxation and Finance Study *update*

Announcement: The LWVO Board of Directors voted to table the Tax Study Consensus Process for the time being until they can provide materials that address member concerns and comments. You may access the entire statement by LWVO President, Linda Lalley by visiting the LWVO website.

The League can advocate on issues based on its positions. Positions are a result of member consensus after a period of study. A League team, made up of members across Ohio, have been studying Ohio taxation and finance since the summer of 2006.

Favorable Court Ruling in Election Law Suit

U.S. Sixth Circuit Court Rule in Favor of 2 of 3 LWVO Claims in Election Law Suit.

LWV Ohio is excited to announce that on Wednesday, November 26, 2008, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled in favor the LWVO in response to a motion filed by the state of Ohio to dismiss the case.

The Court ruled that the case can proceed on the claims that Ohio's Voting System deprives citizens of their right to vote or severely burdens their right depending upon where they live and on the argument that Ohio's voting system violates the Due Process Clause.

This Court ruled against the LWVO on the issue of a constitutionally protected interest related to procedural due process. This aspect of the ruling is more technical in nature than the issue of fundamental flaws LWVO has identified in the election system.

LWVO is satisfied with this decision, as it will allow the case to proceed to a permanent fix for Ohio's election system.

LWVO will continue to update you on the lawsuit as information becomes available. Background information can be found here.

Photos from League Events are Now Posted

Visit our Picasa Web Album slideshow (below) to view photos from various 2008 events of the League of Women Votes of Cuyahoga Area. The photos are also available here.

LWVUS Election Experience Online Survey

The LWV United States is asking voters to tell us about their Election Day experiences by taking our on-line post-election survey. Click here for the survey.

LWVUS Climate Change Task Force Online

Click here for “Staying Warm and Living Green,” the second in a series of five articles covering climate change issues of general interest to League members and their communities that are being posted on www.lwv.org. These articles, prepared by LWVUS Climate Change Task Force member Eleanor Revelle, are excellent. Click here for the Climate Change Task Force page.

First Thursday Forum: “Rebirth of a Region” 12/4

Featured speaker at the December 4th League of Women Voters’ First Thursday Forum is Chris Ronayne, President, University Circle, Inc. (UCI). Titled, “University Circle: Building the Knowledge District.” The program is set for Thursday, December 4, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at Trinity Commons, Cathedral Hall, 2230 Euclid Avenue. Cost is $5.00 per adult, $3.00 per student, at the door. More information.

November/December 2008 Voter Newsletter

The November/December issue of the Cuyahoga Area Voter is now available here. This month we take a look at University Circle, reshaping our county government and the League's voter service work.