Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority

The League of Women Voters position the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority (CCCPA) is available HERE. The League's complete study is HERE.

An excerpt from the study:

August, 2007
To the Citizens of Cuyahoga County,

In 2002, voters passed a levy in support of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority (Port Authority). The Port Authority is a special district government that exerts considerable influence on land use planning, use of the waterfront and financing economic development. In 2007, the voters of Cuyahoga County could be asked to approve a renewed or significantly increased tax levy for the Port Authority.

Because it appeared that the community at large knew little about the Port Authority, the League of Women Voters of the Cleveland Area established a committee to study this important body.

Since that time committee members have attended Port Authority Board meetings, studied documents, researched the Ohio Revised Code governing port authorities, and interviewed officials in an attempt to understand the role and functions of the Port Authority. They also interviewed Board members, staff, Cleveland City officials and executives of companies that have direct contact with the Port Authority.

This study attempts to illuminate the workings of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority, its functions within the community, its spending of tax money, its impact on shipping and its plans for the future.

This is the committee’s best effort to accurately present complex information to the voting public.

Sincerely,
Penny Jeffrey
Penny Jeffrey, President
Chair, Port Authority Committee

The Sunshine Law: Ohio's Open Meetings Act

In an effort to help elected officials and the public to better understand the provisions and requirements of this important legislation, the LWV Cuyahoga Area Ed Fund, in March 2009, purchased 250 copies of the new LWV Ohio brochure, THE SUNSHINE LAW: OHIO’S OPEN MEETINGS ACT. It was distributed to our 48 community Mayors. Presidents of Councils and other local officials as well as the Cuyahoga County Commissioners and other elected county officials.

The Open Meetings Act is to be liberally construed “to require public officials to take official action and to conduct all deliberations upon official business only in open meetings unless the subject matter is specifically excepted by law.”

On Friday, March 20, 2009, the LWV United States Education Fund co-hosted the 4th Annual Sunshine Week National Dialogue. The event, “Opening Doors: Finding the Keys to Open Government,” was held at the Center for American Progress in Washington, DC. It featured panels of experts from inside and outside government, who discussed federal openness policies and opportunities for people to use government. To learn more, visit www.openthegovernment.org

First Lady Dolley Madison Visits Bay Village

The League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area, Bay Village Chapter, invites Bay residents to a special presentation by actress Carol Starre-Kmiecik depicting the fourth First Lady of the United States, Dolley Payne Madison. The event is set for Tuesday, January 12, 2010, 7:00 pm, at the Bay Middle School Cafeteria, 27725 Wolf Road, and is part of Bay’s year-long Bicentennial celebration.

Dolley Madison was First Lady of the United States (1809 – 1817) during the time the Cahoon Family settled in Bay Village (October 10, 1810). The presentation is educational and entertaining. With her depiction of Dolley Madison, Starre-Kmiecik puts the time frame of 1810 in historical perspective, and provides a personal point of view of events during Dolley’s residence in the White House.

The January 12th event is also part of “60 Minutes With the League,” an ongoing public series hosted by the League of Women Voters, featuring notable speakers on topics of interest. For more information, please call 440 835-0508 or visit the League website at www.LWVCuyahogaArea.org

Political Reform

For comprehensive information about political reform in Ohio, visit the IMPACT website.

Impact: Political Accountability for Citizens Today is a project of the LWV Ohio Education Fund.

LWV First Thursdays: Deborah Gribbon CMA Director

Deborah Gribbon, Interim Director of The Cleveland Museum of Art, is the featured speaker at the League of Women Voters’ First Thursdays, the League’s meeting series open to the public free of charge. Titled “Museums and Women” Gribbon’s talk is set for December 3, 2009, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at Trinity Commons at Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. There is free parking for attendees behind the Cathedral off Prospect Avenue.

Deborah Gribbon took the leadership position of Interim Director on September 21, succeeding the seventh Director, Timothy Rub. She received her B.A. in Art History from Wellesley College and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Fine Arts from Harvard University. Deborah began her career in Boston as the first Curator of the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum. In 1984 she moved to Los Angeles to join the staff of the J. Paul Getty Museum where she worked for twenty years, first as Chief Curator, then as the Deputy Director and, ultimately, as the Director of the Museum and Vice President of the J. Paul Getty Trust from 2000 to 2004. For more information on the museum, its programs and events, visit http://www.ClevelandArt.org

Women Who Know Their Place is the theme of this season’s First Thursdays, a five-part
speaker series, each featuring a woman who has achieved a high degree of success in her field. It also celebrates the 90th Anniversary of the League of Women Voters and the passage of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call the League office at 216 781-0555 or visit
http://www.LWVCuyahogaArea.org

Program funding is provided by contributions to the League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area Education Fund, Inc.

###

Note: The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political membership organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

LWV First Thursdays: Susan Goldberg PD Editor

Susan Goldberg, Editor of The Plain Dealer, is the featured speaker at the League of Women Voters’ opening event of First Thursdays, the League’s public meeting series now in its seventh season. Goldberg’s presentation is titled “How The Plain Dealer Makes a Difference.” It is set for November 5, 2009, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at Trinity Commons at Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. There is free parking for attendees behind the Cathedral off Prospect Avenue.

Susan Goldberg was named editor of The Plain Dealer in May 2007. Prior to that she was executive editor of the San Jose Mercury News, held several editorial titles at USA Today and earlier worked as a reporter and editor at the Detroit Free Press. A Michigan native, she has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University. She is on the board of The City Club of Cleveland and Business Volunteers Unlimited, and is active in a number of professional journalism organizations. She also is co-chair of the Medill School of Journalism’s Board of Visitors at Northwestern University.

Women Who Know Their Place is the theme of this season’s First Thursdays, a series of five events, each featuring a woman who has achieved a high degree of success in her field. It also celebrates the 90th Anniversary of the League of Women Voters and the passage of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call the League office at 216 781-0555 or visit LWVCuyahogaArea.org

Program funding is provided by contributions to the League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area Education Fund, Inc.

Note: The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political membership organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

COUNTY REFORM FACT CHECKING

From WCPN 90.3
"In less than a week, Cuyahoga County voters will decide whether to change the structure of their county's government. Issue 6 would replace the current three commissioner system right away and replace it with an elected executive and 11-member council. Supporters say the legislature and executive structure would create a more vigorous system of checks and balances than the county has now. That claim is ridiculed by opponents of Issue 6. ideastream®'s Eric Wellman spoke with Janice Patterson of the Cuyahoga Area League of Women Voters about the competing claims. The League is a non-partisan group that has come out in favor of issue 6 and changing to a county executive." LISTEN HERE

And, on October 18, Janice Patterson also represented the League at the Dean's Forum at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in a debate with someone who opposes Issue 6. You can listen HERE.

FIXING CUYAHOGA COUNTY - YES ON ISSUE 6

Vote YES on Issue 6.


Be sure to scroll all the way down this post.

Cuyahoga County Charter Reform Issues

NOVEMBER 3, 2009 GENERAL ELECTION

I. BALLOT QUESTION # 6 : "Shall a county charter be adopted, providing for an elected county executive, an elected county prosecutor, eleven county council members elected by district, and all other officers appointed by the county executive whose appointments are subject to the confirmation by council and who shall serve at the pleasure of the county exectuive?"

The League of Women Voters recommends: VOTE YES! Here's why:

1. Separation of Legislative (policy-making) from Executive (administrative) powers permits numerous effective checks and balances to hinder or prevent overreaching by a single strong County leader, while providing Ohio's largest county with executive focus and visible, accountable leadership.
2. A Council of 11 will represent the county's diverse districts and have the power to pass ordinances, investigate wrongdoing in the bureaucracy, and debate County policies in the open.
3. Appointing rather than electing 7 of the 8 "row offices" (Recorder, Auditor, Sheriff, Coroner, Engineer, Clerk of Courts and Treasurer) leads to a unified, professionally administered executive branch that greatly reduces patronage, duplication and waste.
4. New safeguards against corruption and abuse of power include mandatory internal audits, centralized employment standards, a code of ethics covering conflicts of interest, a whistle-blower mandate, possible recall elections, and a charter amendment process.
5. Powerful new focus on both economic development and regional collaboration brings limited Home Rule flexibility that will enable new initiatives to reverse county decline.
6. This charter is backed by 53,000 petition signatures and a bipartisan group of political and civic leaders including the League of Women Voters. It is drawn from the best features of the Summit County charter, the 1996 Barber Commission draft, the Municipal League's Model County Charter, and suggestions by the drafting group, municipal law specialists, and other contributors. Diverse opinions were sought, respected and incorporated.

II. BALLOT QUESTION # 5 : "Shall a county charter commission be chosen?"

This question was put on the ballot in mid-July by the County Commissioners, who also support 15 of the 30 candidates running for the 15 Charter Commissioner seats. If this issue passes, the county charter commission must meet the Ohio constitutional mandate to study county government and various options for reform and to draft a charter for voter consideration in November 2010. The 30 candidates will appear on the ballot without political affiliation. The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes this issue or any candidates.

Three studies of Cuyahoga's government structure and operations have taken place since 1995, and nine since 1935. The League of Women Voters has published a brochure detailing its own study findings -- "A Citizen Guide to Cuyahoga County Government," available on line. It is our opinion that another year of study would be a costly delay of reforms already well crafted and ready to go. No one can know what degree of independence or reform the County Commissioners' own panel might produce.

For these reasons, the League of Women Voters recommends: VOTE YES for Issue # 6

-------------------------------- More information: ------------------------

• Proposed Charter
• The League's education brochure, "Citizens Guide to Cuyahoga County Government"
• The League's June 28 Editorial in the Cleveland Plain Dealer
• Summary of charter provisions
• Analysis of the many Checks and Balances the Charter offers
• Frequently Asked Questions can be found HERE.
• Visit the NewCuyahoga website for more background material.
• Be sure to visit the League's "Press Release" section for the latest news and do visit our "Calendar" for all of the public presentations about the Charter Reform Ballot Issues - more are being added every week!
• WVIZ Channel 25 will air a special on Issue 5 and 6: Friday, October 23 at 8:30 pm; Sunday, Oct. 25 at 10:00 am; Questions can be submitted at www.cleveland.com/countyincrisis
  

--------------- Volunteer Opportunities-----------

If you would like to have a yard sign, pass out literature, and/or help out on Election Day, contact LWVCuyAreaOutreach@gmail.com

County and State Ballot Issues - LWV POSITIONS

Cuyahoga County Ballot Issues for the November 3, 2009 Election

Issue 4
The Leagues of Women Voters in Cuyahoga County SUPPORT Issue 4.
Proposed Tax Levy (Replacement and Increase) Cuyahoga Community College District
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage

A replacement of 1.6 mills of an existing levy and an increase of 0.3 mill, to constitute a tax for the benefit of the Cuyahoga Community College District for the purpose of providing for payment of operating costs for educational services at a rate not exceeding 1.9 mills for each
one dollar of valuation, which amounts to 19 cents for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for ten years, commencing in 2010, first due in calendar year 2011.

Issue 5
The Leagues of Women Voters in Cuyahoga County have not taken a position on Issue 5.
Proposed Charter Commission County of Cuyahoga
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage

Shall a County Charter Commission be Chosen?

Issue 6
The Leagues of Women Voters in Cuyahoga County SUPPORT Issue 6. (see below)
Proposed Charter (By Petition) County of Cuyahoga
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage

Shall a county charter be adopted providing for an elected county executive, an elected county prosecutor, eleven county council members elected by district, and all other county officers
appointed by the county executive whose appointments are subject to the confirmation by council and who shall serve at the pleasure of the county executive?

---------------------------

Ohio Ballot Issues for the November 3, 2009 Election

Issue 1: Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Authorize the State to Issue Bonds to Provide Compensation to Veterans of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts. Read Issue 1 Explanation

Issue 2: Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board Read Issue 2 Explanation

Issue 3: Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Authorize a Casino in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo, Ohio Read Issue 3 Explanation

Click Here to read the ballot language and more information on the November 2009 Ballot Issues

League of Women Voters of Ohio: Positions on the 2009 General Election Ballot Issues: Click here

--------------- Issue 6 Volunteer Opportunities-----------

If you would like to have an Issue 6 yard sign, pass out literature, and/or help out on Election Day, contact LWVCuyAreaOutreach@gmail.com

View You Tube Video

Citizens Guide to Cuyahoga County Government

Click here to download the guide.

To provide a better understanding of the current government structure in Cuyahoga County, the League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area Education Fund, Inc., has published an updated brochure titled “Citizen Guide to Cuyahoga County Government; Past, Present, Future.” This guide includes data from the Governor’s Commission on County Government Reform and the League’s accrued observations, after decades of studying Cuyahoga County government.

You can access an easy-to-print version of the guide by visiting the “Publications” section of the League website, www.LWVCuyahogaArea.org. The introductory mailing is directed to all mayors in Cuyahoga County, county commissioners and elected row officers, governor’s commission members, high school civic departments, local libraries and college and university libraries.

Contents of the Citizen Guide include: county government characteristics, responsibilities of commissioners and other elected officials, organization charts, options available to change county government, a history of change efforts, inadequacies of current form of county government, and more.

The publication of “Citizen Guide to Cuyahoga County Government: Past, Present, Future” is funded by the League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area Education Fund Inc., and the Marilyn G. Zack Memorial Fund. For more information, and to order copies of the professionally printed version, contact the League office at 216 781-0555.

LWVO and State Settle Historic Lawsuit

Columbus, Ohio -- The League of Women Voters of Ohio, the League of Women Voters of Toledo-Lucas County, and a dozen Ohio citizens reached a historic agreement with the State of Ohio to fix defects in the way Ohio conducts its federal elections.

“Ohio voters won a great victory today with the settlement of this case which was about giving all eligible Ohio voters the chance to vote in a fair election and have their votes counted", said Meg G. Flack, president of the League of Women Voters of Ohio. “Careful planning and uniform execution of elections was our goal and we believe this agreement achieves that.”

To read the settlement agreement, visit LWV Ohio.

Update LWV Bookmark on Your Web Browser

If you haven’t already done so, please update the bookmark on your web browser for the League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area: www.LWVCuyahogaArea.org

Openness in Government

Openness in Government: LWVUS Adds to Groundbreaking White House Policy Discussion

On his first day in office, President Obama issued a Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government and called for recommendations for making the federal government more transparent, participatory and collaborative. In late May, the White House kicked off an unprecedented process for public engagement in policymaking on the White House website (www.whitehouse.gov/open). Instead of asking for comments on an already-finished set of draft recommendations, the Administration has sought recommendations from the public and organizations such as the League. The LWVUS participated in the first two of this three-phase process by sharing our experiences and expertise to the online dialogue. We are actively working with Administration officials and allied groups to prepare for the final phase of this groundbreaking process and to see what outcomes it produces.

Inside Story on Cooperative Government

The public is invited to an expert panel discussion on how local governments can provide good services with fewer tax dollars. Titled, “Does Sharing Help? The Inside Story on Cooperative Government,” the event will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, starting at 6:45 pm at the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Main Library, 2345 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights.

Panelists include South Euclid Mayor Georgine Welo, University Heights Council Member Kevin Patrick Murphy, and Cleveland Heights Council Member Mark Tumeo. They will discuss their related experiences and answer audience questions.
Questions can be posted in advance at www.heightsobserver.org/deck/.

This forum is a joint project of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Chapter of the League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area, FutureHeights, and the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library. For more information, call 216 781-0555.

LWV Ohio Convention News

The League of Women Voters of Ohio (LWV-Ohio) held its biennial state convention May 1-3 in Dublin, Ohio. The gathering gave nearly 70 League members from the 33 Leagues around the state the opportunity to celebrate the organization’s accomplishments and to discuss important public policy issues impacting communities across Ohio. Convention delegates adopted a program of policy issues for the biennium and approved resolutions calling for action on issues ranging from raising Ohio’s personal income tax to redistricting and election-administration reform to environmental, education and energy conservation issues.

For more information about the recent convention, visit www.lwvohio.org

Spring Arrives With Town Hall Meetings Around Ohio

Spring was the onset of a slew of LWV Ohio Education Fund’s Impact Town Hall Meetings in Ohio. Town Hall Meetings were held in Delaware, Columbus, Bowling Green, Marion, Perrysburg, and Portsmouth on topics concerning Redistricting, Judicial Reform and Election Law. These issues also brought into the discussions tax issues and the importance of accurate counting in the coming census for determining how federal funds will be distributed.

For more information about the Impact project’s town hall meetings and the interactive presentation, How Ohio Government Impacts You, visit www.ohioimpact.org

Money in Politics

For information about what campaign funds are received by your legislators, visit the following websites:

Ohio Secretary of State - Campaign Finance

Open Secrets

Ohio Citizen Action/Money in Politics

To understand more about Campaign Finance, visit LWV Ohio's Impact project website.

And to find information about candidates in Cuyahoga County, call the Campaign and Voters Services Department of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections at (216) 443-3231. You will be able to get a form that you'll have to fill out indicating which candidates, which election cycle, and so on. You'll be charged 3 cents per page. You can also visit the BOE in person.

View Photos From LWV Events

Not only can you click on the photo box (in the right-hand column of this page) to view all the photos from many of the exciting League events, you may also print them out! How cool is that?!

ANNUAL MEETING: Register Now

League: Engaging Regionally, to Prosper Regionally

Saturday, May 16; 9 am - Noon
Canalway Center: 4524 East 49th St., Cuyahoga Heights (visit the calendar for a map)

Elect Officers - Approve Budget - Adopt 2009-2010 Program

Cost: $12 - Includes Continental Breakfast and 2009 Workbook

Reservations deadline: Wednesday, May 13

Make check payable to: LWV Cuyahoga Area and mail to LWV Cuyahoga Area, 50 Public Square, #938, Cleveland, OH 44113

text

RESERVE NOW - Honoring Janet Hutchison: April 26

Honoring Janet Hutchison: Cuyahoga Valley National Park Advocate

Sunday, April 26, 2009; 12:30 pm brunch at The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland. Details can be found in the Press Release section of the website.

Speaker John Debo, Cuyahoga Valley National Park Superintendent.

Long time League member, Janet Hutchison, was the winner of the 2008 Presidential Award and the 2008 Department of Interior’s Citizens Award for Exceptional Service.

Reservations: $50/person (Limited seating, reserve early) Download invitation here.

Contact Nikki Salupo, nik1948@msn.com or 440333-3842 for reservations. Contact Carol Gibson at carolgibson@hotmail.com or 216-932-8733 for questions regarding tributes.

Donations and tributes are welcome from guests and those unable to attend. Tributes for the program book: $25/quarter page; $50/half page; $100/full page.

Proceeds will support the operating and advocacy activities of the League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area. Contributions to the operating fund of LWV Cuyahoga Area are not tax deductible.

For a history of the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, visit this link.

MEMBERS: Register for LWV Ohio Convention

Calling all League members!
May 1 - 3, 2009
Crowne Plaza Hotel - Dublin, Ohio

LWV Ohio wants to give League members maximum opportunity to network, share ideas, explore possibilities, discover solutions. Yes, the economy may be dismal. But we have chosen to celebrate our many successes at all levels of League; to focus on what we can achieve, whether at the local level or the state level; to plan our collective future together.

Registration closes April 10... lower hotel rates if you register by March 31!

Details can be found on the LWV Ohio website.

Poll: Firewall Needed Between Judges, Election Backers

Poll: Huge Majority Wants Firewall Between Judges, Election Backers

On Brink of Supreme Court Case, Public Says Bias Likely When Campaign Cash Is Involved

By overwhelming margins, U.S. adults doubt that elected judges can be impartial in cases involving their biggest election campaign financial supporters, and the public says judges should step aside from such cases, according to a new national poll by Harris Interactive.

Moreover, 81 percent say judges should not decide whether they can fairly hear a case, saying that another judge should weigh the facts when a judge’s neutrality is challenged.

The poll comes as the Supreme Court prepares to consider when judges whose campaign supporters appear before them should step aside.

“Americans overwhelmingly believe that campaign cash has no place in the courtroom,” said Bert Brandenburg, executive director of the Justice at Stake Campaign, a nonpartisan watchdog that works to protect courts from special-interest and partisan agendas. “They are very skeptical that a judge can be impartial when one side has spent big dollars to help put them on the bench.” Read More

Ohio Redistricting Contest

LWV-Ohio is co-sponsoring a groundbreaking competition for redistricting in Ohio. Anyone can participate in the competition to draw Ohio’s congressional districts using the contest criteria.

The goal of the Ohio Redistricting Competition is to demonstrate that an open process based on objective criteria can produce fair legislative districts in Ohio. During the competition, it is our belief that a robust public conversation about the process can occur, leading to the development of the best possible redistricting recommendations for consideration by the Ohio General Assembly.

The Ohio Redistricting Competition represents the culmination of over nine months of planning amongst the League of Women Voters of Ohio (LWVO), Ohio Citizen Action, Common Cause, Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, Former State Representative Joan Lawrence, and State Representative Dan Stewart.

For more information visit LWV Ohio and www.ohioredistricting.org

North Olmsted Mayoral Candidate Forum Set For April 16

The League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area, in cooperation with the Pine Ridge Homeowners Association and the Deerfield Park Civic Association in North Olmsted, invites North Olmsted residents to attend a Mayoral Candidate Forum on Thursday, April 16, 2009, starting at 7:00 pm, at the North Olmsted Middle School Auditorium, 27351 Butternut Ridge Road.

The four (4) mayoral candidates for the May 5th nonpartisan primary election, as listed by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, are:

Kevin Kennedy,
North Olmsted President of Council

John Lasko,
Chairman, North Olmsted Planning & Design Commission and North Olmsted School Board Member

Thomas O’Grady
Mayor City of North Olmsted

Timothy Smith,
Business Owner, North Olmsted

The May 5th primary will determine which two candidates will be the official mayoral candidates on the November 3rd municipal election ballot.

All North Olmsted residents are encouraged to attend the April 16th forum in order to get better acquainted with the candidates and cast an informed ballot on May 5th. For more information, visit the press release section of the website.

LWV Consenus Meetings on NPV: April 7, 14

The League has a long-standing position in support of the direct election of the president by popular vote. Now, League members have the opportunity to consider whether to support the National Popular Vote Compact (NPV Compact) as a viable process to achieve that result. The NPV Compact would avoid the need for a constitutional amendment abolishing the Electoral College (EC), and would assure that the individual receiving the most votes would become president.

Tuesday, April 7, 6:45pm – 9:00pm

21255 Lorain Road Fairview Park, OH (Fairview Park Library)

Tuesday, April 14, 6:45pm – 9:00pm

2345 Lee Road Cleveland Heights, OH (Cleveland Heights Library)

Learn more by visiting LWVUS NPV. For additonal information, visit: www.NationalPopularVote.com/lwv

Members, if you can't participate in one of the two consensus meetings, download the questions here and send your reply to LWV Cuyahoga Area 50 Public Square, Rm. 938; Cleveland 44113

Northeast Ohio Region: Revenue Sharing: April 2

Completing First Thursday Forum’s 2008/09 season, the April 2 (7 - 9 pm) forum will feature a speaker panel including William Currin, Mayor of Hudson; Howard Maier, CEO of NOACA and Shara Davis, Lorain Community College, who will discuss possibilities of community revenue sharing and an overview of the Renaissance of the Northeast Ohio Region.

For more information about the speakers and the topics that they will be addressing, visit the press release section of the website: www.LWVCuyahogaArea.org

Funding for the First Thursday Forum project is provided by LWV Cuyahoga Area Education Fund. The April FTF will be held at Trinity Commons (Conference room A/B) at Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Avenue, the public is invited and reservations are not necessary. Cost is $5/person -$3/student at the Door. Free parking for attendees behind the Cathedral off Prospect Ave.

Senate seeks LWVO input on Redistricting and Election Oversight Reform

The League of Women Voters of Ohio (LWVO) was recently contacted by State Senator Jon Husted of Dayton regarding his plan to introduce legislation to change our state’s redistricting process and remove the duty of election oversight from the Ohio Secretary of State.

Sen. Husted has not yet presented a specific plan; however, during his meeting with LWVO Lobbyists Anne Henkener and Peg Rosenfield, he described concepts that are consistent with long-time LWVO objectives in these areas.

Husted has initiated meeting with key policy leaders and advocacy groups interested in these reforms. It is a testament to the respect of the League that Husted is seeking our support.

The LWVO will continue to follow this issue and provide updates as information becomes available.

Election Reform and Redistricting are part of the ImPACT program initiative. The ImPACT website is a premier repository of information on political reform issues. In addition to Election Reform and redistricting, other issues include: Accountability, Judicial Reform and Campaign Finance.

Ohio's Sunshine Law Commemorated: March 15-21

The week of March 15, 2009 has been designated as Sunshine Law Week in Ohio.

In an effort to help elected officials and the public to better understand the provisions and requirements of this important legislation, the LWV Cuyahoga Area Ed Fund has purchased 250 copies of the new LWV Ohio brochure, THE SUNSHINE LAW: OHIO’S OPEN MEETINGS ACT, to distribute to our 48 community Mayors. Presidents of Councils and other local officials as well as the Cuyahoga County Commissioners and other elected county officials.

The Open Meetings Act is to be liberally construed “to require public officials to take official action and to conduct all deliberations upon official business only in open meetings unless the subject matter is specifically excepted by law.”

On Friday, March 20, from 1-2:30 PM (ET), the LWVEF will co-host the 4th Annual Sunshine Week National Dialogue. The event, “Opening Doors: Finding the Keys to Open Government,” will be held at the Center for American Progress in Washington, DC. It will feature panels of experts from inside and outside government, who will discuss federal openness policies and opportunities for people to use government information to make a difference in their communities. It will be available via webcast at www.openthegovernment.org Audience members will have opportunities to ask questions of the panelists, and Leagues could consider combining the webcase with a follow-up panel to discuss local aspects of the issue.

The Maple Heights Library will host a viewing of the webcast on March 20, 1 - 4 pm; 5225 Library Lane, Maple Heights Library. Registration is required: 216-475-5000.

Sunshine Law brochure.

LWV Consenus Meetings on Regionalism March 16, 18

Two identical consensus meetings, for members only, regarding the Regionalism Study, have been planned for March. The first one will be on the west side on March 16; the second one will be on the east side on March 18. Members were sent the fact sheet and questions via snail mail. If you are unable to attend one of the two meetings, please review the information and return to the League office by March 13.

The study committee will elicit, from League members, a set of general principles by which the LWV Cuyahoga Area will evaluate the coming 16-county Northeast Oho Mayors and City Managers Association Tax-Base Revenue Sharing proposal (or any subsequent version).

Please contact LWV Cuyahoga Area president, Kathy Woodbridge at LWVCuyAreaPresident@gmail.com for location information.

How Public is the Public-Private Partnership: March 5

LWV Cuyahoga Area's First Thursday Forum: March 5; 7 pm at Trinity Commons at Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Ave.

Jay Miller, Government and Economic Development Reporter for CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS, is the guest speaker. Miller’s talk will cover three areas: the life cycle of local and regional economies in general and Cleveland in particular; the growing role of government in stimulating economic development – what is called the public-private partnership – and what’s happening now with these partnerships as they relate to the Medical Mart, the Port Authority, etc.

For more information, visit our press release section on our website.

LWVUS 2009 Legislative Priorities

The LWV of the United States (LWVUS) Board announces Global Climate Change and Health Care to be the top legislative priorities for the upcoming year. Top priority issues are ones on which major congressional action is expected and on which the LWVUS will seek to be an active player.

Tier two priorities are Election Reform and DC Voting Rights. Tier two issues will be acted upon if significant success is possible, though top priorities will take precedence.

Tier three issues could be subject for LWVUS action only if good opportunities present themselves, and there is no pressing action on top priority and tier two issues. Tier three issues we are watching are: Campaign Finance Reform; CEDAW (the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women); Civil Liberties; Ethics; and Redistricting.

The LWVUS prioritizes legislative issues for advocacy in order to focus limited resources on those issues where it is considered the League can have a meaningful impact and there is member interest and opportunity for progress.

Family Court Report

A study of the feasibility of a family court for Cuyahoga County was adopted at the 2006 annual meeting of the LWV Cuyahoga Area. Among other things, the study committee learned of problems people face in trying to resolve family issues - custody of children, divorce, domestic violence, abuse, neglect, custody of children whose parents never married, etc. The complete report can be found here.

Regionalism: United We Stand, Divided We Fall? Feb. 26

Beginning on January 29 and continuing on February 12 and February 26 the Hudson Library and Historical Society will co-sponsor a series of three programs regarding Regionalism with Leagues of Women Voters of Akron Area, Cleveland Area, Cuyahoga Area, Greater Youngstown, Hudson and Trumbull County, to be hosted by LWV Hudson. More information.

Commission on County Govern't Reform: Feb. 2, 11

The final report of the Commission can be found here. Please note: because the Commission's work has been completed, their website has been disabled. There will be two meetings in February to discuss the report. Visit our calendar for details.

Meet International Political Consultant: Feb 10

The League of Women Voters invites the public to hear a special presentation by Bay native Lee Peterson, international political consultant with the firm Parliamentary Liaison Services in London, England. Titled Democracy Under Siege: A Global Perspective, his talk is set for Tuesday, February 10, starting at 7:00 pm, at Bay Middle School, 27725 Wolf Road, Bay Village. For more information, visit our press release section on our website.