February 3 First Thursday Features Janice Murphy

Janice Murphy, president of Lakewood and Fairview Hospitals, is the featured speaker at the February 3 First Thursday event. Ms. Murphy began her career at Fairview Hospital as a bedside nurse in oncology in 1978. Since then, she has served in various leadership roles in the Cleveland health care community.

Celebrating Women Who Know Their Place, the event is scheduled at Trinity Commons at Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. This program is free and open to the public.

LWV Book Club Winter Meetings

Plan to attend one of the spirited discussions the League's book club always has!

The next discussion will take place on Sunday, January 30 at 7 pm, at the home of a Lakewood member. The January book selection is a witty take on the Supreme Court, "Supreme Courtship," by Christopher Buckley.

On March 6, 2011, the book club will meet in Cleveland Heights to discuss "The Triumph of Hope" by Jonathan Alter.

For more information, contact Carol Gibson at CarolGibson4042@gmail.com.

First Thursday Speaker Series

Since 2003, the popular First Thursday programs have been introducing interesting, cutting-edge topics and expert speakers to our audiences. Continuing the theme, Women Who Know Their Place, five forums are planned for the 2010-2011 season. The 7 PM events will again be held in Trinity Commons at Trinity Cathedral, 2230 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, beginning Thursday, November 4, and continuing in December, February, March and April.

All First Thursday programs are open to the public free of charge with complimentary coffee and tea provided for guests.

Mock Elections at Area High Schools

For the third election year, Engaging a New Generation of Voters: Mock Elections for High School Students, was held in four area public high schools in Cuyahoga County. Schools participating included Maple Heights, Garfield Heights, Rocky River, and Cleveland Heights.

The three day program in each school included voter registration and precinct assignments, a published Voters Guide, and a Candidate Forum Assembly with actual candidates appearing to answer student questions. The program culminated with a ballot election overseen and verified by Board of Elections staff. The 2010 Mock Election focused on candidates for Cuyahoga County offices.

Since 2008, the High School Mock Election project has reached approximately 2700 soon-to-be voters and involved an additional 1400 students in 2010.

Changing Cuyahoga County Government

In November, 2009, voters in Cuyahoga County approved a charter to establish a new form of government for the county. The commissioner-row officer model that has been in effect for more than 200 years will end on December 31, 2010. A County Executive and eleven County Council members will take office on January 1, 2011.
The planning process is underway for the new county government. Three senior county staff members have been appointed to the Transition Advisory Group (TAG) to manage the transition process.
TAG is being assisted by an appointed 7 person executive committee, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, and New Cuyahoga Now. Assistance is also provided by citizen volunteers and current county staff in Planning Workgroups which include: Public Engagement, Justice Services, Human Services, Information and Technology, Human Resources, Procurement and Public Works, Economic Development, Boards and Commissions, Campaign Finance, and Code of Ethics.

Best sources for further information:
Cuyahoga County homepage: www.cuyahogacounty.us/index.asp then click on the "CHARTER TRANSITION" logo
League of Women Voters Cuyahoga area: www.lwvCuyahogaArea.org
Cuyahoga County Board of Elections: http://boe.cuyahogacounty.us/

Women's Equality Day Celebrated

On August 26, 2010, one hundred League members and friends celebrated "90 Years of Women Making Waves" on the Goodtime III. It was a wonderful evening filled with good food, fellowship, and acknowledgement of the sacrifice and dedication of the women who helped promote women's equality in the United States.

The League of Women Voters was founded ninety years ago. Today the LWV has more than 150,000 members and supporters and 850 Leagues throughout all 50 states.

The colors of the suffragist flag are purple, white, and gold. They stand for justice, purity (of purpose), and courage. There are thirty six stars on the flag and they represent the states that ratified the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Ohio was one of these. In fact, it was the sixth state to do so, along with Kansas and New York on June 16, 1919. click here to read more

LWV Ohio News

The Ohio League is really being sought out to give input on legislation —from the drafting stage to legislative hearings and media interviews on issues including redistricting, campaign finance reform / transparency, election administration and energy conservation.

Since mid-January, League issue specialists have met with more than three dozen legislators to provide expert information; testified six times; wrote an op ed requested and published by the Toledo Blade; and participated in two press conferences, a variety of newspaper interviews, and a radio and a television program.

For more Ohio League information, visit www.lwvohio.org and visit their new blog: lwvohio.blogspot.com