Bulletin of the League of Women Voters of McDonough County, Illinois
June 2008 http://www.lwvmdc.org/
Calendar for June / July / August
July 10, Board Meeting, Community Room, City Hall, Macomb July 16, Summer Luncheon with John Carter, McDonough County Public Defender August 14, Board Meeting, Community Room, City Hall, Macomb Voter Registration Training Coming in August
Sharon Keeling President Sally Egler Vice President Jean Wolf Secretary Gordana Rezab Treasurer Andrea Bowen Rose DeCounter Voter Services Sandra Nelson Virginia Ewing Membership Lynne Ruben Publicity/Public Relations/Website William ompson Bulletin Editor Janna Deitz Gretchen DeJaynes Mary Ellen Graff Mary Kubasak Board Members
President’s Letter The new board has convened, and we have much to do over the coming months in preparation for our September meeting and the coming year. Thank you to all outgoing board members for the terrific job you’ve done for our League. All that you have done and continue to do in support of the League is immeasurable! And I would be remiss if I didn’t thank all of our loyal members who make up our League. We couldn’t be a League without you! The July general meeting is in the planning stage. This has become an
annual event to hear a public official and to get together with League friends. The specific date will be forthcoming either in the next newsletter or via the listserv. Happily, Sally Egler has agreed to coordinate this event as she has done so ably in the past. We will probably meet in the large meeting room at Aurelio’s Pizza because it comfortably accommodates a large group and the restaurant is a long time supporter. Stay tuned for all the details! And speaking of supporters, all of them are listed in the back of your handbook. If you can, please thank our many loyal supporters when you patronize these businesses.
We have begun receiving some funds in the memory of Kay Harris, and we have begun to discuss the best way to use these contributions in Kay’s name. As most of you know, Kay was a strong figure in the community, an ardent feminist, and environmentalist. If you have suggestions about how we might use these contributions in Kay’s name, please contact me or a member of the board.
This year our League is sending a member to the LWVUS convention in Portland, Oregon. It has been several years since we have been represented at the national convention, so I’m pleased to say that Ginny Leonard will represent us in Portland. I know Ginny will come back with some great tales about the convention and news of any changes that might have some impact on our own League chapter. See you in July!!! Sharon Keeling President
The summer luncheon with a government official is set for Wed., July 16, at Aurelio's private dining room. In the past we have had special speakers from various government offices: Mayor, city administrator, Development Director, County Board Chairman, State's Attorney. This year's special guest will be John Carter, McDonough County Public Defender. The event will begin at 12 noon with the program to start about 12:30. After Mr. Carter's opening remarks about his office, he will answer questions from the audience. The lunch (all-you-can-eat pizza, salad, beverage, dessert) will cost $7 including tax and tip. This is an opportunity to learn about our justice system and patronize one of our long-time sponsors. Plan to attend and bring a guest or two to meet League members and participate in one of our popular events. No reservations are necessary. Sally Egler
Summer Luncheon
Rep. Rich Myers 309-836-2707 (Macomb) 217-782-0416 (Springfield) repmyers@macomb.com. John Sullivan833-5526 (Macomb) 782-2479 (Springfield) senjohn@adams.net
Legislative Contacts
Rep. Phil Hare 202-225-5905 (DC) 309-793-5760 (Moline) http://hare.house.gov/zipform.html Alternative Green Cleaners
Sen. Dick Durbin 202-222-2152 (DC) http://durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm Sen. Barack Obama 202-224-2854 (DC) http://obama.senate.gov/contact
Taken from the May/June 2008 issue of Talkin’ Trash, the Tri-County Resource and Wast Managemnet Council of McDonough, Mercer, and Warren Counties. See the entire newsletter on-line at www.tricoun-
Baking soda is made from soda ash. It neutralizes acidbased odors in water and absorbs odors from the air. Sprinkled on a damp sponge, baking soda can be used as a gentle non-abrasive cleanser for kitchen counter tops, sinks, bathtubs, ovens, and fiberglass. Add one cup of soda to a load of laundry to neutralize odors and brighten the wash. It is also useful as an air freshener or carpet deodorizer. White vinegar and lemon juice are acidic and neutralize alkaline substances such as scale from hard water. The acids dissolve gummy build-up, eat away tarnish, and remove dirt from wood surfaces. Liquid Soaps & Detergent Mold Killers and Disinfectants
Baking Soda White Vinegar and Lemon Juice
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are made of synthetic materials. Unlike soap, detergents are designed specifically to not react with hard water minerals and cause soap scum. If you have hard water, buy a biodegradable detergent without perfumes and get rid of soap scum! EPA recommends simple soap for use as a disinfectant. There are many essential oils, such as lavender, clove, and tea tree oil (an excellent natural fungicide), that are very antiseptic, as is grapefruit seed extract, even though they aren't registered as such. Use one teaspoon of essential oil to two cups water in a spray bottle. A grapefruit seed extract spray can be made by adding 20 drops of extract to a quart of water. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LEAGUE ADVERTISERS!
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The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Andrea Bowen, a long time member of the League of Women Voters of McDonough County, retired from the Board of Directors at the annual meeting on April 18, 2008. She joined the League very soon after she and her husband Bob moved to Macomb in 1968 from Indiana University in Bloomington. . Andrea Bowen by Rose Decounter
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Andrea and Bob were married in 1957 and have six children, ten granddaughters, and three grandsons. All of their children live in the Midwest and one daughter, Sue DeRoos, lives in Macomb. Sue’s business is “Organize U ” . Andrea’s first memories of the local League was meeting upstairs in the old City Hall. Some of our older members may remember the President at that time was Millie Juskevice. At the time Andrea became a member of the local League it was fairly new in Macomb. At a later point in time the League began holding meetings in the members’ homes. Because most of the members were stay at home moms, sometimes the children were brought along to the meeting; as was the custom then, the older children watched the younger ones. This was cozy, but the League grew and this became unfeasible. The League is more accepted here now than when she first came to Macomb. Andrea thought her first League study was regarding China joining the United Nations. The early League
was also involved in a petition drive for the Illinois Constitutional Convention in 1970. Andrea mentioned that Candidate Forums have changed over the years. Usually the candidate and a few of his supporters would attend the early Forums and about six League members. We have come a long way, as the last Forum was held at the Macomb High School and the Commons was nearly full. The late Clarence Neff was the State Representative for this area at the time Andrea joined the League. She remembers that he and Lane Evans attended the Forums. Lane even attended a local League meeting at Andrea’s home. It is her opinion that more candidates attend the Forum now than in earlier times because it is taped and run multiple times on local television. The early League used to make trips to Springfield to watch the General Assembly, lobby for League positions and take a local female high school student along. One particular trip to Springfield was during the time the E.R.A. was under consideration for ratification. The League
members dressed as suffragettes. Andrea has attended both Illinois and U.S. League conventions. One distinct memory was a U.S. convention held in San Francisco where the big issue was whether or not to allow men to join the League. The television cameras were everywhere and as soon as the vote in favor of men joining was passed, the television journalists left. Andrea was active as a Board member here then she & Bob moved to Decatur where she joined the local League. Their League had no one wanting to be President, so Andrea served in that capacity for two years before returning to Macomb. During her involvement with both the Macomb and Decatur Leagues she has served as President four times. Her most recent involvement at the local Board level was as chairman of the Voter Services Committee. Andrea would like to see the local League study the financial cost –vs. the benefit derived from the Macomb City Primary. She wants to continue to be actively involved in environmental issues, especially recycling. In early Macomb League days mem-
bers used to crush cans in her garage and then Bob drove to Moline to drop them for recycling. “One of the biggest positives in my League experience,” she says,” has been meeting the wonderful people who care about government. I always wanted everyone to feel welcome to join the League despite their politics. I’ll be pleased if I can continue to do that.” The Board of Directors (Board) for the League of Women Voters of McDonough County (LWVMC) met on May 8, 2008, in the Community Room of the Macomb City Hall. Present: Sharon Keeling/President, Nancy Smith/Treasurer, Jean Wolf/Secretary, Janna Deitz, Rose DeCounter, Gretchen DeJaynes, Sally Egler Virginia Ewing, Mary Ellen Graff, Melanie Rawlins, Gordana Rezab, Lynne Ruben, Nancy Smith Absent: Janna Haworth/Vice President, Mary Kubasak Sandra Nelson, Bill Thompson S. Keeling/President called the meeting to order at 4:45 May Board Minutes
pm. *Approval of Minutes: April 10, 2008 Motion to approve: Motion passed Treasurer’s Report: Balance to date $2.601.00 Discussion Item: Expenses for National Convention, June 12th – June 18th, V. Ewing to represent LWVMC Board must vote to approve Costs: registration -- $295.00 (includes banquet): transportation -- $462.00: hotel -$326.00 (with shared room) Money allocated in previous years’ budgets for travel to conventions, but not been spent Motion: L. Ruben/G. DeJaynes To allocate $1000.00 to V. Ewing to cover costs (hotel, transportation, registration) to National Convention, Seattle, WA, in June Discussion: Total allocated in previous years -- $1100.00, but not in this year’s budget, recently approved by the membership Is a vote needed to amend the budget, to reallocate funds? How has amount been arrived at in the past? What if other travel funds are needed during the year? Motion: to defer vote, until more information is available about registration costs Motion passed Old Business *Illinois Student Vote up-
date. J. Deitz & Janine Cavvichia – coordinators with LWVIL for activities with local schools *Kay Harris Memorial R. DeCounter: information from the City Attorney – cannot put plaque for Memorial in City Hall; suggestion for tree or park bench (esp in Chandler Park) with brass placard information from Dave Dorsett (City Council) – cannot put plaque, tree, or bench. Discussion: suggestion for a scholarship? But may not be enough money over the long term. L. Ruben will check with Janelle (K. Harris daughter) for amount of donations, and where the money is at this point. Comment: J. Daniels scholarship this year – given to 2 students; have not come to a meeting or responded to requests to attend a meeting New Business *BULLETIN deadline: May 22nd; S. Keeling to do 2nd reading before distribution *Listserv: Discussion on how to continue, if to continue. Sense of membership at Annual Meeting: to continue use of Listserv. M. Rawlins willing to continue as moderator. Will add second moderator (if can) or will start over *June board meeting Date: June
12th (later changed to June 5th) 2008 Board orientation: not necessary for this year. Calendar and Annual Plan: Focus of meeting *July meeting: General Meeting Date: to be determined; S. Egler to contact Aurelio’s Topic & guest: S. Egler to contact new city Administrator for availability *Information from LWVIL – request for feedback regarding the calendar for 2008-2009 (see attached); response requested by May 12th Opportunities to sponsor/co-sponsor an event in the region Discussion: Possible dates for workshop in Central Illinois – September 6th. Possible Workshop Topics – ideas of interest from Board. Issues: All 4 topics (Constitutional Convention, Lobbying, Fall Veto Session, Program Development) Voter Services: No interest in suggested topics. Member Services: Membership Recruitment Initiative No interest in Local League Board Rap Other: No interest in suggested topics. Motion: to continue discussion on budget allocation for expenses for National Convention Motion passed. Discussion: Money previously allo-
cated for travel to National Convention not included in the current budget, as no indication that money is “carried over” from previous year; only $500.00 allocated in this year’s budget. Question: if go over budget, does the budget go back to the membership? Is not stated in the by-laws, need to amend budget. Should membership be notified, via message, to ask for ‘approval’ to change line item for travel expenses to National Convention? Comment: historically, money allocated has been divided among to people. Motion amendment: V. Ewing/R. Rezab. To add $100.00 to $1000.00 for travel to National Convention. Motion failed (2/8/1) Motion on the floor: (To allocate $1000.00 to V. Ewing to cover costs (hotel, transportation, registration) to National Convention, Seattle, WA, in June) Motion passed (8/3/1) Question: Money to come from what budget line? Not required to indicate, as do not require vote if go over allocated funds for a line item. Discussion: may need to address budget related issues, with changes to the bylaws : to think about—how will
have funds, with expected increase in dues from LWVIL and LWVUS. Suggestion: letter of appeal to community as an idea to consider Announcements/Information *Voter Registration: Last day to register for Fall election – October 6th Question: Community activities for Voter Registration Booths? J. Wolf to check regarding Al Sears Festival in September *Membership Handbook, 2008-2009: M. Rawlins and L. Ruben to work on new handbook *Party for Bettye Thompson: May 10th, Wesley United Methodist Church, 1:30 – 3:30 pm Meeting adjourned @ 5:50 pm. Next meeting: June 12th, 2008, 4:45 pm, in the Community Room of City Hall