League of Women Voters of the Lima Area

Did you know that by joining the League of Women Voters of the Lima Area you have a local non-partisan opportunity to get involved and help make a difference within our community?

• History: The League of Women Voters was founded by Carrie Chapman Catt in 1920 during the convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. The convention was held just six months before the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, giving women the right to vote after a 72-year struggle.
• About: The League is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public. The League of Women Voters of the United States encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Per LWV-Lima Area member Holly Norton: “LWV is strictly non-partisan, meaning that we don’t endorse any candidates or take any positions other than the ones approved by national headquarters, but we would be glad to have members of other groups, even partisan ones, help with our upcoming centennial events.”

Upcoming LWV meetings and events: A celebration is being planned for the centennial anniversary of the 19th amendment and the League of Women Voters. The celebration will consist of three events: a kickoff in February 2020, an outdoor event downtown in the summer, and an event with a speaker in the fall. Members of various organizations, such as the Allen County Museum, Girl Scouts, and Alpha Kappa Alpha are involved with the LWV in the planning.

Recent LWV events: Beth Seibert, President of the League of Women Voters of the Lima Area, presented “The Struggle–From Right to Responsibility” at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Lima, November 3, 2019. Holly Norton, member of the UU Fellowship of Lima and Secretary for the LWV of the Lima Area, was the service leader and introduced Beth, who is known in our community for the long term role she has played as Coordinator of the Ottawa River Coalition. Beth spoke about the LWV’s mission to inform voters and encourage voting, particularly through the voter’s guide published and distributed before every election, and their commitment to non-partisan education on issues of interest to the community. She also discussed the LWV’s role in suffrage and the ratification of the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote. A reading of Susan B. Anthony’s speech on women’s right to vote and songs relating to suffrage were also included in the service.

To find out more about Lima’s LWV and centennial anniversary planning meetings, please visit: League of Women Voters of the Lima Area Facebook page

Come one, come all to our first AHEAD meeting and potluck of the fall! The meeting will be from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., October 22, on the 3rd floor of Bluffton’s Town Hall. (154 N. Main St., Bluffton) If you don’t have a chance to make or buy food for the potluck, please come anyway!

AHEAD’s next general meeting will be a social gathering. Connect with fellow activists and friends and find out what everyone’s been working on and wants to get engaged in for 2020. Munching, chatting, and planning. Bring friends!

Link to Facebook event page: AHEAD meeting, October 22

 

Those of you following the news or even just reading your mail have likely heard of the nuclear bailout petitions that are going around. If you haven’t, read this editorial by the Columbus Dispatch: Campaign built on deceit undermines democracy in Ohio. Then, read AHEAD leadership team member and petition gatherer Kerry Bush’s account of the issue, as posted to the AHEAD Facebook group:

“The petitions that I and others, funded by the Environmental Defense Fund and the Sierra Club, are distributing are merely to get this nuclear bailout (which DeWine shoved through quietly) on the ballot so the voters can decide whether or not we want to pay $1.5 billion over the course of 7 years to bail out nuclear power plants (one of which is in Indiana, not Ohio) who essentially fumbled their money and want the taxpayers to cover for them. This would appear as a surcharge on your electricity bill, adding up to possibly $1.50 a month (or more, depending on your electrical usage).

There is a LOT of misinformation out there, because of course, these power plants really want that bailout. We’ve run into fake petitioners from out of state who are being paid $10 a signature (we get $1-$2/signature + $10/hour) and deliberately petitioning in places where we already are to deter people from signing the real documents. I heard from my supervisor that they’re being offered between $1k and $10k for our petitions if they steal them (a 5th-degree felony). These nuclear power plants are spending $25 million JUST to keep this off the ballot. The EDF and the Sierra Club don’t have that kind of money, so we’re fighting an uphill battle, but I’m confident we can win.

I’m gathering signatures in Dayton primarily, but my supervisors have told me that if I can get 20 or more signatures in an event elsewhere, they’ll allow me to come up there. (At this time, only paid petitioners are allowed to gather signatures.) So if anyone has any ideas for an event that I could come to before the deadline on October 20, by all means let me know by emailing me at 09bushk@gmail.com.”

If you’re interested in reading more about this contentious issue, here are some additional articles that may be of interest:

Nuclear Bailout Group Urging People To Remove Signature From Referendum
Analysis: Ohio’s Great Chinese Power Conspiracy Theory
Pro-nuclear bailout group is now circulating its own, unofficial petitions
Supporters of FirstEnergy Solutions launch a racist, anti-democracy “yellow peril” campaign

Please note…

There has been a location change for next week’s open forum on September 19th (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) with the Lima City Council candidates: The forum will now be held at the City Club in Lima, 3rd floor, 144 S. Main St. An updated event poster is linked below.

Updated event poster

Remember, to submit questions for the candidates ahead of time, you can send an email to: limadebate@gmail.com. We hope to see you all there!

“Lima has a competitive race for City Council this November, with all seats contested.” —Press release for the upcoming open forum

UPDATE: The location has changed to the City Club in Lima. Details below. 

Next Thursday, September 19th from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., an open forum with the Lima City Council candidates will be held at the City Club in Lima. (The forum will be on the 3rd floor of the City Club, 144 S. Main St.) According to the press release, “all candidates for City Council will be present except for City Councilman Derry Glenn, who has chosen not to attend.”

The forum will be hosted by the Lima African American Chamber of Commerce. It is co-sponsored by AHEAD, Women’s Leadership Collective, Millennial Action Pact, and Bean City Brew.

There will be two moderators at the nonpartisan event, and candidates will answer written questions submitted by the public. To submit a question in advance of the event, please email: limadebate@gmail.com

For more information and to spread the word:

• Press release
• Facebook event
• Event poster

Join us next week for this excellent civic engagement opportunity! The forum will allow our community to learn more about each of the candidates, including how they plan to both support and help improve Lima if elected to City Council.

On July 12, AHEAD held a candlelight vigil in Lima that called for humane treatment of refugees and asylum seekers. It was planned in conjunction with the Lights for Liberty July 12th event, “A Vigil to End Human Detention Camps,” which included local vigils across the USA and in countries around the world.

In Lima, 40-60 people came out and there was a tremendous sense of community. A participant described the event: “Very impressive vigil. The planned speakers were knowledgeable and professional. The individuals who shared their families’ past immigration histories were moving and heartfelt. Thanks to all who made this possible.”

The Lima News created a wonderful photo display of the vigil, and a video from the event is available online in the AHEAD Facebook group.

Special appreciation to Stacey Hauff for leading and organizing, Holly Norton and the Unitarian Fellowship for hosting, Wendy Chappell-Dick and Nancy Corle for music, and everyone who shared their stories or their presence.

 

Main takeaway:
In the May 7 primary election, voters throughout Allen County will consider a sales tax levy to support the Allen county Regional Transit Authority (RTA). RTA serves communities throughout the county, not just Lima and Bluffton, and FIVE school districts. They need our help and support to pass the levy!

Near-future needs:
Lawn signs are in, and we will be assembling them tomorrow, April 6 at 9:30 a.m. in the RTA garage. Canvassing will begin the following weekend. Sign up at www.citizens4RTA.com to get a lawn sign or help canvass. And consider writing a letter to the editor of the Lima News.

FACTS about the Allen County RTA Levy:

What is the May 7th Levy for Allen County RTA and how much will it cost me?
RTA is seeking a very small sales tax increase of one-tenth of one percent which equals 2 CENTS on a $20 purchase. The good thing about this small sales tax increase is that it does not affect income or property taxes or the cost of rent, utilities and groceries.

I have my own car, why should I support the RTA Levy?
Public transportation benefits all county residents, even if you don’t use the services. The workers who ride the buses pay taxes, which add to Allen County’s tax base. Riders use the buses to get to school, medical appointments and local businesses to buy goods and services. Local businesses benefit. Having reliable transportation for people who cannot drive gives our fellow residents the opportunity to be independent and live a fuller life in our community.

Why does RTA need more money?
Because over the past 5 years, federal and state funding has decreased by 30% while the need for services in our county has increased. Here area some statistics:

• In 2018, Allen County RTA provided 46,671 rides for elderly and persons with disabilities from every corner of the county (Delphos, Bluffton, Elida, Spencerville, Harrod, Beaverdam, Lima).
• Currently 47% of ACRTA’s riders are elderly or persons with disabilities and this population is growing.
• Each month, RTA provides 1,475 rides for special needs students from 5 school districts: Shawnee, Bath, Bluffton, Elida and Lima City School Districts. They also transport hearing-impaired children to Findlay and children with Autism to their special school.
• Each month, RTA is now providing more than 1,000 rides for workers to their place of employment.
• Before the RTA was forced to make cuts, in 2017 they were providing nearly 400,000 rides which included 1,000 wheel chair rides a month. When they cut weekend and evening services as well as 3 routes in 2018, that total number dropped by 150,000.

–Allen County RTA Levy FACTS: https://www.citizens4rta.com/issue

Remember: Public transportation is vital in any thriving community!

#ReleaseTheReport

Join AHEAD for a rally this Thursday at 5.pm., April 4, at the gazebo in the Lima Town Square to call for full transparency in regards to the Mueller report. We demand that Attorney General William Barr #ReleaseTheReport from the Mueller investigation into the Russian government’s efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.

Bring signs and friends, and please share the event linked below!

• Facebook page for the AHEAD rally/event: Release the Report Rally
• MoveOn.org page for the AHEAD rally/event: #ReleaseTheReport Day of Action

This public rally will be held in coalition with MoveOn, Public Citizen, and People For The American Way.

A core principle shared by supporting organizations is a commitment to nonviolent, peaceful actions. All actions that are sponsored or organized by AHEAD are intended to be nonviolent and peaceful. We expect all participants to act lawfully at all times and to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those that disagree with our values.

Thank you to Howard Fenton, Professor of Law Emeritus at Ohio Northern University, for writing the Cohen Testimony reflection below for AHEAD.

What have we learned from Michael Cohen’s Testimony?
Howard N. Fenton, Professor of Law Emeritus

By now we are all familiar with some parts of Michael Cohen’s testimony before the House Oversight Committee (or at least have seen the marvelous Saturday Night Live send up with Ben Stiller). Aside from reminding us of the power of live television and its inherent drama at controversial and historic moments (think Army-McCarthy and Watergate hearings), the question remains what have we actually learned?  Not to make light of the situation, but I would suggest that one thing we learned is that Cooley Law School wants no part of its graduate Michael Cohen, and that Capital Law School would like to pretend Jim Jordan was not one of its graduates. Neither conducted themselves in ways that we lawyers like to think our profession should behave. But aside from that professional embarrassment, where does the Congressional inquiry into our President’s conduct stand?

As any number of commentators have noted we learned very little new from Cohen.  Perhaps his greatest contribution, aside from letting us know that the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York is very busy, was providing the names of others in the Trump organization that would have specific knowledge of Trump’s various schemes.  Many of them will soon have their own moments of televised fame I suspect. Cohen also provided some documentation such as the two reimbursement checks for $35,000 that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy greeted with a yawn and a “so what”. We have seen a pattern that will play out over the next several months with the newly empowered Democratic majority questioning witnesses and demanding documents, the administration and Trump organization resisting, and the Republicans in the House playing to what they perceive as their base by attacking every initiative of the House committees without attempting any substantive defense of their President.

It may be that there is little the Republicans can say in defense of Trump other than spinning conspiracy theories and attacking the media and the Democrats.  When the work of Mueller’s team and other prosecutors has been tested in the courts, the defenses mounted by the defendants’ lawyers has come up short in virtually every case.  This suggests there may be no basis for a substantive defense. There is the risk though that any statement of Cohen, no matter how minor, that proves to be incorrect at this point will be dramatically magnified in effort to discredit everything he said.  For example, he said that his false testimony to Congress about the timing of the Moscow Trump Tower negotiations was reviewed by two of Trump’s lawyers, at least implying their complicity in his lies. It is not clear that the two lawyers in question had any access to information about these negotiations and may not have been aware of the deceit.  This will be seized upon as further proof that Cohen cannot tell the truth, even as he faces prison for prior lies to Congress.

The various House committees will be busy investigating a broad range of Trump-related, initiated, condoned, or otherwise approved activities.  New information will be uncovered, new individuals will be interviewed and new attacks by the Republicans will fly. Federal prosecutors will likely add to the number of Trump related defendants indicted, drawing closer and closer to his inner circle.  Six months from now I think we will find Trump scandals and prosecutions competing with the Democratic Presidential race for media time. Six months will also find Michael Cohen in jail, already an historic footnote like John Dean, who, like Dean, contributed to the unraveling of one of the most corrupt Presidential administrations in the history of our republic.  On the bright side, from this historical perspective, Trump’s administration may well rehabilitate the reputations of even the worst Ohio Presidents!

The next AHEAD monthly meeting will be Thursday, March 14, 6-8 p.m., in Lima at the Cambridge Center: 418 N. Central Ave.

Our monthly meeting will include a potluck and a focus on how we can support the Allen County Regional Transit Authority funding initiative on the ballot May 7. We will also have a meet and greet with some candidates running in November. Come and get involved!

Official Facebook event: AHEAD March Meeting

Interested in supporting AHEAD? Consider joining the leadership team. The team plans monthly meetings and approves official AHEAD actions. We need reinforcement — and welcome your energy! More info here about joining the Leadership Team, and the current Leadership Team member bios can be found here.