Current Happenings

Climate Change Workshop Oct. 15 in Berea

2008-10-10T09:44:00.000-07:00

Climate Change and Your Community will be presented Wednesday, Oct. 15 in the newly renovated Berea location of the Madison County Public Library at 319 Chestnut St.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m. and will include a light supper and a discussion of Climate Change and Your Community.

You and your guests may drop in and leave the forum at your convenience, but if you do plan to partake of the light supper, please send an e-mail to Berea College’s Megan Naseman or call her at 985.3954 by Monday, Oct. 13 so the correct amount of food will be available.

Topics include a presentation by Amy Malick, an authority on how local governments can achieve sustainability. She will review best practices in the area of energy conservation and innovation, environmental design and transportation issues.

The forum will also include an update from Berea’s Energy and Empowerment group about energy-related community efforts in Madison County and a presentation by Berea College’s Transition Town Berea, a collaboration of interdisciplinary programs at Berea College and sustainable Berea. Berea Planning and Zoning commission will also make a presentation about some of their efforts.

The meeting is made possible by a grant from LWVUS and is co-sponsored by CELTS, the service learning department of Berea College.

Malick is Midwest Regional director of an organization whose acronym ICLEI stands for the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives. ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability is a membership association of local governments committed to advancing climate protection and sustainable development. ICLEI includes nearly 1,000 cities in the world.
ICLEI’s mission is to build, serve, and drive a movement of local governments to advance deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and achieve tangible improvements in local sustainability.

Malick opened ICLEI’s Midwest Regional Capacity Center in Chicago and is responsible for supporting all ICLEI members and participants in the Cities for Climate Protection® Campaign within the Midwest and furthering the momentum of greenhouse gas emission reductions within this region.

Malick was previously employed by the Chicago Transit Authority, where she worked on a wide variety of transportation planning and environmental initiatives for nearly six years.

Prior to coming to Chicago, she worked with the City of Seattle’s Strategic Planning Office to integrate land use and urban design with SoundTransit’s Link Light Rail. She holds a Master of Urban Planning degree from the University of Washington at Seattle, with specializations in environmental design and community development.

Candidate Forums Set; Questions needed!

2008-09-24T22:44:00.000-07:00

Jenny McWilliams and Doug Cornett of EKU Media production discuss the set with LWV members Lynnette Noblitt and Cecile Schubert in preparation for two candidate forums which will be produced in the EKU studio.

League of Women Voters of Berea and Madison County is hosting three candidate forums for those running locally in the Nov. 4 election. LWV is seeking questions from citizens of Madison County. Please think of questions you would like the candidates to address and e-mail to lwvbmc@yahoo.com.

Tuesday, Oct. 14 is the date for the Berea City Council Forum from 7 to 9 p.m. in Berea Municipal Building. The public is invited to the live program, which will then be replayed on Berea Cable Channel 12. See the TV schedule below for all the programs.

There are 16 people running for the eight positions on Berea's council. They include incumbents Glenn Jennings, Chester Powell, Violet “Vi” Farmer, Greg Lakes, Denise Hagan, Howard Baker, Virgil Burnside and Truman Fields. Challengers are J. Donald “Don” Graham, Troy VanWinkle, Hubert Chasteen Jr., Ronnie Terrill, Billy Wagers, Jerry Little, Robert “Peanuts” Johnson and Glenn David Johnson.

The other two forums will be produced in the studios of EKU Media Production in the Perkins Building and the program will then be shown on local cable channel. The staff at EKU has volunteered to produce the forums as a community service. "We are very pleased to be working with the professional staff at EKU and hope that the forums will be informative for local voters," said Libby Fraas, LWV member.

Questions for the Richmond City Commission Forum will be accepted through Monday Oct. 20 Candidates for Richmond City Commission in order of the November ballot are Michael F. Bryant, Mike Brewer, Richard M. Thomas, Kay Cosby Jones, Robert R. Blythe, William H. "Bill" Strong, Rita H. Smart, and Ian Ward . LWV moderator will be Lynnette Noblitt, a paralegal professor at EKU.

Questions can also be submitted for the two candidates for Circuit Judge. The forum will be produced at EKU TV studio on Tuesday, Oct. 21 from 7 to 8 p.m. It will not be shown live, but replayed on Time Warner's local access Channel 5 in both Berea and Richmond.

Running for the circuit judge position vacated by Julia Adams are District Court Judge William T. Clouse Jr. and Family Court Judge Jeffrey M. Walson. LWV moderator will be Joe Gershtenson of EKU department of government.

To submit questions for the Berea City Council, Richmond City Commission or Circuit Judge forums, e-mail LWV at lwvbmc@yahoo.com.

For more information about LWV and its voter education programs, visit the Web site at lwvbmc.org or contact Libby Fraas at 624.1292.

Here is a schedule of the TV replay schedule of the three forums:

CIRCUIT JUDGE FORUM: Channel 5
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 7-8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 25, 3-4 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 30, 9-10 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 1, 3-4 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 2, 3-4 p.m.

RICHMOND CITY COMMISSION FORUM: Richmond Channel 12
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 7-9 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 23, 7-9 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 25, Noon
Thursday, Oct. 30, 7-9 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 1, Noon
Monday, Nov. 3, Noon

BEREA CITY COUNCIL FORUM, Berea Cable Channel 12
Thursday, Oct. 16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; 7 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; 7 to 9 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; 7 to 9 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; 7 to 9 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; 7 to 9 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; 7 to 9 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; 7 to 9 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 31, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; 7 to 9 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; 7 to 9 p.m.

LWV celebrates Women's Equality Day, releases Vision Statment Aug. 26

2008-08-18T09:46:00.000-07:00

LWV president Elizabeth Crowe welcomed members and local officials to a celebration of Women's Equality Day, Aug. 26 in the Madison County Courthouse. On Aug. 26, 1920, after decades of suffragist struggles, women in the United States were granted the right to vote. LWV was founded that same year to provide guidance to women on how to make the most of their newly won right. The League is still here to foster civic engagement of all people, all across our nation.

Besides celebrating the anniversary of women's right to vote, LWV also released its "Vision Statement for Madison County," suggesting policies and action on a variety of issues.

In 2005, LWV began organizing our local programs on the theme "Madison County 2025: What's Your Vision?" in order to engage community members and government leaders in thinking more about our shared future. The Vision Statement is a culmination of dialogue with local residents, community leaders and elected officials on a wide range of social and political issues. It is meant to provide goals for our community in areas including planning and development, social justice and energy and environment. It is our hope that this statement will also help frame discussion and debate leading up to the November elections.

Want to learn more about Women's Equality Day and the strategic role that TENNESSEE played in women's right to vote?

LWV voices opposition to coal-fired plants

2008-08-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

The League of Women Voters of the United States has called for a moratorium on new construction of coal-fired power plants, based on concerns about climate change and other damaging impacts of coal. Local LWV leaders say the national position can help usher in clean energy solutions in Kentucky communities and around the nation.

"Global warming is happening now," said national League President Mary G. Wilson. "If we wait for federal action from our congressional leaders, it will be too late. We must take immediate and aggressive action to halt climate change," she said.

Elizabeth Crowe, President of the League of Women Voters of Berea and Madison County said the statement is highly significant for Central Kentucky. "Central Kentuckians suffer some of the worst air quality in the nation due to pollution from coal-fired power plants and inefficient use of the electricity we get from these facilities," she said. "Dirty air results in poor health, whereas clean energy from renewable sources like solar and wind, plus using electricity more efficiently in the first place, preserve our health and the environment, and can spur economic development as well."
LWV suggests five mechanisms that can ensure we have enough electricity without use of additional coal-fired plants: 1) energy efficiency of lighting, heating and cooling systems, and better insulation and efficient construction of buildings; 2) increased efficiency of current electric generating facilities; 3) decreased losses of electricity in transmission lines; 4) use of excess heat from electricity generation at existing power plants for heating buildings; and 5) use of renewable energy such as solar or wind power.

Kentucky is facing requests for several new coal-fired power plants, including a proposal by East Kentucky Power Cooperative to build a new facility in Clark County. "League's position on climate change, and now the call for a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants, affords us a great opportunity to pursue clean energy here in our communities," said local League member Cecile Schubert.

The full statement and other information is available at Background on Moratorium.

Women urged to serve on state boards, commissions

2008-06-08T14:03:00.000-07:00

Virginia Woodward, executive director of the Governor's Office for Boards and Commissions, will be guest speaker
at a general membership meeting of the Bluegrass Women's Political Caucus Tuesday, June l0, at 6:30 p.m. in the theatre in the downtown branch of the Lexington Public Library, 140 E. Main St, Lexington. This meeting is open to the public.
In her talk, "It is Time to Get on....Boards and Commissions," Ms. Woodward will discuss requirements for serving
on the Commonwealth's various boards and commissions. A reception will be held in the Library's art gallery following her presentation, and she wll be available to answer questions.
Ms. Woodward is a former executive director of the Kentucky Commission on Women, and has also served as president of the Kentucky Women's Political Caucus state board.
For additional information on the program, or the Caucus, call Annette Mayer, 859-266-6073.

Results of May 20 City Commission runoff

2008-05-05T10:31:00.000-07:00

Eight candidates survived the May 20 primary and will vie for four city commission seats on Nov. 4.
Top votegetter was newcomer Rita Smart, followed by the four incumbents. Here are the results:
Rita Smart, 2,532
Robert Blythe, 2,449
Mike Brewer, 1,832
Bill Strong, 1,803
Kay Jones, 1,632
Ian Ward, 1,001
Richard Thomas, 978
Michael Bryant, 920

To read more about the April 30 Candidate Forum, see the Richmond Register story by Ronica Shannon May 1 story. And also editorial column by publisher Nick Lewis.

Kentucky's African American Heroines

2008-04-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

"Think nationally and act locally," was a theme among the dozens of Kentucky's African American social and political heroines illuminated by the research of Keren Cotton McDaniel.

Facts and stories about these relatively unknown women overwhelmed LWV members and guests at the Annual Meeting in the Seabury Center April 21.

McDaniel, a visiting scholar at Eastern Kentucky University this year, is both passionate and thorough in her quest to document the contributions these women made in terms of social justice and education in their communities.

One example was Lizzie Cook Fouse, who organized the women's clubs in Lexington to protest the death of a woman who died in jail without receiving medical attention. The protest set up procedures for handling the indigent and helpless.

McDaniel was particularly pleased to highlight the accomplishments of Mary E. Britton,(1855-1925) a Berea College graduate who followed a teaching career with a medical school degree. A supporter of the right of women to vote, she argued, "If woman is the same as man, she has the same rights; if she is distinct from men, then she has the right to make her own laws.

Another heroine was Emma Williams Clement, who was selected as Mother of the Year in 1946 by a national organization in New York City. Instead of talking about home and religion as scripted, she used her platform to promote the need for higher education for Negros, citing the college degrees earned by her six children.

McDaniel is also researching a Kentucky African American Encyclopedia with two other authors. Kentucky is the first state to compile such a publication.

Researcher, scholar to speak at Annual Meeting

2008-04-09T20:37:00.000-07:00

Be sure to attend our annual meeting April 21 to hear special guest, Karen Cotton McDaniel, talk about lessons learned from women of vision.

McDaniel is a visiting scholar at EKU in both the African/African American Studies and Women's Studies programs. She is a 1973 graduate of Berea College and received her Masters in Library Science from UK. Her expertise includes the history of Kentucky African American women's clubs.

Her topic "Transforming Vision to Action" will explore what we can learn from women in major social movements and apply to today's social and political arena.

As a special feature of our LWV Annual Meeting, LWV will be auctioning off poster prints by African-American artist Dr. Margaret Burroughs. Dr. Burroughs donated the prints to LWV via her friend and Berea resident Evangeline Goss.Among her many accomplishments as an artist, educator, poet and community organizer, Burroughs was a co-founder of the DuSable Museum of African-American History in Chicago, where she currently lives.

LWV is honored to have the opportunity to share this art with others in our community. Funds raised from the sale of the prints will support of our work for civic engagement and action here in Madison County.

The structure of this year's annual meeting allows for community members to join us for supper and McDaniel's presentation, so please invite a friends, neighbors and co-workers to the meeting.

Please RSVP to elizabeth@cwwg.org, or by phone at (859) 985-0641 by Friday, April 18th so that we know how many meals to order.

Feb. 28 set for Voter Rights Lobby in Frankfort

2008-02-21T09:02:00.000-08:00

LWV joins other groups in urging legislators to reform the way voting rights are restored to convicted felons who have served their time. On Feb. 28, people from around the state will be coming out to rally in support of HB 70, the restoration of voting rights amendment.

If you can be in Frankfort on Feb. 28, join us in Room 111 of the Capitol Annex from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. where we will be coordinating lobbying teams and providing brief trainings on how to lobby. Please try to arrive early. If you can't help with lobbying, please try to attend the afternoon rally.

The rally will be held in the Capitol Rotunda at 1:30 p.m. Speaking there will be former felons who have been affected by disenfranchisement, members of the faith community, and state legislators.

If you cannot be in Frankfort on Feb. 28, but wish to urge legislators to vote in favor of the amendment, please take this opportunity to call or leave a message for your representative.

House Bill 70 is currently awaiting a vote on the floor of the House and has had several floor amendments attached to it which qualfiy and weaken the original measure. We need you to leave a message for your own representative, Speaker Richards, and House Majority Leader Adkins on the Legislative Message Line,1-800-372-7181.

Here are Madison County's representatives:
Rep. Harry Moberly (Richmond area and a co-sponsor of the bill)
Rep. Lonnie Napier (Berea and south Madison)
Rep. Don Pasley (Winchester and north Madison)

Message: "Please pass HB 70 through the House without any floor amendments"

The Message Line is open 7 a.m. - 11 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Friday.

Local LWV members rally for Mountains

2008-02-15T06:15:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth Crowe and Annriette Stolte joined hundreds in "I Love Mountains" Day rally in Frankfort Feb. 14. Photo by Jeanne Hibberd

The rally was a rousing success, LWV members report. "Lots of people showed up, including a large contingent from Madison County," said Jeanne Hibberd. "We met briefly with Reps. Don Pasley and Lonnie Napier and thanked them for sponsoring/cosponsoring HB 164, the Stream Saver Bill. "

However, the bill has been sitting in the House Natural Resource & Environment Committee since Jan. 9. It would regulate "overburden" or the rock or soil overlying a mineral deposit and how it is handled by surface mine operators.

For more information, see Kentuckians for the Commonwealth
http://www.kftc.org/

Population & Planning: what data tell us about future

2008-01-14T12:51:00.001-08:00

Don't worry about population growth. It's the aging of our population that will hurt our future unless we do something about it now. This is one of the wake-up calls that Ron Crouch, director of Kentucky State Data Center, delivered in a presentation loaded with more than numbers.

Crouch spoke Monday, Feb. 11 in Richmond City Hall Commission Chambers. Read Ronica Shannnon's Richmond Register story.

Housed at the University of Louisville, KSDC is the clearinghouse for census data for Kentucky and provides data on population, housing, education, employment and other social indicators.

To read more about Crouch's viewpoints, see Crouch's column "Hispanic immigration: A key to Kentucky's economic vitality" which appeared in the state Chamber of Commerce newletter last year. For more information about the Kentucky State Data Center: visit KSDC Web site .

Immigration Study concludes with Jan. 17 meeting

2007-12-12T04:56:00.000-08:00

The League concludes its study of immigration policy and issues with a Jan. 17 consensus meeting. The meeting is at 7 p.m. in the Berea City Hall Conference room. Although the meeting is open to the public, only LWV members may participate in the responses to the national League's consensus questions. For a preview of the questions and background articles on the issues, see the LWVUS Web site.

Background Basics.

LWV presents immigration film Nov. 13

2007-10-25T16:37:00.000-07:00

Join the LWV as we continue to explore the issue of immigration with Dinner and a Movie night!

We'll watch and discuss "Morristown," a documentary which chronicles the impacts of immigration and globalization on a Tennessee town and its immigrant population. A light Mexican meal, drinks and popcorn will be provided free of charge, though donations will be accepted.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007
7 PM
Woods-Pennimen Commons Room
Berea College
(see below for directions)

Parents: take your kids along for a supervised movie for elementary age kids in an adjoining room!
Contact Harriet "Jenny" Bromley at 623-5007 for more information, or visit the LWV website at http://lwvbmc.iclub.org.

This event is co-sponsored by LWV and the Berea College Political Communications class, through a Berea College CELTS Service Learning grant.

Directions: The Woods-Penn building is parallel to Chestnut St. in Berea, near the Boone Tavern corner of College Square, just west from the Alumni building. From I-75 take exit 76 toward Berea. Proceed straight into town, through campus on Chestnut St. Park in the parking lot behind the Boone Tavern. Walk across the street so you that you are diagonal from the Boone Tavern and go toward the Alumni building. The Woods-Pennimen building is just west of the Alumni building and a large fountain. The Commons is on the main/street level of the Woods-Pennimen building. Look for signs!

Candidate Forum Replay Schedule

2007-10-11T09:42:00.000-07:00

Candidates for District Judge in the 25th Judicial District, which covers Clark and Madison Counties, are:
Earl Ray Neal, and David G. Perdue.

Voters in Clark and Madison Counties have an opportunity to exercise their right to select a new district judge. The two candidates in this election were the top vote-getters in the May primary election. LWV reminds voters that this year's election day is on Tuesday, November 6th. Candidate forums give a unique opportunity to hear from the candidates first hand.

TELEVISION SCHEDULE

Here are replay schedules for Ch. 5 - Time Warner - Richmond and Winchester:
• Mon. 6-7 pm Oct. 22,29, Nov.5
• Wed. 9-10 pm - Oct. 17, 24, 31
• Fri. 5-6 pm - Oct. 19, 26, Nov.2

Richmond and Berea ch.12 will also replay each Thursday from 7-8 pm.

Local LWV to study immigration issues

2007-08-21T04:48:00.000-07:00

Following the lead of LWVUS, LWV of Berea and Madison County will study immigration issues and policy, emphasizing its impact on Berea, Richmond and Madison County.

LWV president Elizabeth Crowe and members Jeanne Nakazawa, Mary Bell, and Jenny Bromley developed an agenda for at least two local meetings to study the issues and the questions posed by LWV.

The second meeting is 7 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Trustees Room at the Seabury Center at Berea College. The topic is "U.S. Immigration: Exploring Myth, Fact and Values."

The national board adopted a three-year study beginning in 2006 and ending in 2008 structured along these content areas:

1) Underlying values and principles regarding immigration

2) Reasons for migration from other countries, including but not limited to:
       Effects of global interdependence on migration
       Motivation of refugees and asylees
       Motivation of other immigrants

3) Current federal immigration policy, including but not limited to:
       Overview
       Effectiveness in uniting families
       Effectiveness in meeting needs of businesses
       Effectiveness of enforcement
       Human rights concerns

4) Impact of immigration, including but not limited to:
       Economic effects of authorized and unauthorized immigration
       Diversity
       Inclusion of immigrants in American society

LWVUS Immigration Study Committee members have researched background papers to help Leagues educate members and communities about immigration issues. The papers cover issues such as business and economic effects and impact, diversity, global interdependence, federal policy, and motivation of refugees, asylees and other immis, and will be posted on this web site during January and February.

You can read these papers online at the LWVUS's Web site at Background Papers and link to downloadable PDF versions.

Link to
LWVUS Immigration Study.

LWV brings voter registration to Fall Festivals

2007-08-21T04:12:00.000-07:00

LWV of Berea and Madison County will sponsor informational and voter registration booths and two festivals in Madison County this September. The November election will decide who will be governor of Kentucky for the next four years and locally will include the judicial election between Dave Perdue and Earl Ray Neal for 25th District Judge.

LWV Voter Registration and Informational Booths
Sept. 7-8 Pottery Festival, Irvine McDowell Park, Richmond
Sept. 14, 15, 16 — Spoonbread Festival, Berea.

The last day to register to vote in the upcoming Nov. 6 election is Oct. 8.

For more information, contact lwvbmc@yahoo.com.

Net metering victory in Berea!

2007-06-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

After many months of strategy meetings, emails and face-to-face time with local government, LWV Elizabeth Crowe reports that the Berea City Council unanimously supported net metering at its June 19 meeting, without further limiting the customer base, without discrimination to net metering customers, and without a deadline or requirement for renewal.

We all learned a lot about air pollution, health and the effects of global warming in the process, and that means a lot. The show of support from the community will also make it more difficult for any future local government officials to dismantle or weaken the agreement.

Steve Boyce and Robert Ukeiley deserve special recognition for doing the heavy lifting on this: by poring over city documents, compiling technical and policy data, and by taking the time to speak one-on-one with so many of the city council members. We appreciate the time and energy you devoted to this important issue!

It's important to thank and even send a note to city council members and to Berea Utilities Director Donald Blackburn, thanking them for the time they took to get more informed on the importance of net metering. We are hopeful that the city and utility will continue to be open to additional positive steps toward clean energy.

For more information about net metering, see our
Web site:

Candidate forum for District Judge

2007-05-08T06:31:00.000-07:00

All seven candidates for district judge participated in the May 7 forum, including Thomas J. Smith III, Jud Patterson, and Elizabeth Elkins Bond.

A District Judge Primary candidate forum was held Monday, May 7 at Richmond City Hall featuring the seven candidates for district judge. Kentucky has a new judicial district for Clark and Madison County, in order to address an increasing case load. Voters will vote for one of the seven candidates during the May 22 primary election. The top two vote-getters will run again in the November 2007 election for the position.

If you missed the live forum, watch the replays on Richmond Cable Channel 12 at 2 p.m. and at 8 p.m.on these dates:
Friday May 11, Saturday May 12, Sunday May 13
Friday May 18, Saturday May 19, Sunday May 20

The forum will be replayed on these dates on Berea Cable Channel 12 at 5 p.m.
Wednesday May 9, Friday May 11, Monday May 14
Wednesday May 16, Monday May 21

The forum was organized by the LWV of Berea and Madison County and co-sponsored with EKU's Center for Kentucky History and Politics. Guest panelists for this forum were Professor William Fortune, of the UK College of Law and a member of the Judicial Campaign Conduct Committee, and Professor Lynnette Noblitt, director of EKU's paralegal studies program.

Candidates participating in the forum were Thomas J. Smith III, Jud Patterson, Elizabeth E. Bond, John F. Lackey, Wes Browne, David G. Perdue and Earl Ray Neal.

Professors William Fortune of UK School of Law and Lynette Noblitt of EKU's paralegal studies program presented the seven candidates with questions about being a district judge. Candidates Wes Browne, David Perdue and Earl Ray Neal are in the background.

Leaving town before May 22 election?

2007-05-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

Voters who will be out of town on election day can go to the Madison County Courthouse and use the voting machine set up in the county clerk's offce. The machine is now available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day and on Thursdays from 8 until 6:30.

Bring a photo identification with you when you go to vote. If you have a question, call the Madison County Clerk's office at 624-4703.

Besides the Republican and Democratic primary elections, voters will also cast their ballot for one of the seven candidates for the 25th District Judge position for Clark and Madison counties.

For more information about voting in Madison County, visit League of Women Voters of Berea and Madison County.

Precinct Poll Workers Needed

2007-05-01T11:33:00.000-07:00

Madison County needs precinct workers for the May 22 primary election. Call County Clerk's office if you are interested: 624-4703 and sign up at the County Clerk's office. To serve as a precinct election officer, you must be a qualified voter, have not changed your party affiliation one year prior to the appointment, and not be a candidate or the spouse, parent, brother, sister, or child of a candidate who is to be voted for in this election. Voters who will be 18 on or before November 6, 2007 are eligible to serve in the upcoming primary election.

There is a required training session to be a poll worker. Those are scheduled for Wednesday, May 16 at three different times: 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the County Extension Center on Duncannon Lane. If you can't make one of those sessions, there may be a makeup on Monday night at the court house.

Each precinct in the state is required to have four precinct officers serving on the day of the election. Each election officer is paid a minimum of sixty dollars per election, as well as additional payment for mileage and mandatory training.

Your Right to Know

2007-03-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Assistant Attorney General Amye Bensenhaver shared her expertise on Kentucky's open meetings and open records laws at the Sunshine Meeting in Richmond March 26

Sixteen years ago Amye Bensenhaver was the first and only full-time attorney hired by the Attorney General's office to review and issue opinions regarding Kentucky's open meetings and open records law. It now takes three attorneys to review appeals about the state's open meetings and open records laws. The number of appeals has risen from about 50 in the 1980s to about 300 per year today.

Still the spirit behind the "sunshine" laws remains the same — public records belong to the public, not the recordkeepers and public business should be discussed before the public, not behind closed doors.

Assistant Attorney General Bensenhaver joined three other panelists March 26 at EKU's Business Technology Center for an information packed presentation on "What you need need to know about your right to know."

The meeting, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Berea and Madison County and the student chapter of Society of Professional Journalists, was well attended by citizens and EKU students from the journalism and business areas.

One of the newest changes to the state's open records law has generated quite a bit of litigation, Bensenhaver pointed out.

In response to 9/ll issues, the state legislature added a new homeland security exemption to the list of records deemed unavailable to the public. The statute was amended to exempt "public records the disclosure of which would have a reasonable likelihood of threatening the public safety by exposing a vulnerability in preventing, protecting against, mitigating, or responding to a terrorist act."

Bensenhaver noted that the amendment was very narrowly written and requires a three-part test before it can be invoked.

One of the first challenges to the new exemption was filed by the Associated Press relating to Vice President Dick Cheney's fundraising visit to southern Indiana in 2005. After the fact, the AP was trying to determine the cost of the trip and had requested fuel receipts signed by members of the governor's executive staff to pay for the trip and the escort by Kentucky State Police from the Louisville airport.

Governor Fletcher's office and the KSP denied the request on the basis of the new homeland security exemption.

The AP’s lawsuit claimed the denial was improper and the records should be disclosed. Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Roger Crittenden ruled that homeland security exemptions to the state Open Records Act do not apply to the records from Cheney's visit and ruled that the administration had shown no such likelihood for a terrorist act.

Bensenhaver's fellow panelists welcomed that decision, but stressed that saying no is a common response to those who request records.

Bill Estep, veteran investigative reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader, noted that one part of the law boldly states the openness position: the basic policy of KRS 61.870 to 61.884 is that free and open examination of public records is in the public interest and the exceptions ... shall be strictly construed, even though such examination may cause inconvenience or embarrassment to public officials or others.

Nevertheless Estep read from March 2007 articles in the Corbin (KY) Time Tribune where a reporter had not been able to get a 24-hour jail log from the Knox County Correctional Facility. See Corbin Times Tribune article.

"It's not Guantanamo Bay," Estep pointed out. "We can't know who is in the Knox County jail?"

John Nelson, managing editor of the Danville Advocate-Messenger and former president of the Kentucky Press Association, said the battle is constant to educate new officials about the law.

Nelson oversaw an information audit in 2005 that tested access to common public records in all 120 counties. The results printed as a 12-page newspaper edition are available at Yours for the Asking.

Nelson reminds citizens that it is not just the media who need access to records. On behalf of the KPA, he has opposed proposed bills that would expunge or delete records of Class D felonies, for example. Once a crime becomes a public record, it should remain one, he says.

Nelson and KPA also fought unsuccessfully to overturn the precedent of closed juvenile court proceedings and records on the grounds that the public has an interest in how the state handles its juvenile crime.

Estep, who often writes as many as 25 open records requests for a story at one time, also recounted his difficulties in obtaining maps about the lowering of Lake Cumberland. "I asked Corps of Engineers for maps that will show if Wolfe Creek Dam breaks, where will it be flooded," he said. "I knew they had them because they had a series of public meetings where they took the maps and taped them to the wall."

Yet, the Corps initially denied Estep's request using the homeland security exemption saying that the release of the previously public maps might aid a terrorist act.

Richmond Register editor Jim Todd discussed a point about accessing records with Leigh Jones, a LWV member from Berea.Read Ronica Shannon's story about the March 26 meeting.

BE PERSISTENT

Persistence in pursuit of public records is important, the panelists insisted.

Richmond Register editor Jim Todd is currently trying to obtain records from Eastern Kentucky University concerning circumstances surrounding the resignation of an employee over six months ago. The university won't release records using the exemption that the investigation into the employee's behavior is still ongoing, he complained.

Todd uses more of a "stick" approach when he writes open records requests, especially for what he feels are obviously open documents such as the payroll records for city policeman.

He reminds the custodians of the records of parts of the statutes that require a reply no later than three days and the $25 per day fine for improperly denying public records.

DUTY UNDER THE LAW

The 2005 legislature increased the visibility of Kentucky's open government statutes by passing a bill proposed by state Rep. Derrick Graham. A former local official, Graham followed through on his commendable idea to promote awareness among county and city officials, school superintendents and boards, presidents of public universities and their boards of regents so that they would be more responsive to their duties under the state's open meetings and open records laws.

These individuals are now required to make sure all their employees and appointed committees are educated about their fundamental duties under the statues as well as records management.

"If records are improperly destroyed they are not accessible, and you have defeated the purpose of openness and transparency," Bensenhaver said.

The Attorney General's office has provided educational materials on its Web site. Your Duty Under the Law spells out the open meetings and open records laws to new officials and those appointed to serve in the public sector.

Any person who knowingly attends a meeting of any public agency not held in accordance with the open meetings law can be punished by a fine of up to $100.

LAWMAKERS EXEMPT THEMSELVES

Ironically, the lawmakers who crafted Kentucky's open meetings and open records laws and have done a reasonably commendable job of keeping them strong are not subject to its provisions.

"One of the other interesting developments is the General Assembly exempting itself from the open records and open meetings law." Bensenhaver noted.

"I don't understand the rationale of the General Assembly taking itself out of the reach of the open records law. They have their own mechanism for adjudicating disputes that arise, but it's kind of an interesting twist of fate that they make the laws but don't' have to adhere to them."

To find out more about how to use public records and open meeting laws in Kentucky, see our list of links and advice about Open Transparent Government. You'll see links to the statutes, the exemptions and samples of how to write open records requests.

This is the third year LWVUS has joined with other groups to promote national recognition of the importance of transparency and freedom of information in government.

For more information LWV Project Sunshine

Local LWV members lobby for felons' right to vote

2007-02-27T12:23:00.000-08:00

Photo ID left to right) Joan Peoples, Gail Waldeck, Joy Frasier, Carla Gilbert, Wes Wright (team leader from Ky. Fair Tax Coalition), Elise Andre.

LWV of Kentucky joined a coalition of groups to lobby for automatic restoration of voting rights for ex-felons Feb. 27, 2007, in Frankfort. They met with a number of legislators including Sen. Ed Worley, D-Richmond. For a full report, see our March 2007 Newsletter .

On Nov 2, 2006, state LWV held a news conference with NAACP in Frankfort to urge changes in the current method by which felons can regain the right to vote. State LWV President Teena Halbig said LWV is lobbying for a constitutional amendment to restore the voting rights of felons who have completed their sentence. The report is available at the LWKY Web site.

The LWV of Berea and Madison County held a public forum on the issue in Berea in February, reported in our March 2006 Voter. Members agreed to support a stronger state LWV position.

For information about LWV Lobby Day, contact Joan Peoples, LWVKY treasurer and a member of LWV of Berea and Madison County.

Tips on Saving Energy presented at Feb. 19 LWV meeting

2007-02-19T15:44:00.000-08:00

Photo far left) LWV president Elizabeth Crowe showed a map that illustrates states in red whose residents have the highest death rates from air pollution blamed on power plant pollution. Kentucky and West Virginia have among the highest.

Next photo) Local physician Dr. George Schloemer presented pictures of the energy efficient measures that went into his medical building at 305 Estill Ave. in Berea. They included using "solar light tubes" to bring light into inside rooms and a solar hot water heater.

An attentive audience in Berea learned simple tips on how to lower their energy bills, breathe easier and save the world at the same time at the Feb. 19 meeting of the League of Women Voters of Berea and Madison County. In fact we all can, by taking simple steps toward energy efficiency, four panelists said.

The meeting included some tips from Richmond CPA Danny Parker for taxpayers seeking to take advantage of energy efficiency tax credits. "This is a way to encourage homeowners and businesses to use more energy-efficient items such as skylights, solar water heaters and storm doors," Parker said.

When making these changes to the home, all receipts for materials should be kept in order to verify them during tax refund preparation, he said. "These are things that are not only good for the environment, but they also are good for your pocketbook."

National and State LWV has for years promoted clean air policies. In recent years, LWV has joined numerous other organizations, scientific groups and agencies in promoting solutions to our country’s energy use and pollution problems.

These include supporting greater energy efficiency and use of clean renewable energy. In November 2006 LWVUS and 21 other national organizations signed a Citizens Climate Policy statement of principles which, in part, calls on us all to promote clean and efficient sources of energy.

For more information, see Richmond Register reporter Ronica Shannon's story in the Feb. 13 newspaper. Help the planet, save some money

LWV resolutions on energy to local government

2007-01-31T12:47:00.000-08:00

Our suggestions for energy efficiency stem from the national LWV position on Clean Air and Concern for Global Warming.

We provided these suggestions to the Madison County Fiscal Court, the Berea City Council, Richmond City Commission, and local school boards and planning commissions at their January 2007 meetings.

setting an annual goal to lower electricity usage, then work to meet that goal. City departments, county agencies or school districts could promote efficiency in all of its buildings and offices, replacing traditional light bulbs with compact, fluorescent bulbs, using power switches for “energy vampires” like computers, televisions, and other office equipment which typically use a lot of electricity when on ‘standby’, and replacing aging appliances with more efficient Energy Star appliances. Choosing energy efficient appliances

urging Berea and Richmond to join more than 200 cities across the nation, including Lexington and Louisville, in promoting efficiency by signing on to the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

all agencies were urged to spread the word about federal tax credits for energy efficiency, among local residents, government agencies and businesses.

expanding household and commercial recycling service – as recycling is another form of efficiency.

promoting fuel efficiency and conservation by keeping city automobiles and trucks well-tuned, choosing fuel efficient vehicles when older vehicles need to be replaced.

promoting non-motorized transportation options throughout the city such as biking and walking by developing safe sidewalks, greenways and bikeways.

State needs new economic development ideas: MACED says

2006-12-14T11:42:00.000-08:00

Albert Spencer and Berea Mayor Steve Connelly exchanged thoughts on economic development for the community at the Nov. 13 meeting of the League of Women Voters of Berea & Madison County at Richmond City Hall.

“We think Kentucky’s economy is stuck,” says Justin Maxson, the president of Mountain Association for Community Economic Development as he preached a new strategy at the Nov. 13 meeting of LWV in Richmond City Hall.

“We continue to invest in economic development strategies that are not giving us the type of returns we need,” Maxson said. The lack of results are felt particularly in eastern Kentucky counties, where leaders feel that current industrial recruitment strategies can’t help their economies, he added.

“What do they think? We will outpoor China?” Maxson was asked by a Wolfe County official.
Industrial recruitment relies on cheap wages but since conditions have changed in the global marketplace, “we can not offer the cheapest conditions for a company to come into,” Maxson said. “It’s pretty clear that they were not going to get a Toyota in Campton.”

Maxson’s organization, MACED, has joined with Kentuckians for the Commonwealth and other organizations and individuals to propose new strategies for economic development in the state.

They are planning to present a small package of proposals to the upcoming short session of the General Assembly in order to “create a buzz” that they hope will resonate in the 2007 race for governor.

“We are glad to give away our platform to anyone who will pick it up,” Maxson said.

Accountability missing

One of their reforms will call for scrutiny of existing spending on economic development, especially in the area of tax breaks that rarely get evaluated once they are approved.

Maxson discussed MACED’s 2005 analysis of how much money is spent on industrial recruitment/economic development. The research was hampered by a glaring lack of information. The state does not reveal details about the efficacy of its incentives and tax credits to individual businesses, Maxson said.

Most agencies such as those that deal with child poverty are required to submit spending requests and lobby for scarce dollars in each new budget.

In contrast, much of the $808 million spent in the area of economic development, is unexamined by the legislature, the study revealed. Seventy percent comes from “tax expenditures” or exemptions for special industries, such as sales tax on coal or on the sale of horses for breeding purposes in the state.

Some of this information may become public after a study by the University of Kentucky is completed at the end of this year. UK was given access to the deal-level data in a study authorized by the 2006 legislature.
Knowing more about the type of deals that the state makes with industrial prospects should lead to more strategic planning. Maxson questioned the decision making of Kentucky’s economic development strategy in the case of Tantus Tobacco Company, which was given a cash grant and $2 million in income tax credits to bring 30 jobs to a plant in Russell Springs that makes “value-priced” cigarettes and little cigars.

“In a state that spends $1.2 billion a year to treat sick smokers,” Maxson questioned the logic of such an investment.

Maxson called for a new strategy based on what is being called “high road economic development.”

Investing locally

Parts of the strategies can be discovered in how MACED has disbursed over $4 million in loans last year to small business enterprise in eastern Kentucky.

Some approaches that Maxson suggests should be incorporated into high road economic development include the following:

How should economic development dollars be spent?

• It should be strategic, based on the assets and livable conditions that exist in the community.

• It should consider recruitment of specific “clusters” — companies that do similar things; “There are benefits if we focus recruitment or development of a collection of companies that produce a similar product that share particular applications, assets and research,” Maxson said.

• Strategies should focus on revitalizing local economies and thinking of ways to expand local businesses to the next county or regionally;

• A promising area for targeted economic development is investment in alternative energy enterprises, such as bringing in a solar panel company to Kentucky. As concern grows about energy sources that produce carbon dioxide, such as coal: “We could grow jobs in an area that is going to be more and more important as alternative fuels to produce electricity come to the forefront,” Maxson said.