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The Local Government Committee embarked on a civic adventure to understand the County Budget
and how the County funding system works. The Committee studied the flows of money into our county,
to understand what our tax dollars buy.
In an effort to understand the County Budget, the Committee took educational trips to several
government organizations such as the county budget office, the Property Appraiser, the Metropolitan
Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO), and the County Growth Management Department.
The Committee has produced a written report, and is in the process of creating a Power Point
presentation, which will be presented to the League membership in November. Check back on our
events page for information on the presentation.
Click here to read the report.
For more information, or to arrange a presentation, contact Sue Dudley,
Local Government Committee Chair at 374-8832, or Scdudley35@aol.com
Natural Resources Committee: Energy Conservation Measures
Make Your Own Difference
Let's us League members set the example and DO something in our own home that will conserve
energy (electric or natural gas). We've probably heard or read the many suggestions for energy
conservation so let's find at least one and ACT now. Here's a few to start with.
- set your thermostat at the highest possible in summer and the lowest in winter that is
comfortable for you (dressing appropriately for the season)
- install a programmable thermostat and use it to maximize energy use efficiency
- set hot water heater at lowest comfortable temperature
- request an energy audit from GRU (352-334-3440 ext.1460) and follow up on
deficiencies found
- use timers and motion detectors on security lights
- turn off lights and television sets when not being used
- set computer monitors to energy-saving mode rather than using screen savers
- check the GRU web site (www.gru.com) for conservation information, your
household energy use, and comparison of your efficiency with other households
in the GRU service area (Jerry Kidder is available to help you with this if you
are computer-shy. Call 378-0562 or email gkidder@cox.net)
Contact members of the Natural Resources Committee if you have questions, comments,
or need help with implementing any of these suggestions.
Committee members will be calling a sampling of our membership in the next couple
of months to get feedback from League members about this effort of your Natural
Resources Committee.
Privatization Committee: Examining the Privatization of Government Services
There’s nothing new about governments purchasing goods or services from private vendors.
Certainly, there are terrible examples of corruption and waste, but there are many more
examples of efficient and effective performance. What matters is careful management of
public business.
LWVAC has begun an examination of privatization of government services and will make a
report to the community on what has been done well and what has been done badly; on what
has worked and what has failed; and on what course we should take in the future.
Anyone who wishes to participate should contact Tom Barnes, Privatization Chair, at:
Tom_Barnes@dcf.state.fl.us.
Civics Education Committee: Building the Foundations of Democracy
The Carnegie Corp. of New York and McKnight Foundation of Miami did a national study
exploring the reasons for low-voter turnout. The results traced the issue back to high
stakes tests, such as the FCAT, crowding out social studies and civics education.
In response, the two corporations called a meeting of national organizations with an interest
in voting and civic participation, and then formed a national Campaign for Civic Mission in
Schools. Leagues all over the country are involved in this campaign and LWVAC Education
Committee seeks volunteers to work on the civics campaign here.
Harriet Ludwig, committee chair, welcomes other volunteers to map out a local project with
the schools. Call Harriet at 378-1138 or email, ludwigh@bellsouth.net.
Alternative Voting Systems
At the 2005 Biennial League of Women Voters of Florida Convention, the delegates approved
a study of Alternative Voting Processes.
See the LWV of Florida website www.lwvfla.org for
information and materials on the study
DC Voting Rights Education Project
The DC Voting Rights Education Project is a public education and outreach project that
aims to build public awareness of the unique relationship between Congress and District of
Columbia citizens, specifically their lack of full voting rights.
This inequity has gone on for too long and it's time for people to start getting educated!
LWV Alachua County/ Gainesville hosted an educational forum on DC Voting Rights and
Felon Voting Rights on April 21, 2007. Click here to read more about the event.
Openness in Government: Looking for the Sunshine
The LWVEF is pleased to announce a new project, “Openness in Government: Looking for
the Sunshine.” This new initiative, funded by the James L. and John S. Knight Foundation,
is an outgrowth of the
Local Voices project.
Through this project, the League will help communities better understand the importance
of – and threats to – open and accountable government in contemporary U.S. society. A
limited number of Leagues will be selected to host community forums during
Sunshine Week 2006.
The project will also provide all Leagues with materials about federal, state and local
laws concerning citizen access, contacts with other state organizations working in this area,
and data on the increasing amount of information being put off-limits since 9-11.
Youth Membership Caucus
At the 2006 LWVUS Biennial Convention, a group of approximately 50 convention delegates
from 24 states attended the first ever Youth Caucus. This meeting was dedicated to getting
the League’s youngest members together to network and discuss their views about their current
and future roles within the League and how to get younger women involved with the LWV.
Hosted by the LWV of Alachua County/ Gainesville, FL (LWVAC), the caucus was organized by Odetta
MacLeish-White, current LWVUS board member and former President of LWVAC, Crystal Goodison,
current President of LWVAC, and Elizabeth Reyes, LWVAC board member.
Conveners of the caucus led an informal discussion and also distributed a survey to collect
opinions about league experiences. The purpose of the survey was to identify various factors and
characteristics about current young members, in order to address how to attract more young members.
From the survey results, caucus conveners are looking at developing a set of recommendations for
promoting LWV youth membership.
An email list, including almost 50 young members nationwide, has been created. If you have a
young member in your Local League who would like to be included on this email list, please
contact: Crystal Goodison at: cgoodison@gmail.com
Youth Membership Survey
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