Volume 83 Number 6 JULY 2018

The VoterThe League of Women Voters of Columbia-Boone County, MO

The state LWV applied for and has received an $8000 grant to work with CLEAN MO to help pass the bill on redistricting and "cleaning up" the Legislature. Each local Missouri League can apply for funds, which can be used for renting facilities for forums, mileage/costs for speakers, handouts, media spots, billboards, etc. We should receive the materials in July. It looks like there will be at least one marijuana petition issue on the Nov. ballot also, which

LWV favors for medicinal use with prescription. The state office will have two interns working on these topics this summer. The LWVMO Administrative Manager, Jean Dugan, will be coordinating the funds for the grant, so the cost info will go to her. Our local LWV board will be considering ideas to submit to the state to participate in the grant. — Marilyn McLeod

LWVMO RECEIVES GRANT TO WORK WITH CLEAN MISSOURI

The LWV will hold a Candidate Forum for the three contested August Primary Election races in Boone County on Tuesday, July 24, at 6:30 p.m.All candidates in the Primary races are Democrats. Candidates for Associate Circuit Judge, Division 9, are Tracy Gonzalez and Stephen Wilson; the winner will be unopposed in November. Candidates for Associate Circuit Judge, Division 11, are Kevin O’Brien and Stephanie Morrell. The winner will face Josh Devine (Republican) in November. Candidates for Presiding Boone County Commissioner are Dan Atwill and David Seamon. The winner will face Matthew Cavanaugh (Republican) in November.

There are also two issues on the August 7th ballot. In May, the state legislature moved Proposition A – known as “Right to Work”– from the November ballot to the August ballot. The other issue on the ballot is City of Columbia Proposition 1: Water Bond. We plan to have pro and con speakers on these issues. In the case of the Columbia issue, there may not be any opposition. KFRU will broadcast the forum live and provide our moderator. The Columbia Public Library is co-sponsoring. Join us and be an informed voter! — Carol Schreiber

JULY PRIMARY CANDIDATE & BALLOT ISSUE FORUM

The Columbia City Council has established a Mayor’s Task Force on Climate Action and Adaptation, which is assigned to recommend targets for greenhouse gas reduction and propose how Columbia can adapt to the changing climate. The Task Force has made a preliminary recommendation that Columbia set a goal to reduce 2015 greenhouse gas production levels 80% by 2050, with an intermediate goal of 35% reduction by 2035.The task force meetings are at 4:30 p.m.on the first Thursday of each month, normally in the Boone County Council Chamber. They are open to the public, who are provided with an opportunity to comment. In support of the task force, the League of Women Voters, along with others, is cosponsoring monthly seminars on greenhouse gas production and methods for adaptation. There have been two seminars so far;

the third is scheduled for July 26, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the Boone Electric Co-op Community Room, 1413 Rangeline Street, Columbia. The first two sessions were on the science behind global warming and the practicality of achieving 100% renewable energy.The result of the action taken by this Task Force and the City Council on greenhouse gas reduction will be far more important than the Renewable Energy Ordinance, which the League helped the citizens of Columbia to adopt in 2004. Columbia has been a leader in energy efficiency and renewable energy and League members need to actively support Columbia in continuing to be a leader. — Dick Parker

COLUMBIA’S CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING

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JUNE BOARD MEETING REPORTThe LWV Board met on Monday, June 18, for its annual planning meeting. The board has adopted the LWVUS Mission Statement: Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy, and the LWVUS Vision Statement: We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and confidence to participate. These statements will guide the Board throughout the next year. The Board decided to change the monthly meeting date from the 4th Monday to the 3rd Monday of each month. The one exception will be July, when the Board meeting will be on July 23 at 6:30 p.m. Board meetings are held at the Unitarian Universalist Church and are open to our members.The Board decided to continue the monthly The League Presents CAT TV show, which is on the second Wednesday of each month. The League will also continue our third Tuesday Lunch and Learn at noon with the location being either the south Hy-Vee or the Columbia Public Library. We will be adding three new committees: Speakers Bureau, for outreach to groups in Columbia; Clean Missouri Grant Committee, to determine how we can use grant money to support the ballot issue; and a 100th Anniversary Committee, to consider how we can celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the LWV Columbia-Boone County in December 2019. All other committees will continue: Voter Service; Education; Civil

Liberties; Energy Matters; Hospitality; Fundraising; Mental Health; Public Relations; and Membership.At the planning meeting, the Board formed into three work groups to plan social activities; member engagement activities; and topics for Lunch and Learn, forums and CAT TV shows. A preliminary plan for social activities includes a picnic/member orientation on Sunday, August 26 at 3 p.m. (anniversary of the 19th Amendment ratification) at the Columbia Public Library; Founders Luncheon on November 12 which is Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s birthday; a LogBoat Happy Hour; and our Annual Meeting in April. The membership engagement group decided that membership renewals will be September to October with the end date before Thanksgiving. This will help with the confusion that we have had in the past. They also have some ideas to improve member engagement. The topics we chose for the upcoming year for Lunch and Learn, forums and CAT TV are: immigration issues; redistricting; public health goals for Columbia; panel on Columbia finances; affordable housing task force; bail bond issues; and Legal Housing Law Program.Thanks to our Board members for a great planning meeting! — Carol Schreiber

The LWV of Columbia-Boone County recognizes the many organizations and individuals who have helped us educate the public, provided meeting space, and given of their time, talent and treasure to the LWV. Each month we recognize a group of our Friends of the LWV as voted on by the LWV of Columbia-Boone County membership at our Annual Meeting on April 25, 2018. For July 2018 we recognize:

• Rockie Alden, Rusty Antel , John Cummins, Kelli Canada, Mary Epping, Tom Fuhrman, Dan Hanneken, Tim Harlan, Steve Hollis, Keith Hoskins, Cavanaugh Noce, Phil Steinhaus, Kelly Wallis, Katie Burnham Wilkins, and Karla Williams for serving as panel members on our “Boone County Mental Health Crisis and Community Solutions” Forum on July 11, 2017.

• Barbara Hoppe, Karen Miller, and Nancy Copenhaver for serving on our panel for the “How to Run for Office” workshop on July 18, 2017.

• Brandon Alexander for being our guest on the CAT TV show entitled “ShowIt 2Vote: Implementation of the Voter ID Law” on July 12, 2017.

• The Boone County Commission for co-sponsoring the forum entitled “Boone County Mental Health Crisis and Community Solutions” on July 11, 2017.

Thanks for being a Friend of the LWV!

FRIENDS OF THE LWV OF COLUMBIA-BOONE COUNTY

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OUR FUNDRAISER WAS GREAT FUN AND A FINANCIAL SUCCESS!

A sold-out crowd of more than 150 members, family and friends gathered to enjoy this year’s fundraiser play, "Bye Bye Birdie", in conjunction with the Columbia Entertainment Company on Wednesday, June 6. The Tony Award-winning musical takes place in 1958, when the much-adored rock and-roll idol – “Conrad Birdie” (a take-off on Elvis Presley) – has been drafted into the US army. His songwriter and agent, Albert, and Rosie, his secretary and girlfriend, hatch a plan for a farewell performance to take place on The Ed Sullivan Show, which they hope will help sell Birdie’s new song “One Last Kiss.” Before the show, delicious appetizers were provided by members of the League and also several local restaurants, including: ABC Chinese, Bamboo Terrace, Gerbes, House of Chow, Sycamore, The Pasta Factory, and Teller's Gallery and Bar. Be sure to thank these generous restaurants for their support (and yummy appetizers)! Many members also contributed great appetizers as well.Generous door prizes were donated by Gerbes (flowers), Brasserie Restaurant (4 gift cards),

Coley's Restaurant (gift card), as well as theater tickets from the Columbia Entertainment Company. Don't forget to thank these companies as well!Special thanks to our underwriters for their generous contributions: Kathryn Allen, Rachel & Wayne Brekhus, Christine Carpenter, Win Colwill, Joe & Meredith Donaldson, Pat Etienne, GFWC Tuesday Club, Leigh Huesgen, David Leuthold, Marilyn McLeod, Joan & Stephen Mudrick, John & Joni O’Connor, Lucille Salerno, Sharon Schneeberger, Carol & Robert Schreiber, Sarah & Mike Seat, Jan Swaney, Janet Thompson, Margaret Tyler & Winifred Scott, Marcia Walker and Vicky Riback Wilson.Thanks to our volunteer bartenders: Stephen Mudrick and Dick Parker!And a great vote of thanks to members of the Fundraising Committee: Pam Springsteel (chair), Win Colwill, Joni O'Connor, Marilyn McLeod, Sarah Wolcott, Margaret Tyler, Win Scott, Linda Lou Brown, and Ellen Atkins.We raised more than $3300 after expenses. The money raised from this event goes into the general fund of LWV and supports our yearly activities. Thank you for your support! — Marilyn McLeod

The theater was packed with a sold-out crowd of 150 for our fundraiser play “Bye Bye Birdie” on June 6.

John O’Connor, Bill Clark and Jack Colwill chat outside the theater at Columbia Entertainment Company.

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Upcoming League Events!JULY 2018JULY 2018JULY 2018JULY 2018JULY 2018JULY 2018JULY 2018

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SaturdayJULY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10LWV onPaul PepperKBIA 8:50 a.m.

11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23Board MeetingUU Church2615 Shepard Blvd6:30 p.m.

24Candidate and Ballot Issue Forum6:30 p.m.Public Library

25 26Climate Action Seminar7:00 p.m.Boone Electric Co-op

27 28

29 30 31 AUGUST 1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15CAT-TV7:00 p.m.

16 17 18

19 20Board MeetingUU Church2615 Shepard Blvd6:30 p.m.

21 22 23 24 25

26Picnic/Member Orientation3:00 p.m.Columbia Public Library

27 28 29 30 31 SEPT 1

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Thank you very much for your continued support! Dues received now are for the 2019 year. We are preparing for the upcoming Election Forums, Cat TV programs, Lunch & Learn programs, plus our educational forums on a wide array of important topics. Membership dues are $65 for individuals, $100 for a household, and $25 for local students. Individual and household memberships also include state (LWVMO) and national

(LWVUS) membership. Send to PO Box 239, Columbia, MO. 65205Name____________________________________________

Email Address_____________________________________

Street ___________________________________________

City _____________________________________________

State and Zip Code _________________________________

Telephone ________________________________________

I am particularly interested in _________________________.

I would like to receive my Voter by postal mail _______

(Note: Tax deductible donations to the Education Fund should be a separate check payable to LWVMO Education Fund.)

LWV Officers:

President: Open1st VP: Barbara Hoppe (443-5107) 2nd VP: Diane Suhler (443-0549)Secretary: Carol Schreiber (657-1467)Treasurer: Marilyn McLeod (445-3500)

Elected Directors:Meredith Donaldson (289-3018)Elaine Blodgett (256-2803)Ruth Milledge (268-9591)Gayla Neumeyer (882-8366) Sharon Schneeberger (443-4605)Mahree Skala (474-2195)Pam Springsteel (445-0642) Shirley Troth (443-7033)

Appointed Directors:Dick Parker (256-4397)Lael Von Holt (443-7747)

Committee Chairs:100th Anniversary: OpenBudget: Shirley TrothCivil Liberties: Marilyn McLeodClean Missouri: OpenEducation: OpenEnergy Matters: Dick ParkerFundraising: Pam SpringsteelHealth: Mahree SkalaHospitality: Pam SpringsteelMembership: Meredith DonaldsonMental Health: Lael Von HoltSpeakers Bureau: OpenVoter Service: Carol Schreiber

Voter Editor: Ava Fajen

Local Website: lwvcbc.org State: lwvmissouri.org National: lwv.orgLocal Voter Information Portal: lwvcolumbiamo.turbovote.orgLike us on Facebook: "League of Women Voters - Columbia, MO"

MEMBER UPDATEThe LWV welcomes new member Emilie Atkins.

HIGH COURT ALLOWS PARTISAN GERRYMANDERING TO CONTINUE

6/18/2018 -- Sarah Courtney, LWVUSWashington, DC and Madison, WI – Today the Supreme Court ruled that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate standing in the case of Gill v. Whitford, a case which challenged the state of Wisconsin’s assembly map as an example of partisan gerrymandering. The court is sending this case back to the district court to give the plaintiffs a chance to demonstrate that they have suffered “concrete and particularized injuries.”“Today’s decision is yet another delay in providing voters with the power they deserve in our democracy,” said Chris Carson, president of the League of Women Voters of the United States. “Partisan gerrymandering is distorting and undermining our representative democracy, giving politicians the power to choose their voters, instead of giving voters the power to choose their politicians....”The League filed an amicus brief in this case arguing that partisan gerrymandering violates the First Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

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League of Women VotersPO Box 239Columbia MO 65205http://lwvcbc.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

On May 17, Columbians gathered at the Public Library for a mental health education forum on autism. A panel of experts from the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders presented an excellent program, facilitated by Dr. Stephen Kanne.The panel discussed their work in autism research, treatment, family support systems, education and training. Audience questions were encouraged. The Thompson Center is a local community resource and also has a monthly Newsletter.

Of interest: The 13th Annual Thompson Center Autism Conference at the Double Tree St. Louis Hotel in Chesterfield on October 25 and 26. This conference will educate and provide support for families and professionals. LWV thanks all those involved: the panel members, the Thompson Center, the Public Library, Children's Grove, the audience members, and all who helped bring this event to our community. — Lael Von Holt

MENTAL HEALTH FORUM ON AUTISM

Mental Health Forum panel members, as seated from left to right: Ms. Nicole Takahashi, MS, Research Core Administrator; Dr. Connie Brooks,Director of Health Professions Division; Dr. Jena Randolph, Director of Training and Education; Ms. Alicia Curran, parent of a child with Autism, and Project Coordinator; and standing at the podium is the facilitator for the forum, Dr. Stephen Kanne, ABPP.

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