Community Lawyer Charlene LaVoie will be the luncheon guest speaker for the League of Women Voters of Litchfield County, following the league’s annual meeting, at the Rooster Tail Inn, 11 Cornwall Road, Warren, on Wednesday, June 6, at 12:00 pm.
She will speak on current political issues, her long-time passion concerning citizens’ ability to effect change, as well as the nationwide, and local, efforts to save the US Postal System, in which all citizens can take part.
LaVoie directs the Community Lawyer/Advocate Project in Winsted, which is supported by The Shafeek Nader Trust for the Community Interest. Her office serves as a resource for citizens working to strengthen their self-governing capacities, resources and institutions to promote good citizenship, teach about democratic tools, as well as to provide free legal assistance for select community causes. She has a graduate degree in public administration and a law degree.
Cost of the luncheon is $28.00. Send check to LWV of LC, Box 899, Litchfield, Ct 06759. Contact information Kerry Mayers 860-491,9099, kerwinmayers@gmil.com
************************
Former Navy Seal Speaks to League of Women Voters
Saturday, March 31st @ LaCupola Ristorante, Litchfield
Capt. Wolf was introduced by League President Patricia Donovan
THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF AN EXPERIENCED NAVY SEAL
Captain (ret) Charles T. Wolf, a long time Navy SEAL and former Joint Staff Officer, discussed Afghanistan, Special Operations Forces and his career as a navy SEAL, at a luncheon on Saturday, March 31st at La Cupola Ristorante. The League of Women Voters of Litchfield County sponsored the event.
From the Afghanistan war’s inception Capt. Wolf served on the ground in several capacities until August 2010. Until his retirement in December 2011, he served in the Pentagon, assigned to the Joint Staff as Deputy Director of the Pakistan Afghanistan Coordination Cell. Before serving on he Joint Staff, Captain Wolf served as the Commodore of Naval Special Warfare Group FOUR in Norfolk, Virginia, and as Commanding Officer of SEAL Team TEN.
Captain Wolf also served on the operational staff of General Stanley McChrystal during operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Now retired, Captain Wolf is currently the Deputy Director of the Adaptive Execution Office, at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in Washington D.C.
************************
2012 LWV CALENDAR
MAY 23 - SMALL TOWNS/BIG ISSUES
12:00 at Bantam Borough Hall
MAY 26 - LWV TAG SALE FUND RAISER
JUN 4 - BOARD MTG
9:00 am @ Litchfield Community Center
JUN 13 - ANNUAL MTG
10:30 meeting, 12:00 lunch,
Rooster Tail, 11 Cornwall Road, Warren
AUG 14 - 5th DISTRICT PRIMARY
SEP 10 - BOARD MTG
9:00 am @ Litchfield Community Center
SEP - MEMBERSHIP MEETING
OCT 1 - BOARD MTG
9:00 am @ Litchfield Community Center
OCT - CANIDATE DEBATES
NOV 5 - BOARD MTG
9:00 am @ Litchfield Community Center
NOV 6 - ELECTION DAY
DEC 3 - BOARD MTG
9:00 am @ Litchfield Community Center
************************
CT Secretary of the State discusses proposed changes in voting procedures
(Litchfield.bz 2-16-12)
L-R: Pat Donovan, President of the League of Women Voters of Litchfield County; CT Secretary of the State Denise Merrill; CT State Representative Roberta Willis
CT Secretary of the State Denise Merrill discussed plans to allow more efficient online voting registration for Connecticut residents, as well as election day registration and other time-saving, cost-cutting voting measures. She addressed these issues at Litchfield’s Oliver Wolcott Library on Wednesday, February 15th sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Litchfield County.
Ms. Merrill also spoke of Governor Dan Malloy’s and her intent to soon propose an amendment to the state constitution that would permit voting outside an individual’s precinct to allow for more flexibility for voters working outside their home precincts during the day. Future online voter registration is expected to tie into the existing Department of Motor Vehicles database of all drivers in the state. A voter would also be permitted to log in online on any computer, not just his personal computer. Ms. Merrill also discussed proposed changes in absentee ballot procedures, early voting and Election Day registration.
************************
AREA YOUTH VOTERS KEY TO UPCOMING ELECTIONS
The League of Women Voters of Litchfield County members recently registered students at UConn, Torrington to vote, according to a statement released today by League President, Pat Donovan.
“We’re thrilled to have worked with the dedicated faculty and staff at the Torrington campus of University of Connecticut to make sure students know their rights and know the critical role they play in our community’s future. We can’t wait to see them at the polls in November.
From strengthening the economy to building safer communities and making education more affordable, today’s youth are fired up and ready to roll up their sleeves to build a stronger America. This year, The League of Women Voters is working to galvanize that energy, encourage voter registration and help all Americans become more engaged in their democracy.
Young people are an increasingly influential part of the electorate. In 2012, Americans under 30 will represent nearly a quarter of the electorate. Exit polling has shown that young people participate in significantly larger numbers when they are directly contacted by an organization or have the opportunity to interact with candidates for office.
The League of Women Voters of Litchfield County marks the 219th anniversary of the adoption of the Bill of Rights with a call for improved political discourse and greater civic participation in Litchfield.
For more than 90 years, the League of Women Voters has defended civil liberties and promoted balanced civic discourse on important community issues, and we continue this work today. Our mission is to increase civic participation – to help individuals to recognize the critical importance of protecting and honoring our most cherished constitutional rights and how they impact our everyday lives."
Throughout the year, League members work in our community to protect our liberties and make the most of them by encouraging voting, discussing critical issues, and holding elected officials accountable for their actions. In this highly partisan political environment, our role in allowing community members a ‘safe’ venue where all sides of an issue can be discussed civilly and thoughtfully is more critical than ever."
The protection of the individual liberties laid out in the Bill of Rights has been central to the League’s work throughout its history. During World War II, the League worked to balance the preservation of civil liberties with the importance of national security. During the Communist "witch hunt" period of the early 1950s, the League conducted a community education program known as the Freedom Agenda, providing Americans with the opportunity to discuss and learn about the Bill of Rights. More recently, League members have promoted a diverse and independent judiciary, and worked for government transparency and accountability.
"The Bill of Rights is not only an important part of our nation’s history; it is a living document that will guide us in Litchfield County into the future. We encourage all members of the community to join us in making democracy work!
