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League of Women Voters
of Jacksonville First Coast
Email: lwvjaxfc@gmail.com
(904) 355-8683
PO Box 330353
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Copyright © 2020 • All Rights Reserved • Terms of Use Privacy Policy • Powered by ClubExpress
Date: 1/30/2022
Subject: LWVJFC Newsletter February 2022
From: League of Women Voters of Jacksonville/First Coast



 
 The Voter
February 2022

President’s Message

2022 Disappointment and Moving Forward

As we are all aware, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act did not get a vote this past month.  While that is a disappointment, I appreciate the time and effort many of you put into calling, emailing, texting, tweeting, and submitting petitions to make our elected representatives aware of the need for these bills to ensure the integrity of our elections as well as the protection of voting rights across the nation.  

We will continue to look for opportunities to register voters, engage and educate voters and help them overcome obstacles to voter registration or casting their vote. 

One resource we have to assist voters is Vote Riders, which offers services free of charge. Here’s a list of some of the things they can help with:
Documents you need to show who you are (for example, your birth certificate or naturalization certificate)
A copy of your Social Security card
Proof of where you live
Your ID
A free ride to the DMV
A photocopy of your ID to submit with your vote by mail application or ballot
 
Vote Riders will:
Figure out what documents you need to get ID
Request and pay for those documents
Pay the DMV fees for your ID
Print a copy of your ID if you need to vote by mail
Find a lawyer to help you if needed
Make sure your are 100% ready to vote!

They may be contacted by calling or texting 844-338-8743 or at voteriders.org/freehelp.

Please share this information with organizations throughout the community. 

It won’t matter how many residents we register to vote if they do not possess the necessary ID to cast their vote!

And lastly, I’d like to thank those members who recently responded to an email I sent seeking volunteers for a number of opportunities and needs.  As someone who still works full-time, I understand that many of our members are working, caring for family, volunteering with other organizations, or may be hesitant to take on new roles, so I appreciate those who are able to step up and help with our work.   If you are interested in donating your time and talent to our League at the local or state level, do not hesitate to let me know so I can assist you in getting connected. 
 
— Lanelle Phillmon, LWVJFC President
 
“Many hands make light work.” —John Heywood


News & Events

First Wednesday Speaker Series with Kim Ross
 
Wednesday, February 2, 12:00 to 1:00 pm

Join us virtually to learn about the Solar Panel bill  from Kim Ross, Executive Director and founder of ReThink Energy.  

Through ReThink, Kim has led coalitions in working toward 100% renewable goals at the city and county levels. Additionally, she developed the youth and adult energy and environment educational programs. ReThink Energy Florida has hosted the Advocacy Day, Reclaiming Florida's Future for All for 7 years at the state Capitol. Finally, ReThink has been successfully raising awareness about Climate Change, including holding 17 Tidal Town Halls across the state in 2018. 

As an owner/member of EarthSTEPS, an environmental consulting firm, Kim also worked as a Project Manager on energy efficiency and Demand-Side Management projects. Kim was recognized as one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women to Know in 2014.
 
 

We are very excited to announce our new Healthcare Director, Wendy Snee! 

Wendy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and credentialed  by the Academy of Clinical Social Workers (ACSW) and currently works in the Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program.  Since 2013, she has been working with the NF/SGVHS Veterans Justice Programs as an Outreach Specialist, providing assistance to veterans involved with the criminal legal system and partnering with several Veterans Treatment Courts in Florida’s 4th Judicial Circuit. 
 
She previously held a position with Fleet and Family Service at U.S. Naval Station Mayport providing clinical services to active duty service members and their families as well as working with family advocacy/domestic violence cases involving active duty members.   Previous to her move from Pennsylvania, she was a clinical administrator for nine school-based partial hospitalization sites and maintained a private practice.  Attending Albright College in Reading, PA, she received her B.A. degree in education, where she graduated Summa cum Laude.  Her MSW degree was awarded by Marywood University in Scranton, PA, where she served as a graduate assistant for two years.
She currently serves on the following committees:
  • VJP Racial Equity and Justice Council
  • VJP Specialist Research Panel
  • VJP Conference Planning Committee
  • NF/SG LGBT Workgroup – attaining ambassador status for LGBT community
  • Field Advisory Workgroup
  • Selected as Scholar for Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) Learning Experience to Advance Practice (LEAP) Programs
     
Anyone interested in joining Wendy and the Healthcare Committee may email us at lwvjaxfc@gmail.com.

Redistricting

Duval County
Jacksonville City Council has begun public meetings to preview the proposed maps and to take public comment. We hope that those Duval residents who are able and comfortable attending the in-person meetings will do so. For those who are not able to attend in person, there will be an opportunity to view the meeting online and comments may be emailed to the Rules Committee members or your city council representatives. The public meetings will be held: 
 
  • February 3 at Atlantic Coast High School at 9735 R G Skinner Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32256
  • February 10 at First Coast High School at 590 Duval Station Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32218
  • February 17 at Raines High School at 3663 Raines Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32209

State of Florida
The League believes congressional districts and government legislative bodies should be apportioned substantially on population. We promote transparent and accountable redistricting processes to end hyper-partisan practices that don’t benefit constituents. We oppose partisan and racial gerrymandering that strips rights away from voters.

We are asking those members of the League who are able to travel to Tallahassee to make public comment on the maps to do so and be on record.  If you plan to travel to the Capitol for public comment, we ask that you speak with our state communications team prior to attending the meeting. For those not able to travel to Tallahassee, we ask that you submit public comment via the Florida Redistricting site at www.floridaredistricting.gov/pages/public-input.

You can use these tools to review Florida’s proposed maps (both chambers):
 


Special Election for Duval

In a county of over 652,000 registered voters, it was less than exciting to see such a low voter turnout for the December 7, 2021, Special Election. While 27,778 cast their vote by mail, another 18,406 voted during early voting and the remaining 35,099 voted on election day.  

Regardless of how a voter casts their vote, we are encouraging our members to engage friends, family, coworkers, and others in their community and on their social medial to get involved, learn about the candidate, and turn out to vote in the upcoming February 22, 2022, election for City Council at Large Group 3.  

Important dates for this election:
 
  • Early voting: February 12—20, 2022
  • Election Date:  February 22, 2022

Can’t recall all the dates?  No problem.  Go to Vote411.org.
 
Thank you our Duval members who attended Poll Worker training!  
 


Legislative Priorities Update

Natural Resources + Clean Energy
SB 1024 – Net Metering

Senate Bill 1024 by Senator Bradley 4 amends s. 163.04, F.S., relating to energy devices based on renewable resources, to allow governing entities with a deed restriction, covenant, declaration, or similar binding agreement affecting the alteration of residential dwellings or condominiums to prohibit the installation of solar collectors in locations outside of specifically designated parameters. The bill also amends s. 366.91, F.S., relating to renewable energy, requiring the Public Service Commission (PSC) to revise its rules on net metering of customer renewable generation. 93% of Floridians support solar net metering. The proposed changes to net metering in Senate Bill 1024 and House Bill 741 would decimate Florida’s growing rooftop solar industry and result in the loss of thousands of solar jobs.

The League testified in opposition to SB 1024 but it was passed 6-2 on January 11, 2022, despite numerous instances of public opposition to the bill. We will continue to fight this legislation.

We ask you to take action here at savesolar.org/fl/ and be on the lookout for ways you can get involved like attending a rally in Tallahassee in support of rooftop solar on February 8. 



2022 Florida Fight for Reproductive Freedom

Due to the widespread contagion of the Omicron variant, the January 12, 2022, event for reproductive freedom was moved from in-person in Tallahassee to a virtual rally and a press conference with various stakeholders. The organizers are hoping to hold an in person rally on February 22. If you are interested in attending, register at http://bit.ly/floridafightforrepro2022 to receive updates about the event.

Voter Registration of New Citizens at Jacksonville Jaguars Game

On January 9, 2022, for the 4th year, the Jacksonville Jaguars in conjunction with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services held a naturalization ceremony during halftime of the Jaguars vs. Colts game. Judge Marcia Morales Howard swore in 74 new citizens from 32 different countries. Our League was invited to register the new citizens after the ceremony. We registered 49 new voters that day and as an added bonus the Jaguars won the game.
 
Thank you to the volunteers who participated, Rhona DiCamillo, Lanelle Phillmon, Michelle Hollie, Susan Goldring, and Dianne Main.

MLK Holiday Grand Parade

The 41st MLK Holiday Grand Parade was held on Monday, January 17, 2022, in Downtown Jacksonville. It was a chilly and blustery day but your fellow Leaguers held on to their signs and pressed forward. This was the third year our League has participated.  Thank you to those who came out to march in honor of Dr. King: John Hatle, Carol Hamilton, Amy Mitchell, Kiki Karpen, Lanelle Phillmon, Rhona DiCamillo, and Dianne Main.

In Case You Missed It

January Speaker Series

Chris Hand was our guest for our January Speaker Series online event.  He focused his talk on citizen engagement. He shared three basic tenets for getting involved: 
 
1. Individuals who have differences can still come together for a common cause.
2.  Even one person can make a big difference.
3.  You can fight “City Hall” or the system. The system doesn’t always win. 
Replays of many past speaker events are available on our YouTube channel.

Membership Update

We can't do it without you! Please join in recognizing our new and returning members from last month.


New Members—Welcome aboard!
 
• Martha Jones
• Jean Sullivan
• Elaine Weistock
• Ashley Woodard


Returning Members—Thank you so much for choosing to renew!

• Amy Mitchell & John Hatle
• Jane Lockett
• Gina Jonas
• Susan McCullough
• Carol Hamilton
• Karen Olson
• Gina Burrell
• Maureen Hermann
Please email Membership Director Karen Parish at lwvjfc.membership@gmail.com if your name was missed. 
 

 
Join or Renew
 
It’s easy to join or renew on our website, lwvjaxfc.org, even if you prefer to pay by check. Click on the blue “Join Today” button at the top of the Homepage.
 
Members who wish to renew must log in. If you are using a Mobile device, you will need to select Desktop at the bottom of your screen to receive the Login prompt.

Donors

We wish to acknowledge and thank those who have made donations this month:
  • Jeanne Czervionke
  • Connie Pegram
  • Carr Smith
 
Our website, lwvjaxfc.org, offers an easy way to make donations to LWVJFC, even if you prefer to pay by check. Click on the red "Donate" button at the top of the Homepage.
thank you


Volunteers
Volunteers Always Needed 

Quite often, our League needs volunteers to help with small tasks that are not time consuming but vital to our leadership and membership.

If you are willing to help make phone calls, be trained to send text messages, or assist in other ways, please contact us and let us help you figure out how to invest your time in our League and our democracy.

Contact Lanelle at lwvjaxfc@gmail.com to discuss topics and abilities.  
 
For more specific volunteer tasks, click HERE.

Stay Connected

Local
Stay up-to-date on all local upcoming events on our LWV of Jacksonville / First Coast websiteFacebook pageInstagram, and LinkedIn

State
For statewide news and action items, visit the LWV of Florida

Regional
The Regional Facebook Group, LWV Florida North Region Leagues, includes Alachua, Bay, Jacksonville/First Coast, Okaloosa & Walton, Pensacola Bay Area, and Tallahassee.

Contact Us

We look forward to hearing from you!

Phone: 904-355-8683

EmailLWVJAXFC@gmail.com

Postal Address:
Please use this address regardless of any forms or documents to the contrary.

League of Women Voters Jacksonville First Coast
PO Box 330353
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. We influence public policy through education and advocacy.
Copyright © 2021 League of Women Voters Jacksonville/First Coast, All rights reserved.
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