League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham

Members Set Course for LWVGB at the 2009 Business Meeting

On April 30, the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham held its 2009 Business Meeting. At this meeting, members of the grass-roots organization gathered to set the course of the LWVGB for the coming year.

Issue positions were adopted for 2009-10. (Download here.) LWVGB stands on these statements when advocating for the public interest. All issue positions are based on member consensus agreement after consideration of the findings of indepth, unbiased League study.

In addition, officers, directors and members of the next term's nominating committee were elected at the meeting. Officers and directors elected for two-year terms were:
President Sarah McDonald
1st Vice President Nancy Ekberg
Director Joan Burroughs
Director Virginia Randolph
Director Karen Threlkeld

Elected for one-year, unexpired terms were:
Treasurer Amanda McGriff
Director Carol Saint Lewis

Continuing to serve are:
Secretary Cissy Bennett
Director Connie Arnwine
Director Joyce Lanning

The membership also elected members of the 2009-10 Nominating Committee. These are:
Chair Anne Smith
Member Nancy Sales

LWVGB was pleased to honor Ruth J. Wright for 50 years of distinguished membership and service in the League of Women Voters. She has served on the LWVGB Board of Directors for several terms during this time. Ruth has been a steadfast advocate for public transportation and reform of the Alabama constitution and has served as an astute observer of many public entites. Her reporting, analysis and advice has been sought by this organization for five decades now, and we hope that she will continue to serve the League and the public interest for many years to come. Thank you, Ruth!

Now it's time to prepare for Fall as we continue our efforts to help "Make Democracy Work"!

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Calling All Members to
LWVGB Volunteer Opportunities

Leaguers help make democracy work! Can you fit a few volunteer hours into your schedule? There are plenty of opportunities for you in the League. Here is a look at the 2008-2009 LWVGB Projects, and we'll have even more need in 2009-2010 (list coming soon). How can you help? Call 205 583-5000 to volunteer or for further information.

The League and the good work that we do is dependent on your service and your dedication to League principals. Remember, the League works because you contribute. Members, thank you for all that you have done in the past and in advance for accepting new volunteer opportunities!

LWVGB Meetings & Events
of Community Interest -- In Review
Views expressed by the speakers do not
necessarily reflect the views of the League.

LWVGB Holds Press Conference to Advocate for Professional County Manager in JeffCo.

LWVGB Press Conference for JeffCo County Manager, 1/27/09

Jan. 27, 2009, Birmingham, AL -- The League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham wants a professional county manager for Jefferson County. Today the League held a press conference on the courthouse steps to publicly proclaim the League's position. About three dozen individuals and representatives of other organizations were also present to show their support.

Birmingham League President Virginia Randolph expressed the need for passage of legislation in the upcoming 2009 General Session of the Alabama Legislature to provide for a county manager. Ms. Randolph told reporters that the League of Women Voters will continue to advocate for a county manager as in previous sessions, and added, "...three years ago we recognized the need [for a professional county manager] had become more apparent. The financial situations with the sewer and the general fund this past year make it critical to secure a professional manager who can help the county change and avoid the pitfalls as it gets back on its feet."

al.com / Birmingham News

Do you think Jefferson County needs a professional manager? Weigh in with your opinion on LWVGB's Facebook page.

Rep. DeMarco Addresses LWVGB Members & Guests

Alabama State Representative Paul DeMarco

Alabama State Representative Paul DeMarco

State Representative Paul DeMarco, as guest speaker at the 2008 Holiday Luncheon at the Birmingham Ronald McDonald House on December 6, shared his expectations for the coming 2009 General Session of the Alabama Legislature which convenes on February 3. He specifically discussed a county manager proposal for Jefferson County. At this time the proposal is for a statute that would create a county manager for Jefferson County. DeMarco is working with several of the county delegation legislators to work out a bill that they can collectively agree will work. A statute will allow the legislation to be approved by the local delegation and voted on by the Legislature but not require the vote by the citizens of the entire state as constitutional amendments require. The Greater Birmingham League has a long held position (1986) in favor of the use of a professional county manager and is preparing to advocate for League positions during the upcoming session.

At the Spring 2008 Member Business Meeting, the Birmingham League set as one of it highest action priorities participation in activities to enable state legislation that would put a professional county manager in place for Jefferson County. LWVGB will review such bills with respect to LWVGB's position on county government. The League has developed a strategy to seek opportunities to lend support and advocate for such legislation.

We thank Rep. DeMarco for his support for professional management in Jefferson County.

LWVGB Observer Corps reports on Greater Birmingham Government and Public Affairs

On November 20, 2008 at the Homewood Library, LWVGB members and guests got insight on the happenings at the meetings of various Jefferson County boards and commissions that are monitored by the LWVGB Observer Corps.

Members of the Observer Corps regularly attend meetings of the city, county, water, personnel, and transit-related boards members. Members Ann Smith (Chair), Nancy Ekberg, Amanda McGriff, Ruth J. Wright, and reported on:

The county’s financial problems
Changes that may occur with a new county commissioner
The mayor’s latest plans for the city
Reorganization of the Personnel Board
A new director for the BJCTA
The Mobility Matters Project for I-65/US 31
New board members, bonds and a rate increase at the BWWB

These observers were able to discuss much that newspapers do not cover and share insight gained from years of actually watching and listening as officials conduct the business of the people.

Judicial Selection Forum
"Is Change Needed in How We Fill Our Courts?"

On October 7, 2008 in the Moot Court Room of Cumberland School of Law, a panel discussion was moderated by former Governor Albert Brewer with the following distinguished speakers:

Sue Bell Cobb, Chief Justice, Alabama Supreme Court
Justice Harold See, Justice, Alabama Supreme Court,
Bill Clark of Redden Mills & Clark, LLP
Demetrius C. Newton, Speaker Pro Tempore of the Alabama House of Representatives, and Representative for Jefferson County, 53rd Legislative District
Ed Haden of Balch & Bingham, LLP

This community-wide event educated the community about the varying positions on the important topic of judicial selection.

Co-sponsors

Birmingham Bar Assoc. Judicial Selection Forum & Civil Courts Procedures Committee
League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham

Alabama Open Meetings Act

Felicia Mason, Executive Director of the Alabama Press Association (APA), was the featured speaker at the LWVGB membership meeting in March, 2008. Ms. Mason presented an overview of the Alabama Open Meetings Act (OMA), passed in 2005, and shared information on the work done to create this piece of legislation. The APA was central to this work, engaging members of local and state governmental bodies and school boards for input into and review of the proposed legislation.

The League of Women Voters of Alabama was also a staunch supporter of the proposed legislation. LWVAL testified on related issues before the House Judiciary Committee and recognized APA with a public service award for its work on OMA.

A copy of the OMA can be accessed online at www.ago.state.al.us/documents/open_meeting.pdf. Additional information about APA can be found at www.alabamapress.org .

Felicia Mason, Exec. Dir. of the AL Press Assoc.

Felicia Mason, Executive Director of APA addresses March meeting of LWVGB

See more LWVGB Meetings and Events of Community Interest.