© 1999 - 2007 League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham and
League of Women Voters of the
United States
The Voter
April 2007
A Publication of the League
of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham.
Re-formatted here for web publication with index and links added. Web
Editor's navigational notes added in [bracketed italics].
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Get a "hardcopy" of this Voter for printing:
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INDEX
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MARK YOUR
CALENDAR!
Annual Business Meeting of the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham Thursday, April 19
6:00 p.m. Nabeel's Imported Foods, Dessert Room 1706 Oxmoor Road [ map ] Your participation is important! |
It's a Thick Book
LWVGB members gathered at the Homewood Library on March 29 for a screening of the new documentary by Lewis Lehe, “It’s a Thick Book.”
Using wry humor and serious research, “It’s a Thick Book” traces the history of our voluminous 1901 Alabama State Constitution from its shady inception to its current tangle of almost 800 amendments. If you missed our viewing, check the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform website at www.constitutionalreform.org for information on other screenings and how to order a copy of the DVD.
A Note from the President
It has been an honor for me to serve on the LWVGB Board of Directors over the past seven years. During this time, I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse and stimulating group of women, and have been greatly enlightened by the experience! I offer my sincere thanks to you –the members - for giving me the opportunity to serve as President and for your hard work and support of this organization. I am especially grateful to the members who have served on the Board during the last two years, for the leadership of Nancy Ekberg and Ginny Randolph as Vice Presidents, and for Beverly Nelson’s outstanding job as The VOTER Editor and work with the Observer Corp.
On a more personal note, I want to acknowledge the support I have received from Jean Johnson and Becky Sylvester as previous League leaders. On numerous occasions, they have offered me counsel and encouragement in my role as president. They have also kept me from “putting my foot in my mouth” – as the old saying goes – and for that I am most thankful!
I am so very proud to be a member of the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham, and I pledge my continued support to this organization.
Respectfully,
Yvonne
Legislative UpdateCounty Manager for Jefferson County
During the 2006 legislative session, a bill to establish a Jefferson County Manager position died in committee. This year three competing bills are vying for consideration. Legislators delayed a vote on HB110 scheduled for March 28 and asked Representatives DeMarco, Newton and Beeson to work together to reconcile their respective bills. Since a single member of the county delegation can kill a bill in committee, it is imperative that they agree on the final bill. In its April 4 editorial, The Birmingham News voiced support for HB110, the bill supported by LWVGB. Representative DeMarco, who introduced HB110, anticipates the bill coming back before committee in April.
Call for Constitution Convention Moves Forward
In this 2007 Legislative session, House Bill 98, calling for a constitutional convention, was filed in the House by Speaker Pro Tem Demetrius Newton and co-sponsored by 16 of his fellow House members. Similarly, Senator Ted Little filed Senate Bill SB 99 that calls for a constitutional convention and was supported by five Senate co-sponsors
If passed by the House and Senate, the bills will allow Alabama citizens to vote for or against a constitutional rewrite by citizen delegates. That vote will take place next winter during the Presidential primary.
Both bills are now before the respective House and Senate Constitution Committees and expected to be considered before the Legislative Spring Break beginning April 16. 2007. Projections are positive that both bills will pass the committees this year but it is never certain until the votes are cast. The sponsors and co-sponsors of the bills show bipartisan support.
House Bill 98: Speaker Pro Tem Demetrius Newton, (D) of Birmingham sponsored HB 98 and was joined by 16 Representatives; Alvin Holmes (D) of Montgomery, Bill J. Dukes (D) of Decatur, Mac Gipson (R) of Aliceville and Mike Hill (R) of Columbiana, Priscilla Dunn (D) of Bessemer, Thomas Jackson (D) of Thomasville, Pebblin Warren (D) of Tuskegee, James Gordon (D) of Saraland, Rod Scott (D) of Fairfield, John Knight, Jr. (D) of Montgomery, Sue Schmitz (D) of Toney, John Robinson (D) of Scottsboro, Alan Harper (D) of Aliceville, Barbara Bigsby Boyd (D) of Anniston, Patricia Todd (D) of Vestavia Hills and Mary Moore (D) of Tarrant.
Senate Bill 99: Senator Ted Little sponsored Senate Bill SB99 and was joined by five Senators; Roger Smitherman (D) of Birmingham, Bradley Byrne (R) of Fairhope, Steve French (R) of Birmingham, Linda Coleman, (D) of Birmingham and Vivian Figures ( D) of Mobile.
To gain increased support and awareness for this bill it is essential for each of you to call the committee members and your legislators NOW. Ask each to support “Letting the People Vote” on whether or not to call a convention.
Below are the committee members and their contact information.
Senate Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics & Elections Committee:
- Committee Chair, Pat Lindsey (D), District 22, Butler (205-459-2478) (334-242-7843) senbutler@aol.com
- Deputy President Pro Tem, Wendell Mitchell (D), District 30, Luverne (334-335-3449) (334-242-7883) wmitchell@faulkner.edu
- Lowell Barron (D), District 8, Fyffe (256-623-2298) (334-242-7858) No email
- Roger Bedford (D), District 6, Russellville (256-332-2880) (334-242-7862) senbedford@aol.com
- Ben Brooks (R), District 35, Mobile (251-344-7744) (334-242-7882) benbrooksiii@aol.com
- Parker Griffith (D), District 7, Huntsville (256-536-7433) (334-242-7846) No email
- Arthur Orr (R), District 3, Decatur (256-345-3861) (334-345-3861) No email
- Bradley Byrne (R), District 32, Fairhope (251-433-3234) (334-242-7897) Bradley.byrne@arlaw.com
- Zeb Little (D), District 4, Cullman (256-775-7707) (334-242-7855) Zeb@zeblittlelawfirm.com
- Myron Penn (D), District 28, Union Springs (334-738-4486) (334-242-7868)
- Quinton Ross (D), District 26, Montgomery (334-242-7880) No email
- Hank Sanders (D), District 23, Selma (334-875-9264) (334-242-7860) No email
House of Representatives Constitution and Elections Committee:
- Chair, Randy Hinshaw (D), District 21, Madison (256-539-5441) (334-242-7733) no email
- Vice Chair, Tommy Sherer (D), District 13, Jasper (205-522-2348) (334-242-7694) tommysherer@yahoo.com
- Jay Love (R), Ranking Minority Member, District 74, Montgomery (334-224-0822) (334-242-7716) no email
- George Bandy (D), District 83, Opelika (334-749-0051) (334-242-7721) no email
- Greg Canfield (R), District 48, Vestavia (205-824-4734) (334-242-7763) gcanfield@bellsouth.net
- Randy Davis (R), District 96, Daphne (251-442-2552) (334-242-7724) rmdavis14@aol.com
- Chad Fincher (R), District 102, Semmes (251-649-2722) (334-242-7778) Chadfincher@bellsouth.net
- James Gordon (D), District 98, Saraland (251-476-7246) (334-242-7772) James@jamesgordon.com
- Joseph Mitchell (D), District 103, Mobile (251-208-5480) (334-242-7735) no email
- Mary Moore (D), District 59, Birmingham (205-322-0254) (334-242-7608) no email
- Jack Page (D), District 21, Gadsden (256-549-8287) (334-242-7742) reppage@bellsouth.net
- Patricia Todd (D), District 54, Birmingham (205-324-9822) (334-242-7718) retodd@gmail.com
- Ken Guin (D), District 14, Carbon Hill (205-924-0061) (334-242-7674) no email
- Micky Hammon (R), District 4, Decatur (256-350-0375) (334-242-7709) Mickyhammon@charter.net
- Barry Mask (R), District 31, Tallassee (334-514-0904) (334-242-7782) Jandb1860@juno.com
If you know your legislators' names, e-mail them at their own name with a period between first and last name @alhouse.org or @alsenate.org. For example: Joe.Smith@alhouse.org. Many use a specific email. See the website http://www.legislature.state.al.us/ for contact information for your Legislators.
Public Transportation
Nancy Ekberg is representing our League in the planning committee, which includes more than thirty organizations and governmental units. Montgomery’s "Envision 2020" is coordinating the event.
Moss Rock Preserve Hike
Saturday, May 5,
8:30 a.m.
Join the early birds and LWVGB members for a short hike
at Moss Rock Preserve in Hoover.
After the walk we will gather for
coffee and conversation at Leonette Slay’s home.
Meet at
the preserve parking lot on Sulphur Springs Road, just off Shades
Mountain at 8:30 a.m. A gentle hike of 1.5 miles will take us
to
the Boulder Field and back to the parking lot. Leonette’s
home at
320 Albemarle Drive is a few minutes away, off Shades Mountain Road in
Bluff Park. Those who choose to forego the hike to get a head start on
the conversation can meet at Leonette's at 10:00.Moss Rock Preserve is a 250 acre public nature preserve owned by the City of Hoover. It contains natural features that have been lost to development in other areas of the city. Eight miles of trail expose hikers to a wide variety of natural plant communities within a compact area. The preserve lies in a highland valley made up of the south-facing slop of Shades Mountain and the north-facing slope of the much lower Pine Mountain. Boulder formations found here are normally associated with Lookout and Sand Mountains to our north. The most unique natural communities in Moss Rock are sandstone glades, which are composed of scattered trees, grasses, and wildflowers growing on large, pavement-like rock outcrops. We may come across small, stunted trees, natural bonsai that may be hundreds of years old.
Take advantage of this opportunity to take the League outdoors. Depending on member interest, we can arrange visits to other hiking destinations in the future.
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League of Women Voters of Alabama 2007 Annual Meeting
Thursday, April 19, 6:00 p.m.
Nabeel’s Imported Foods,
Dessert Room
1706 Oxmoor Road
[ map ]
Your participation is important!
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Your Ideas for League
At
the Annual Members Business meeting, scheduled for April 19th at 6 p.m.
at Nabeel’s, the LWVGB will ask for member direction to the
incoming board. We certainly hope you will be
there. Here
are some areas where we would appreciate your
thoughts. If
you are unable to attend, please submit your comments to admin@lwvgb.org or
mail to the LWVGB 3451 Cliff Road South, Birmingham, AL
35205. "Your Ideas for League"
Prefer .pdf format?
- Email as attachment OR
- Mail to above address OR
- Bring to the LWVGB Annual Meeting
at Nabeel's on April 19th (BEST!)
May 19-20, 2007
Tuscaloosa, AL
REGISTRATION FORM
Prefer .pdf format?
Please register by May 7.
All LWVGB members are invited to attend LWVAL Convention 2007. Contact Yvonne Brakefield at 205-516-8235 for details on convention speakers and workshops. [Also, see LWVAL Call to Convention for more information. Members, for access assistance, contact Jean Johnson 205 870-3063 or jjohnson@lwval.org.]
Hotel Reservation InformationFour Points by Sheraton Tuscaloosa Capstone
320 Paul Bryant
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
205 752-3200
You may reserve a room by calling 1- 800-368-7764 or (205) 752-3200. A special convention rate of $95 per night, single or double occupancy, will be available through May 7th.
General Directions to the Hotel
Sheraton Four Points is located across the street from the Coleman Coliseum on the University of Alabama campus.
From East
Take U.S. Highway 82 West until you come to University Boulevard. Turn right off the exit and travel in the left lane and veer onto Bear Bryant Drive. Go approximately 1/2 mile and the hotel is on the right, just before Region's Bank and across from the Coleman Coliseum.
From North
From Birmingham Airport, take Interstate 59/Interstate 20 to Exit 73/McFarland Blvd. Turn right onto McFarland Blvd and proceed for approximately 2 miles and exit at University Boulevard. Turn right and stay in the left lane and veer onto Paul Bryant Drive. The hotel is approximately 1/2 mile ahead on the right.
From West
Take U.S. Highway 82 East to the University Boulevard exit. Turn right off the exit and stay in the left lane and veer left onto Paul Bryant Drive. Go approximately 1/2 mile and the hotel is on the right, just before Region's Bank and just across from the Coleman Coliseum.
From South
Take I-59/20 to exit 73. Turn left on to U.S. Highway 82 West. Drive approximately 2 miles and turn right at the University Boulevard exit. Stay and the left lane and proceed down Paul Bryant Drive. The hotel is approximately 1/2 mile ahead on the right, just before Region's Bank and across from the Coleman Coliseum.
LWVGB Board of
Directors 2006-2007
League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham
205 583-5000
admin@lwvgb.org
Yvonne Brakefield, President
205 583-5000
ybrakefield@lwvgb.org
Nancy Ekberg, 1st Vice President
967-2897
nanekberg@aol.com
Virginia Randolph, 2nd Vice President
vrandolph@lwvgb.org
Cissy Bennett, Secretary
969-0249
cissybennett@bellsouth.net
Sarah McDonald, Treasurer
967-2829
smcdonald3357@charter.net
Kaydee Erdreich-Breman
871-5541
kaydeeeb@bellsouth.net
Kate Long
879-5347
shima_om@yahoo.com
[note:
underline mark between shima and om]
Beverly Nelson, Editor, The Voter
beenel@bellsouth.net
Cary Page
879-3697
cpa323@aol.com
Carol Ann Vaughn
988-3789
cavaughn@samford.edu
Betty Warnock
254-6052
bettyjwarnock@bham.rr.com
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About the Voter:
The LWVGB Voter is a publication of the League of
Women Voter of Greater Birmingham.
Contact:
Beverly Nelson, Editor
Email: beenel@bellsouth.net
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LWVGB Calendar of Events
Wednesday,
April 18thPublic Transportation Statewide
Conference
"Transportation
Means Business"
Embassy Suites Hotel
300 Tallapoosa St.
Montgomery, AL
[ map
] [ more information
]
7:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday,
April 19thLWVGB 2007Annual Business Meeting
Nabeel’s Imported Foods
1706 Oxmoor Road
Dessert Room
[ map
] [ more information
]6:00 PM
Monday,
April 30thLWVGB Board of Directors
Transitional Meeting
Auxilary Room, Chapman Burns Hall
Samford University
[ #41 on this
Samford map
]6:00 PM
May 19th-20th
LWVAL Convention 2007
Four Points Sheraton Hotel
Tuscaloosa, AL
[more
information]
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