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© 1999 - 2007 League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham and
League of Women Voters of the United States



The Voter

January 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].

INDEX

Mark your calendar!
January Membership Meeting

Thursday, January 25, 6:00 PM
Homewood Library

Discussion of implementing a County Manager to handle administrative responsibilities in Shelby County. Read more...










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Congressman Davis Addresses LWVGB at Holiday Luncheon

At the 2006 LWBGB Holiday Luncheon, Congressman Artur Davis said that he hopes to “encourage reasonable discourse” during the 110th Congress. In his view, both Republicans and Democrats are dissatisfied with the way current politics presuppose that we disagree. Issues, he told the group, are framed in a way to force politicians into a box.  He expressed concern about the tendency for campaigns to avoid complex issues; instead, he said, they focus on portraying the opponent as “a bad person.” Davis believes that we can have “politics about purpose” and that voters’ best instincts will carry the day if they have enough information. Congressman Artur Davis speaks to LWVGB Holiday Luncheon, Dec. 2, 2006.
U.S. Congressman Artur Davis, D, District 7, spoke to 40 LWVGB members and friends at our 2006 Holiday Luncheon at The Club in Birmingham.  He has since been appointed to serve on the Ways and Means Committee during the 110th Congress.



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A Note From Your President

Happy New Year to all!! I trust each of you had a restful and enjoyable holiday season, and that you are energized and ready to face a year of challenges and interesting League work.

LWVGB was honored to have Congressman Artur Davis, D-District 7, as guest speaker at our annual Holiday Luncheon in December. His message of hope, tolerance, and peace was an inspiration to all who attended. We are hopeful that the Congressman is successful in improving the lives of all Alabamians through his work with the 110th Congress.

Our January membership meeting will be a good one! As many of you are aware, LWVGB has long supported the hiring of a professional manager for Jefferson County. We have invited Alex Dudchock, Shelby County Manager, and Ted Crockett, Shelby County Commissioner (District 8) to discuss how they implemented a county manager role and the advantages to this management approach. Jefferson County Commissioners are also invited. Please mark your calendar to attend; we hope to see you there!

-- Yvonne



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February Meeting:  "An Inconvenient Truth"

Global warming, a topic of much discussion, and some controversy, will be the subject of the League’s regular monthly meeting in February. Featured speaker, Joyce Lanning, Ph.D., will discuss the conditions of global climate change and suggest ways individuals, businesses, schools, and other organizations can be a part of the solution to the growing crisis of global warming.

Dr. Lanning is a retired Professor of Public Health at UAB, where she taught in the Masters Program in Health Care Organization and Policy. We encourage you to attend this timely and informative meeting, and bring a friend or colleague.



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Fingertips

Alabama Government at Your Fingertips, the popular League-produced listing of public officials, is being updated to reflect changes resulting from November 2006 election. The updated version will be available in printed form and posted on our web site.

Fingertips is a useful tool for League activities, including meetings and voter registration drives. The LWVGB also provides copies to libraries and other organizations as requested.  This on-going project is one the League has undertaken for many years and is well-received by the general public, as well as League members.  Members Cissy Bennett, Judith Hand, Jean Johnson, Kaydee Erdreich-Breman, Kate Long and Yvonne Brakefield are collecting and verifying the information.





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Voter Service


The League has a long history of assisting the community for voting franchise. Members Ida Tyree Hyche, Kathy Bransinger, Kaydee Erdreich-Breman, Judith Hand, Kathryn Kerchof, and Roberta Shapiro continued that tradition with the Jefferson County Registrar during last fall’s general election.  Their volunteer efforts included answering telephone inquiries and looking up information, such as a particular voter’s correct polling location.

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Constitutional Reform

The Birmingham Region of Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform will hold a membership meeting on Wednesday, February 28th.  The agenda includes a look back at ACCR’s accomplishments and outline plans for the upcoming Legislative Session. Participants will have an opportunity to exchange ideas and talk with legislators.
 
The meeting will take place at the Alagasco Midtown Center, 20 South 20th Street from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Free lunch will be provided.   Contact Nancy Ekberg at nanekberg@aol.com or call 205- 967-2897 if you plan to attend.

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Health Care Study

LWVGB member Paulette Rowe has agreed to chair our Health Care Study.  Look for more information on activities and opportunities to participate in future issues of The Voter.
    

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"How Shelby County Phased in the County Manager Form of Government"
LWVGB January Membership Meeting
Thursday, January 25
Homewood Library
1721 Oxmoor Road
6:00 P.M.
[ map]

Do all counties have the same type of administrative operations?  There has been “talk” periodically of using a county manager in Jefferson County.  Would this help or would it add another layer in county government?  Come to the January LWVGB meeting to hear about Shelby County’s experience with hiring a County Manager to oversee department operations while the Commissioners serve as the County’s board of directors.

Ted Crockett, Shelby County Commissioner, and Alex Dudchock, Shelby County Manager, will discuss the issues the county grappled with and how they successfully phased in a County Manager. Jefferson County Commissioners have been invited to attend.



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Public Transportation

“Transportation Means Business,” a statewide conference on the need for public transportation is scheduled for April 18th in Montgomery. The event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., in the capitol city’s Embassy Suites Hotel. Featured speakers will include Norman Mineta, former National Secretary of Transportation and Governor Bob Riley. The conference is sponsored by the Alabama Road Builders Association, Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and others.  More information will follow, but check out www.transportationmeansbusiness.org.
 
The League is part of the planning committee, which includes 32 organizations and governmental units. Montgomery’s “Envision 2020” is coordinating the event.



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Welcome New Members!

Judith Kapp, Birmingham
Karen Threlkeld, Shelby County
Stephanie Lenning, Birmingham Southern student



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Member Notes

Longtime member, Dr. Mable Anderson, is recuperating at home after a serious accident.  Send wishes for a speedy recovery to her at P.O. Box 8831, Birmingham, 35218

Member Ida Tyree-Hyche, who is in the military, is scheduled for deployment to Kuwait. We wish her well and look forward to welcoming her back to membership upon her return.



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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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Thursday,
January 25th
LWVGB Monthly Membership Meeting
"How Shelby County Phased in the County Manager Form of Government"
Homewood Library, Room 101
1721 Oxmoor Road

[ map] [more information ]

6:00 PM
Wednesday,
February 7th
LWVGB Board of Directors Transitional Meeting
Auxilary Room, Chapman Burns Hall
Samford University
[ #41 on this Samford map ]

6:00 PM
Thursday,
February 22nd
LWVGB Membership Meeting
“An Inconvenient Truth”
Joyce Lanning, PhD
Homewood Library, Room 101

1721 Oxmoor Road
[ map] [more information ]
6:00 PM
Wednesday,
February 28th
ACCR Birmingham Region Membership Meeting
Alagasco Midtown Center
20 South 20th Street

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Thursday,
March 22nd
LWVGB Membership Meeting
Homewood Library, Room 101

1721 Oxmoor Road
[ map] 
6:00 PM
Wednesday,
April 18th
Public Transportation Statewide Conference
“Transportation Means Business”
Embassy Suites Hotel
300 Tallapoosa St.

Montgomery, AL
[ map ] [ more information ]
7:30 AM - 3:00 PM


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