Message from the President
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LWVCC President
Diane Preston Moore
With Independence Day just a few days away, my thoughts naturally turn to democracy and freedom. On July 4th, we celebrate the founding of the United States. Like our country, the League cherishes the idea that people play a pivotal role in democracy.
Here in SWFL, I have witnessed this idea in action. I watched League members show up in force at local events to underscore the concept of freedom and to emphasize that ALL people have a role to play in our democracy. The LWVCC continues to work tirelessly to share information about voter registration, the restoration of voting rights to returning citizens, the petition to amend Florida’s Constitution to preserve reproductive rights, and the petition to amend Florida’s Constitution to include a right to clean water.
In the past month, the LWVCC joined local organizations to provide valuable information on these issues. We proudly:
- Joined the Naples Pride Fest and the LGBTQ+ community in a joyful celebration of diversity.
- Commemorated Juneteenth (“Emancipation Day”) with the Collier County NAACP at River Park Community Center.
- Joined the LWVFL and Lee County, Charlotte and Sanibel Leagues in Ft. Myers to welcome the Transformative Justice Coalition’s Votercade/bus tour, which made stops around the state to raise awareness about elections and voting.
Beyond our local work, nine LWVCC delegates connected with local Leagues across Florida at the LWVFL Convention in Orlando from June 2-3. Delegates did the work of reviewing and voting for Bylaws amendments, budgets and electing a new LWVFL board and officers.
Clearly, June is no longer a quiet month! As I celebrate the 4th of July, I also celebrate the dedicated Leaguers and friends of the LWVCC who support our efforts to empower voters and defend our precious democracy in Collier County throughout the year. Our work matters, and we cannot do it without you! Thank you and have a very happy, safe Fourth of July!
NOTE: The Voter will not be published in August and September, as Diana Garcia, our editor, is on a well-deserved vacation. The Voter (and Diana) will return in October.
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Save the date for the second annual Celebrate the League event to be held February 6, 2024 at The Club at Olde Cypress. More details to follow.
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2023 LWVFL Convention Wrap-Up
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At the 2023 LWVFL Convention in Orlando, the LWVCC was well-represented by 9 committed delegates and was one of the larger delegations at Convention.
From June 2nd to 3rd, Cynthia Cave, Janet Hoffman, Arthur Kirsch, Suzanne Low, Denise McLaughlin, Charlotte Nycklemoe, Diane Preston Moore, Pat Plummer, and Diana Walsh attended informational workshops, participated in spirited debate, and connected with League members from counties throughout Florida. Suzanne Low played a key role in informing delegates about the National Popular Vote, and Pat, Diana and Diane presented a workshop on the League Leadership Program, which was enthusiastically received by the delegates and by the new LWVFL Board.
A new LWVFL Board was elected, including Co-Presidents Cecile Scoon (Bay County) and Debbie Chandler (Palm Beach County), and our local League is well-represented at the state level! See the related article about our own League members who now have a leadership role with LWVFL.
Delegates voted on 14 motions to amend the LWVFL Bylaws, addressing four main areas of concern: (1) Conforming the LWVFL Bylaws to LWVUS Bylaws (to include DEI statement and revise the “LWVFL” abbreviation, among other changes); (2) addressing LWVFL board member and leadership qualifications and continuity of leadership (especially staggered terms and elections of board members); (3) addressing board operations; (4) changing fiscal year for LWVFL to begin on July 1 instead of April 1; (5) and revising the delegate allotments for Council. Thanks to Charlotte for her hard work on the Bylaws Committee in crafting these positive amendments. You can view the Bylaws Committee Report with explanations of the need for these amendments, by clicking https://files.constantcontact.com/9e023c2e001/6a070ce2-9a75-4469-af0b-d6a7227623fb.pdf
Because the start of the fiscal year was changed from April 1 to July 1, the delegation passed 2 new budgets – one from April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023 and one from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 – for both the Education Fund and the Advocacy Fund. The delegation also voted to amend the LWVFL Program, and a link to the recommended Program issues that were adopted can be found here: https://lwvfl.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/5.22-Updated-Program-Notice.pdf.
The LWVCC should be proud of its delegates who zealously represented our League at Convention in a professional and thoughtful manner. Look for further information about what happened at Convention from LWVFL in the weeks ahead.
| Congratulations to LWVCC Leaders Serving LWVFL!
| Congratulations to four of our LWVCC members who are leaders within LWVFL!
During the 2023 Convention on June 2nd and 3rd, Pat Plummer was elected to the LWVFL Board of Directors, and Diana Walsh is now on the LWVFL Nominating Committee. Before and during Convention, Charlotte Nycklemoe served on the Bylaws Committee, which recommended changes to bring the Bylaws up to date (see related article for more information on the Bylaws amendments), and Denise McLaughlin served on the Budget Committee, which approved the budgets for the LWVFL Education Fund and the LWVFL Advocacy Fund. We owe a HUGE debt of gratitude to these four League leaders for their willingness to serve the League not only at the local level, but also at the state level!
 
| Melissa Blazier, a member of the League of Women Voters of Collier County, was sworn in as the Supervisor of Elections on Wednesday, June 21st, and several Leaguers were present to join the celebration including Diane Moore, Janet Hoffman, Jan Eustis and Denise McLaughlin.
Presiding over the ceremony was Judge Tamara Nicola, who also presented to high school students in March during our Know Your County Government program. Recently-retired SOE, Jennifer Edwards, greeted us enthusiastically and introduced the brief ceremony saying that Melissa had been with the SOE for 17 years. Trish Robertson, Public Relations Officer for the SOE, thanked Leaguers who had shared information from our recent LWVCC Convention in Orlando.
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Environmental Affairs Committee
Lynn Martin and Patti Forkan, Co-Chairs
In May, the Committee hosted Amber Crooks, Environmental Policy Manager for the Conservancy of SWFL.
She spoke about the many ongoing threats to the small remaining population of panthers in eastern Collier. Chief among them is the planned town of Big Cypress, which will abut the panther preserve and create more than one hundred miles of new roads. Most panther deaths are on roads. The League has fought this development for several years and we filed an amicus brief for the Conservancy's lawsuit against the first part of this development known as Rivergrass. Unfortunately, the County Commissioners have approved it and will take steps on June 27th to move it along.
Florida legislators passed generous budgets for the Everglades restoration projects and $100 million for land acquisition in the Florida Forever program. They also funded the new Wildlife Corridor to the tune of $850 million. Unfortunately, there was a continuation of preempting local authority such as for pesticide use.
Committee members collected signed petitions on Earth Day, Pride Fest, and Juneteenth to amend the Florida constitution requiring clean and healthy water across the state. We will continue to encourage members to get petitions signed for the foreseeable future. See our website for more information.
Committee members participated in meetings with the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to comment on their plans to help protect our coast during hurricanes and sea level rise. To learn more about this ongoing project click https://colliercsrm-usacenao.hub.arcgis.com/.
Plastics remain an important effort by this Committee. We will be presenting our program across the County later this year and next. To learn more, go to the League's website and review the plastics material.
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Education Committee
Pat Plummer, Chair
In December 2022, Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli was named Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) Superintendent. Dr. Ricciardelli grew up in Naples from the age of 2 and has worked in education for over 28 years.
Dr. Ricciardelli will be our speaker at the October 9, 2023 LWVCC meeting at Tiburon Golf Club. Watch for more information and meeting registration in September.
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LWVCC Book Club
The Book Club has voted for the Fall 2023 selection. We will be reading and discussing "The Undocumented Americans" by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio. Please check the Book Club page on the LWVCC website for more information.
| League News From Across the Country
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For more information, visit LWV.org.
State League News
For more information, visit LWVFL.org.
| Please refer to the LWVCC Weekly Update for a complete list of upcoming events or visit the LWVCC website: lwvcolliercounty.org.
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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in Government. We influence public policy through education and advocacy. Our goal is to empower citizens to take an active role in shaping better communities worldwide. The League of Women Voters of Collier County does not support or endorse any candidate or political party.
League of Women Voters of Collier County
P.O. Box 9883, Naples, FL 34101
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