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| Message from the President
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LWVCC President
Diane Preston Moore
In last month’s letter, I mentioned upcoming changes to the structure of the relationship between our national, state, and local Leagues, which will take effect when the LWVUS Transformation Plan is rolled out. We are now able to confirm that the Transformation Plan will begin in February.
To keep you fully informed, LWVCC sent a separate email outlining these changes and the steps you’ll need to take to ensure you continue receiving membership information. You should have received that email this week. If you are a League member, you also will receive an email from LWVUS in the coming week, asking you to update your profile on the new LWVUS member portal. Please follow the instructions carefully to ensure you stay up to date on all League communications about your membership.
Once you’ve updated your profile on the LWVUS website, the only reason for anyone to log into the National database will be to join, renew, or make changes to your contact information. For information on LWVCC events, committees, issues, and to make donations, our local website— lwvcolliercounty.org —will remain your go-to source.
I would like to give HUGE thanks to Wendy Riedel, Beth VanDamme, Ellen Hannan, Jan Eustis, Sarah Cass Berg and the members of the Tech, Membership and Finance Teams who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the transformation goes smoothly.
We’ll continue to keep you updated through our weekly Update as we receive more details from LWVUS. While transitions can be challenging, we truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve and transform our League’s membership structure.
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Throughout 2025, we will be celebrating our 50th Anniversary. Be sure to be part of the celebration by attending Celebrate the League on February 27, 2025. The event will feature Tony Ridgway as speaker, “A Taste of Tony and the Past 50 Years."
Mr. Ridgway has spent over 50 years as the chef-proprietor of such beloved and award-winning establishments as Truffles Café, The Chef’s Garden, Plums Café, and Villa Pescatore, and today operates Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar, Sukie’s Wine Shop, Tony’s Off Third, and Ridgway Bar & Grill with business partner Sukie Honeycutt. Tony translated an early fascination with food, the restaurant business, and the value inherent in a shared dining experience into a thriving career and is credited as a key influencer of Southwest Florida dining. His restaurants have won countless accolades and continue to build and honor a legacy of quality and integrity.
| National Town Hall on the Federal Judiciary
| Join The Town Hall On The LWVUS Federal Judiciary Study
Feb. 4, 7:00 p.m. EST
The League currently does not have a position on the Federal Judiciary.
At the LWVUS 2024 Convention, delegates voted to proceed with a study on the federal judiciary. The study’s purpose includes, but is not limited to, addressing concerns and clarifying judicial accountability, transparency, independence and ethics. The scope addresses the Supreme Court as well as other Article III federal courts.
This study is the first step towards crafting a position. As a LWVCC member, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the study and determine what, if any, position the LWVUS adopts.
For more information and resources about the Town Hall and the Federal Judiciary Study, please go to the event page on the LWVCC website.
You must be a member of the League to participate in the Study and to access the study materials.
JOIN TODAY | Know your County Government
| KYCG, Our 42nd Year!
This exciting program is co-sponsored by the LWVCC Education Committee, Collier County 4-H, and the Collier County Public Schools. CCPS high school students spend 3 days learning how government works in Collier County, visiting agencies, meeting administrators commissioners, and observing the court room and a Commissioner’s meeting. If you would like to interact with civic-minded high schools students, and see part of County government you may not have sen before, you can volunteer to chaperone.
Field trip days are Wednesday, February 12; Tuesday, February 25; and Tuesday, March 25.
If you would like to volunteer, visit the LWVCC website.
| Tuesday, February 11, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Video Conference
The League of Women Voters of Collier County (LWVCC) is hosting a special event, League 101, designed to introduce you to our chapter and its vital work. This informative session is perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about the LWVCC, its connection to the state and national Leagues, and how you can get involved.
Here's what you'll gain from League 101:
- Understanding our mission: We'll explore the distinction between non-partisan and political, explaining how the LWVCC approaches important issues.
- Committee involvement: Discover the various committees within the LWVCC, the issues they tackle, and how your contributions can make a difference.
- Education and advocacy: Explore the LWVCC's dual role of providing voter education and advocating for positive change in our community.
Whether you're a seasoned member or simply curious about the League, League 101 is a valuable opportunity to gain insights and engage. Please note: Attendance at League 101 is a requirement for the LLP leadership program.
Don't miss this chance to learn more about the LWVCC and how you can be a part of our mission to empower voters and promote informed democracy!
Register for League 101
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Juvenile Justice Committee
Libbie Bramson, Chair
Juvenile Justice Committee visits Collier County Juvenile Detention Center
In addition to delinquency prevention, our mission is to support youth who have been arrested for felony-level offenses and who hope to transition to mainstream society and become productive citizens.
On January 22, the Juvenile Justice Committee visited the Collier County Juvenile Detention Center, operated by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, to begin to learn what happens to kids who commit felonies.
—Home Detention Program. This happens prior to his/her detention hearing which is within 24 hours.
—At the detention hearing, the judge specifies whether the youth is to be released, placed on Home Detention, or placed in secure detention for up to 21 days before he/she goes before a judge for the case to be adjudicated.
—After adjudication, the youth may be placed in a minimal risk non-residential commitment (treatment) program under the supervision of a Probation Officer. Or the youth may be placed in a “residential commitment (treatment) program” for a period-of-time commensurate with his/her assessed public safety risk.
It is one thing to read about a secure detention center but another thing to visit and see both the kids and the staff responsible for their safe and humane care. The Naples Center has 40 beds and 49 staff for 40 youth. The average stay is less than two weeks. Boys and girls are kept separated.
With three staff members guiding and guarding us, our group of ten was able to visit the classrooms, eating area, sleeping and showering areas, monitoring/command center and more. We also learned the Detention Center provides an array of services including school classes 5½ hours per day, mental health, substance abuse, and healthcare services.
Our visit made an indelible impression on us as did the dedication and professionalism of the staff. One of their goals is to instill a feeling of hope in the kids. We left our visit with a lot to think about and with a feeling of hope.
Civil Citation Advocacy
We presented in January to the Immokalee Interagency Council and the Democratic Social Club. Our next presentation is at the monthly NAACP March meeting. We hope to increase awareness and usage of Civil Citation – it gives eligible kids a second chance! For more information, visit the Annie E. Casey Foundation website. |
Attainable Housing Subcommittee
Susan Golden, Chair
The Attainable Housing Subcommittee is one of three Social Policy subcommittees. The Attainable Housing group studies a wide range of housing issues in Collier County including rental housing for our community’s workforce, senior housing specifically for low-income single women, home ownership opportunities for essential service personnel including law enforcement, fire fighters, teachers, nurses and other professionals, veterans housing, and homeless housing issues.
The need for housing in Collier County is wide ranging and especially critical for low-income service workers, elderly on fixed incomes and others who provide a wide array of services to our year-round residents and seasonal visitors.
Mr. Michael Puchalla, from The Housing Alliance, will speak about new housing opportunities at the February 3rd luncheon and will provide us with updates on new rental apartment communities, the Housing Navigator program, partnerships with the Collier Community Foundation, the County government and housing developers.
The Housing Subcommittee will meet on the 3rd Thursday in February, March, April & May from 10:30 to 12:00. The next meeting is February 20th at Moorings Park. Please join us and our upcoming speakers by signing up on the League’s calendar. |
Environmental Affairs Committee
Lynn Martin, Patti Forkan, Co-Chairs
Protect the Dunes – Don’t Trample the Plants
This describes the new collaboration between the Environmental Affairs Committee and the Naples Botanical Garden. The beach dunes protect property from flooding and storm surge; create a wildlife habitat, and are an economic driver of tourism. Building and vegetating the dunes is an important way to address coastal erosion and build resiliency. Sadly, the berm that was built by FEMA last summer is mostly gone; washed away by three hurricanes. What is left, we need to protect!
The County is in the process of revegetating the dunes with native plants recommended by the Garden after years of study. These plantings will trap and amass sand to maintain and rebuild the current dunes. We are starting an educational campaign to educate and inform the community about the importance of the dunes. The message is: Don’t walk on the dunes; don’t put beach chairs and coolers on the plants; and don’t disturb the surviving dune ecosystem.
We ask everyone to carry this message. |
DEI Committee
Cynthia Cave, Cynthia Cromwell, Co-Chairs
Tour of Naples Pride Center
Members of the DEI Committee toured the Naples Pride Site on January 14. Director Cori Cracium identified issues in the community, focusing on their mission to help mental health in the LGBTQ community. Their primary fund raiser is the annual Naples PrideFest in Cambier Park. She explained the permitting issues and encouraged several members to attend and speak at the Naples City Council hearing on January 15, where, LWVCC was represented officially by President Diane Moore. Thanks go to those at the tour: Cori, Cracium, Heather Hart, Beth VanDamme, Nancy Chism, Sue Savage, Ingrid Echemendia, Kathy Ryan, Diane Moore, Amy Perwein, Erika Ferrari, Laura Hansen Reynolds, Chris Schmeckpepper-Kobina, and Cynthia Cromwell.
Martin Luther King Parade
LWVCC members marched, carried posters and banners, and passed out candy and flags in the 2025 Martin Luther King Parade on January 20! Music from the hot “Blue Truck” driven by Mick Moore kept everyone upbeat and in step. Thanks to all participants who included: Susan Housel and family Greg and Cathy, Cath Maslyn and 5 friends who joined LWVCC after the fun day, Diana Walsh, Janet Hoffman, Beth VanDamme, Nancy Chism, Janet McQueen, Laura Hansen Reynolds, Alison Wescott, Libby Bramson, Ronna Hoffberg (and Golf Cart Frango), Cynthia Cromwell, Tina Palmese, Diane and Mick Moore. Cambier Park tabling was coordinated by Tina and Karen Sendik. Thanks to all for a fun and important day!
Airboat Tour New Date February 17
Unfortunately, we had to cancel the previous tour due to cold and rain. Betty Osceola (shown below) has agreed to lead us again on February 17! Betty will show us indigenous sites in the Everglades and identify water issues she discussed in November. We hope to have many of you register for the new tour date! Note that spouses and guests of members are welcome!! On February 17, we will gather at the parking lot of the Fresh Market, 12628 Tamiami Trail East at 10 AM to carpool to Buffalo Airboat, 29701 SW 8th St., Miami, FL. Our tour is scheduled from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm. (Note new time) Travel time is likely 1 1/4 hour to the Airboat and 1 1/4 hour back to Fresh Market. For all other details, contact Cynthia Cromwell at the DEI Committee address or register in the Event Calendar.
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Membership Committee
Beth VanDamme, Chair
Welcome New Members!
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our newest members:
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Michele Arquette-Palermo
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Eileen Beam |
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Laura A Candris |
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Barbara Daly |
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Marge Matson |
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Eileen Sepesi |
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We’re excited to have you join our community!
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Keep the Invites Coming!
Remember, every member who brings a first-time, non-member friend to a general meeting will be entered into a drawing for a fun prize. Congratulations to Debra Harper, our January Raffle Winner.
Membership Satisfaction Survey
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our Membership Satisfaction Survey. The drawing for the Turtle Club Gift Card took place at the General Meeting on January 13, 2025, and the winner was Loralee Lebeoff. We’ll share the results of the survey in the March Voter.
New Member Coffee Social
The recent New Member Coffee Social hosted by Sara Werder and the membership team was a resounding success.
Those in attendance included: Bob Agrast, Eileen Beam, Nikki Blaha, Ann Fisher, Ronna Hoffberg, Katie McNutt, Wendy Wagner Michaelsen, Lori Raleigh, Kathryn Spring, Daphne Whitman, and Lou Zellner – a truly impressive group!
Diane Preston Moore began the event with an informative overview of the League. The new members then had the opportunity to introduce themselves, followed by presentations from the committee and team chairs who shared their respective initiatives. | League News From Across the Country
| National League News
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.
Members should log in to ensure they see members-only events and registration options. | Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
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
Sent by lwvcc@lwvcolliercounty.org
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