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© 1999 - 2006 League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham and
League of Women Voters of the United States

The Voter

November 2006

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].

This issue of The Voter is also available in these formats:

INDEX








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Mark Your Calendar for the LWVGB Holiday Luncheon

Join us for a special Holiday Luncheon at 11:30 on Saturday, December 2 at The Club, Stateroom 1. Select a chicken or vegetarian dish, indulge in the sweet rolls and listen to our guest speaker, Congressman Artur Davis. During two terms serving as representative for Alabama’s 7th District, Davis has emerged as a leader on issues related to housing, education and health care.  The Birmingham News reported that Davis is now considering challenging U. S. Senator Jeff Sessions in 2008.

This will be an excellent program.  Reserve your place by sending a check and the form linked below to Yvonne Brakefield.  But hurry… deadline for reservations is Wednesday, November 29.

Congressman Artur Davis jpgAbout the Guest Speaker, Congressman Artur Davis

Artur Davis has earned a reputation as an effective legislator in his two terms as Alabama’s 7th Congressional District Representative.  He has served on the Financial Services Committee, the Budget Committee and was appointed to the Senior Whip Team for the Democratic Caucus during the 109th Congress.  He also chaired the Health Care Subcommittee of Governor Bob Riley’s Black Belt Action Commission.  The Washington Post, the National Journal and CNN have recognized Davis as one of the future leaders to watch in Washington. The House leadership shift to his party next session will  enhance opportunities for Congressman Davis to expand his role.



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New Website Coming Soon!


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Midterm Election Turnout

Of Alabama’s 2.5 million registered voters, 1.2 million (48%) turned out to vote November 7.  Of those, 717,287 cast ballots for Bob Riley.  Jefferson County’s turnout rate was more than 50%.

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In the News

On Sunday October 29, The Birmingham News printed an editorial titled “Look Closely at Judicial Candidates” by William Gordon, a retired judge and chair of the Alabama Judicial Campaign Oversight Committee.  He encouraged citizens to check out the League of Women Voters of Alabama Web site (www.lwval.org) for information on the Supreme Court Judicial Races and other information.  It was wonderful to receive recognition for the hard work by two of our Birmingham League members, Mary Lynn Bates and Jean Johnson.

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Thanks to Volunteers


Betty Warnock registered voters and assisted with applications for absentee ballots at St Martin’s in the Pines.  Five LWVGB members, Kaydee Erlich-Breman, Judith Hand, Kathryn Kerchof, Roberta Shapiro, and Ida Tyree-Hyche, worked with the Registrar’s Office on Election Day, November 7. Thanks to all for their volunteer service!

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January Membership Meeting
Thursday, January 25, 6:00 PM
Homewood Library

Do all counties have the same type administrative operations?  There has been “talk” periodically of using a county manager.  Would this help in Jefferson County 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, will discuss the issues the county grappled with and how they successfully phased in a County Manager.

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Dot Baker Recognized at Greater Birmingham Chapter U. N. Day Dinner

The College Campus Leadership Award of the Greater Birmingham Chapter of the United Nations Association – USA has been named in honor of Dorothy G. Baker. Dot was a founding board member of the UNA-USA Birmingham Chapter and president from 1995 to 2002. She is also a member of the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham, the American Association of University Women, the Birmingham Committee on Foreign Relations, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Alabama Arise and Greater Birmingham Ministries. From 1983 to 1994, she was involved in the Alabama Nuclear Freeze Campaign, serving from 1986 to 1994 as the volunteer State Coordinator of the campaign.

Dot sincerely respects people with different points of view and seeks to build bridges in our community. Through her tireless work and courageous leadership, she has created a Chapter that reflects the high ideals of the United Nations.
    


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Campaign Candidates Forum

The League co-sponsored a well-attended campaign forum on Sunday, October 22 with Hadassah at the Chabad House in Mountain Brook.  Candidates who participated were: for Jefferson County Probate Judge Place 1, Mark Gaines and Judge Alan King; candidates for Jefferson County Probate Judge Place 2 Sherri Friday and Sunny Smallwood; and candidates for Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Place 15 John Calhoun and Judge Suzanne Childers.  Beth Chapman, candidate for Secretary of State, was unable to attend but sent a representative. Nancy Worley, the incumbent Secretary of State, arrived after questions were completed. Hadassah & LWVGB Candidates Forum 10/22/06 - judicial candidates
Candidates for judicial positions participated in the Candidate Forum cosponsored by Hadassah and the LWVGB.



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Virginia Randolph, LWVGB 2nd VP and Voter Service Chair, accepted JeffCo proclamation on Oct. 19, 2006.
League Honored by Jefferson County Commission

 The Jefferson County Commission issued a proclamation recognizing the LWVGB for outstanding voter service. It was read by Commissioner Gary White and presented to the League at the Tuesday, October 24th Commission meeting.  Virginia Randolph, 2nd Vice President, (pictured) accepted the proclamation for the League. 




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RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Jefferson County Commission to pay tribute to organizations that impact our community and the lives of our citizens for the better; and

WHEREAS, the League of Women Voters was founded in Chicago on February 14, 1920 and in Jefferson County, Alabama in the late 1920’s; and

WHEREAS, the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham disbanded in the 1930’s but was reestablished in May 1952; and

WHEREAS, the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham encourages voter participation and provides essential voter information by means of the Internet and through the media; and

WHEREAS, the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham sponsors candidate and public issue forums that are unbiased and nonpartisan; and

WHEREAS, the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham provides citizens with information about their government at the national, state and local levels and encourages interaction with public officials; and

WHEREAS, the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham for years has offered voter registration services to Jefferson County Citizens through the Registrar’s Office; and

WHEREAS, the League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham provided excellent voluntary service during the 2006 Primary Election by staffing registration tables throughout Jefferson County.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSION that we extend our sincere appreciation to The League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham for years of dedicated service to the citizens of Jefferson County.

Signed by the Jefferson County Commission on the 19th day of October, 2006
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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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Saturday,
December 2nd		 LWVGB Holiday Luncheon
The Club, Stateroom 1
Speaker:  Congressman Artur Davis
[ map ]  [more information ]		 11:30 AM
Wednesday,
January 3rd		 LWVGB Board of Directors Meeting
Samford University
Chapman Burns Hall
Auxiliary Room
[#41 on this Samford map]		 6:00 PM
Thursday,
January 25th		 LWVGB Monthly Membership Meeting
"How Shelby County Phased in the County Manager Form of Government"
Homewood Library
1721 Oxmoor Road
[ map] [more information ]		 6:00 PM
Wednesday,
February 7th		 LWVGB Board of Directors Meeting
Samford University
Chapman Burns Hall
Auxiliary Room
[#41 on this Samford map]		 6:00 PM


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