LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

Duluth Duluth Voter May 2011

League of Women Voters Duluth 32 East First Street, Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 724­0132

Our Mission The League of Women Voters,

a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the

informed and active participation of citizens in

government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education

and advocacy.

In this issue:

Calendar 2 President’s Column 2 Silent Auction 2 Plant Sale 3 Voter ID 3 Nominating Report 4 Book Club 4 Immigration Resolution 5 Roger Reinert 5 Climate Change Forum 6 Redistricting Forum 7 Green Consumer 7

Officers

President Sally Munger Secretary Louise Eilert Treasurer Zandy Zwiebel Editor Julie Seidelmann

LWV Duluth Annual Meeting Dinner * Silent Auction * Program

Please join us on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 Duluth Woman’s Club 2400 E. Superior St.

5:30 ­ 6:30 Social Hour, Wine and Silent Auction 6:30 ­ 8:30 Dinner followed by Program

8:30 ­ 9:00 Pay for auction items $20 per person

Guests, Friends, Spouses Welcome!!

Melanie Ford will speak about the League of Women Voters Global Democracy Program and its liaison with the U.S. State Department’s Legislative Fellows Program.

Join us to hear of her experience, see photos, and learn more about democracy in Colombia.

Public education forum: “The Truth About Voter Fraud in Minnesota:

Why photo ID is not necessary.” Tuesday, May 17 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Parish Hall, First Lutheran Church 1100 E. Superior St, Duluth

Join local voting rights advocates for this informative forum regarding proposed changes to voting requirements in Minnesota.

Speakers Carol Johnson, MN Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance, and Jenny Thomas, Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota, will discuss their findings in their recently published report:

“Facts About Ineligible Voting and Voter Fraud in Minnesota” Based on Data from Minnesota County Attorneys, Nov. 2010

After the presentation, there will be time for questions and dialogue.

This event is sponsored by a coalition of organizations including the League of Women Voters, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Community Action Duluth, CHUM, Access North, and the Disability Law Center. See article on Voter ID on page 3.

Please RSVP by May 4 to 728­0711 or email sallymunger@mungerinn.com

Page 2 Duluth Voter May 2011

Calendar

May 5/4 Board Meeting, 6:30 5/11 Annual Meeting 5/12 LWV Duluth Book Club 5/17 Voter ID Forum 5/21 ­ 22 LWV State Convention June 6/4 Book and Plant Sale 6/15 CJM Day of Remembrance 6/18 Juneteenth

Diversity

League of Women Voters affirms its commitment to reflecting the diversity of Minnesota in its membership and strives to overcome barriers of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or disabilities

in the activities of the organization.

President’s Column

What a year we have had! At our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 11, where I hope to see many of you, we will have a complete list of what we have been in­volved in over this past year. If you can’t wait until then, take a look through your Voters and be proud. It is amazing to me what this all volunteer organization has accomplished! Speaking of the Voter. The Voter is generally on hiatus June through August , although last year we had a July Voter because the Primary was moved to August, which meant we needed to publicize candidate forums, etc. Whatever happens with the Voter this year, please watch for List Serv notices and Action Alerts and do what you are moved to do on issues of importance to you.

On a personal note. It has been a privilege serving as LWV Duluth President for the last two years. The tre­mendous people who are part of LWV Duluth Board have been a joy to work with. I have learned so much! It is with pleasure that I turn the reins over to Co­Presidents Jane Gilley and Rosemary Guttormsson. Their depth of knowledge is amazing and I think the whole organization will benefit from that as we go forward over the next year. I look forward to working with everyone as we work to­gether to create positive change at the local, state and national levels.

Sally Munger

League of Women Voters Web Sites

LWVMN: www.lwvmn.org

LWVUS: www.lwv.org

The LWV Duluth's silent auction is the largest fundraiser of the year and we need more items!

Remember that holiday gift you received that was a du­plicate or something you don't have room for? Don't you have a drawer or cupboard full of unused gifts or something you bought for yourself that doesn't fit your decor now?

Donate it to the League of Women Voters! If you are a baker, donate a batch of cookies, a cake or a loaf of bread. Homemade canned goods are always popular too. Artwork, pottery and jewelry are great. Themed gift bas­kets such as a wine basket, coffee basket, or chocolate basket are fun to make and people love them! Please contact Deb Ortman if you have a donation. You can drop it off at the Woman's Club between 3:30­5:00 the day of the annual meeting and dinner, Wednes­day, May 11th. We can also pick it up. Call Deb at 722­2421.

You will be able to access our new LWV Duluth website (www.lwvduluth.org) after the annual meeting. It is an excellent resource for local, state, and national League of Women Voters’ information including an up to date calendar of local events.

Check it out!

LWV Duluth Will Have a New Website!!

Silent Auction Items Scour Your Cupboard!

May 2011 Duluth Voter Page 3

What’s Up with Voter ID?

St. Louis County Board Meeting, April 5, 2011 Many LWV Duluth members were pre­sent at the April 5 St. Louis County Board meeting to hear the debate regard­ing Commissioner Steve O’Neil’s reso­lution against requiring a picture ID in order to vote. Because Commissioner O’Neil knew this is an issue that LWV has worked long and hard on, he sug­

gested we might want to have someone from LWV Du­luth speak. With that in mind, I asked Joyce Benson to give an overview of the issue from the League’s per­spective and additionally asked incoming co­President Rosemary Guttormsson to speak from the perspective of a 25 year Duluth election judge. It was heartening that unasked, several other LWV Duluth members stepped forward to speak on aspects of the issue that were important to them. Those speakers included: Joan Peterson, Nancy Aldridge, Ellen Wiss, Anita Gille and Kathy Heltzer. The Minnesota Majority and Minnesota Voter’s Alli­ance folks are determined that there is wide spread voter fraud going on and are also determined that the picture voter ID will prevent that. No matter that it is shown that the only kind of problem this kind of ID would solve is voter impersonation and no case of that has ever been proven in Minnesota. They brought a large contingency of supporters so it was excellent that about 17 League members were there for a good part of the time also. Finally, after lengthy public testimony, followed by comments from each Board member and a lunch recess of about an hour, at some time after 2 p.m. the Board passed 5 ­2 a watered down version of the resolution to oppose state legislation that would mandate a photo ID to vote – if the new state program passes the cost onto and County and the County taxpayers. Voting for the resolution were Commissioners Steve Raukar, Peg Sweeney, Frank Jewell, Keith Nelson, and Steve O’Neil. Voting against were Commissioners Forsman and Dahlberg. Minnesota State Legislature HF 89 and SF 479 (bills that require a picture voter ID) are working their way through the Legislature. Submitted by Sally Munger

See Forum information on front page

Eight new citizens registered to vote at April’s new citi­zenship ceremony held at the Federal Courthouse in Du­luth. The countries of origin for these new citizens include Bulgaria, Canada, China, Kenya, Laos, Malaysia, and Ukraine. Thank you to Sally Munger and Gail Schoenfelder for as­sisting with this event.

Mark your calendars for our third annual book and peren­nial plant sale on Saturday, June 4, Mt. Royal Fine Foods parking lot (Woodland and St. Marie Streets), 10:00 AM­12:30 PM . This sale was a huge success last year thanks to the many members who donated books and plants. We are looking for good quality hard cover and paperback books­­­nonfiction, fiction of all kinds including best sell­ers, mysteries, science fiction, suspense, and children's books. No magazines, please. Gardeners, when spring fever hits in the days ahead, please consider dividing your perennials and donate them to our sale along with a sign indicating the name of the plant, its color (if known), and its growing conditions (shade or sun). Please bring donations of books and plants to the Mt. Royal Parking lot by 8:30 AM. If unable to bring dona­tions the morning of the sale, contact Gail at gail4du­luth@gmail.com to make other arrangements. Also, if you can help the day of the sale, please email Gail to sign up. Please help make this year’s plant/book sale a big success. Proceeds will help fund projects and programs throughout the coming year. Thank you.! Gracias! Merci! Miigwech! Submitted by Gail Schoenfelder

Third Annual Perennial Plant and Book Sale Saturday, June 4

New Citizens Register to Vote

Page 4 Duluth Voter May 2011

LWV Duluth Amended Nominating Committee Report

Officers for 2011­2012 Co­Presidents ­ Jane Gilley and Rosemary Guttormsson Vice Presidents ­ Gail Schoenfelder ­ Vice President / Membership Gay Trachsel and Elizabeth Olson – Vice Presidents / Presidents Elect Secretary ­ Louise Eilert Co­Treasurers ­ Zandy Zwiebel and Mary Dragich

Nominating Committee Chair 2011: Laura Ness Nominating Committee Chair 2012: Sally Munger

New Location and New Format Chester Creek Café, lower level

Time: 5:30p.m. Dinner 6:15 p.m. Book Discussion

Date: Thursday, May 12 Book: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: A Novel

By Jamie Ford

WANT TO READ AHEAD? September 8

The Lemon Tree, An Arab, a Jew and the Heart of the Middle East

By Sandy Tolan

November 10 The Dressmaker of Khair Khana By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

For further information contact: Sally Munger 728­0711

Elected Directors Maria Isley Liz Olson Anita Gille Sally Munger Gay Trachsel Corrinne Lamb

Appointed Directors Joyce Benson Portia Johnson

Rosie Loeffler­Kemp Julie Seidelmann Please Join Us

New Members Are Always Welcome!! LWV Duluth Book Club “The Sisters”

LWV Duluth Earns $648 from Phonathon

On December 2, 2010, nine LWV Duluth volunteers got together at the Willard Munger Inn to make calls to fellow LWV members from around the State for the Annual Appeal. Since local Leagues get 20% of what is generated from those calls.

This year out of the 185 calls made here, $3240 was raised, so $648 was recently deposited into our LWV Duluth Education Fund account.

Pretty good for about two hours work while enjoying each other’s company and eating good food.

Submitted by Sally Munger

Grand opening – Thursday, May 12, 5 – 7 PM at the Depot. Free and open to the public Life Magazine, National Geographic, the Museum of Modern Art, the National Archives – Esther Bubley (1921 – 1998) is part of all these organizations – and she grew up in Superior, Wisconsin. This summer, for the first time, the Duluth Art Institute is bringing her work back home to the Twin Ports. The exhibit travels directly from the Bubley archive in New York City and chronicles the incredible achievements this artist made in fine art photography, advertising photography and photojournalism. Our locally­grown companion ex­hibit: Mad Women highlights the work of contemporary female artist in advertising in the Northland. These exhibits at the Duluth Art Institute are made pos­sible by a grant by the Depot Foundation, generous contributors to the DAI and proceeds from Goin’ Mad at the Rad.

Esther Bubley: On Assignment May 12 – August 7, 2011

+ Mad Women

May 5 – July 31, 2011

Read The Voter and call Lisa or Joan Logan for transportation to League of Women Voters’ events.

Want company? Don't drive, or don’t drive at night? Call 724­3104.

NEED A RIDE???

May 2011 Duluth Voter Page 5

League of Women Voters Supports Immigration Resolution On March 28, 2011, the Duluth City Council passed an immigration resolution: 1) to support meaningful Federal im­migration reform that is consistent with the civil rights of all people regardless of racial or ethnic background; 2) to oppose any efforts by the Minnesota state legislature to require local police to enforce Federal immigration policies. The resolution was introduced by Councilors Patrick Boyle and Sharla Gardner with community support from the Duluth Immigration Rights Coalition of which LWV Duluth is an active member. There is a national trend at this time toward asking local law enforcement agencies to involve themselves in the en­forcement of Federal immigration laws, moving away from the traditional position that the responsibility for enforce­ment of Federal law, especially Federal civil law, is a Federal responsibility. This trend has reached Minnesota in the form of support for passage of laws encouraging or requiring local law enforcement officials to involve themselves in immigration issues. LWV board member, Gail Schoenfelder, testifying at the Council meeting on behalf of LWV Duluth, pointed out that while some of these proposed State laws may seem reasonable on the surface, when taken as a whole, they would increase cost and time commitments for law enforcement officials already busy doing their jobs, would risk undermining community policing efforts by creating distrust among law enforcement officials and mem­bers of our community, and would open the door to questions of fair and equal treatment of our friends and neighbors who may be singled out based on their appearance, accent or ethnic origin. She also urged the Council to send a pub­lic message to State and Federal lawmakers that the Duluth City Council, along with residents of Duluth, stand united in their support of immigration reform that guarantees that every person in our community will receive fair and equal treatment regardless of their racial or ethnic background. League of Women Voters’ participation in the Immigration Coalition and testimony at the City Council meeting are examples of LWV goals in action­­­education, advocacy and reform. As a result of our 2003 study on immigration issues, our League now has a position that makes it possible for us to advocate for public policy that will lead to lead to meaningful reform of our current immigration system as well as to oppose deputizing local law officers to enforce Federal immigration laws. Many thanks to LWV members who attended the Council meeting to show support for the resolution and reaffirm League values of fair and equal treatment of all people. League members are encouraged to write to Councilors Boyle, Gardner, Cuneo, Hartman, Halberg and thank them for their support of the immigration resolution. Councilor Anderson was absent for the vote. Submitted by Gail Schoenfelder

Senator Roger Reinert has been selected to represent the League of Women Voters Duluth as part of the national pro­gram, “Connecting Future Legislators with Civil Society – Colombia and Brazil.” He left April 8 for two weeks in Brazil where he will complete the program and focus on impartial community organizations and local political life. One of his hosts will be Rafaela Lupion from Curitiba, Brazil, who was a participant in this program in Duluth in April of 2010. This project is funded by a grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State to the League of Women Voters Education Fund.

Submitted by Joyce Benson, International Relations Chair

Connecting Future Legislators with Civil Society

Page 6 Duluth Voter May 2011

Climate Change Forum On April 14th the League of Women Voters Duluth, Fresh En­ergy, Institute for a Sustainable Future, Duluth Sister Cities International/Climate Idols, and Duluth Energy Efficiency Program (DEEP) sponsored a forum on climate change at St. Luke’s Auditorium. Jay Austin, Associate Professor of Large Lake Observatory/Dept. of Physics at UMD began the presentation to an audi­ence of approximately 60 people, with a discussion describing his work on the long­term effects of climate change on large lakes, specifically, how ice fits into this picture. Lake Supe­rior fits all the criteria of the study. It is large, deep and has ice. He provided information about the instruments used to study wind speed, air temperature and water temperature of

the lakes. He noted that Lake Superior 's water surface temperature has risen approximately 4.5 degrees. He did state, he was not out to prove any global climate theories but to compile data. Mike Cashin, who is a corporate environmental engineer for Minnesota Power, was next to speak to the challenges ahead for Minnesota Power to address a national and state environmental policy. He presented the audience with vari­ous charts depicting emissions and causes in various parts of the world. He stated that only a multi­emission approach could remedy the problem. Air quality in Northern Minnesota is considered one of the best but in the higher popu­lated areas of states, the quality goes down. Minnesota Power has tried to have a good record of environmental per­formance as well as delivering low cost electricity to its customers. J. Drake Hamilton was last to address the audience. She is the Science Policy Director at Fresh Energy. Her responsi­bilities include scientific analysis, policy development, and advocacy of clean energy solutions to global warming that will maximize economic opportunities for the Midwest . She started with saying this is a "snack culture" we live in today, one where we get bits and pieces of information, some that are not always well supported or even accu­rate. She is a scientist and she stated that the National Academy of Sciences produce accurate and well supported in­formation­­global warming is happening and there are threats to the well being of the earth. Fresh Energy began in 1990 due to an alliance of Minnesota organizations committed to working on energy, conservation, economic devel­opment, environmental protection and civic engagement. Their work today is to "advance global warming solutions by promoting smart state and national policies that lead to deep permanent reduction in global warming pollu­tion." They do this by working with business, government and citizens in confronting the problem. She ended by asking the question, "What will you say to your children and grandchildren when they ask you what you did about the problem of global warming?" She said, "we want to be able to say we did all we could." Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon, member of the LWV Duluth, who sponsored the Minnesota Next Generation Energy Act, was also in attendance. The audience then directed questions to the three presenters. The attendees were directed to the tables outside the auditorium for additional information about action on this important topic. Due to the priority of this topic, League of Women Voters Duluth will have more discussions in the Fall ­ stay tuned. For background information and what other Leagues are doing on climate change, check the National League of Women Voters web site (LWV.Org). Thank you to the Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Julie O’Leary, and to those who supplied treats. Submitted by Gay Trachsel

May 2011 Duluth Voter Page 7

Consume Less The choices we make when we shop can change mar­kets and help preserve the world's valuable resources.

Buy energy­efficient light bulbs, appliances and fuel efficient cars. Replace toxic items and synthetic with natural/organic materials.

Avoid purchasing disposables like plastic razors, styro­foam cups, and plastic diapers: opt instead for metal razors with replaceable blades, clay mugs or steel trav­eling coffee cups and reusable cotton diapers. Take a canvas bag from home every time you go shopping.

Ask the store managers at your favorite stores (yes, even Target, Younkers and Penny's) to carry more natu­ral/organic made cotton items.

Shop at stores like the Green Mercantile or shop at the many local craft fairs where you can buy locally made items. Produce and Buy Food Locally Save fuel, water and topsoil, and avoid being contami­nated with hormones and antibiotics by buying only or­ganically grown fruits and vegetables. Support your local farmer's market, u­pick fruit growers or grow your own. Even if you live in an apartment you can grow herbs, lettuce and even tomatoes in containers by your sunniest windows. You can also grow herbs and lettuce using hydroponics ­ check out www.aerogarden.com for kits. Check out Lake Superior Sustainable Farming Association's website for area farmers that supply meat, eggs, fruit and veggies, flowers and more at http://lssfa.org/ Buy Chlorine Free and Recycled Paper Products We all buy paper for our printers and fax machines, notepaper and gift cards and other paper products such as paper towels and toilet paper. Make an effort to pur­chase only paper products that are chlorine­free or even better ­ made from recycled paper. Ask your merchants to stock them if they do not currently do so. Encourage your employers to purchase only chlorine free and recy­cled paper products, as well.

Submitted by Deb Ortman, Natural Resource Committee Member

Rules of Thumb for the Green Consumer

Redistricting Forum

On March 24 over 40 people came to UMD to learn about what is happening with redistricting in Minnesota. Pre­senters from Draw the Line Minnesota (LWVMN is part of the Draw the Line Coalition that includes the Minne­sota Council of Nonprofits, TakeAction Minnesota and Common Cause Minnesota) presented background on the topic, discussed current status and told attendees how they could impact the process.

Presenters included LWVMN staffer Allie Wagstrom, Jeff Narabrook of the Minnesota Council of NonProfits and Taina Maki of Draw the Line. Senator Roger Rein­ert , although he does not sit on the Redistricting Commit­tee, shared his thoughts about where things were going in the Legislature.

Sponsored by the Joyce Foundation, Draw the Line Min­nesota was created to explain the redistricting process and help citizens engage in the activity of redistricting.

Midwest Draw the Line campaign supports the following redistricting principles: The redistricting process should be independent and nonpartisan to minimize the influence of elected officials and political parties in creating districts to their own political advantage.

The redistricting principle should be transparent to the public.

The redistricting body should provide data, tools and opportunities for the public to have direct input into the specific plans under construction.

The redistricting process should reflect the diversity of the state, especially racial and ethnic diversity.

Redistricting plans should preserve communities of interest wherever possible, where communities of interest are groups of people concentrated in geo­graphic areas that share similar interest and priori­ties – whether social, cultural, ethnic, racial, eco­nomic or religious.

The tagline of Draw the Line Minnesota is: Voters should pick their politicians, not the other way around.

Submitted by Sally Munger

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 109

DULUTH, MN 55806

JOIN THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FOR 2010­2011 Your membership is essential to the ongoing work of the League. Renew your membership today or join as a new member and help keep our local League a vital voice in our community. Name _______________________________________Address_________________________________________ Phone _______________________________ E­mail________________________________________________ _____ $100 Sustaining Membership to honor Susan B. Anthony, founder of National Suffrage Woman Association in 1869. _____ $75 Household Membership to honor Elizabeth Cady Stanton who launched Suffrage Movement by organizing Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. _____ $50 Individual Membership to honor Carrie Chapman Catt, founder League of Women Voters 1920.

_____ $25 Student Membership to honor Alice Paul, early 20th Century chief strategist of Suffrage Movement’s militant wing. _____ $10 Limited Income to honor Lucy Burns, co­founder of Congressional Union with Alice Paul. _____ $10­$250 Additional Donation to honor Sojourner Truth, abolitionist, suffragist, author of “Ain’t I a Woman” 1851.

Make checks payable to LWV Duluth and mail to: Zandy Zwiebel , Treasurer 557 West Wabasha Street Duluth, MN 55803

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS Duluth 32 East First Street Duluth, MN 55802 Return Service Requested