http://www.sierranatureprints.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Poppies.jpgLeague of Women Voters North County San Diego

VOTERThe League of Women Voters, a non-partisan political organization, encourages informed and active

participation in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

April & May 2019April Meetings and Events Overview

Carlsbad Unit Tour of Desalination Plant Tuesday, April 2, 10-11:30 AM

Delegate Briefing for LWVC Convention Friday, April 5

Climate Change General Meeting Sat. April 6 1-3 PM

Health Interest Group Mon., April 8, 10 AM

Community Safety & Guns Wed., April 10, 10 AM

LWVNCSD Board Friday, April 12, 10 AM

LWV Book Group Monday, April 15, 1 PM

Women’s Issues Group Monday, April 22, 1 PM

Oceanside Unit Tues., April 23, 12 PM

Lunch With League Wednesday, April 24, 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM

San Dieguito Unit Thurs., April 25, 10 AM

May Meetings and events Continue on Page 7

Some meeting information was not yet available. Watch for e-blasts for updates on May events.

Pollution, Politics, and Your Personal Power

LWVNCSD General Meeting on Climate Change Saturday, April 6 from 1 - 3 PM

Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave., Carlsbad

Our League’s Natural Resources Director Liz Gabrych has planned a special meeting about Climate Change. Our featured speaker will be Eve Simmons who for over thirty years worked as an Environmental advocate, speaker, moderator, mentor, green blogger and Congressional Liaison on climate. Eve is a recipient of Seaside Sister’s Awakened Woman Award for 2018. Her lectures encompass our climate and environmental crises, our interconnectivity, and proactive solutions to these issues. She has served as a Fish and Wildlife Advisory Commissioner for San Diego County, a delegate to California’s State Assembly, a member of the Environmental and Progressive Caucuses, a board member of Encinitas EcoFest and the San Diego Energy District Foundation, in addition to being a mother, former wildlife guide, and photojournalist. She uses her experiences to inform and inspire audiences to awaken their personal power to heal our world. Visit her website and blog TheGreenFlash.org and follow her on Twitter @Eve_Simmons.

There will be time for questions and and interactive conversations with our members about environmental issues.

Message From President Anne

Omsted

Hello, League Members. We are having a two-month newsletter because our editor, Roni Seay, is going to be traveling and can’t put a separate May Voter together for us. Thank you, Roni, for your impressive work, and have a wonderful trip!

TheLocalAdvocacytrainingbyLWVCpresidentHelen Hutchison was informative, useful, andstimulating. Theaudienceofabout50Leaguemembers were reminded of the steps neededto evaluatewhether or notwewill support oroppose an issue, how to put together aneffectivecampaign,andtheprocessusedbytheLWVC to choose issues at the state Legislaturelevel.

IhopeyouarethinkingabouthowyoucanhelpmakeourNorthCountyLeaguemoreeffective.Ittakesmanypeopletodoallthethingswedo,andwecoulddomorewithmorepeople!Rightnow our Nominating Committee is looking formembers to fill Board positions such asSecretary, Regional Government Coordinator,Voter Service,andNaturalResourcesDirectors.Wealsoneedawebmaster.IfyouwouldliketojoinadynamicBoardandworkwithdedicatedfellowMembers,pleasegiveKarenPendergast,Jane Schweighardt or Joanne Fink a call. Ourmembership roster is sent to every membereveryquarter.

Finally, fellowLeaguememberPatYeakleysentme the following quote. It really says it all, Ithink.

“There is no such thing asnot voting: youeither vote by voting, or you vote by stayinghome and tacitly doubling the value of somediehard’svote.” DavidFosterWallace,novelist,essayist,andshortstorywriter(1962-2008)

Anne

Page 2 LWV North County San Diego April/May 2019

LWVNCSD Officers & Directors 2019

Officers President Anne Omsted 1st VP, Admin. & Memb. Nancy Telford 2nd VP & LWV Action Veronica Seay Secretary Cecilia Jolly Co-Treasurer Arlene Meadows & Co-Treasurer Jennifer Lonbom

Directors Media Outreach Norelynn Pion-Goureau Natural Resources Elizabeth Gabrych Observer Corps Connie Ulrich Regional Gov’t Issues Cathy Greene Social Media Suzanne Carneiro Social Policy Bill Loftus Strategic Communications Loann Simon Voter Editor Roni Seay Voter Service Open Women’s Issues Nancy Hand Webmaster Suzanne Carneiro Unit Chairs Carlsbad Unit Suzanne Burkhalter & Nita Rodriguez Oceanside Unit Bill Loftus San Dieguito Unit Katie Wheeler Committee Chairs Behavioral Health Liz Kruidenier Civil Engagement Mary Thompson Education Claudine Jones Community Safety & Guns Stephen Bartram Health Care Jane Dunmeyer Hospitality/Arrangements Open Speakers Bureau Open

Please Welcome our New Members!

Ruth Abad - Vista Kimberly Nahamy Castro - Escondido

Susan Connell - Del Mar Ann Cramer - Carlsbad Sue Vaughn - Carlsbad

April/May 2019 LWV North County San Diego Page 3

Board Report - March 8, 2019 At the March Board meeting, the following actions were taken:

* Approved plans to invite City Mayors and Councilmembers, school superintendents, healthcare officials and members of the public to the March 30th Gun Violence Restraining Order informational meeting presented by the City of San Diego City Attorney’s office.

*Planned details related to the April 6 General Meeting on Climate Change at the Carlsbad Senior Center from 1- 3.

*Discussed what items our league could contribute to the LWVC state convention in late May to help with a Silent Auction fundraiser. Any ideas?

*Received an update on our proposal to present our adopted Homelessness position to all the other local Leagues in California at the state convention.

*Reviewed the membership survey, which will be received by members via email in late March. Learned that we need to have every member respond to help us plan for the future.

*Accepted a request from the Oceanside unit to present a letter to their City Council regarding the appointment process.

*Discussed how to participate in the 2020 Census count.

*Adopted a plan on how to present Voter Services for the 2020 election.

*Authorized updating our letter to the Board of Supervisors requesting at least one night public hearing during its budget process this year.

*Voted to send $250 to the local coalition which we belong to which will launch an education plan regarding the saltwater option for Buena Vista Lagoon.

*Were told about plans to have each Unit have Civil Discourse training by Mary Thompson over the next 6 months.

Wouldn’t you like to be there?

Earth Fair 2019 in Balboa Park by Cathy Greene

The League of Women Voters of North County and The League of Women Voters of San Diego (LWVSD) have participated together in Earth Fair at Balboa Park for a number of years. The San Diego League has again reserved a spot and booth for Earth Fair 2019 but we in North County are in need of a volunteer or a few volunteers to help out on Sunday, April 28. The theme is “Protect our Climate.” I Think LWVSD is going with a message of “Climate Action = Civic Action.” They with focus on one of the City of San Diego’s issues on trash pickup. We can also promote an issue pertinent to North County. Or we can just go help out, and have some fun with it. I asked Peg Engel, the LWVSD Natural Resources Director, what the jobs are and what our Volunteers might be able to do. Here is what she told me:

(1) Staff the roulette wheel, which mostly attracts kids. This involves engaging them briefly when they spin and try to answer a question. Everybody wins even if the kids need some help with their answers. (2) hand out the “prizes;” this involves maintaining the succulents display, helping the “winner” choose one, and packing it for them to take; (3) educate about voter registration and the League and register voters; (4) educate about the environmental topics for which we will have displays (e.g. People’s Ordinance).

Shifts are 9-11 AM (includes set-up) 10-12, 11-1, 12-2, 1-3, 2-4, 3-5 (includes pack-up). Allow time to find parking and the walk to the booth.

Your assistance will be very welcome. Please Contact Cathy Greene for more information and to sign up. You do not have to be an environmental expert to help and have a good time.

Page 4 LWV North

April & May Meetings and Events

LWVNCSD Board Meeting Friday, April 12 and May 10 at 10 AM in the Leucadia Wastewater District Training Room, 1960 La Costa Ave., Carlsbad.

Members are welcome to attend but please let President Anne Omsted know you are planning to come so enough seating will be available.

Health Interest Group The Health Interest Committee will meet on April 8 and May 13 (Mondays) at Jane Dunmeyer's home from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. 

On April 8 we will have a guest from the Vista Community Clinic talk to us about what the Clinic does and what it has to offer its clients.  As for the business of the committee, we continue to focus on housing issues for mentally ill homeless patients and how we can mobilize to educate the community about this issue. We have had the help of Liz Kruidenier, Bill Loftus, and Greg Anglea. 

Our Transportation Resource List for Disabled and Seniors has been translated into Spanish but its distribution is still awaiting the decision makers who control the League's e-mail site for clearance. We need an e-mail site so that people who have comments/corrections can go to the site to register their comments.  Without the e-mail site, we have no feedback mechanism.  We want the List to be kept up-to-date and corrected every few months. 

Jane Dunmeyer, Chair

Community Safety and Guns Meetings The next meetings of the Community Safety and Guns Group will be Wednesday, April 10 and Wednesday, May 8 at 10 AM in the Leucadia Wastewater District Training Room, 1960 La Costa Avenue, Carlsbad.

League Book Group Meetings The League Book Group will meet on Monday, April 15 at 1 PM to discuss Sapiens: a Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari. The host for the meeting with be Tina Schmidt and the discussion leader will be Kathy Anderson.

On May 20 at 1 PM we will be discussing Lights Out - a Cyberattack, A Nation Unprepared, Surviving the Aftermath by Ted Koppel. Pat Cameron will be our discussion leader and Heather Callaghan will be our host. Please let the hosts know if you plan to attend.

Carlsbad Unit Meetings

The April Carlsbad Unit meeting is Tuesday, April 2, 10 - 11:30 AM for a field trip to the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant, 4600 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad. Must have photo ID for the tour; must wear long pants and closed toe shoes; must be able to walk a mile and climb stairs. Reservations must have been made by March 21 - please contact Suzanne Burkhalter at: suzanneburkhalter@yahoo.com.

The May Carlsbad Unit meeting is on Thursday, May 16 at 10 AM - Noon. Leucadia Wastewater District, 1960 La Costa Ave., Carlsbad. Guest Speaker is Barbara Hamilton, Carlsbad

Oceanside Unit Meetings

The Oceanside Unit will meet at 12 noon at the Buena Vista Audubon Center, 2202 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside on Tuesday, April 23 and Tuesday, May 28.

At the April meeting we will be hearing from Community College staff members who work with students who are “housing-challenged” and/or “food-Challenged.”

San Dieguito Unit Meetings Thursday, April 25, at 10 AM at the San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas.

We will be taking part in the Civil Engagement training led by Mary Thompson. At the meeting on May 23 (same time and place) we will be following up on issues raised during other general meetings and forums.

In February, Captain Herbert Taft of the North Coastal Station of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept., met with the members of the San Dieguito Unit, filling us in on several aspects of their services in our North County area.  One especially interesting program he noted was the “Take Me Home” program—especially helpful to families with an older member with memory issues who may wander or get confused.  If the family registers the member of concern with the Sheriff’s Dept., then they can be more helpful in assisting in case of need.  Capt. Taft also emphasized that although the Department posts alerts and information on “Nextdoor.com” sites, they cannot read what users post—so don’t post that you need help in an emergency!  Call 911!

For non-emergency contacts or information from the Department, use the non-emergency number—858 565-5200.

As a follow-up to this excellent informational meeting, the S.D. Unit members toured the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station on March 28.

Women’s Issues Group Meeting Monday, April 22, at 1 PM in the Leucadia Wastewater District Training Room, 1960 La Costa Avenue, Carlsbad. The date of the May meeting will be determined later.

Red Flag States League members who attended our March 30th general meeting learned that California is one of 13 states plus the District of Columbia who have “Red Flag” laws. Red Flag laws empower family members and law enforcement to temporarily remove guns and ammunition from an individual who poses a risk to them and the community. The law was passed in California as a response to the Isla Vista shooting which killed six people. Sadly, these lives could have been saved if the parents had been able to use a Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO) to remove the guns from their son. On March 26, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Red Flag laws. Senator Lindsey Graham, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, does not feel that these laws infringe on our second amendment rights. Hopefully there will be a bipartisan effort in the Senate to pass legislation similar to the Red Flag law in California. Both Senators Feinstein and Harris are on the Senate Judiciary committee. Our Women’s Issues Group and Community Sately & Guns Group will be following the legislative progress in the Senate. Which states have Red Flag Laws? California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Indiana, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts and Florida—in response to the Parkland shooting.

ERA “The time is ripe to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Seventy percent of people polled think that we already have an ERA in the Constitution and They’re shocked to find we don’t have one.” Jackie Speier, Member of Congress from California’s 14th District.

April/May 2019 LWV North County San Diego Page 5

Lunch With League Our LWVNCSD Co-sponsors these lunches

with LWV San Diego Wednesday, April 24, 11:30 - 1:30

and Wednesday, May 22, 11:30 - 1:30

at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse, 2150 Harbor Island Dr., San

Diego. The programs information will be sent to you

via e-blast

Page 6 LWV North County S County San Diego April/May 2019

Visit - North Coastal Live Well Health Center by Nancy Sublette

The North Coastal Live Well Health Center hosted a tour Tuesday, March 26th, for the Oceanside Unit and other interested League members. The intent of the Center is to provide North County citizens with a “one-stop shop” for mental health services. There are three other Live Well Centers that provide a range of health-related services within San Diego County. This is the first to specifically serve folks with mental health concerns.

The Center houses multiple organizations, each of which focuses on differing areas of client needs. North Coastal Mental Health Clinic and McAlister Institute provide rehabilitative, recovery and vocational services and support for adults with behavioral health issues. The County of San Diego Military and Veterans Resource Centers provides counseling and social service resources. National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) also has offices in the building, along with office space for many other organizations serving the needs of those with mental health needs.

Mariposa Clubhouse, attached to the Live Well Health Center, with its own entrance, is a member-run support center with a diverse range of daily activities, meals, and staff – including a case manager – to assist with clients’ issues. The Clubhouse also offers culinary-skills training to help with job placement.

A plan is in place to construct a health clinic within the building, structured as a federally-qualified clinic. In addition, a new Live Well Center similar to existing Live Well Centers around the County, will be built by the end of 2020, in the Ocean Shores area of Oceanside, to provide more generalized health and social services. Conference rooms are available for members of the community to hold meetings, without charge, for groups up to more than one hundred individuals. Technological outfitting means the facility accommodates PowerPoint presentations.

Everything about this Live Well Center – architectural design, location, LEED-qualifying technology, in addition to the staff – broadcasts the scope and expertise of those who planned it. LWV-NCSD now knows more about a unique north-county community resource.

Restoring Respect Conference on Restoring Civility

to Civic Dialogue Wednesday, April 17, 9:00 AM - 12 PM

University of San Diego’s Joan Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice

by Cathy Greene

Our League has been a sponsor of this conference since its inception and a number of our member attend the event every year. This year’s theme is Restoring Civic Literacy: Revitalizing Civic Education Across our Community. The featured keynote speaker is Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Chief Justice of California.

If you Google “Restoring Respect San Diego 8th Annual Conference” you should find a site to register with Eventbrite. The event is free but you need to register. They would like you to register by April 3, so please do it soon!

I will help form carpools for all those interested in attending. Contact Cathy Green for more information or to carpool.

Nicole R. Crosby, Chief Deputy San Diego City Attorney and President Anne Omsted at the very informative and successful presentation by Ms. Crosby on Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVRO). The LWVNCSD General Meeting on March 30 was well attended by members, the public, several law enforcement officials, as well as Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear.

April/May 2019 LWV North County San Diego Page 7

May Calendar Meetings and Events as determined by April 1

Watch for more information via e-mail or go to our website http://lwvncsd.org

Community Safety and Guns Group Wednesday, May 8 at 10 AM

LWVNCSD Board Meeting Friday, May 10 at 10 AM

Health Interest Group Monday, May 13 at 10 AM

Carlsbad Unit Meeting Thursday, May 16 at 10 AM

Book Group Monday, May 20 at 1 PM

Lunch With League Wednesday, May 22 at 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

San Dieguito Unit Meeting Thursday, May 23 at 10 AM

Women’s Interest Group TBD

Oceanside Unit Meeting Tuesday, May 28 at 12 noon

State League Convention Pasadena, CA May 31 - June 2

The San Dieguito Unit visited the County of San Diego’s Sheriff’s Station in Encinitas on March 28. From left to right: Kathy Anderson, Anne Omsted, Nancy Telford, Kathy Murphy, Crime Prevention Specialist Jonathan Simon, Katie Wheeler, Crime Prevention Specialist Gary Rivers, Karen Vanderwerken, Heather Callaghan, Don Omsted, Nancy Hand, Susan Connell, and Olga Gonzalez-Silen.

The San Dieguito Unit Visited the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station on March 28, 2019

Members of the San Dieguito unit from Encinitas, Solana Beach and Del Mar visited the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station in Encinitas. Crime Prevention Specialists Gary Rivers and Jonathan Simon gave us an extremely interesting and educational tour of the facility. Deputy Sheriff Nicholas Arvantitis also explained many of the procedures. Among other things, we learned that about 100 deputies work out of this station, serving Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar and Rancho Santa Fe residents as our police protection, 24/7. We learned that Sheriffs have county-wide authority to arrest, cite, or jail people, whereas city police officers’ authority only extends to their own city limits.

At the North Coastal station, there are Sheriffs who do Patrol duty (vehicles), Community Outreach (Gangs , Homeless , o ther ) , Detective work, Crime Prevention —education on home safety, avoiding scams and more.

The Sheriffs deal with Coaster safety, Behavioral Issues (drugs, mental health issues), etc. Other

people who use the station include the Sheriff’s Senior Volunteer Patrol (very useful volunteers), Community Service Officers (can issue parking t ickets), and, of course, the administrative staff to support these activities. One of the things we learned was that 15 minutes of interaction by a Sheriff causes extensive report writing. There is a specific area in the building to write up reports on any and all civilian contacts.

We learned about special treatment for people under 18 years old. We saw the holding cells, briefing room, interview room, drug detection instruments and more.

We were told that our area is very low in serious crime—our most frequent crime is thef t from vehicles. But there are indeed illegal drug issues in North County.

T h e d e p a r t m e n t h a s m a n y informational materials for the public including a publication on the prevention of victimization of older people which seniors and their families should be made aware.

One other service found at the Sherrif’s Station is a secure drop box for unused prescription drugs. The drugs then will be be safely disposed of without harming the environment.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS North County San Diego Post Office Box 131272 Carlsbad CA 92013-1272

Dues:

_____$30 First Year member

_____$60/year renewal

_____$30/year 2nd member at the same address

_____$0/year Students enrolled in accredited Institution

Additional Levels of giving

_____$100/year Suffragist

_____$200/year Activist

_____$300/year Advocate

_____$500/year Founders Circle

I am interested in:

_____Voter Service

_____Action and Advocacy

LWV North County San Diego Membership Application

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Membership is open to all persons who are at least 16 years of age.

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Please make check payable to LWVNCSD Mail to:

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or Join Online at: www.lwvncsd.org/join.html

April/May 2019 LWV North County San Diego Page 8