®
T
he BulleTin
THE BULL
ETIN
of the League of Women Voters Wellesley
January 2015
lwvwellesley.org | lwvma.org | lwv.org
OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WELLESLEY
www.lwvwellesley.org, www.lwvma.org, and www.lwv.org
President’s Letter
Members,
LWVW Invites Dear
Mem
bership
Many thanks
to Tour GreGreetings!
en
Hom
e
to each of you and to our
hard-working officers and
directors -- Anne Rippy
Sunday, November 1
Turtle, Ann-Mara Lanza,
Irene Flint, Jenny Zannetos,
4Jean
PMChilds,
- 6 PMSusan Clapham,
Ann Hile and Joellen
51
Avon Road
Toussaint
– in supporting the
League’s efforts this year.
September 200
Join us at Noon on Friday, September 25th
and set time aside in your busy calendar for
our gatherings. There are many from which to
for
choose: January alone, a quiet time for many
organizations, will have featured a brown-bag
LunchCommittee’s
With... point
lunch with the Advisory
person on the North 40, Ann Rappaport; a
dessert
with
the Town
Government
Study EM
SEN
ATO
R CYN
THIA CRE
Group’s Gig Babson andand
Ann Marie Gross; a
book group discussion on US Supreme Court
REPRESENTATIVE ALIC PEISCH
Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s My BelovedEWorld,
led by Joellen Toussaint; and a state League
at
forum on economic inequality and political
participation with Wellesley College and
Janet Pattillo’s
Boston College professors
plus the president
7
Allen
Road
of a Massachusetts think tank.
We have been working
hard exploring local issues
Wine/Cider and Chees
e Reception
relating to town government,
2014-15 Board of Directors
planning
Wellesley
See Page 3 for more
detailsand development,
Size
of
membership
is absolutely key to the
President
and preparing for Meet
League’s
effectiveness.
Marlene O’Brien
the Candidates Night on
781-237-8527 Consider giving now
the gift of membership to a spouse or friend; a
February 26th. We recently
Vice-President & Secretary
form is included in this Bulletin and on
Anne Rippy Turtle
held substantive discussions
Bring
your own lunch. Drinks will be provided
www.lwvwellesley.org.
on the structure of Town
Vice-President
Thank
and on the
Ann-Mara
Email you,
questions for discussion to Jean Childs:
WelcoLanza
me to a new League government
year! We should be busy
Marlene
O’Brien,
President
many
factors
confronting
childs
[email protected]
this
year and hope that we can get more League members
Vice-President
the
Town
with
respect
to
Irene ed
Flint
involv
in our activities. By now you should have gotCollege’s sale of
ten
your dues renewal letter andWellesley
Treasurer
are aware
we will
its “North 40”that
property,
the within the next few weeks, we do know there will be
th
Jenny Zannetos
, a St.
th
Lunch
The Bulletin
is published
each8year
by a Special
l Senate
Prima3rytimes
(Dec.
) and
Senior Center, the
James both a Specia
with
both
Sen.
Cynth
ia
Creem
th
and
Rep.
Director
Peisch. Senate Electi
The League
of Women
of Wellesley,
on (Jan.
19 )Voters
to prepar
e for. MA.
In Wellesley,
property at Alice
900 Worcester
Look
Jean inside
Childs for more information about time and place we have alread
To
submit
material
for
The
Bulletin,
email
y
sched
uled
a
voter’
s registration day at
Street and other projects. As
butDirector
be prepared to bring questions. This is also an ideal the HS. Ann-Mara
We alsoLanza
haveat [email protected].
date set to start planning for
many of you have urged, we
oppor
tunity
to bring new neighbors or friends to a League our Febru
Theary
submission
deadline
fordates
the next
Bulletin
is
Susan
Clapham
Meet the
Candi
will consider taking stands
Night
! Lots
of help
meeting so they can get an idea of what we do.
10,can.
2015.
is needed so join us April
if you
on proposals in 2015.
Director
Presidents’ Letter
Ann Hile
The more you participate in
Since a top priority for the LWV
is informing voters
Over the summer, a small group got together to try
our programs, the more your
Election Day
and encouraging them to vote, late
Fall/e
arly winter will to do some planniTown
ng for a more focused look at an imJoellen Toussaint
own
voice
will
be
heard,
so
Tuesday, March 3rd
be an unusually active election season. While it unclear portant issue in Town
. We came to the conclusion that
please
review
this
Bulletin
if the law to appoint an interim US Senator will change
Contin2015
January
1 page 3
ued |on
Director
The Bulletin is published bi-monthly (5 times each year, September-May
) by The League of Women Voters of Wellesley, MA. This is issue #1.
To submit material for The Bulleti
®
THE BULLETIN
OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WELLESLEY
www.lwvwellesley.org, www.lwvma.org, and www.lwv.org
LWVW Invites Membership
to Tour Green Home
September 2009
Join us at Noon on Friday, September 25th
for
Thursday, February 26, 2015
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Wakelin Room, Wellesley Free Library
Lunch With...
Sunday, November 1
4 PM - 6 PM
51 Avon Road
SENATOR CYNTHIA CREEM
and
REPRESENTATIVE ALICE PEISCH
at
Wine/Cider and Cheese Reception
See Page 3 for more details
Janet Pattillo’s
7 Allen Road
Wellesley
781-237-8527
Presidents’ Letter
Bring your own lunch. Drinks will be provided
Welcome to a new League year! We should be busy
this year and hope that we can get more League members
involved in our activities. By now you should have gotten your dues renewal letter and are aware that we will
th
, a Lunch
with both Sen. Cynthia Creem and Rep. Alice Peisch.
Look inside for more information about time and place
but be prepared to bring questions. This is also an ideal
opportunity to bring new neighbors or friends to a League
meeting so they can get an idea of what we do.
Email questions for discussion to Jean Childs:
[email protected]
530 Washington Street
within the next few weeks, we do know there will be
both a Special Senate Primary (Dec. 8th) and a Special
Senate Election (Jan. 19th) to prepare for. In Wellesley,
we have already scheduled a voter’s registration day at
the HS. We also have a date set to start planning for
our February Meet the Candidates Night! Lots of help
is needed so join us if you can.
7:00 - 7:30 pm
Mingle With Candidates & Recognition Of Retiring Town Officials
7:30 - 9:00 pm
Town-Wide Candidate Presentations with Q & A
Since a top priority for the LWV is informing voters
Over the summer, a small group got together to try
and encouraging them to vote, late Fall/early winter will to do some planning
for a more focused look at an imbe an unusually active election season. While it unclear portant issue in Town.
We came to the conclusion that
if the law to appoint an interim US Senator will change
Continued on page 3
The Bulletin is published bi-monthly (5 times each year, September-May)
by The League of Women Voters of Wellesley, MA. This is issue #1.
To submit material for The Bulletin, e-mail Jackie Hatch at [email protected]
t.
The submission deadline for the next Bulletin is Friday, November th.
League of Women Voters - Wellesley
Page 1
September 2009
This program is free and open to the public!
This is your chance to:
Meet your precinct’s town meeting candidates!
Explore issues with candidates for town-wide office!
Ask questions!
Inform your vote in the March 3rd Town Election
Questions? Call Jean Childs - 781-235-0963
Mark Your Calendars - Town Election on March 3rd!
Thursday, February 26, 2015 is our traditional Meet the
Candidates Night
We would like help with greeting the public, writing tributes,
passing out programs, developing questions for candidates,
bringing refreshments, and timing speeches.
Call: Jean Childs 781-235-0963
2 | January 2015
Summary of News "
League of Women Voters of Massachusetts
In addition to supporting our local Leagues in a meaningful, broad
range of ways, the state League has formed its new agenda and is
developing projects and programs that enrich the civic life of Massachusetts. You may find the following intriguing:
The State League’s Legislative & Advocacy Agenda For 2015:
After input from local Leagues and the state League’s volunteers in
the areas of legislation and advocacy, the League has developed an
agenda that relates to supporting: early voting in statewide elections,
the option for early voting in local elections, election day registration and measures to increase voter turnout; full and timely disclosure of campaign contributions, rules on corporate spending, and
reducing the impact of money on our political system; restoration of
the “clean election” system the voters chose in 1998 and the legislature repealed in 2003; a carbon tax to encourage use of less-polluting fuels, rules for disposal of electronic products and for the use
of certain toxic chemicals, and recycling; education on economic
inequality; effective implementation of Massachusetts gun laws; a
more progressive, graduated state income tax; civics in middle and
high schools and involvement of teens in government; restoration of
civility in public discourse and encouragement of citizen participation in government at all levels; programming that can help people
get off welfare; adequate funding for infrastructure and alternatives
to auto travel; access to healthcare and reductions in cost, including
through a single-payer health care option; women’s right to choose
and safe exercise of that right; gender equality in wages, insurance
and other areas; compliance with the Open Meeting law and recommendation that the legislature be subject to that law.
Effect Of Economic Inequality On Civic Participation - January 28 Panel:
How is the marked rise in economic inequality affecting civic participation and political expression
in the United States? Is the growing gap between
the very wealthy and everyone else influencing
whose voice is determining political and policy
issues? What are the implications of extreme
economic inequality for the democratic ideal
of “one person, one vote”? The state League is
presenting a panel discussion entitled, “Economic
Inequality and Political Participation — Whose
Voice Is Heard?” on Wednesday, January 28, 7:00
pm – 9:00 pm, at Bentley’s Wilder Pavilion, 175
Forest Street, Waltham. The thoughtfully chosen
panelists include faculty members of Wellesley
and Boston Colleges and the president of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. The event is
free and guests are very welcomed; for planning
purposes, please register at www.lwvma.org.
Second Annual High School Student Video Contest:
The League will launch its annual video contest on February 1st.
While the contest is generally designed to foster civic awareness and
provide teens an opportunity to share viewpoints on matters of public importance in a creative way, this year’s specific theme is “There
Oughta Be a Law!” Please encourage high school students you know
to submit, between February 1st and March 31st, 2-minute videos
through which they propose a new law they believe state legislators
should pass this forthcoming session. The entries will be judged on
the basis of clear and compelling messages, memorable content and
delivery, and creativity. The judging panel will include members of
the League and Governor’s Statewide Youth Council. Go to www.
lwvma.org to view and to enjoy last year’s 3 winning videos!
Dedicated to having
you as a
happy shopper!
...and to being of service
to our community.
January 2015 | 3
News Summary...
The Work of the League of Women Voters of the United States
Voter Registration: As part of the League’s longstanding commitment to voter registration
among high school students, the League just updated its training manual for conducting effective
high school voter registration drives. The Wellesley League has benefited from this manual in
reaching out to schools within and beyond our borders.
Access to the Polls: The National League is continuing to work on ensuring free and fair access to
the polls for all eligible voters.
Money & Elections: The League is working to encourage the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to address the US
Supreme Court’s decision 5 years ago in Citizens United. Specifically, the League is focusing on:
• Improving disclosure - Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that disclosure permits citizens and
shareholders to react to corporate entities’ speech in a proper way. The League agrees that citizens should know
who is trying to influence their votes. Toward that end, the League continues working for passage of the DISCLOSE ACT.
•
- Connecticut, Maine and Arizona have had success in public financing in the areas of state house and statewide elections. The League believes public financing is the best longterm solution to removing “big money” from politics. It continues to look for ways to limit the size and type of
contributions to combat undue influence in the election process.
• Strengthening Regulations on Coordination - The FEC is in charge of federal campaign finance laws
and can work to define the term coordination in a way that cuts back on expenditures that are called independent yet involve coordination with candidate campaigns. The League is urging the FEC to take meaningful steps
to re-define the term.
• Voting - Voter turnout needs to increase, and communities need to combat the undue influence of money in
our political system. Towards this end, the League is working with particular vigor to improve voter turnout and
to engage communities in the issue of money in politics.
State & Local Races: With much media attention focused on the presidential election in 2016, the League is encouraging voter education in the areas of state and local races and on officials who set the policy and tone for law enforcement in
particular.
Environment: The League is urging the federal government to tackle one of our global society’s greatest challenges by
encouraging clean energy, setting limits on carbon pollution from new and existing power plants, and helping third-world
countries also tackle the challenges of climate change. To become more fluent on climate change, read clear, brief write-ups
on climate science, energy, economics, ethics, health, and national security within the League’s “toolkit,” available at www.
lwv.org. Also, the League is vigorously supporting limits on methane emissions from new and existing sources within the
oil and gas industry.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
For all your real estate needs buying, selling or relocating
SANDY AVELLONE
A Personal Approach,
A Name You Can Trust
4 | January 2015
781-910-5777
www.sandyavellone.com
[email protected]
ALICE HANLON PEISCH
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
14TH NORFOLK DISTRICT
State House Room 36
Boston, MA 02133
[email protected]
State House Room 36
Tel: 617-722-2320
Fax: 617-722-2415
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
MASSACHUSETTS SENATE
Senator Cynthia Stone Creem
First Middlesex and Norfolk District
State House, Room 405
Boston, MA 02133
www.MAsenate.gov
Tel: 617-722-1639
Fax: 617-722-1266
[email protected]
LWVW Membership Renewal Form
2014-15
_______________________________________________
NAME (S)
_______________________________________________
ADDRESS
ZIP CODE
_______________________________________________
PHONE
_______________________________________________
EMAIL (To be used for LWV/LWVW sponsored mail)
Please check here if you do not want your email
address included in our directory for members
Membership Dues: October 1, 2014 - September 30, 2015
$50 Individual Membership
$20 Student Membership
$75 Household Membership (2 members at the same address)
PROUDLY SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1904
579 Washington Street | Wellesley | 781.235.0688
Diamonds & Fine Jewelry
21 Grove Street, Wellesley Square
781.235.2029
A Family Tradition of Excellence Since 1947
•••
Wellesley Gas
431 Worcester Street | 781-235-9000
Wellesley Gulf
461 Worcester Street | 781-235-9290
State Inspections
Service & Maintenance
Donation to support our Wellesley League’s work
$50
Other $__________
Please make your check payable to
“LWV of Wellesley”
and mail it to:
LWVW Membership,
6 Monroe Road,
Wellesley, MA 02481
Membership dues and contributions to the LWV
are not tax deductible.
I would like to be involved with/know more about:
Program planning and policy issues
Voter services activities
Precinct meetings and town affairs.
I would like to invite friends and neighbors to join us.
Please send information about the LWVW and an invitation to upcoming programs to the following friends/
neighbors:
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
January 2015 | 5
6 | January 2015
®
THE BULLETIN
OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WELLESLEY
www.lwvwellesley.org, www.lwvma.org, and www.lwv.org
League of Women Voters
6 Monroe Avenue
Wellesley,
LWVMA
W02481
Invites Membership
lwvwellesley.org
to Tour Green Home
September 2009
Join us at Noon on Friday, September 25th
for
Lunch With...
Sunday, November 1
4 PM - 6 PM
51 Avon Road
SENATOR CYNTHIA CREEM
and
REPRESENTATIVE ALICE PEISCH
at
Wine/Cider and Cheese Reception
See Page 3 for more details
Janet Pattillo’s
7 Allen Road
Wellesley
NON-PARTISAN • CIVIC-MINDED • ACTION-ORIENTED
781-237-8527
Email questions for discussion to Jean Childs:
[email protected]
Welcome to a new League year! We should be busy
this year and hope that we can get more League members
involved in our activities. By now you should have gotten your dues renewal letter and are aware that we will
th
, a Lunch
with both Sen. Cynthia Creem and Rep. Alice Peisch.
Look inside for more information about time and place
but be prepared to bring questions. This is also an ideal
opportunity to bring new neighbors or friends to a League
meeting so they can get an idea of what we do.
Bring your own lunch. Drinks will be provided
Presidents’ Letter
Save these Dates!
within the next few weeks, we do know there will be
both a Special Senate Primary (Dec. 8th) and a Special
Senate Election (Jan. 19th) to prepare for. In Wellesley,
we have already scheduled a voter’s registration day at
the HS. We also have a date set to start planning for
our February Meet the Candidates Night! Lots of help
is needed so join us if you can.
7 am - 8 pm
Thursday, April 9
LWVW Board Meeting
Home of Jean Childs
37 Old Farm Road
7 pm
12:30 pm
Monday, March 30
Spring Town Meeting Begins
Wellesley Middle School
Since a top priority for the LWV is informing voters
Over the
summer,
a
small
group
got
together to try
and encouraging them to vote,
late
Fall/earl
y
winter
will
to
do
some
planning
for
a
more
focused
look at an imbe an unusually active election season. While it unclear
portant
issue
in
Town.
We
came
to
the
conclusion that
if the law to appoint an interim US Senator will change
Continued on page 3
12:30 pm
7:30 pm
The Bulletin
Tuesday, March 3
Town Election Day
Thursday, February 26
Meet the Candidates Night
Wakelin Room, Wellesley Main Library
is published bi-monthly (5 times each year, September-May) by The League
of Women Voters of Wellesley, MA. This is issue #1.
To submit material for The Bulletin, e-mail Jackie Hatch at jmhatch1@
comcast.ne
t.
The submission deadline for the next Bulletin is Friday, November th.
League of Women Voters - Wellesley
Page 1
Thursday, February 12
LWVW Board Meeting
Home of Irene Flint
6 Hopewell Farm Road, Natick
Thursday, March 26 & Sunday, March 29
Town Meeting Prep Sessions
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Wednesday, January 28
Panel Discussion:
7 - 9 pm
“Effect of Economic Inequality on Civic Participation”
Bentley’s Wilder Pavilion
175 Forest Street, Waltham
September 2009
Monday, March 9
LWVW Board Meeting
Home of Anne Rippy Turtle
65 Old Farm Road
Monday, January 26 - POSTPONED. New date TBD
LWVW Book Group
7:30 pm
Home of Althea Gliick
8 Bancroft Road
7:30 pm
Friday, March 6
Action Lunch Re: Spring Town Meeting
Location: TBD
LWVW Calendar of Events
12 - 2 pm
January 2015 – April 2015