League of Women Voters - Greater Omaha

A non-partisan political organization open to all citizens age 18 or older.

May, 2008

Volume 50, No 11

League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha

Annual Meeting

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Champions Run

13800 Eagle Run Drive

9:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

9:15 a.m. Registration and Coffee

9:30 a.m. Business Meeting

11:30 a.m. Luncheon and Program

Speaker: Dr. Sam Walker

Professor Emeritus, UNO Criminal Justice Dept.

Topic: Omaha's Police Problem in a National Perspective

$18.00 per person

All League members, spouses, and other guests are invited to attend.

(You and/or guests may come at 11:30 for just the luncheon and program.)

The reservation deadline is Tuesday, April 15.

See page 2 and flyer.

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES FORUM

The League of Women Voters together with National Council of Jewish Women is hosting a forum for the Congressional candidates on Sunday, April 13, at 2:00 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 333 South 132nd Street. Our four congressional candidates have been invited. Bring some good questions. Hope to see you there!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sunday, April 13, 2:00 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 333 S. 132 St.: Congressional candidates forum. See above.

Saturday, April 19, 9:15 a.m., Champion’s run Pavilion: LWVGO Annual Meeting. See above, page 2 and flyer.

Saturday, April 26, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Lewis and Clark Middle School: Omaha Peace and Justice Expo, Keynote Speaker: Sam Daley-Harris

Saturday, April 26, 10:00 a.m., Confluence Book Store, 505 Cornhusker Road, Suite 107, Bellevue, NE 68005: LWVNE Annual Meeting (2008 Council). See flyer page 6.

Saturday, May 3, 9:00 a.m. to noon, Location information removed from web copy. Board orientation meeting.

Tuesday, May 13, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Location information removed from web copy. Reading Resource Group. See page 3.

June 13-17, Portland Oregon: LWVUS National Convention. “Reaching New Heights Together”

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

It's always interesting to see what Leagues in other places are doing. That's the main reason I enjoy national and state meetings, and one reason I attended the candidates' forum on March 31presented by the Lincoln-Lancaster County League of Women Voters. I counted seven television cameras set up around the room and perhaps 100 spectators for the Pat Flynn - Mike Johanns forum. It was a friendly debate, the sort of thing you'd expect from Nebraskans. It was also illuminating; I felt it gave me an excellent picture of these two gentlemen.

As you probably know, we will be presenting a forum as well - very soon in fact. I sincerely hope you can make it to the 2:00 p.m. forum on Sunday, April 13, at the Jewish Community Center. My thanks to Barbara R. for all her work on this, and for the National Council of Jewish Women and B'Nai B'Rith, our co-sponsors.

These days it's unusual to hear of a surplus, especially in any of our government entities, but that's just what we had coming out of the '07 - '08 LWVGO budget, so I ordered 1,000 LWVGO pens. When you check in at our annual meeting you'll be given one; you are welcome to keep it and use it or you can give it to a prospective member along with a membership application. Muriel Frank gives them out to our newest citizens every couple of weeks when she attends the Naturalization ceremonies. She reports they're very much appreciated. One man returned breathlessly to retrieve his when he realized he'd set it down and forgotten it.

Many thanks to Hedy A., our host for the May 3 board orientation meeting. If anyone has anything they'd like to see brought up at that meeting please contact me. Thanks for all you do.

Linda D.

“Omaha Police Problem in a National Perspective”

All across the country, cities are experimenting with exciting innovations related to gun violence and police misconduct. Many of these programs have been independently evaluated and found to be effective.

Unfortunately, none of these programs is to be found in Omaha. Our city has a very serious problem regarding gun violence and police accountability. And even though those problems are concentrated in certain parts of our community, they affect all of us in many ways. The unpleasant fact is that Omaha has fallen behind and failed to keep up with the newest developments.

Based on my work with police departments and other officials around the country, I would like to describe some of the exciting innovations related to gun violence and police accountability. I will conclude with the outlines of a plan for how Omaha can get back on track.

Sam Walker

CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF BETTY GODREY

from Pat G.

Long-time League member Betty Godrey died on March 25. She moved to Omaha from Fresno, California about four years ago to live near her son. The family previously lived in New Jersey where Betty was an activist and leader in the League of Women Voters, which she continued after the family’s move to Fresno. In Omaha she kept abreast of issues, played a marvelous game of bridge, and seldom missed performances by the symphony or exhibits at the Joslyn even though she had celebrated her ninetieth birthday. The last League meeting she attended in Omaha dealt with the Consensus on Immigration. Betty was a sharp thinker and arrived at defendable opinions on most League-presented issues, which she thoroughly enjoyed discussing.

VOTER REGISTRATION

With the primary just around the corner, we are receiving requests from organizations to have Voter Registration at their events.

If you can help at any of these events please contact Marilyn R. or Marianne C. Contact information removed from web copy.

READING RESOURCE GROUP

On Tuesday April 8th the book group will discuss chapters 1-3 of Journey Into Islam: The Crisis of Globalization by Akbar Ahmed. Chapters 4-6 and the epilogue will be discussed on Tuesday May 13th. Four copies of this selection are in the Omaha Public Library collection. Copies are available for purchase at The Bookworm in Countryside Village; a 20% discount is given if you identify yourself as a book group member. The book may also be purchased online and at other stores, as readers prefer.

Book Study meetings are open to every League member; guests are welcome. Elouise G. hosts the gatherings, which begin at 7p.m. Kathy D. and Anne S. serve as coordinators. LWV-GO members are invited to contact either Kathy or Anne additional information. Contact information removed from web copy.

At the beginning of the April meeting members will decide whether or not to meet during the summer. Participants will also discuss options for the next selection. If you want to suggest a book please bring this basic information to the meeting: title, author, synopsis of the book and/or review(s) of it, availability at the public library, cost if purchased. (If you cannot attend the April meeting you may send the information to Anne or Kathy.)

Omaha Peace and Justice Expo

Saturday, April 26, 2008

9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Lewis and Clark Middle School

Keynote Speaker:

Sam Daley-Harris

LWV is where hands on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement.

LWV is where citizens like you are actively engaged in

effecting change on the local, state, and national level.

LWV is an organization where smart, active leaders work to create change in their communities

The community needs everyone to participate in order to be a strong, safe, fair and vibrant placer to live.

LWV is involved in shaping the important issues to keep our community strong

LWV offers a whole new world of opportunities to apply the

skills and smarts you've accumulated during a successful career

As an LWV member, you have the opportunity to contribute in a leadership role

through the organization that has a great impact on on local, state and even national issues.

THINK BEFORE YOU INK!!!

Your signature is valuable!

Consider those petitions before you sign!

The League of Women Voters of Nebraska encourages its members and the public to be alert when they are asked to sign initiative petitions.

You will be asked to sign a variety of initiative petitions. Some circulators will ask you to sign a petition, "just to get it on the ballot so people can vote on it."

Your signature is valuable. Only sign an initiative petition that you believe belongs on the ballot.

Here are six questions to help you make up your mind about an initiative petition:

Is it complex? Some issues can be decided by a simple yes or no vote, but complex issues may need to be thoroughly examined in a legislative arena.

Is it confusing? Only sign an initiative petition that you understand.

Does it belong in the Constitution? If an initiative amends the Constitution, consider whether the change is fundamental law or can be better addressed through legislation.

What would be the effects if passed? Are there existing laws already in place so that an amendment is unnecessary? What purpose will it serve?

Who is behind it? You can find out who are the real sponsors and opponents of a petition. Are the major sponsors and supporters Nebraskans? Contribution and expenditure reports are available through the Election Division of the NE Secretary of State’s office at (402) 471-2555

Before you sign, ask to see identification of a signature gatherer. Paid signature gatherers are required to carry a card issued by the Secretary of State. Volunteers have a different card also issued by the Secretary of State. You can request and view the identification of signature gatherers to assure they are legitimate.

Be sure you want a petition issue on the ballot

before you sign your name.

Think before you ink! And spread the word!