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| The Nashville Voter
Volume 75, No 8-- August 2022
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| Welcome to this issue of the LWVN Voter. You'll notice that the Emma page design allows you to access the LWVN Calendar by pressing a button at the top of the page!
Please note, you can increase your screen size within your personal information manager (i.e., Microsoft Outlook). In the Microsoft Outlook Message Bar at the top of the e-mail page, choose "Other Actions'' and then in the dropdown menu choose "Zoom." The Zoom window allows you to increase the file size; try 140% for easier onscreen reading.
Also, please note that if you want to share/forward this newsletter to others, you MUST click on the envelope icon at the upper right side of this emailed version.
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September 21st at 1:00pm. League of Women Voters of Williamson County: Mechatronics and Blue Oval City, TN. Please join us to hear from Kevin Sizemore, Fairview High School Mechatronics instructor, about this exciting field of industry combining mechanical, electrical and computer engineering. Register here: https://brentwood-tn.libcal.com/event/9535695
September 17th from 9:00am to 4:00 pm. Tennessee Health Care Campaign's 2022 Health Policy Conference: Building Bridges to Health Care Access. This conference will feature sessions on the state of mental health and maternal health access in Tennessee, updates on TennCare enrollment and ACA premium assistance, & strategies for strengthening the coalition for Medicaid expansion advocacy in 2023. Attend in person at Nashville School of Law or via Zoom. https://tnhealthcarecampaign.org/2022-annual-advocacy-conference/
October 7th at Noon. Hot Topic: Health and Houseless Concerns in Nashville. Healthcare/Public Health Co-Chairs Constance Caldwell and Clare Sullivan will discuss health and houseless concerns in Nashville. Stay tuned for registration details.
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| The Board is already busy with plans for the upcoming year! I am excited and inspired by all the effort everyone has put forth so far! If you are interested in getting more involved email me at Lwebbteacher@gmail.com. Many of the board members are looking for volunteers or committee members to help them with initiatives.
Voter turnout numbers for the August primary election were disappointing. With the midterms coming soon, we will focus on efforts to increase participation. We have upcoming voter registration events, and we will use those events for voter outreach and education including promoting VOTE 411.
Please reach out if you have suggestions or ideas!
President
Lara Webb
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Health Care/Public Health Committee
By Constance Caldwell and Claire Sullivan
Lest We Forget
The last three years have been filled with medical mysteries, confusion and a general layer of public anxiety. Currently, the reversal of Roe vs. Wade by the Supreme Court has spawned speculations, heightened emotions and encouraged groups to strategize on that ruling. COVID-19 and its variants continue to remain in the forefront and on the minds of many citizens. Climate change and all of its associated weather-related abnormalities have captured our attention. The appearance of Monkey Pox in the nation and state gives pause for concern. Dangerous and illegal drugs continue to flow in our streets.
Lest we forget, there is another malady that may have been forgotten but is closer to us than we think. Health professionals and epidemiologists are warning of a significant showing of Influenza this Fall. In the United States on last year, we experienced fewer flu cases than any year recorded. Contributing to this was the fact that most of us wore masks, practiced social distancing, avoided the use of mass transportation and chose to stay at home in order to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
It is speculated that because of limited influenza exposure, the general public does not have the natural immunity it showed pre-pandemic. Regardless of this, we are reminded that Influenza can be deadly, especially for children and the elderly. We are encouraged to practice the same safety measures we learned as we sought to prevent spread of the coronavirus. Another effective tool is the Influenza vaccine. If you are able, please take this preferably between September and October. Another COVID booster is expected to be available around the same time and we are encouraged to take both. These can be administered at the same time. Please consult with your health care provider should you have concerns.
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An invitation to the Tennessee Health Care Campaign's 2022 Health Policy Conference: Building Bridges to Health Care Access
The Tennessee Health Care Campaign is a long-term partner of the League of Women Voters Tennessee. THCC is thrilled to be hosting their annual conference back in person at the Nashville School of Law and encouraging League members from across the state to participate. The 2022 Tennessee Health Care Campaign (THCC) Annual Advocacy Conference will feature sessions on the state of mental health and maternal health access in Tennessee, updates on TennCare enrollment and ACA premium assistance, & strategies for strengthening the coalition for Medicaid expansion advocacy in 2023.
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Hot Topics
By Karen Wieckert and Melissa Hanson
Several potential First Friday topics were offered by attendees of the August 5 First Friday, and Karen and Melissa will be following up with various subject matter experts on recycling, landfills, public health, women's reproductive health and the impacts to the labor market and child care support services to get these great informational speakers scheduled on the LWVN Hot Topic calendar in the upcoming months.
We're also looking forward to the September 2 Hot Topic, when Angie Emery Henderson (District 34), Chair of Metro Council’s Charter Revision Committee, will present on "Sidewalks, Trees & AirBnbs -- Local Policy-Making in the Shadow of the USA's 2nd-Most Preemptive State Legislature." This presentation and opportunity for Q&A promises to be an informative look at the local legislative process intersection with the Tennessee Legislature on a variety of measures that have gained the public spotlight.
Reminder:
October Hot Topic: Health and Houseless Concerns in Nashville. October 7th at Noon. Healthcare/Public Health Co-Chairs Constance Caldwell and Clare Sullivan will discuss health and houseless concerns in Nashville. Stay tuned for registration details.
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Environment Committee
By Russanne Buchi-Fotre and Kalen Russell
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 passing the Senate is a major breakthrough. Funding for clean energy, climate resiliency, and investment in underserved communities goes a long way in fulfilling our country’s moral responsibility to take action on global warming.
Thanks to all those who have been engaged in seeing this process through but know that there is more work to be done to ensure the safety of our climate.
Please stay involved!
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Metro Council Meeting
By Pat McCauley and Jack McFadden
Metropolitan Benefit Board
A resolution requesting that the Metropolitan Employee Benefit Board assess the current availability of benefits providing transportation, accommodation, and related costs to obtain medical treatment unavailable in Tennessee; and to extend such coverage if not currently provided. Passed and was finalized.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
A resolution accepting a grant, not to exceed $500,000, from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to the Davidson County Juvenile Court, to develop and implement a specialized court to serve children zero through thirty-six months.
2 ordinances were passed regarding License Plate Readers (LPRs).
- An ordinance passed on first reading to exclude assisting with enforcing laws outlawing abortion or outlawing interstate travel to obtain an abortion as an allowed use of LPRs.
- An ordinance passed on second reading to exclude assisting federal immigration enforcement with identifying, apprehending, detaining, or removing people for purposes of immigration enforcement as an allowed use of LPRs. In keeping with state and federal law LPR could still be used to verify or report a person’s immigration status.
A six month LPR pilot has been approved, but has not started.
Waste Transfer
A resolution requesting the creation of a taskforce to initiate a study to determine the five most probable locations for potential waste transfer stations within the county. Deferred one meeting. Rejected by the Transportation Committee that felt it was a time waster. In 18 months, Nashville currently has no place to send its waste. Nashville is unable to have its own landfill because of its geology, being in a basin and having not much topsoil.
RNC convention
3 bills pertaining to the 2024 Republican Convention were processed at 8/02/22 meeting. Lots of rules used to not spend time discussing it. One was indefinitely deferred. One was withdrawn. And the third went straight to voting. Votes were 10 Yes, 22 No, 3 Abstain. Bill failed.
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Williamson County Update
By Bette Holmes
Mechatronics has been called the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Ford Motor Company is building Blue Oval City in West Tennessee bringing 5,800 jobs using this new technology. Please join us to hear from Kevin Sizemore, Fairview High School Mechatronics instructor, about this exciting field of industry combining mechanical, electrical and computer engineering.
Registering on the September calendar page of the John P. Holt Brentwood Library will assure your email receipt of the Zoom link to LWVWC’s meeting on Wednesday, September 21st from 1-2 p.m.
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Membership Committee
By Reba Holmes
Annual Membership Drive
Our annual membership drive continues…
Membership allows you to share a year’s worth of experiences promoting democracy, educating others in the community, participating in political discourse, and registering new voters, to name a few. Plus, the annual membership includes membership to the national, state, and local LWV organizations.
We Are Looking For Volunteers
We are thrilled to announce that we have established a Membership Committee to provide guidance during the annual membership drive and develop other vital programs related to membership. We invite you to join the new committee to serve as a communication lead, recruiting lead, social media lead, etc.
Membership Committee Job Description:
- The committee will provide a strategic vision to increase membership, focusing on effective, comprehensive growth, new member integration, and membership retention.
- Develop a program designed to mentor new members, specifically young adult members
- Increase awareness regarding the League throughout our community by working with other portfolio managers to develop a communication and outreach program
- Develop annual renewal implementation procedures, timeline, communication, and follow-up
- Develop a strategy to recruit potential members across various demographics
Work in partnership with other portfolio managers, e.g., Voter Services, Education, Metro Council, etc.
Meeting Schedule: The initial meeting will be held in October via Zoom. We will meet monthly after the first meeting.
If you are interested in serving on the committee please send an email expressing your interest to lwvnash@gmail.com.
Share Your Comments
We want to hear from you. Share your comments regarding why join the League of Women Voters, Protecting Voting Rights, Fairness in Voting, etc. Email your comments to lwvnash@gmail.com.
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Please let us know if there is a death in your family so that the membership may be aware of your loss.
Thank you!
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| Stay Informed about Upcoming Calendar Events!
If you get the electronic version of the Voter, we want you to know that the upcoming calendar events are available on our wonderful, new website – www.lwvnashville.org. On The calendar scrolls on the events of the current and upcoming events thanks to Tracy Depp, who keeps the calendar current. If you haven’t taken a look, do so to make sure you mark your calendar so you won’t miss a thing!
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ATTENTION: The Nashville Voter is a digital publication. If you have received this copy of the Voter in the mail, it means the League of Women Voters of Nashville does not have an e-mail address for you. Please help us by sending your e-mail address to LWVNash@gmail.com. Being on the LWVN e-mail database ensures your receipt of all LWVN newsletters, event invitations, meeting announcements, and Call to Action alerts.
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| 2022-2023 LWVN Board of Directors
Co-Presidents: Lara Webb
Immediate Past President: Madeline Garr
1st Vice Presidents: Melissa Hanson and Karen Weickert
Secretary: Elise Lamar
Treasurer Susan Mattson
Portfolio Chairs
Communications: Ophelia Doe
Community Connections: Sabina Mohyuddin and Katelyn Benhoff
Education: La'Kisha Harris and Harper-Grace Niedermeyer
Environment: Russanne Buchi-Fotre and Kalen Russell
Health Care/Public Health: Constance Caldwell and Clare Sullivan
Membership: Reba Holmes
Metro Government: Pat McCauley and Jack McFadden
Voter Services: Beth Gordon and Emily Grohs
Williamson County Representative: June Bond
Nominating Committee Chair: Senator Brenda Gilmore
Nominating Committee Members: Betsy Walkup, Constance Caldwell, Hasina Mohyuddin, June Bond, and Brenda Wynn
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