1

The VOTER Tyler /

Smith

County

League of League of League of League of

Women Women Women Women

Voters Voters Voters Voters

MissionMissionMissionMission

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that works to promote political responsibility through informed participation of all citizens in their government. The League does not support or oppose any political party or any candidate. It publishes factual information to help prepare citizens to cast informed votes.

The League does take action on selected governmental issues that members have studied.

See pages 4-5 of

this VOTER for information

relating to the

May 17 annual

business meeting:

slate and

proposed

budgets

April– May 2014

61st LWV Annual Meeting Set for May 17

S aturday, May 17 League members have a great opportunity for fellowship and good food and

atmosphere, as we meet to consider and approve

plans for the next League year.

Business Meeting: • Elect a Board of Directors for 2014-2016 (see

page 4) • Adopt an operating budget for fiscal year 2015

(see p. 5) • Vote on retention of current positions on local

issues: Public Library Services and Single Mem-ber Districts.

• Vote on status of Study on Transportation

Lunch: As with last year, we order from the menu and re-ceive individual tickets with a 15% gratuity added. Please RSVP so that there is adequate seating.

Saturday

May 17 11 am—2 pm

Cheng’s China Bistro

3300 Troup Hwy.

Forum for Local Candidates Set for April 21-Judy Holmes, Chair

Please come promptly at

11 am so that you can order your lunch

before the meeting starts.

PLEASE RSVP to:

linda15262000@yahoo.com

Or 903-526-3848

Candidates for four op-

posed races for Tyler city and

school offices will face off

April 21 at a League forum at

the Tyler Public Library.

These candidates invited

to participate:

Tyler Mayor:

Martin Heines, Joel Rando

Tyler City Council Place 4:

Eleno Licea, Don Warren

TISD Trustee Place 2:

Orenthia Mason,

Cedrick Granberry

TISD Trustee Place 4:

Ross Strader, Barbara A. Smith

Panelists are LWV Presi-

dent Mary Claire Rowe,

Tyler Morning Tele-

graph’s Roy Maynard, and TJC’s

Kevin Dilley. Moderator is Janice

Caldwell, Lindale HS debate coach

and TJC adjunct professor.

The moderator will take ques-

tions from the audience, selected

by a League screening panel.

Don’t miss this opportunity to

learn more about those seeking to

serve in municipal and school of-

fices.

Monday April 21, 7 pm

FORUM: Candidates

for Tyler City Council

and TISD Trustees

Tyler Public Library

201 South College

You are invited to not

attend the St. Patrick’s

Day festival!

By now you should

have received your

invitation to not attend the St. Pat’s

event.

Help LWV-Tyler/Smith

County find the pot of gold

at the end of the

rainbow. Send your

check today. Just

respond quickly,

and

you will be helping to

Make Democracy Work!

How is Smith County caring for the needs and providing for essential services for the 18,000 veterans living here? Do we offer help with jobs, medical services, counseling, hous-ing, and education? Do we have enough agencies and organi-zations taking on these important tasks? Do we have too many? Are these efforts coordinated?

These questions and their answers will be among those covered in the April 28 LWV-TSC discussion meeting at 7:00 pm, in the Genecov Room at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. Lynne Spivey, an active volunteer in veterans' issues here in Smith County, will convene a panel of top leaders to share a wide spectrum of activities and needs here. You will want to take part in this discussion!

April Member Policy Discussion to Focus on Veterans

Monday

April 28 7 pm

Genecov Room

315 North Broadway

See Election Calendar page 7

Janice Caldwell Moderator

2

The LWV-TSC board recently

appointed Annah Wright and De-

trese Harkey to the 2013-14 Board

of Directors, to serve through end

of the fiscal year May 31. Both also

have agreed to be on the ballot to

serve another term in FY 2014-15.

Annah Wright and husband

John joined the League in 2012.

They have lived in

Tyler since 1978

and are both re-

tired. Annah

worked for ETMC

before teaching

for TISD. She en-

joys travel and

spent time this past summer with

their son who lives in Germany.

Anna also belongs to AAUW and is

especially interested in the LWV's

involvement with "The Great Deci-

sions" program. On the board she

will support Program VP Dee Brock

as Program Assistant.

Detrese Harkey is

a recent first time

member of LWV,

but has jumped in

to assist in many

areas. Harkey has

lived in Tyler since

1999. She has a BS

in business and is working on her

masters in social work from

Stephen F. Austin University. She

says that her League interests are

fund raising and marketing, a real

bonus for our organization.

These two women promise to

bring fresh insights and first-rate

skills to LWV leadership.

The Tyler VOTER

President’s Podium: Year’s End Doesn’t Mean Work Is Done This newsletter issue is the final one before

our next fiscal year begins June 1. Time has flown by this year. My first year as president has been full of experiences and opportunities that I might not have had otherwise.

During this year of learning more about the League, I still couldn’t find my way around with-out those who are truly the backbone of this or-ganization. All our LWV members need to sit in on a board meeting and experience the intense in-terest and dedication of those who serve.

Please consider serving on next year’s board. Board members attend one meeting per month and may serve on committees such as mem-bership, voters service, public policy issues, fund raising, public relations, or some special project. The slate still has openings.

Also, if you have not already done so, please respond to the St. Patrick’s Day non-event by

making a donation to LWV-Tyler or the tax-deductible LWV-TEF. These funds are critical to maintain our connections to the community: web site, post office box, newslet-ter, telephone, and other services.

Hope to see you all at the No-Agenda Lunch April 9, and make plans to attend the annual business meeting May 17. The April 28 pro-gram on service to veterans is a timely look at how well we give back to those who serve our country. Bring a friend to any of these to help expand our mem-bership and circle of supporters.

Local elections are fast approaching, so plan to attend the candidate forum April 21.

Thanks to the board and the membership for making such a difference.

Mary ClaireMary ClaireMary ClaireMary Claire

Organization & Membership News: Linda Sharp Organization VP

LWV-Tyler Diversity Policy

The League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith

County, in both its values and practices, affirms its belief and commitment to diversity and pluralism, which means that there shall be no barriers to participation in any activity of the LWV-Tyler on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability.

The LWV-Tyler/Smith County recognizes that diverse perspectives are important and necessary for responsible and representative decision making. LWV-Tyler/Smith Countysubscribes to the belief that diversity and pluralism are fundamental to the values it upholds and that this inclusiveness enhances the organization's ability to respond more effectively to changing conditions and needs.

LWV-Tyler/Smith County affirms its commitment to reflecting the diversity of Americans in its board and programs.

Board Appoints Two New Members—Welcome! No-Agenda Lunch Set for April 8

Members can sample tasty Greek dishes at a new restau-rant, talk with friends, and dis-cuss issues of the day.

Sound like a nice way to spend your lunch time?

RSVP to peggydowning@live.com

Or 903-283-0483

Linda Sharp

Sue Barham would brave

these cold temperatures

heroic women who gave

the suffrage movement

TSC Sees

recognized by LWVUS

Athena Greek Restaurant

1601 West SW Loop 323

These four dele-

gates will repre-

sent LWV-TSC at

the LWV-Texas

Convention April

25-27,2014

Mary Claire Rowe Peggy Downing Detrese Harkey Dee Brock

Friday-Sunday April 25-27 Austin Doubletree

LWV-Texas Convention

3

The Tyler VOTER

Detrese Harkey

Detrese Harkey

has lived in Tyler

since 1999. She

has a BS in business and is work-

ing on her masters in social work

from Stephen F. Austin University.

Detrese

Worked for

Threlkeld

Insurance

Company for

several

years, she

also attends

College Hill

Baptist Church where she sings in

the choir, is a youth sponsor,

teaches Sunday school, and works

on several different committees

with in the church. She enjoys

helping others. Detrese works

within the Tyler community with

several organizations, including

Civitan, Secretary of the A. Philip

Randolph Institute, on the board

of NAACP and the Christian

Women’s Job Corps.

Detrese believes in “each one

reach one,” meaning it is impor-

tant to educate others on voting

rights and the reasons for voting.

Mary Elizabeth Jackson joined

LWV-Tyler in the mid-1990s. She

also was a pre-

senter in the

superb League-

sponsored semi-

nar targeting

women as candi-

dates for office:

“Getting Her in Office.”

Jackson is President of the

Trinity-Mother Frances Founda-

tion, where she oversees public

and community health initiatives.

She is CEO of Tyler Family Circle of

Care. Prior to TMFHC, she owned

her own communications consult-

ing firm and has broad experience

with media relations, strategic

planning, fund raising, and media-

tion. She served as 2013 President

of the Tyler Area Chamber of

Commerce.

Jackson holds a BS degree

from UT Austin and a Masters

from UT Tyler. She has served on

the Texas Board of Nursing Exam-

iners representing consumers, on

Kiwanis International, and Leader-

ship Texas.

Rubye Kendrick is a physical

therapist specializing in geriatric

medicine. She has been employed

by The Clair-

mont Tyler

and Acceler-

ated Care

Plus. She

joined the

League be-

cause she

wanted a source to learn more

about politics and issues, as well

as to be able to educate others

about the political process and

voting rights. She has a MS from

University of Maryland and a BS in

physical therapy from UT Medical

Branch in Galveston.

Membership News: Meet New Members Peggy Downing, Membership Director

Add these new members to

your member handbook:

Detrese Harkey

3206 Old Jacksonville Hwy.

Tyler, TX 75701

903-245-9695

detreseharkey@gmail.com

Mary Elizabeth Jackson 11130 CR 494

Tyler TX 75706

372-4624 (c) 882-4822 (h)

jacksom@tmfhs.org

531 4788 or 525 1206 (w)

Rubye Kendrick 2875 Latosha Lane

Tyler 75706

903-526-4961

rubyej@suddenlink.net

Peggy Downing

Jamal Mohar, owner of the Taxi

Cab Company of Tyler, has

agreed to provide transportation

to the DPS office to secure state-

approved photo IDs, to register,

and to the polls to vote. This service is offered to

people who do not have personal transportation to

these facilities.

This service revives a tradi-

tion of the League from the

1950s, when the taxi company

of that period offered a similar

service for voting and paying

poll tax.

Mohar says he is happy to

provide this service free of

charge. Just call 24-hours in

advance.

Taxi Cab Company of Tyler Offers Voters Free

Rides

Community Relations Yolanda Prince, VP

Seminar: Working With

Victims of Domestic Sex Trafficking:

Saturday, April 5

8am—12:15pm Expert Presenter:

Detective Cristi Bill Phoenix AZ Vice Unit

Tyler Jr. College, Wagstaff Gym

Multipurpose Room

$20/person Contact: Donna Fraser

903-714-7660 Or Register at Door, 7:15-8 am

4

The Tyler VOTER

Nominated for 2013-2014 Year

OFFICERS

Program VP (2014-2016) Dee Brock

Voters Service VP (2014-2015)*—Vacant

Organization VP (2014-2016)—Vacant

Treasurer (2014-2016) Scherel Carver

DIRECTORS

Peggy Downing (2014-2016)

Detrese Harkey (2014-2016)

Annah Wright (2014-2015) *

Director #5 Vacant (2014-2016)

*filling an unfinished term

Nominated for the 2014-2015

Nominating Committee:

Chair (2014-15) Toni Ferrell

Member (2014-15) Carol Reynolds

Member (2014-15) Sue Barham

Returning Officers:

President (2013-2015) Mary Claire Rowe

Community Relations VP (2013-2015)

Yolanda Prince

Secretary (2013-2015) Andie Rathbone

Returning Directors:

Director (2013-15) Kristi Roberts Director (2013-15) Mary Vernau

Submitted by 2013-14 Nominating Committee:

Toni Ferrell, Chair

Carole Reynolds Sue Barham

Linda Sharp Scherel Carver

Member Dues Reminder—Spring/Summer 2014

April

Sue Barham/Steve Lander

Myrtha Basile/Max Scott

Barbara Brandon/ Charlotte Clark

Scherel Carver

Toni Ferrell

Roy Stanley

Suzie Tomme

May

Brenda Stratton

June

Barbara Bass

July

Dee Brock

Mary Decker

Shirley & Ed Hightower

Linda Resnik

Brenda McWilliams/Louann Smoot

Margie Victor

Overdue

Kara Camp

Liza Ely

Karena Love

Madeleine Ross

Jamie Womack

Thanks for your prompt response

Send

check to:

P.O. Box 6271P.O. Box 6271P.O. Box 6271P.O. Box 6271

Tyler, TX 75711Tyler, TX 75711Tyler, TX 75711Tyler, TX 75711

$60 IndividualIndividualIndividualIndividual

$90 Two in same HouseholdTwo in same HouseholdTwo in same HouseholdTwo in same Household

$25 StudentStudentStudentStudent

The League of Women Voters is where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic

improvement. Join LWV, where leaders are actively engaged in effecting change at the local, state, and

national levels.

To Join the League:To Join the League:To Join the League:To Join the League:

The 2014 nominating committee submits the leadership slate of nomi-nees at left to serve on the 2014-2015 LWV-Tyler/Smith County Board of Directors. At the appropri-ate time in the Order of Business, any voting member of the League also may nominate a member for any open position, provided that the con-sent of the nominee has been secured in advance. Members also may vol-unteer their own names for consid-eration.

Did You Know? LWV-Tyler/Smith County’s

current membership totals 65. There are 13 households that are multiple-member households, accounting for 25 of the total 65 members. In other words, our membership total repre-sents only 51 households. Seven of those households are located more than 25 miles from Tyler, with five being outside Smith County. One current board member’s household is located more than +35 miles from Tyler, but she works in Tyler every day.

Typically a League Board is comprised of all elected officers and all elected and appointed directors. LWV-Tyler bylaws provide that the new board may appoint up to five

additional directors to serve one-year terms. Three “off-board” members are elected each year to serve as the nominating committee in the year following their election, together with 2 members appointed by the board. A full con-tingent of elected and appointed offi-cers, directors and nominating com-mittee members could total 20—almost half of the member house-holds of LWV-Tyler/Smith County. While more than one member from a household may serve on the Board, we do not have that situation cur-rently.

In addition to those who serve on the board, LWV-Tyler/Smith County has at least 16 members who have accepted significant “off-board” assignments. All of this in-formation demonstrates that a huge percentage of our membership is actively engaged in keeping the or-ganization strong and productive.

Please remember to thank these members who have volunteered

their time and talents to sustain the League’s work in Tyler and Smith

County!

Report of the Nominating Committee 2013-14 Nominating Chair Toni Ferrell

Mail to PO Box 6271, Tyler TX 75711

5

The Tyler VOTER

Members to Adopt Year’s Budget at Annual Meeting

INCOME-TEF

Restricted: Voter Service - YEOs 200.00

Voters Service State Voters Guide 400.00

VS - Debates, forums 200.00

Restricted: Commun Rel. Proj A 500.00

Commun. Community Rel. Proj. B 500.00

Relations CR Special Project C 500.00

Restricted: Citizen Info Proj Prog #2 500.00

Program Program Project #3 500.00

Grant-Program #4 500.00

Sub-Tot. Restricted –3800.00 0

Donations-General 2070.00

Total TEF Income 5870.00

EXPENSES

Member Dues National member dues 760.00

State member dues 510.00

Total Member Dues 1270.00

Meetings TEF Workshops 100.00

Total Meetings 100.00

Voters Educational YEO 250.00

Service Debates, forums 100.00

VS Brochures 200.00

State Voters Guides 400.00

Mail Ed. Publications 100.00

Total Voters Service 1050.00

Community Financial development 150.00

Relations CR Special Project A 500.00

Special CR Project B 500.00

CR Grant Project C 500.00

Tot. Commun. Relations 1850.00

Program Program Project #2 500.00

Citizen Info Prog project #3 500.00

Program Project #4 500.00

Publications purchased 100.00

Total Program 1600.00 Total TEF Expenses 5870.00

Women’s Equality Day 200.00

INCOME-TSC

Special Grant-Program #1 500.00

Dues 3000.00

Interest 15.00

Donations-General 4685.00

Total INCOME 8200.00

EXPENSES

Member National member dues 760.00

Dues State member dues 510.00

Total Member Dues 1270.00

Meetings,

Conventions

Annual Meeting 200.00

National Convention 2014 800.00

State Lobby Day 2015 700.00

Workshops 300.00

Tot Meetings, Convs. 2000.00

Voters

Service

Debates, forum, voter regis 50.00

Educational Publications 100.00

Total Voters Service 150.00

Community

Relations

Public ity 100.00

Financial development 200.00

Web site IPS fee 75.00

Tot Commun Relatns 375.00

Program Action/Advocacy 200.00

Great Decisions 100.00

Observer Corps 50.00

Library Services—SALT 200.00

Program-General 200.00

Program-Handouts 100.00

Publications Purchased 100.00

LWVUS Program Project #1 500.00

Total Program 1450.00

Organiza-

tion

Records preservation 50.00

Print VOTER 250.00

Mail VOTER 75.00

Membership 200.00

Mail to members 75.00

TOTAL Organization 650.00

Administra-

tive

Audit 50.00

Bank fee 40.00

Board tools 60.00

Board training 100.00

Liability Insurance 425.00

POBox, bulk permit 280.00

Supplies, postage 100.00

Telephone 250.00

Total Administrative 1305.00

Total EXPENSES 7200.00

To Reserves 1000.00

Total OUTLAY 8200.00

Recommended Budgets If approved in April by the board, this LWV-TSC budget will be adopted by members at annual meeting May 17. Members do not vote on the LWV-TEF budget.

Special Projects: • TSC special pro-

jects are based on potential pass-through grants from LWVUS.

• TEF projects de-pend upon local donations and foundation grants and are carried out only if those are attained.

Dues: Budgets pro-posed by the budget committee and board reflect no increase in dues amounts and are based on 62 members. Local dues of $7, State dues of $22, and National dues of $31, for the total dues fee of $60.

Sue Barham & Steve Lander Dee Brock

Scherel Carver Charlotte Clarke & Barbara Brandon

Geri Cohen Daye Collins

Nancy & Doug Crawford Mary Decker Betsy Ellis Bill Ferrell Toni Ferrell Betty Groepper

Shirley & Ed Hightower Polly & Gerry Kuklewicz

Maurine Muntz Andie Rathbone Linda Resnik Carole Reynolds

Mary Claire & Gilbert Rowe Mitch Shamburger Linda & Paul Sharp Doris Stanley Roy Stanley

Tyler Morning Telegraph John Trube Margie Victor Elaine Wells Delcie Wylie

Thanks to the following donors since June 1, 2013

Budget Committee: Dee Brock, Shirley Hightower,

Linda Sharp, Yolanda Prince, Mary Claire Rowe

6

The Tyler VOTER

Proposal to Drop Study on Transportation & Mobility

Toni Ferrell, chair of the Transpor-

tation and Mobility Study Committee,

recommended in a well-reasoned re-

port that the League of Women Voters

of Tyler/Smith County drop the study.

VP Program Dee Brock concurred with

this assessment and moved that the

Board accept this proposal. The board

agreed unanimously to make this rec-

ommendation to members.

Members at the May 17 Annual

Meeting will vote whether to abandon

this local study.

Public Policy & Program News — Dee Brock, Program VP

National Study of US Agriculture Policy: Update Covering New Technology, Economy Issues

SALT & the 6th East Texas Book Fest

SALT (Smith County Area Libraries

Together) is developing new services

and programs for member libraries in

2014, ranging from technological im-

provements to more public programs.

Members include the Lindale Library,

Troup Municipal Library, Bullard Com-

munity Library, Tyler Public Library, and

Whitehouse Community Library.

This year’s East Texas Book Fest is

set for Saturday, September 13, at TJC

West campus.

Farm Bill: What’s in It?

September 13

10 am—4 pm

TJC West Campus—

FREE

Be a Watchdog?

Members to Discuss and Reach Agreement on Agriculture Issues

The Agriculture Update study is very complicated because it addresses so many different issues in US policies about agriculture and other issues that have an impact on agriculture, such as environment, water, and immigration.

To prepare for the consensus meeting, please read and review the various docu-ments the study group prepared to provide background facts and issues.

You will find those papers on the LWV website lwv.org. These also will be sent to you via email, along with the con-sensus questions. You will see that the study committee has pointed you to the particular papers that provide the back-ground information you need to discuss those particular questions.

Discussion question topics will be sent to members by email.

Members also may want to read three specific background documents that provide a broad and relatively neutral overview of the com-plex set of issues addressed by U.S. agricultural policy.

• Challenges and Opportunities in U.S. Agri-

culture, the perspective of the Obama admini-stration: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/ERP-2013/ERP-2013-chapter8/content-detail.html

• The Healthy Farm: A Vision for U.S. Agricul-

ture, by the Union of Concerned Scientists: http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/food_and_agriculture/The-Healthy-

• Will Organic Fail to Feed the World? from Scientific American magazine:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=organic-farming-yields-and-feeding-the-world-under-climate-change&page=2

Monday, March 31, 6 pm Member Discussion & Consensus

US Agriculture Policy Tyler Public Library

201 South College

LWV members nationwide have been study-

ing US Agriculture Policy in order to update

the LWVUS position.

The Agriculture Update focuses narrowly on

1) current technology issues in agriculture

including genetically modified organisms

(GMOs), herbicides, pesticides, sustain-

able farming, agriculture water pollu-

tion, aquifer depletion, antibiotics in

livestock, and accurate food labeling,

and

2) current agriculture finance issues includ-

ing consolidation in agriculture indus-

tries, crop subsidies, and the federal ag-

ricultural regulatory process.

A series of speakers have addressed mem-bers on some of these issues during February and March. Brenda Elrod of the Northeast Texas Public Health District explained how local restaurants and food service sites are inspected. Carmen Sosa of the East Texas Community Food Coalition talked about the importance of local sources of foods, espe-cially fresh produce. Both speakers empha-sized that consumers need to know where their foods come from and where they have been.

March 24 two professionals active in in-

suring our food safety ad-dressed members on the responsibilities for making sure that the food we eat is safe for consumption.

Dr. Gary Davis, from the Dallas Field Office, District 40, of the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Services, covered the rules, regulations, and enforce-ment policies regarding poultry, beef, egg product, and other grown foods, including such issues as antibiotics and labeling. Chad Gulley, an extension agent who works out of the Texas A & M AgriLife facility in East Texas, concentrated on commercial fruit and vegetable production, fungicides and insecti-cides approved for fruits and vegeta-bles, organic certifications, and water safety. Both answered questions from the audience.

These discussions should help us better understand where our food comes from, how safe it is, and how it is delivered to us. They provide back-ground on some areas of the LWVUS update study on US Agriculture Policy.

Read below about other sources to help with your decisions.

Dee Brock, Program VP

As a Leaguer, you want to know

what's going on in your community

and county. But keeping up with all

of the civic entities is really hard. If

LWV-TSC assembles a good Observer

Corps, however, we can all share that

burden. To become an LWV Ob-

server, contact Dee Brock.

http://sustainableagriculture.net/

blog has a series called Farm Bill DrillDowns that helps explain the details of the bill currently before Congress.

7

The Tyler VOTER

Voters Service News—Shirley Hightower, Director

New Edition of YEO to Come Out

This Summer

����U.S. Naturalization

Possibly among the handiest of all

League publications, the "YEO" (Your

Elected Officials) brochure is regularly

updated, complete with all current

office holders and contact informa-

tion. Many citizens find the YEO quite

useful in knowing how to reach their

local, district, statewide, and national

officials. Typically it is updated after

each major election cycle.

The new edition of YEO will be

released after the May 10 local elec-

tions or runoffs are certified. If you

know of organizations or individuals

who would like to have additional

copies, please let us know and we can

provide printed copies or the link to

an online version for their use.

Calendar for May 10, 2014

Local Elections:

Cities and School Boards

Apr. 10—Last Day to Register

to Vote

April 28-May 6—Early Voting

May 10—Last Day Ballot by

Mail May Be Received (not postmarked)

May 11—Election Day

US Naturalization Ceremonies Held in February

On Febru-

ary 26 forty

new citi-

zens from

12 differ-

ent coun-

tries

proudly swore allegiance to the

United States, Judge K. Nicole

Mitchell presiding. Following rous-

ing comments by Ed Santos, him-

self a naturalized citizen, our own

Uncle Sam (Kuklewicz) explained

the voter registration process.

Twenty new voters signed up

before leaving and the other

twenty left with registration cards

in hand. Thanks to League mem-

bers assisting with this event: Rica

& Ed Garcia, Ed & Shirley

Hightower, Polly &

Gerry Kuklewicz, Mary

Claire & Gilbert Rowe,

and Andie Rathbone.

Watch the LWV-Tyler/Smith County web site for updates on the 2014 local elections, and ways that you can be a grass-roots advocate.

�

April 21, 7 pm—LWV Forum for Tyler City

Council and TISD Trustee Candidates

To Participate in the

Next Ceremony:

Contact Shirley Hightower

eshightower@suddenlink.net

or 561-7450

Judy Holmes has been

appointed to serve off-board

as coordinator of LWV candi-

date forums, one of the

most visible and valuable

posts in the League.

Judy joined the League

in to mid-1990s and helped

behind the scenes on several

projects. After retirement from the East Texas

Council of Governments’ Area Agency on Aging,

Holmes renewed her membership and jumped

in to help with Naturalization and voter registra-

tion. Her first forum leadership was in February

with candidates in the Primary,

and she is pulling together an

April 21 one for our local elec-

tions in May.

Great job, Judy!

Judy Holmes New Coordinator of Candidate Forums

A full house greets Primary Election

candidates at the February LWV forum.

Journalist Roger Gray

moderates Primary fo-

rum

Needed: Voters Service Vice President!

The Voters Service VP oversees other members working on

candidate and ballot-issue forums, voter registration, elected

officials brochures, and Voters Guides—the most visible facets

of the League. Sound like fun? This could be you!

What does a board member do? The board as a whole is re-

sponsible for policy making, financial management, member

recruitment and involvement, and community relations. Board

members attend regular board meetings about ten times a

year. Elected members serve two-year terms. Consider serving on the LWV-TSC Board—Contact:

tonief4@gmail 903-747-0579

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 1143

Tyler, TX

Inside this issue:

Forum for Local Candidates April 21 1

Annual Meeting Set for Saturday May 17 1

Member Discussion to Focus on Veterans, April 28 1

President’s Podium 2

Two LWV-TSC Board Members: Annah Wright & Detrese Harkey 2

No-Agenda Lunch April 8 2

Welcome Our Newest Members 3

Free Cab Rides for Voters 3

Seminar: Working with Victims of Sex Trafficking 3

Slate of Nominees for 2013-15 Board of Directors 4

To Join the League 4

Dues Reminders 4

Proposed 2013-2014 Budgets 5

Thanks to FY2014 Donors to LWV-TSC and LWV-TEF 5

LWVUS Agriculture Update to Culminate with Member Consensus 6

Study on Transportation and Mobility—Recommend to Drop 6

Volunteers Needed for Observer Corps 6

Library Services: Book Fest Set for Sept. 13– Save the Date! 6

US Naturalization Ceremony 7

Judy Holmes to Coordinate Candidate Forums 7

Calendar for May 10 Local Elections 7

Your Elected Officials: May 2014 Election Ready This Summer 7

LWV Tyler/Smith County

P. O. Box 6271 Tyler, Texas 75711

In This Issue: Annual Meeting Business Included, pages 4—5

2014 LWV-TSC

Please Join Us!Please Join Us!Please Join Us!Please Join Us!

Monday, March 31—Member Consensus

Agriculture Update Study

Tyler Public Library, 201 South College

Tuesday April 1, 5:30 pm—LWV Board of Directors

Tuesday, April 8, 11:30 am—No-Agenda Lunch

Athena Greek Restaurant, 1601 WSW Loop 323

Monday, April 21, 7 pm

Local Candidate Forum

Tyler Public Library, 201 South College

Monday April 28, 7 pm

Veterans Services: Member Discussion

Genecov Room, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce

315 North Broadway

April 28—May 6 Early Voting-Local Election

Tuesday May 6, 5:30 pm—LWV Board of Directors

Saturday May 10—Local Elections

Saturday, May 17, 11am—2 pm

LWV-TSC Annual Meeting-Cheng’s Cheng’s China Bistro, 3300 Troup Hwy.

Members are welcome to attend meetings of the

LWV Board of Directors, first Tuesdays at 5:30 pm —

Roberts & Roberts, 118 West 4th

Return Service Requested

Board of DirectorsBoard of DirectorsBoard of DirectorsBoard of Directors Mary Claire RoweMary Claire RoweMary Claire RoweMary Claire Rowe

President

Yolanda PrinceYolanda PrinceYolanda PrinceYolanda Prince

Community Rel. VP

Dee Brock Dee Brock Dee Brock Dee Brock

Program VP

Linda R. SharpLinda R. SharpLinda R. SharpLinda R. Sharp

Organization VP

Andie Rathbone Andie Rathbone Andie Rathbone Andie Rathbone

Secretary

Scherel CarverScherel CarverScherel CarverScherel Carver

Treasurer

Peggy DowningPeggy DowningPeggy DowningPeggy Downing

Membership

Detrese HarkeyDetrese HarkeyDetrese HarkeyDetrese Harkey

Marketing/Fund Raising

Shirley HightowerShirley HightowerShirley HightowerShirley Hightower

Voter Registration

Kristi C. RobertsKristi C. RobertsKristi C. RobertsKristi C. Roberts

Women’s Equalty

Mary VernauMary VernauMary VernauMary Vernau

Library Services

Annah WrightAnnah WrightAnnah WrightAnnah Wright

Program Assistant

Editor: Editor: Editor: Editor: Scherel Carver