League of Women Voters Dearborn/Dearborn Heights

Redistricting in Michigan

2012-02-07T07:42:00.004-05:00

Written by Kathy Gapa

Every ten years when the Census is complete, federal law requires that state and local governing bodies begin the process of redistricting if there have been significant shifts in population since the last census due to deaths, births, and migrations. The Census Bureau has an April 1 deadline for sending data to the states and then on to local levels. Once the data is received, each governing body will begin its work of recreating districting plans, which must be complete in time for the next election.

The LWVUS promotes four essential principles to assure representative government:

1. An accurate and complete count in Census 2010, and all future censuses, is an building block for all redistricting effort;

2. The process used for redistricting must be transparent to the public;

3. The redistricting process, at all levels of government, must provide data, tools and opportunities for the public to have direct public input into specific plans under consideration by the redistricting body;

4. In order to achieve representative democracy, redistricting plans must be drawn in a manner that allows elected bodies to reflect the diversity of the populace, especially racial and ethnic diversity.

In Michigan, the state legislature will draw lines for US Congressional Districts and the State Legislature. In Wayne County, an Apportionment Commission will be appointed; they have sixty days to come with a districting plan and to decide how many districts there will be. Once the plan is complete, it must then be presented for public comment. Facts that will influence Michigan’s districts

What are the guidelines for drawing districts? 1. All districts are to be single-member districts and should have as close to equal population as possible. 2. All district lines must be contiguous. 3. All districts must be compact and nearly square in shape as is practical, depending on the geography of the county area involved. 4. No township or part of a township can be combined with any city or part of a city to create a single district, unless necessary to meet the population standard.5. Townships, villages, and cities can be divided only, if necessary to meet the population standard. 6. Precincts can only be divided if necessary to meet the population standard. 7. Residents of state institutions who are ineligible to vote, such as prison inmates, must be excluded from representation. 8. Districts cannot be drawn to result in partisan representation.

One principle of a democratic government is one man, one vote. The Voter’s Rights Act prohibits states from imposing any “voting qualifications or prerequisites to voting, or standard practice or procedure to deny or abridge the right of any citizen of the US to vote on account of race or color. This Act was passed in 1965-it was sent to Congress by President Johnson.

Why does it matter? From a pamphlet written by the Michigan Redistricting Collaborative they state “Today in Michigan, the districts are drawn by elected officials, whose interests are different than the interests of voters as a whole. The districts are often drawn to provide an advantage to the political party in control of the process. This issue isn’t a Republican or Democratic matter-both parties do it equally when they have the opportunity. This means voters’ voices are often limited. After reviewing election results from 2000 to 2010, the Center for Michigan reported that ‘Only about one in seven Michigan residents live in what could be deemed a consistently competitive swing district. In the Michigan House, only 25 of 110 districts changed party control over the past decade; in the Senate only 6 of 38.’ In 2006, only 45 percent of Michigan voters supported Republican candidates for the state Senate. Yet due to skillful map drawing, Republicans won 55 percent of the seats in the Senate, and were able to control the body. Similar actions in Wayne County, for instance, result in Democrats winning 14 of 15 seats-94 percent- despite taking 72 percent of the vote. Many districts are drawn with a goal of helping elect one partisan politician, or at least to benefit one party or the other. The process of redistricting is typically heavily influenced by lobbyists and PACs and other partiese with vested interests. This is not good for democracy, in which voters-not partisan leaders or lobbyists-are supposed to be in charge!”

Privatization - NO FEB 11 Meeting

2012-02-05T07:54:00.005-05:00

Everyone is just too busy! Instead of getting together on Saturday morning, Feb 11th, we decided to have our discussion online to prepare for the March Consensus Meeting.

The Questions that we will be discussion on March 15th can be found on this page: http://www.lwv.org/content/leaders-guide-privatization-study-consensus

Join in the conversation here or on our facebook page.

Here's a comment from a League leader in CA:

Terms:

the definition of economic efficiency that i'm most familiar with is: all possible transactions are made until no one can be made better off without making someone else worse off, which is not exactly like the definitions mentioned in a good summary in wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_efficiency

i'm skeptical of framing the input as money. while money looks like you can measure it the same way as mass, length or time, the forces of economics such as subjective judgments of utility do not act on prices the same way that the impersonal forces of newtonian physics act on quantities of mass, length or time. in other words, money is not "cardinal" the way physics phenomena are, but rather "ordinal."

currently, fossil fuel energy is at least 200 times cheaper than human energy, at least in the u.s., so measuring efficiency using costs and prices is liable to be warped. i conclude that great care and attention should thus be given to the goals and methods for achieving them.

so i like to use a definition of efficiency where the output is: clean air and water, healthy food, snug shelter and plenty of sleep, and the input is: energy and resources.

submitted by: muriel strand, p.e.
sacramento county CA LWV
privatization study team member

Voting in Michigan’s Primary

2012-01-30T08:06:00.002-05:00

Michigan’s Presidential Primary is Tuesday, February 28. What is different this year? First of all, it’s a closed primary and Michigan rarely holds closed primaries. A closed primary means only Democrats can vote for Democrats and only Republicans can vote for Republicans. Voters will get different ballots based on your party affiliation.

An open primary would offer one ballot with both parties choices on it and it’s up to the voter to vote in only one party’s election. Those who attempt to vote in both parties’ elections would not have their ballot count at all.

Secondly, the political party you choose will become a matter of public record. It does not register you as a member of that party, however.

Last year, the Republican-dominated state legislature passed a law to make public the voters’ party affiliations in the Presidential Primary. One can assume this is to deter Democrats from voting in the Republican primary. Democrats will have only one name on their ballot, and a vote on Feb. 28 will be largely symbolic because Michigan’s Democratic Party decided to hold their presidential caucus on May 5. That’s when they will officially select Barack Obama as their candidate.

What’s on the February 28 ballot? For Democrats, only the name of Barack Obama. For Republicans, the names of 11 Republican candidates. The list of Republicans was finalized in December and will not reflect the fact that some candidates may have dropped out of the race. The names in alphabetical order are: Michelle Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Gary Johnson, Fred Karger, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Buddy Roemer, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum.

Voter ID requirements have not changed in the last 2 years. Voters must show picture identification. Preferred are your Michigan driver’s license or personal ID card. If a voter doesn’t have either, a current picture ID from another state, federal or state government-issued photo ID, a U.S. passport, military ID with photo, student ID with photo from a high school or an accredited institution of higher education, or a tribal ID card with photo may substitute.

If a voter does not have picture ID, they may vote after signing an affidavit.

Youth Registration - Fordson

2012-01-14T11:03:00.003-05:00

The team working on the youth registration project has visited Fordson and met with the principal, Mr. Yousseff Mosallam. Principal Mosallam offered a warm welcome and support for our project.

While some specifics await the next semester's schedule (begins Jan 31), we expect to hold registration events in mid-February. The school has enrollment of 2,500 students. There are ten sections of government classes so we will have to cover several hours. Student groups will also be encouraged to participate, such as F-COPS: Fordson - Club of Political Science.

If you would like to be involved in this important outreach, please send an email to lwvddh@gmail.com or call our local president, Mary Bugeia, 313-278-6476.

It Happens Here – Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation

2012-01-06T10:14:00.002-05:00

Theresa Flores was 15, living in Birmingham, MI when she became trapped in a sex-slave operation for two years. “It happens here,” Flores says, “to white, middle-class teens who live in the suburbs. It’s easy to think that because you live in a nice neighborhood, you’re safe.¹”

Flores was on the track team, had a nice house and seemed like an ordinary suburban girl, but at night, she was subjected to horrendous abuse. Compelled to keep her secrets to protect her family from a scandal, she snuck out of the house - in compliance but against her will. This started with a crush in high school. Taking advantage of her affection, a 16 year old boy brought her to his house and raped her while others photographed the incident. The photos were used to blackmail her into cooperating, coerced into becoming a sex slave for the benefit of a criminal enterprise. She was finally free when her family moved, still unaware of her trauma.

Theresa Flores’ story is typical of sex-trafficking victims that Nicole McGee, Special Victims Agent, FBI-Michigan deals with daily.

Read more about Theresa Flores at her website: http://www.traffickfree.com/

Agent McGee spoke on October 17 for the LWVOA about the worldwide problem of human trafficking, including its prevalence within the United States. She works with human trafficking victims to advise them of their rights and assure that they get the help with short-term and long-term needs-like legal and repatriation services, immigration relief, housing, employment, education, job training, and child care. Human trafficking is about forced labor in general, but sexual exploitation is the most common.

Officer McGee shared some statistics about human trafficking in Michigan and beyond. Human trafficking affects virtually every region of the world, including metro Detroit. Sex trafficking accounts for at least 40% of all forced labor-human trafficking. Some experts estimate that it is more like 80%.²

Women and girls are the most vulnerable; trafficking victims tend to be the poorest and most vulnerable people coming from poor cities and countries.

Ms. McGee told us exploiters and pimps look for girls in malls, cinemas, even at high school events - anywhere teens gather with stragglers on the perimeter.

Kathy Gapa reported on the LWV Oakland Area Event for this article. Sexual exploitation of young girls in our community isn’t going away. Learn to identify and help those trapped in the sex trade with facts and resources from this Fact Sheet for Schools, “Human Trafficking of Children in the United States” http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osdfs/factsheet.html

[1] Terri Finch Hamilton, “Human Trafficking, exploitation is on the rise in Michigan”. The Grand Rapids Press <http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/09/human_trafficking_exploitation.html>. 10-27-2011

²Sexual Trafficking: the facts trafficking for sexual exploitation have become an epidemic in the past decade”. New Internationalist, <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0JQP/is_404/ai_n21026843/> 10-27-2011

Opinion - Privatization

2012-01-05T15:27:00.000-05:00

Opinion by Joe Borrajo – Privatization
The cachet of "privatizing services" is it saves money. Not necessarily true. In the mid 1990s, the City of Dearborn sought to save money by not using city employees to erect Yule-tide decorations on city hall grounds; the city hired a contractor to do the job for $50,000.00. As it turned out, the contractor sent a single worker who supervised the same city employees that weren't suppose to be used for the task of decorating the grounds. The task took a matter of a few days, but $50,000.00 could pay the salary of an employee for a year.

Besides the money proposition, "privatization" also raises the question of the quality of services rendered. The process of out-sourcing responsibilities can lead to the problem of inferior work requiring remedial effort that translates into cost-overruns, left for the taxpayer to cover. Likewise, communities can be expected to accommodate "privatization's" development with a costly infrastructure and upgrading that explicitly serves the recipient of the community's asset with little return to the taxpayer.

Furthermore, the subject of "privatization" rarely broaches the matter of community/taxpayer "assets". Putting valuable assets, a measure of the wealth and value of a community, into the hands of corporation developers and speculators is a forfeiture that weakens the very foundation of a community, leaving it open to having the quality of life negatively impacted. "Privatization" can leave a mark comparable to what the problematic issue of "eminent domain" has done to injure stable residential communities.

privatization roundtable report

2011-11-19T17:36:00.003-05:00

We started our Privatization Study with an overview and discussion with current examples and proposals in the news. You can read the briefing with video links at www.lwvddh.org/privatization.pdf. Some personal experiences were shared along with well-studied ideas and strong opinions. Our president talked about her time as a school board member when the custodial staff counter-offered to keep their jobs instead of losing them to outsourcing. Our treasurer shared her expertise regarding the Social Security program as we considered how it differs from investments.

An important point that came out of our discussion is that the issue to privatize or not seems to get tangled up in corruption issues. While we agreed that corruption in the private and public sectors ought to be addressed directly, sometimes it seems too far gone to do anything but start over.

The need for strong oversight to ensure proper delivery of services or transfer of assets would ease concerns for some. In certain situations, the potential for harm if things went wrong was considered too risky. For example, with the police and military, a closer tie between them and the citizenry would hopefully mean loyalty to the public over their employer.

We will continue the discussion with ideas from many sources, pros and cons. If you find an interesting article, please pass it along.

Here is an article that warns against privatization from one of our roundtable attendees:

http://www.alternet.org/story/153093/privatization_nightmare:_5_public_services_that_should_never_be_handed_over_to_greedy_corporations

What does your water taste like?

2011-10-17T14:50:00.002-04:00

How would you describe the water from your tap? Metallic, fresh, tasteless, chlorinated, bland, clean...? 80% of water taste testers preferred the taste of our bottled water samples at UM Dearborn's Water Expo. We hosted a blind taste test as part of their Sustainability Week. Along with bottled natural spring water, we had a sample from the bottle refill station at a local grocery store and the campus tap water. Last year we had a similar event where the preference was about tied, so we were surprised at the overwhelming preference for bottled water this time around. Sometimes tap water wins, sometimes it doesn't. If you don't like the taste of your tap, do you filter it, put up with it, or pay for another source?

At what cost?

With our cultural emphasis on hydration and effective marketing, many have just gotten in the bottled water habit. See this 20/20 episode on the impact of marketing - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3QBZac3MSY - which also mentions that some bottled water is just tap water conveniently packaged.

If you watched the movie "F.L.O.W.", you might recall the dispute between commercial access to cheap water, the transfer of water out of a local watershed and the differing regulatory oversight of municipal vs bottled water. Here's a trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGd9D4J0lag.

Objections about bottled water also include the production and disposal of the plastic bottle itself, the environmental burden caused by trucking water across the country, and the comparatively high price per gallon.

Visit this website to learn about the energy-intensive production of bottled water and other important factors: http://www.responsiblepurchasing.org/purchasing_guides/bottled_water_university_edition/social_environ/

To avoid the plastic problem, the convenience of bottled water can be met by refillable containers. UM Dearborn has a bottle-filling adaptation on the drinking fountain at the University Center, so students can refill any container with chilled tap water. It does taste better cold. The UMD Student Environmental Association is working to get rid of all plastic bottles on campus with an emphasis on sustainability, but refillable containers help budgets as well. The current decline in bottle water sales are most likely related to the economic downturn. http://moneyland.time.com/2010/02/01/bottled-water-taste-test-challenge/

Tap Water vs Frack Water

This particular taste test included 'natural spring water' from a region threatened by fracking. What will be the results if fracking fluids impact the source? With complaints about water quality coming out of these regions, it may be even more important to know where our drinking water has been and what has been done to it. Start your studies by reading here: http://www.americanrivers.org/our-work/protecting-rivers/fracking/?gclid=CPGH-Lyw8KsCFYlM4AodWBRpIg

SMART changes? Transportation Cuts Ahead

2011-10-14T06:35:00.002-04:00

Due to the significant decrease in revenue and increased fuel and healthcare costs, SMART is seeking public input on proposed service changes. SMART encourages its riders and any citizen to attend the public hearings to better understand the issues at hand. Citizens will have the opportunity to contribute their comments.

The public hearings are scheduled for:

November 3rd, 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
City of Dearborn Ford Community & Performing Arts Center
15801 Michigan Avenue, Club Room #1
Dearborn, MI

November 7th, 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
City of Pleasant Ridge Community Center
4 Ridge Road
Pleasant Ridge, MI

November 9th, 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
City of Roseville Council Chambers
29777 Gratiot Avenue
Roseville, MI

For those who are unable to attend the hearings, written comments will be accepted through November 10, 2011.

Send written comments to:

SMART Administrative Offices
535 Griswold Street, Suite 600
Detroit, MI 48226
Attention: Public Hearings

Send email comments to: publichearing@smartbus.org

To review proposed service cuts click here. For more details, please visit SMART's website at www.smartbus.org. For further questions, please call Customer Information (866) 962-5515.

Forum Showtimes (updated)

2011-10-06T12:36:00.007-04:00

Candidate Forums and Millage Proposals were taped in Dearborn Hts and Dearborn.

note: This article will be updated as additional viewing times are scheduled.

Bookmark this link if you want to check times as we will be updating the viewing schedule as needed. http://lwvddh.blogspot.com/2011/10/forum-video-showtimes.html

Dearborn Hts Forums

> City Council Forum - 1 & 7 am/pm Daily

> Headlee Override Forum - 2:30 & 8:30 am/pm Daily

> D7 School Board Forum - 12:30 am/pm on Saturdays & Sundays

> The City Clerk Forum - 6 & 12 am/pm Daily

Dearborn Forums

Millage and Civil Service Commission Proposals, Dearborn School Board

>>Dearborn Ballot Proposals online forum video. Click to watch.

>>Dearborn School Board Forum is available online. Click to watch!

Times listed below are for CDTV WOW channel 10, Comcast channel 12

Millage and Civil Service Ballot Proposals

Mon. 6 & 10 am, 2, 6, 10 pm

Tue. 7 & 11 am, 3 & 11 pm

Wed. 6 & 10 am, 6 & 10 pm

Thu. 7 & 11 am, 3 & 11 pm

Fri. 6 am, 2, 6, 10 pm

Sat. 8 am, 12 & 4 pm

Sun. 8 am, 12 pm

Dearborn School Board Forum

Mon. 11 am, 3 pm

Tue. 12 & 4 pm

Wed. 11 am, 7 pm

Thu. 8 am, 4 pm

Fri. 6 am, 2, 6, 10 pm

Sat. 9 am, 9 pm

Sun. 8 am, 12 pm

Comcast Customers Only - Additional viewing times on Public Service Channel 18
October 15 and 16 at 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm
Nov 5 and 6 at 8am, 12:30pm, 5pm NEW TIMES

Privatization Study - Nov 17th

2011-10-05T10:01:00.001-04:00

If you are interested in forming an educated opinion about this issue, you will find that it is not a simple topic. The shades of gray become apparent when ones studies the history of government and business collaborations. From the company town to corrupted townships, there are extreme cases on either side.

The Seattle LWV has done extensive research in preparation for a national study. Their published report is a great place to start. The last pages of this lengthy publication includes a list of references.

http://www.seattlelwv.org/sites/default/files/privatization2009.pdf

You are invited to add links and suggested reading to this post or on our facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/lwvddh.org. You can also email comments, links and references to lwvddh@gmail.com.

Additional links will be added here, so please check back.

November 17th, Thurs @ 7pm.

Christ Episcopal Church, 120 N. Military at Cherry Hill.

Dearborn Forum this Tuesday, Oct 4.

2011-10-02T09:42:00.004-04:00

Attend our next forum in Dearborn's Council Chambers this week. Tuesday evening, October 4th, we will have a school board candidates forum at 7pm and presentations about the 3 millage proposals at 8pm.

Dearborn School Board – Elect 2 of 4

Stephen Stanley Dobkowski Jr.

Joseph A. Guido

Roxanne McDonald

Mary K. Petlichkoff

Proposal 1 OPERATING MILLAGE:

The City of Dearborn has cut 35% of its non-Police and Fire workforce and reduced spending by $12 million annually. Lower tax revenues will require more reductions and impact services and programs further. An additional 5-year millage will allow Dearborn to maintain core services while permanently reducing operating costs.

Shall Section 13.2 of the Dearborn City Charter be amended to temporarily allow the City to levy an additional ad valorem tax up to $3.50 per $1,000 in taxable value (3.5 mills) which will raise approximately $12,250,000 in the first year it is levied, for no more than 5 years?

YES or NO

Proposal 2 LIBRARY MILLAGE:

State law allows citizens to authorize that 1 mill be dedicated to offset the costs of providing library services. Due to declining revenues, library services have been reduced. Additional revenues will be used to support greater technology so that the City of Dearborn can provide effective and efficient access to informational, developmental, and entertainment-oriented materials in order to meet current and future user demands.

Shall the City of Dearborn in accordance with State law MCL § 397.201 levy an additional ad valorem tax in an amount not to exceed $1 per $1,000 in taxable value which equals 1 mill or approximately $3,500,000 in the first year it is levied for no more than 10 years dedicated to fund the ongoing operational and capital costs of a library system?

YES or NO

Proposal 3 ELIMINATION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM:

The Civil Service System as defined in Chapter 11 of the Dearborn City Charter was created before City employees formed 8 different labor unions to represent them in negotiating contracts covering wages, benefits, and work rules. The provisions in these contracts take precedence over Civil Service policies. Dearborn is one of a few Michigan cities that still has a Civil Service System. If necessary, the City Council could create a Human Resources Commission by ordinance to oversee any employment issues for City employees.

Shall the Dearborn City Charter be amended to eliminate the Civil Service System by repealing Chapter 11?

YES or NO

Dearborn Heights Candidate Forum Sept. 28

2011-09-16T20:42:00.003-04:00

On Wednesday, September 28, candidates for the Dearborn Heights City Clerk, City Council, and the District 7 School Board will participate in a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Dearborn – Dearborn Heights.

The evening will begin with an explanation of the one ballot proposal on the November 8 General Election in Dearborn Heights, the Headlee Override Millage Proposal. Speaking will be Eric Lupher, Director of Local Affairs for the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, who will give a broad overview of what the Headlee Amendment is and what an override means, and Daniel Paletko, Mayor of Dearborn Heights. This portion will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

At 7 p.m. the candidates for City Clerk, Janet S. Badalow and Walter J.Prusiewicz, will participate in a 30-minute forum. There will be an opportunity for written questions from the audience, asked by the moderator, Jenni Dunn, a member of the League.

The City Council candidate forum will be held immediately following, at approximately 7:30 p.m. There are 5 people running for 3 openings. It is scheduled to last 1-hour and there will be an opportunity for written questions from the audience, asked by the moderator.

At approximately 8:30 p.m. the candidates for the District 7 School Board will participate in a forum scheduled to last for one hour. There are 4 candidates running for 2 positions on the school board.

The forum will be held in the City Council Chambers at the Dearborn Heights City Hall, 6045 Fenton. The public is invited to attend.

In addition to the moderator, Jenni Dunn, the president of the League of Women Voters, Mary Bugeia will welcome the speakers, candidates, and members of the audience. The evening will be videotaped by WDHT for rebroadcast on local access government cable television channels on WOW, Comcast and AT&T.

Betsy Cushman chairs the Voters Service Committee. Members include Chris Sullivan, Dennis Kirchoff, Joe Borrajo, Judy Carty, Judy Patrick, Mary Bugeia, Carolyn Buell, Barb Adams, Jenni Dunn and Kathy Gapa.

Bullets and Ballots - Remember Sept 11th

2011-09-08T16:04:00.003-04:00

On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was home with 3 children as we watched the videos from New York and worried about what’s next. The screen presents fiction more often than facts, so it took awhile to understand the reality of this attack. Meanwhile many had to leave the TV and take care of the day’s work. On that day, election workers were handling Dearborn’s Mayoral Primary. Sometime later I was in the voting booth when my husband called with alarm. He had heard a radio report about rioting in Dearborn and worried about our safety.

The fear from that day has echoed through the years with a patriotic fervor and a decade of war, but I wonder why the pledges of patriotism haven’t produced civic engagement. Voter turnout is embarrassingly low for a nation so proud of its legacy. At great risk others demand a voice in dictatorial nations, while we dismiss our own democratic process.

Proponents of 2nd amendment rights tout the value of a well-armed citizenry to protect against tyranny, but I’d like to call on a well-informed citizenry to practice democracy. Sergeant Molly carried the water and loaded the cannon because she had no other recourse for liberty. Now she has the right to vote so that her first line of defense is the ballot box. Hold the line with this basic right and restore voter turnout as a patriotic duty.

LWV began 90 years ago to arm new voters with information about candidates and issues. Our heritage continues with a busy Voter Service Committee, a League hallmark in our own community for 60 years. Candidates and voters are urged to participate fully in the campaign process and on election day. One vote can sometimes make a difference, but when the majority of potential voters sit it out, do you wonder that a motivated minority gets more of a say? From one election to the next, we have basically told candidates to “call someone who cares”, so they do. What will our city and nation be like 10 years from today if we amped up our fervor for making democracy work at home? Let’s find out.

By Jenni Dunn

Does city government matter to you?

2011-08-22T17:03:00.003-04:00

The turnout for the recent primary election in Dearborn Heights should be cause for concern to every person in the city. With 37,000 registered voters, only 3,510 voted on August 2nd. Primary elections are the first and most important step in the election process. It is the first opportunity to make your opinion count. If you don’t vote in the primary then you may lose your chance to vote for your choice in the general election.

The League of Women Voters has always believed in the importance of primary elections and that is why, in the recent election, the Dearborn – Dearborn Heights League of Women Voters spent time and money to put on a candidate forum and to publish a Voter Guide. We would like to thank all the candidates for their participation and for their active involvement in this democratic process.

We also would like to remind all registered voters that democracy is not a spectator sport.

You cannot sit on the sidelines and expect your voice to be heard.

Local government is the where our democracy begins. Many people today complain that government doesn’t listen to them. But local government is where it starts. This is where your voice can most readily be heard. The office of City Clerk oversees elections and protects our rights in the voting process. If you didn’t vote in this election ask yourself why. What is more important than protecting our rights as citizens.

Throughout the world today we see people dying for the rights that we take for granted.

The League of Women Voters, as a non-partisan organization, asks Dearborn Heights citizens, as well as area citizens, to participate with us in finding ways to increase voter interest and participation. As a community, together, we can learn from this poor turnout and become engaged citizens.

Mary Bugeia, President, League of Women Voters Dearborn – Dearborn Heights

Study Up, Stand Up, Stop Fracking.

2011-07-21T09:45:00.003-04:00

We all have so much to do that we have to prioritize, and I am asking you to put fracking issues on the front burner this year. This has already gone too far across the states, and it will destroy our greatest treasure without even a speed bump along the way. I'd like to do more than slow them down while getting run over, but we can only make it stop if we work together.

Do you think ANY nationwide industrial procedure should be exempt from environmental regulations? Should ANY industry that uses tons of water and chemicals be set free to do as it sees fit throughout our state?

Some people do prefer less regulation, very few desire NO regulation. When Michigan residents learn about fracking, I expect we will have a consensus to put the brakes on this unhindered pollution threat.

As you consider the consequences to our state when crops, livestock and wildlife are damaged and community water supplies are destroyed, you might also want to consider how profiteers will benefit even more. If you know something about the global privatization and profit potential of water, then you know why pollution doesn't matter to corporate interests. Pollution just opens up another profitable market - selling drinkable water to you will be a great deal for them. If you want a silver-lining, maybe you can dream about getting a job driving water trucks from town to town.

Get started here:

http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/613/index.html

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/440/game-changer

The program "This American Life" also highlights the total disregard this industry has for local government. Can your elected officials withstand the propaganda and harrassment? Can you?

Jenni

Listen to This American Life on Fracking

Clean Air in Jeopardy by Kathy Gapa

2011-05-14T15:45:00.002-04:00

Even though the LWVUS started supporting all laws

concerning the environment in the 1920’s-the Clean

Air Act, the Clean Water Act. Through the years

assaults have occurred to undermine these laws.

In April 2011, an assault was attempted to gut the

Environmental Protection Agency, including the Clean Air Act.
Local and state Leagues and the national LWV honored Earth Day

(April 22) as a day of action, engaging our communities
to help safeguard the EnvironmentalProtection Agency’s

ability to establish the urgently needed protections

called for by the Clean Air Act.

In a recent statement, League President Elizabeth

MacNamara strongly voiced the League’s concern

about protecting Clean Air. Earlier, the League and

coalition partners had sent a letter to members of

the House of Representatives urging them to oppose

H.R. 910, which would put America’s health,

prosperity, and national security at risk!

Also, the League, with the American Lung

Association and the Sierra Club, has been

conducting a series of phone briefings that target

women in seven states about the health risks

inherent in stripping the EPA of its authority over

clean air. The first “Talking about Toxics Program”

was held in Ohio on April 14 with a second on

April 20 in Michigan. Future briefings will be

conducted in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri,

Colorado, and Massachusetts.

Clean Air Act: A New Approach to Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions

2011-02-25T09:38:00.001-05:00

With the demise of cap-and-trade legislation during the 2010 session of Congress, the climate action spotlight has shifted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Clean Air Act (CAA). But efforts are now underway to block EPA regulation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Clean Air Act of 1970

In the aftermath of the first Earth Day in April 1970, Congress passed the Clean Air Act and created the EPA to implement the new law. Over the 40 years that the CAA has been in effect, it has yielded dramatic public health and environmental benefits.

CAA programs have achieved major reductions in dangerous air pollutants that cause smog, acid rain, and lead poisoning. The EPA reports that this has prevented hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, has helped millions avoid developing respiratory ailments and heart disease, and (by banning leaded gasoline) has greatly reduced the incidence of low child IQ.

The benefits of these advances have far exceeded the costs of compliance. An EPA analysis of the CAA's first 20 years found that the dollar value of the human health and environmental benefits amounted to more than 40 times the costs of regulation. For the 1990-2010 period, as requirements have become more stringent, the EPA estimates a benefit-to-cost ratio of four to one.

At the same time, CAA programs spurred significant growth in the U.S. environmental technologies industry. By 2007, the industry was generating $282 billion in revenues, producing $40 billion in exports, and supporting 1.6 million jobs. Innovations include catalytic converters, scrubbers, and low-VOC paints and consumer products.

U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

Despite these achievements, concerns about global warming pollution led Massachusetts and 11 other states to sue the EPA over its failure to regulate GHG emissions from the transportation sector. They charged that human-influenced global climate change was causing adverse effects, such as sea-level rise, to the state of Massachusetts.

In a 5-4 decision in April 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that carbon dioxide and other GHGs meet the definition of "air pollutants" under the CAA. The Court directed the EPA to determine whether or not GHG emissions from new motor vehicles (the sector cited in the lawsuit) cause or contribute to air pollution that may endanger the public health or welfare.

In 2009, the EPA responded by conducting an extensive examination of the scientific evidence and, in December 2009, made a determination — the "endangerment finding" — that GHG concentrations in the atmosphere do threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations. The EPA also found that GHG emissions from new motor vehicles contribute to the atmospheric concentration of these gases and, thus, to the threat from climate change.

Once the EPA had issued its endangerment finding, the agency moved ahead to finalize proposed GHG emissions standards for light-duty motor vehicles.

The Clean Cars Rule

The EPA partnered with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to set increasingly stringent standards for GHG emissions and fuel efficiency for passenger cars and light-duty trucks for model years 2012-2016.

The federal rules mirror California's Clean Car Standards, also adopted by 13 other states, and set a target of 35.5 miles per gallon (mpg) for 2016 model-year vehicles. The auto industry welcomed the uniform national standards.

The new standards surpass the 2007 federal fuel economy law, which required an average fuel economy of 35 mpg in 2020. The EPA estimates that the new rules will cut GHG emissions by 960 million metric tons over the regulated vehicles' lifetime, equivalent to taking 50 million cars and light trucks off the road in 2030. Consumers can expect to save $3,000 over the lifetime of a model-year 2016 vehicle.

The EPA and DOT have since proposed emissions and fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty trucks and buses, beginning in the 2014 model year, and will also set further standards for light-duty vehicles for model years 2017 and beyond.

Stationary Source Regulations

The EPA is also phasing in regulations for major stationary sources of GHG emissions (e.g., power plants, industrial facilities). As of January 2, 2011, rules requiring new or substantially modified facilities to obtain permits that address their GHG emissions have begun to take effect. These facilities must make use of "best available control technologies" to minimize GHG emissions.

The EPA has taken steps to ensure that the new rules do not affect small stationary sources, such as small businesses and farms, schools, or churches. CAA permitting requirements apply to facilities that emit more than 100-250 tons/year of a regulated pollutant such as lead, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. But GHGs are emitted in much higher volumes than these pollutants.

The EPA, therefore, issued a "tailoring rule" that raises the threshold for GHG emissions so that only the largest sources would be subject to the permitting requirements. The thresholds for GHG emissions are 75,000-100,000 tons/year.

In addition, the EPA has established a timeline for setting limits on GHG emissions for both new and existing power plants and oil refineries. The EPA will propose new rules for power plants in July 2011 and for refineries in December 2011. Final rules for power plants will be issued in May 2012 and for refineries in November 2012. Together, power plants and refineries account for about 40 percent of all U.S. GHG emissions

Challenges to EPA Regulations

Opponents of the new rules are working to block or delay EPA regulation of GHG emissions. Several dozen legal challenges to EPA's recent actions have been filed by a variety of business and industry groups and by several states and members of Congress.

In Congress, bills have been introduced that would, for example, amend the CAA to exclude regulation of GHGs, limit the use of EPA funds, and delay regulation of GHG emissions for two years.

The League of Women Voters strongly opposes efforts such as these to undermine the EPA's ability to establish the urgently needed clean air protections called for by the CAA. It's time for action -- time to reduce dangerous global warming pollution and safeguard "the public health and welfare of current and future generations."

By Eleanor Revelle (LWVIL and LWVUS Climate Change Task Force Member)

For more details, see the Clean Air Defense section of the LWVUS Toolkit for Climate Action (www.lwv.org/climatechangetoolkit).

Produced by the LWVUS Climate Change Task Force

"Environmental Crisis on your Plate" Cont'd

2011-02-21T15:40:00.006-05:00

We had a very informative meeting with the Dearborn Sustainability Roundtable on Feb 15th. Thank you to everyone who came to the program. We had a potluck too, with soup, bread, appetizers, fruit, salad and dessert - YUM! Everything was excellent and we had a lot of people attending.

Kathleen Gapa and Mary Bugeia started the meeting with a brief overview of the League of Women Voters. The League's record for environmental causes showed the significant progress that has been made in the last century by grassroots advocacy, and yet there continues to be a battle to protect our natural resources and public health. What a strange era we are in now as hard-won environmental protections are under attack. We need to move forward on new fronts as we've learned in these round tables, yet we find ourselves also holding the line for protections that should be a given. For example, clean air is not an optional preference, it is a necessity. We should be able to focus solely on healthy sustainable foods, but find that even in the 21st century clean water and air are being jeopardized by misguided policy makers.

Lynna Kaucheck, of Food and Water Watch www.fwwatch.org spoke at this event as well. Not only does Ms Kaucheck work with that organization, but she also serves on the Ferndale Environmental Sustainablity Commission. Since Dearborn is in the early stages of sustainability as a city-wide policy, we can learn a lot from Ferndale's example. If you'd like to learn more about Dearborn's activities, visit their website.

The keynote speaker for this 3-part series has been HFCC Professor Lourdes Lore, a highly credentialed and interesting speaker. We are thankful that she has shared her expertise and vast knowledge with us in the series "Environmental Crisis on your Plate." The problems with our food supply would be overwhelming if we didn't have suggested ways to tackle the issues. Katie Hetrick, reporter for the Dearborn Press & Guide, has written a great article on this particular evening, Dinner bell is call to action at roundtable.

We expect to post handouts from Professor Lore's presentations so that those who miss any of the series can still review the resources she provided. Don't miss the third and last installment, “Who Really Controls Our Food Supply?" which will be on March 23, 2011 from 6-8pm at HFCC SME building. We will reserve time for the audience to ask questions, discuss solutions, make plans and network to wrap up this winter long focus on Sustainable Food.

written by

Mary Ann Baier and Jennifer Dunn

Dearborn Cool Cities Roundtable

2011-02-10T16:44:00.004-05:00

Members of our League recently attended a meeting

put on by the Sierra Club-Dearborn Cool Cities on

January 20 at HFCC’s SME building. The meeting

yielded many innovative and provocative ideas about

ways in which Dearborn is and can be a greener, more

environmentally friendly city.

The evening included presentations by Rick Simek, a

naturalist at the U of M Dearborn’s Environmental

Interpretive Center; Dearborn’s Sustainability

Coordinator Dave Norwood; and Margaret ”Peggy”

Matta, chair of the Detroit chapter of the Green Schools

Committee which is part of the US Green Building

Council.

Rick Simek discussed ongoing projects of the EIC, as well

as the unrecognized opportunities for exploration of

nature provided by such areas as the Henry Ford Estate,

which is located on the campus of UM-Dearborn.

The Environmental Interpretive Center is doing a lot of

programs. “We think of it as an outdoor classroom-a

living laboratory", Simek said, explaining that “although

environmental programming has been happening for

forty years, its community charm has exploded since the

EIC opened ten years ago.” February projects include

Tree Tapping Trek, Saturday, February 19 from1:00 to

3:00pm and Maple Sugaring Stroll, Saturday, March 5,

1:00 to 2:30pm.Registration is required. .If interested,

please call Rick at (313) 583-6371.

Sustainability Coordinator Dave Norwood

discussed both steps the city decided to take when a

Federal grant for sustainability work – like recycling

containers and installing LED street lights. Dave said,

“One thing I’ve learned with my job is that I do have a

plan, but if opportunities arise, I have to take advantage

of them.”For example, the city of Dearborn is working

with Friends of the Rouge on the Fordson Island cleanup

project, which eventually hopes to turn the six acre spot

into a lush natural area with native vegetation. Fordson

Island is located on a channel of the Rouge which

connects it to the Ford plants. Marathon Oil owned it

previously, but no longer needed it. Dearborn received a

NOAH grant to acquire the land. Marine Salvage Co.

removed the boats in the channel. Norwood is also

working with the Southwest Detroit Environmental

Vision which is focusing on improving air quality in

southwest Detroit and the south end of Dearborn which

are high in air particulates due to truck traffic and the

factory and steel mill are located there.

The last topic was presented by Peggy

Matta, chair of the Green Schools Committee in

Michigan, She presented ways in which schools

can go green, including adding more windows and

skylights to cut down on artificial light usage,

switching over to low-flush toilets and urinals.

Other projects include rain gardens and solar

panels which not only help schools to meet LEED

certification standards, but provide for educational

opportunities for students. LEED certification

reflects the amounts of electricity used, waste,

CO2 emissions, and water usage in a school

building.

The next program with Sierra Club-Dearborn Cool Cities,

co-hosted by LWVDDH is part 2 of a 3-part series from
HFCC Professor Lore's "Environmental Crisis on Your Plate."

The upcoming presentation on Feb. 15 is

“Chemical Components in Food & Water with

Special Focus on Pesticides, BPA’s & GMO’s ”

Part 3, “ Who Really Controls Our Food Supply?"
will be presented on March 23rd.

Also speaking on Feb 15th will be Lynna Kaucheck
of Food & Water Watch and the Ferndale Environmental

Commission. She will cover the Alfalfa GMO and

also what Ferndale is doing to become more

sustainable.

These events go from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the SME Building

on the north side of HFCC’s campus - enter the far door
on the north side of the building.

Sustainability Potluck and Presentation

2010-12-06T18:00:00.006-05:00

On Dec 1st, Dearborn's Sierra Club Cool Cities hosted an eye-opening presentation and a great-tasting dinner. The curious and concerned gathered at the SME Bldg, north of HFCC, to hear from several speakers and continue the conversation about having a sustainable climate, healthy food, and green cities.

Maureen McIlrath opened the evening with an inspiring slide show presentation showing the progress in the Going Green Foundations community garden. The promise of abundant produce from this urban farm has already begun, but their ambitious plans include fruit and nut trees, herb and healing gardens, and gardens for seniors and children. The idea of an organic garden at Crowley Park in Dearborn's west side grew into a vision for a fully organic urban food source. This will benefit

the community, our school children as well as for those who work the soil- tending the plants and contributing to the cause. If you have an interest in helping or just want to know more, visit their website, Going Green Foundation.

After some members of the audience went back for seconds and others went for dessert, HFCC Professor Lourdes Lore delivered the first of a 3-part series "Climate Change: A Crisis on Your Plate". This broad topic was fine-tuned for this evening's short presentation, but a handout with links and summaries assured us that we could learn more as time allowed.

While climate change is a global issue, Professor Lore focused our attention on local CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations) with a map of lower Michigan. Factory farming causes numerous problems for the environment and food safety, as well as offending those who care about the health and living conditions of livestock. Learn more at this informative site, www.NoCAFOs.org and www.factoryfarmmap.org.

Another prominent point made in this presentation was the environmental cost of transporting food across the nation and across the globe. Being an informed consumer and purchasing locally means we can support food producers with sustainable practices. Professor Lore wants us to think differently about the value of healthy food compared to cheaply made food that has costly consequences. She suggested getting involved in community supported agriculture farms (CSAs). An audience member cited Calder Dairy as a sustainable local dairy farm which still delivers milk, eggs and other dairy products in the Dearborn area. Although it isn't an organic farm, it is a small locally owned farm (you can visit and see how the animals are living). Another participant spoke of the opportunity to purchase locally grown organic produce from a partnership out of Ann Arbor. Find out more at www.locavorious.com. Purchasing foods locally, reducing meat and buying from earth-friendly producers will reduce the stress on our environment. "Vote with your fork," says 3votesaday.org, which offers several ideas and helpful resources. If you want to be notified of the Winter 2011 schedule, friend us on facebook or send us your contact information via email.

The evening closed with a briefing on the Michigan Good Food Charter by Kathryn Colasanti of MSU. Michigan Good Food Charter outlines a vision for the food system in Michigan and 25 agenda priorities. Ms. Colasanti highlighted the primary goals (as the definition of good food) that can be accomplished as these priorities are put into effect.

Good Food is:
Healthy - It provides nourishment and enables people to thrive
Green - It was produced in a manner that is environmentally sustainable
Fair - No one along the production line was exploited for its creation
Affordable - All people have access to it

Would you like to get find out more about this 10 year plan or even get involved in implementing these ideas in your own life and in your community? Click here to learn more about it and begin telling others. As the general public, business community, governmental leaders and non-governmental agencies gain awareness, progress can be made.

200 yr old Burr Oak at HFCC

2010-12-01T13:12:00.000-05:00

This venerable tree is a must-see and a fine place to take photos. The over 200 year-old Burr Oak was given a plaque donated by our League which is exhibited on the boardwalk across from the tree which is 177 inches in circumference. To save the tree from lightning, workers have placed lightning rods on three places on the tree. Think about it! This tree was a sapling when George Washington was President of the United States.

By Joe Borrajo

Vice President of LWVDDH

The Next Hot Topic is FOOD!

2010-10-25T12:38:00.008-04:00

Ater a busy election season, LWVDDH will move on to emphasize our hottest topics. November is all about FOOD! As usual, we study up on the facts and talk it over first. So will you join us for movie night on Thursday, Nov 18th?

We'll begin with light refreshments at 6:30 and an introduction to our topic. Then we'll watch Food, Inc. (Find out more at http://www.foodincmovie.com/) From 8:30 to 9 we will review the highlights and our priorities. Be a part of our grassroots group and you'll be reminded that doing something important can also be lots of fun.

Our office is located at 120 Military at Cherry Hill, inside Christ Episcopal Church. They generously make room for us to host public events. We'll be on the 2nd floor waiting for you!

Then on Wednesday, Dec 1st some of us will go to Sustainable Food Potluck, sponsored by Cool Cities Dearborn and Sierra Club. This will be at UM Dearborn from 6pm to 8pm.

------------
Thursday Nov 18th 6:30-9pm Food Inc Movie Night, LWVDDH office at 120 Military

Wednesday Dec 1st 6 - 8pm Sustainable Food Potluck, UM Dearborn off of Hubbard Dr

Voter Guides for Nov 2

2010-10-23T07:07:00.013-04:00

Because our cities are divided into different districts, you may not know who you are to choose from. For example, Dearborn Hts voters might be confused about their state rep district, is it #16 or 17?

Go here to see your exact ballot listing - www.publius.org – and enter your name and city.

Dearborn voters addendum - check your ballot and district in case you are in this district rather than the 15th Congressional District:

Candidates for the Congressional 14th District Representative
Don Ukrainec - Republican
John Conyers Jr. - Democratic
Marc J. Sosnowski - U.S. Taxpayers
Richard J. Secula - Libertarian

Non-partisan candidate Q&A for your community and all proposals are included in the LWVDDH publications below:

Dearborn voters click here:

www.lwvddh.org/voterguide_D.pdf

Dearborn Heights voters click here:

www.lwvddh.org/voterguide_DH.pdf

For Congressional and statewide offices (Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, University leadership and judicial positions). Because of the number of congressional districts, this is a 2 part document.

Pages 1-16 (Governor, SOS, AG to District 1- 9)

http://www.lwvmi.org/documents/LWV2010p1-16.pdf

Pages 17-32 (District 10-15, State Board, University and Judicial offices)

http://www.lwvmi.org/documents/LWV2010p17-32.pdf

Although some are discouraged, some are frustrated, and many are apathetic, being able to vote is a hard-won and highly important citizenship right and duty. Voting Day is November 2 for all those able to get to the polls on that day. Until then, go to the City Clerk's office anytime to vote absentee ballot.

H2O taste test at the 10/10 climate change event

2010-10-10T18:31:00.010-04:00

Many joined us at UM Dearborn Sunday afternoon for our sustainability walk and work party. Sierra Club, Dearborn Cool Cities, Student Environment Association (SEA) of UM -D and Fordson High School Environmental Club held the event at the Environmental Interpretive Center. Most of the sunny afternoon was spent walking through the wooded area, painting pumpkins, and eating donuts with a cup of refreshing apple cider. LWVDDH had an information table with a petition and a water taste test. We had LWVMI Voter Guides, Who's Who 2010 and other resources available.

Several participants signed our petition that will be sent to local and state elected officials asking them to take action on curbing climate change with local action and effective policy. We shared a few ideas about simple
actions for sustainability, such as reduce the amount of time we let our cars idle, and to reduce the amount of plastic and energy wasted because of bottled water. 50 million barrels of crude oil are used to make the plastic
bottles and ship them around the nation, while tons and tons of plastic bottles end up in landfills, greenways and waterways. What a waste!

Because of the emphasis on bottled water, we sponsored a blind taste test for bottled vs tap water. Bottled water taste and quality depends on the brand and source, but for our test we used Ice Mountain Spring Water. The large gallon containers were $1.19 each. We also brought glass bottles of Dearborn tap water, which costs $0.0016 per gallon. We refilled and poured the samples from matching glass jars to disguise its source. Tasters drank from unmarked small paper cups, chose descriptive words for each sample - clean, metallic, tasteless etc, and told us their preference of the 2 samples. Though a handful of tasters had no preference, there was almost an even split between tap and bottled.

For those who preferred the bottled water over tap water, a better choice than wasteful, costly plastic water bottles is to simply put a filter on their tap. 25% of bottled water also comes from a municipal tap anyway!
The best suggestion for portable water is a stainless steel bottle rather than plastic because the less plastic we use, the better. Not only that, but plastic containers can leach chemicals into the water - never a good thing. We kept our sample tap water in glass for this event to avoid that plastic taste that is sometimes detected in bottled water.

After we started taking our table down, we attempted to form an evergreen tree shape for an aerial photo. Many participants had left by that time, but we managed with those who were still lingering. When the photos are
published online, we'll post a link.

This was not a one-time feel-good event for us, nor for the other participants. We'll keep the momentum going at the UM Dearborn Sustainability Festival and Roundtable III in a couple of weeks, Oct 18th -23rd. Jenni Dunn will be speaking at this event to encourage informed and active citizenry with a briefing on local government, advocacy on issues and making an impact for good in our community. Connections made at this and future events will strengthen our small voices and make a big difference!