Farmers Market Table September 28
On Saturday, September 28, the local League will have an information table at the Farmers Market in downtown Morgantown from 8:30-12. We will inform people about the League and, in conjunction with National Voter Registration Day, we will have voter registration forms available. Contact Board member Gloria Sofranko at gloria@sofranko.org or call her at 703-389-1103 if you would like to help.
Membership Meeting: October 16
Our Fall Membership Meeting will be held Wednesday, October 16, 7-9 pm at the Aull Center (Historic Garlow House) 351 Spruce Street. We will have as our special guest Sharon Turner, Director of the Morgantown Public Library. She will be speaking on the funding of the library system. Since both the County Commission and City Council recently cut funding to the library, the issue is important locally. Other issues that may be covered are: changes in the library stemming from e-books and other technology advances, accommodating the homeless population, and promoting the library and its services.
At the State League Convention in May it was decided to have a State League study of funding for WV Public libraries. Earlier this year the State Supreme Court overturned a 1957 state law which required nine county school systems in West Virginia to turn over a portion of their budget to help fund their local public libraries.
Information gathered at our membership meeting will help with the State study. We encourage members to come, bring a friend, enjoy refreshments and learn about our public library as well as the committees in our League which are available for members to join.
Meeting on County Government November 6
There will be a public meeting on County Government on November 6, 7-9 pm at the new Sheriff’s Department building on Beechurst Avenue. Topics may include: mission, budget and taxes, number of commissioners, zoning, meeting time of the commission, media coverage of meetings, collaboration with municipalities, and county boards and commissions. Don Spencer will create a quiz (with answers) to get us started. (Parking is available in the parking garage on Beechurst).
During our May Annual Meeting, one of our newest members, Bill Kawecki, suggested that we acquire the ability to receive credit cards at meetings since there is now technology that makes this easy for organizations. This capability is now here! Along with the ability to pay/donate online with your credit card or PayPal account at http://tinyurl.com/paylwvmm , you may now easily swipe your physical credit card at our meetings on a device known as PayPal Here!
NATURAL RESOURCES
The League has sent a letter to the Energy Corporation of America opposing a possible injection well for hydraulic fracturing waste water in Preston County. The company is exploring a site 500 feet from the entrance to the Deckers Creek trail outside of Masontown, WV. The Friends of Deckers Creek are publicizing information on the dangers to Deckers Creek if such a well were allowed at that site.
Go to the League website for information from FODC, as well as our letter from the League Board. We encourage you to write your own letter to the company if you are so moved.
GUIDE TO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
The 2013 Guide for local city, county, state, and federal officials was completed in July this year, and is available online for the first time, at our LWVWV website . Guides will also be on hand at the Membership meeting – be sure to pick up a copy.
Also in this edition, Report on the Annual Meeting, our newest members, how to become a League Member, and Newsletter Editor wanted.
LWV Newsletter September-October 2013