March 2023 Contents Co-President's Message Event tonight! Understanding Lynchburg's Budget Process Report: Lynchburg Adult Drug Treatment Court Report: Electoral Board Meeting |
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It's officially Spring and we could not be happier to have kicked off a new slew of events we're calling the "Citizen Advocate Series"---in-person opportunities to learn more about local issues and how to effectively advocate for change. On March 15, we began with a focus on environmental justice issues in Lynchburg, with guest speakers from a coalition partnership engaging with vulnerable communities on flood, heat, and other climate-related issues. This coming Tuesday is our next event, designed to break down Lynchburg's annual budget process into manageable pieces. With certain City Council members calling for a drastically reduced property tax level, it's likely that the City will need to cut an additional $9 million from existing services (plus eliminating any pay increases for City employees). The City Manager has said that those cuts would likely start with parks and rec, but would need to go deeper---including into the school budget. These decisions will be made over the next 2 months, so it's imperative that we get involved now! (More information is below---please register in advance so we know you are coming.) We're also in the early planning stages for an event on education, focused on the Youngkin administration's efforts to revise the standards of learning for history and social studies. You may have seen in the news concerns about "whitewashing" our history -- our goal is to hear from local teachers and education advocates about how that might impact our kids here in Lynchburg, and what we can do to ensure comprehensive, appropriate, and nuanced education for our children. Stay tuned for more! Finally, we had hoped to share a "save the date" for our annual meeting (coming up in May), but are still working out the event date and location. Be on the lookout for a separate email once those details are locked in. And if you would be willing to help with planning our annual meeting, please get in touch with me at jennifer@sustainabilityconsulting.com. Thank you all in advance for your participation in these events -- and please share the word with your friends and neighbors. The more momentum we create, the more impact we have!
Jennifer Woofter and Jennifer Gauthier Co-Presidents |
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Community members at our event "Environmental Justice in Lynchburg: Building Resilience in Our Vulnerable Communities." To see more photos from this and other events, be sure to follow our Facebook page! |
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Event tonight! Understanding Lynchburg's Budget Process |
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With new changes in Lynchburg's City Council leadership, this spring's budget process has the potential to significantly shift which city services get funding---and what gets cut. For context, the proposed FY 2024 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program (All Funds) slices $45.8 million off the top, compared to last year's budget. The proposed budget is more than 500 pages long---and it can be difficult for regular citizens to understand the process, how funding decisions are finalized, and how to best advocate for the issues they care about. But we can help! Please join us on Tuesday, March 28th, from 6-8pm, to learn more about this topic. There's a lot on the line, and this is a great opportunity to get ready for the lead up to the April 4 public hearing (and subsequent City Council meetings).
Date: TONIGHT, March 28, 2023
Time: 6pm - 8pm
Location: Lynchburg, Academy Center of the Arts, 600 Main St
Notes: Free parking, wheelchair accessible location
It's not too late to RSVP here! We look forward to seeing you tonight! |
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Lynchburg Adult Drug Treatment Court |
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The Advisory Committee will meet on March 28th following the Drug Court session. The next Bulletin will contain a report, so please look for it and read it. I have a several concerns. A couple of times court has been changed to a meeting at Horizon Behavioral Health with the staff, except for Judge Watson, due to conflicting obligations. (Once Judge Watson came in during his vacation to preside over drug court.) Another concern is that LU has a 2-3 person team that is evaluating/advising the Drug Court. (LU does teach Criminal Justice, and a couple of times students have been observing.) I would like to find out how it came about and what their expertise is. Finally several participants have disappeared from my radar. Hopefully they are so close to the end that they only attend once a month. I will find out on the 28th. One person was accepted into the program last session, a couple new comers are getting off to a good start, a couple of participants who fooled around with marijuana far too long finally tested negative---to applause. Several are ready to begin their community service. Hopefully transportation issues have been resolved. The Drug Court staff is anticipating a graduation in a few months and reminds me that LWVLY's promised help with the reception is greatly appreciated! Submitted by Molly McClenon |
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The Electoral Board meeting was held on March 20, 2023, 2-3:45pm. The minutes from the last meeting were not ready for approval, so they will be offered at the next meeting. Vice Chair Steven Troxel read a statement about disorderly conduct pursuant to Virginia code and another regarding personal harm, saying he hoped never to have to use these. There was no registrar report. At the last meeting, a question regarding the policy of terms of employment including term limits for the Registrar was questioned by Troxel and Secretary Betty Gibbs who felt it should be clarified. The City Attorney said the present policy was concurrent with the state policy and with other communities but suggested seeking the opinion of the Virginia Attorney General. Chair Carolyn Sherayko did so but was told it would be a few weeks to get a response. Troxel said that he called and got through to one of the deputy attorney generals and was told to go ahead with a policy to include statement about terms of employment. Troxel presented a policy requiring term limits and that the job should be open for applicants every 4 years. Sherayko said to table the policy as she had not read it before tonight’s presentation and that she didn’t appreciate Troxel going behind her back to call state officials when that was her task. The vote to table did not pass (2-1). Policy to appoint or reappoint for ’23-27 term would be publicized and resumes would come to the secretary. Discussion ensued about whether this should happen before the present registrar has been evaluated. Questions were raised regarding why this was not going through city’s human resources department like all jobs for the city. Policy was adopted, 2-1. Next was the question about whether the board should have a prayer at the beginning of every meeting. Sherayko stated that the only purpose of the Electoral Board is to provide access for voting to all eligible persons. Troxel moved to “explore the possibility of opening every meeting with a prayer,” and the vote was 2-1 in favor. The room was packed, and there were not enough chairs. Registrar Christine Gibbons gave her chair to Pat Bower and insisted on standing the whole meeting. There were many public comments, which we summarize here by topic. Comments on the proposed policy on the registrar’s term limits Many people spoke against the proceedings and policy adoptions. Many felt that the present policy is more than adequate. Unfair to open up for job applications before registrar has had evaluation. Never any complaints about registrar and this was emphasized by several election workers People felt this was an underhanded move, not made public, should have public input etc. Criticism of not using Human Resources when every job is hired through them. Need transparency. The reason for term limits? The president, governor, and members of Congress all have them.
Comments on opening prayer We are very concerned about the events at this Electoral Board meeting and saw them as a classic example of democracy denied. Respectfully Submitted by Sandy Knodel and Pat Bowers |
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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate. |
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