October 2022

Co-Presidents' Message

Hello and happy November all! 

If you have not voted already, please stop reading and GO DO IT! BRING A FRIEND (OR AN ENEMY), TOO!

The LWVLY Voters Service chairs worked tirelessly this fall to register voters at various events around town and to raise awareness about the election: thank you to Molly McClenon and Carla Heath for their leadership. Your Board has been busy working to streamline the Bylaws in order to make our organization run more efficiently and effectively. Please look for an email later this week to read the new document and vote on it. In addition, we are looking forward to possibly resuming Great Decisions, our lecture series on foreign policy. If anyone is interested in serving on the planning committee for this event, please contact me, Jennifer Gauthier at maximumjen@yahoo.com.

As you go about your daily life, please consider spreading the word about the good work that the League does--we would love to expand our membership. You may also pass on names of potential new members to our Membership Chair, Martha Terrell Burruss (mburruss@ves.org).

Thank you for your ongoing work to support democracy!   

Jennifer Gauthier, on behalf of the Co-Presidents

Committee Updates

VOTERS SERVICE

Since our September 12th Candidates Forum, the Voters Service Committee has given little talks at two community centers about the election and passed out our well received Voters Guide. We've been to the Community Market, First Friday at Riverviews Art Space, Randolph College twice, Virginia University in Lynchburg with the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and the University of Lynchburg during lunch and before and after their Candidates Forum. 

1900 Voters Guides were printed. We only have 53 left!

Heartfelt thanks to Jennifer Gauthier, Sue Stengel, Heidi Koring, Joan MacCallum, Sandy Knodel, and Pat Bower for helping Carla Heath and Molly McClenon.

To see more photos from our recent events, be sure to visit the LWVLY Facebook page.

Molly McClenon and Carla Heath, LWVLY Voters Service co-chairs

Updates

DRUG COURT

The October 26, 2022 Lynchburg Adult Drug Treatment Court had a little bit of everything, so I have described it in some detail. There were 16 participants and one person who came from the jail accompanied by a sheriff. Judge Watson explained that he had been recommend for drug court but there were a few issues that needed to be cleared up before he could be accepted. He choose to stay and observe the proceedings.

Three people graduated from Phase IV to V (the last phase) or II to III or III to IV. Judge Watson came onto the floor to greet them, give them a certificate, gift card, and fist bump.  The applause lasted until that person reached their seat.  People in Phase III and up only come to every other court. 

Three people were given much praise and asked to get a little reward from the coordinator after court.

Three people were reminded that they had until Nov. 30 to test negative for marijuana, as it takes a while for it to clear from a person's system.  Last month Judge Watson explained that he thought he had been too lax, and he was going to give them until Nov. 30 to be clean. 

One person is just getting started and not yet hooked up with all the support programs. He is expected to test negative by next court in two weeks.  Another new person was confused about what he was supposed to do.

One person reported on what he found out about PCP (also known as angel dust), as he was asked to do. Judge Watson has also asked people to write an essay to read in the next court about why they want to be in drug court or how they think it will help them. 

Two people tested positive, missed appointments, etc. If they are positive at next drug court, they will spend their time in the jail holding cell and probably need to prove they really want to be in drug court.

The last person had just gotten out of in-person treatment and used within a couple of days. He now has a private treatment doctor. He was assigned to two days in jail, which will be suspended if he tests negative at the next court. 

Judge Watson has made clear that there is a long waiting list of people who would like a chance to be in drug court, but at present there is no room. 

Submitted by Molly McClenon

Upcoming Events

ELECTION DAY

If you haven't done so already, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

Resources

DIGITAL VOTERS GUIDE

We've created a colorful, one-page voters guide for you to share electronically with your friends, family, neighbors, and other community organizations. You can download it as a PDF by clicking the button below. You can also find it, like it, and share it from our Facebook page.

Thank you for sharing!