The League of Women Voters, a non-partisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
Mark your calendar! The typical June LWV-RA field trip will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 19, at the Minnesota History Center, featuring the ExtraOrdinary Women exhibit. https://www.mnhs.org/historycenter Details:
The latest issue of the CMAL newsletter contains an article about the new country government study, as well as a calendar of upcoming CMAL events. You can view the newsletter here.
It’s turning into a tradition! The 5th annual LWV of Roseville Area Brews and Book Reviews event is scheduled for Wednesday, July 21, beginning at 6:30 p.m. While we went virtual last year and had to raid our respective coolers for a brew, this year we have reserved a room for the event at High Pines Brewing Company (https://www.highpinesbrewing.com), located at 2704 Snelling Ave. North in Roseville (the former Joe’s Crab Shack location). Craft beers and non-alcoholic drinks from the brewery and a variety of food items from Tipsy Steer (https://tipsysteer.com/roseville/) are available for purchase.
“Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I would like to see you living in better conditions.” Hafiz, Persian poet, 1315-1390
It’s a long time since I have been a renter. There are plusses and minuses to renting versus owning, both in terms of finances and responsibilities. But those questions and choices are irrelevant to many low-income renters in America.
In 2017, sociologist Matthew Desmond won a Pulitzer Prize, and other recognitions, for his searing study, Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. Though it was highly acclaimed, it did not make it to the top of my reading pile at the time. This year with pandemic related moratoria on evictions, news of gaps in those leading to loss of housing, the visible challenges of balancing the interests of landlords and low-income renters who may be essential workers, and more, it came to mind again.
Ramsey County Library has provided us with a link to the recording of this program. Here is the link: https://my.nicheacademy.com/rcladult/course/30980
Want to recognize Earth Day without leaving home? Join us for an environmental forum with the Mayors from Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Little Canada, Maplewood, and Roseville. Hear about actions taken the five area Cities to address climate change and implement their 2040 Comprehensive Plans and ask your questions. This event is sponsored by the Ramsey County Library and League of Women Voters of the Roseville Area. This event June 3, 2021, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. is hosted on the Ramsey County Library's Zoom platform.
The Voter Services Committee offered area high schools voter registrations when seniors picked up graduation caps and gowns. Schools were also provided eligibility requirements for students registering and information on how to register online. Tartan High School accepted the offer and Marcia Cheney, Gladys Jones, Karen Lake, and Florence Sprague volunteered May 13-14, with 111 students taking advantage of the opportunity.
The study team for “Equitable Representation in City Commissions and Boards” invites all League members to provide feedback to arrive at consensus as the next step in the study process. This year-long study includes research on the composition, recruitment, orientation, and role of City Council-appointed commissioners and a report. The goal of this study was to identify current practices and suggestions/best practices in equitable representation for Boards and Commissions appointed by the City Councils of Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Little Canada, Maplewood, and Roseville. Here is the attached letter and report. (A print copy has been sent to members who traditionally receive print materials.) After hearing a summary presentation and participating in discussion, members will have the opportunity to vote on the following question: "Should LWVRA recommend that our cities’ boards and commissions broadly reflect the diversity of their population, including race, ethnicity, gender, income, age, and other aspects of diversity?"
Please participate via Zoom on Monday, May 24, 7:00 p.m. at this link: https://lwvmn-org.zoom.us/j/93171333608?pwd=Yi9mSHRCSGtlbEdXQU5qNzkrRm1hZz09.
