November 2022

Some ways to get more information about the ballot if you haven't voted already are:

• Watch candidate forum recordings here

• Check out Vote411

• Tacoma voters can get information about Proposition 1, Metro Parks levy restoration, here.

• And see this video from the News Literacy Project about how to spot election misinformation.

November brings the election, Veterans’ Day and Thanksgiving.  It is a time to recognize what we have, what we can be thankful for, and what we can give to others not so fortunate.  I am thankful for democracy, for our Washington state election system, and for those who put themselves forward to be candidates.  I hope that everyone will vote who hasn’t already (and vote early!) so that our democracy really works.

I am thankful for our League members who have put themselves forward as candidate forum moderators, timer, coordinators, so that we can offer this service to the public. Thank you to Lydia Zepeda, Liz Knox, Lyz Kurnitz-Thurlow, Katie Baird, Ubel Perez, Bailey Wambold, Bryan Lewis, Ruth Ogden and Nick Brooks, who moderated. We were so fortunate to have Ubel, Bailey, Bryan, Ruth and Nick be willing to take time from their studies at UW Tacoma to co-moderate.  Terri Baker was so diligent; she did the timing for all but one forum. Susan Eidenschink stepped up to help when Terri couldn’t.  And Noel Hagens, who cheerfully coordinated all of this deserves an extra huge applause for her persistence in making this whole process come together.  Please watch the forums to educate yourself about the candidates, if you haven’t already voted. They are very informative.  You can watch them here.  

I am thankful as well for our Observer Corps volunteers, who faithfully observe and write about city and county council, school board and Port Commission meetings.  These reports are another public service that the League performs.  To learn much more about what’s going on in Pierce County, take a look at these observer reports here.  Ann Williams, Kresha Warnock, Hank and Linda Tanz, Rosemary Powers are our most frequent contributors, and Lydia Zepeda not only writes but coordinates this team.  They deserve our appreciation for their time. It takes a lot to watch and then write.

I am thankful for the Election Observers, led by the indefatigable Nan Peele, too numerous to list here, who give their time to watch how ballots are handled and validate the extraordinary process used here. So many people in the country don't have the confidence in elections that we do.

I am grateful to Liz Knox and Joan Berry for working with a number of school districts to distribute books and teacher’s manuals of The State We’re In, the League's civics education text, to teachers and students.  This was a big project and a major contribution to education in Pierce County.  https://www.lwvwa.org/books  If you haven’t seen The State We’re In, take a look at it here and share the link with anyone who could benefit from understanding more about how government in Washington State works.

I am always thankful for Susan Eidenschink, who holds our League together with her management of the office, coordination of office volunteers, and who steps up whenever we need something.

Regardless of how the election turns out, these people and others make me realize how special our League is and how we contribute to making democracy work. And it makes me realize how lucky so many of us are to have homes, warmth and the ability to enjoy Thanksgiving.  For additional Thanksgiving inspiration, take a look at this inspiring message of appreciation and kindness provided by the League of Women Voters of Washington.  "Kindness Matters", by Roslyn Ann Duffy, points out in a quote from Amelia Earhart, "A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”  Please reach out to others who are without homes and offer what you can - at the very least, a smile and good cheer.

Learn about the impacts of local newspaper decline

This month's unit meetings focus on the findings from the LWVWA Local Journalism Study

Members of the state League committee studying the impact of the loss of local newspapers began their work nearly two years ago as an affinity group.   They received approval at the state Convention in June 2021 to conduct a study and now, having completed their study and report, look forward to review by local Leagues the local League consensus-question discussions. Ultimately, they hope their efforts will lead to the League creating a position on local newspapers in light of the impact of their decline on our communities.  The report is on tap to go to the state League Board of directors on November 14. It will be available on the state League website shortly after that for reading and review.

The study team has offered to share the research findings with local Leagues throughout the state, and the team will be the featured speakers at our Virtual Unit Meeting on November 2.   This live presentation will be recorded for use in our in-person unit meetings during the following week. Meeting information is below.  These meetings are all open to the public.

Presenters bring wide experience in the field of journalism and commitment to information access.  They include:

• DeeAnne Finken, study co-chair  (former reporter with The Fresno Bee, freelancer with the Oregonian, and past director of the journalism program at Clark College);

• Delores Irwin, study co-chair (former reporter for Southern  California newspapers including the Orange  County Register;

• Sally Carpenter Hale, (retired bureau chief and account director with 40 years experience with the Associated Press in four states,  a founding president of the Pennsylvania  Freedom of Information Coalition and a board member of the PA NewsMedia Association and the PNA Foundation;

• Joanne Lisosky, (with a PhD and career in multimedia journalism, followed by teaching  journalism and advising student media at Pacific Lutheran University for more than 20 years, including Fulbright awards to teach journalism internationally; and

• Carol Rikerd (avid reader of newspapers since age  9, retired from federal employment). Both Joanne Lisosky and Carol Rikerd are members of our Tacoma Pierce County League.

Be Informed, Not Misled

Our local League's Media & Democracy study co-chair, Theresa Power-Drutis, recommends the News Literacy Project to find PSAs and tools for that League members, educators and community leaders can use to promote media literacy and news accuracy. Additionally, a LWVUS video called Break Out of Your Bubble, related to the November 8 election, has relevance far beyond the election.

materials and information about their use in classrooms. Three other districts were contacted by the state league before we began our quest locally. All but one of the districts contacted were excited and grateful for the texts. 

The Tacoma School District representative expressed a strong interest in having them for all junior high students and also copies for all elementary teachers who currently teach Washington State History. In September, the LWVTPC Board approved the purchase of these materials for Tacoma from the Cameron Endowment, so these books have been ordered and are on the way to Tacoma schools! 

Many thanks to Susan Eidenschink for all of her work ordering the many sets of materials for this project! If you are curious to know more about these textbooks, you can find them online here.

Hilltop Library Planning

November will be a great time for League member action to help support our Hilltop partners in their quest for full library services. A recently completed feasibility study funded by the City of Tacoma looks at restoring services and building new branches to replace those closed in 2011 for both the East Side and Hilltop areas – neighborhoods that are disproportionately underserved. The study’s recommendations are being presented currently to the Tacoma City Council during its budget cycle. Find the full study here.

What can League members do? While library expansion is not explicitly in the City’s proposed budget now, we can talk to council members to urge adopting the feasibility study recommendations. We can also help promote awareness, review and promotion of the recommendations with friends, neighbors and organizations. We can write letters to the editor.  Because implementing the full expansion recommendations would require a future bond issue, starting the community conversation now is important.

Our Hilltop partners, the Hilltop Library Planning Committee, a stalwart group of residents working over the past decade to restore their local branch, has put together a list of talking points on why library services are important. Take a look at those here.

Action to support this Hilltop Library effort was adopted at our League Annual Meeting in 2021 and is based on our League’s library position. The HLPC group has virtual monthly meetings that are open to all. Contact Susan Eidenschink or Nancy Pearson for more information.

Consider Serving on a County Board or Commission

There are several openings on critical Pierce County Boards and Commissions for representation from District 4 (Ryan Mello's district). In particular, the Planning Commission is an advisory board to the Pierce County Council regarding legislative actions dealing with planning 
and land use. Critical work is happening over the next two years to update the County’s Comprehensive Plan and this commission plays a critical role in addressing affordable housing, walkability, improving the safety of our transportation system, job growth, and the protection of our environment. The application may be found here.

Ms. Raebyne goes on to say, "What’s possible when society’s “forgotten population” decides to beat the odds and instead of putting hope into a broken system invest their hopes in each other, using the pains of their past to be the fuel that drives them to create a better tomorrow. Camp Second Chance is an encampment founded by the homeless to foster an environment that allows them to become productive people in society. “Stories of Us' are their stories and ours, one of triumph, showing us that the power lies within our own willpower not to just survive' but to thrive."

Our first in-person for several years annual Program of Work planning get-together will begin with a potluck lunch at noon, followed by discussion of what members want to pursue in the next League program year, 2023-24. Watch for more details in the December Voter.

In Memoriam – Mary Mazur