Human Trafficking (Exploitation) MOT SENIOR CENTER, 300 So
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VOTER The League of Women Voters of New Castle County, Delaware September 2016 www.lwvdelaware-newcastlecounty.org Vol . 21 , No . 2 The Mission of the League of Women Voters is to empower citizens to shape better communities. You are invited to A Hot Topic Event Thursday, September 22 6:00 p.m. Refreshments 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Program Human Trafficking (Exploitation) MOT SENIOR CENTER, 300 So. Scott Street, Middletown Featuring Commissioner Mary McDonough of the Delaware Court of Common Pleas’ Human Trafficking Court - You’ll learn about this real Delaware social justice problem, which involves young girls and boys, migrant workers, and seasonal international laborers. The event will conclude with a panel discussion. Panelists: include: Commissioner McDonough from the Human Trafficking Court in the Court of Common Pleas, Commissioner Loretta Young from Family Court, Yolanda Schlabach of ZOE Ministries, Deputy Attorney General Periann Doko, Child Predator Task Force from the Attorney General's office, Valerie Marek from SOAR and possibly someone from the Public Defender's office and the Health and Social Services department. We will have the panelists talk about their involvement with Human Trafficking, we will have a short film presentation and questions from the guests. This event is free and open to the public; however, pre-registration is requested. Email [email protected] by September 20, using the subject line “Attending Sept. 22 Event” and providing your name. Partner organizations supporting this event: League of Women Voters New Castle County • 2400 W. 17th Street, Clash Wing, Rm. 1, Lower Level • Wilmington, DE 19806 (McDonough biography on page 4-5) 1 The League of Women Voters of Delaware will sponsor a program to commemorate Constitution Day Saturday, September 17, 2016 at the Dover Public Library, Multipurpose Room B 35 E. Lookerman Street, Dover, DE 19901. The program will begin at 10:30 A.M. Light refreshments will be served. Keynote speaker: Dean Rod Smolla Professor of Law at Delaware Law School Topic: Delaware's Constitution: Equal Protection / Equal Rights. LWVDE members Beverly Jackson and Ellen Wasfi will summarize the process and the conclusions of the 2015 LWVUS consensuses on Constitutional Amendment and Money in Politics. VOTER OUTREACH CANDIDATE DEBATES - See The News Journal Article on page 4. The League of Women Voters of New Castle County and the Triangle Neighborhood Association will sponsor Wilmington Mayoral Pre-primary Debate, Thursday, September 8, 6:30 pm, at Salesianum High School Auditorium, 1801 N Broom Street, Wilmington, DE 19802. The City of Wilmington directly or indirectly impacts every citizen in Delaware! Delaware is a small state and the climate of the City impacts all of us. Plan to attend the Mayoral Candidate Night whether or not you are a city resident. The League is partnering with Triangle Neighborhood Association to provide this important service to Delaware. All candidates are expected to attend. Carole Walsh, NCC League member, will serve as moderator. We thank the staff at Sallies for providing this terrific venue. Suggestions for questions may be emailed to Loren [email protected] or attend the Debate and bring your questions. Questions from emails and the audience will be asked. Carole Walsh and Judy Taggart The League of Women Voters of Kent County will cosponsor a Candidates Night for Kent County on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, at 7:00 P.M. in the Palmer Room of Modern Maturity Center in Dover.Thiseventisbeing hosted by the League of Women Voters of Kent County, the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Dover Chapter, and Modern Maturity Center. The list of invited candidates includes those running for State Senate (14th and 15th Districts) and State Representative (11th,28th,29th,30th,31st 32nd,33rd and 34th Districts) from Kent County, Kent County Levy Court Commissioner, Kent County Clerk of the Peace and Kent County Register of Wills. Ellen O, Wasfi, Candidates Night Chair. LWVKC/LWVDE The League of Women Voters of Delaware will cosponsor a Candidates Night for statewide and federal offices on Wednesday, October 26, 2016, at 7:00 P.M. in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, Parlor C, at Delaware State University. This event is being hosted by the League of Women Voters of Kent County, the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Dover Chapter, and Delaware State University. The list of invited candidates includes those running for U.S. Representative, Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Insurance Commissioner. During both events, members of the audience will be given index cards at the entry door and throughout the program on which to pose questions directly to the candidates. The League of Women Voters will moderate the debate. These events provide the public with the opportunity to ask the candidates where they stand on issues of major concern. Ellen O. Wasfi, Candidates Night Chair. LWVKC/LWVDE 2 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Of all the National Elections in recent history, this November’s election will hold the very future of our Nation in the balance. Each side is convinced that its candidate will transform the direction of issues that trouble our country: in no particular order- international trade policies; prison reform; ramped up efforts in addressing racial prejudice and bigotry; improving educational systems, stabilize voter registration laws throughout the country; reform immigration policies; address violence by police, and against police; the environment and land use; global warming-sea level rise; tolerance of the race and religion of other people; homeless populations….and on, and on, and on. What can you do as an individual? Advocate your opinion to others, with evidence to back up your points. Lobby for the candidates of your choice at all levels, federal, state and local. Join phone banks. There are a myriad of ways you can help to get your candidates’ names out there for attention. One important fact to remember, the United States is a World Leader and a truly great country. Don’t ever lose sight of that as you make your choice for the upcoming election. Emily White, President LWVNCC VOTER REGISTRATION REPORT AvoterregistrationtrainingwasheldintheofficeonSeptember1, with subs and cookies. There are at least seventeen requests for September to do voter registrations around New Castle County and its cities and towns. AAUW members will be helping out as well as volunteers from the community. We also will need people to do a shift of two hours or so, at the Newark Community Day, Sunday, September 18, 11-4 pm. No special knowledge required, but a friendly smile is much appreciated. Send an email or call Contact Patti Christopher, Voter Registration Chair, LWVNCC [email protected], 302-764-0309, to volunteer. Pictured at left: The League had a voter information table at the Elsmere Community Garden Day on one of the hottest evenings in August. However, the people were welcoming and the vegetable and herb gardens were lush. Forum to give last minute platform to mayoral hopefuls Christina Jedra, The News Journal 1:25 p.m. EDT August 31, 2016 Wilmington mayor candidates (from left) Maria Cabrera, Theo Gregory, Norman Griffiths, Kevin Kelley, Bob Marshall, Mike Purzycki, Mayor Dennis P. Williams and Eugene Young debate Aug. 17. The crowded field has made it difficult for any candidate to become a clear leader in the Sept. 13 primary. (Photo: WILLIAM BRETZGER/THE NEWS JOURNAL) AforumnextweekwillgiveDemocraticcandidatesformayorofWilmingtonalastminuteopportunitytopersuade primary voters. (Continued on page 4 Forum to give last Minute.....) 3 (Continued from page 3 Forum to give last Minute.....) Seven of the eight candidates are slated to attend the event on Sept. 8 at the Salesianum School auditorium at 1801 N. Broom St. Incumbent Mayor Dennis P. Williams did not accept an invitation. "Since this is probably the last opportunity for voters to see the candidates for mayor prior to the Democratic primary election, we are hoping for a large audience," said Carole Walsh of the League of Women Voters of New Castle County. "The climate of the city of Wilmington directly or indirectly impacts every citizen in Delaware." The panel, hosted by the league and the Triangle Neighborhood Association, will have a question and answer format, Walsh said. Each candidate will have one minute to respond. There will be no back-and-forth among candidates or with the audience, she said. The forum is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the event will start at 6:30 p.m. The candidates for mayor include Williams; City Council President Theo Gregory; riverfront developer Mike Purzycki; State Sen. Bob Marshall; City Councilwoman Maria Cabrera; Delaware Center for Justice Advocacy Director Eugene Young; former City Councilmen Norm Griffiths and Kevin Kelley. Republican Robert Martin,whowasnominatedbyhispartylastweek,andIndependent Steve Washington are also vying for the mayor's seat. (Continued from page 1, Biography of Commissioner McDonough) Commissioner Mary M. McDonough received her J.D. degree, 1978, at New York University School of Law, New York, NY, and her B.A., Political Science, Summa Cum Laude, 1975 from the University of Delaware, Newark, DE. McDonough is a Court Commissioner of the State of Delaware, Court of Common Pleas, 2004 — Present. As a judicial officer, she handles primarily criminal calendars including preliminary hearings in felony cases along with misdemeanor calendars including: Violations of Probation, arraignments, pleas/bail reviews, capias returns, and DUI case reviews. She also handles civil pretrial conferences and civil motor vehicle habitual offender cases. McDonough started the Human Trafficking Court program in 2012. It is a treatment court designed primarily for women in prostitution/human trafficking, one of 12 such post-adjudication courts in the country at that time. She serves on the Delaware Human Trafficking Coordinating Council as the Court of Common Pleas's designated representative on this statutorily-created Council, 2015 - present.