TH E VOT E R The Newsletter of the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons Founded in 1977 Volume XXXIX, No. 8
February/March 2019 What’s Inside
President’s Message ...... 2 Education Committee Report ...... 3 Special Events Committee Report ...... 4 Recent Events ...... 4 Electronic Communications Report ...... 5 Health Committee Report ...... 6 Suffolk County Voter ...... 15 Highlight sof Board of Directors Meeting ...17 Recent Events ...... 18
SAVE THE DATES Major Voting Changes are Coming to Thursday, January 31, 2019 New York State Planning Meeting for Future Activities On its first day of conducting business in 2019 The New York State Rogers Memorial Library, Southampton Legislature passed seven bills that would bring about sweeping changes 12:30 – 2:30 Lunch Provided in the way the state’s citizens vote. Those bills are: RSVP to [email protected] Early voting Thursday, February 7, 2019 Same day voter registration Beat the Blahs Annual Luncheon No-excuse absentee voting Bobby Van’s Restaurant, Bridgehampton Primary Consolidation 12 Noon – 2:00 Pre-registration for 16 and 17 year olds $34 pay at door; check made out to Bobby Van’s State-wide voter registration transfer Closure of the LLC loophole March 11, 2019 Since the 1960’s the state League has fought for comprehensive voting Voter Services Committee PIM reforms. Council Members of East and Southampton As the New York State League proudly celebrates its 100th anniversary Hampton Library, Bridgehampton this year, it is a truly monumental achievement to finally see our hard 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. work pay off. All these changes will not occur simultaneously. Some will not happen April 4, 2019 without further voting by the legislature and in some cases, by referen - Former Congressman Steve Israel speaking about dum. his new book "Big Gun" Venue: Seasons Restaurant, Southampton As we celebrate these important positive changes, THE NYS League reminds us that there are future steps needed: 5:30 – 7:30 Continued on page 17
http://www.lwvhamptons.org 1 President’s Message
The League of Women Voters of the Hamptons By Estelle Gellman Have the winter doldrums? How about becoming more active in the Mission Statement The League of Women Voters of the Hamptons, a League as an antidote to the winter blahs? Not only will it help to lift nonpartisan political organization, encourages the you out of the doldrums but will help to make a positive difference in informed and active participation of citizens in gov - our community. ernment, and influences public policy through edu - There are those who think that political organizations are only active cation and advocacy. during elections but, as a non-partisan political organization, the Diversity Policy League is active year- round with many ongoing projects in which you The League of Women Voters of the Hamptons, in are invited to participate. The work of our committees can pique your both its values and practices, is committed to diver - interest and excite your passion. Would working with children and high sity and pluralism. This means that there shall be no school students excite you? Join our Education Committee. Their ac - barriers to participation in any activity of the League on the basis of economic position, gender, race, tivities have included registering high school seniors and training high creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin or dis - school students to register their peers, working with girl scouts on their ability. The League of Women Voters of the Hamp - suffrage badge and selecting students to participate in Students in Al - tons recognizes that diverse perspectives are bany and Students in Suffolk County, programs in which students get to important and necessary for responsible and repre - meet our legislators and participate in mock legislative sessions. sentative decision-making. The League of Women Voters of the Hamptons subscribes to the belief that Or are you more excited about voting and issues of government? Join diversity and pluralism are fundamental to the values us on March 12 for a Public Information Meeting, organized by our it upholds and that inclusiveness enhances the orga - Voter Services Committee, at which the East Hampton and Southamp - nization's ability to respond more effectively to ton Town Council Members will discuss their views on the issues fac - changing conditions and needs. The League of ing our community. The Voter Services Committee is active in voter Women Voters of the Hamptons affirms its commit - ment to reflecting the diversity of the East End. registration, providing voter information and sponsoring candidate de - bates. Are you excited about issues such as voter reform, affordable Membership housing and local transportation? Want to lobby our state legislators on Any person who supports the mission of the League issues such as voter reform? Then join our Government Committee. may become a member. Or are you more interested in the environment? Then join our Natural
The Voter Newsletter Resources and Government Committees as they investigate our recy - The newsletter of the Hamptons League, The Voter , cling program. And if you enjoy event planning, our Special Events is dedicated to bringing useful information, back - Committee is always busy planning events to help fund our many activ - ground, perspective and commentary on public pol - ities. Don’t be shy about contacting any of our committee chairs and icy issues confronting League members and other joining us. community citizens in Southampton and East Hamp - ton Towns, Suffolk County and the State of New Don’t worry that it’s all work and no play. Join us for our Winter Beat York. It explores the work of the League to promote the Blahs Luncheon on February 7th to brighten up the cold days of positive solutions, and it empowers people to make a winter. Details for this event, committee meetings and Public Informa - difference in their communities. tion Meetings appear elsewhere in this issue and on our website:
The Voter is published six times a year (October/No - lwvhamptons.org vember, December/January, February/March, We hope to see you soon. April/May, June/July, August/September) by the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons, P. O. Box 2253, East Hampton, NY 11937.
Judi Roth, Editor Cathy Peacock, Advertising Manager Bruce McGowin, Design & Production Arlene Hinkemeyer, Photographer Madison Lohrius Inc., Printing and Mailing
Printed on recycled paper.
2 The Voter - February/March2019 Education Committee Report
Training Voting Ambassadors at Hampton Bays High School By Teresa Wildrick ers and an amazing 20 out of 54 students registered to be - In order to encourage students to vote, Judi Roth, Co-Chair come organ donors. of the Education Committee, designed a program to train On Friday, we engaged students in role playing activities. young people to register their peers, family and friends. We talked about ways to approach people and offer the op - Originally, we expected to present the program to small portunity to register. Scenarios included postive and nega - groups of students with a particular interest in the civic tive responses. Students were creative in their suggestions process. Terese Wildrick met with the Social Studies teach - for encouraging others to register and vote, while remaining ers at Hampton Bays High School to work out the details of polite and respectful. The Government students were begin - a plan. The teachers felt that it would be more effective if we presented our program to all of the Seniors in the class - room setting. Seeing this as an opportunity to reach more than 120 students, we began preparing ourselves for a marathon of seven classes on January 3 and five classes on January 4. The teachers, Kathleen Kops, Rachel Kelsh, Lyn McAulay and Felipe Perez, requested those dates because it coincided with their course work, and because any students who turn eighteen during this calendar year would be eligi - ble to register. After introducing ourselves and stating our purpose of in - creasing the number of young people who register and vote, we discussed the history of voting rights. We highlighted the importance of voting, citing several close and contested elections in 2018.Students appreciated the youth and diver - Education co-chairs Judi Roth (on left) and Teresa Wildrick working with Hampton Bays sity of the recently elected Congress. Since many students senior students on their GO VOTE project. in Hampton Bays are not yet citizens, we reminded them of the citizenship classes offered by the public libraries in our area, and that they can help distribute voter registration ning a Get Out the Vote campaign as a class assignment forms. with Ms. Kelsh. They formed small groups and began de - signing brochures, radio, TV and social media advertise - When asked what issues are most important to them, sev - ments to draw attention to the importance of registering and eral students mentioned the environment. Others mentioned voting. Students brainstormed places where they would be immigration, taxes and safety as major concerns. We em - likely to encounter people who were not registered. Ideas phasized how important it is to elect representatives who included other schools, sports events and cultural events. share our values and concerns. One group is planning a flash mob .Wouldn’t it be fun to The next portion of our program focused on the voter regis - see them in action? tration form. While most students understood how to fill out While students were understandably tired after their holiday the personal information, many needed clarification on vacation, they were excited to register to vote. One young what it means to choose a party or “No party,” and the dif - woman had completed her online registration shortly after ference between the Independence Party and “No party.” midnight on January 1! We mentioned voting in primaries as an advantage of choosing a party, while making it clear that it is possible to We plan to bring this program to other schools in our area, change the original choice by filling out a new voter regis - and will adapt it to meet the needs of the students and tration form on paper or online and that registering for a teachers. Sean Brand, from Southampton High School, has party does not mean you have to vote for the candidate of asked us to work on a service learning project for AP stu - that party. Since many Seniors will be away from home by dents near the end of the school year. Ideally, small groups Election Day in November, we provided information and of student volunteers will become Voting Ambassadors who applications for absentee ballots. Many students checked will continue to encourage and motivate their peers to par - the box indicating that they would like to be election work - ticipate in elections.
http://www.lwvhamptons.org 3 Special Events Committee Report Special Events Coming Up By Judi Roth Prospect Avenue. This charming restaurant/catering facility First comes the annual Beat the Winter Blahs luncheon at (the former John Duck) is the perfect place -- ample parking, Bobby Van’s on Thursday, February 7th at noon. This year good food and lovely surroundings. The price is $65 before we are moving up to the front of the house so that table-hop - March 28 and $70 after that and at the door. AND it is possi - ping will be a lot easier. Cost for our two- course meal is $34. ble that a former provost of Southampton College and himself a former Congressman and friend of Congressman Israel will Moving on to April (and that means the winter will be gone!!) be our moderator! Stay tuned. on the 4th we have a really special event that Arlene Hinke - meyer has been working on since the August book fair at the Moving along to May 30th, we are planning another outing East Hampton Library. It will be a Book-and-Author cocktail that could rightly be called “Know Your Hamptons”. We have party with Former Congressman Steve Israel (3rd District ). had excursions to Shelter Island, Amagansett, Sag Harbor and He will speak about and sign copies of his second novel, “Big Southampton. Next up will be a day in Springs. Places being Guns”, a political satire about the powerful gun lobby. The considered include the Judith Leiber Museum with her fabu - novel is set in Washington,D.C, and in Asabogue, a mythical lous collection of handbags, a tour of the historic Green River village located between Southampton and East Hampton, with Cemetery with art historian Helen Harrison, the Duck Creek the climax of the book taking place at a League of Women Farm Historic Site with the new addition of the John Little Voters candidates debate! Congressman Israel is a humorous Barn and sculpture park and a possible look at the solar farm and entertaining speaker. Arlene “ambushed” the Congress - on Accabonac Road. (For those of you wondering why not the man at the book fair and he readily agreed to be the feature JacksonPollack House that is because visitors are limited to 12 speaker at this event which will be our annual fund raiser. people at a time – if you haven’t seen it do make your own plans to do so.) Our lunch will be at the East Hampton Indoor The Special Events Committee has been hard at work finding Tennis Clubhouse. This is a new “hotspot” with bowling, the right venue and we are delighted to announce that our games and music on weekends. We will enjoy a very nice cocktail party will take place at Seasons of Southampton on lunch in an interesting setting. Former Congressman Steve Israel Speaks at LWV Book-and- Author Cocktail Party, April 4 By Arlene Hinkemeyer sional records will be The League’s Special Events Committee is excited to host a housed. This past fall, he Book-and-Author cocktail party with former Congressman served as both a Tisch Col - Steve Israel on Thursday, April 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Seasons lege Visiting Fellow at of Southampton at 15 Prospect Avenue. Tufts University, where he taught the course “Topics Israel, always entertaining and humorous, will speak about in American Politics: In - and sign copies of his second novel, “Big Guns,” published in side Congress and the 2018 2018, a political satire about the powerful gun lobby. Perfect Midterm Elections” and as for South Fork and League of Women Voters audiences, the an Institute of Politics novel is set in Washington D.C. and in Asabogue, a mythical Pritzker Fellow at the Uni - village located between Southampton and East Hampton, with versity of Chicago, where he Congressman Steve Israel with his new novel the climax of the book taking place at a League of Women “Big Guns,” taken at an appearance in East taught a seminar with for - Hampton last summer. Voters candidates debate! mer Congressman Tom A resident of Oyster Bay, Israel was the U.S. Representative Davis, 1999-2003 chairman from the 2nd and then the redistricted 3rd Congressional Dis - of the National Republican Congressional Committee. trict on Long Island’s Nassau County and Suffolk County Congressman Israel regularly serves as a political commenta - north shore for eight terms, from 2001-17, and as he says hu - tor on the news, with his insights appearing in the New York morously, left “undefeated and unindicted”. Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, Recognized for his political abilities, Israel has held many and many other print, television and digital media. House leadership positions, including chair-man of the Demo - Israel’s books, including his first novel “The Global War on cratic Congressional Campaign Committee, 2011-15, respon - Morris” (2015), also a political satire, will be available for sale sible for the development of competitive House campaigns on April 4. throughout the country. As such, he developed a network of local, state and federal officials and is considered a leading ex - Checks made out to LWV Hamptons for $65 can be mailed to pert in congressional dynamics. Cathy Peacock, PO Box 7071, Amagansett, NY 11930 (after March 28 or at the door, the price is $70). If you wish to use Steve Israel is currently Chairman of the non-partisan Global PayPal please call Cathy at 631-379-2609. Institute at Long Island University, where his official Congres -
4 The Voter - February/March2019 Electronic Communications Report
Keeping in closer touch By Judy Samuelson ize what you’re missing out on. This responsibility falls to At many LWVH Board meetings, we’ve discussed ways to me as Electronic Communications Chair. And so long as strengthen and increase committee membership. Not long the information comes regularly and in a timely way from ago, the Natural Resources Committee was thriving. Edu - committee chairs, I’m happy to do it. cation and Voter Services have always been strong and re - We’d like to know if you like this. One way for us to tell is main robust. Government, once barely functioning, is if committee sizes increase. But here’s another way: reach going strong, while the Natural Resources committee seeks out to me to suggest how the Board can improve our ability a chair and new members. The committees are where plans to keep you informed. I can be reached at ElectronicCom - are formulated to execute the goals set at our annual Plan - [email protected]. ning Meeting (this year, January 31). Think how much We know you're busy! So we’re not asking for long-term larger committees could accomplish. commitments. What we're asking is for you to read the What’s the solution? agenda for a meeting of a committee addressing your inter - Former Board member (and past Co-President) Glorian ests: teaching teens about registering and voting; workforce Berk made a suggestion: better, closer communication with housing; environmental issues, more. Then either come to the general membership. How? We agreed that publishing the committee meeting, or read the minutes to catch up on committee agendas and following up with minutes would at what you missed. If you can't come that day, contact the least show you what’s going on. And might make you real - committee chair to see what's next.
LWVH March PIM Will Host Town Councilmen David Lys (East Hampton) and Tommy John Schiavoni (Southampton) By Anne Marashall Each councilman will have an opportunity to describe his The Voter Services Committee will present the most re - role on his board and the current challenges and decisions cently elected councilmen from their respective town that face him and his respective board. There will be a Q& boards to a League public information meeting. That A session following their presentations. event will take place TUESDAY,MARCH !2 at 7:00pm at Refreshments will be served prior to the meeting. the Hampton Library on Main Street in Bridgehampton.
Town Councilman David Lys Town Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni
http://www.lwvhamptons.org 5 Health Committee Report
PIM on Mental Health By Valerie King In collaboration with the East End Mental Health Advo - cacy Initiative (EEMHAI), the League Health Committee sponsored an event entitled “Mental Health Matters”, fo - cusing on the mental health and behavioral health system on the East End. The program was held on November 19th 2018 at Parrish Memorial Hall, Southampton. The approximately 50 audience members who attended had access to tables laden with brochures on mental health issues. The event was videotaped by SEA-TV, and a peer specialist Tory Masters was available for a quiet chat for participants if needed. in the film. The panel began with Martha Carlin, Psy.D. The program began with a welcome, and thanks to co- Director of Long Island Field Office of the NY State Of - sponsors from Estelle Gellman, Co-President of the fice of Mental Health, followed by Jenine Yannucciello, LWVH. An introduction was given by Valerie King LCSW, Director of Adult Services, Suffolk County Dept. Ph.D,chair of the LWVH Health Committee, Allied of Mental Health, both who presented state and county Health Professional of Stony Brook Southampton Hospi - funded established comprehensive emergency psychiatric tal and local psychologist. Dr. King stated that mental ill - programs and upcoming mental health inpatient and out - ness is not only a brain disorder, but a complex patient programs such as, NY ON TRACK coordinated psychiatric medical illness. She explained that our Hamp - specialty care treatment to young people with newly tons community, as well as other communities in general, emerged mental illness. are occasionally confronted with the dilemma between the Christian Racine, Ph.D. Senior Director, Family Service choices and behaviors of some individuals in acute mental League (FSL) Mental Health Clinics presented on the ex - crisis and the public health mental hygiene laws and poli - pansion of FSL mental health programs in local Hampton cies in place. She emphasized that we all need to better towns, including the upcoming DASH (Diagnostic, As - understand the difficulties of the system for prevention, sessment, Stabilization, Hub) program. Paul Garson M.D., diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from mental illness Director or Mental Health Services, Stony Brook and behavioral health disorders. Southampton Hospital and psychiatrist with Meeting The film, a Fred Friendly Seminar, “Minds On The Edge” House Lane Medical Practice, presented on psychophar - was then viewed by the event participants. The 1 hour macology regarding the challenges of individualized psy - film consisted of a panel of mental health experts from chiatric medication maintenance and monitoring of around the United States, who talked about and role patients with mental illness. Dr. Garson also presented played common issues and viewpoints that challenge all ongoing efforts of Stony Brook Southampton Hospital levels of mental health service, from the individual with a and the Southampton Meeting House Lane Medical Prac - serious mental disorder, the family members of this indi - tice, to integrate behavioral health screening and referrals vidual, to the mental health providers who provide diag - for mental health issues into primary care services Ellen nosis and treatment, inpatient and outpatient mental health Tollefsen, a local representative of the National Associa - facility administrative policies, mental health advocacy, tion of Mental Illness (NAMI), described the support pro - the judicial system and the influence of politics. grams available in our community for mentally ill Following the film a panel, moderated by Dr. King, pre - individuals and their family members. Audience ques - sented the mental health services they provide to our com - tions ranged from increasing state and county funding in munity and their perspectives on the opinions expressed addition to greater commercial and government health in -
Continued on page 16
6 The Voter - February/March2019 LWV 100th Anniversary Dates to Remember As We Approach These Anniversaries
November 19, 2019: 100th Anniversary of the League of Women Voters of New York State.
The NYS League of Women Voters was formed when, at the 51st convention of the New York State Woman Suffrage Party, the delegates resolved on November 19, 1919, to change their name to the New York State League of Women Voters. The first chair was Narcissa Cox Vanderlip.
February 14, 2020: 100th Anniversary of the National League of Women Voters.
The National League of Women Voters was founded by Carrie Chapman Catt on February 14, 1920 during the convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, which took place in Chicago. The convention was held just six months before the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified in August, giving women the right to vote nationwide after a 72-year struggle. Maud Wood Park was elected the first president of the League.
The photo, taken in 1920, of the first Board of the National League of Women Voters
See Voter advertising section, plus an alphabetized advertiser list. www.lwvhamptons.org 7 ADVERTISERS
The League of Women Voters of the Hamptons appreciates the support of the businesses and individuals listed in this section. In return, members are encouraged to patronize these businesses and mention The Voter when doing so.
Agawam Town & Village Realty 13 Gladys Remler 9 One Stop Market 10 American Advisors Group 9 Good Ground Cleaners 10 People’s United Bank 12 Apple Bank 13 Hamptons Clerical 11 Provisions 12 Atlantic Coast Embroidery 10 Hampton Coffee 10 Roeloffs East Hampton Optical 11 Barclay Damon 11 Hampton Dental Group 9 Rogers Memorial Library 11 Bridgehampton National Bank 12 Hampton Implantology 13 Sabel & Oplinger 9 Brown Harris Stevens 12 Hamptons Virtual Office Center 9 Southampton Tire Center 8 C.E. King & Sons, Inc. 13 Herrick Hardware 13 Southrifty Drug 11 Chiffert Engineering PC 8 Jim's Busy Bee Pest Control 13 Swanotta Inc 9 Cognitive Screening 11 Joe's Garage 8 Tim Blenk Tree Care 13 DiSunno Architecture 8 June O’Reilly, DDS 9 Wharf Shop 11 East End Physical Therapy 11 Long House Reserve 11 East Hampton Business Service 10 Manual & Sports Physical Therapy 11 East Hampton Indoor Tennis 11 Nancy's 10 Fandango Boutique 9 Nugent & Potter 13
Complet e Designs & Plan s Ar chit ectur al Engineer ing & C onstruction Services Appr ovals & P ermits In spection s & C on struction Pr oject Man agemen t
Mar c A. C hiff ert P .E. 53 H ill St ., #18, Southampt on V illage (631) 353-3P3r 7o5j ect De signer P ositions A vailable. mar [email protected] 8 See Voter advertising section, plus an alphabetized advertiser list. www.lwvhamptons.org Re verse Mor tgage Loans
58 S. Ser vice Rd. STE 210, Ste ve Conr oy Meliville, N Y 11747 NMLS# 485940 866-680-1368 Mor tgage Loan Originat or Sponsor ed by American Advisors Gr oup Inc. SConr [email protected]
Call t oda y t o nd out how buy ers 62 and o ver can nance a home pur chase with no monthly mor tgage pa yments*! *Borr owers r emain r esponsible for pa ying for tax es, insurance and home maintenance. NMLS# 9392. Please visit AA G.com/Disclosur e for full disclosur e and state licensing information.
Working like a dog at home? Ope n Y our H ampton s O f ce T oday Me mbe rship Be ne ts: Meeting & C onferenc e r ooms Mail, T elephone & A dmin S ervices Prestigious S ou tha mpton A ddress O f ces N ationa lly Starting a t $175/mon th 631.377.3891 www.hamptonsvirtual.com 53 Hill Street, Southampton Village
See Voter advertising section, plus an alphabetized advertiser list. www.lwvhamptons.org 9 EAST HAMPTON BUSINESS SERVICE 20 Park Place East Hampton, NY 11937 [email protected] Open M-F 8:30-5, Sat 9-noon ...since1978 631-324-0405 Fax 631-324-2324
10 See Voter advertising section, plus an alphabetized advertiser list. www.lwvhamptons.org HAMPTONS CLERICAL Office Management, Assistance and Consulting Afton DiSunno
20 Bay View Ave East Hampton NY 11937
631-786-6209 [email protected]
See Voter advertising section, plus an alphabetized advertiser list. www.lwvhamptons.org 11 Bridgehamp ton Na onal Bank is proud t o support the hard NEED HELP FINDING work and dedic a on of YOUR CASTLE? Happiest in the Hamptons The League of W omen V ot ers.
JOAN MORGAN MCGIVERN Licensed Associate Real Estate Br oker 27 Main Str eet, East Hampton, NY 11937 COMMUNITY B ANKING FR OM MONT AUK TO MANHA TTAN t: 631.903.6128 c: 646.226.8902 www.bridg enb.c om | 631.537.1000 | Member FDIC e:jmcgiver [email protected]
People ’s Unit ed B ank is pr oud t o suppor t the League o f W omen V oter s of Ne w Y ork S tat e E duc ation F und
PR OUDL Y SER VING THE C OMMUNITIE S OF Hamp ton B ays • S ag Harbor • E as t Hamp ton • Mont auk • S outhamp ton
John Guli Pat B olome y Call or visit us on the S outh F ork o f L ong Mark et Manager , VP Mark et Manager , VP Island, including 7 -da y full-s er vic e banking Hamp ton B ays Southamp ton inside Hamp ton B ays S top & Shop . 631- 728- 2700 631- 283- 3800
©2017 P eople ’s Unit ed B ank, N.A. | Member FDIC | E qual Housing L ender
12 See Voter advertising section, plus an alphabetized advertiser list. www.lwvhamptons.org At A pple B ank, w e’ve alw ays b elie ved tha t a str ong communit y and a str ong bank go hand in hand .
We ar e pr oud t o supp or t the families , businesses and or ganiza tions in the neighb orho ods w e ser ve.
%STABLISHED s - EMB ER &$)# #ON VENIEN T BR ANCHES THR OUGHOUT GR EA TER . EW 9OR K WWW APPLEBANKC OM s
Because it’s more than just a job it’s a career.
55 Hill Street, Southampton NY 11968 631.377.3929 [email protected] www.century21.com/ nehomes
See Voter advertising section, plus an alphabetized advertiser list. www.lwvhamptons.org 13 Living Legacy
Please consider providing for the ongoing efforts of the League Of Women Voters with a bequest included in your will, trust or estate. You can help us for many years to come by designating The League of Women Voters of the Hamptons as a beneficiary. Here is sample language that may be given to your attorney: “I give, devise and bequeath to the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons (insert amount, percentage of estate, nature of gift, or remainder of estate) to be used at the discretion of the Board of Directors.” Current and future members of the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons will be very grateful for this commitment.
For additional information, please contact Cathy Peacock at [email protected]
Membership Application
Not a member of the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons?
Please join us by mailing this application form and a check payable to LWVH to: League of Women Voters of the Hamptons; P.O. Box 2253; East Hampton, NY 11937
Individual Member’s Name______
Other Household Member’s Name______
Address______
Email(s)______Home phone______Cell phone______
Membership Dues: Full-time Student $15 Household $90 Individual $60 Donations to our local league may be made payable to LWVHamptons and may be included in your dues check. Tax-deductible donations may be made by separate check payable to: LWVNYS - Education Foundation I am interested in: ___ Education Committee ___ Membership Committee ___ Voter Services Committee ___ Government Committee ___ Natural Resources Committee ___ Communications ___ Health Committee ___ Special Events Committee
Questions? Call us at 631-324-4637 or email: [email protected]
14 See Voter advertising section, plus an alphabetized advertiser list. www.lwvhamptons.org
Su ffol k Cou nty Vot er
www. lwv -suffol kcou nty.or g Box 1440 , Ston y Brook , NY 11790 -1440 631 862 -6860
Febru ar y 20 19 LWV SC Boar d Meeting: We dnesday Februar y 20 , Rive rhead Librar y 10a m-12n oo n
A Step For war d to Achieve Pay Equity in Suffolk Cou nty- What Next ? OF FICER S !" #$%&'()*%+ *,' (*-%.(&/(012+3(124)*+(5&606(4&*2+*70 +"048*9:;*<=9>* !"# $%&# '() )!$ Pr esi den t/DPO/ County Vo ter Som ewha t qu ietly in late 2018 , the Suf fol k Coun ty Legislatur e and Count y Exe cut ive Bellone Lis a S cot t 265 -2198 lis awscot t@gm ail.c om adde d an impor tant tool to the fight for pa y equi ty: The Restricting Inf or mation on Salaries and 1st Vi ce Pr esi den t/Heal th Earni ngs (RISE) Act. The League com mends the ent ire Legi slatur e and the Count y Exe cut ive fo r Na nc y Ma rr 730 -6556 taki ng this action - it’s fair, it’s sou nd econom ics, it can reduc e the ne ed to pa y for add itiona l soc ial en pymar r@optonline. net 2nd Vi ce President/Voter Service suppor t for wor ki ng families. And it’s good for Suf fol k Coun ty’ s citizens . It show s tha t our Ju die Go renst ei n 491 -3177 Count y’ s Legi slator s and Exe cut ive can wor k to reclaim the ir pl ace as innova tive , soc ially judie L7 [email protected] om respons ibl e elected of ficials whi le ope rating with for esight in a fiscally pr ude nt manne r. Secr et ar y Ba rba ra Mc Cla nc y 90 3-3867 Why sho ul d pa y equi ty be a conc ern for us all? Race and ge nde r are signi ficant factor s in wha t bm [email protected] om wom en earn for doi ng the exa ct same jobs as men. In Apr il 2018 , The NYS Dept . of Labor Tre asure r repor ted tha t Suf fol k Coun ty women in ge ne ral earn jus t 78 .1 cent s for eve ry dol lar a man earns . Gl orian Ber k 204 -5382 glor ia nbe rk @aol.c om C o m p a ra b l y , b l ack wom en are pa id about 64 cent s for eve ry whi te male dol lar and the pa y ga p o f Latina wom en is about 55 cent s to a whi te man’ s salary dol lar. Equa l Pay Day in Apr il reflects
EL EC TED DIREC TOR S how long AFTER the end of the ye ar a wom an ha s to wor k be for e she take s hom e the same amount of earni ngs as a man in the pr ior ye ar- Thus , ov er 15 mont hs of wor k for a woman to earn Pat Fuch s 423 -5178 pf uc hs [email protected] om wha t a com pa rabl e man earne d in 12 mont hs ! Peg gy Ol ness 751 -2655 Pay ine qua lity isn’ t jus t a women’ s issue ; it is a family issue . Recent research ha s found tha t 42 mao lness@ yah oo.co m Su san Wilso n 283 -6549 pe rcent of mot he rs with chi ldr en unde r the age of 18 are the ir families’ pr imary or sol e ha mpt ons sw@gm ail.c om br eadw inne rs. Wage di scrimina tion can impa ir the ir abi lity to buy ho mes and pa y for a col lege Ma ry Zo pf 499 -0107 educ ation and limits the ir tot al lifetime earni ngs , the reby reduc ing the ir retirement savi ngs and zopf mar y65 @gm ail.c om be ne fits. Gende r pa y ine qui ty and low wage s pu t the bur de n of meeting the expe ns es of empl oye es AP POINTE D D IRE CTO RS Boa rd may ap point direct ors for squa rely on the ba cks of loc al taxpa ye rs, who make up the di fferenc e in the cos ts of livi ng with one year ter ms at an y time. soc ial safety ne t pr ogr ams.
The pa y ga p not onl y hur ts wom en and the ir families, but it also hur ts the com mun ities the y LE AG UE P RE SIDE NTS suppor t. Tha t means loc al bus ine sses are hur t thr ough los t sales, as are loc al school s and
Brook ha ven gove rnm ent s tha t de pe nd on sales tax and pr ope rty tax dol lars to fund the pr ogr ams and the Na nc y Ma rr 730 -6556 inf rastruc tur e thos e com muni ties ne ed to exi st. In New Yor k State, soc ial servi ce cos ts are pa id en pymar r@optonline. net d i rectl y b y c ount ry gove rnm ent s who the n must wait for state and fede ral reimbur sement . Ha mpt ons ( co-Pr esi den ts) Est el le Ge llm an 324 -9102 If pa y equi ty make s good econom ic sens e for our com muni ties, how doe s the RISE act wor k est el le. s. gel lman @hofst ra. ed u t o w ar d s t h i s g oa l? The bill, which take s effect on June 30, 20 19 was ini tially created to restrict Su san Wilso n 283 -6549 ha mpt ons sw@gm ail.c om empl oye rs from us ing salary and be ne fits histor y whe n establ ishi ng salary and be ne fits for ne w Hunt in gt on empl oye es. The legi slatur e expl aine d tha t utilizing this inf or mation in de cision maki ng pe rpe tua tes Cole tte K nu th 424 -2569 wage di scrimina tion and the wage ga p expe rienc ed by wom en, racial and ethn ic mino rities, and cst ewar d@t hest ewar dgroup.co m Sh el ter Isl an d empl oye es retur ni ng to the wor kf or ce after an ext ende d pe riod away. Lois M orr is 749 -3349 Gov. Cuo mo recent ly signe d an “equa l pa y for wor k of equa l va lue bi ll“ whi ch di rects the lois bm orris @gm ail .c om Smi thtown (Le ade rs hip Te am) pr eside nt of the civi l servi ce com mission to study and publ ish a repor t eva lua ting publ ic Pat LaW ar e 269 -1537 empl oye rs' wage di spa rities related to the job titles segr ega ted by the ge nde r, race and/ or na tiona l pa tra dc lif fecra ig @gm ail .c om or igi n of the empl oye es in the title. Onc e com pleted, the study will be de live red to the Gove rno r Lis a S cot t 265 -2198 li [email protected] and the leade rs of the legi slatur e, and the da ta from the study will be us ed to addr ess pa y ine qui ties in the state’s wor kf or ce. “New Yor k State ha s to be a leade r on thi s issue – a mode l of refor m,” the
OF F-BO ARD S PECI ALIS TS bi ll’s spons or , Assembl y membe r Barba ra Lifton said. “By ge tting our ow n hou se in or de r and ens ur ing tha t our pub lic empl oye es are be ing pa id fairly for the wor k tha t the y are doi ng , we are Budge t sendi ng the wide r message tha t wage di spa rities cannot be tol erated in a soc iety tha t pr ide s itself Jacq ui Lofar o 537 -3361 ja cqlo@ ha mpt ons .c om on treating eve ryone fairly. ” Le gis la tiv e Is sue s The NYS Legi slatur e is on ly in session un til June . We mus t advoc ate now to strengt he n our Ma ry Mc La ug hli n 427 -1925 mar ymcl au ghlin54@ gmai l.co m equa l pa y laws so tha t wom en ha ve the tool s the y ne ed to fight ba ck aga ins t pa y di scrimina tion . Na tura li za tion The League ’s wor k on pa y equi ty stemmed from membe r conc ern ove r the femini zation of Linda De vin -Sh eeh an 974 -5122 pove rty in the 1980’ s. Add itiona l sour ces for pa y equ ity inf or mation and advoc acy inc lude lde vins he eha n@ opt onli ne .ne t AAUW, Pow HerNY, Nationa l Wom en’ s Law Cent er and the Cent er for American Progr ess.
http://www.lwvhamptons.org 15 Health Committee Report
Continued from page 6 PIM on Mental Health surance coverage, and sliding scale fees, for mental health view the SEA-TV videotape of the event by checking the services, the need for local bi-lingual mental health ongoing local program schedule of SEA-TV broadcasts. providers, and grass roots mentorship programs. The LWVH Health Committee provides information on The film, “Minds On The Edge” can be viewed via health issues that impact our community. Contact Valerie YouTube. For more information regarding the state, King Ph.D. [email protected] 631-267-3282 to county and local programs that were presented by the get more information or to join the health committee ac - panel at the November 19th Mental Health Matters event, tivities.
Highlights of January 2, 2019 Board of Director’s Meeting
Presidents’ Report: April 4th and it will be a cocktail party. • The Holiday Party earned in excess of $1,100 for do - • The Blah’s Lunch is on Feb.7 at Bobby Van’s and we nations to our respective food banks. The addition of will be set up in the front of the restaurant this year. live background music to the event received mixed The cost will be $32. reviews. It was suggested that a future event might • Glorian Berk attended the Board meeting. As an off- include a choral performance. board member for the first time in many years, she • Future PIM’s: feels that the League needs to better communicate Jan. Planning Meeting, Jan 31 with the membership especially now that the number March VSC, Panel w/ new EH & SH Council members of Voters has been reduced. After a very good discus - April Government on Housing/Transportation sion, it was agreed that Judy will use Constant Con - May Annual Meeting tact for notifications of upcoming committee June Natural Resources on Recycling meetings, reports of interest and upcoming events. Discussion Items: All members of the LWVH are encouraged to attend the monthly BoD’s meetings. • The Hampton Bays school district sent us a bill for renting the HBHS for the Oct 29 CD debate and it in - • The Annual Meeting will take place either May 5 or cluded a charge for 4 additional Security Guards. May 19th. It will be at the Water Mill Community These were not ordered by us nor were we notified of Center. Possible speakers are two Government / Poli- their addition. The school superintendent reduced the Sci professors from Suffolk County Community Col - bill after talking to Anne who then spoke with our co- lege (SCCC) who spoke at the LWV-SC sponsors the HBCA and the Press Group asking them Post-Election Lunch. Barbara will send out a list of to share in the cost. The Press Group has agreed to suggested speakers mentioned at past meetings. share the expense 50-50 with us. Committee Reports: • The Planning meeting is all set for Jan. 31 at the • The Education Committee will be holding classes at Rogers Memorial Library 12:30 - 2:30 PM. Joanne the Hampton Bays HS tomorrow to talk to 7 classes will order lunch. of high school seniors about the importance of voting • The Special Events Committee is deciding upon a and to teach them how to become voter registrars venue for the Steve Israel book event. The date is themselves. On April 11th they will take students to
Continued on page 17
16 The Voter - February/March2019 Highlights of January 2, 2019 Board of Director’s Meeting Continued from page 16
participate in Students inside the Suffolk County Leg - cluding 92 primary, 19 additional household members islature. Two East Hampton HS students will be se - and 12 new members. lected to attend the Students Inside Albany program. • Arlene and Barbara did the EH Adopt-a-Road cleanup A special program is being developed for Southamp - for December. ton HS AP class for late May/early June. Upcoming Events: • Electronic Communications had its busiest month yet • The Blah’s lunch will be on Feb. 7th at Bobby Vans at a in November. cost of $32. • The Government Committee will have its first meet - Housekeeping ing of 2019 on Jan 8th exploring transportation on the South Fork. On Jan 10 they will meet again with the • The upcoming 2019 “Voter” editors are as follows: Natural Resources group to discuss a PIM on recy - Feb / March Judi cling in June. April / May Eva June / July Arlene • Membership reports 123 paid members for 2019 in -
Continued from page 1 Major Voting Changes are Coming to New York State
Our work is far from over. Now that these reforms have been passed, we will need to work harder than ever to see them cross the finish line. As the session con - tinues on, we will advocate for funding in the 2019 state budget to cover the cost of early voting. We will monitor forthcoming regulations guiding early voting, pre-registra - tion of 16 and 17 year olds, state-wide voter registration transfer, and closure of the LLC loophole. We will con - tinue to advocate for Constitutional Amendments to allow for same day voter registration and no-excuse absentee voting as these amendments must pass in two legislative sessions. Finally, we will fight for reforms that were not passed in this package including automatic voter registra - tion, lowering the change of party enrollment deadline, and restoration of voting rights for people on parole. We at the League of Woman Voters celebrate this exciting reform to our antiquated voting laws and encourage every citizen to exercise their right to votes. The LWVHamptons will make multiple efforts to inform the public about the changes, their implications and their timelines. Our Constant Contact messages will inform you about these steps. In the meantime take a moment to cheer these changes that should only increase the level of voter participation in the state. Remember, Democracy is not a Spectator Sport.
http://www.lwvhamptons.org 17 Recent Events
LWVH Holiday Party
Welcoming Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming, second right, to the Hamptons League’s holiday party at the Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse on December 6 were, left to right, Co-President Estelle Gellman, Nada Barry and Ann Sandford.
A special feature of this year’s party was musician Brad Beyer, here at the piano with, left to right, Eva Moore, Deborah Kooperstein, Glorian Berk, Beth Barth and new member Beverly Lepine.
Busy at the party were Special Events co-chairs Ginny Poveromo and Joanne Samborn, here with Vicki Umans, Isabel Sepulveda de Scanlon and Marie O’Brien.
18 The Voter - February/March2019 LWVH Board
OFFICERS ELECTED DIRECTORS and Terese Wildrick Special Events 631-728-6897 Joanne Samborn Co-Presidents Joanne McEvoy-Samborn [email protected] 631-283-9648 Estelle Gellman 631-283-9648 [email protected] 631-324-9102 [email protected] Government and Ginny Charlow-Poveromo [email protected] Cathy Peacock 631-283-4591 Judy Samuelson 631-267-6685 [email protected] Susan Wilson 631-267-3055 [email protected] 631-283-6549 [email protected] and Ann Sandford (Off-Board) Voter Services [email protected] 631-537-2382 Anne K. Marshall APPOINTED DIRECTORS [email protected] 631-537-3257 Vice-Presidents [email protected] Arlene Hinkemeyer Eva Moore Health and Barbara McClancy 631-324-6713 631-238-5134 Valerie King (Off-Board) 631-267-5280 [email protected] [email protected] 646-217-1827 [email protected] [email protected] Anne K. Marshall Ginny Charlow-Poveromo Webmaster 631-537-3257 631-283-4591 Membership Judy Samuelson [email protected] [email protected] Joanne Samborn 631-267-3055 631-283-9648 [email protected] Judi Roth Vicki Umans [email protected] 631-283-0759 631-324-9048 and Vicki Umans Nominating Committee [email protected] [email protected] 631-324-9048 Afton DiSunno, Chair (Off- [email protected] Board) Recording Secretary Terese Wildrick 631-324-7995 Barbara McClancy 631-728-6897 Natural Resources [email protected] 631-267-5280. [email protected] No current chair. [email protected] Contact Co-President Susan Wilson Publicity Treasurer PORTFOLIO CHAIRS Arlene Hinkemeyer Cathy Peacock Education 631-324-6713 631-267-6685 Judi Roth [email protected] [email protected] 631-283-0759 [email protected]
The League of Women Voters of the Hamptons P.O. BOX 2253, EAST HAMPTON, NEW YORK 11937 www.lwvhamptons.org
http://www.lwvhamptons.org 19 The Voter NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION League of Women Voters of the Hamptons U.S. POSTAGE PAID P.O. Box 2253 RONKONKOMA , NY 11779 East Hampton, NY 11937 Permit Number 32 Phone: 631-324-4637 www.lwvhamptons.org
The League of Women Voters Nonpartisan. Political. Grassroots. Volunteer. Making democracy work through voter education, issue advocacy, and civic participation.