Aprmay 2016 VOTER.Pub
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Tyler / Smith The County VOTER Forum for Local Candidates Set for April 11 Monday April 11, 7 pm FORUM: Candidates Meet Your Local Candidates! while those vying to for Tyler City Council represent city coun- and TISD Trustees April– The following are the candidates run- cil District 6-South, Tyler Public Library May 2016 ning in contested local races, and each compete for votes 201 South College has been invited to present their points of just within their single-member dis- League of view about issues important to them, an- Roy Maynard trict. Women swer questions posed by panelists and Women Incumbent Darryl Bowdre, minister of Voters meet Smith County voters at the April 11th forum. the South Central Church of Christ, who has Mission served as city council member for District 2- Three candidates for Mayor of Tyler: West since his election in 2012, will run un- The League • Martin Heines (Incumbent) opposed for re-election. of Women • Joel Rando Also unopposed for re-election is in- Andie Rathbone Voters is a • Michael Williams nonpartisan cumbent Don Warren, an oil and gas profes- Two Candidates for City Council District 6: organization sional and owner of Lomoco, Inc., a small oil • John Nix (Incumbent) and gas asset management firm that he that works to • promote Clark C. Hampe formed in 1994. political Two candidates for Tyler Independent Moderator is Janice Caldwell, Lindale HS responsibility School District School Board, District 6: debate coach and TJC adjunct professor. Pan- Jeff Williams through • Rev. Fritz Hager elists are Tyler Morning Telegraph ’s Roy May- informed • Marc Loredo nard, LWV President Andie Rathbone, and participation Tyler City Council elections are held in local businessman Jeff Williams. The modera- of all citizens May of each year. In even-numbered years tor will take questions from the audience, as in their such as 2016, the elections for Mayor and selected by a League screening panel. government. even numbered Council Districts 2, 4, and 6 Don’t miss this opportunity to learn are held, with odd-numbered district elec- more about those seeking to serve in mu- The League Janice Caldwell does not tions being elected in odd-numbered years. nicipal and school offices . Moderator Candidates running for Mayor com- support or See page 6 Candidate Qualifications & page 7 Election Calendar oppose any pete in an at-large city-wide election, political party Saturday or any 63rd LWV Annual Meeting May 14 to be at El candidate. It Charro on the Ridge —Karena Love, Organization VP May 14 publishes 11 am—2 pm factual aturday, May 14 League members have a Lunch: Atten- El Charro on the information wonderful opportunity for fellowship, good dees will order Ridge to help SSS food, and atmosphere, as we meet to con- from the menu 6899 Oak Hill Blvd. prepare sider and approve plans for the next upcoming and receive Near Fresh citizens to League year. individual tick- cast informed This year’s annual meeting will take place at El ets with a 15% gratuity added. Please RSVP so that votes. Charro on the Ridge at 6899 Oak Hill Blvd. near Fresh there is adequate seating. The League at 11 a.m. We hope to see you there! Please arrive promptly at 11 am so that you can does take Business Meeting: order your lunch before the meeting. • action on Elect a Board of Directors for 2016-2018 (see page See pages 4) selected 4-5 of this • Adopt an operating budget for fiscal year 2017 governmental PLEASE RSVP to: VOTER for (see p. 5) issues that [email protected] information relating • Vote on retention of current positions on local members or phone 903-780 5896 to the May 14 annual issues: Public Library Services and Single Member have studied. business meeting: Districts. slate and proposed budgets 1 The Tyler VOTER President’s Podium: Busy Spring Election Season for Our League LWV-Tyler It's hard to realize that I've been president of Yolanda Prince addressed the Diversity the League for almost a year. It's been challenging, youthful audience about the im- Policy satisfying and also a lot of fun. I'm looking forward portance of voting and how to The League of to working with the board on our activities in the register. Toni Ferrell, Karena Love Women Voters of coming year. and I distributed voting and Tyler/Smith We've been busy since you received the last membership information. County, in both its values and VOTER. VP-Voters Service Toni Ferrell registered Lastly, I attended the LWV-TX State convention practices, affirms 45 students at TJC in January and also organized a on March 11 - 13 in Houston. It was great to get to its belief and successful candidate forum in February that was meet League members from all over the state and commitment to attended by over 100 people. The Great Decisions to exchange ideas on how to make our Leagues diversity and lecture series was especially topical this year and better. You can read my report on the convention pluralism, which means that there each session was attended by 70-90 people, Many below. shall be no barriers of us enjoyed going to lunch afterwards with the We have a local elections candidate forum to participation in speakers and continuing the discussions of the coming up on Monday, April 11 and our annual any activity of the topics covered. meeting will be held on Saturday, May 14. I hope LWV-Tyler on the This month we were honored to be invited by you all will be able to attend. We need your help basis of gender, race, creed, age, . the Delta Sigma sorority to participate in the Unity and ideas to make LWV-TSC a better League sexual orientation, TSC Sees in the Community event. Membership chair Andie national origin, or disability. Report on the LWV-Texas Convention The LWV-Tyler/ • Smith County This year 96 members of Other work will be that of For the LWV-Texas President to recognizes that recognized Leagues from all over the state increasing membership and inves- send a letter to the Speaker of diverse by LWVUS gathered the weekend of March tigating eliminating TEF and mak- the Texas House of Representa- perspectives are 11-13 in Houston for the state ing the entire League a 501(c)3 tives to have the state legisla- important and convention. The convention was organization. ture investigate the state's day- necessary for attended by President Andie Additionally, in the plenary care designation for family de- responsible and representative Rathbone, VP-Organization Karena session the delegates present tention centers in Texas. decision making. Love, VP-Community Service Kristi voted and passed the following: Your League's delegates also LWV-Tyler/Smith Roberts and Directors Elaine Wells • For the state organization to got to meet with other Leagues in Countysubscribes and Mary Lu French. restudy their position on re- workshops and small groups to to the belief that The Convention approved the districting to consider the ac- talk about membership, fund rais- diversity and LWV-TX 2016-17 Program that will ceptance of an Independent ing, and social media strategies. pluralism are fundamental to the concentrate on Voters Service spe- Citizens Redistricting Commis- values it upholds cifically: sion. and that this • Increasing voter turnout in • For the LWV-Texas President inclusiveness Texas by 5% over 2012 to send a letter to the Speaker enhances the • Work to end voting restrictions of the Texas House of Repre- organization's • Voter ID sentatives to have the state ability to respond more effectively to • Restore section 5 of the Voting legislature repeal the bill that changing Standing: Kristi Roberts, Andie Rights Act stripped local control from conditions and Rathbone. Seated: Mary Lu French, • Work to pass on-line voting in municipalities (e.g. Denton no- needs. Elaine Wells, Karena Love the state legislature fracking law). LWV-Tyler/Smith County affirms its LWV-Texas 2016 commitment to Convention reflecting the diversity of The five delegates who Americans in its represented LWV-TSC at the LWV- board and Andie Rathbone Kristi Roberts Karena Love Mary Lu French Elaine Wells programs. Texas Convention March 11-13 in President Community Organization VP VOTE411 Voter Registration Houston Relations VP 2 The Tyler VOTER Organization —Karena Love VP Community Relations —Kristi Roberts VP Board Forms Ad Hoc Committee on Fund Raising Strategies Add these new members & changes to your At its March meeting, faced with declining member handbook: community donations, the LWV-TSC board ap- pointed an ad hoc committee to develop strate- Marilyn and Dennis Wills 1411 Everglades Drive gies for fund raising—including grant sources, Tyler TX 75703 pass-through funds from LWV-Texas and 903 630-1033 LWVUS, events, direct mail campaigns, and other avenues. [email protected] The majority of financial support comes from the League’s members. In recent years there have been fewer pass-through Contact changes: Marjorie Walle opportunities and community funding support is at an all-time 4087 Hogan Drive #1314 Marilyn Wills low. Donors for this fiscal year are listed on page 5. Tyler, TX 75709 Most at risk are the League’s citizen education projects Phone and email the same: 217-414-4431 such as providing the LWV-TEF Voters Guide to voters and [email protected] maintaining a presence on the web and by telephone. Carol Reynolds If you are interested in serving on the fund raising strategy 4250 Old Omen Rd. #4030 committee, please contact Kristi Roberts, Community Relations Tyler, TX 75707 Vice President. 903 630-1536 Members always are welcome to Email and cell the same: MEMBERS: [email protected] 254-718-6414 attend meetings of the LWV Board of Direc- Chester Vaughn tors.