The Brown County Voter
July 2024
The League of Women Voters of Brown County is a nonpartisan civic organization that encourages informed and active participation in government.
The League works to increase understanding of major public policy issues through education and advocacy. Membership is open to all regardless of gender.
We never support or oppose any political party or candidate.
Educate • Advocate • Empower • Reform
| Just a Note
By Shari Frank, LWVBC President
Inspiration from the LWVUS Convention
Have you ever wondered what it means that the League of Women Voters is a grassroots organization? To me it represents ordinary people coming together to work on common goals. And for the LWV that means “Making Democracy Work.”
Every two years LWVUS holds a convention to review national positions, propose changes, elect new officers, provide training, and network. The 2024 LWVUS National Convention in Washington, D.C., June 27-30 included 958 delegates representing 50 states plus Washington, D.C. plus the Virgin Islands. WOW. LWVUS bylaws require at least 25 states, and 20% of delegates to be represented. This was far exceeded with fifty-five percent of delegates and all states represented. What a strong base.
Indiana had eight in-person delegates and another eight from local leagues who served as virtual delegates to the hybrid convention. We were seated together at the “Indiana” table. It was nice to enable chat about issues.
The convention voting process is a bit messy, just like Democracy is supposed to be. Delegates spoke for and against each item before votes were taken. The time for debate was limited, but, if a motion to extend debate time was made, it could be – if delegates approved. If not, the issue was put to a vote. Items that had not been recommended after LWVUS staff review required 2/3 majority to pass. A simple majority was required if items were recommended.
I went in prepared to vote a certain way for issues – but – sometimes changed my mind in light of concerns raised during debate. I was thankful for the folks who did such detailed analysis and provided clear justification for their recommendations.
I came away inspired. Why? So many incredible people. So much significant work under way, including:
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One Person-One Vote. Two fronts are working to elect Presidents by Popular Vote and abolish the Electoral College. A Constitutional amendment is being pursued, and separately, “the Compact for National Popular Vote” which has states representing over 200 Electoral Votes who have passed legislation to apply their Electoral College votes to whoever wins the national popular vote - once the compact reaches states totaling the minimum 270 electoral college votes to elect a President. To learn more, see: https://www.lwv.org/NPVtaskforce, and https://www.nationalpopularvote.com/
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Local leagues are taking on big issues such as promoting gun safety and including it as a Health issue, developing support systems to keep local news, defending health care against the profit greed of providers, working for humane immigration reform and much more.
A briefing of the convention, issues passed and failed, introductions to the new LWVUS CEO and President can be found here: https://www.lwv.org/league-management/league-fundamentals/2024-convention-daily-briefing. Additional highlights from the convention can be viewed here: https://www.lwv.org/blog/highlights-lwvs-2024-convention.
|  | What Are Your Questions For Local Candidates?
| | | Upcoming Events of Note
July 25: Brown County Community Foundation Annual Report to the Community, 6 pm at Seasons Conference Center. The Foundation is celebrating 30 years of service to Brown County. There will be music, a video highlighting the past 30 years, opportunity for conversation with your Brown County neighbors. Hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. All are invited, and there is no charge for this event.
July 27: Celebration of Life for LWVBC founder Ruth Reichmann, 3-5 pm at the Brown County History Center in Nashville.
August 18, September 22, November 24: Brown County Rising: A Film Series about Individual and Community Well-being at the Brown County Playhouse. August 18, 2:00 pm, a showing of The Addict’s Wake; September 22, 2:00 pm, a showing of The Social Dilemma; and 2:00 pm November 24, a showing of Wrestling Ghosts. A panel will be available for questions and answers following each film. Panelists will include mental health professionals as well as community members, leaders, and employees.
The film series is sponsored by the Nashville Methodist Church and the Brown County Centerstone PACES program.
The public is invited to attend all three films at no charge. Families, educators, caregivers and community members can use this material to spark discussions on causes and positive actions to address addictive behavior, mental health issues, childhood trauma and related issues.
| Project 2025: A Brief Overview
- The Koch Brothers and Leonard Leo provided two-thirds of the funding for this project.
- Project 2025 is backed by over 100 organizations around the country.
- The project was organized by the Heritage Foundation and other conservative think tanks and foundations.
- Guidelines are laid out in administrative agency chapters; the guide itself is over 900 pages long.
- The plan aims to reinstate Schedule F, an executive order that makes federal employees at-will employees so they can be fired for no reason.
- The project requires employees to participate in an online training academy and would mandate loyalty pledges.
| Braun and Houchin Introduce Legislation to Expand Deam Wilderness
Source: Kristina Lindborg via LWV Bloomington-Monroe County July Newsletter
Last fall, Senator Mike Braun introduced S. 4402, the Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area and Wilderness Expansion Act, and this spring Representative Erin Houchin introduced a companion bill in the House, H.R. 8535. This bill would more than double the size of the Charles Deam Wilderness Area and would also establish a National Recreation Area (NRA) on 29,382 acres of current national forest land.
Our LWV-BMC partner Citizens' Climate Lobby is asking us to help make this bill pass by urging Senator Young to be a co-sponsor. Email him at https://www.young.senate.gov/contact/email-todd/ or call 202-224-5623.
Here's a suggested message: Please support S.4402, the Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area and Wilderness Act. This bill will benefit the citizens of Indiana in many ways. It will provide unprecedented recreational opportunities; protect Lake Monroe’s water quality; protect a diverse ecosystem; enhance the capacity of the Lake Monroe watershed to absorb precipitation and thus protect against increased flooding; mitigate against climate change by increasing the amount of mature forest absorption of CO2; and preserve our invaluable hardwood forests for future generations. | Notes from LWVBC DEI Committee
Source: LWVBC Vice President and DEI Committee Chair Sunny Leerkamp
To the LWVBC DEI enthusiasts,
My first point is to recommend an essay entitled Recitatif by Toni Morrison as your summer reading. It tells a story featuring two people, one who is white and one who is not and you can see if you can determine which character is which. I think it would be interesting to share our thoughts via email so that we might benefit from each other's perspective of this story.
Secondly, I suggest that we consider meeting again on September 23rd, at 7:00 PM via zoom to discuss another book that I would like to recommend to the group. The book is Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates. This book starts out as a commentary on the author's work on behalf of the Gates Foundation trying to bring education to women all over the world about contraception and the importance of women having control of when and how many children they choose to bring into the world. It progresses into the concept of gender equality and how to change male dominated cultures. I read this book not expecting to like hearing how a woman with essentially unlimited resources was changing the world. I found the book to be an insightful look by an intelligent woman into how to make the world a better place and that it involves empowerment of everyone.
I hope we can make this discussion happen. I value each of you and your desire to fight for justice and equality for all. | Civic Listening Corps Signup
Source: LWVUS
The League of Women Voters and the Algorithmic Transparency Institute have partnered to establish a volunteer program for League members and their community to combat mis- and disinformation. The Civic Listening Corps is a volunteer network of individuals trained to monitor for, critically evaluate, and report misinformation on diverse topics central to our civic life: including voting, elections, public health, civil rights. When you join, you will get training on how to monitor for and report examples of misinformation, and then you can sign up to participate in civic listening shifts where you commit to join fellow volunteers in actively identifying problematic content circulating in your community. You can read more about the program here: https://www.civiclistening.org/what-is-clc. More information is available at https://airtable.com/appNwYuNZyK9TbEgj/shrwhscjCikQoz7CP. | Natural Resources White River Alliance Water Summit August 21-22
Source: LWVIN
As we know, water resources are a growing area of concern in Indiana, and the White River Alliance Water Summit, Aug. 21-22, is a great opportunity to build our knowledge and networks. It will be held in-person, in Indianapolis, and early bird registration closes on June 30th. Topics will include:
- The significance of water to Indiana's quality of life and prosperity
- Recent regional water studies
- County-level water availability planning
- Drought and Indiana's water shortage plan
- What a state water plan might look like, and how to get there
You can see the agenda here and register here. | Upcoming Government Meetings
Source: http://www.browncounty-in.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=14
Did you know? You can sign up to receive meeting agendas, alerts government job postings and more here.
Brown County Election Board (all meetings in the Salmon Room)
July 19 (work session), 1:30-3:30 pm August 13, 2-3 pm
Brown County Commissioners (all meetings in the Salmon Room)
July 17, 6:00 pm August 7, 2:00 pm August 21, 6:00 pm
Brown County Council (all meetings in the Salmon Room)
July 15, 6:30 pm August 19, 6:30 pm
Town of Nashville Council
July 18, 6:30 pm August 15, 6:30 pm | July Diversity Calendar
Source: https://www.diversityresources.com/july-diversity-calendar-2024/
July marks Disability Pride Month, which includes the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landmark legislation that broke down barriers to inclusion in society. This year’s theme is “We Want a Life Like Yours.”
“Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections” is the 2024 theme for National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, also commemorated in July. This annual observance raises awareness about the unique challenges that affect the mental health of racial and ethnic minority and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations.
July 3: Black Hair Independence Day: Also known as National CROWN Day, this day aims to raise awareness about the CROWN (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act. It’s a law that prohibits racial discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locs, twists, and knots, in workplaces and public schools. The initiative addresses racial biases and aims to foster acceptance of natural hair. California was the first, enacting this law in 2019, and since then, 17 states have followed suit.
July 12: Malala Day, which is celebrated in honor of Malala Yousafzai. As a young woman living in Pakistan, Yousafzai was shot by a Taliban gunman in an assassination attempt after leaving school. Upon recovery, Yousafzai became a prominent activist focused on worldwide access to women’s education. Her story, and continued dedication to advancing the rights of women, are important not only for women but for democracy. Here is a commentary about Malala Day from Women4Change.
July 14: International Non-Binary People’s Day. This date was chosen as it’s the halfway point between International Men’s Day and International Women’s Day. This awareness day is dedicated to better understanding those who don’t fit into the traditional gender binary. Non-binary people may use various terms to describe their gender identity, such as genderqueer, genderfluid, agender, or bigender, among others. Embracing non-binary identities is part of a broader movement towards inclusivity. As of 2024, 18 U.S. states allow individuals to choose a non-binary option, marked as X, on their driver’s licenses.
July 18: Nelson Mandela Day. This day honors the legacy of Nelson Mandela, focusing on his contributions to peace, freedom, and democracy. It encourages people to dedicate 67 minutes to volunteering or community service, symbolizing Mandela’s 67 years of public service. It’s a global call to action for people to embody the spirit of Mandela in working towards conflict resolution, democracy, and human rights.
July 26: National Disability Independence Day. National Disability Independence Day commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) into law in 1990. This day is a powerful one for the rights of people living with a disability in the workplace and beyond. It celebrates progress made in ensuring that equal opportunities, access and inclusion for all people exist in employment and public spaces. | What’s in YOUR District?
Redistricting occurs every 10 years after the decennial U.S. Census. To see the Indiana counties included in your Congressional District, go to https://iga.in.gov/publications/maps/congressional-districts/IndianaCongressionalDistrictMap2021.pdf.
To view the townships and counties included in your State Senate District, go here: https://iga.in.gov/publications/maps/senate-districts/IndianaSenateDistrictMap2021.pdf.
To see the townships and counties included in your State Representative District, go here: https://iga.in.gov/publications/maps/house-districts/IndianaHouseDistrictMap2021.pdf.
County Council, County Commissioner and School Board District Maps are available upon request.
HOW HAVE DISTRICTS CHANGED? See how Congressional districts for Brown County have changed over the years: https://what-the-district.aclu.org/?ids=2007-2016-2025-2232-2241-2252-2265-2275 (Enter another zip code for other areas). | Here’s How to Contact Your State, Federal, Local Legislators
A list is provided below of the legislators who serve Brown County. For contact information on other state representatives and state senators, go to https://iga.in.gov/information/find-legislators. For information about your Congressional Representative, go to https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative. For information on your County Representatives and meetings for Boards, County Commissioners and County Council:
State Senator Eric Koch (District 44)
Website: https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/koch
Email: Senator.Koch@iga.in.gov
Legislative Assistant: Lucy Lynch lucy.lynch@iga.in.gov 317-234-9425
Phone: 800-382-9467 or 317-232-9400
Address: Indiana State Senate, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis IN 46204
State Representative District 62 Dave Hall
Website: https://www.indianahouserepublicans.com/members/general/dave-hall/
Legislative Assistant: Drew Sellers 317-232-9863 drew.sellers@iga.in.gov
Address: Indiana House of Representatives, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis IN 46204
9th Congressional District U.S. Representative Erin Houchin
Website: https://houchin.house.gov/
Phone: 202-225-5315
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RepHouchin
Address: 1632 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515
U.S. Senator Mike Braun
Website: https://www.braun.senate.gov
Phone: 202-224-4814
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikebraunforindiana
Address: 404 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510
U.S. Senator Todd Young
Website: www.young.senate.gov
Phone: 202-224-5623
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SenatorToddYoung
Address: 185 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510
Governor Eric Holcomb
Website: https://www.in.gov/gov/
Phone: 317-232-4567
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GovHolcomb/
Address: Office of the Governor, Statehouse, Indianapolis IN 46204-2797
Brown County Council
Gary Huett (President) David Redding (Vice-President)
Darren Byrd Jim Kemp
Joel Kirby Scott Rudd
Judy Swift-Powdrill CountyCouncil@browncounty-in.us
Brown County Commissioners
Jerry Pittman, President (District 3) 317-966-1724 pittmanj@browncounty-in.us
Blake Wolpert (District 1) 317-371-5091 wolpertb@browncounty-in.us
Ron Sanders (District 2) 812-947-3504 SandersR@browncounty-in.us
Town of Nashville Council
Andi Wilson, President awilson@townofnashville.org
Dave Rudd, Vice President drudd@townofnashville.org
Lance Miller lmiller@townofnashville.org
Rex Watters III rexwatters@townofnashville.org
Scott Dick sdick@townofnashville.org
| | Educate • Advocate • Empower • Reform
We cordially invite you to join us.
We encourage you to learn more about the League by attending our meetings and other events,
including legislator forums and Meet the Candidates.
Membership is not required to attend these meetings and events. | | | Annual Membership Dues*:
$50/Individual $85/Couple $20/Friend of the League (non-voting)
Your dues include membership in the national, state, and local leagues.
*Membership Scholarships available. Email us for more information: browncountylwv@gmail.com
To join or to send a donation, mail your check payable to LWVBC, PO Box 74, Nashville IN 47448
Please include your name, address, phone, and email
| LWVBC Meeting Schedule
LWVBC business meetings are held virtually the second Monday of each month. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 12 at 6:00 pm via Zoom. League Members, Friends, and the public are welcome to join the meeting.
To participate in the meeting and receive the Zoom link, contact League President Shari Frank at browncountylwv@gmail.com.
| The deadline for submission of articles for the August newsletter is 5:00 pm Friday, August 16.
The Brown County VOTER is published monthly. Please send your articles and/or suggestions to LWVBC at browncountylwv@gmail.com. | |