LWVMP President's Message: May
As the League year closes, it is a good time to recap our accomplishments. From programs to action, this has been a busy year. We began the year with Action on Measure A - an issue that increased our visibility in the community as well has helping us attract over 40 new members. For the third year in a row, we have increased our membership by over 5%, one of a very few Leagues in California to do so.
We have had outstanding presentations at our General Meetings dealing with education, affordable housing, nuclear energy, storm water runoff, voices for youth and immigration. All of these presentation are available on our website and were run numerous times on AMP. Finally, in terms of program, we conducted the national study on immigration and reached consensus.
We distributed 1,000 copies of Smart Voter, 1,500 copies of Pros and Cons for two elections, worked with CSUMB students to register 100 students, co-sponsored candidate forums for the MPC Board of Directors, judicial candidates and the 27th Assembly District. We sent a questionnaire to supervisorial candidates for Districts 4 and 5 with responses posted on our website. Finally, 14 of our members will be staffing a precinct for the June election.
As usual, Action was high on the agenda. We responded to 13 Calls to Action from the State and National Leagues. We testified before the California Coastal Commission and the State Water Resources Control Board on local issues. We refined our stand on water supply alternatives and submitted recommendations to the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District. We commented on two important election issues - one related to the wording of the ballot measure for the City of Carmel election and one on an election waiver for redistricting MPC. We submitted nine letters on land use projects to the City of Monterey and the County. The League was represented on the Citizen Advisory Committee for the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District and at the Regional Plenary Oversight Group (REPOG) established by the PUC Division of Ratepayer Advocates to develop an alternative to the Coastal Water Project. Finally, we co-sponsored a town hall meeting on "Voter Protection and Election Law."
Administration of the League was in good hands with our dedicated Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Voter Editor, Webmaster, and Membership Directors. The Voter was personalized with interesting and informative biographical sketches. And, finally, we have ended the year in a superb financial condition thanks to very generous inheritances from members and friends and careful stewardship of our funds by the Financial Planning Committee.
The Board will be working over the summer to develop the program for the 2008-2009 League year. Your recommendations for topics and speakers are always welcome and can be sent to any of our Board members.
Thank you all for your support and hard work.
Janet Brennan
