Advocacy

Local Positions and Program

Local League priorities for action are:

· Managing Growth in Delaware County

· Education for the 21st Century

· Beneficial Human Services Programs for Delaware County

The League is also focusing on a “green county” initiative, promoting ecologically sound building practices and safeguarding the environment. This initiative is based on national and state program positions on clean air, clean water, and land use planning.

 

CITIZENS UNITED DECISION SETS OFF REVOLUTION IN CAMPAIGN FINANCE
Supreme Court Erred, Decision Undermines Basic Pillar of American Democracy

Washington, DC –The following is a statement by Mary G. Wilson, national president of the League of Women Voters on the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC.   The League filed an amicus brief in this case:

“The Supreme Court has made a tragic mistake.  Their decision announced today in Citizens United v. FEC is constitutionally irresponsible and will surely bring about an anti-democratic revolution in how we finance elections in this country.  Today, basic pillars of American democracy have been undermined – that elections should not be corrupted by vast corporate wealth and that the voters should be at the center of our democratic system. 

  “Justice Stevens had it right when he said, in his dissent, ‘The Court’s ruling threatens to undermine the integrity of elected institutions across the Nation. The path it has taken to reach its outcome will, I fear, do damage to this institution.’

“In creating a new constitutional right for corporations to spend unlimited amounts of their shareholder’s money to determine the outcome in candidate elections, the Court has unleashed into our elections tremendous sums of money from for-profit corporations that cannot possibly be matched in quantity by contributions from ordinary citizens.  The only possible outcome of this is that big money and special interests will have an even tighter grip on our democracy.

“Congress and the President enacted campaign finance laws over a series of decades for a reason – to protect our democracy from the perverse influence of big money in our elections. In making this decision, the Court has ignored the best interests of the American public and our representative form of government.” 

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

The 2010 Census:  Why We Care

The League supports a complete count in the 2010 Census for several reasons: 

The following information, supplied by Delaware County Auditor George Kaitsa, chair of the county’s Complete Count Committee, illustrates key points for our county.

1.       From 2000 thru 2008, Delaware County received $939.1 million in federal funding that were allocated through a formula based population, according to figures compiled by the Ohio Department of Development.  On a yearly basis, this figure works out to over a $100 million in federal funds per year ($104.3 million). 

2.       The current population estimate for Delaware County is 165,026,  which means that Delaware County receives an estimated $632 per resident per year in federal funds.  Using this estimate, Delaware County could lose as much as $6,320 over the next decade for each resident who is not counted in the 2010 census.

3.       Approximately 130 million census surveys will be mailed in March throughout the United States.  An estimated 65,000 census surveys will be mailed in Delaware County.

4.       The census survey will be easy to complete.  The 2010 census slogan is “Ten questions in ten minutes.”  

5.       All census information is confidential.  The confidentiality of census information is protected by a $250,000 fine and criminal penalties.  

6.       Beginning in April, census workers will begin knocking on doors for those households that did not return the census survey.  If people do not want a census worker to knock on their door, they simply return the census survey by April 1st.

Local Advocacy

LWV Delaware County testified before Delaware City Council regarding The Garth Auction Issue :

To:          Delaware City Council

From:    League of Women Voters of Delaware County

                Karen Rainey and Diane Badertscher, Co-Presidents

 Re:          Rezoning and Development of Garth Auction Site

Date:     February 22, 2010

The League of Women Voters of Delaware County has been concerned  that the proposed rezoning and development of the US 23/Stratford Road (Garth Auction) site would threaten the historic value of the site.  That issue appears to be addressed with the promise that the  Meeker home and barn will be donated to the Delaware County Historical Society.   We are pleased that the proposed design of the Turkey Hill service station/convenience store/car wash reflects  the characteristics of the historic structures, and we appreciate what is proposed to mask the negative aspects of the service station and car wash.

We do, however, have lingering concerns regarding  traffic, signage, and the  environmental impact on the area, particularly on the Olentangy River. 

To cite the city’s own comprehensive plan, “Development must be sensitive to the historic and environmental character of the (Stratford) subarea.”  The plan also addresses the issues of congestion, traffic flow and safety in this area, and emphasizes the importance of the US 23 corridor in conveying an image of the community. 

If the Council decides to go forward with the current development plan, we  urge diligence in assuring that traffic does not create additional congestion at the site, that signs are in conformance with the standards set out in the city’s comprehensive plan, and that strong measures are in place to protect the Olentangy River.   In essence, we are asking you to proceed with caution and an awareness of the need to address these concerns.

The League is a nonpartisan political organization that reaches its positions through study and the consensus of its members. 

Previously, the League communicated with the Delaware City Planning Commission:

To :      Mr. Joe Di Genova,  Chair

City of Delaware Planning Commission

From:  The League of Women Voters of Delaware County

Diane Badertscher and Karen Rainey, Co-Presidents

Re:      Potential Rezoning and Development of Garth Auction Site

Date:    August 13, 2009

The League of Women Voters of Delaware County is concerned that a proposed rezoning of the US 23/Stratford Road (Garth Auction) site will threaten the historic value of the site.

The League believes that it is crucial to the quality of life in our county that growth be managed to preserve the unique character of Delaware County’s neighborhoods and their historic architecture.  We do not want to see this site compromised for a potentially harmful commercial use.

To cite the city’s own comprehensive plan, “Development must be sensitive to the historic and environmental character of the (Stratford) subarea.”  The plan also addresses the issues of congestion, traffic flow and safety in this area, and emphasizes the importance of the US 23 corridor in conveying an image of the community.

The League is also concerned about the potential environmental impact of the proposed use of this property, and urges diligence in evaluating the effect of the proposed rezoning and commercial use on the site’s historic buildings and on the Olentangy River.  We encourage and support strong measures to protect environmental quality.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that reaches its positions through study and the consensus of its members.  Please consider our position on this issue in your deliberations.

cc:  Members of the City of Delaware Planning Commission

lwvdelawarecountyohio@gmail.com