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Upcoming Opportunities to Participate in Updating Local Comprehensive Plans
Thurston Community Media: Local Public Broadcasting at Risk
Member Spotlight: Vallie Needham
Save the Date: Pathway to Success
Sue Lean, Life-Time League Member
New "Be a Voter" Video
Voter Services has a new Record for Tabling at Community Events
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Walk with the League
DEI & Justice Committee Meeting
New Member Orientation and Refresher
Join Us September 27 for an In-Person Candidate Forum
DEI & Justice Book Group
The State We're In: Washington
The State We’re In: Washington Your Guide to State, Tribal and Local Government, Impact on Families
2023-2024 LWVTC Handbook
Thank You! LWVTC Membership | | | Walk with the League, Tuesday, September 12, 1:00 pm, Billy Frank Jr. Trail at the Port of Olympia. See article for more details.
Local Good Governance Coalition meeting with Thurston County Comprehensive Plan staff, September 13, 3:00 pm.
Volunteer to help with the 2023 General Election Candidate Forums, September 16 and 17. Contact Karen Tvedt or Shelley Kneip.
DEI & Justice Committee Meeting, Wednesday, September 20 at 5:00 pm.
New member orientation and refresher, September 23 from 4:00-6:00 pm, Panorama’s Pavilion Building, 1716 Sleater-Kinney Rd SE, Lacey. | In-Person forum for candidates vying for the Olympia School District Board of Directors, Wednesday, September 27, 6:30 pm, at the Olympia Timberland Library.
Pathway to Success: Finding and Maximizing your Voice and Passion. Saturday, October 7, 9:30 am-12:30 pm. For more information, contact apic.southpugetsound@gmail.com.
DEI&J Book Group: Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of “Latino” by Héctor Tobar. Tuesday, October 10, 2:00 pm. For more information, contact Annie Cubberly.
Coffee and Breakfast with the League: Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am at River’s Edge Restaurant, Tumwater. | | | Upcoming Opportunities to Participate in Updating Local Comprehensive Plans
By Loretta Seppanen
Each local jurisdiction’s Comprehensive Plan sets out a vision, goals, and policies for the coming 20 years with updates made every decade. Right now, cities and Thurston County are engaged in a two-year process, to update their plans. These processes include multiple opportunities to speak out on issues of importance to you.
Olympia 2045 started the update by asking for citizen input on the visions and values identified in past reviews. The results (see them here) suggest community values are changing. For updates, list your email at the signup box at Olympia 2045.
Tumwater’s Planning Commission is currently engaged in a “gap analysis” to determine which parts of their existing Comp Plan need changes. Check out their meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month here.
Lacey’s Planning Commission received a briefing on the Comp Plan Update at their August 15 meeting. See a recording here. Staff said an initial meeting with the City Council will be held in the fall and public engagement will begin in January 2024.
Thurston 2045 is the name of the county's Comp Plan process. Staff are visiting local organizations as a part of the public engagement related to the update. The Local Good Governance Coalition extended an invitation to county staff to attend their September 13 meeting at 3:00 pm. Much of that conversation will consider climate change and affordable housing: the need for new long-term funding streams to address these needs, the need for significant changes in vision and policies, and the need to consider climate change and affordable housing as interrelated (and similarly interrelated to transportation, the economy, and health). LWVTC members are welcome to join that conversation at this link to give input and to learn from other local organizations. | Thurston Community Media: Local Public Broadcasting At-Risk
By Karen Tvedt | | | Along with four local public access channels, the many decades-long partnership between the LWVTC and the non-profit TCMedia in producing and airing candidate forums is in jeopardy. Unlike Seattle and other larger media markets, Olympia lacks an alternative broadcast station for local information.
After months of negotiations, TCMedia recently received a letter signed by Thurston County and the cities of Olympia and Tumwater saying their business relationship with TCMedia will end effective December 31, 2023. While the letter leaves many unanswered questions, the intent seems to be to end the funding TCMedia receives from the county, Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater, funds these jurisdictions receive from cable franchise fees.
We’re hoping you’ll take time to make your voice heard. You’re encouraged to comment at council and commission meetings, send letters or emails to elected officials, make phone calls, and/or contact Robert Kam at rkain@tcmedia.org to film a testimonial.
More details are available here. | Member Spotlight: Vallie Needham
In February 2013, I was on a school bus on Hwy 281 in Northeastern North Dakota. It was my senior year of high school, and I was traveling from my hometown of Pembina to the state capitol, Bismarck, to experience a few days at the Legislature. The trip was mandatory, and I was cold and miserable.
Pembina is a tiny town, home to some 600 residents, and is literally the northeastern corner of the state. The oldest settlement in the Dakotas, it is a mere two miles from a major commerce border crossing into Canada and is separated from Minnesota by the Pembina River.
I had no interest in the trip.The bus ride was five hours and boring, and I figured I was in for two days of being forced into boring meetings.
| | | I was wrong. From the moment I stepped into the Capitol, I was fascinated. I explored the building, attended committee hearings, and sat on the Senate floor, watching as legislators pushed their aye and nay vote buttons. I remember thinking that living in Bismarck would be cool so I could come to the legislature more often.
As fate would have it, I would end up in Bismarck only a few months after graduating. It took me a few years, but I did go to the legislature again. The legislature was every two years. I had found my voice and frequently testified in committee hearings about issues I cared about until I moved to Washington in 2020.
That trip in winter of 2013 was most of the civic education I received in high school, and it gave me the resources I needed to become an informed voter. I am proud to work with the LWVTC providing resources to my community to encourage others to find their voice like I did. | Save the Date …
Pathway to Success: Finding and Maximizing your Voice and Passion
Saturday, October 7, 2023, 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Asian Pacific Islander Coalition of South Puget Sound (APIC SPS)
This event will support you, our community members, in discovering your inner strengths and passions, as you pursue and cultivate a meaningful career. We will hear from BIPoC leaders in a variety of career paths and community sectors share their stories, ideas, and best practices. Participants and panelists will also have time to meet one another, exchange questions, and broaden our network.
Registration is free for this in-person/ blended event. High school seniors, college students, new job seekers and those seeking to change careers are highly encouraged to attend. All are welcome! Accommodation is available upon request.
For more information about the event, contact apic.southpugetsound@gmail.com. | Sue Lean, Life-Time League Member
Sue Lean, a more than 50-year League member, was recently profiled in an article called “Sue Lean, History Machine,” in the Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater ( JOLT) News. Even if you don’t know Sue by name, you’ll probably have seen her at League and other events dressed as a historical suffragette – a “walking history book on women’s suffrage” per the JOLT article. | | | Sue is an ardent promoter of democracy, educating us all about the history of women’s right to vote.
In addition to being active in the LWVTC, Sue is a board member and active supporter of the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum. Thanks to the JOLT for its coverage of our esteemed member, you can read the full article here. | New “Be a Voter” Video
By Susan Fiksdal
A “Be a Voter” video will appear on our homepage the second week of September. It features League members across generations beginning with Ayla Miller, Nirja Churi, Vallie Needham, James Allen, Nicole Miller, and Sue Lean. The producers are Nirja Churi, Vallie Needham, Darlene Hein, and Susan Fiksdal. Our esteemed videographer is Kaila Bohler. Kaila donated her time, equipment, and expertise to videotape and create the final version. | | | | One of the questions was why support local elections? We got lots of great responses, and we hope you will speak with at least five friends about the importance of being a voter on November 7. | Voter Services has a New Record for Tabling at Community Events
By Susan Fiksdal
The Voter Services Committee and the League more generally are becoming better known in Thurston County thanks to the 19 volunteers showing up in all sorts of weather to talk to people about registering to vote and the people watching our candidate forums to be better informed.
Carol Goss reached out with her contacts through her work on the DEI committee, adding three new events to our agenda: The Asian and Pacific Islander Celebration in Olympia, the Juneteenth Celebration sponsored by Lacey and Tumwater, and the Capital City Pride Event. We partnered with the County Auditor’s Office to table two days at Lakefair, one day at the Thurston County Fair (a first), and two days at Harbor Days. Thanks to Karen Verrill, we tabled at the Billy Frank Tribute in February at Timberline High School for the first time. And we were invited back to the Lacey Spring Fun Fair and Yelm’s Prairie Days. |
Voting Misinformation, Coercion and Sign Yanking
By Darlene Hein, LWVTC President
We are all aware of the misinformation on social media and voter suppression happening around our country, but I think sometimes we miss what is happening here in Thurston County.
Misinformation is everywhere in Thurston County, from social media like Nextdoor to neighborhood get-togethers, but this is not the only way that forces are working to undermine our voting. The County Auditor’s office is getting threats.
| | | There have been people going door to door asking about how people are voting and questioning their right to vote; and just a few weeks ago, two Lacey City Councilmembers were videotaped removing a campaign sign for a County Commission candidate.
The Thurston County Auditor’s Office oversees all aspects of our voting process, and due to increasing threats of violence, they have been working to enhance security at the Mottman Ballot Processing Center. The Auditor’s office has every reason to believe these threats need to be taken seriously. This update to the Ballot Processing Center has a dual purpose: better transparency for the public and increased security for elections staff. The security measures have been agreed upon, but not finished, and the hope is to get them completed in time for next year's presidential election.
Voting is not only one of our most important rights but also how we make our voices heard. Across the country and here in Thurston County, the right to vote is threatened, and as members of the League of Women Voters, we need to be vigilant to make sure that our right to vote is protected. The LWV has made it a priority to combat all efforts to limit our right to vote. | Walk with the League – 1:00 pm, Tuesday, September 12
(The August Walk was rescheduled because of extreme heat)
Walk with the League is a great way to explore the area and get to know each other socially and get some exercise! Meet at the Billy Frank Jr. Trail within Port of Olympia property – not to be confused with the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge - at 1:00 pm, September 12. The Walk begins at the Port’s boat launch parking lot, adjacent to the KGY radio station (1700 Marine Dr. NE, Olympia 98501). | | | |
This 1.2-mile waterfront trail honors Nisqually environmental leader and treaty rights activist Billy Frank, Jr. The trail runs from the intersection of East Bay Drive and Olympia Avenue to the scenic Billy Frank Jr. Park. | | It provides information about local Tribes, native plants, and salmon—with stops in between at historic sites, public art, small parks, Percival Landing, the farmers market, and other downtown locales. Get more information, including about the Billy Frank Jr. Waterfront Trail/Park, here. | | | DEI & Justice Committee Meeting
5:00 - 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 20 via Zoom (note the new time)
Get the meeting Zoom link by emailing Membership@LWVthurston.org
Agenda:
- Thurston County Racial Equity efforts by Devi Ogden, Board of County Commissioners Racial Equity Manager.
- Discussion of the book, The Untold Story of Women of Color in the League of Women Voters, by Carolyn Jefferson Jenkins. As we look to bring this important story to the Thurston community, we'll discuss specific chapters and the lessons we learn to create an inclusive LWVTC. The League of Women Voters has three copies of this book available to borrow. Email Membership@LWVThurston.org to reserve a copy. Copies are also available at the Timberline Library.
- Update on future speakers and topics to further our understanding of creating a welcoming community.
| | New Member Orientation and Refresher
4:00 -6:00 pm, Saturday, September 23
Panorama’s Pavilion Building
1716 Sleater-Kinney Rd. SE (adjacent to Panorama’s Convalescent & Rehab Center) in Lacey. | | | Whether you are brand new to the LWVTC or looking for more information to gauge how to best get involved, join us to explore:
- History and structure of the LWV
- Advocacy and policy initiatives
- LWVTC Board, committees, and priorities
Connect with each other and learn how you can add to the capacity of our work together. Refreshments will be provided. | Join us September 27 for an In-Person Candidate Forum
LWVTC is partnering with the Olympia Timberland Library to hold an in-person forum for candidates vying for the Olympia School District Board of Directors. The forum is scheduled for 6:30 pm, Wednesday, September 27, at the Olympia Timberland Library, 313 8th Street, Olympia. The forum is open to the public. Please come with your questions for the candidates. | | | | We can also use help from volunteers to greet attendees, gather and screen questions, and do other odd jobs. Hope to see many of our members there! For more information, contact Karen Tvedt or Shelley Kneip. | DEI & Justice Book Group Meeting: Tuesday, October 10, 2:00 pm
Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of “Latino” by Héctor Tobar,
May 2023, 256 pages (Audio, e-book, and book at Timberland Library)
By Loretta Seppanen
I have been searching for a book that helps me understand the movement of people from Mexico and farther south to the United States. Tobar is a Pulitzer Prize–winning writer, journalist, educator and son of Guatemalan immigrants. He starts by addressing his Latino students who wonder about their place in this country and with each other, given the diversity of people lumped in the “Latino” category. He mixes in beautiful memoir material. His review of the various ways Latinos have been categorized by the U.S. government reminds me that race and ethnicity are social constructs that can change quickly.
| | | Tobar casts being “migrant” as epic in nature. Each migrant family starts as an outcast then rises up against oppressive, militarized U.S. barriers to find a place in this new world. He offers his students and his readers a more uplifting picture of Latino migrants than the media portrayal.
For more information, contact Annie Cubberly. | THOUGHTS ON LEAGUE ISSUES
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“The State We’re In: Washington
Your Guide to State, Tribal and Local Government”
by Karen Verrill
This book is designed to inform and inspire students to become active citizens. The graphics show the ethnic and geographic diversity of our state. New members receive a copy when joining the LWVTC. We hope you’re enjoying your copy!
Editions include one for elementary grades, another for 6th grade and up. This year we’ve translated TSWI into Spanish and produced a supplement: Latino History in WA., is endorsed by the state Indian Education Association, the State Council for the Social Studies and many teachers. One teacher said: “This is the book I always wished I had for my classroom.” | | | Now we need to focus on getting these books into schools and into the hands of students in our area. Our kids need help accessing this resource. Want to help with this project? Contact: Karen Verrill.
This book makes a great “back-to-school” gift. Get ordering information here. Free downloads in multiple languages and Teacher’s Guide are available too here. | The State We’re In: Washington Your Guide to State, Tribal and Local Government, Impact on Families
By Brenda Paull
As a frequent volunteer at the Thurston County Food Bank, I often wondered, would parents like a copy of our book, The State We’re In? I often see families who home school, including those who speak Spanish. As a pilot idea, the Membership Committee has made a few copies available. The Spanish edition is for middle school, so I only approach families with older children in tow.
My Spanish is very limited, but it is obvious the families are very pleased. They marvel at the photos and graphics and say “Gracias, Gracias.” | | | | The home school children vary in age. With whichever edition I give them, I emphasize it can be used for a wide range of instruction: civics, geography, history, science, math- a complete curriculum! The parents and the children are very pleased to receive the book. We feel that civics education should be available to all, and the opportunity to support their understanding of how they can engage our democracy is a privilege! | Watch for your copy of the 2023 - 2024 LWVTC Handbook/Directory.
It's coming out this month.
An electronic copy will be available on our website.
| LWVTC Membership
By the Membership Committee
People like you make the work of the League of Women Voters possible. Cheers to our new and renewing members! We especially appreciate all who can donate as an activist or to our scholarships. Not everyone can join without help and your generosity gives a boost to our scholarship fund. Thank you, Thank you!
In case you haven’t renewed yet, please know that your dues ($75 for individuals and $100 for households), continues the legacy of promoting voting rights, civic education, and nonpartisan advocacy on issues affecting us all. | | | We offer full and partial scholarship. No financial information required.
1. To renew on-line: click here and then click JOIN THE LEAGUE
2. When you log-on, please take a moment to respond to the survey questions (if you haven’t yet) about how you might like to get involved and other interests and skills/experiences. No commitment required. With juggling busy schedules, we want to maximize your involvement at the level that works best for you!
Your LWVTC renewal gives you membership and voice in your local, state and national Leagues. Welcome and thank you to all our new and renewing members listed below. | Sue Bredensteiner
Allyson Brooks
Keitha Bryson
Judith Carter
Crystal Champion & Larry Jefferson
Nirja Churi
Judith Davis
Patricia Dickason
Susan Dubuisson
Susan Fiksdal
Karen Fraser
Julie Frick
Kathy Baros Friedt
Mary Jo (M.J.) Giamberardini
Christine Garst |
Carol Goss
Darlene Hein
Darcy Huffman
Dr. Thelma Jackson
Jeffrey Jaksich
Debra Jaqua
Chris Kennedy
Annabel Kirschner
Kassie Koledin
Esther & Lea Kronenberg
Linda Lamb
Janet McLane
Monica Miller
Joan Miniken
Mary Moore |
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Vallie Needham & James Allen
Carolyn Odio
Lisa Ornstein
Sue Patnude
Cynthia Pratt
Katherine Ransom
Emily Ray
Elizabeth Rodrick
Jo'el Roth
R Peggy Smith
Barbara Steffen
William S. Tilley
Gwen Touney
Cindy and Dan Tufford
Karen Valenzuela
Sonja Wilson |
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EMPOWERING VOTERS. DEFENDING DEMOCRACY.
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.
Copyright © 2022, League of Women Voters of Thurston County, Washington
Our mailing address is:
P.O. Box 2203
Olympia, WA 98507
http://www.lwvthurston.org/ | |