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The VOTER, March 2006
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President’s Message
Open Government.  LWV-US has completed a new resource guide, "Looking for Sunchine:  Protecting Your Right to Know," part of the League's project titled "Openness in Government: Looking for the Sunshine."

As stated in the overview, "our nation's access laws are only as good as we,  the people, demand that they be.  Knowledge of what is legally accessible and how to obtain such data is essential to keeping our rights alive."

I invite you to join us and lead local efforts to learn more about this timely topic.  Resources available include the Freedom of Information Foundation in Texas, www.foift.org and the OpenTheGovernment.org Coalition,
www.openthegovernment.org.

A teleforum on March 13 begins Sunshine Week, Are we Safer in the Dark? However, there are cost and logistical details involved with being a local host.  If you are interested in seeing our local League become more involved in programs such as this, your support is critical.  I invite you join us, as an active member and/or a financial sponsor.
Lois Huff, President, LWV-CC

PS--If you managed to catch the televised primary forum in February, I hope that you heard two of the winners of our Essay Contest read their winning submissions.  Edalia Gutierrez captured the attention of the candidates who were getting prepared.  Niaomi Harrison kept their attention.  (Isabella Ruiz, the other winner, was not able to join us. )  Listening to these two young women tell us why they will vote when they are 18 was inspirational and I deeply appreciate the time and effort put forth, both by our winners and by the Essay Contest chair, Chris Garcia.
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The Center of Disease Control and Prevention website includes a similar list of topics:
  1. Bioterrorism and Domestic Preparedness
  2. Bioterrorism Countermeasures
  3. CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response Site
    1. Bioterrorism Agents
    2. Chemical Emergencies
    3. Radiation Emergencies
    4. Mass Casualties
    5. Natural Disasters & Severe Weather
    6. Recent Outbreaks & Incidents
  4. Public Health Emergency Response Guide for State, Local, and Tribal Public Health Directors
Well, all of this information reinforced the fact that Bioterrorism is an enormously complicated issue.  Fortunately Linda Cook, PhD, APRN, BC, CCRN as agreed to help us better understand the numerous challenges.  Dr. Cook is the Undergraduate Coordinator, College of Nursing and Health Sciences Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi.  I am confident that her presentation will help prepare LWV-CC to ask Corpus Christi-Nueces County Health Department, Corpus Christi Office of Emergency Management, Port Authority and Texas Department of State Health Services the pertinent questions.

The League of Women Voters has never been compared to the ostrich, noted for putting its head in the sand.  Complacency is a luxury we cannot afford.
Pat E. Mattocks
Vice President, Program
2006 State Convention Update
Here’s a chance for all LWV-CC members to have a good time, serve the League, and save yourself $75 in the process. All you need to do is help out during the LWV-Texas convention we are hosting April 21-23 at the Omni Marina.

Volunteers are needed to work the registration desk, serve as pages, be on hand in the convention office, keep time, operate a projector, and handle other similar jobs. The State office will notify us of the number of volunteers we will need, and training sessions will be scheduled. Convention sessions will take place Friday afternoon, Saturday morning and afternoon, and Sunday morning, and workers should not have to work during all sessions.  The best part is that convention workers do not have to pay the $75 registration fee to attend.
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