LEAGUE of WOMEN VOTERS of WESTON :
Last year, Weston won the Democracy Cup (for turnout) - more here!

Contact the League by clicking above, left

Interested in issues?  Fair elections? Good government?
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE LWV OF WESTON!

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Chanel 12 showed up for pre-Speak Up  video...FORUM  coverage plus cameraman, too!

ALL OVER NOW - WELL ATTENDED, LOTS OF STATEMENTS, LOTS OF
THANK YOU'S TO GOVERNMENT AND SOME CONCERN THAT WE CAN KEEP
THE WESTON DREAM ALIVE AND AFFORDABLE.

Speak Up #19 over...click here to find out who was on stage and the official count of crowd

-------------------------

NOW...  FEBRUARY IS LWV MONTH IN CONNECTICUT!
The League celebrates at the Capitol: http://ct-n.com/ondemand.asp?ID=5067

-------------------------




WATCH  THIS  IMPORTANT DISCUSSION NOW!

LWVCT FALL CONFERENCE DECEMBER 5, 2009

This year’s LWVCTEF Fall Conference was held at a new venue: South Congregational Church,
277 Main Street, Hartford. 

The topic, “Health Care in Connecticut: What’s Next?” brought out more than 70 members of the public to
hear from 3 speakers:  The Weston LWV offers it for your information here online!


..................................

E-Democracy:  A 21st Century Citizen's Right to Know and Participate

LWVCT Fall Conference 2007
Keynote speaker was CT Att'y General Richard Blumenthal

3 Democrats — 2 senators, 1 governor — to retire
YAHOO
By LIZ SIDOTI, AP National Political Writer
January 6, 2010

WASHINGTON – With the 2010 election year barely under way, two senators and one governor — all Democrats — ditched
plans to run for re-election in the latest signs of trouble for President Barack Obama's party.

Taken together, the decisions by Sens. Chris Dodd of Connecticut and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota as well as Colorado
Gov. Bill Ritter caused another bout of heartburn for Democrats as they struggle to defend themselves in a sour political
environment for incumbents, particularly the party in charge.

As 2009 ended, Democrats watched a string of their House members announce retirements and one congressman defect to the GOP.

Now, with Dodd, Dorgan and Ritter out, Republicans have even more to crow about, if not better opportunities to pick up
Democratic-held seats.

Democrats, who have a 60-40 Senate majority that includes two independents who vote with them, now will have to defend four
open seats in the Senate. The others are Delaware and Illinois, where Sens. Ted Kaufman, who replaced Vice President Joe Biden,
and Roland Burris, who replaced Obama, aren't running for full terms.

Among governors, Democrats are seeking to maintain their 26-24 majority in a year when those elected will oversee the redrawing of
congressional and legislative districts for the next decade.

Republicans and Democrats alike say they now expect competitive races for the Senate seat in North Dakota, a GOP-tilting state,
and the governor's seat in Colorado, a pivotal swing state that has trended toward Democrats in recent years but may be shifting
back toward Republicans.

But in Democratic-leaning Connecticut, Dodd's retirement may actually heighten the likelihood that the seat he's held for five terms
will remain in Democratic hands. The party can now recruit a more popular candidate to run, bolstering the prospects of thwarting
a Republican victory.

Longtime Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal told The Associated Press on Wednesday morning that he will run
for Dodd's seat. Blumenthal, a Democrat, is seen as one of the state's most popular politicians. He planned to publicly announce
his candidacy later Wednesday.

Considered by many insiders to be the most endangered Senate Democrat, Dodd planned to announce his retirement Wednesday,
according to Democratic officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to publicly pre-empt
the senator's remarks. Dodd told Democrats of his plans late Tuesday...


--------------------------


Gov. Rell Not Seeking Reelection in 2010; Stunning Announcement Shocks Capitol; Few
Knew In Advance
Hartford Courant
By Christopher Keating  on November 9, 2009 5:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In a stunning announcement, an emotional Gov. M. Jodi Rell told reporters shortly Monday evening that she is not
seeking reelection...full story here.

-------------------


OBSERVER CORPS:

AGENDA FOR SELECTMEN'S MEETING COMING UP HERE

NOW THE LAW TO POST THESE MEETINGS
Town of Weston website for official notice of meetings (televised and otherwise).

Observer Corps tracks TOWN PLAN UPDATE in 2009-2010...special P&Z meeting dates posted here

Want to join the League and find out what's what with the Town Plan?  Click here.

"Know Your Town ON-LINE."

Not-exactly-a-blog 


-----------------------------------

B A C K G R O U N D   O N    L E A G U E  :


Planning The League of Women Voters of Connecticut's 90th Anniversary Celebration(s)

The LWVCT is planning to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of our organization’s founding with a series of events
beginning in January 2010, the year of the founding of the national organization, and continuing thru the early part
of 2011, the founding the CT League.

Using the Anniversary to Keep Your League Visible

Does your local library or historical society host displays of community organizations’ memorabilia?  If so, the
2010-2011 anniversary celebration is the perfect time to put your League, and women voting, front and center. 

What is your town’s history on suffrage? 

Did it use the Connecticut law to let women vote in local elections before the government of the United States gave
us the right in federal elections? 

Did the precursor of your League hold local marches or rallies?

Please consider calling your historical society now to work on a display that could be ready for next year.  It could
be on suffrage, on women’s suffrage, on the League, or on just your local League.

Local level:  community outreach, publications
LWVCT research:  the economy,  knowing your Capitol, citizen's right to know and participate
Click here for latest news of "Steering Committee."
Scroll down for complete background.

----------------------------------



LWV OF WESTON, CONNECTICUT -  PUBLICATIONS:

NEW for 2008 is Know Your Town Directory, available at Town Hall, Town Hall Annex, Board of Education Central
Headquarters (to be distributed from there to each of the 4 school buildings):  and now online at the Town of Weston
website.

• "Know Your Town Directory" print edition at the Town Clerk's Office or onlin at the Town website;
• "online, short version" with LWV Monitor report changes to major Boards and Commissions here;  
• as well as "Guide to Local Elections";
  
• click here for "Guide to Government"
  

WESTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Numbered prints by Mary O'Reilly Sowinski for sale (some still left!) depict Weston in 1979!

Notecards commissioned by LWV of Weston available from the League;

• Test your knowledge of Weston...what is depicted in the print above? 
  
• Is this scene still there?
• Why is this view of particular importance for Westonites?
  

With the economy turnng down, this was a very important forum:
"MUNICIPAL SHARED SERVICE:  THE ROAD AHEAD"
A Symposium Presented by:

• The Connecticut Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations
• The Connecticut Office of Policy and Management
• The League of Women Voters of Connecticut

 

Take a tour of the Capitol with official League Guides--"Capitol and Information Tours" (C.I.T.)

------------------------------

Video of LWVCT Convention 2007 (long and short versions)...
L W V C T    C O N V E N T I O N    R E P O R T  - E-AWARD to Weston!


---------------------------------

By others:

SUSTAINABILITY

THE SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE FIELDBOOK:
WHEN IT ALL COMES TOGETHER..."Transitioning To Green" forums upcoming!

The Transitioning to Green initiative is committed to helping you find your place in the world of the new green economy. 
Headed by Dr. Jeana Wirtenberg, this organization exists to empower you to transform yourself not only in your career
choices but also in how you choose to live the rest of your life.

Are you looking to transition into a greener career? Attend the Transitioning to Green Forum, a highly interactive, unique,
one-day event with subject matter experts (SME’s) in sustainability and green jobs. Tuesday, February 23,
at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Click here to read more about the Forum and to register!

----------------------------

 News of some previous speakers at LWV of Weston event!

-------------------------------