Officers for 2008-2009
July 15, 2008President…………….Sue Pinkham
Vice-President…..….Karen Ericson
Secretary………..….Ginny Thompson
Treasurer…………….Berniece Peters
At-Large………….….Betty Dutton
..................Muriel Whiting
EVENT: BACK TO LWV BREAKFAST
July 15, 2008SEPTEMBER 10, 2008
8:30 AM.
ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
880 MAC GREGOR AVENUE
First meeting of the year!
Program to be announced later!
Soaring Together Powerpoint Presentation:
June 11, 2008View/download the presentation from here:
SoaringTogether2007-LWV.ppt
If you do not have Powerpoint or the Powerpoint reader installed, download and install the reader, here:
Microsoft Powerpoint Reader
EARTH DAY - "IT'S IN THE BAG"
April 16, 2008The Estes Park League of Women Voters, in conjunction with Earth Day, is kicking off a series of articles to heighten awareness of recycling issues and benefits. This first article will focus on plastic shopping bags.
As our population expands at an ever increasing accelerated rate, so too are we polluting our planet with rampant consumer waste.
One of the products of great concern are those made of plastic. Not only does plastic not decompose but many lightweight items never make it to the landfill or if we are lucky, a recycling center. Of these items, there is one that comes home with us in multiples on most days that is the easiest to recycle, reduce in number or best of all, eliminate.
Take a short walk or drive and you are sure to see a plastic shopping bag blowing like a kite across our open spaces or snagged on a twig and flapping in the breeze, a banner of someone's carelessness.
There have been reports in the news recently of "The Great Pacific Garbage Patch". This floating island which has been accumulating for more than 10 years is comprised of ninety percent plastic products. This is just one of six such masses around the world swept together by the currents. The U.N. Environmental Program estimates that 8 million pieces of litter enter the oceans every day. Eighty percent of the items are swept across the land by wind or washed by rain off of highways and streets into our lakes, rivers and into the sea.
More and more businesses are adopting policies to alleviate or eliminate the use of plastic bags. Our Safeway is to be commended for getting on board with this effort. They have reusable cloth bags for sale in the store for just 99 cents but customers are always welcome to bring their own. The checkers will be glad to pack your bags as usual and you will receive a 5 cents allowance for each one. Also, watch for an in-store promotion for Earth Day.
There is one challenge, however, and that is remembering to keep the bags in your car and to take them into the store with you. Of course you can always fetch your bags from the car before you check out or take your groceries out to the car in the cart and pack your bags there. To be sure there will be times when you will find that you have left your cloth bags behind but don't despair there is a recycling bin located by each of the exit doors for those plastic bags.
Try this for an exercise. Keep ALL of the plastic bags that you acquire for a week or two and be surprised at how many that equates to in a year. Then, consider how many other households are accumulating multitudes of bags as well and ultimately how much plastic is possibly going into our landfills, littering our communities and countryside and degrading our oceans. It is quite sobering.
April 22nd is Earth Day.
CONSIDER the negative impact plastic bags are having on the environment that your children and generations to come will inherit.
COMMIT to shopping with reusable bags to reduce consumer waste.
CARE enough to educate yourself and your family. With a little effort the majority of items in your home can be recycled when they have served their usefulness.
CHILDREN learn what they live.
PHOTOS: Candidates Forum, March 12
March 26, 2008The Candidates Forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters was held on March 12, 2008 . Many members of the LWV helped with the forum. Remember to vote on April 1, 2008!
IMAGES:
LWV-Recycling Forum Results
March 2, 2008[EDITED FOR ACCURACY: March 4, 2008]
Click here for printable copy of article (MS Word .doc file)
Community Forum on Recycling-Summary
Irene Little and Linda Stratton
On Wednesday, February 13, 2008 from 9:00am-11:00am, the LWVEP and Sustainable Mountain Living held a Community Forum on Recycling in order to discuss common concerns of the business community, the schools, RMNP, the Town of Estes Park and residents.
In attendance were about 35 people including representatives from
Ed’s Cantina, Holiday Inn, Spruce House, Macdonald’s Book Store (Dan and Stacia Valley),
Waste Management, Town of Estes Park RMNP, EP Middle School
Various Issues and concerns were raised by businesses:
- Not enough space available for recycle bins and dumpsters, both within individual businesses and in the downtown area in general
- The recycle bins need to be picked up more than once/week from businesses. During the busy summer season, many businesses need to have recycle bins emptied every day.
- There are no incentives for recycling-- cost to recycle cardboard same as cost to put it into the trash that is much easier.
Several businesses had positive comments:
- Ed’s Cantina, Holiday Inn, Poppy’s, Kind Coffee are using compostable and/or recycled to-go containers and/or utensils including drinking straws made from corn
- Holiday Inn, Ed’s Cantina and The Historic Craigs Lodges recycle cooking oil (it is made into biodiesel) (containers provided and picked up for free and Craigs gets paid something for their cooking oil)
- Fluorescent bulbs (including compact fluorescents) are considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of correctly. Home Depot provides containers and will pick up fluorescent bulbs when container is full for $80/container.
- Holiday Inn has a cardboard compactor and recycle bins in each room; employees may use all recycling services
- Macdonald’s pays to have cardboard recycled by Waste Management
- The bldg that includes Kind Coffee has shared/joint recycling and trash pick up
- UPS will take styrofoam peanuts/packaging; [Mastergraphics will take small cardboard boxes and packing materials]
- Safeway now has recycle bins for plastic grocery bags
Several ideas/suggestions relating to business issues were made:
- Clustering/cooperative efforts in business areas should be attempted
- There have to be different service patterns in summer and the off-season
- We need to investigate if any tax credits available.
This year RMNP has made major efforts to increase recycling:
- There are new bear-proof, co-mingled recycle bins in campgrounds and picnic areas (80% of stuff recycled is plastic water bottles; the park is going to add information in the newspaper that goes to park entrants about using re-usable water bottles)
- Waste Management services their cardboard compactor. It is a “roll-off” and cost $400 per pick-up (possibly could be used by community if there were a volunteer group to supervise)
- Currently a recycle bin is open to the community, but too much trash is dumped in to them. The community needs to be educated on this issue what is recyclable and not using the recycle bins as trash dumps.
- Funding has been requested for a propane cylinder recycling machine; the campgrounds dispose of large number of single use propane containers in the trash. (possibly could be open to a periodic community day)
Waste Management (WM) provided the following information:
- One truck and one driver are “dedicated” to recyclables, but currently it is only ¼ full since there are only 23 business customers, so not enough to warrant more frequent pick-up. WM needs to be more proactive in getting more businesses to use their recycle service.
- “Roll-offs” are used for larger loads, e.g., Eagle Rock, EP Schools, RMNP, and Holiday Inn. This is much more efficient, cleaner and more cost-effective
- MW provides residential curbside pick-up (single stream): up to 90 gal or 3 bags once/month for $6.50 + fuel surcharge, $1.85 per extra bag, $3-$4 rental fee for container but all the materials can be put in cardboard box which will then be recycled. Groups, e.g., could use this service by HOAs as long as somebody has WM for trash pick-up.
- Waste Management operates the Transfer Station but the contract only requires that WM hauls the recycle roll-offs to the Larimer County landfill. WM is basically a trash hauling company only. The County Commissioners are responsible for overseeing the operation of the Transfer Station.
Information from Estes Park Schools:
- Waste Management provided 12 bins (13 gal.
containers) to the schools; Ace and YMCA each donated 2 bins.
- There are recycle containers in each classroom in the
Middle School. These are being
picked up by volunteer students and Science Club
- It may be possible to use the schools as a drop-off
site for families
- It is possible that there is space for roll-off
and/or compactor?
- Obviously there is lots of space in summer at the schools when the community would have a lot more stuff to recycle
Information from the Town:
- Chuck Levine expressed “interest,” in the recycle efforts. He attended in order to get more information
- There will be no “blank check” from the town. C. Levine will need to hear “specifics” on what the town could contribute.
- Adding a tax of some kind to pay for recycling would be a problem because the recycle issues concerns both “residents” living within the town limits and “non-residents” those living outside of the town limits.
- However precedent exists for cooperative agreement between the Town and the County [Planning Commission]—this needs to be investigated further
Issues/concerns raised by residents:
- Current facilities at the Transfer Station are dangerous, unpleasant, very dirty, difficult to access and difficult to lift recyclables up into container. There are also traffic concerns between the recyclers and the people bringing trash (WM agrees that the site is not a good spot).
- The Transfer Station needs to be able to recycle more materials, e.g. cardboard, paperboard, phonebooks, etc
- The recycle area needs to be separated from the trash dump area
General Ideas/suggestions:
- Could another location be used?
Ø County would have to approve any other site (the Transfer Station is only “managed” by WM)
Ø Fairgrounds, old Light and Power, EPPS (are there liability issues?)
- Visitors and residents need to be educated about what is recycle and what is trash (e.g., 20% trash contamination means entire load must be put in trash)
- More recycling containers around town. What is the cost per recycle bin and who will pick them up what cost?
- There will be questions about recycling submitted to the candidates at the Candidates Forum. Ballot issue
- HOA’s should pool recycling resources with businesses
- There is a need to communicate with businesses in as a group, e.g., Chamber of Commerce?
- There is a need to communicate with businesses individually about recycling issues and possible solutions
- There is a need to talk to legislators and County Commissioners and get their input for possible solutions
- We will hold a Round-Table discussion with Waste Management, Director of the Larimer County Landfill, the County Commissioner and the Town in order to develop possible solutions for cardboard recycling in early April
- There are two other recycling companies in Town (for residents)—Mountain Recyclers (970-586-9260)- mtnrecy@aol.com, and Estes Valley Recycling (970-586-9592)-- estesvalleyrecycling@hotmail.com
Recycling display at the library.
Recycling and ecofriendliness at it's best!
PHOTOS: Estes Earth Fest
January 21, 2008The Estes Earth Fest was a success! Many people showed up. There was a lot to learn about, good food and a talent show.
LWV-EP recycling display
Ranee Morrison, Diane Burkepile, Jane Gunn, and Berniece Peters.
Jean Weaver as the "Bag Lady" with Linda Stratton, showing what can be recycled.
Possible Local Studies for 2008-2010
January 21, 2008Possible Local Studies for 2008-2010
1. Funding and organization of the Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department (EPVFD)
· Current situation is an economic nightmare.
· EPVFD depends on voluntary contribution from property owners of the Estes Valley, funding fro the Town’s sales tax and a small amount from the Town’s property tax revenue.
· Two attempts at forming a fire district failed.
· Should there be another attempt – different from the first two?
2. Continue Recycling efforts
3. Energy – renewable in the Estes Valley? What’s available locally.
4. Growth vs. no growth - encourage review of the Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Other: more topics welcome!!! Let Sue Pinkham know or bring topic to meeting on Wednesday.
LWVEP - Local Positions
January 21, 20081. Land use – we agreed that members needed to be updated and that we should do more in educating the community. We also need to have more community involvement in changing the master plan and building designations as there are too many condos under construction and the community is losing open space.
2. Rocky Mountain National Park – continue to support efforts to have the Park’s designated Wilderness areas approved. (Now we have a new issue on our plate – Udall’s bill to allow hunting in the Park “to cull the elk herd.”)
3. Senior Citizens – add housing to our position. As the number of people move into the area, the number of senior citizens increases and adequate, affordable housing will become more of an issue. The LWV needs to be aware of this and address it whenever possible. (WC Pinkham’s Economic Outlook)
4. Water Protection - Determined that we need to re-study this position and continue an educational campaign to alert residents and visitors alike on household choices affecting water quality.
5. Sustainable Community – we need to review the results and recommendations of the Town’s 2017 team to understand the economic future of the area. The LWV would be able to integrate the 2017 study with the LWV’s 2000 position statement. the LWV should work closely with EVIC on this.
6. Living Green – Recycle – using alternatives in construction so that buildings are more energy efficient and less dependent on fossil fuels.
a. Thoughts expressed during the discussion of this position.
i. Find out what recycling steps are and are not being done in the Estes Valley.
ii. What can be done to make buildings more energy efficient, Can biomass work as a fuel to heat larger buildings?
iii. Estes Valley is at the end of the line for Waste Management and is a captive audience.
1. What alternatives are there for residents of the valley?
2. Can the town recycle more?
3. What are the recycling issues facing the town and the county?
4. Are there energy issues too?
LWVUS - Public Policy Postions 2006-2008
January 21, 2008Promote an open governmental system that is representative, accountable and responsive.
· Voting rights – citizen’s right to vote. DC Self-Government and full voting representation.
· Election Process – apportionment, campaign finance, Selection of the President and VP by direct popular vote
· Citizen rights - Citizen’s right to know/Citizen participation
o Individual Liberties
o Public Policy on Reproductive Choices.
· Congress and the Presidency
o Congress- support responsive legislative process characterized by accountability, representativeness, decision-making capability and effective performance.
o The Presidency – Promote a dynamic balance of power between the executive and legislative branches within the framework set by the Constitution.
International Relations
Promote peace in an interdependent world by working cooperatively with other nations and strengthen international organizations.
- United Nations – support a strong, effective UN to promote international peace and security and to address the social, economic and humanitarian needs of all people.
- Trade – Support U.S. trade policies that reduce trade barriers, expand international trade and advance the achievement of humanitarian, environmental and social goals.
- U.S. Relations with developing countries – promote U.S. policies that meet long-term social and economic needs of developing countries.
- Arms control- Reduce the risk of war through support of arms control measures.
- Military policy and Defense spending – work to limit reliance on military force. Examine defense spending in te context of total national needs.
Natural Resources
Promote an environment beneficial to life through the protection and wise management of natural resources in the public interest.
- Natural Resources – Promote the management of natural resources as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems.
- Resource Management – promote resource conservation, stewardship and long range planning, with the responsibility for managing natural resources shared by all levels of government.
Environmental Protection and Pollution Control
Preserve the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the ecosystem, with maximum protection of public health and the environment.
- Air Quality – Promote measures to reduce pollution from mobile and stationary sources.
- Energy – support environmentally sound policies that reduce energy growth rates, emphasize energy conservation and encourage the use of renewable resources.
- Land Use – Promote policies that manage land as a finite resource and that incorporate principles of stewardship.
- Water Resources – support measures to reduce pollution in order to promote surface water, groundwater and drinking water.
- Waste Management - Promote policies to reduce the generation and promote the reuse and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes.
- Nuclear Issues – Promote the maximum protection of public health and safety and the environment.
- Public Participation – promote public understanding and participation in decision making as essential elements of responsible and responsive management of our natural resources.
- Agricultural Policy – Promote adequate supplies of food and fiber at reasonable prices to consumers and support economically viable farms, environmentally sound farming practices and increased reliance on the free market.
Social Policy
Secure equal rights and equal opportunity for all. Promote social and economic justice and health and safety of all Americans.
- Equality of Opportunity –
- Equal rights - support ratification of the Equal Right Amendment and efforts to bring laws into compliance with the goals of the ERA.
- Education, employment and housing – support equal access to all three.
- Fiscal Policy
- Tax Policy – support adequate and flexible funding of federal gov’t. programs through an equitable tax system that is progressive overall and that relies primarily on a broad-based income tax.
- Federal Deficit – promote responsible deficit policies.
- Funding of entitlements – support a federal role in providing mandatory, universal, old-age, survivors, disability and health insurance.
- Health Care – promote and health care system for the U.S. that provides access to a basic level of quality care for all U.S. residents and controls health care costs.
- Meeting basic Human Needs – support programs and policies to prevent or reduce poverty and to promote self-sufficiency for individuals and families.
- Income assistance – Support income assistance programs, based on need, that provide decent, adequate standards for food, clothing and shelter.
- Support Services – provide for essential support services.
- Housing supply – Support policies to provide a decent home and suitable living environment for every American family.
- Child care – expand the supply of affordable, quality child care for all who need it.
- Early intervention for children at risk.
- Violence prevention
- Gun Control – protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility and regulating the ownership of handguns and semi-automatic weapons. Support regulation of firearms for consumer safety.
- Urban Policy - promote the economic health of cities and improve the quality of urban life.
- Death Penalty – supports the abolition of the death penalty.
Whatever the issue, the League believes that efficient and economical gov’t. requires competent personnel, the clear assignment of responsibilities, adequate financing, coordination among levels of gov’t effective enforcement and well defined channels for citizen input and review.
Detailed information on each of these policies can be found in the League’s publication “Impact on Issues 2006-2008”. 3 copies of this publication are in the League Box at the library
LWV-CO Higher Education Consensus Position:
January 14, 2007LWVCO Higher Education Consensus Position
05/20/07
POSITION IN BRIEF:
Higher education is a primary
educational, research, cultural, and economic force in Colorado.
The State of Colorado has a responsibility to support its public institutions
of higher education and to assist the people of Colorado in attaining
a postsecondary education.
State activities should be
carried out with appropriate input from all concerned parties, including
the general public.
Governance:
- The League believes the state should emphasize coordination rather than control over higher education.
- The League believes institutional latitude and flexibility should be encouraged but with state oversight.
- The Department of Higher Education and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education should be led and staffed by professionals with relevant skills and /or experience and be free from political influence.
Financing:
- The League supports a sustainable funding mechanism for public higher education that will provide quality postsecondary programs across the state.
- The League supports sustainable funding for financial aid programs in order to provide access to higher education for all qualified Colorado students.
Access to Higher Education and Persistence by Students:
- The League believes that all qualified students should have the opportunity to attend postsecondary education and that successful participation should be facilitated by a variety of resources.
- Preschool, elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education should be viewed as a continuum leading to life-long learning.
POSITION:
Higher education is a primary
educational, research, cultural, and economic force in Colorado.
The State of Colorado has a responsibility to support its public institutions
of higher education and to assist the people of Colorado in attaining
a postsecondary education. Postsecondary education includes vocational,
technical, community college, four-year, and post-graduate institutions.
State activities should be
carried out with appropriate input from all concerned parties, including
the general public.
Governance
The League believes the state should emphasize coordination rather than control over higher education. In addition, the state should act in an advisory capacity and provide oversight in some areas.
- Possible areas for coordination include:
- Promotion of quality education
- Avoidance of unnecessary duplication
- Promotion of efficiency and good management
- Maintenance of a comprehensive and cohesive state system of postsecondary education
- Possible areas for oversight include:
- Cooperative ventures
- General standards and requirements
- Graduation criteria
The League believes institutional latitude and flexibility should be encouraged but with state oversight. Most decisions are more appropriately made at the institutional level. Objectives should be to:
- Adopt policies at the state level that recognize institutional differences
- Encourage decision-making that accommodates the unique role, mission, and characteristics of each institution
- Allow institutions to utilize their expertise to make decisions in areas such as mission, objectives, tuition, degree programs, and student recruitment
The Department of Higher Education
and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education should be led and staffed
by professionals with relevant skills and/or experience and be free
from political influence.
Financing
The League supports a sustainable funding mechanism for public higher education that will provide quality postsecondary programs across the state. Objectives should be to:
- Maintain and attract quality teaching staff to attract and support quality students as well as research grants
- Eliminate barriers to higher education funding: constitutional, statutory and other
- Assure funding of capital construction and controlled maintenance
- Explore alternative funding for institutions
The League supports sustainable funding for financial aid programs in order to provide access to higher education for all qualified Colorado students. Objectives should be to:
- Increase state funded need-based financial aid to enable all qualified students to attain a postsecondary education
- Increase state funded merit-based scholarships to reward and attract high quality Colorado students
- Provide favorable interest rates on student loans
- Explore alternative funding for student financial aid
Access to Higher Education and Persistence by Students
The League believes that all
qualified students should have the opportunity to attend postsecondary
education and that successful participation should be facilitated by
a variety of resources. Preschool, elementary, secondary, and
postsecondary education should be viewed as a continuum leading to life-long
learning.
Access and persistence begin with preparation during preschool through grade12 (P-12). Objectives should include:
- Implement effective programs that prepare students for increasingly difficult academic work
- Maintain rigorous high school graduation standards and expectations
- Develop programs, including mentoring, that facilitate positive engagement in learning, use a variety of community resources to support students socially and emotionally, and improve academic performance
- Assure that information programs are provided, during middle school and high school, for students and parents regarding academic and financial issues related to attending higher education institutions, as well as information about the variety of options that are available
Access and persistence should be promoted by higher education institutions. Objectives should include:
- Provide information about each institution to high schools throughout the state
- Facilitate transition from high school to college, as well as the process for moving from a community college to a four-year institution or for returning to higher education
- Develop programs, including mentoring, that use a variety of resources to support students socially and emotionally and improve academic performance
- Assure ease of transferring credits between institutions of higher education, including the transition from a community college to a four-year institution
Programs promoting access and
persistence used in higher education institutions, as well as in P-12,
should be evaluated to assure they are effective and equitable.
Opportunities for vocational
and technical education should be increased at the secondary level and
at the community college level.
PHOTOS: League Activities, December 2007
January 3, 2008Immigration Study Meeting
December 5, 2007
[IMAGES REMOVED]
Board Meeting, Jan 9, 2008: LWV Continues Immigration Review
January 2, 2008On Wednesday, January 9th the Estes Park League of Women Voters will meet at 9 am in the Hondius Room of the Library ton continue a review and discussion of immigration. All members of the community are invited to participate..
The national League of Women Voters is currently conducting a formal study of all aspects of immigration. This includes a review of current federal immigration policy, its economic impact, and underlying values and principles.
At the last meeting, Kurtis Kelly, from the community group Multicultural Connection, described local issues related to both legal and illegal immigrants and businesses who employ them in Estes Park.
This month information about immigration at the state and national level will be reviewed and discussed.
All perspectives will be included as the local League comes to a broad agreement, or consensus, on values and priorities relating to immigration. The process includes responding to a list of specific questions. From the consensus reached by local groups all across the country will come a formal position that will guide the League's activities in support of a coherent immigration policy for years to come.
The League of Women Voters promotes the informed participation of citizens in government by providing non-partisan educational information on topics of public concern and on the processes of government. The organization also takes positions on specific issues after extensive study. Membership is open to all
For more information, call Sue Pinkham at 586- 0992.
PHOTO: LWV Banner, as seen in town
November 18, 2007The LWV banner reminded people of the election on November 6th. Thanks to all the Voter's Service committee for their hard work!
PHOTOS: Eco-Cycle/CHARM Field Trip, Nov 7
November 18, 2007The LWV-EP field trip to EcoCycle/CHARM, in Boulder was a success! Members carpooled in a rented bus, and another member hauled their saved recycle materials in a large cargo trailer. Thank you to everyone involved, and to EcoCycle/CHARM for the tour and their service!
[PHOTOS REMOVED]
EVENTS: Special Recycling Drop-off Nov 1-6; Field Trip to Eco-Cycle in Boulder on November 7
LWV Recycling Committee Sponsors a
Special Recycling Drop-Off of “Hard to Recycle Materials”
For One Week: Nov. 1-6
And
A Field Trip to Eco-Cycle in Boulder on November 7
League of Women Voters Recycling Committee of Estes Park is organizing a field trip to tour the Eco-Cycle recycling facilities in Boulder on Wednesday, November 7. We will tour the main recycling drop-off center and the “ChaRM” (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials) facility. We’ll leave at 8:30 am from the Library parking lot, and return by around 2 p.m. Bring a sack lunch. Please RSVP to Mary Ellen Garrett: 586-2552.
From November 1-6, you have the opportunity to bring materials that are not taken at our Estes Park recycling center and we’ll take them with us to Boulder on this field trip! Randy Maharry is donating the use of a trailer, which Jean Weaver has graciously agreed to have at her home for one week, starting Thursday, November 1. Her address is: 1021 Mary’sLake Rd.
Please call her before coming to drop off materials: 586-3772.
ITEMS YOU CAN BRING TO THIS TRAILER TO BE RECYCLED AT ECO-CYCLE:
These items will go to the main recycling drop-off center in Boulder:
• Cardboard (flattened)
• Paperboard (includes egg cartons, cereal and tissue boxes)
• Milk and juice cartons (RINSED and flattened)
• Plastic tubs numbers 2 and 5 (such as yogurt containers)
• Phone books
These items will go to the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials:
• Plastic
bags: grocery, newspaper and dry-cleaning bags (No plastic wrap or
black bags)
• Tennis shoes/athletic shoes (No cleats)
•
Fabrics/old clothing: Must be CLEAN, ripped or stained OK. (No socks or
underwear!)
• Solid white block foam packaging (No packing peanuts, cups, “to go” boxes)
• Hardcover books that libraries don’t take, such as textbooks
• Computer keyboards, mice, cables
• Cell phones
These items will go to ChaRM, for a fee (Jean will collect):
• TVs: 19” or less: $10, 20-34”: $15, larger than 34”: $30
• VCRs/DVD Players: $8
• Home Stereo Components: $8, Car Stereos: $4
• Computer Monitors 19” or smaller: $10, 20” to 34”: $15
• Computer Towers/CPUs: $8
• Printers/Scanners: $8
• Laptops: $4
• Universal Power Supply (UPS): $8
• Large misc. computer equipment: 30¢/lb.
• Fax Machines: $8
• Desktop Copiers: $8
• Large Copiers (over 40lbs.): 30¢/lb
• Office Phones: $4, Home Phones: $2
No paints, oils, solvents, pesticides, expired medicines can be taken. Please check with the Larimer County Household Hazardous Waste program for help with these materials.
MEETING REPORT: CO-HOUSING
October 15, 2007Zev Paiss of Boulder was a guest speaker at the meeting on October 10th. Mr. Paiss is the co-founder of The Elder Co-housing Network of Boulder. He has lived in Nomad Co-housing in Boulder since 1997.
He explained that co-housing is not a new idea, but like old neighborhoods, a way of living together and having a high quality of life. The idea started in Denmark in 1970 Currently there are 100 co-housing groups in 27 states.
Mr. Paiss is working with a local group on Mary’s Meadow Co-housing project, which is planning to build 35 homes on 5 acres. There will be a meeting on Sunday, October 28th from 3 - 5 p.m. at the US Bank Community Room, 363 E. Elkhorn Avenue for more information on this project.
INFORMATIVE SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE FORUM HELD
October 9, 2007The Voters Forum of Thursday, Oct.4, 2007 was quite successful. The weather cooperated, all the candidates were present, and the Estes Park Town Board Meeting room was fairly full with about 95-100 people (which included everybody--League members, candidtes, public). EVIA again co-sponsored the Forum; Vice-President Bryan Michener provided a formal welcome to the audience.
The Forum was carried live on the local TV channel, newspapers sent reporters, and there was a tape made, thanks to Karen Ericson. Karen is going to see if the local TV station will run the tape as a rerun of the Forum. So, hopefully, many voters will have taken advantage of the opportunity to become better informed for the school board election.
A big concern regarding the election is the switch to a completely mail-in ballot election; there will be no polling places. The reason is purely economics, with more and more requirements being mandated for the county. The ballots are to be mailed to all registered voters about October 12, and MUST be received by the county by 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007.
The EP League of Women Voters Committee for voters services did an outstanding job. The following are the members active in this year's forum:
Sue Pinkham, Pres., EPLWV Lynn Young
Jean Menning Karen Ericson
Bob Schwartz Donna Shavlik
Helen Hondius Margaret Clark
Joyce Tremble Barbara Schwartz
Betty Dutton Irene Little
Char Gee Diane Burkepile
Barb Williams, chr.
Special thanks are given to Lynn Young for her fine job of moderating and to Betty Dutton who did such an outstanding job of handling the public relations chores. Betty worked with the press, providing them with many timely and very well written articles.
This committee will be busy in 2008 what with primaries and the big November, 2008 election. If you are interested, you are invited to join the committee.
Images:
[IMAGE REMOVED]
BACK-TO-LEAGUE BREAKFAST WELL ATTENDED!
October 1, 2007
The annual event of having breakfast for the first meeting of the LWV year was well attended on Wednesday, September 26.
New members were welcomed. They include Janet and Randy Maharry, Peter Gibbons, Ranee Morrison, Brad Rohwer. Lola Brett, visiting for part of the year from a LWV in Florida, was also in attendance. Annie Kidwell, a member of the recycling committee, was a guest.
Speakers from Fort Collins, Susie Gordon and John Armstrong, explained the problems and advantages of recycling. They said the goal of Fort Collins is to divert waste from the landfill disposal site by recycling as much as possible, up to 50 percent. They have curbside recycling, which helps to have 85 - 95 percent participation. The recycling volumes are increasing, and the trash volume is decreasing.
Education is a big clue to getting participation. Working with school children is also successful Working with businesses to encourage more recycling of cardboard will require compactors. “Cardboard has value,” John stated, and maybe coops can be formed to help with the problem of all the volume of cardboard in Estes Park. There are grant opportunities for compactors.
The speakers said educating people constantly about recycling is important. Make the rules very clear about what can be recycled and what cannot, and keep the area clean where the recycling is done.
“Don’t assume recycling will be free, there are costs,” John and Susie reminded the group, but the value of the materials are an incentive to recycling
The speakers said they can be reached at: Susie Gordon (221-6265) ; John Armstrong (416-2230) and the website is www.fcgov.com/recycling.
Did you know...
September 6, 2007In an article “Wish You Weren’t Here” by Ted Williams in the July - August issue of the Audubon Magazine on page 34...
“The Overflights Act of 1987 spawned the National Park Air Tour Management of 2000, which requires the FAA and the Park Service to design management plans for each park unit where air tours happen, except Grand Canyon National Park (covered by the 1987 legislation), Rocky Mountain National Park (where tour flights are banned thanks to activists led by the League of Women Voters), and park units in Alaska.”
(They should have added League of Women Voters of Estes Park!!!)
LWV-EP Pot Luck Picnic a Success!
August 27, 2007Members of LWV-Estes Park gathered on Sunday, August 26, for a potluck picnic at Lynn and Bob Young's house. Members enjoyed good food and good company. The event was a success.
Thank you to the Young's for hosting the event!
LWV-EP Honors Two 50-Year Members: Margaret Clark and Louise Lindsey
July 16, 2007
Margaret Clark
Margaret Clark says "We are a high energy family," describing her eight children and their children. She herself set the example, climbing 9 of the 14,000 high peaks! Love for the mountains and hiking was a reason that Margaret and her late husband wanted to move here when he retired. When he passed away Margaret decided to fulfill their dream, and she moved to Estes Park from Illinois in 1981. For 26 years she has lived here in an apartment above one of her daughters and her son-in-law. She did not move here as a stranger because the Clark family has long enjoyed a summer cabin on Teddy's Teeth Mt. 33 mountain peaks could be seen in their splendor from the cabin, and Margaret has climbed every one of them, usually with a family member.
Margaret grew up in Chicago, Illinois, attended the University of Chicago, and when the family moved to Dower's Grove, Illinois, she began teaching the English she had chosen as her college major to local high school students. The family grew, and when she was required to be at home more to meet family needs, she became involved with the Downer's Grove League of Women Voters. Margaret says she has always believed "in the need to use one's mind," so it was not surprising that she was one of the organizers of the Estes Park League shortly after she moved here. It was the late Helen Platt who said to her, "Don't you think we should have a League of Women Voters here?" The local League started with 8 members, serving as self-appointed board members. While they were going through the provisional League period they studied the current issue of the National League, International Relations and Trade. "I loved it," says Margaret; her remarks were a reflection of hear own experiences. She has traveled to close to twenty countries around the globe! The League fulfills Margaret's desire to serve her community and the nation by providing to citizens studied information on issues, often those that require an informed vote. It is not difficult to appreciate why Margaret was presented an Honorary Life Membership for her dedication and service over at least 50 years to the League of Women Voters . She was honored at the May 16, 2007 Annual Meeting of the Estes Park Chapter.
Margaret's commitment to service to others includes many organizations in the Estes Park community. She has served as Board President for almost every one of the following: the Estes Valley Improvement Association (EVIA}, the Elizabeth Guild, the former AARP, the Estes Park Hospital Foundation, the Women's Club.. Margaret has and continues to serve Crossroads after 25 years of involvement. She has also served as a member of the Estes Park Planning Commission.
Margaret continues to be very active in not only Crossroads, but the LWV's and EVIA. She is also a member of a Bible study group at the Mt. View Fellowship and is the Flowers Chairperson for the Congregation. She continues to enjoy outdoor activities - hikes and snowshoes and was once a leader and a co-leader of the Estes Park group.
Margaret's devotion to family, love of nature, and her community commitments remind us all of the importance of walking on the priority paths we can choose in our lives, or, perhaps the importance of hiking and climbing them!
Louise Lindsey
Louise Lindsey's first membership in the League of Women Voters was in Prairie Village, Kansas, when her second child was 5 months old. She says with a smile,"When the children were pre-schoolers, the League was my salvation. My best friends were League members." Louise taught at the high school level - social studies to juniors and seniors. Her favorite classes were government ones, because after her League experience, she realized how important the subject is. Louise later started a new career as a marketer of educational material, primarily to schools and libraries in Kansas and western Missouri. Her husband, Ray, was a civil engineer and also went into sales pertinent to his profession. In 1982 the Lindseys retired in Estes Park. They were not strangers to the area. Over the years, they had enjoyed family camping in the National Park, and the children had gone to the Cheley Camp.
Louise's experience with the League of Women Voters in Kansas inspired her to continue with League activities. In the fall of 1985, the Larimer County LWVs sent a notice that they would like to have a chapter in Estes Park. A meeting was held, and four women from Estes attended: Margaret Clark, the late Helen Platt, Ann Moss, and Louise. The League met in members' homes initially and later in the Municipal Building. By 1991 the Estes Park group had completed the requirements for the establishment of a new League to serve the community, and Louise was elected to be its first president. Average attendance was 17 members the first year. Voters Service readily became a priority; for a large part of the League's purpose is an educational one, providing research and information not only for the benefit of members, but for the entire community. The League does not endorse candidates, but does take positions on very carefully studied issues. For example, the local group arrived at a consensus concerning a position on Senior Services, and Louise says, "Working on helping to establish a need for a Library District gave the new League a purpose."
Louise Lindsey has worked tirelessly for 25 years with the Estes Park League. She was honored at the Annual Meeting in May of this year, but the celebration of her service was marked by a sad note. She and Ray moved June l5th to the Frasier Meadows Retirement Community in Boulder. A unit of the Boulder League meets at Frasier Meadows; Estes Park League of Women Voters is sending them a special new member! We wish the Lindseys well and remind them to remember they will always have appreciative friends here looking forward to their visits.
Thank you, Margaret and Louise, for your many years of inspiration, guidance, and just plain hard work for the League of Women Voters. Your biographies tell the story!