League of Women Voters Updates

1. The LWV Manistee County Members meeting scheduled for 11am, Saturday April 18. at Bear Lake Township Hall, Downtown Bear Lake, US31 and corner of Virginia Street has been CANCELLED and rescheduled to the same time and location on Saturday May 9.

Anyone wishing to share their thoughts on National Popular Vote Consensus. See http://www.lwv.org/NPV Comment may be made on our Blog at http://manisteecountylwv.wordpress.com

2. A reminder to all those who have voiced their opinion that County meetings should be held in the evening to be accessible to all working citizens: to show your support, please plan on attending the April 28, 2009 Regular County Commission meeting, Third Street, Manistee County building- as this meeting is being held at 6pm as a trial to indicate future attendance.

3. The Regular 7 pm Public League meeting for May 14, will deal with the biggest issue facing families, businesses and government in Manistee County - namely the impact, in both financial and humanitarian terms, of unaffordable health insurance. Covering the uninsured, or under insured, takes an ever larger piece of the premiums paid by those who are fortunate to have health insurance. Every business in Manistee County has been impacted by skyrocketing costs, included those who provide medical services. President Obama has made passing legislation to create affordable access to health care a priority for 2009. But what is the situation here in Manistee County? What services and safety nets exist? Where can you go if you get sick and don't have health insurance? How much would local government and businesses save if we had affordable health insurance for all? The answers are not simple or clear cut. Other states have attempted to mandate universal coverage with mixed results. PBS recently aired a documentary in their Frontline series which is available for viewing online at:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundamerica/ This, together with the LWVUS position and consensus documents, which can be found at:http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Health_Care1will be the main focus of the May 14 meeting - location to be announced. Potential hosts or panelists for this event are encouraged to contact us.

4. Manistee County has announced May 14, 8.30 am - 4 pm as the date of the next Regional Summit. Location Kaleva VFW, 13300 Nine Mile Road, Kaleva.Reservations are due by May 7, cost is $15 to cover lunch which can be paid on the day but please send registrant details to:Regional Summit, Attn: Tom Kaminski, Manistee County, 415 Third Street, Manistee, MI 49660Topics to be covered: From Senator Levin's Office - an overview of the Stimulus package From Senator Stabenow's Office - an overview of opportunities in the "Green Economy." Mary Pitcher - Alliance For Economic Success - Countywide Recycling Brian Piccolo - DNR - Phragmites invasive species impact Regional Goal setting.

League of Women Voters Manistee County created this e_list as a means to create a grass roots information network to ensure timely notice of upcoming events, activities and meetings which deal with local government in Manistee County. If you have a meeting set that you would like to publicize you can either email us for inclusion here or post the announcement on the League's Moderated Blog at http://manisteecountylwv.wordpress.com

The purpose of the League of Women Voters is to encourage citizen participation in local government and to provide a forum where citizens can become better informed about local, state and national issues which affect their daily lives - and get involved!Our firm belief is that there are many ways to be inclusive and build a community.Dendra J. Best. 2007-9 PresidentLeague of Women Voters Manistee CountyWe Grow Democracy One Vote At A Time!PO Box 320, Bear Lake, MI 49614-0320(231)864-2686www.lwvmanisteecounty.org