LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF BROOKHAVEN

VOTER

OCTOBER 2019

JOIN US FOR A VISIT TO

THE WERTHEIM NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Part of the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex

(within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

MONDAY., OCTOBER 21, 1 PM

340 SMITH ROAD, SHIRLEY

Directions from Nicolls Road, take Sunrise Highway to William Floyd

Parkway, drive a very short distance south to Montauk Highway and drive

west (right) to Smith Road. Turn left on Smith Road, cross the railroad

tracks, and the Center will be on your right,

LWV of BROOKHAVEN

P. O. BOX 92

BELLPORT, NY 11713

631-730-6556

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Nancy Marr-730-6556

VOTER Editor, Debate Modera-

tor

Jean Baker—751-6563

Vice-President, Membership

Linda Devin-Sheehan-675-6038

Recording Secretary,

Candidates Debates

Judith Goldstein —449-2310

Corresponding Secretary

Sue Kinsey-286-0407

Treasurer

DIRECTORS

Judi Bird-286-3810

Voters Service

Betsy Gaidry-846-1778

Study Groups

Carol Manel—928-5340

Logistics

OFF-BOARD CHAIRPER-

SONS

Peggy Olness—751-2655

Transportation

Alice D’Amico-751-0328

Finance

Joan Nickeson-473-3689

Publicity

Marilyn Beard—803-0223

Voters .

PRESIDENT’S PAGE—The problem of climate change is finally getting more

attention, from candidates for the presidential election to young people, following the

amazing example of Greta Thunberg, who has been challenging the governments of the

world to take action. On September 16 we heard a presentation by Melissa Parrot, the

Education and Outreach Coordinator of the Central Pine Barrens Commission. She

described how the issuing of fossil fuels has thickened the atmospheric shell around the

earth, making it impossible for the Earth to radiate into space much of the energy it re-

ceives from the sun, affecting the balance of heating and cooling. The results have been

the warming of the earth’s atmosphere and waters, the melting of the ice sheet and gla-

ciers and icebergs. Ninety-three percent of the extra heat goes into the ocean, causing

more evaporation of moisture, and leading to more and bigger storms.

It seems as though there is a little hope for the future of the earth, but it is important to

recognize that the efforts of many countries, as well as states within the United States,

are working to reduce the amount of carbon that is emitted into the atmosphere. Wind

farms in Scotland and the United Kingdom have been effective, and solar power in

Chile and other countries have made it possible to exceed the goals they set. Sweden.

Malta, Portugal. Luxembourg, and France have all taken the task seriously and are

working to meet their goals.

But much more needs to be done. With the decision by the Trump administration to

withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement and reverse many of the prior administra-

tion’s climate change policies, it is unlikely that there will be federal action on climate

change in the next few years. However, the US system of government gives individual

states broad powers to regulate CO2 emissions within their borders, with many states

actively moving forward with their own mitigation strategies in the absence of federal

action. Twelve states representing 19% of total US emissions have joined the new US

Climate Alliance and committed to meeting their share of US Paris Agreement targets.

Ten additional states accounting for 20% of US emissions have emission mitigation tar-

gets in place. Even in states with no targets, there has been a rapid expansion of wind

and solar generation driven by falling prices, as well as a shift from coal to lower-

carbon natural gas generation.

The Citizens Climate Lobby, nationwide, is training advocates to be effective at

lobbying their legislators. Its members are supporting HR 763, which puts a tax on

carbon emissions and uses the tax money for ecofriendly projects and for stipends to

consumers. Find information on our local CCL on its website.

______________________________________________________________

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

CAROL GAVIN PORT JEFFERSON

ELLEN O’NEAL EAST SETAUKET

Page 3

OUR VISIT TO THE WERTHEIM NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

On October 21 we will visit the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge in Shirley. It is part of the com-

plex that consists of seven national wildlife refuges, two refuge sub-units and one wildlife management

area. Collectively, the ten units are approximately 6,500 acres in size. Wertheim National Wildlife

Refuge is home to the refuge complex headquarters and visitor center.

This 2,550 acre refuge on the south shore of Long Island is bisected by the Carmans River; a New

York state designated scenic river and one of the largest on the island. Wertheim hosts a variety of

habitats including oak-pine woodlands, grasslands and fresh, brackish and salt water wetlands. These

habitats attract and support many types of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, osprey, muskrat, fox,

turtles, frogs and fish. The refuge also serves as a haven for waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and song-

birds.

In addition to Resource Management and Conservation, each refuge provides a wildlife oasis amongst

Long Island’s urban settings essential for the livelihood of migratory birds, threatened and endangered

species, fish, and other wildlife. The strategic location of Long Island in the Long Island Pine Barrens

& along the Atlantic Flyway make it an important nesting, wintering and migratory stop over area for

hundreds of species of birds. The refuges also provide opportunities to observe wildlife by offering

recreational and educational programs and facilities.

On our visit on the 21st, Ann Marie Chapman will talk about the history of the refuges on Long Island

and the work of the Wertheim. She will lead us on a short walk to the Carman’s River. Those who

wish to explore some of the other walks around the refuge on their own can find maps and directions at

the Center.

_____________________________________________________________________________

MAKING IT EASIER TO CHANGE YOUR PARTY REGISTRATION

New York has been labeled the state where it is most difficult to change political party affiliations

and vote in primaries. Last week Governor Cuomo signed a measure that extends the deadline from

October 11 to February 14, 2020. That gives four extra months—and a chance to take in the Iowa cau-

cuses and the New Hampshire primaries—before making a decision. (The New York presidential pri-

maries are scheduled for June 23.) The new law greatly reduces the time, and will make it easier for

New Yorkers to have their voices heard in presidential, congressional and state primaries.

____________________________________________________________________________

SAVE THE DATE—NOVEMBER 20

The Suffolk County LWV Post-Election Luncheon will be held at Cooperate Inn in Baiting Hollow.

Brooke Wallace, from GENERATION CITIZEN, will describe the curriculum developed for teachers

to implement Action Civics in Participation in Government,. Written to guide teachers to support

the delivery of a high-quality action civics program that their students can plan and carry out, it was

launched last year at Patchogue-Medford High School with success. We will also be recognizing the

important journalistic work of Rick Brand, who is retiring this year. .

ARTICLE FROM OCTOBER TIMES BEACON RECORD

Making Democracy Work: Why Voting Matters on November 5

By Lisa Scott

Off- year elections (not Congressional or Presidential) tend to draw much smaller numbers of voters to

the polls. In the final four weeks before Election Day 2019, it’s the 2020 Presidential race that domi-

nates the media. More people can name the prospective Democratic presidential candidates than know

the races on their ballot on Tuesday November 5.

ARE YOU REGISTERED?

By the time you read this column, if you haven’t yet registered you will not be able to vote on Novem-

ber 5 this year- BUT register soon if you want to vote in the 2020 primaries and general election. Use

the NYS Board of Elections website: https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/ to see if you are registered

and to see your assigned Election Day poll site. Assuming you ARE registered to vote – you should be

making your plan now- a plan involves deciding what day, when and where you’ll vote if you take ad-

vantage of the 9 days of early voting in New York State this year. Make voting a social occasion - go

with a friend and then have coffee, or perhaps take a child with you to the polling place and introduce

her to voting.

If you choose Early Voting, there are 10 polling sites (one in each Town in Suffolk) that you may

choose from, with a variety of times to suit nearly everyone’s convenience. Details are at https://

my.lwv.org/new-york/suffolk-county

USE THE NEW VOTING PROCESS

The process will be different- the old poll books are being replaced by electronic tablets (similar to

ipads) and electronic signature devices. Your personalized ballot will be printed immediately. You’ll

go to a voting station to make your choices on the paper ballot (same as the past few years) and then

insert your completed ballot into the optical scanner to cast your vote. It’s different- and that’s one rea-

son you should vote this year. Understand the process now, get comfortable with the new system.

Then, in 2020’s federal election, you won’t be uneasy about an unfamiliar process.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU GO

Local media are already interviewing candidates, making endorsements and planning voter guides –

earlier than usual because Early Voting starts on October 26. The League of Women Voters Education

Fund developed VOTE411.org which provides election information for each state. By entering your

address (no names needed) you will find a guide to all races and candidates on your ballot. Candidates

are provided tools to upload their photo, bio, experience, and answer several questions on the issues. If

candidates do not respond, you’ll still see their name and prospective office. The Leagues and many

organization sponsor forums for voters to hear from candidates what their plans are, as well as meet

and greets. For example, the leagues sponsored debates (on Sept 21 with NAACP and Oct. 21 with

(continued on page 5)

(continued from page 4)

the Kings Park School District) as well as many Town-level debates. Candidates agree to guide-

lines and questions are solicited, submitted, vetted and asked by the moderators. All debates in-

volving the League are listed at https://my.lwv.org/new-york/suffolk-county/upcoming-

events#debates.

This November, you’ll have the opportunity to vote for Suffolk County Executive (4-year term)

and the 18 members of the Suffolk County Legislature (2-year terms). Some Town Supervisors are

on the ballot, many Town Council members, and other Town officials such as Clerk and Receiver

of Taxes. Towns have their own laws regarding terms of office and which officials are elected vs.

appointed. Judges are also on the ballot. By studying your ballot in advance, and following the

campaigns and media reporting, you’ll know more about candidate positions on issues of environ-

ment, taxation, police and safety, economic development. Suffolk County and the ten towns face

many serious challenges: fiscal, environmental, public health, economic development and more.

Yes, you can complain to your elected officials and advocate in the coming years, but wouldn’t it

wiser to vote in the election this year?

_______________________________________________________________________________

NEXT BOOK GROUP MEETING—NOVEMBER 14

At our last Book Group meeting we discussed the book The Fifth Risk, by Michael Lewis. We

recommend it to other League members who may be concerned about the workings of the federal

government. The book we are reading now is The Evicted, by Matthew Desmond, a Professor of

Social Sciences at Harvard University and recipient in 2015 of a MacArthur “genius” grant. His

book will broaden our understanding of extreme poverty and economic exploitation while provid-

ing fresh ideas for solving a uniquely American problem. Call Betsy Gaidry for directions at 631

846-1778.

______________________________________________________________________________

VOTE 411.ORG

WILL BE READY FOR VIEWING

OCTOBER 21

VOTE411.ORG is the nonpartisan online voter guide published by the Leagues of Women Voters

in the United States. Our Brookhaven League posted and published the responses of candidates in

Brookhaven and Riverhead. Other leagues in the county have published the responses of candi-

dates in other towns in Suffolk County.

Enter your address and you will learn which candidates are running for election in your district, as

well as answers to current questions in the candidates’ own words.

Page 6

well as many Town-level debates. Candidates agree to guidelines in advance, and questions on a

Page 7

Page 8

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

POST OFFICE BOX 92

BELLPORT, NEW YORK 11713

.

OCTOBER

MON OCT 7 LWV OF BROOKHAVEN BOARD MEETING, 10 AM, at Sue Kinsey’s

MON OCT 21 VISIT TO WERTHEIM NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, 1 PM, SHIRLEY

TUES OCT 22 Candidate meeting for Town and County candidates in Patchogue and East Patchogue a area - 7:00 pm at Hagerman Fire House, sponsored by Miramar Civic Ass.

WED OCT 23 Candidates running for county offices in Coram area, at Coram Old Firehouse, 7 pm, sponsored by Coram Civic Association

SAT OCT 26 EARLY VOTING (UNTIL NOVEMBER 3) see lwv-suffolkcounty.org

NOVEMBER

MON NOV 4 LWVB Board Meeting, 10 am, at Linda Devin-Sheehan’s

TUES NOV 5 ELECTION DAY

MON NOV 18 MEETING AND PLACE TO BE ANNOUNCED