LWV Klamath County Posts

Harvard University-High School Case Study Project and the LWV

This past summer of 2019, for the first time in Oregon, the LWV joined with Harvard University to sponsor 13 high school teachers from around the state to participate in a free curriculum development project. Five of the teachers were from Southern Oregon high schools: Klamath Falls, Mazama, Lost River, and Paisley.

LWV Klamath County participates in Harvard case study teacher training program
Teach Workshop 2019

the harvard case study program

The Case Method Project is an initiative formed to achieve two goals:

  1. Bring case method teaching to high schools and colleges
  2. Use this methodology to deepen students’ understanding of American democracy

Based on the highly successful experience of Harvard Business School and other graduate and professional programs that use case-based teaching, we believe the case method can be employed to strengthen high school and college education as well, ensuring a more exciting, relevant, and effective experience for students and teachers across a range of subjects. We also believe the case method can be especially effective at engaging students with topics in history and democracy and that it presents a unique opportunity to help reverse the broad decline in civic education – and civic engagement – in the United States.

Here are profiles of our Oregon participants.

Here are the cases included in the program.

As a result of this project, the LWV Oregon and local leagues such as Klamath Falls will coordinate public presentations to be held in the Spring of 2020 with the teachers and their students to highlight the learning process using the case study method. These presentations will allow students and teachers to showcase their classroom work, and offer educational opportunities for the public. Our LWV Klamath County will help with these efforts, possibly to be held in public libraries, school facilities, or other public spaces. Everyone will be invited to attend, listen, discuss, and learn.

Creative and informative piece on Jordan Cove Energy Project

A local group called Southern Oregon Rising Tide (SORT) just finished a months-long project on public lands sections of the Jordan Cove’s Pacific Connector Pipeline route in southern Oregon, scouting the proposed right of way. The LWV wasn’t part of any of their hikes, but local LWV members have hiked parts of the pipeline route in the past, as well as seen–thanks to Christine Moffitt of the Coos County LWV–where the LNG terminal part of the project would go. Doing that gives a special kind of perspective on this project and what it proposes to do.  


SORT just released the results of their project, “What’s at Stake: Mapping Jordan Cove & Pacific Connector,” a StoryMap about the pipeline combining GIS data, pictures and data from their scouting trips, and more to tell the story of what’s at stake on the ground where the pipeline is proposed to run. It’s well worth a look, no matter what you care about. They invite people to share at will: http://arcg.is/01H1yW

Southern Oregon Rising Tide is dedicated to promoting community- based solutions to the climate crisis and taking direct action to confront the root causes of climate change. We are based in the mountains and rivers of rural Southern Oregon, with most of our members living on stolen Takelma land.

LWV Klamath County takes action on Jordan Cove pipeline

about southern oregon rising tide

Our mission: Southern Oregon Rising Tide is a volunteer-run, non-hierarchical group committed to resisting capitalism and building social change through fun and creative disruptions. We use a range of tactics as diverse as all of our skill sets. By building deep relationships with our community, the land, and with other organizations, we create opportunities to take action that are accessible, joyful, and have direct impact on the issues we work on.

Our issues and values: SORT was created in 2015  in response to the proposed Pacific Connector LNG Pipeline through Southern Oregon. In continuing to fight the pipeline in coalition with other groups and organizations, we focus on building a culture of direct action and elevating the voices of rural and indigenous people whose lives and communities are most impacted by environmental destruction and climate change in Southern & Southwest Oregon.

In 2017, our focus expanded, but our principles remain the same. Climate justice transcends borders and is ultimately entwined with indigenous sovereignty and self determination, and with thinking beyond capitalism. We believe in the inherent dignity of all people, and also in the value of all non-human life including plants, animals, watersheds and forests. In action, we strive to build alliances and show up for those who are most impacted by oppression. We seek to resist fascism, capitalism, xenophobia, racism, transphobia, homophobia and patriarchy. We recognize that a community of mutual aid and solidarity is a potent force in opposing a system that thrives on division and hate.


A fine dinner for 12!

dinner for 12
A festive dinner table

On Friday September 20, 2019, 12 people gathered at the home of Leslie Lowe for a fine dinner of homemade food. Recipes for several of the dishes will appear the the new LWV Klamath County 100th anniversary cookbook. All the guests contributed significantly to maintain the new LWV website and support other chapter activities. Guests included board members, general members and family. Discussion was wide-ranging and everyone had a wonderful time.

Leslie Lowe as chef
Wonderful food

We’re Making a Cookbook!

100th Anniversary of the women’s right to vote commemorative cookbook!

writing a cookbook
We’re writing a cookbook!

We’re producing a cookbook to raise funds for our upcoming celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment and the women’s right to vote. It also means the 100th anniversary of the League of Women Voters!

  • Cookbook title: “The Great Fight to Win the Vote”
  • Contents: 100 or more recipes collected from all of us, that celebrate the traditions of family cooking.
  • Size: 4.5 inches x 7.5 inches, soft-cover, spiral bound, professionally printed
  • Anticipated delivery: January 31, 2020.
  • Will include half-page b/w ads from local businesses. total 16 ads: hurry and get your ads in! They are filling fast! (contact us if interested: $50/ad. lenny5155@aol.com)
  • Read snippets of the history of the fight of women to gain the right to vote throughout the cookbook
  • Price: $20. Pre-order now to reserve your copy. Send check made out to ” LWVKC” (MEMO: “cookbook”) to LWVKC, 8880 Tingley Lane, Klamath Falls OR 97603
family recipes
Family Recipes

Want to have your family recipes included? it’s easy!

Give us any number of family recipes, the older the better! We are seeking authentic traditional recipes that have been handed down in your family. This is what we need:

  • hand-written or typed copies as illustrated above. (we reserve the right to reject illegible submissions)
  • your name as you wish it to be printed in the cookbook
  • any type of recipe accepted
  • a one-sentence snippet if you wish about its importance in your family
  • email recipe to: lenny5155@aol.com
  • post or hand deliver recipe to: Leslie Lowe, 409 Pine St., Klamath Falls, OR 97601 (you will pick up your cookbook here after January 31, 2020)
  • DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: November 25, 2019

WE NEED RECIPES FOR THE COOKBOOK SO PLEASE SEND US YOUR RECIPE!

Still Room at the Fundraising Dinner!

Contribute to the cause and join us!

We announced previously that we are seeking donations to help our local League enhance our position in the community, specifically to upgrade our website to provide new and relevant information! We also said that we were seeking $720 for this year, and that anyone who would contribute $50 or more would be invited to a special dinner to be held on September 20, 6- 8 PM at the home of Leslie Lowe.

As of August 1, our chapter has collected $415 from six supporters toward our goal, to pay for website management for one year.  In September (date to be determined), we will sponsor a special dinner for the following people who have helped us move toward that goal: Jody Daniels and Phil Studenberg, Karen Kunz, Margo and Michael McCullough, Christina Pasillas, Jaye Weiss, and newest member Catherine Greenspan.

You too can attend this special dinner by sending a check of at least $50 to LWV Klamath website, 8880 Tingley Lane, Klamath Falls, 97603

Support for Census 2020

census counts 2020

The U.S. Census is required under the U.S. Constitution to occur every 10 years and is the process of counting every resident in the country. For the first time ever, in 2020 the Census will be primarily digitally based.

Why it matters

The U.S. Census data is used to make decisions around education, healthcare, infrastructure, and political representation. With increased growth in the country, getting an accurate and complete count of every person living within is crucial to ensure that each state receives funding to support the number of residents in each state. This Census the focus continues to be on reaching hard to count communities and ensuring these communities get included in the Census count.

What we’re doing

The League’s Census work will occur in three phases: (1) Education; (2) Get Out to Count activities, (3) Watchdog reporting. In the months leading up to Census Day—April 1, 2020—Leagues around the country will be in communities sharing information and resources about how to participate and the importance of the U.S. Census. On Census Day, the League will work in coalition to help get everyone counted, work in Complete Count Committees to share out information about low-reporting areas, and communicate where additional support is needed. Once the Census count wraps up in the Summer/Fall of 2020, the League’s will remain in communities and will watchdog any issues from the ground.

See more information here:

https://www.lwv.org/other-issues/census?utm_source=LeagueUpdate&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=081519

us census
2020 Census Why We Ask Page 1[Source: U.S. Census Bureau]

Why census data matters

Education

Census data is used to influence the distribution of billions of dollars that go to educational agencies that pay for special education, school lunches, improving teacher quality, and Head Start programs.

Health Care

The information collected determines where community health centers are placed to better serve low-income patients and aid current health disparities, such as those impacted by the opioid crisis.

Infrastructure

Companies use the data from the census to determine where to build factories or expand store real estate.

Political Representation

Finally, census data is used to draw the state and federal legislative district lines that ultimately determine the elected officials who represent us.

The drastic effects of a census undercount

The U.S. Census Bureau has been working to prepare for Census 2020 for the last decade, testing the forms, engaging communities, and planning for a new digital count.

We are committed to a fair and accurate 2020 Census because if our communities are not fully counted, opportunities for investment, health, public safety, and representation will be lost.

It’s up to all organizations and individuals to get involved and make our voices heard.

Here is a report about the role of the census in the distribution of federal funds in Oregon. In FY 2016, Oregon received over $13 billion through 55 federal spending programs guided by the 2010 census data. Census data is critical!

vote 411 site launched!

Personalized Voting Information

  • See What’s On Your Ballot
  • Check Your Voter Registration
  • Find Your Polling Place
  • Discover Upcoming Debates In Your Area
  • And Much More!

We’re proud to announce the relaunch of our election information website, VOTE411.org! Informing voters has been our brand for nearly 100 years and, through VOTE411.org, we are reaching more voters where they are and providing the information they need.   

Launched by the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF) in October of 2006, VOTE411.org is a “one-stop-shop” for election related information. It provides nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information on the following aspects of the election process:

  • Absentee ballot information
  • Ballot measure information (where applicable)
  • Early voting options (where applicable)
  • Election dates
  • Factual data on candidates in various federal, state and local races
  • General information on such topics as how to watch debates with a critical eye
  • ID requirements
  • Polling place locations
  • Registration deadlines
  • Voter qualifications
  • Voter registration forms
  • Voting machines

An important component of VOTE411.org is the polling place locator, which enables users to type in their address and retrieve the poll location for the voting precinct in which that address is located. The League has found that this is among the most sought after information in the immediate days leading up to, and on, Election Day.

VOTE411 is committed to ensuring voters have the information they need to successfully participate in every election. Whether it’s local, state or federal, every election is important to ensuring our laws and policies reflect the values and beliefs of our communities.

Here is the page for Oregon:

https://www.vote411.org/oregon

You can find all the information you need to vote here in Oregon, in one central location.

Election Day Problems?

Report an election issue by calling:

  • 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
  • 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español)
  • 1-888-API-VOTE (Asian multilingual assistance)
  • 1-844-YALLA-US (Arabic)

US Climate Strike, 2019

Join Americans of all stripes on September 20, 2019 in support of our youth who will inherit a future much less certain than ours was. Check their web site for more information, sponsors and partners worldwide, and an event near us. As of August, an event is scheduled in Ashland. It is possible an event will be organized in Klamath Falls. Stay tuned to their website. https://strikewithus.org/

With the consequences of climate change becoming ever more clear and dire with each passing day, a new powerful wave of the climate movement has been swelling up over the last couple of years. Young people around the world have been rising up to defend our future, and have been going on strike – every week, all over the planet – for months. On September 20, for the first time, the adults are joining us.

We, as a global society, are at a crossroads. We have a decision to make. Are we going to choose money or power or are we going to choose the future? The September 20 strike is an invitation to everyone to choose us. Choose the kids, choose humanity, choose the future.

Led by a diverse coalition of youth-led and adult-led organizations, September 20 is an intergenerational day of striking that will launch an entire week of climate action across the world. Find out more about week of action here.
September 20 is only the beginning. We must carry this energy to the 2020 elections, and beyond to ensure real, bold action is taken to address the climate crises. This is history in the making, and it’s time we take back the narrative to save our futures.

LWVUS Position on Climate change

The League of Women Voters (US) has long held positions on environmental issues. https://www.lwv.org/environment/defending-environment

The League of Women Voters has been at the forefront of the environmental protection movement for decades, consistently supporting legislation to preserve our nation’s natural resources and protect our public health. We support legislation that seeks to protect our country from the physical, economic and public health effects of climate change while also providing pathways to economic prosperity. 

The League believes that averting the damaging effects of climate change requires action from both individuals and governments at the local, state, national and international levels. By raising public awareness of the causes and likely impacts of climate change, helping citizens learn what they can do to protect the environment and building broad support for effective climate solutions, we can help put our country — and our planet — on the path to a sustainable future. 

We believe that a path toward a clean energy future will strengthen our economy by opening up millions of jobs to Americans while also rescuing America from its dependence on fossil fuels, reducing threats to our health, protecting the natural resources that we depend upon for survival and creating millions of domestic jobs. The League’s environmental work falls into the three categories below: 

Global Climate Change Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge of our generation. The League supports legislative solutions, including setting caps on greenhouse gas and carbon pollution, encouraging conservation and renewable energy and investing in a new clean energy economy. We also support strong executive branch action under the Clean Air Act to cut industrial carbon pollution from new and existing power plants, which are the largest source of industrial carbon pollution in the US.  The League works to build grassroots support for action on climate change nationally and at the state and local levels in order to avoid irrevocable damage to our planet. 

Clean Air Defense We work to protect our air quality by advocating for federal air pollution controls on industrial processes, government installations, fuels and motor vehicles. League members across the country actively campaign to urge the President and Congress to lead the world in the fight against climate change by controlling carbon pollution from new and existing power plants. The League presses for full implementation of the Clean Air Act of 1970 and for strengthening amendments, while fighting against attempts to weaken it. 

Clean Energy The League advocates for legislation to improve energy efficiency throughout the economy and improve pollution control, including shifting to renewable energy, establishing federal fuel-efficiency standards and opposing oil drilling in environmentally sensitive areas. The League opposes the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, which threatens to pollute huge drinking water reserves, increase the world’s dependence on dirty oil and increase the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Preservation of a healthy environment is a top priority, and state Leagues have taken the lead in working to block fracking and dangerous mining processes that threaten to pollute natural resources in their communities. 

Recent News and Events, July, 2019

ACLU Oregon
Victory for youth justice reform

Oregon’s youth justice reform bill signed into law

Governor Kate Brown recently signed the historic juvenile justice reform bill — Senate Bill 1008 — into law, ensuring that our youth justice system focuses on education, rehabilitation, and opportunity, not prison. People like you made hundreds of phone calls and sent thousands of emails to legislators to help pass this important legislation.

Oregonians believe that our youth justice system should focus on prevention and rehabilitation, and value forgiveness and second chances. Senate Bill 1008 passed with bipartisan support. Now Oregon will end the practice of automatically trying youth as adults for certain crimes, will ensure all youth convicted of a crime will receive a chance at parole, and provide youth with the best chance to repair the damage they’ve caused, while also healing their own trauma and getting them the help they need.

Thanks for sticking with us,

ACLU of Oregon

Note that our Klamath County League engaged in a year-long study on criminal justice and immigration issues, including juvenile justice, in 2018-19, which will be presented as a complete report by the end of 2019.

Medford Guest View

Jordan Cove has underestimated Oregonians

Pembina Pipeline Corporation, the Canadian company behind the Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and Pacific Connector pipeline, thought it had Oregon pegged. Since inheriting the project from Veresen in 2017, Pembina has taken the attitude of a benevolent benefactor taking pity on a rural, economically depressed region.

On July 5, the comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the project ended. Many of the original comments, submitted by state agencies, county commissioners, tribal members, landowners, fishermen, conservation organizations, climate activists and Oregon citizens, pointed out inaccuracies, errors and vague or inadequate statements about how the company plans to mitigate the project’s negative impacts. Looks like Pembina has some ’splaining to do.

During an investors meeting in May, Pembina CEO Michael Dilger said he thought Oregon state agencies were “overwhelmed” by the project application for Jordan Cove and Pacific Connector. “ they haven’t seen billion-dollar projects, let alone billion-dollar hydrocarbon projects,” he said. “Their regulators aren’t quite capable of this.”

In fact, Oregon agencies, including the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and Department of State Lands (DSL) have consistently pushed the company to supply additional information, correct inaccuracies and supplement vague statements with specific details. In late 2017, DOGAMI submitted comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), pointing out “insufficiencies in the scientific and engineering analyses related to geologic hazards.” This spring, DEQ denied the project water quality certification, and DSL sent Pembina a nine-page letter requesting additional information. Most recently, Oregon agencies collectively submitted over 200 pages of comments to FERC, stating numerous concerns about the project’s safety, environmental consequences and impacts to landowners, and recommending that FERC balance the project’s predicted economic benefits with its negative consequences, which include higher domestic natural gas prices and property devalued by the pipeline.

Pembina has sent land agents to ply landowners with ever-increasing offers for easements for the 36-inch pipeline. Some landowners report these agents used underhanded tactics to persuade them to sell: misrepresenting the percentage of easements already secured, declaring that the project was a “done deal,” and even threatening some property owners with eminent domain.

Nonetheless, at least 90 private landowners have refused to sign easement agreements. Over the protracted process, several have become skilled organizers and experts on the regulatory process — a great expenditure of time, money and emotional energy. In its information request, the DSL referred to the “substantial comments” of several individuals, many of them landowners, and it was the arguments of landowners that contributed to FERC’s denial of the project in 2016.

Before the 2018 election, the company donated heavily to Oregon Political Action Committees (PACs) and to several individual candidates in Coos County. While some elected officials have capitulated, others maintain the project is bad for their constituents. Jackson County commissioners decided the project is not worth the risks, even though the county would receive an estimated $5.3 million annually in property tax revenue from Pembina. In comments to FERC, commissioners summarized their concerns, which include negative impacts to waterways and drinking water wells, the lack of a wildfire mitigation plan, and the use of eminent domain in exchange for no clear public benefits.

In fall of 2018, Pembina launched a multi-million dollar PR blitz. In a blizzard of glossy brochures and deluge of radio and television ads, Pembina presented itself as a friendly “neighbor” blessing southwest Oregon with an environmentally benign project and promising a windfall of jobs.

Most Oregonians saw through the slick messaging. In fact, recent polling shows that opposition to the project across the state, regardless of political affiliation, is stronger than ever. The poll, yet to be released, includes a question about Jordan Cove that is worded similarly to a question from a 2018 poll. While the percentage of those opposing the project held steady at 57 percent, the portion of those who strongly oppose the project grew from 30 to 35 percent. At the same time, support fell from 22 to 19 percent, and only 4 percent say they strongly support the project.

By the time FERC makes its final decision on Jordan Cove next January, Oregon will have been dealing with the threat of this project for 15 years. The protracted process is not only testing our mettle, it is showing us who we are. Whether rural or urban, young or old, conservative, liberal or something in between, Oregonians can’t be bought, and we can’t be fooled.

Deb Evans is an affected landowner who owns timber property in Klamath County. Juliet Grable is a writer who lives in Jackson County.

–originally published Sunday, July 21st 2019 in the Medford Oregon Mail Tribune. The authors are LWV members.

Klamath and Rogue members meet for lunch

Klamath County and Rogue valley Women meet for joint discussions

On July 21, 2019 nearly 20 women and men from Klamath County and Rogue Valley met for lunch and discussions at the Greensprings Inn on Highway 66. Friendships were made and renewed, mutual concerns were discussed, and connections were made for mutual support. Everyone enjoyed the lunch and relaxed atmosphere so much that they agreed to try to make this an annual summer event.

statewide health care coverage law, July 17, 2019

SB 770 was in the logjam of bills while the Senate Rs walked out. But yesterday and today the Senate and House managed to pass, under suspension of the rules, our bill. To get the details go to
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2019R1/Measures/Overview/SB770?pubDate=2019-06-30-16-11
You can see the history and who voted how at various points.
This is great news. When the Governor signs it and starts to appoint members of the Taskforce/Commission we can monitor the process and hopefully be involved at appropriate times.

LWV Klamath Joins in DEIS pipeline comments

On July 4, a joint statement in opposition to the Jordan Cover Pipeline was submitted by four local LWV chapters, including Klamath County. You may read the introduction to the document below and read the complete document HERE. We are proud of our participation in this important work and will remain active in following up on all developments until this issue is resolved.

We write representing the League of Women Voters of Coos County (LWVCC), LWV of
Umpqua Valley (LWVUV), LWV of Rogue Valley (LWVRV), and LWV of Klamath County
(LWVKC). We are grassroots nonpartisan, political organizations operating in the four counties in Oregon that would be directly affected by the construction and operations of the proposed Jordan Cove Liquefied Natural Gas (JCLNG) and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline (PCGP), commonly referred to collectively as the Jordan Cove Energy Project (JCEP). Our detailed review of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for this project shows that the projects are in direct conflict with many of the state and national League of Women Voters positions.

Since the 1950s, the League has been in the forefront of efforts to protect air, land, and water resources. The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) “believes that natural resources should be managed as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems. Resources should be conserved and protected to assure their future availability. Pollution of these resources should be controlled in order to preserve the physical, chemical and biological integrity of ecosystems and to protect public health.” The League of Women Voters of Oregon (LWVOR) “ . . . opposes degradation of all of Oregon’s surface and ground water. . . .” and declares that climate change is the greatest environmental challenge of our generation. The following resolution passed almost unanimously at the 2018 National LWV Convention: “The League of Women Voters supports a set of climate assessment criteria that ensures that energy
policies align with current climate science. These criteria require that the latest climate science be used to evaluate proposed energy policies and major projects [emphasis added] in light of the globally-agreed-upon goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees C, informed by the successful spirit of global cooperation as affirmed in the UN COP 21 Paris agreement.” Finally, at the 2019 LWVOR Convention, a resolution declaring a “climate emergency” passed unanimously. We, as local Leagues, are part of the national and state LWV. Based on these positions and our understanding of the likely impacts of the proposed JCEP on critical environmental resources and communities in our areas, the LWVCC, LWVUV, LWVRV, and LWVKC submit jointly this comment on the DEIS for the JCEP project.

On the basis of LWV positions and for reasons we provide in this comment, we respectfully but strenuously urge the FERC to deny with prejudice any and all permits and approvals sought by the JCEP within your jurisdiction.