| December 2022 Volume 50 No.5 | | Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
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League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale
sends our sincere wishes to all our
Members and
Supporters for
happy,
healthy and
civil holidays! | | |
- LWVCS Co-Presidents' Letter
- Calendar
- Election Updates from Local, State and National
- Local News Updates & Event Recordings Links
- LWVCS Upcoming Events
- LWVCS Committee Updates
- Local Government Updates
- LWV-Bay Area Regional News & Monitor
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LWVCS Co-Presidents' December Letter
Elections are done, whew! The joy of the holiday season has begun!
Election Results
We hope you were able to participate in the election season. Our League hosted 10 candidate forums and 3 ballot measure presentations with almost 130 live attendees for the in person events, 140 logins for the online views, and over 1,400 views of our recordings. A big thank you to all our volunteers who helped make this possible. Let us know if you’d like to be part of the team for the next election. It’s a lot of fun and very rewarding. You really get to know the candidates and the measures. You will inspire people to vote and help many citizens to be better informed about their ballot decisions. An informed electorate keeps our democracy healthy. When the people take the time to learn the facts about ballot measures and understand what candidates stand for we all benefit. Thank you for voting and thank you for making democracy work.
Find the results and meet your newly elected officials
You can find the results on who won at www.VotersEdge.org or on the Santa Clara County site at https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/CA/Santa_Clara/115971/web.307039/#/summary
The Sunnyvale District 3 election is within 10 votes as of this writing. That’s the importance of every vote. Wow!
Congratulations to the winning candidates. We plan to host an event on Saturday, Feb 11th from 2 -4pm for an opportunity to meet our local officials. Please save the date.
Membership
With our new system for membership, we have a team to help you renew if you’ve not had a chance. It is an online process on our website at LWVCS.org. Please email membership@lwvcs.org if you need assistance. If you have not renewed by the end of December this system will remove you from our membership and we really don’t want that to happen so please don’t delay. And for those of you that have successfully renewed, we thank you. We appreciate your support and friendship.
Volunteers needed
As always, we are looking for volunteers. Coming up with have openings on the Development Committee, Nominating Committee, Voter Service, Membership, and the Communications Committee. You have skills and we could sure use your help. Contact us today and we can share some of the details to see what you might find most interesting. Reach out to presidents@lwvcs.org
Grateful
The holidays are upon us. Time for family and friends to gather and share meals. Time to reflect and be grateful. It has been said that “gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others”.
We are so very grateful for many things including a democracy that works and our terrific supportive members. So with gratitude we wish you all a very happy holiday season.
Elaine & Tracey
Co-Presidents
| __________________________________ | Election & League Updates - See the links and articles below for the latest!
- Did You Miss Election Security and Ranked Choice Voting - two part series, watch both event recordings Oct 8 here & Oct 29 here.
- NEW LWVCS Learning Opportunity - Join the Coffee Hour, Thursday, December 15, 11am, for LWVCS League Q & A!
- LWVCS Board Meeting, via ZOOM, December 5, 2022 & January 9, 2023, 7pm, contact communications@lwvcs.org to join the meeting.
- LWV SCC Civil Discourse Committee, January 16, 1pm via ZOOM - join here!
| __________________________________ |  | November, 2022 Election Results Summaries
- LWV CA: https://lwvc.org/news/our-2022-advocacy-wrap
Groundbreaking Anti-Racism Victory
Three years of intensive work have paid off with the League's co-sponsored AB 256 (Kalra), The Racial Justice Act for All. The bill adds retroactivity to the Racial Justice Act of 2020 that created a prospective cause of action for institutionalized and implicit racial bias in our criminal courts. Many thanks to volunteer Deputy Director for Social Policy Ashley Ravache, whose work with the coalition was instrumental to the bill’s successful passage.
California Voters Get the Protections they Deserve
We built in safeguards to prevent erroneous voter registration purges and protect the voting rights of people with disabilities under conservatorship a bill we co-sponsored with the ACLU.
Reproductive Rights Safeguarded – Womens’ Rights Protected
Local Redistricting Reform for Fair Maps – Rural Counties Now Covered
A Natural Resources Team Triumph – Sea Level Rise
Win-Wins for Housing and the Environment
- LWV US:
Despite anti-voter laws, mis- and disinformation, election deniers, and poll worker shortages, the American voters showed up to make their voices heard.
We saw record-breaking voter turnout in many states across the nation, particularly related to early voting. LWV National Election Update - Read Our Election Impact Report
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Observer Corps Training
LWV San Francisco, Tuesday, December 6, 2022, 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
LWV Palo Alto is looking for volunteers to help monitor the workings of our local government by observing the City Council meetings or the PAUSD Board of Education meetings, whether live or recorded. Becoming an Observer is a great way to learn what's going on in our community, how well the local government officials are representing us, how decisions are made, and identify issues you believe need further attention by the League.
Interested in becoming an observer but unsure how to get started? Join this quick (just 30 minutes) and fun training and email us atcontact@lwvpaloalto.org.
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Interested in Climate Change?
No Miracles Needed: Low-Cost Climate Solutions
Global warming, air pollution, and energy insecurity are three of the most significant problems facing the world today.
· Wednesday, December 7, 2022, 7:00 - 8:30PM. Doors open at 6:30, at Los Altos Public Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos 94022
- Hosted by World Affairs Peninsula Chapter - Mark Z. Jacobson, Director of the Atmosphere/Energy Program and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University, will discuss the development of technical and economic roadmaps to convert the energy infrastructures of 145 countries, including the U.S. and each state within, to those powered by 100% wind, water, and sunlight (WWS).
- For more information: https://www.worldaffairs.org/events/event/2241
- America at a Crossroads, a program of Jews United for Democracy & Justice (JUDJ)
Wednesday Dec. 7 at 5 pm Pacific, former Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Juliette Kayyem, who will discuss risks to American domestic security. Juliette Kayyem is the faculty chair of the homeland-security program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She is the author of The Devil Never Sleeps: Learning to Live in an Age of Disasters. In the Department of Homeland Security, Kayyem worked in counterterrorism before specializing in emergency management. Register Here
At this link you can view Juliette Kayyem's articles recently published in The Atlantic, including articles about mass-shootings, QAnon, and domestic political violence. Here is a summary and analysis published in The New Yorker of Kayyem's book, The Devil Never Sleeps.n. The article summarizes Kayyem's philosophy of preparedness as a way to mitigate disastrous results. New Yorker writer Paige Williams writes: "In a world marred by preventable miscalculation, Juliette Kayyem’s The Devil Never Sleeps provides a playbook for making it out alive."
- From neighboring LWV SWSV: GREAT DECISIONS: YOU ARE INVITED!
Our SWSCV league is participating in a foreign policy association’s “Great Decisions’ program” that has flourished for over 60 years. We invite you to join this largest discussion program in America on world affairs.
2023 Great Decision (8) Meetings will take place twice a month, on the 1st & 3rd Fridays, from 10:30-12:30 starting in February.
Feb 3 — Energy Geopolitics
Feb 17— War Crimes
Mar 3 — China and the U.S.
Mar 17— Economic Warfare
Apr 7 — Politics in Latin America
Apr 21 — Global Famine
May 5 — Iran and the U.S.
May 19 — Climate Migration
We will be meeting at the Saratoga Senior Centre portable building located at 19655 Allendale Avenue in Saratoga (across from the post office).
The total fee to join is $41 per individual & $46 for couples who are planning to share a workbook.
For more information, please call Ginger Good @ 408-866-1331 or Hana Itani @ 408-838-6416.
| LWVCS Volunteer Opportunities | Creating stewards of the future
Environmental Volunteers (EV) is grateful to the League of Women Voters for supporting past field trip programs and sharing the word about Environmental Volunteers. We also recognize that we have many shared volunteers who are also members of the League. At the start of our 50th academic year we recognize that education is essential to creating a society of voters who are aligned with protecting our environment. The next generation of voters are the students that we teach. In 50 years we have reached 519,000 future voters.
EV was founded 50 years ago during a time when people were beginning to wake up to the fact that we needed to learn how to care for our planet. During this time, hundreds of teachers called in and asked for help teaching nature topics. In response, a group of women raised money and developed volunteer- led classroom and outdoor programs to meet these needs. Each year more teachers requested the classes, and the core of volunteers grew. EV’s focus was to have volunteers teach children environmental topics. Initially, the curriculum was focused on local Baylands Ecology. Since then, these meaningful outdoor learning experiences for young students have powered five decades of environmental education and awareness in the Bay Area.
Today, EV continues to teach Baylands Ecology along with many other relevant science and nature topics. We prepare children to be environmental stewards now and to be responsible and engaged adults. The experiences that the students have in the classroom or on a field trip with EV will influence the decisions they make in the future as our next generation of voters.
What Will Our Future Be Like?
The Board of the League of Women Voters San Jose / Santa Clara has recently voted to support Green Foothills’ Centennial Vision (Green Future: Envisioning 2062), pending a decision by LWV Bay Area to also support the Vision. Our decision was based on the League’s strongly established positions on climate resilience, the wise use of natural resources, affordable housing, and diversity, equity and inclusion. We encourage League Bay Area to read and support the Centennial Vision as a pathway for us to steward our local lands.
Interns needed
Our high school interns are returning and we’re excited to have their help in bringing voter services to our community. If you know of a high school student that would be interested in helping us, please email Presidents@lwvcs.org. Helping empower voters and making democracy work is inspiring and important work. We welcome you to be a part of it!
| __________________________________ |  | Civil Discourse Committee
Be sure to look for links to our program follow-on events:
- Participate in our survey on 2023 topics for civil discourse events -
We are planning our 2023 program and need your help to determine the topics we cover.
Please review the list below and indicate your topic preferences by listing the numbers of your top three topic choices in your response to communications@lwvcs.org.
We truly appreciate your participation and support!
1. Housing for All
2. Homelessness – what are the solutions?
3. Living in a Polarized Country – How do we survive & thrive?
4. Mis- & Dis-information in Politics
5. Immigration – The Problems and Some Solutions
6. Are we a Racist Nation?
7. Effective Policing – How do we get it?
8. Healthcare for All – Possible?
9. Voting for All – How do we get there?
10. Civic Education as a National Security Priority
11. Solving the Wealth Gap
12. Other - please specify__________________________
And stay tuned for our next event announcement. Warmest wishes for a happy, healthy and grand holiday season!
- Programs will re-start in January & February! Join our next meeting January 16 here | __________________________________ | Voter Service Committee - VOTER SERVICE FINAL REPORT
As reported in the November VOTER, the Voter Service Team did a great job empowering voters and defending democracy during this election season. The ten candidate forums, three Pros and Cons presentations, two Voter Registration events, two programs on election systems including Ranked Choice Voting, candidate information on Voter’s Edge, and League table at the Cupertino Volunteer Fair with voter information. Voters in Cupertino and Sunnyvale were well informed on candidates and ballot measures as they made their decisions as to how they will vote. We reached more than 1,720 people through Zoom, YouTube and in-person forums.
Roberta Hollimon
Web System Support Team
Here's the note from their last meeting - which included a celebration of Mission Accomplished - completion of Club Express implementation!
| Cupertino News
Have you completed the Housing Element questionnaire?
| | | Participate in these Events:
December-January Cupertino Scene: https://www.cupertino.org/home/showpublisheddocument/32426/638052334396885071
Cupertino City Council Swearing in Ceremony
Your presence is requested at the Cupertino City Council Swearing-In Ceremony taking place at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 9 at Community Hall located at 10350 Torre Avenue. Refreshments will be served.
RSVP - Cupertino City Council Swearing-In Ceremony
To help the City estimate attendance, guests are encouraged to RSVP as soon as possible. To do so, please click here.
Cupertino Releases Housing Element Draft
The City of Cupertino has released a draft of its 6th Cycle Housing Element and is inviting public comment through December 23. The draft will be available for a 30-day public review and comment period. After the comment period closes, the City will review and consider all comments received and will revise the element for consideration and final adoption. Learn more here. | __________________________________ |
Sunnyvale City Governance
Thanks for all the support we have received for the election events and activities – Sunnyvale SNAIL
Sunnyvale Neighbors of Arbor Including LaLinda), please thank SNAIL and Valerie Suares for their support of time and funds during this election season.
City of Sunnyvale Top 30 Project Summaries
Project Summary List Which Has Valuable Updates On Priority Projects For Sunnyvale.
The agenda for the December 6, 2022 Council meeting is available for:
- Special Meeting: Closed Session - 5:30 p.m.
- Special Meeting: Study Session - 6 p.m.
- Regular Meeting - 7 p.m.
- Special Meeting: Closed Session - 7 p.m.(or soon thereafter)
City Council Welcomes In-person Public Participation
To join in person and comment:
- Council Chambers, 607 All America Way*
*Use this address for entrance to City Hall and for GIS mapping. The W. Olive Avenue entrance is closed during construction.
To join online and comment:
- Join on Zoom
- Call-in: 833-548-0276 | Meeting ID: 961 1158 0540
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City Manager's Update Sunnyvale Report Posted
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The City Manager's report, Update Sunnyvale, is a summary of updates related to City programs and projects, responses to City Council inquiries, effects of COVID-19 on our community, and events and activities of interest to the community.
In this issue:
- Bay-Delta Agreement
- Food Scraps Program Now Available for All Multi-family Homes
- Minimum Wage Increases on January 1, 2023
- City of Sunnyvale Shredding Events Continue
- NOVA Releases November Workforce Review
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Covering 20 Bay Area Leagues In Nine Bay Area Counties
| | | __________________________________ | December Quote:
“The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry."
William F. Buckley | Board Briefs
- Contact Communications@lwvcs.org to attend the next Board Meeting on Dec. 5, 7pm via Zoom.
| | | __________________________________ | LWV Cupertino-Sunnyvale
Board of Directors
Officers serving from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023
Co-Presidents: Elaine Manley & Tracey Edwards
Vice President: Open
Secretary: Pam Anderson
Treasurer: Beth Claywell
Voter Service Director: Roberta Hollimon, Acting
Programs Director: Nancy Smith
Database Management Director: Open
Membership Director: Pam Anderson
Communications Directors: Marieann Shovlin, Marilyn Sherry
Resource Development Director: Open
Technical Services Director: Bruce Kendall
Nominations Chair: Open | __________________________________ | Elected Officials Representing Cupertino & Sunnyvale
For contact information and more detail visit:
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United States
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Vice President Kamala D. Harris
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Senator Alex Padilla
US Congressional Representative 17th District, Ro Khanna
California
Governor Gavin Newsom
Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis
State Senator, District 13 (Sunnyvale) Josh Becker
State Senator, District 15 (Cupertino) Dave Cortese
State Assembly, District 24 (Sunnyvale) Mark Berman
State Assembly, District 28 (Cupertino) Evan Low
| | Santa Clara County
County Supervisor, District 3: Otto Lee
County Supervisor, District 5: Joe Simitian
Cupertino
Mayor: Darcy Paul
Vice Mayor: Liang Chao
Councilmember Kitty Moore
Councilmember Hung Wei
Councilmember Jon Willey
Sunnyvale
Mayor: Larry Klein
Vice Mayor: Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember: Gustav Larsson
Councilmember: Tony Spitaleri
Councilmember: Russ Melton
Councilmember: Omar Din
| | | __________________________________ | Join the League of Women Voters
Voting membership in the League of Women Voters is open to men and women 16 years of age and beyond.
Annual Membership:
$80 Individual member
$40 for each additional member in the same household:
Free for full-time students at this time
| | | __________________________________ | | The Cupertino-Sunnyvale VOTER
Published 10 times a year by the
League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale.
This newsletter is posted on our website:
| | The LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
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Permission is granted to reprint any part of this newsletter with credit to the League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale | | | __________________________________ |
League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale
PO Box 2923
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
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