COMMON CAUSE PRESIDENT TO SPEAK ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM; ANNUAL LWVFC MEETING OPEN TO NON-MEMBERS FOR THE FIRST TIME

The League of Women Voters will hold its annual meeting on June 2 at La Cote d'Or Café, located on the corner of North Washington and North Westmoreland Streets (6876 Lee Highway, Arlington, 22213). Bob Edgar, president of Common Cause, will keynote the meeting, speaking about campaign finance reform.

Because Mr. Edgar will address such a timely and critical topic, the luncheon will be opened to non-members. League members are asked to make their reservations no later than May 18 to ensure a place. All reservations must be received in the League's mailbox no later than May 24. The cost of the luncheon to League members is $30, and to non-members, $35. Please complete the form available here and mail it with your check to the attention of LWVFC Treasurer Cindy Donaldson.

The League's business meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. Non-members are asked to arrive at noon, following the business meeting.

ELECTIONS UPDATE: BAROUKH, DUNCAN, AND TARTER WIN COUNCIL SEATS; PRIMARY ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 12

Nader Baroukh, Philip D. Duncan, and P. David "Dave" Tarter were elected to Falls Church City Council in the May 1 local elections, the last municipal elections the City will hold in May. Unofficial results from the Virginia State Board of Elections are available here. The next election for City Council and School Board will be held November 5, 2013, along with elections for Virginia's governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and delegate to the Virginia House of Delegates as well as Falls Church sheriff, commissioner of revenue, and treasurer.

Citizens will next go to the polls on Tuesday June 12 to vote in the Democratic primary election for the U.S. House of Representatives and the Republican primary election for U.S. Senate. On the Democratic ballot are James P. "Jim" Moran and Bruce B. Shuttleworth. On the Republican ballot are Jaime L. Radtke, George F. Allen, R. G. "Bob" Marshall, and E. W. Jackson. Sample ballots are available here.

The deadline to register to vote in the primary elections is 5:00 p.m. Monday May 21. In-person absentee voting is available through Saturday June 9. Absentee voting is also available by mail through Tuesday June 5. Download the Absentee Ballot Application from the Virginia State Board of Elections.

The final election for the calendar year is the November 6, 2012 presidential election.

PRIVATIZATION PANEL DISCUSSION VIDEO AVAILABLE

The LWV Falls Church has a long tradition of keeping voters informed on timely issues. Our recent LWV US Privatization Study holds relevance to an issue before the public at this time. The future of the City's water system will be a topic of much discussion in the next few months. On March 13, we presented a panel discussion on the topic of Privatization. The panel was composed of Cathy Allan, Public Works Superintedent; Delegate Jim Scott;, FCCPS Superintendent Toni Jones; and Eva Griffeth, advisor to Federal Acquisitions Executives. The panel discussion focused on the general principles of privatization. For a video of the panel discussion and questions, click on the following link: http://www.fccps.org/fcctvj/?p=409

LWV SALUTES WHIPPLE AND TICER

State Senator Mary Margaret Whipple spoke at a reception honoring her and State Senator Patsy Ticer for their years of public service. The March 26 event was sponsored by the Falls Church, Arlington, and Alexandria chapters of the League of Women Voters. Whipple, who was the first woman to serve as chair of the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus, is retiring after 35 years as a member of the Arlington County School Board, the Arlington County Board and a state senator. Ticer is stepping down after service on the Alexandria City Council, as mayor of Alexandria and as a state senator.

LWVFC ADOPTS POSITION ON ARTS AND CULTURE IN FALLS CHURCH

The Falls Church League has completed a new local study on arts and culture in the City. Members are encouraged to read the study, review the consensus questions, and read the resulting League position on arts and culture in Falls Church.