Dear Juneau LWV Members,
We have an opportunity to meet with three representatives of the National Popular Vote movement on Tuesday, Jan. 17th, at 5:30 pm at Centennial Hall.  These folks (Ted Popely, Laura Brod, Barry Fadem) will be in town for the opening of the Legislature, and they would like to answer any questions that we might have about the NPV movement.  They have offered to rent the space and provide refreshments, so we are hoping that all interested members will take this opportunity to become more enlightened on this issue.  The National Popular Vote Compact is supported by both the State and National LWV.  Please feel free to bring interested friends, too.

What is the NPV Compact?  The Compact is an effort to make every vote count in Federal elections and every state count.  Each state that enters into the Compact agrees to cast all their Electoral Votes for the Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates who receive the most popular votes.  Eight states and the District of Columbia have already signed on (VT, MD, IL, WA, NJ, MA, CA, HI, & DC).  These states equal
132 electoral votes of the 270 electoral votes needed to win.
Legislation to add Alaska to the list is currently being proposed in the AK Legislature.

SO PLEASE ATTEND THIS INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON THE 17TH.  THE JUNEAU LWV WILL HAVE FREE BOOKS AVAILABLE THAT GIVE THE HISTORY OF THIS MOVEMENT AND THE ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF IT.  Remember: Jan. 17th,
5:30 pm, Centennial Hall.

If you want to read more about this movement, go to <www.nationalpopularvote.com>

Citizen's Academy:  This project is directed by the CBJ and involves a series of meetings to educate Juneau residents about the various departments in the city and borough government.  The first meeting was held in October at the new Valley pool and covered the amazing activities and responsibilities of Parks and Recreation. The second meeting was held in November at the Assembly Chambers, hosted by the engineering department. 

Future meeetings include January 19 (Finance), February 15 (Library Dept), March 21 (Public Works), April 19 (Community Development), May 23 (Fire Department).  

Juneau LWV Book Group Meeting Dates:

January 26th.  Discuss *1491:  New Revelations of the Americas before
Columbus* by Charles Mann.  Place TBA

February 23rd.  Discuss *A Power Governments Cannot Suppress* by Howard Zinn.