Dear League Members,
Suzanne is traveling with her son this week, so her desk is closed! It will be back open in April!
But she did say before she left... put the Annual Meeting - Saturday, April 15! Go to the website to register.
Sue Eberberger for Suzanne
| THIS WEEK IN THE LEAGUE...
| INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE
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TOMORROW
PLEASE NOTE: The Education Event below is a LWVSC Member-only event.
| | Fannie Lou Hamer
...one of the most
important, passionate, and powerful voices
of the civil and voting rights movements
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Education Committee
Hilah Mercer, Chair | | |
- Our regular March 2023 meeting was scheduled for March 15 via Zoom at 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. That week is Spring Break for BPS. We are changing our March meeting date to Wed. March 22 at 6:00 p.m. so that Board member Jennifer Jenkins can be our guest speaker. Thank you, Kathy Ebersberger, for arranging for Ms. Jenkins to join us. Board Chair, Matt Susin, was the guest speaker at our February meeting.
- Dr. Robert Schiller, Interim Superintendent of Brevard Public Schools, will be the guest speaker at our April Education Committee Meeting. Dr. Schiller preferred an in-person meeting. The April 2023 Education Committee Meeting will take place on April 19th at 4:00 p.m. at the Suntree Library in the conference room.
- The LWVFL, including the state Education Action Team, has an active presence in Tallahassee during the Legislative session which includes paid and volunteer lobbyists. Our lobbyists started ahead of the opening of the current session and will continue to serve until the session ends on May 5th.
As bills are proposed and committee meetings convened, LWVFL team members have action options: testify in support or opposition of the bill; waive in support or opposition of the bill; or hold off on action and gather further information.
When the League waives in support or opposition to a bill, no testimony is given but our name is added to the list of organizations who stand in support or opposition to the bill.
- The Education Committee will continue our commitment to having League members at all regular BPS School Board Meetings and file Observer Corps forms. The Board holds workshops on most regular meeting days. They, as well as regular meetings, are recorded and available on the BPS website.
Next Regular Board Meeting
Tuesday March 28 , at 5:30 p.m.
2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way Viera, FL 32940
- North and South Area Elementary Science Fairs - Triple L Award: League, Lagoon, Learning Award given to projects that demonstrate an understanding of the importance of a healthy Indian River Lagoon – Joint project of Education and Natural Resources Committees
North Area Fair – February 23, 2023 – Space Coast Jr./Sr. High – COMPLETED - Three Dolphin Awards were awarded and five Certificates of Participation were given.
South Area Fair – March 9, 2023 – Central Middle School – COMPLETED – Three Dolphin Awards were awarded and nine certificates were given.
| BREVARD SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
Educational School Facilities (ESF)
2700 Fran Jamieson Way
Viera, FL
Tuesday, March 28
Meeting Starts: 5:30 p.m.
Please arrive by 5:15 p.m.
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Natural Resources Committee
Susan Little & Maureen Rupe
Co-Chairs | | |
OUC Plant to become Solar Storage
Orlando Utility Commission (OUC) plans to remove the primary powerplant located on U.S.1 and replace it with a Solar Storage System. This has been a derelict and potentially dangerous building for quite a few years. The plant’s change is planned to start demolition in 2024 and the cost is estimated at approximately $450 million. The Malta electro-thermal energy system can work on any generated energy. The System takes energy it receives through a motor which turns a turbine and compressor to push it through heat exchangers to convert it to heat in Molten Salt and cold in chilled anti-freeze. Then when it is to be used, it combines the heat and cold through the heat exchangers to convert it to electricity to push the compressor and turbine to turn a generator to push the electricity to wherever it is needed. They say it is safe, cost effective and scalable and can store the energy for a long period of time and the system will last at least 20 years. I certainly welcome this overdue action and I’m certain the residents on Kings Highway will be pleased too. You can find more details on this system at their website listed below.
Four New Space Companies coming to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
There have been a number of Space Launch Complexes (SLC) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station through the years and most had been deactivated if no longer used. The active SLCs are SLC 37 for the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta rockets; SLC 40 which is for SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets; and Launch Complex 41 which is used for ULA Atlas rockets. There is also Launch Complex 39 on Kennedy Space Center (KSC), which is controlled by NASA and has three launch pads. There is also three inactive SLC already reserved for future systems, SLC 36 for Blue Origin, SLC 17 reserved for Moon Express, and SLC 39B on KSC, which is undergoing refurbishment for future missions.
The new allocations are ABL Space, based in El Segundo, California, focused on the RS1 capable of deploying 970kg to a 500km Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) to be allocated SLC 15. Stoke Space based in Kent, Washington, and focused on the development of 100% reusable rockets designed to fly daily was allocated he use of SLC 14 and Phantom Space which specializes in using cheap mass-manufactured rockets; and Vaya Space, based here in Florida and is known for the vortex-hybrid rocket engine will be sharing SLC 13. There should be more allocations in the future under the Space Force's new Launch Pad Allocation Strategy (LPAS) program.
Reference:
https://www.space.com/space-force-cape-canaveral-launch-pads-private-companies
| | Hi from the Social Justice Committee
Hi league of women voters of the space coast! I wanted to introduce myself as the new co chair of the social justice committee. I'm excited to be leading this group this year! I initially joined the league due to all the issues with reproductive rights and I started my work with the league by helping with the website and other IT issues. I'm interested in helping with access to affordable health care and DEI issues. I'm a Software engineer at L3Harris, born and raised in Palm Bay, and when I am not working or helping with the league I'm taking belly dance classes or playing with my dogs. I'm hoping we can make a difference in the community this year and I look forward to getting to know you all better!
Sabrina Dion
Co chair of the social justice committee
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Do You Have 15 Minutes to Spare?
Returning Citizen Postcard Project 2023
For the last several years, the LWVFL has organized a state-wide project to invite people who have been convicted of felonies and completed their sentences (time in prison, community service, and fines) to register to vote. Last year, some Returning Citizens were arrested for voting improperly (a felony). So this year, LWVFL is focusing on connecting Returning Citizens with lawyers who can help them verify their voting status. (see the wording on the postcard above)
As a local league, our goal is to address and write a brief note of encouragement to 2,000 Returning Citizens. (This is the same number we completed last year.)
Won't you join in the fun when we gather for a "Card Writing Party" (date TBD)? Or maybe you'd rather address them sitting in front of your tv at night... or with a small group of League friends that you gather together! However you get involed in our postcard project, you will know that you have taken a specific action to ensure Voter Rights!
There is a very short easy process that's required before you begin this work. So...let's get started!
Interested? Send me an email or text with your information. sueebersberger@comcast.net
Intrigued? Let's talk. Give me a call or text me. Sue Ebersberger 484-318-5988
Questions? Contact me.
COME HELP MAKE DEMOCRACY WORK FOR ALL!
|  | | Bunco Party Fundraiser Follow-Up
by Judy DeAngelis-Small
On Saturday, February 25th, LWVSC hosted a Bunco Party fundraiser at Wickham Park Community Center.
The event helped us to empower voters and defend democracy regarding issues like the environment, public education, international relations, women’s health.
The afternoon was filled with laughter and friendly chatter during play. Cash prizes were awarded for Most Buncos, Most Wins, and even Most Losses. Players enjoyed a great table of taste treats from croissant sandwiches to Baklava! The Baklava was a big hit!
| | Over 20 donated baskets/items from area businesses and members were raffled to lucky winners. One person won the 50/50 drawing for over $100. All attendees left the event with something as we had several door prizes!
After this successful event, the League of Women Voters of the Space Coast wants everyone to mark their calendars for another bunco party in February 2024!
Visit our website, www.lwv-spacecoast.org. While visiting the site, click on FB at the top of the homepage.
| | |  | The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
Click on one of these options to support us or learn more:
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