The October 2012 civic league meeting will be held on the 15th at 6:45pm at the Fitness and Wellness Center.
The Agenda includes:
Candidate Forum for the 89th Virginia General Assembly Election. Candidates invited: Yvonne Allmond, Daun Hester, Lionell Spruill, Jr.
Rick Dempsey, Engineer with the Norfolk Department of Utilities with an update on Pump Station and Neighborhood Sewer Repairs.
Here is President Jim English’s message for October 2012:
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Neighbors,
There are several important elections coming up in November and December that affect us all. I am sure you have heard about a couple of the races and candidates but may not have heard about the third. Therefore I want to take a moment and discuss the importance of voting in these elections.
Of course we have a National election for President and Vice President in November. This is probably one of the most important Presidential elections of our time. As much is at stake, please make sure you listen carefully to the candidates and try to make an informed choice as possible for the President. We have been bombarded with a lot of rhetoric over the past several months with more to come and it is clear that making a choice may be very difficult for some. Hopefully the debates will or have helped your decision making.
Secondly, we have a State election for a Senator to the US Congress. Both of the candidates are former Governors who are vying for the Senate seat. This too is an important election and the choice may also be difficult to make. Listen to their campaign issues and try to evaluate it and select who you think will be the best candidate to represent Virginia in the US Senate.
A third and equally important election is that to fill the seat vacated by Kenneth Alexander in the 89th Virginia congressional district. As you may recall State Senator Yvonne Miller died this past summer and Delegate Kenneth Alexander was elected in August to fill her unfinished term. We therefore are voting to fill his vacant seat. There are three candidates who are running for the 89th congressional district. They are: Towne Bank Senior Vice President Yvonne Allmond; Former Norfolk City Councilwoman Daun Hester; and Lionell Spruill Jr., the son of Chesapeake Del. Lionell Spruill.
This election will take place on December 18th, 2012. However, prior to that the Democratic Caucus will meet on October 17th at the Masonic Temple on Granby Street and vote on one of these candidates who will then be placed on the ballot in December. At our civic league meeting in October, we will host a candidate forum so that you may become familiar with each of these candidates. Please see the meeting agenda announcement in this newsletter. You may vote in the Democratic caucus at the Masonic Temple on October 17th for one of these candidates should you wish. At this time there are no Republican candidates running for this seat.
Because of these important elections and our responsibility as a US citizen to vote in every election I am including a short piece the reasons we should vote. I hope you enjoy it.
The following is from the website of Essortment.com and I thought I would share it with you.
“Voting in a local, state, or national election is an exciting opportunity provided by democratic nations to their citizens.
There are many good reasons to vote, including the following:
1. Casting a vote allows an individual to express a choice among candidates who wish to become government leaders. It’s up to each voter to locate available information about each candidate and to make an informed decision about how to vote. Rather than allowing potential leaders to hide weaknesses and wrong-doing from public awareness, a democratic voting process urges citizens to get involved and to share viewpoints about who should lead. Failing to register a vote is tantamount to saying you don’t care. Few people truly remain oblivious to government leadership. Most have opinions about the way things should go, and they should use the voting process to express their preferences.
2. Voting provides a medium for citizens to support the democratic structure. If a majority of citizens chose not to vote, democracy might become a thing of the past, replaced by another form of government that might prove more elitist in nature. Registering to vote means that you believe in the democratic process and will participate in it to represent your right to freedom of speech.
3. Supporting the electoral process helps to reinforce your regional government. Showing that you care with your vote tells candidates that they must be accountable to the public. It also suggests that those who introduce issues for a vote must provide adequate information to answer citizens’ questions and address their concerns rather than attempt to foist a half-baked idea onto the general public.
4. Showing up at the poll on voting day sets a good example to others. Remember, your children observe all that you do and will learn from your example, right or wrong as it may be. Civic awareness is an important part of their training and one of the early steps on the road to maturity. Discuss the candidates with your family and make a point of mentioning your vote, or wearing the pin distributed at many polls that reads “I voted today.” Voting also sets a positive example to neighbors, friends, and family who may be uninterested in or unfamiliar with the electoral system.
5. Finally, taking time to vote reflects pride in your nation and its government. The country becomes a beacon of liberty for the rest of the world who will be watching. Let everyone know that you care enough about your homeland and its leaders to have a say in the election’s outcome. Never surrender your right to speak your mind via the vote on Election Day.
If you are not currently registered to vote, call or stop in at the electoral office in Norfolk City Hall to get signed up. It only takes a few minutes, and even that step is likely to get noticed by those who are watching.”
Finally, I hope to see you at the next civic league meeting on October 15th. Please enjoy this edition of the Wards Corner Civic League newsletter. Our newsletter editor puts a lot of effort into producing our great newsletters.
Thanks,
Sincerely,
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