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The League Presents: Civics with author Gloria Gavris

Gloria Gavris, a Newton resident, joined Marcia Johnson for a conversation about her book E is for Election Day.   During the conversation we learn about Gloria’s early involvement in elections and civic engagement in her home town of Everett Massachusetts.  At an early age she became involved in her father and brother’s campaigns for local office.

Gloria also shared how she has been working with educators to help students, of all ages, learn more about elections and how they can become actively involved.  She shares how her book became something special to her and some of the 2016 presidential candidates.  It is fascinating!

With the 2020 presidential, congressional and state legislative campaigns in full-swing, Gloria shares ideas on how parents can use this book as an educational tool to help their families learn, real-time, more about the election process.

League of Women Voters 100th Anniversary Party

On February 14th, the League of Women Voters celebrated it’s 100th anniversary at City Hall.

The League was officially founded in Chicago in 1920, just six months before the 19th amendment was ratified and women won the vote. Formed by the suffragists of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, the League began as a “mighty political experiment” designed to help 20 million women carry out their new responsibilities as voters.

Theresa Fitzpatrick and Ellen Grody  decorated the War Memorial with hearts, league memorabilia, materials to make valentines and wonderful sweet treats.  The approximately 40 people joining the fun,  including Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and City Councilors Jake Auchincloss, Andrea Downs, Andrea Kelley, and Holly Ryan.

Mayor Fuller established, through her proclamation, February 14th 2020 as League of Women Voters day.  Thank you to Ellen and Theresa for all of their work in making this a fantastic birthday for the League of Women Voters.

Forum on Northland Referendum Feb. 13

YES or NO
Proposed Northland Development Project
on Needham and Oak Streets

Please join us for ….
A Forum on the Upcoming Referendum regarding the Northland Project
Hosted by the League of Women Voters of Newton
Thursday, February 13, 2020, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Durant Kendrick House, 286 Waverly Avenue

Newton voters will have a chance to decide the future of the Northland Development Project in  a binding referendum election to take place on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 (coinciding with the presidential primary election).  The question to be placed before the voters is as follows:

Shall the following measure which was passed by the City Council be approved?
A measure which changes the zoning of parcels of land located at 156 Oak Street, 275-281 Needham Street and 55 Tower Road (commonly known as the Northland Project) from Mixed Use 1 District (MU1) to Business 4 District (BU4). The zoning change would allow for the construction of the Northland Project as described in a special permit and site plan approval granted by the City Council.

Join us on Thursday, February 13th, when the League of Women Voters of Newton (LWVN) will host a forum to learn more about this referendum question.    We will hear from presenters on both sides of the issues and, at the end of the presentations, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions.

RSVPs to info@lwvnewton.org or via Facebook are appreciated!

See more information about the Northland Project at the City of Newton website.