GLENWOOD DID YOU KNOW Sept. 2024

ISSUE # 8

SEPTEMBER 2024

GLENWOOD

DID YOU KNOW... www.glenwooddidyouknow.com

SOCIAL SECURITY MEDICARE EDUCATION HOUSING HEALTH CARE ECONOMY IMMIGRATION SOCIAL JUSTICE CLIMATE CHANGE FOREIGN POLICY

P r e s i d e n t i a l D e b a t e S e p t . 1 0 t h @ 8 P M A B C - C H . 7 COMING SOON! VOTER REGISTRATION EVENT

OR

Use QR code ONLINE:

elections.il.gov

REFLECTING ON THE 2024 DNC On August 21, 2024, I had the privilege of attending the historic Democratic National Convention—an experience that will forever be etched in my heart and mind. As the United Center buzzed with joy and energy, filled by speakers, delegates, and supporters of presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, I couldn’t help but think of how thrilled my mom would have been to witness such a momentous event. She would have eagerly joined her children in discussions about the speeches, analyzing the topics on CNN, MSNBC, and WVON. My mom was my ‘shero.’ She instilled in us the importance of voting and making a difference in the world. As a dedicated union representative and a tireless advocate for social justice, she was the voice for her fellow workers.

She participated in voter registration drives at Rainbow PUSH, at church, and even on charter buses to Washington, D.C., to march for workers’ rights.

Despite the challenging conditions my parents faced working in manufacturing plants—where the heat was stifling, and wages and benefits were inadequate—they always wanted more for their children and grandchildren. They understood that the power of the vote was the key to a brighter future.

As an educator, I empowered my students by having them research key issues of each political party, engage in mock debates, and participate in simulated elections. These activities equipped them with the knowledge and resources they would need when they became eligible to vote.

I am committed to educating others about the importance of voting and understanding candidates’ platforms on crucial issues like education, healthcare, housing, and the economy—issues that will shape our future for years to come.

If we desire a better country, our efforts must start at the local level. We need to register our family, friends, and neighbors to vote and encourage them to research the platforms of the candidates. To have a meaningful voice on the national stage, we must increase voter participation in our local communities. We cannot sit idly by and expect others to solve all the problems. When our children or grandchildren ask us what we did to improve the quality of life in our country, what will our answer be?

Let’s be the change we want to see. Let’s make voting a family affair and engage in the electoral process as if our future depends on it—because it does!

“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.”

- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Investing in education today is the substance of future wealth.”

- Deborah Birmingham, M.Ed., M.A

Kamala Harris

Donald Trump

Age: 59

Age: 78

Party: Democrat

Party: Republican

Born: Oakland, California Vice President Kamala Harris announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for

Born: Queens, New York Former President Donald Trump launched his bid to reclaim the White House in November 2022, aiming to become only the second commander in

president after Biden withdrew from the ticket and

chief to win two nonconsecutive terms. Trump

endorsed her on July 21. Harris would be the first

continues to deny the outcome of the 2020 election

Black woman and first Asian American to lead the

that he lost to Joe Biden and promotes baseless

ticket of a major political party. The daughter of

conspiracy theories about election fraud. He was

immigrants from India and Jamaica, Harris grew up in Oakland and spent much of her political career in California’s Bay Area. As a US senator, Harris was known for her prosecutorial questioning style during

twice impeached by the US House of Representatives, including for his role in inciting the deadly January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol following his electoral defeat. In May 2024, Trump was found guilty of all charges at his New

hearings with Trump administration officials and

York hush money criminal trial. He also faces

nominees, including Attorney General Jeff Sessions

charges in three other cases, including over his

and future Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his

Past experience

alleged mishandling of classified documents after

Harris is the current vice president and the highestranking female political official in US history. She previously served as a US senator, California attorney general and the San Francisco district attorney.

leaving office.

Past experience Trump graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Before launching his successful 2016

Key policy issues

presidential bid, Trump was a real estate

Harris’ initial campaign speeches offer some insights

developer, businessman and a reality television

into her priorities, though she’s mainly voiced general

star as host of “The Apprentice.”

talking points and not more nuanced plans. Like

Key policy issues

Biden, she intends to contrast her vision for America

If he wins another term, Trump has said he would

with Trump’s. She said the path forward will focus on lifting up working and middle-class Americans, enabling them to join unions, retire with dignity, live without the fear of gun violence and obtain affordable health care.

🔗 Kamala Harris' campaign promises so far

overhaul key factions of the federal government and slash social safety net programs. He has also vowed retribution against his political opponents and has said he would appoint a special prosecutor to “go after” Biden and his family.

🔗 Trump’s campaign promises so far

Democratic Party

Democrats are also sometimes called ‘the left’, ‘left-wing’, ‘liberals’, or ‘progressives’. The symbol of the Democratic Party is the donkey. A state where more people vote for Democrats than Republicans is sometimes called a ‘blue state’

Not all Democrats believe in all of the same things, but generally these are the things many Democrats agree on: Rich people and big businesses should pay more tax than poor people.

The government should spend more money on services for citizens, such as education (schools), infrastructure (better roads and buildings, for example), health care, and clean energy.

The government should control some things more carefully, for example, guns, pollution, and other things that could hurt people.

A political party is a group of voters who want the same things and work together to make those things happen. Examples of political parties in the US include the Democrats and Republicans. Every four years the party holds a National Convention (a big meeting) where they agree on the person they want to run for President. This person is called their “candidate” The two main political parties in the US are symbolized by two distinct animals: an elephant for Republicans and donkey for Democrats.

The two animals appear every election cycle, with illustrations of donkeys and elephants showing up in countless political cartoons, campaign ads and internet memes.

The reasoning behind both animals dates back to the 19th century, between 150 to 200 years ago.

During the 1828 presidential campaign for Andrew Jackson, who became the seventh US president, his opponents called him a jackass, which is a less-flattering term for a donkey.

Instead of rejecting the derogatory term, Jackson embraced it, and rather than be offended by the name-calling, he was amused by it and used the image of a donkey in his campaign posters.

Jackson went on to defeat incumbent John Quincy Adams to serve as America’s first Democratic president using the jackass as the party's symbol.

However, it took several decades before the donkey became synonymous with the entire Democratic party when political cartoonist Thomas Nast helped popularize the animal by using it in his cartoons during the 1870s.

The elephant took a different road to become the symbol of the opposing party.

The Republican Party itself was formed in 1854, and six years later, Abraham Lincoln became its first member elected to the White House in 1860.

During the American Civil War, which began in 1861 during Lincoln's presidential term, the image of an elephant was featured as a Republican symbol in at least one political cartoon and a newspaper illustration.

Soldiers used the term “seeing the elephant” as an expression meaning experiencing combat, and Nast later translated the animal into his political cartoons portraying the Republican party.

In 1874, Nast used the elephant in Harper's Weekly magazine, and that is when the elephant started to take hold as the Republican party's symbol and is now synonymous with the party.

Two different animals. Two different paths. Two different parties: the Democratic donkey and the Republican elephant

Republican Party Republicans are sometimes called ‘the right’, ‘right-wing’, or ‘conservatives’.

The Republican Party itself is also known as the GOP, which stands for “Grand Old Party.” The symbol of the Republican party is the elephant. A state where more people vote for Republicans than Democrats is sometimes called a ‘red state’.

Not all Republicans believe in all of the same things, but generally these are some things many Republicans agree on: The government should lower taxes, especially on rich people and big businesses.

The government should spend less money on services for citizens, such as education, health care, and support for poor people.

The government should spend more money on the military (the army and navy, for example) and on weapons.

The government should not control guns, pollution, or other possibly unsafe things because businesses and people can decide for themselves.

5 FACTS ABOUT AMERICA’S POLITICAL PARTIES The Democratic Party is a little older than the Republican.

The Democratic Party was founded around 1828 by supporters of Andrew Jackson, while the GOP emerged in 1854 to combat the expansion of slavery into American territories.

2. Abraham Lincoln was our first Republican president.

With the Party’s success in guiding the Union to victory in the Civil War, and the Party’s role in the abolition of slavery, the Republican Party dominated the national political scene until 1932.

3. The Great Depression changed the political landscape.

The GOP lost its congressional majorities during the Great Depression; under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Democrats formed a winning New Deal coalition that was dominant through 1964.

4. The paradigm shifted in the mid-’60s.

After the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the core bases of the two parties shifted, with Southern states becoming more Republican in presidential politics and the Northeastern states becoming more Democratic.

5. There have been 15 Democrats in the White House and 19 Republicans.

Elephants & Donkeys used in U.S. Politics

Why Democrats are donkeys and Republicans are elephants

L A B O R

D A Y

Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.

Before it was a federal holiday, Labor Day was recognized by labor activists and individual states.

After municipal ordinances were passed in 1885 and 1886, a movement developed to secure state legislation. New York was the first state to introduce a bill, but Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, on February 21, 1887.

During 1887, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – passed laws creating a Labor Day holiday. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.

Labor Hall of Honor Curious about America’s labor leaders? Check out the Labor Hall of Honor to learn more about the men and women who have improved working conditions, wages, and quality of life for America's working families.

Fannie Lou Hamer

I'm Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired – Dec. 20, 1964

Hamer delivered this speech with Malcolm X at a rally at the Williams Institutional CME Church, Harlem, New York, that was organized to support the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party's Congressional Challenge.

My name is Fannie Lou Hamer and I exist at 626 East Lafayette Street in Ruleville, Mississippi. The reason I say "exist" [is] because we're excluded from everything in Mississippi but the tombs and the graves. That's why it is called that instead of the "land of the free and the home of the brave." it's called in Mississippi "the land of the tree and the home of the grave."

It was the 31st of August of 1962, that eighteen of us traveled 26 miles to the county courthouse in Indianola, Mississippi, to try to register to become first-class citizens.

It was the 31st of August in 1962, that I was fired for trying to become a first-class citizen.

When we got to Indianola on the 31st of August in 1962, we was met there by the state highway patrolmen, the city policemen and anybody — as some of you know that have worked in Mississippi, any white man that is able to wear a khaki pair of pants without them falling off him and holding two guns can make a good law officer — so we was met by them there.

After taking this literacy test, some of you have seen it, we have 21 questions and some is not questions. It began with: "Write the date of this application. What is your full name. By whom are you employed" — so we can be fired by the time we get back home — "Are you a citizen of the United States and an inhabitant of Mississippi. Have you ever been convicted of any of the following crimes." — when, if the people would be convicted of the following crimes, the registrar wouldn't be there. But after we go through this process of filling out this literacy form, we are asked to copy a section of the constitution of Mississippi and after we've copied this section of the constitution of Mississippi we are asked to give a reasonable interpretation to tell what it meant, what we just copied that we just seen for the first time.

After finishing this form, we started on this trip back to Ruleville, Mississippi, and we was stopped by the same city policeman that I had seen in IndianoIa and a state highway patrolman. We was ordered to get off the bus. After we got off the bus, we was ordered to get back on the bus and told to go back to Indianola. When we got back to Indianola the bus driver was charged with driving a bus the wrong color.

That's very true. This same bus had been used year after year to haul people to the cotton fields to pick cotton and to chop cotton. But, this day, for the first time that this bus had been used for voter registration it had the wrong color. They first charged this man one hundred dollars. And from a hundred dollars they cut down to fifty. And from fifty to thirty, and after they got down to thirty dollars the eighteen of us had enough among ourselves to pay his fine.

Fannie Lou Hamer - Full Speech

Dec. 1964

BROOKWOOD POINT HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

FRUSTRATED WITH YOUR HIGH PROPERTY TAX BILL?

Presenter:

Ed Hadnott

List of terms Assessed Value.

State Equalizer Local Tax Rate Homeowners Exemption Senior Exemption Do you understand how your tax bill is created?

The Assessed Value is provided by the Cook County Assessor with the blessing of the Cook County Board and Commissioners. The Assessor uses an automated value model to estimate the value of your home. In the appraisal profession qualitative and quantitative analysis is used to value your home. The Assessor has stated that they do not use MLS data, nor do they use data from the Cook County Recorder which is in the same building.

The State Equalizer was increased to 3.0163. That increase was approved by your state legislators.

The Local Tax Rate is calculated by the Cook County Clerks Tax Extension unit. It is the combined rate of all the local taxing bodies.

Again, your Cook County Commissioners and government are responsible for this.

The Homeowners Exemption was decreased. Do you know how the formula is calculated? The exemption is calculated by multiplying $10,000 by your local tax rate of 14.743%. Would it not have been smart for your elected officials to change the formula so that the homeowner’s exemption would have increased. Ask yourself why this is all so complicated?

Does anyone know how the Senior Exemption is calculated? The Senior Exemption is calculated by multiplying $8,000 times the local tax rate of 14.743%. Why is the Senior Exemption also decreased and less than the Homeowner’s Exemption? Again, your Cook County Government is not working in your best interest. Contact your Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller.

The latest tax bill is the most egregious attempt to increase the number of South Suburban Residents losing their homes to either foreclosure or tax sale. This will reduce the sales volume and reduce the value of your homes.

This will cause more investors to buy homes at lower prices and turn Glenwood into a rental home market. It’s up to you to fight or not.

The Village of Glenwood has a good deal of culpability in this. The Village of Glenwood has made zero interest loans with 50% of the loan forgiveness.

One lucky recipient has stated that they won’t even pay back the 50% that they borrowed. No action has been taken by the Village of Glenwood for a loan that is over one year in arrears. The Village of Glenwood has an arrangement to give the Anytime Fitness developer Ralph Edgar a 60% rebate on his taxes. Would you like a 60% rebate?

There are options. File an appeal, then the Board of Appeals, then lawsuit or PTAB. Those are your options.

Lastly, I have asked that President Gardiner declare a 4 million dollar TIF Surplus and that those funds be used to give each owner occupied resident of Glenwood a $500.00 tax rebate. Please join me in support for this long overdue tax relief.

August 22, 2024 Dear President Gardiner, Because of your absence at the August 20th village board meeting, I have to reply by email.

Since you had the Village Attorney respond to the emails from the residents of Glenwood instead of responding to your constituents, this is a follow up email.

The Industrial Park TIF, the Halsted-Holbrook TIF, and the Main Street TIF are all expiring in either tax year 2025 or tax year 2026. Those three TIF Districts must be allowed to expire to assist in lowering our tax bills.

You have used TIF funds as your personal slush fund for too long. You have exchanged TIF funds for campaign donations for too long.

Keep an Eye on Money in Illinois Politics

www.illinoissunshine.org

The concerned residents will be recommending and submitting a budget for the use of taxpayers’ dollars.

Ed Hadnott

President Gardiner, You stated when I was a Board member that you demanded decorum. Obviously, you have not taught your current Board members which are all in your political party Board etiquette.

Please share this with them so they can learn what they are supposed to do. President Asselborn taught government.

President Durkin taught government.

Tell your appointed Trustee to follow these instructions to the letter.

Ed Hadnott Robert Rules of Order - Public Comment link

ED HADNOTT Former Village Trustee

Capital Improvement Plan What is a Capital Improvement Plan?

A CIP should be established by the Village of Glenwood and used for major public expenses such as parks, fire stations, fire apparatus, public works projects, etc.

A CIP allows for public input and proper fiscal management instead of poor last-minute decision making.

The goals of a CIP should be.

1. A list of any capital projects for the next 5 years.

2. The justification for each project must be provided such as public health, safety, and social impact.

3. The ranking of those projects in their order of importance to residents and businesses.

4. How the projects will be paid for, including grants, bonds, and or other financing.

5. The timetable for the completion of the project.

6. Finally, each project must have public support.

This is the kind of important work the Finance Committee, the Treasurer and the Chief Budget Officer should be performing.

Top Issues Facing Glenwood Residents - Survey Please click the link to take the survey https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4A4UICl8Vp5FseAD_gFqLyGC_EJijXsPGN54q5jY2BNbDA/viewform?pli=1

ENVIRONMENTAL - WATER & AIR STREETS FIRE & EMS TRANSPARENCY LIGHTING INFRASTRUCTURE LEADERSHIP FINANCES OF THE VILLAGES SENIOR & YOUTH PROGRAMS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY

Edwin King President Brookwood Point Homeowners Association

Glenwood has a rich history that is built on a strong foundation. It’s a foundation built around shared values, active participation and a sense of community. It is incumbent upon us all to continue this legacy that has been established.

Community involvement is crucial in creating and maintaining vibrant, forward thinking, resilient communities. As cultures evolve, it is important for the community to be architects in the evolution. Each of us, as Glenwood residents, play a vital role in maintaining the quality of life, preserving property values and fostering a sense of community. There is an educator that said, “idealization is only as great as actualization”.

The next step after having an idea, seeing issues, is to act with a sense of urgency. The specific action that I’m asking for is for residents to get actively involved with your Homeowners Association. Glenwood has four that represent the different subdivisions. We cannot afford to allow apathy to guide us as this leads us down unknown paths blindly.

If we are going to grow as a community, we must employ all to get involved.

Brookwood Point 1st Wednesday of the month @ Hickory Glen Fieldhouse - 7PM

Glenwood Manor 1st Thursday of the month @ Arquilla Park Fieldhouse - 7PM

C l i c k t h i s l i n k G l e n w o o d V i l l a g e

Glenwood Estates 2nd Wednesday of the month @ Arquilla Park Fieldhouse - 7PM

f o r a l l O r d i n a n c e s

BROOKWOOD POINT HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

MOST BEAUTIFUL BLOCK AWARD 1 s t

P L A C E

AVALON & 192ND PLACE R U N N E R

U P

1100 BLOCK OF 191ST PLACE C U R B A P P E A L 528 Dante 251 Greenwood 847 E. 193rd Pl. 304 Greenwood 835 E. 192nd St.

MOST IMPROVED CURB APPEARANCE

248 DANTE

“Participation strengthens a community”

B r y n’e H a d n o t t Presents

SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW Dr. Barbara A. Williams - Part 1

Brookwood School District 167 Homewood Flossmoor H. Washington

University

in

St.

Louis, BA Earth and Planetary Science Johns Hopkins University, MA Earth and Planetary Science Profession: science writer aspiring 3D animator

Read more about Bryn’e in the July issue.

Double click on the arrow to interact

WOMEN INSPIRE GLENWOOD

Pastor Nellie Briggs Join me in getting out the vote for Presidential Nominee

V.P. Kamala Harris 2024

briggsnellie6@aol.com 1(708)932-1323

MARY DEBOSE Husband: Van (45 years) 37 year resident Retired Social Worker Master Gardner Avid Reader Book Club Member What attracted you to Glenwood?

We had been exploring homeownership for many years starting in the early 80s. We considered communities in Chatham, South Loop, Beverly, Lakeview, Rogers Park of Chicago as well as Oak Park. We quickly learned that given our budget, homes were expensive, the space was small and interest rates were high. We were anticipating that once we started a family, that for a brief period we would be managing one income.

We found out about Glenwood after I left my purse in a colleague's car. This colleague was and still is a resident of Glenwood. We drove to her home to retrieve my purse. When we arrived at the Village of Glenwood in the late evening, we noticed that street lights were practically non-existent, however the lights radiating from the homes of residents were beautiful. We explored Glenwood further and were attracted to the beauty, space, quaintness, and affordability. The commute was a hurdle that we decided to “jump”.

Your profession: I retired as a Social Worker. Once a Social Worker always a Social Worker. Masters of Arts Degree at the University of Chicago. Attended HBCU- LeMoyne/Owen in Memphis Tenn. Married for 45 years to Van Debose.

What did you like most about your job? Helping and making a difference is definitely an attraction. My career began in a social service primarily in adoption – the child, the birth family, adoptive family and adopted adults. Later my role evolved into work with children and families who have experienced trauma. I am grateful that I had great mentors and have also welcomed the opportunity to mentor new social workers. Legislative advocacy on issues of adoption and welfare reform offered the experience of working alongside families, community advocates, local state and federal representatives to enact systems toward positive changes. What a joy to work with grassroots advocates to ensure quality, affordable and accessible child care and living wages for parents who were impacted by “welfare reform”. Recruiting persons interested in graduate study in social work has been one of my most fulfilling roles.

Would you encourage young people to pursue the field? Why or why not?

For persons who are interested in making a difference and have a strong interest in social justice, I would encourage a conversation to consider social work as an option. As fulfilling as social work can be, the work is difficult and requires self-awareness, humility, critical thinking, compassion/empathy, courage, respect for differences, and self-care. There are so many systems that impact how and if one can help. To be a good advocate, you have to have a healthy understanding of the environment in which you’re working.

Where is there an opportunity for change and what will be your role in it? It helps to have good mentors. I do not know of any social worker who has chosen the profession for the money. One can be enriched but not get rich. There are educators, attorneys, divinity professionals, legislators who have changed careers to pursue social work as there are social workers who have added other professional credentials to bring about change.

What do you see as some of the greatest obstacles facing young people today?

Safety. There's too much access to quick methods (firearms) to injure and destroy life. We have young people doing great things. And there are many young people who are experiencing extraordinary obstacles.. There is a need for: 1. Access to quality and affordable housing, healthcare and education at all stages of the child, adolescent, and young adult life cycle.

Young adults need skills that will enable a living wage.

2. Safety- there are too many guns and too few skills to reduce, manage, and resolve conflict.

3. There is a need for access to spiritual and mental health support to address the normal joys and challenges of human growth and development.

4. Youth can benefit from positive multigenerational/intergenerational mentorship - access to positive influencers in their own generation, their parents generation and their grandparents generations. The influences can be parental, mentors, elders, teachers, coaches.

If you listen to the news, you would think our children are being destroyed and we know that this is not the full story. There are children, teens and young adults who are doing well. We need the wisdom of adults to make wise decisions about firearms. We need to equip our children with the opportunities and resources to resolve conflict in a way that supports the spirit of living. Conflict resolution starts at home and needs to be addressed within school and community settings.

Hobby(ies)- Reading: As a young person my parents encouraged reading and had books around. I enjoyed reading to my younger siblings and later enjoyed reading to their children – my nieces and nephews. I am a member of a book group that started in the early 90’s with my high school English teacher and one of her real estate clients, who is now my friend. Within the recent 15 years, our group has consistently included a core group of 6 in multiple generations and occupations. Over the 30 years, we have read over 200 books, We are now reading The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich.

Gardening : My siblings and I were exposed to gardening and farm life during summer visits to our grandparents who lived in the Mississippi delta. This experience had to influence my appreciation of plants. Overtime I have dabbled in various aspects of growing plants and gardening and am still learning. In December 2021, I became certified as a volunteer through HBN, the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program. Over the recent three years, as a member of a team, my volunteer assignments in South Suburban Cook County have included the The Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland, The Aaje and Jon Ton Memorial Underground Railroad Garden in South Holland, The Butterfly Garden at Lake Katherine in Palos Heights, a couple of presentations at the GLPLD, gardening projects with elementary school children in Evergreen Park and Matteson. My own backyard continues to be my biggest assignment and challenge. I am in awe of enjoying Swiss Chard, tomatoes, and onions from my backyard. I am in awe of seeing a hibiscus, echinacea, or bee balm thriving and blooming. Gardening is a lifelong opportunity to enjoy and appreciate God's creation and power. The plants below were generated from my backyard.

I also enjoy singing with the Women’s Chorus of my Church. I have been a member since 1983.

This is an election year and many young people are not interested in voting. Many youth are apathetic about voting as though their vote won’t count anyway. What advice would you offer youth?

On voting: I encourage all young people to register and use their most powerful tool to influence change, the vote is the voice; and the voice is the vote. Can you believe that it was as recent as 1971 that for the first time in the history of the US, 18-year-olds were granted the right to vote? Yes, people as young as 18 were drafted into war and had no voice in the election of officials that could send them to fight and die in combat. The war of that time was the war in Vietnam. I was among the first of 18 years old that could vote after the enactment of the 26th Amendment. Prior to the enactment of the 26th amendment, one had to be 21 years old to vote.

In 1971, the year of my 18th birthday, I registered to vote. I voted in the presidential election of 1972, and it felt great to be a part of the political process, although my candidate did not win. It is important to vote. Local and state elections are especially important. The elections of judges are critical. The election of the next President of the United States will be critical. The next President will be appointing the next Supreme Court Justice(s) and other lifetime federal judgeships. These judges will be making decisions that will impact all of our daily lives. Democracy, the true meaning of separation of powers, the 'boundaries' and the "checks and balances" of the executive, judicial and legislative branches of government are also at stake.

There are several other challenges in this election that will impact the economic vulnerability of the working families, for example access to quality education, health care and housing. The opportunity to elect the next President of the United States that is competent, the most qualified, compassionate, people-focused, an advocate of social justice, and who has already demonstrated outstanding leadership in her role as States Attorney, United States Senator, and Vice-President of the United States is within our reach. Democracy and social justice are on the ballot, and we must vote to protect them. I will not tell you who to vote for, but I hope that you vote and that your vote will reflect your values.

What advice would you give young people as they began their adult life/ career journey? Stay connected to positive people, family and experiences that will feed their spirit in a healthy way and support their life goals. I would say to young people that all of your questions are valid and deserve to be heard. You belong in the spaces that support your worth and value as a human being. Listen, watch, learn, claim your space and let your light shine.

Listed are some of the books Mary’s club has enjoyed. You may want to start a book club and share the love of reading.

TITLE

AUTHOR

Things Fall Apart

Achebe, Chinua

White Tiger

Adiga, Arauind

Tuesdays with Morrie

Albom, Mitch

House of the Spirits

Allende, Isabel

In the Midst of Winter

Allende, Isabel

Of Love and Shadows

Allende, Isabel

A Year by the Sea

Anderson, Joan

Handmaiden’s Tale

Atwood, Margaret

The Blind Assassin

Atwood, Margaret

*Recommended books will be shared in future newsletters.

Morgan D. Myers, MPH Brookwood District 167 Marian H.S. University of Missouri (MIZZOU) Assistant Director for Student Care and Community Standards

VOTING OP ED From a young age, I can remember my mom teaching us the importance of voting. She wanted us to know the importance of using our voices in a country that worked so hard to silence us. For many years the ability to vote could be seen as a privilege, as the right to vote was granted exclusively to white, land-owning men. As time moved forward, so many challenges were put in place to make the ability to exercise the right to vote very difficult for women and African Americans. Although the fight for the ability to vote never stopped for both demographics and in turn this led to several amendments in the United States Constitution.

Now, “citizens 18 years and older cannot be denied the right to vote on the basis of race, religion, sex, disability, or sexual orientation (The White House, 2022).” While registration is required to vote, the registration process varies by State.

I am grateful to grow up in a time period where I and my peers are being encouraged to vote and to be more informed about the state of our society and the changes that impact us moving forward. Although sometimes it is difficult to feel like our vote matters. When elections come around at both the local, State, and Federal level, we often hear great pitches about what candidates are hoping to change, and the impact they hope to have on their community.

Although as someone who does vote, it is difficult to say I have seen a lot of action put behind those words. Granted, that may require more research to back up my claim, although in talking with my peers many of them are losing hope in their elected officials and the U.S. system. While I too, am starting to lose hope in this system, I am trying my best to stay informed by using credible sources. In doing so I can better understand what candidates are looking to change, and not only how those changes impact us now but also the impact they will have on our future.

While I see several initiatives and programs in place that promote voter registration and political involvement, I think more can be done to inform younger voters and keep them encouraged.

Afterall, we know legislation plays a huge role in our communities as it relates to funding, public and environmental health, workers compensation, and so much more. So while now is the time to get involved and educate yourself, candidates and elected officials also have to do their part to meet younger populations halfway. This can be done by improving their relationship with young voters in an effort to better understand their wants and needs, putting action behind their words, and using several forms of data to showcase how those actions have either hurt or improved our communities.

In conclusion, I think this year is a turning point for young people nationwide. We are more adamant about wanting to change our world for the better and holding elected officials accountable. I am excited to see the fruits of our labor for the future to come.

References: The United States Government. (2022, July 12). Elections and voting. The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/our-government/elections-and-voting/

At the February 6, 2024 village meeting, I shared that several surrounding cities and villages recognized and scheduled events celebrating Black History Month. I expressed disappointment that Glenwood, a village that is over 70% African American, did not have any events scheduled to recognize the contributions of residents to the town and society, therefore; I created this newsletter to highlight as many as possible in this and future issues as well as other community issues.

- Deborah Birmingham, M.Ed., M.A

“JUST DO IT! Don’t think about it. Our ancestors died for our rights. It should be just like breathing; you don’t think about it, you just do it”.

- Celestine Bowman, U.S. Army Veteran

“I’d encourage young voters to find candidates or leaders that share the same values as they do, and then promote them as much as possible.”

- Bryn’e Hadnott

“Every vote counts. To encourage the young people, we have to go back to our history and the things people suffered and endured to get that right”.

- Alan Wilson, U.S. Army Veteran

“Everyone should vote to ensure a quality of life for all Americans.

Everyone’s votes count. Voting is essential so let’s not waste your vote by not voting.”

- Ericka Hillard, U.S. Army Veteran

“Voting is how we have choice. There are so many stories of how our ancestors had to die, fight , and protest for that right. Young people might not agree with the candidates but need to understand the issues and how those issues impact our schools, housing , neighborhoods, and treatment.”

-Rhonda Russell Henderson