The Four Debates

at the Litchfield Community Center were well attended by Litchfield voters on October 20th and most attendees stayed for the whole 21/2 hours. Litchfield.bz videotaped all the debates which you can see at the Litchfield.bz site. There were contests for Litchfield First Selectmen, Selectmen, Planning & Zoning, and the Board of Education. The debate of contestants for the Board of Finance, was not held because there was a no-show on the Republican side.

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Litchfield Community Greenway

on Monday September 26 at 7:00pm

at the Litchfield Community Center

We had a very informative group of speakers:
Fletcher Cooper, who spoke of the history of the land where the Greenway is situated; Clifford Clark whose unrelenting efforts have kept the Greenway concept on track; Roberta T whose membership on the Greenway committee has been essential; And the financial officer of the committee who has been successful in guiding it's fiscal affairs. Last but not least was our green technology expert who showed us graphically how the Greenway would reduce our carbon footprint.

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ANNUAL LUNCHEON

Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy:
How does Connecticut fare?

Tony Mitchell
Energy Coordinator for
Northwest Conservation District

Tuesday, June 14th
Torrington Country Club

Tony Mitchell informed an attentive group of 30 league members and friends of energy options for the furture. He encouraged the group to sign up for the clean energy option on our electric bills as a way of supporting emmerging green technologies. He invisions a furture where: towns determine suitable sites for wind turbines and then entertain bids for operating on the sites, electric bills reflect the cost of transporting the electricity. Under this scenario, those living near power plants would see a financial savings in return for living near a power generating source.

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Small Towns/ Big Issues
Wednesday, May 11th

Karen Paradis, Leo Paul, and Mark Lyon, the First Selectmen from Morris, Litchfield and Washington respectively, were our guests at the annual Small Towns / Big Issues Luncheon. Highlights from the conversation include the introduction of the new Litchfield website www.townoflitchfield.org, Morris’ completion of energy upgrades to their town hall and Washington's move to a town budget that is not dependent on any state funds. The First Selectmen each shared instances where they are cooperating with surrounding communities to share resources and stretch precious tax dollars.

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“CHINA AS A FORMIDABLE NAVAL POWER”

Long time Middle East CBS correspondent Mitchell Krauss, addressed 50 League members and friends regarding China’s growing naval force, its impact on the China Sea, the Indian Ocean, as well as the newly threatened Middle Eastern oil routes currently challenging the United States.

LWV INTERNATIONAL LUNCH
Saturday, March 26, 2011

Mr. Krauss recommended the following books to expand your knowledge of China’s influence on the seas.
Monsoon by Robert Kaplan
Great Wall of sea by Bernard Cole
When China Rules the Sea by Loiuse Lavathes

Related link - China flexes military muscle : China is using the crisis in Libya to showcase its new naval might.
CNN's Fareed Zakaria reports.

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The League of Women Voters,
a nonpartisan political organization
of men and women, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.