Through careful study, topics can be presented to general membership for consensus. If common agreement is reached, a topic is that translated into a Position that the League can then support and upon which is can take action.
The following is a list of current Positions of the LWV Northern Portage County:
The following is a list of current Positions of the LWV Northern Portage County:
- Land Use
- Environmental Quality
- Education
- Elections
- Regionalism
- Portage County Justice System
Land Use
Updated 2017
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Support Land Use policies that recognize that land is a finite resource requiring stewardship. Such policies must balance social, economic and environmental needs.
Development of a comprehensive Land Use policy which would provide for the orderly development of the State, in a manner which assures an environment beneficial to life, equal opportunity for housing, employment and education and the wise use of natural resources. Support county-wide planning and cooperation with adjacent counties. (Portage County Regional Planning Commission) Support of long-range Land Use planning for all areas within Portage County which provides for efficient transportation, efficient delivery of services and protection of environmentally fragile areas such as steep slopes, flood plains, scenic area, river corridors and wetlands. Meaningful public involvement of stakeholders and citizens, especially neighborhoods and school systems, affected by Land Use decisions of local government entities. The State of Ohio should have final authority over land use decisions involving critical areas and critical activities within the State. |
Environmental Quality
Updated 2017
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Support of an effective, comprehensive public health program in Portage County, embracing all necessary programs developed in the State Health Department and adequate funding thereof.
Support of a feasible, regional solution regarding water supply, sewage treatment management, solid waste disposal management and air pollution control for Portage County, with specific thrust in the area of recycling. Support of adequate standards, methods, controls, enforcement and financing to carry out management of water/sewer districts, solid waste disposal, recycling and air pollution control, and mining and extraction activities, including fracking. |
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Education
Updated 2010
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Support of adequate funding of the public school districts within our League area.
Support of innovative curricula, which support individual differences among learners. Use of research supported practices to evaluate student progress and to modify instructional strategies. On-going use of all available communication opportunities by the school districts, including print and broadcast media to keep citizenry informed of policy and planning issues within the school district. |
Elections
Updated 2010
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Members of the League of Women Voters of Northern Portage County believe that one of our most important functions is to encourage and help educate citizens to vote in fair elections. Towards those ends, we will register voters, publicize elections and conduct candidates and issues events where and when it is possible and effective, as well as participate in the publishing of a Portage County Voters’ Guide, in cooperation with the Kent LWV prior to each election.
We specifically support the frequent training of poll workers, especially when election laws and procedures are changed, as well as the monitoring plan for the Board of Elections that resulted from the successful LWVO lawsuit filed in 2005 and settled in 2009. |
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Regionalism
Updated 2010
Our adoption of REGIONALISM would place our League firmly in the vanguard of organizations and political entities working to create a synergy for helping fragmented local governments in Northeast Ohio begin to pull together to coordinate economic development and smart growth for the region as a whole”.
Support voluntary intergovernmental, collaborative agreements, which reduce costs, foster transparency and accountability, improve efficiencies and maintain service standards. Such agreements:
Support regional tax-base revenue sharing as a constructive form of intergovernmental cooperation for the mutual benefit of participating communities. Such a program should:
Support voluntary intergovernmental, collaborative agreements, which reduce costs, foster transparency and accountability, improve efficiencies and maintain service standards. Such agreements:
- Are appropriate at local, county, metropolitan, multiple-county or regional levels;
- Should be practical and of manageable size; and
- Should demonstrate the inter-connectedness of all neighboring communities.
Support regional tax-base revenue sharing as a constructive form of intergovernmental cooperation for the mutual benefit of participating communities. Such a program should:
- Advance smart growth, economic development and fiscal equity within the target area;
- Impact positively upon infrastructure, housing, education, recreation, inclusion and/or shared public facilities;
- Set standards for finance, staffing and administration that are consistent, accountable, transparent and efficient;
- Pool contributions from an agreed portion of new growth in local commercial and industrial property tax revenue;
- Distribute that revenue pool among participating communities to further fiscal equity across the area;
- Honor local sovereignty and school funding resources, be flexible and grow with time. Formulas for collection and allocations should be determined by the participating communities and periodically reviewed.
Portage County Justice System
Updated 2018
History: The League's position on this issue was developed by the League of Woman Voter of Northern Portage County and Kent, and was adopted in 1984 and updated in 1997 to change the name to Portage County Justice System. Members voted to update in 1998 and 1999 and to retain until 2018 when it was again updated.
The Leagues support:
An integrated approach to solving jail-related problems through cooperation among the county's judicial, executive and law enforcement branches.
Financing for the jail and all recommended services from government funds and private grants.
The use of alternative sentencing for nonviolent offenders, including the expansion of both the mental health and drug courts
Transparency:
Comprehensive health care:
A well-trained police force reflective of the community served:
Fair, equitable and minimal imposition of bail
Affordable court costs
The Leagues support:
An integrated approach to solving jail-related problems through cooperation among the county's judicial, executive and law enforcement branches.
Financing for the jail and all recommended services from government funds and private grants.
The use of alternative sentencing for nonviolent offenders, including the expansion of both the mental health and drug courts
Transparency:
- Records documenting the use of funds seized through civil forfeiture and the auditing of such funds should be available to the public
- Collection of local demographic data to identify trends in arrests, arraignments, convictions and incarceration and the provision of such data to national data bases.
Comprehensive health care:
- Provision of a medical evaluation upon intake.
- Clear and available documentation of medical and behavioral health assessments and treatments maintained in readily accessible files for further use by the system and community-based healthcare/treatment facilities.
- Licensed health care professionals shall determine and meet the healthcare needs of those jailed.
- Behavioral health assessment and treatment by appropriately-trained personnel from arrest through to release from the justice system. This would include development and implementation of wrap-around services post-discharge from the jail or from mental health or drug specialty dockets.
- Provision of evidence-based treatment for both physical and behavioral health needs.
- Continuation of prescribed medication in jail, including Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) to treat addiction
- Communication between the jail’s health care providers and primary care providers in the community to facilitate care coordination.
- Development and implementation of an ombudsman program for families and those jailed.
- Evaluation of contracted health services by community stakeholders
A well-trained police force reflective of the community served:
- Continuing and mandated Crisis Intervention Team training.
- Enhancing community interaction of police officers with an emphasis on their role as peace keepers.
- Critical incident debriefing and the provision of treatment if indicated.
- Periodic psychological screening of law enforcement officers.
- Increased recruitment of law enforcement officers of color.
Fair, equitable and minimal imposition of bail
- Minimization of the use of bail, and the use of evidence-based tools when setting bail is deemed necessary.
Affordable court costs
- Payment of court costs and fines through alternatives such as community service, enrollment in education or training programs, and participation in treatment/counseling. Sufficient time to pay fines and court costs assessed on a sliding scale based on personal resources.
- The use of funds seized through civil forfeiture and auditing of such funds should be publicly available