Lisle Township Democratic Organization

Microsoft Word has a built-in speech recognition feature that works pretty well, and I find that at least for lengthier stuff it’s much more pleasant than typing even if I inevitably need to make corrections. This also works in Google Docs, but only with the Google’s Chrome browser. There are 3rd-party speech recognition apps, but I’ve never felt the need to purchase one.

The stage is being set to reverse Democratic gains from the 2020 election. We’re already aware that  the 2022 elections will be another “election of our lifetime.” Now is the time for each one of us, personally, to act. There is so much at risk.

There’s an increasing presence of far-right members in our community fighting against science and equity. They are anti-mask, anti-vaccine, and anti-diversity, equity, inclusion training. It’s critical that voices for democracy and science establish and maintain a presence to counter the propaganda spewed by far-right agitators. There’s a nationwide push to sow disinformation and fear, just as GOP-led state legislatures are working to pass laws to suppress voting rights, which disproportionately affect people of color, students, the elderly, the disabled, and new voters. GOP operatives are deliberately focusing on local elections, school boards, library boards political events

Much as we may wish that it couldn’t happen here, it can, and it is. Anti-vaxers and anti-maskers are organized and very vocal at our local school board meetings.They are actively launching FOIA requests in districts in an attempt to intimidate school board members. They are promoting their extreme beliefs across social media. They attack teachers who speak out. One of us recently spoke at a school board meeting to counter one of these ultra conservative presenters.

We need people who share our values to run for school board and for local office. Do “the ask” when speaking with friends, neighbors, and people in your precinct.

We also need to be voices spreading awareness of what is happening in our local school boards and to attend meetings to speak up to counter the extreme voices. Any citizen can speak at school board meetings – you do not need to be a parent of a current student.

For further information

• Articles by NBC journalist Ben Collins, who covers disinformation
• QAnon Supporters Launch Plan To Run For Local School Boards (interview with Collins)
• Demolishing Public Libraries From The Inside: Niles Public Library Is a Warning

by Karen Peck

These were my comments to the Naperville D203 School Board on Monday, July 12th, 2021. I spoke because of the increasing presence of far-right members of the community, fighting against science and equity. They are both anti-mask/anti-vaccine, and anti-diversity, equity, inclusion training.

It’s important that voices for democracy and science have a presence to counter the propaganda being spewed by far-right agitators. There is a nationwide push to sow disinformation and fear, just as GOP-led state Senates are working to pass laws to suppress voting rights, which disproportionately affect people of color, students, the elderly, the disabled, and new voters. GOP operatives are deliberately focusing on local elections, local school boards, and local political events.

Please consider speaking at upcoming school board meetings to be sure the voices of White supremacy and anti-science are countered by democratic values and democracy.

Transcript

Our next Happy Hour is this coming Thursday, July 20, from 5 to 7 PM.
The last two were a lot of fun! No agenda, no cost, BYOB.
We’ll see you at 25w220 Lacey Ave, Naperville.

The Township could use your support on Tuesday July 20 at 7 PM sharp at 4711 Indiana Ave, Lisle in the Highway Department garage. Please plan to arrive early; if you are late, you can not attend.

Lisle Twp will have the first annual town hall in 2 years. There are a variety of things that can only be done at this time. The number of attendees could easily sway the outcome. You can see the agenda here: http://bit.ly/07-20-21-Agenda.

There is a zoom link to watch but you cannot vote: http://bit.ly/07-20-21-Lisle-Twp.

Beginning Monday, July 19, 2021, vaccinations for residents 12 and up will be available on a walk-in basis at the Health Department’s Central Public Health Center (111 N. County Farm Rd, Wheaton). The clinic will operate Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. Save time by pre-registering at: www.dupagehealth.org/covid19vaccineregistration

Pace, the suburban Chicago transit agency, has proposed purchasing 125 additional Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and 78 new diesel buses in its capital budget. However, their budget includes NO orders for electric buses! If purchased, these fossil fuel-powered buses will be on Illinois roads for the next 12 to 15 years! A Pace Board meeting is being held on July 21, The DuPage Clean Energy Coalition is asking people to take action by July 19.

1. Sierra Club Illinois has set up a Pace action page where you can sign on telling Pace that purchases of diesel buses are not acceptable and that electric buses are the right choice, environmentally and economically.
2. Email your Pace Board member by July 13 to ask that they purchase electric buses instead of diesel. (Thomas D. Marcucci, former mayor of Elmhurst, represents DuPage County. You can email him at BoD@PaceBus.com.) If you are also willing to meet with your Board member, please contact Connie Schmidt at twnstr111@msn.com.Here’s a copy of DCEC’s email with a sample script.

The recent tornado disaster in our area should remind us that no one is immune. Here’s how to be vigilant during severe weather season.

The outdoor sirens are intended to alert people who are outdoors. You should NOT rely on them to alert you when you are indoors.

Know the difference between Watches and Warnings.

• A WATCH means the conditions are right for severe weather in your area and you should be alert.
• A WARNING means that something dangerous is happening NOW and you should take immediate protective measures if you are in the warned area.

While the now-common cell phone alerts are great, note that cell towers are easy marks for tornadoes. The most reliable alerting device is a NOAA Weather Radio. These will turn on automatically to alert you during a watch or warning. Here’s an example of an inexpensive full-featured model (disclaimer: I don’t own one of these and can’t “endorse” it as such, but it looks pretty good). It understands SAME digital codes (some low-end models omit this), which can filter out alerts that don’t apply to where you live.

In a special election held on June 17, LTDO Treasurer Robert Sacks was elected to the position of Democratic Party of DuPage County (DPDC) Treasurer. He replaces Steve Schenk, who served in the position for the prior 2 1/2 years. In addition to taking on the Treasury responsibility at the county, Robert will continue to serve as DPDC bookkeeper, and LTDO Treasurer, as well as treasurer for the campaigns of Forest Preserve District President Daniel Hebreard, County Board member Lynn LaPlante, Gail Cabala-Lowry, and a member of the Lake County Board.