A free Crisis Intervention Partners training is being offered April 12-13; deadline to sign up is March 30. To learn more about it click on either "Events" or "Citizen Education" in the red box to the left. The Door County League of Women Voters is one of the sponsors.
Door County Board of Supervisors
Districts 9&11 and 14
Election April 5, 2022
More Voter Forum Videos can be found at "Voter Service" tab on the left of this screen. Click on "Candidate Forums"
Door County Board of Supervisors
Southern Door Districts 2, 4 and 5
Election April 5, 2022
The Candidate Forums feature the County Board Candidates in the 7 contested districts.
Districts: 2,4,5, and 9,11,14
(the earlier District 20 primary forum also is still available)
Each of the contested districts (2,4,5,9,11,14, and 20) has two candidates running. After March 15, voters can go towww.myvote.wi.gov to see what names will be on the April 5 ballot for their address. This site also has information on registering to vote, absentee ballots and more.
The candidate forums are part of the Door County League of Women Voters’ mission and nonpartisan efforts to inform voters about candidates and elections in an unbiased manner.
How We Vote Might Change...
Watch this to Understand "Final Five Voting" Concept Being Discussed by State Legislators
Legislation has been introduced in both the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate to create a new way of electing our representatives at all levels of government using a “ranked voting” method. Sara Eskrich of Democracy Found calls it Final Five Voting: top five primary and instant runoff general elections.
But how, exactly, does Final Five Voting work, and would it really help to fix at least some of the divisive politics of elections?
According to Ms. Eskrich: “Democracy Found is a Wisconsin-based initiative committed to revitalizing democracy. By implementing a system wherein the top five candidates are selected from the primary ballot and instant runoff voting is used in the general election, we will ensure politicians are held accountable for delivering results. This, in turn, will renew each other’s belief that every vote counts and every voice is heard.”
Here's the video of Eskrich's discussion Feb. 24, 2022, with the Door County League of Women Voters and community members:
But how, exactly, does Final Five Voting work, and would it really help to fix at least some of the divisive politics of elections?
According to Ms. Eskrich: “Democracy Found is a Wisconsin-based initiative committed to revitalizing democracy. By implementing a system wherein the top five candidates are selected from the primary ballot and instant runoff voting is used in the general election, we will ensure politicians are held accountable for delivering results. This, in turn, will renew each other’s belief that every vote counts and every voice is heard.”
Here's the video of Eskrich's discussion Feb. 24, 2022, with the Door County League of Women Voters and community members:
Here's how you can make an impact in Door County
Right now, across Door County, local decisions are being made about how to spend the sizable pots of money from the American Resource Plan Act (ARPA).
These are significant sums of money made available to counties, cities, villages, towns and school board to mitigate the damages to their communities caused by the Covid pandemic. To ensure that this once-in-a-generation opportunity is not squandered, the Door County League of Women Voters wants this money to be spent wisely.
We interviewed Door County officials and community organizers to learn more and we share their views with you. After you watch this, please, we ask you to do 2 things:
1. Encourage the County Board to support and adopt the proposals on four issues – sober living/crisis diversion facility, broadband, childcare, and housing.
2. Also encourage your local school board, and the members of your municipality – your city council, or village or town board, that received additional ARPA funding, to support broadband development in your community.
These are the speakers and their topic:
:04 Broadband Services: Ken Pabich, County Administrator
:10 Sober-living/crisis diversion facility proposal: Director of Health & Human Services Joe Krebsbach
:17 Childcare Initiatives: Deputy Director of Health & Human Services Cori McFarland, and Director of United Way of DC Amy Kohnle
:31 Affordable Housing Revolving Loan Fund: Land Use Services Director Mariah Goode and Director of DC Community Foundation Bret Bicoy
:42 Mosaic Ventures Apartment Project – The Shoals: Land Use Services Director Mariah Goode and Marissa Downs, Developer
Here is the interview:
Watch this...
Have you heard about STRIDE? Watch the video about how Door County is helping our youth to access mental health services
The Door County Collaborative School Mental Health Project is a program of United Way which was created in 2018 to remove barriers for accessing quality mental health care for Door County youth. The collaborative offers on-site mental health services in all five Door County school districts.
The Door County League of Women Voters co-sponsored with United Way to increase community awareness of this valuable resource for our children with a program titled STRIDE: Strengthening, Trust, Resilience, Instilling Independence, Discovering Empowerment. Speakers included Cami Peggar, Stride Coordinator from United Way; Bibs Maloney, Mental Health Navigator, United Way; Jodi Gonzales, Stride Creative Provider, Jodi Rose Studios; and Ally Bretl, Door County Medical Center.
Two years ago, the League of Women Voters of Door County completed a local, three year study on mental health and substance use. The study identified local resources and unmet needs in the county. Part of the follow up work for the study is to educate the public about local mental health resources and advocate for filling unmet needs.
The Door County League of Women Voters co-sponsored with United Way to increase community awareness of this valuable resource for our children with a program titled STRIDE: Strengthening, Trust, Resilience, Instilling Independence, Discovering Empowerment. Speakers included Cami Peggar, Stride Coordinator from United Way; Bibs Maloney, Mental Health Navigator, United Way; Jodi Gonzales, Stride Creative Provider, Jodi Rose Studios; and Ally Bretl, Door County Medical Center.
Two years ago, the League of Women Voters of Door County completed a local, three year study on mental health and substance use. The study identified local resources and unmet needs in the county. Part of the follow up work for the study is to educate the public about local mental health resources and advocate for filling unmet needs.
Here's the link to watch the LWVDC Candidate Forum for District 20 County Board of Supervisors:
LWVDC District 20 County Board of Supervisors Candidate Forum Link
Posted February 5, 2022
LWVDC District 20 County Board of Supervisors Candidate Forum Link
Posted February 5, 2022
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy
League of Women Voters of Door County
LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy.
There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origin, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status, language, accent, ability status, mental health, educational level or background, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role function, thinking style, personality type, physical appearance, political perspective or affiliation and/or any other characteristic that can be identified as recognizing or illustrating diversity.
The Door County Treatment Court, which was the topic of Eileen Bohn Speaker Series Oct. 30, is on YouTube! Click on the arrow to watch:
Forum to discuss benefits & impact of Door County Treatment Court
EGG HARBOR - Treatment courts are a growing trend across the nation as an alternative to incarceration for some crimes. Recently Door County established a Treatment Court and is accepting defendants into the new program.
The new Door County Treatment Court is the focus of the League of Women Voters of Door County Eileen Bohn Speaker Series, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 30 at the Donald and Carol Kress Pavilion, Egg Harbor.
The League of Women Voters fully supports the use of Treatment Courts as important tools in responding to citizens struggling with mental illness and substance use issues, said Pat Scieszinski, Chair of the League of Women Voters of Door County, (LWVDC).
"The League's work includes providing community education by showcasing this new community program," Scieszinski said.
For about five years, the LWVDC interviewed community and government leaders, and gathered data to understand how Door County responds to mental health and substance use needs of its citizens. During interviews with Door County Circuit Court Judges D. Todd Ehlers and David Weber, the judges discussed plans for a Treatment Court.
The forum begins with a panel featuring Weber, Door County District Attorney Colleen Nordin and Door County Department of Health & Human Services Director Joe Krebsbach. The panel will focus on the nature and purposes of treatment courts, the reasons a treatment court was established in Door County, and the current status and challenges facing the court.
Following the panel discussion, a graduate of the Winnebago County Treatment Court will discuss her experience. Serah Muinde graduated in 2010 and credits the Treatment Court with her success staying "clean and sober" from 2008-2019 when she also received her Master's in Social Work and implemented a mentor program for the Winnebago County Drug Court. Currently, Muinde is not working in the treatment & addiction field. She will discuss her struggles and her successes, and the impact drug court has on her life path.
The event includes a question and answer period and refreshments.
Eileen Bohn was a long-time member of the LWVDC and served as president. She was a consistent voice of reason, calm and wisdom that could be called upon by current leaders for her flawless judgement and discretion, Scieszinski said. Following her death in 2016, the Bohn family established a fund for the LWVDC to bring quality speakers to the county each year to speak on issues of importance to the League.
EGG HARBOR - Treatment courts are a growing trend across the nation as an alternative to incarceration for some crimes. Recently Door County established a Treatment Court and is accepting defendants into the new program.
The new Door County Treatment Court is the focus of the League of Women Voters of Door County Eileen Bohn Speaker Series, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 30 at the Donald and Carol Kress Pavilion, Egg Harbor.
The League of Women Voters fully supports the use of Treatment Courts as important tools in responding to citizens struggling with mental illness and substance use issues, said Pat Scieszinski, Chair of the League of Women Voters of Door County, (LWVDC).
"The League's work includes providing community education by showcasing this new community program," Scieszinski said.
For about five years, the LWVDC interviewed community and government leaders, and gathered data to understand how Door County responds to mental health and substance use needs of its citizens. During interviews with Door County Circuit Court Judges D. Todd Ehlers and David Weber, the judges discussed plans for a Treatment Court.
The forum begins with a panel featuring Weber, Door County District Attorney Colleen Nordin and Door County Department of Health & Human Services Director Joe Krebsbach. The panel will focus on the nature and purposes of treatment courts, the reasons a treatment court was established in Door County, and the current status and challenges facing the court.
Following the panel discussion, a graduate of the Winnebago County Treatment Court will discuss her experience. Serah Muinde graduated in 2010 and credits the Treatment Court with her success staying "clean and sober" from 2008-2019 when she also received her Master's in Social Work and implemented a mentor program for the Winnebago County Drug Court. Currently, Muinde is not working in the treatment & addiction field. She will discuss her struggles and her successes, and the impact drug court has on her life path.
The event includes a question and answer period and refreshments.
Eileen Bohn was a long-time member of the LWVDC and served as president. She was a consistent voice of reason, calm and wisdom that could be called upon by current leaders for her flawless judgement and discretion, Scieszinski said. Following her death in 2016, the Bohn family established a fund for the LWVDC to bring quality speakers to the county each year to speak on issues of importance to the League.
2021 Car Parade Success!!!
Thanks to everyone who helped organize and participate, our Women's Equality Day Parade Aug. 26 through downtown Sturgeon Bay was uplifting and joyous. Member Ann Schranz made videos of the parade and celebration in Martin Park. Click the arrow in the middle of the photo to watch. Enjoy!
Follow the League of Women Voters of Door County on Facebook and Instagram to see more photos/ video from the parade and to learn about LWVDoorCounty activities.
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The 2021-2022 Leadership Team for League of Women Voters of Door County
Here's the new team: From left, Secretary Heidi Ling, Observer Corps Coordinator Barb Graul, Membership Coordinator Susan Kohout, Voter Service Coordinator General & Registration Kathleen Braswell, Chair Pat Scieszinski, Voter Service Coordinator Candidate Forums Dan Powers, Treasurer Ann Morgan, Public Relations Coordinator Liz Welter, Program Coordinator Sandy Brown and Action Coordinator Karen Studebaker.
STURGEON BAY - Although there are no elections in November, the League of Women Voters of Door County doesn't slow down. The League's new Leadership Team met July 13 and is planning a follow-up to last year's popular car parade with another one set for Aug. 26 to celebrate Women's Equality Day. Another event planned is the Eileen Bohn Speaker Series set for Oct. 30 and activities to promote county programs designed to support people and families dealing with mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
More information will be posted to this website as it becomes available.
STURGEON BAY - Although there are no elections in November, the League of Women Voters of Door County doesn't slow down. The League's new Leadership Team met July 13 and is planning a follow-up to last year's popular car parade with another one set for Aug. 26 to celebrate Women's Equality Day. Another event planned is the Eileen Bohn Speaker Series set for Oct. 30 and activities to promote county programs designed to support people and families dealing with mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
More information will be posted to this website as it becomes available.
Popular Car Parade is Back!
Women’s Equality Day Parade 2021 - Back by Popular Demand!
A year ago amidst the pandemic, Leagues all over the country celebrated the 100th anniversary of ratification of the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote.
On August 18th, 1910, the 19th amendment was ratified by Tennessee. On August 26th, "Women's Equality Day", the amendment was certified and adopted as the law of the land. In 1920, suffragists held “car parades” and church bells rang at noon that day across the country. In pandemic 2020, all our usual local parades were cancelled but LWVUS encouraged us to still celebrate this historic event so important to women; so we did--- ringing bells at noon with lines of cars parading through Sturgeon Bay.
It was so much fun last year that we have decided to do it again this year! If you can be available at 11:30 - 1:00 on Thursday, August 26, decorate your car with "Votes for Women" signs, dig out an outrageously large hat to wear while you drive your car, and get ready to honk and shout!
The "car parade" will be open to anyone, Leaguers and non-Leaguers alike. Recruit your friends! The more cars for the parade, the merrier. You could dress up as your favorite suffragist. Be as creative as you like!!
We’ll line our cars up north of Jefferson and Third Avenue, and start right at noon with the clock tower bell downtown ringing. We'll take our car parade down third, turn right at Michigan St., cross the bridge, go up Madison to the old school, go around the block, and come back over the Oregon St. bridge. The parade will end at Martin Park on Third Avenue.
This year we can gather at the park following the parade for refreshments. It will be lots of fun-and an uplifting moment at a time we still really need something to cheer about. So save the date and plan your decorated car!
Annual Meeting was May 22
Our Annual Meeting was held via Zoom May 22, which included guest speaker Meagan Wolfe, Administrator Wisconsin Elections Commission. You can watch her presentation about "How Wisconsin Delivers Secure Elections" here:
Meet Karen Ebbeson --
Door County League member for more than 50 years!!!
Karen shares some amusing stories and fascinating history about how things have changed, and not changed, during her 50+ years with the League.
Door County League member for more than 50 years!!!
Karen shares some amusing stories and fascinating history about how things have changed, and not changed, during her 50+ years with the League.
Watch the Door County Drug Treatment Court discussion held March 13:
Virtual discussion about Door County Treatment Court
The discussion includes the perspective from law enforcement about the role and value of the Door County Treatment Court.
Treatment courts have proliferated in this state and in this country over the last 20 years as an alternative to incarceration for certain criminal defendants, said Door County Judge David Weber.
Recently, Door County began accepting defendants into its newly-established treatment court.
The panel includes David L. Weber, Door County Circuit Court Judge, Branch II; Colleen Nordin, Door County District Attorney; Tammy Sternard, Door County Sheriff; and Kelsey Christensen, Court Services and Treatment Court Coordinator.
The discussion centered on the nature and purposes of treatment courts; the reasons why a treatment court was established in Door County; the three-year process of establishing the treatment court here; and the current status of the treatment court.
It is anticipated that a presentation will be made later in the year which will include other perspectives, including those of a treatment provider and possibly a past participant in a treatment court.
The discussion includes the perspective from law enforcement about the role and value of the Door County Treatment Court.
Treatment courts have proliferated in this state and in this country over the last 20 years as an alternative to incarceration for certain criminal defendants, said Door County Judge David Weber.
Recently, Door County began accepting defendants into its newly-established treatment court.
The panel includes David L. Weber, Door County Circuit Court Judge, Branch II; Colleen Nordin, Door County District Attorney; Tammy Sternard, Door County Sheriff; and Kelsey Christensen, Court Services and Treatment Court Coordinator.
The discussion centered on the nature and purposes of treatment courts; the reasons why a treatment court was established in Door County; the three-year process of establishing the treatment court here; and the current status of the treatment court.
It is anticipated that a presentation will be made later in the year which will include other perspectives, including those of a treatment provider and possibly a past participant in a treatment court.
2021 Looks to be a Year of Advocacy for Efforts to Support County’s Mental Health/Substance Use Needs
Based on a study completed in 2020 to evaluate Door County resources for community members with mental health and/or substance issues, a Mental Health/Substance Use Steering Committee was formed. The committee is reaching out to find additional people to join future advocacy efforts.
Information about the study, along with a video, is on this website. To access, scroll down this page to the headline: "Want to know more..."
The goal of the study was to answer these 2 questions:
How does the Door County community address the issues of mental health and substance use?
How do we help citizens dealing with these issues cope and function in our community?
Three years later this group believes they have a working understanding of the systems and challenges that citizens face when they must deal with issues of mental health and substance use in Door County. The committee wants to use that knowledge to look for ways to support and improve these systems and hopefully to lessen the challenges for affected members of our community. In other words, THEY WANT TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY!
Influencing public policy is a crucial part of the mission of the League of Women Voters who have been doing it for 100 years!
This work is the flip side of the coin of democracy. The election is only the first half of the story. If citizens ignore the second half of the process - advocating for issues and communicating with their elected representatives - they will not get the results they desire for their communities. It really is as simple as that.
We hope you will join us -- the more people working, the more we can accomplish!
Here's a podcast that explains how votes are counted in Wisconsin
Door County Clerk Jill Lau explains the process in this podcast courtesy of Door County Daily News from November, 2019. Click on the link that will take you to the site where the podcast is posted: https://doorcountydailynews.com/news/539263
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Want to know more about the work of LWVDC members to investigate mental health and substance abuse issues in Door County? Click on the video and learn more.
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New Report by LWVDC Investigates Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues
How does the Door County community address the issues of mental health and substance abuse?
How do we help citizens dealing with these issues cope and function in our community?
The League's Mental Health/Substance Use Study Committee has been studying these two questions for the past 2 ½ years and has released its report. It is structured to give an overview and summary of what has been learned.
Please check it out and watch for information on how League plans to use the information learned to work to support and improve these systems. It hopes to help lessen the challenges and improve the outcomes for affected members of our community.
How does the Door County community address the issues of mental health and substance abuse?
How do we help citizens dealing with these issues cope and function in our community?
The League's Mental Health/Substance Use Study Committee has been studying these two questions for the past 2 ½ years and has released its report. It is structured to give an overview and summary of what has been learned.
Please check it out and watch for information on how League plans to use the information learned to work to support and improve these systems. It hopes to help lessen the challenges and improve the outcomes for affected members of our community.
Nonpartisan Political Organization
The League of Women Voters, a grassroots nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose political parties or candidates.
