Public Forum Recordings
All recordings can we watched on YouTube from the link in each descripton. Recordings are listed in order of presentation date, the most recent on top.
Why Effective Septic Systems Matter
Did you know that Michigan is the only state without statewide regulations to prevent septic systems frompolluting our waters? Anna McGlashen (Tip of Mitt Watershed Council) and Daniel Thorell (Health Dept. of Northwest Michigan), both experts in septic regulation and the health implications of septic pollution, will provide information on Michigan’s septic situation and current efforts to reduce septic system pollution. Watch forum here>>
Surviving Near the Poverty Line in Northern Michigan
Rebeca Otto, Director of Regional Community Impact in the CharEm Region for United Way will present local data from the *ALICE report and Gail Kloss, Executive Director of The Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan, will give us a picture of the lived experience of women living in near poverty in our area, based on their service trends. Watch forum here>>
*Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. Report prepared by the United WayWhatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Mental Health Issues and Services in Northern Michigan
Nearly one in five U.S. adults has a mental illness. Where do people in Northern Michigan go for assistance with mental and behavioral health needs? Police officers often encounter individuals affected by mental illness and/or related substance abuse issues; what are their options for managing the situation? Watch our recent public forum on Mental Health Issues and Services in Northern Michigan. Panelists includeTim Cook, Cheboygan County Sheriff; Amy Christie, Chief Clinical Officer of North Country Community Mental Health; Matt Leirstein, Emmet County Undersheriff;and Dr. Mathew McKenna, Medical Director of the McLaren Northern Behavioral Health Unit. Watch forum here>>
The Perils of Unregulated Money in Politics
Foreign money and a handful of ultra-wealthy individuals have increasing influence in American politics and government policies. Large financial donations buy significant favor from politicians, leaving the voices of ordinary citizens at a disadvantage.
Presenters include Nick Pigeon, Executive Director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, who will disclose some of the more egregious abuses of dark money in our state. Susan Beckett LWVNLM member and Hank Mayers, President of Michiganders for Fair and Transparent Elections, will elaborate on the approaches that public groups are each taking to stem the flow of unregulated money in our elections. Watch forum here>>
Rain Gardens - How and Why
Learn about the benefits of a rain garden and how to make one in your own yard. Northern Michigan experts and a local homeowner provide information on rain gardens contributions to environmental health and how to plan one! Click here for information on a self-guided tour of Rain Gardens in Petoskey. Watch forum here>>
Take a self-guided tour of rain gardens in our area. TOUR MAP
Women History Presentation and Discussion
At our member’s only meeting, the LWVNLM’s Equal Rights Committee presented a video on women’s history, followed by group discussion. Watch the women’s history video here>>
Emmet County Housing Issues
Learn about the challenges and opportunities for meeting the need for more full-time residential housing in Northern Michigan from expert panelists Andrea Jacobs, Housing North’s Emmet County Housing Ready Director, Sarah Ulrich, Executive Director of the Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity, and Scott Smith, retiring chair of the Little Traverse Bay Housing Partnership. Watch forum here>>
Mysteries Behind Prescription Drug Pricing
Ever wonder why you pay one price for a medication and your neighbor pays another, or why pharmacies differ greatly in price for the same drug? Two Michigan pharmacists will help unravel the complexities and influences on prescription drug pricing and medication availability for consumers. Greg Wellman, PhD, Pharm.D, Ferris State University, and Tom Burns, Pharm.D of Spartan-Nash Pharmacy will also discuss the new role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers and the Inflation Reduction Act legislation that affects Medicare negotiations for medication pricing. Watch forum here>>
Indian Boarding Schools: The System of "Civilizing" Indigenous Children
Harbor Springs was the site of one of the more than 350 government-funded, and often church-run, Indian Boarding schools across the US in the 19th and 20th century. The Holy Childhood of Jesus Indian boarding school in Harbor Springs was one of the last to close its doors in the country in 1983. This presentation will discuss the creation of the school system and the impacts it has had on tribal communities. Learn about this part of our local history with speaker Eric Hemenway, Director of Archives, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. Watch forum here>>
Book Banning, Democracy and the First Amendment
View an informational presentation on Book Banning, the First and Democracy. Expert speakers Charles McCaffery, NCMC History Professor, and Valerie Meyerson, Director of the Petoskey District Library, discussed book banning in history, how book censorship relates to democracy and the first amendment, and national and local trends. Watch forum here>>
Firearm Injury Prevention LWVNLM Forum
Gun violence is the leading cause of premature death in the US and is a major public health concern. Jessica Roche, from the University of Michigan Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention, covers the scope of gun violence injury and death in the US and in Michigan. She offers evidence based strategies to reduce firearm injury and heath. Watch forum here>>
Pesticide Use and Integrated Pest Management in our Community
An expert panel discusses pesticides use on local public lands and integrated pest management strategies to reduce health and environmental impacts. Watch forum here>>
The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Northern Michigan
Learn from a panel of local experts about the public health, hospital, employer and day care impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Watch forum here>>
Ask the Clerks How Voting Works!
What happens to my ballot after I vote in Michigan? What are the checks and balances to keep my ballot safe and secure? Can I vote twice? The experts answer questions about the voting process. Get the facts! Watch forum here>>
Dark Money in Michigan Politics
Simon D.Schuster, executive Director of Michigan Campaign Finance Network will recap the 2020 election, which shattered records as the most expensive in Michigan’s history. Mr. Schuster will provide an overview of money’s growing role in our political system and offer information as to how everyday people can hold their elected officials accountable. Watch forum here>>
County Redistricting with Mark Brewer
How will your local county lines get drawn and who draws them? Will the public have time to study the maps and make comments? Get the answers to these questions and more at the League's County Redistricting Forum (virtual) on Wednesday evening, May 13th at 7 p.m. Mark Brewer, Attorney and Political Consultant, will lead the discussion about what to expect and how you can get involved in redrawing the lines for our counties in Northern Michigan, Copper Country, Marquette, Delta County, and the Eastern Upper Peninsula. A lot of fascinating information! Great questions posed by the audience! If you're interested in the process of determining the county commissioner districts in your county, this video is for you! Watch forum here>>
Climate Change and Health: Dr. Lisa Del Buono
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, mainly caused by human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels. Watch forum here>>
LTBB Odawa Women in History
Eric Hemingway, archivist with the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa, talks about areas women in Odawa history. Watch forum here>>