Recent News and Events

Holiday Dinner (2024)

The LWV Chapter held its annual holiday dinner on December 5 at Theo’s Metro in Kingston

Forums for State Elections (2024)

The LWV hosted two forums for Representatives to the State House:

119^th House District  (Mountain Top, Plymouth, Nanticoke)

A forum featuring Megan Kocher and Alec Ryncavage was held on Wednesday, October 23, at LCCC.  The forum was moderated by Dr. Christine Mellon of the Wilkes University Communications Department, and may be streamed on the Luzerne County YouTube channel.

   Citizens’ Voice article  (requires CV subscription)

120^th House District  (West Side: Exeter – Edwardsville)

A forum featuring Fern Leard and Brenda Pugh was held on on Thursday, October 17 at Wilkes University.  Dr. Michael R. Little, Chair of the King’s College English Department, moderated the forum, which may be streamed on the Luzerne County YouTube channel.

   Fox-56 story    Citizens’ Voice article  (requires CV subscription)

8^th US Congressional District  (Luzerne County east of Harvey’s Lake,
     plus all of Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, and Wayne Counties)

WVIA hosted a debate between Rob Bresnahan, Jr. and Matt Cartwright.  The debate may be streamed on the WVIA website.

Voter Registration Drives (2024)

2024 Annual Meeting

On June 6, 2024, Dr. Amy Widestrom, the Executive Director of the PA-LWV, shared her vision for the League at this year’s annual dinner meeting.  Maria Delgado-Santana, the PA-LWV President, and Brianna Rybka, the Voter Services Coordinator, also attended.  The meeting was held at The Café in Plains.

Forum: 120^th State House District  (West Side: Exeter – Edwardsville)

On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, the League hosted a forum for candidates in the primary elections for the 120^th District of the PA House.  Dr. Jane Elmes-Crahall moderated as Fern Leard, Lee Ann McDermott, Patrick Musto, and Brenda Pugh answered questions from the League and from the audience.

2024 Legislative Brunch

On Saturday February 24, the League held its first Legislative Brunch since COVID.  Eddie Day Pashinski and Jim Haddock answered questions from about 50 attendees, including about 10 students.  Dr. Christine Mellon, Director of Forensics at Wilkes University, chaired the event, which was held in the Miller Room, on the Wilkes campus.  It was aired on Channel 9 (SETV), and is now available for streaming on the Luzerne County YouTube channel.

2023 Holiday Dinner

On December 7, 2023, The LWV Chapter held its annual holiday dinner at Theo’s Metro, in Kingston.

League Legends Soirée

On 18 November 2023, the League and the Luzerne County Historical Society jointly hosted a reception and exhibition celebrating the League’s contribution to voter education and participation in the Wilkes Barre area.  Phyllis Mundy, who represented the region in the Pennsylvania House until 2014, reflected on the local League’s accomplishments.

County Council Forum

On 26 October 2023, the League held a forum for the candidates running for County Council, at Luzerne County Community College.  The event was moderated by Dr. Christine Mellon, Director of Forensics at Wilkes University.  It was aired on Channel 9 (SETV), and is now available for streaming on the Luzerne County YouTube channel.

Voter Registration Drives (2023)

2023 Annual Meeting

On June 1, 2023, Dr. Jean Wahl Harris, professor of political science in the Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service at the University of Scranton, led a discussion about voter engagement at the League’s annual dinner meeting.

2022 Holiday Dinner

On December 8, 2022, the LWV Chapter held its first annual holiday dinner since COVID, at The Café, in Plains.

Forums for State Elections (2022)

The Wilkes-Barre and the Lackawanna LWV chapters of the hosted four forums for State House and State Senate candidates; of these districts, two straddle Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.  The public was invited to these live events, which have been posted on the web.

118^th House District  (Pittston, Avoca, Bear Creek)

A debate featuring James Haddock and James May was held on on Wednesday, October 19 at the University of Scranton.  The event was hosted by the Lackawanna County chapter and The University of Scranton’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service (CEEPS).
  Times-Tribune article

119^th House District  (Mountain Top, Plymouth, Nanticoke)

A forum between Vito Malacari and Alec Ryncavage was held on Wednesday, October 19 at Luzerne County Community College.  Andy Mehalshick moderated the forum, which was recorded and aired by Service Electric TV.
  YouTube video
  Times Leader article

120^th House District  (West Side: Exeter – Edwardsville)

A forum between Fern Leard and Aaron Kaufer was held on Thursday, October 27 at the Gather, First Presbyterian Church, Wilkes Barre.  The forum was moderated by Dr. Mia Briceño, Professor of Communication Studies at Wilkes University, and aired by Service Electric TV (Channel 9).
  YouTube video

22^nd Senate District  (Pittston, Avoca)

A debate between Thomas Bassett and Martin Flynn was held on Thursday, October 27 at the University of Scranton.  The debate was hosted by the Lackawanna County chapter and The University of Scranton’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service (CEEPS).
 Times-Tribune article

2022 Annual Meeting

On June 16, 2022, Michael Susek, Director of the Luzerne County Election Bureau, spoke at the League’s annual dinner meeting.  His presentation focused on many of the progressive voting initiatives in Colorado, where he lived before returning to the Wyoming Valley.  The presentation was followed by a lively Q&A session.

Judicial Candidate Forum

On May 4, 2021, the League held a forum with the candidates for the county’s court of common pleas, in the primary election.  Jim Bobeck, Laura Dennis, Alexandra Kokura-Kravitz, and Tarah Toohil responded to questions from Judge Joseph Cosgrove.  The forum, held on Zoom, was hosted in conjunction with King’s and Misericordia Colleges.

State House Candidate Forum (120^th Distr.)

On October 13, 2020, the League hosted a spirited exchange between Joanna Bryn Smith and Aaron Kaufer, candidates for State Representative from the 120^th District.  Maureen Collins moderated the forum, which was held by Zoom. Over 90 people attended.   (Citizens’ Voice article)

Women Power the Vote:
  a joint commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the  
  19th Amendment

On Monday, 21 September 2020, the Chapter co-hosted the Peace and Justice Society’s Sabol Lecture, a conversation between Dr. Susan Poulson, Professor of History at The University of Scranton and author of Suffrage: The Epic Struggle for Women’s Right to Vote,  and Dr. Teri Finneman, Associate Professor of Journalism at the University of Kansas and author of Press Portrayals of Women Politicians: 1870s to 2000s.  The conversation was followed by discussion of the absentee ballot procedure and a short video highlighting the Luzerne County Historical Society's exhibit on women’s suffrage.

The Society thanks the McGowan Center at King’s College for providing the Zoom hosting for this event.

Videos from the event    Event Poster (pdf)

75th Anniversary Celebration

The WB section of the League of Women Voters hosted a reception on October 19, 2019, at Main Street Galleries, in Kingston, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the section.  Highlights included the presentation of proclamations from both Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski and the office of Sen. John Yudichak.  (Times-Leader Article)
 

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