League of Women Voters talks democracy at the local level

Otsego County Board of Representative members Adrienne Martini and Meg Kennedy will speak about they decided to run for office and how individuals can improve local democracy at an April 21 event sponsored by the League of Women Voters, Oneonta Area and Cooperstown Area. The free forum begins at 7 p.m. at the Foothills Performing Arts Center Atrium in Oneonta.

Meg Kennedy, a Conservative, represents Otsego County District 5 which includes Milford, Hartwick, and New Lisbon. She works in her family business ARK Floral and is part of the leadership committees of both the Oneonta and Cooperstown Farmers’ Markets. She also serves on the Town of Hartwick Planning Board. Adrienne Martini, a Democrat, represents Otsego County District 12, which includes Oneonta City Wards 3 and 4. She is an award-winning journalist and author of three books, including Somebody’s Gotta Do It-Why Cursing at the News Won’t Save the Nation, But Your Name on a Local Ballot Can.

Along with the forum, participants can find out about the work of the League of Women Voters, which includes Voter Registration; Vote411, a free online resource to find out about candidates running for office, organizing candidate forums, youth engagement, efforts to protect the environment, and the Leagues’ advocacy work.

League Members will be on hand to explain why they joined the League and the benefits of membership. Anyone who joins the League of Women Voters of the Oneonta Area (which is open to all) by April 30 will receive discounted membership fees. In addition, those joining the Oneonta League before the end of the evening will be entered into a drawing for the $100 gift card to The Green Toad Bookstore. Those mailing in the membership form, postmarked by April 30, will be entered into a $50 gift card drawing.