Community Services continued its work on all the League’s activities that extend to the greater Westport community. In the fall we presented our middle school civics program to twenty sections of seventh graders, and The Power of One, our high school civics program to ten American Government classes at Staples High School. At the time of this writing we are working on organizing the first grade recycling program (now in its thirteenth year), and will present the Power of One to second semester American Government students shortly before Annual Meeting.
     At the suggestion of League member Harold Levine, we hosted a community meeting entitled the Reawakening of Bridgeport in November at Toquet Hall. We heard from a panel of three speakers — Mayor John Fabrizi, Superintendent of schools John Ramos and Director of Planning and Economic Development Nancy Hadley — and then had a lively question and answer period. Harold
Levine moderated this well-attended event.
     This year we produced and printed our biannual publication Know Your Town and mailed it to every household in Westport, which we know is much appreciated by the community. This was an enormous undertaking, accomplished by a small committee including Laura Gallagher, Jackie Gordon and Karen Curtis. Our other activities include administering the League’s contribution to the Staples Tuition Grants Committee, providing ongoing publicity for the League and organizing our participation in the Memorial Day Parade.
Karen Curtis and Barbara La Joie, Community Relations Vice Presidents

Voter Services reached out to the community in several ways to promote citizen education and participation in the electoral process. The Voters Guide was published in conjunction with the Minuteman Newspaper and mailed to subscribers prior to Election Day. Supplemental copies were also found at several sites in town, including Westport Town Hall and The Westport Public Library.
     On three consecutive Sundays in October of 2005, Voter Services held candidates forums for First Selectman, Board of Finance, Board of Education, Board of Assessment Appeals, and Planning and Zoning. The forum for First Selectman drew a very large audience while the others were fairly well attended. This year the forums took place at the Town Hall Auditorium, which afforded the LWV the opportunity to have the events broadcasted on public access television. The PTA Council of Westport, the Y’s Men, and the Y’s Women co-sponsored these events.
     Immediately prior to Election Day, Voter Services assisted the Registrar of Voters in collecting absentee ballots from patients at the Westport Healthcare Center. On Election Day, Girl Scout troops from Westport participated in a community service project with the LWV by handing out “I Voted” stickers to voters exiting the polling places. This “Get Out the Vote” campaign returned due to
popular demand for the stickers by Westport voters.
     The annual voter registration drives for newly eligible voters took place in May, one day at Staples High School and another at Greens Farms Academy. Voter Services worked in conjunction with the Registrar of Voters on these events, which were both successful.
Lynn Crager and Sally Galan, Vice Presidents for Voter Services

Program
    Education Study: The Education Study attempted to investigate the effects of standardized/high stakes testing on teaching, curriculum development, learning, scheduling and funding. It concluded this year without resulting in any recommendations.
    Study of Town Budget: The Budget Study Committee has been meeting since September to study the
budget process for Town departments, including the education department. It’s in the process of interviewing the First Selectman and heads of selected boards, commissions and departments. This study will continue for another year.
   State Concurrences: The Connecticut LWV presented two concurrences to its members for vote this year: later school start times and the abolition of the death penalty in Connecticut. Our local League held meetings to educate our members on these issues.
   National Program Planning: At our National Program Planning meeting in February, LWV Westport decided to propose that LWVUS review its existing Energy position's support for "policies that limit reliance on nuclear fission." With safer nuclear technologies being developed, the National League's position may be too restrictive. Our League also decided to identify the National League's Arms Control position as an area of priority.
   Local Program Planning: Our annual Local Program Planning meeting took place in March and proposed the retention of all positions, continuation of the Budget Study into its second year, and more action on existing positions. Members at the meeting also proposed substantive changes to three positions.
Advocacy
   Observer Corps: Under the leadership of Rose Ann Preston, the members of the Observer Corps followed Town board, commission and committee meetings throughout the year. Thanks to all who have participated this year. We now have an observer who is following the YMCA relocation issue throughout the Town boards and commissions.
   Action Committee: This committee, led by Ann Gill, follows up on issues that the Observer Corps identifies as areas of concern including the status of the town’s ethics committee, costs of the sewage treatment plant upgrade, issues of audibility and visibility at town meetings, and the Town’s seeking rights of first refusal for privately owned open space.
   Pie and Politics: Our legislative interview was held in the evening this year, an informal talk over coffee and pie, with all five Westport and Weston state representatives in attendance: Senators Judith Freedman and John McKinney, and Representatives Joe Mioli, John Stripp and Cathy Tymniak. We had a fascinating discussion of campaign finance reform, the Broadwater project (the liquefied natural gas storage facility proposed for Long Island Sound), transportation and the bottle bill.
Eileen Flug and Pippa Bell Ader, Program/Advocacy