At its annual meeting last Sunday, the Loudoun County League of Women Voters re-elected Betsy Mayr for her second term as president.
The uncontested election was a marked change from last year, when Jack Shockey, president of pro-development group Citizens for Property Rights unexpectedly challenged Mayr for the presidency.
Mayr alluded to last year's surprise only obliquely. "I think we have a good turnout. It's not as large as last year," she said to laughs in the audience.
Jean Brown, owner of a bed and breakfast and farm near Lincoln, was elected first vice president. Kristen Kalina, an attorney, was re-elected as secretary.
Barbara Bearman, Denise Donnelly and Marla McIntyre were elected to the board of directors, while Gem Bingol, Marlene Barney and Brenda Davis were elected to the nominating committee.
None of the elections were contested.
The League of Women Voters' largest project this year is one commissioned by Loudoun County Chairman Scott York (I-At Large). Last fall, York asked the league to investigate the potential of instituting staggered terms and adding a police departments.
Currently, supervisors have concurrent terms and the Sheriff is an elected position. A police chief is appointed. Sheriff Stephen Simpson has opposed the change, which would reduce the Sheriff’s Office duties to running courts and jails. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is the largest full-service sheriff’s office in the state.
The League of Women Voters will have a report ready for the Board of Supervisors later this year.
Visit www.loudoun.va.lwvnet.org.
— Suzannah Evans