The Brown County Voter October 2025
The League of Women Voters of Brown County is a nonpartisan civic organization that encourages informed and active participation in government.
The League works to increase understanding of major public policy issues through education and advocacy. Membership is open to all regardless of gender.
We never support or oppose any political party or candidate.
Educate • Advocate • Empower • Reform | Just a Note
By Shari Frank, LWVBC President
The theme of the LWVBC Annual meeting this year continues: Celebrating Community! Together we’re stronger. Together we can work toward the community we want to be. LWVUS joined No Kings 2 as an official national partner on Saturday, October 18 stating “On this day of mobilization LWV will join in solidarity with partners and stand up against hate and authoritarianism.” https://www.nokings.org/partners.
No Thrones, No Crowns, No Kings. On October 18th, an estimated 7-8 million people joined together in local rallies across the nation, celebrating our beliefs in the principles of a constitutional democracy, and opposing actions that weaken what should be equal branches of government.
Some of the current administrative actions are common tactics of authoritarians seeking power including:
- Disinformation and scapegoating vulnerable communities, fostering ‘us’ against ‘them’, attempting to turn the many against the few.
- Quashing dissent, politicizing independent institutions.
- Suppressing votes, trying to invalidate elections.
- Inflaming violence to stoke fear, division, and feelings of insecurity
(Source: https://protectdemocracy.org/authoritarian-threat-response/)
“If you are worried about exercising your free speech and not using it, you’ve already lost it.” Heather Cox Richardson, American Historian.
Having public conversations is essential to a healthy democracy. Speaking up with kindness. Advocating nonviolence. Rallying together to stand up for democracy. It takes all of us to speak up and act to protect and strengthen our democracy.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Besides showing up for events, we also need to speak up against policies that add barriers to voting and impact our communities. See upcoming events in this newsletter, along with opportunities to learn and to take action.
- Speak against the push to redistrict Indiana. Although about 40% to 46% of Hoosiers vote Democratic, 78% of the 9 Indiana Congressional districts are currently skewed to ensure Republican candidates win. If districts are further gerrymandered, it might be possible to ensure 100% of districts skew in favor of Republicans by dividing counties, and communities to "crack" their vote. But LWV supports fair redistricting by citizen redistricting commissions with criteria to develop competitive districts. Voters should choose our legislators – not the other way around.
- Please contact your legislators and the governor to let them know you oppose mid-cycle redistricting. Republican Gov. Mike Braun called for the General Assembly to convene Nov. 3 for the special session. It’s unclear whether enough of the GOP majority Senate will back new maps.
AP news of Braun special session
- Attend Sessions on Redistricting with ReCenter Indiana, 6:30pm : 10/30, 11/6 and 11/13 Learn more and pick a session
- On the local level,
|  |  | | ReCenter Indiana
ReCenter Indiana invites community to be heard at listening sessions, as political pressure to redistrict escalates
Learn how mid-decade redistricting in Indiana could impact your vote — and your community, featuring Dr. Laura Merrifield Wilson, associate professor of political science at the University of Indianapolis.
Dr. Merrifield Wilson will explain the timely topic of mid-decade Congressional redistricting —what it means, why it’s important, and how it could affect voters across Indiana. | | |
 | BROWN COUNTY VOTE CENTERS
The Brown County Vote Center Plan has been approved by:
- Brown County Election Board (unanimous)
- Brown County Commissioners (unanimous)
- Brown County Council (unanimous)
The plan has been submitted to the Indiana Election Division. Implementation is planned in the 2026 elections.
For More Information
-Vote Center Draft -https://www.browncounty-in.gov/268/Elections
-See recordings of Commissioner meeting 10/15/25, Council meeting 4/21/25 https://www.youtube.com/@BCG-INMeetings. |  | | Plastics: The Hidden Threat
By Christy A. Crandall, Ph.D.
Over 7 billion tons of plastic waste litter our planet today. Currently, only 5-6 percent of plastic waste is recycled in the USA. If plastic use continues to increase at the current rate, plastic wastes are expected to exceed 20 billion tons by 2050. At that point, there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans!
Macro- (>5 mm), micro- (0.001 to 5 mm), and nano- (less than 1 micrometer) plastic pieces and particles are found everywhere on earth: in the Stratosphere, at the top of Mt. Everest, and at the bottom of the Marianas Trench. Plastic particles are found in our brains, livers, fat, blood, and feces. In fact, we carry up to 7 grams in our brains, an increase of 50 percent since 2017.
Plastic is used in a broad array of products including deodorants, sunscreens, scrubs, toothpaste, lipstick, eye shadow, shaving cream, and more. It’s also used to make clothing, carpeting, and furniture, food, drink and product containers, medical supplies, building and packing materials, appliances, automobiles parts, camping equipment, and more.
Plastic wastes take over 100 years to breakdown and degrade. As they break down they release toxic substances into our air, water, and soil such as Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates (1-3 BPA), and PFAS (polyflourylakyl). BPA and Phthalates are probable endocrine disruptors and PFAS is a known carcinogin. Plastic waste is increasing every year and is found in our air, oceans, atmosphere, groundwater, streams, lakes, rivers, ponds, soils, and beaches.
We inhale plastic particles everytime we breathe; we ingest micro- and nanoplastics in water, milk, juice, soda, and other drinks contained in plastic; researchers estimate that plastic water bottles contain up to 250,000 micro- and nanoplastic particles. We ingest BPA and phthalates when we eat food stored or wrapped in plastic and from products contained in plastic-lined cans or heated in a microwave oven.
Plastic particles and chemicals are associated with kidney and testicular cancer, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, circulatory events, blood pressure issues, and neural misfirings in the brain, and are suspected in contributing to premature births. BPA and phthalates are linked to a variety of fertility problems, such as decreasing average human male sperm counts, immune system issues, malignancies, and disabilities. Micro- and nanoplastic particles are found in mother’s milk, and they pass through the placental barrier and enter new-born babies’ blood, increasing the risks of plastic accumulation in babies’ brains and beyond.
In addition, plastic production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions during its manufacture and breakdown, because it is made from fossil fuels. | | So, what can we do?
- Bring your own:
- reusable to-go containers and utensils.
- canvas grocery bags.
- stainless steel or glass drink bottles.
- Recycle your plastic waste.
- Find alternatives such as glass, paper, wood, aluminum, stainless steel.
- Buy clothes made from natural fibers, such as cotton, silk, wool, hemp, and rayon.
- Buy second hand clothes; new polyester clothes shed micro-, and nanoplastic when washed that end up in our waters.
- Join organizations that pick-up litter along roadways and streams.
- Buy make-up and cosmetics that don’t contain plastics and aren’t contained in plastic such as bar soap, shampoo and conditioners.
- Buy powder detergents and other products in cardboard boxes instead of liquid products.
- Buy bulk products and transport in reuseable cloth or paper bags.
- Encourage restaurant owners to use alternatives to plastic and styrofoam food containers and tableware.
- Stop buying single use bottled water. Tap water must meet drinking water standards, bottled water does not.
- Never microwave your food in a plastic container.
Promote policies that help to:
- Develop plastic alternatives for consumer and manufacturing product containment.
- Encourage and buy recycled plastic products from manufacturers and retailers.
- Support limiting and curtailing plastic production.
Every small action we take can help reduce the impacts of plastic on our health and the health of our planet and for our children and grandchildren.
Christy is a hydrogeologist, water quality specialist, and a Brown County native, now returned after retirement. She is a member of the League of Women Voters, Friends of Lake Monroe and serves on the Utility Board and Health Department Board.
References:
1. Zoom seminar, 09/27/2025, “Beyond the Bend: Rethinking and Addressing Plastic Wastes” offered by the Hoosier Environmental Council on 9/27/25.(https://youtu.be/ukmyGhdO8bY?si=wvNVs_VrmoSoAHLK ).
2, Commentary in The American Journal of Medicine, February 2023, Vol 136, No 2, pp. 123-124: Elsevier Inc. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2022.07.003).
| | | FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
LWVIN Presidents’ Day 2025.
The Indiana State League’s “Presidents’ Day” is always incredibly informative with excellent speakers. This year was no different.
LWVIN President’s Day 10/4/25 Info available:
- Citizens Handbook Powerpoint View PDF
- Leadership Presentation Powerpoint View PDF
- LWVIN Newsletter: https://www.lwvin.org/content.aspx?page_id=5&club_id=42001&item_id=126521&
Democracy Playbook, Brookings Institute https://www.brookings.edu/articles/democracy-playbook-2025/
| October-November 2025 Diversity Calendar
https://www.diversityresources.com/diversity-calendar-2025/
“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.” – Stephen Covey.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness and promoting research for breast cancer. This month also features diverse cultural and religious events that foster inclusion and understanding.
October 1 – UN: International Day for Older Persons
Promotes the rights and well-being of older persons worldwide.
October 2 – Jewish: Yom Kippur*
The holiest day in Judaism, dedicated to atonement and repentance.
October 10 – World Inclusion Day
Encourages inclusive practices and environments for all.
October 15 – LGBTQ+: International Pronouns Day
Raises awareness about respecting and using correct pronouns.
October 20 – Hindu: Diwali
The festival of lights, celebrating the victory of light over darkness.
Explore more October heritage months and October awareness days with our October Diversity Calendar 2025.
November is Native American Heritage Month, celebrating the cultures, traditions, and histories of Native Americans. This month also includes observances that honor veterans and promote gender equality and remembrance.
November 11 – US: Veterans Day
Honors military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
November 19 – International Men’s Day
Highlights positive male role models and issues facing men globally.
November 20 – LGBTQ+: Transgender Day of Remembrance
Memorializes those who have lost their lives due to anti-transgender violence.
November 25 – UN: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Calls for action to end violence against women and girls.
November 27 – US: Thanksgiving Day
A national holiday for giving thanks and spending time with family and friends.
Visit here to read more about November diversity days with our November Diversity Calendar 2025.
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CORRECTION FROM SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER
We’ve started a periodic update on Pollinators to keep the importance of native plants and ecosystems front and center. Last month, the Pollinator info on hummingbirds was written by Chrysti Gradolf and we inadvertently omitted the credit to her.
Thank you Chrysti.
| | | Upcoming Government Meetings
Source: http://www.browncounty-in.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=14 and https://www.townofnashville.org/calendar-of-events?view=calendar&month=08-2024
Did you know? You can sign up to receive meeting agendas, alerts government job postings and more here. The County Government calendar can be accessed here.
| Here’s How to Contact Your State, Federal, Local Legislators
A list is provided below of the legislators who serve Brown County. For contact information on other state representatives and state senators, go to https://iga.in.gov/information/find-legislators. For information about your Congressional Representative, go to https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative.
For information on your County Representatives and meetings for Boards, County Commissioners and County Council:
| | Brown County Circuit Court Clerk
https://www.browncounty-in.gov/162/Clerk
Pearletta Banksbanksp@browncounty-in.gov
Phone: 812-988-5510
Brown County Council
https://www.browncounty-in.gov/182/County-Council
Gary Huett, District 1 (President): garyjhuett@gmail.com, 317-432-5499 Next Election 2026
Scott Rudd, At Large (Vice-President): 1scottrudd@gmail.com, 812-929-3295 Next Election 2028
Darren Byrd, District 2: byrdd@browncounty-in.gov, 812-320-4599 Next Election 2026
Jim Kemp, District 4: jimkemp@jimkemp.com, 812-375-4174 Next Election 2026
Joel Kirby, District 3: jkirby92@gmail.com, 317-750-8274 Next Election 2026
Patrick Nielander, At Large, pnielander7@ymail.com; 317-908-2510 Next election 2028 | | Brown County Commissioners
https://www.browncounty-in.gov/181/Board-of-Commissioners
Ron Sanders (District 2) 812-947-3504; sandersr@browncounty-in.gov, Next Election 2026
Town of Nashville Council
https://www.townofnashville.org/town-council
Andi Wilson, President, awilson@townofnashville.org, Next Election 2026
Dave Rudd, Vice President drudd@townofnashville.org, Next Election 2026
Scott Dick, sdick@townofnashville.org, Next Election 2026
Lance Miller, lmiller@townofnashville.org, Next Election 2027
Rex Watters III, rexwatters@townofnashville.org; Next Election 2027 | | | LWVBC Meeting Schedule
LWVBC monthlly meetings are held virtually the second Monday of each month 6:00 pm in person at the library. Monday December 8th we are planning a holiday dinner in lieu of a regular meeting. Details to follow. Love to have you join us!
To participate in the meeting and receive the Zoom link, contact League President Shari Frank at browncountylwv@gmail.com.
Members and Friends, if you have a non-profit organization you want to highlight, or important news about topics and positions LWV supports, please let us know. Contact us 4-6 weeks before any event or news to share. The Brown County VOTER is typically published monthly. Please send your articles or suggestions or questions to LWVBC at browncountylwv@gmail.com.
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