COMMUNITY GROUPS

MARCH 8, 1996 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 13

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New officers elected; candidate night planned

Stonewall Akron kept busy over the last couple of months; electing new officers in January, and appointing committee chairs in February.

The new president of the Akron area gay political organization is Chris Hixson, vicepresident is Judy Byrd, and the treasurer is John Ford. Gary Wymer becomes immediate past president, and will act as advisor to the current president.

The board appointed Diane M. Dodge as community relations chair, and Lynne Kreske as the program chair.

The organization is still seeking people to

fill the positions of secretary, state liason, national liaison, and newsletter editor, although Hixson will continue in that capacity as needed.

Among Stonewall Akron's plans for this year is another "Candidate's Night Out." The "Night Out" held in 1994 was extraordinarily well attended, and put Stonewall on the political map in Akron. The next event, though, will be an early-evening mixer at an Akron area coffeehouse to kick off the 1996 membership drive.

Please call Judy Byrd at 216-453-2609 for more information about Stonewall Akron.✔

Gays and lesbians can influence council races in two wards

Gay and lesbian residents and voters in the city of Cleveland have a unique opportunity to have a direct impact on the selection of two councilmembers to be elected to the represent two of the city's West Side wards.

Ward 19 (formerly represented by Dan Brady) and Ward 17 (formerly represented by Ray Pianka) are both selecting new members of council. Gay and lesbian voters can play a big part in the process through active participation in these wards in both a

County Jaycees, and an active volunteer for the Cystic Fibrosis and Multiple Sclerosis organizations, and from James F. Kovach.

Melena's challengers include Teo Feliciano, who worked for the Hispanic Business Association and is a lifelong resident of the West Side, and Frank Dooley Johanek, who formerly served as a Cleveland school board member and is a lector at a West Side Catholic church.

CLEVELAND

March 5 primary and an April 9 general election.

Gay and lesbian voters have opportunities to speak with the candidates about a number a number of issues that are of concern to our communities. Besides general issues such as quality of life, crime, and housing, we have particular concerns regarding hate crimes and harassment, domestic partnership and the freedom to marry, and promoting the development of lesbian and gay businesses within the city.

The two new incumbents (sworn in by Council on January 8) are Joe Zone in Ward 19 and Tim Melena in Ward 17. Both were nominated by their predecessors and approved by City Council. Zone has a law practice in Lakewood with his wife and partner, Joan Pelligren. He is an active member of the West Town Community Council, the Democratic Party, and works with Alcoholism Services of Cleveland. Melena was an assistant law director with the city of Cleveland. He is active with the Detroit Shoreway Development Corporation and has been instrumental in neighborhood safety patrols.

Zone is facing opposition from George Popovich, district director of the Cuyahoga

Though the primary was held March 5, there is still time to get involved. The two top primary votegetters will face off in an April 9 general election in each ward.

We encourage gay and lesbian residents to register to vote, be willing to identify themselves as gay or lesbian voters, meet the candidates, question them on their positions on issues facing our communities, and turn out to vote in the election.

This is also a good time to network with other gay and lesbian residents in your ward and to work together to see that our concerns are represented and addressed. Join together to improve the quality of life for all Cleveland's residents and live gay and lesbian pride and clout. Vote April 9! ♡

The Chronicle Needs Volunteer Reporters

Report on the events that interest you! Sports, Health Matters, Music, Community Groups, Drag, etc.

Call Doreen at 216/631-8646

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