League of Women Voters of Northern Valley Elects Board of Directors

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ, June 15, 2013 (Press-News.org) The League of Women Voters of Northern Valley (LWVNV), a nonprofit, nonpartisan political organization serving residents in 27 towns in Bergen County, elected its 2013-2014 board of directors at the annual meeting held recently at Griffin's Restaurant in Cresskill, New Jersey.

Chris Sagona, a Park Ridge resident, was named a new director and appointed to the position of President. Joyce Luhrs and Nike Prieston-Bach, both from Leonia, were named Vice-Presidents and will support the president's efforts to implement the organization's mission. Vicki Sidrow of Fort Lee and Fran Molnar, a Tenafly resident, were elected Treasurer and Secretary, respectively.

The following members will serve as directors on the 2013-2014 board of directors: Ellen Bakish, Betty Frank and Lorraine Cohen from Englewood; Naomi Epstein of Demarest; Carol Bernstein, Bobbie Hass, and Shirley Shapiro from Tenafly; Lucy Heller, President of the League of Women Voters of Bergen County, and Vi Ruschman, both from Park Ridge; and Anne Lander of Harrington Park. Fort Lee resident Ann Moscovitz was named Past President. Hass will continue as the organization's newsletter editor.

Luhrs, the LWVNV's Public Relations Chair, will also head up the organization's public relations and marketing efforts. Prieston-Bach will serve as Vice President of Membership and develop and implement the LWVNV's membership recruitment campaign.

Member Honored

Lee Benjamin of Haworth was recognized for hosting for several years the LWVNV's winter holiday luncheon for members and friends. Lucy Heller, a member of the board of directors, presented the certificate of recognition. Benjamin has been a member of the organization for over 30 years and was actively involved in promoting the League's recycling program in Haworth.

LWVNV members presented an overview of the organization's work, events, and activities undertaken over the past 12 months and future plans. Sidrow, President/CEO of Vantage Health System, Inc., was the guest speaker and presented Mental Health in the Affordable Care Act and the impact of this federal healthcare legislation on mental health services.

The League was an outgrowth of the 19th amendment passed in 1920 giving women the right to vote. With 800 local Leagues throughout the country, the organization gained prestige by maintaining its nonpartisanship; sponsoring candidates' forums for local, state and national elections; holding registration drives; disseminating nonpartisan information on candidates; and holding public meetings to discuss current issues. League membership is open to both men and women of voting age who support its mission.

The League of Women Voters of Northern Valley draws members from Alpine, Bergenfield, Cliffside Park, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont, Edgewater, Emerson, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Fort Lee, Hackensack, Harrington Park, Haworth, Hillsdale, Leonia, Montvale, New Milford, Northvale, Norwood, Old Tappan, Park Ridge, River Vale, Tenafly, Washington Township and Woodcliff Lake.

For information about the League of Women Voters of Northern Valley, visit the organization's web site, send an e-mail, or call (201) 947-075