May 26, 2025 Information Update
From the May 26, 2025 DoGood Virginia Email newsletter:
Dear DoGooders,
On this Memorial Day, the greatest way we can honor those who gave their lives for our freedoms is to continue fighting for democracy in their name. That means holding our legislature accountable, standing up against chaos and injustice, protecting our most vulnerable neighbors—and above all, voting with purpose and conviction.
Today’s Rally:
The rally is ON for today. Let’s show up and be visible. However, please note that there will NOT be a DoGood Meeting in the library today. We’ll resume next week.
Last Week’s Meeting Recap:
A big thank you to Carole Tarrant, Coordinator of Development at Virginia Western, former editor at The Roanoke Times, and a lifelong DoGooder. As a local organizer with the League of Women Voters, Carole reminded us that democracy depends on an informed, active electorate.
The League of Women Voters focuses on:
- Educating citizens about the candidates and the issues
- Registering voters
- Empowering people to vote their values
Carole emphasized that we’re under real assault right now, and staying informed is our first line of defense.
Virginia Voter Turnout Stats:
We’re proud that Virginia leads in voter participation. Of 4.9 million registered voters, 4.5 million voted in the last election—a 73% turnout. But there’s still work to do.
Want to get involved?
The League of Women Voters is offering an online training on July 1.
Join the League
Upcoming Event Saturday, May 31 from 11-3
Kiwanian Spring Fun Day at the new Melrose Plaza
Free food, community, and a chance to DoGood together! (See attached flyer)
Threats to Climate Action, Clean Air, and Clean Energy in Our Region and What Can Be Done About Them
Retired 27-year EPA veteran, Joe Bryson, described the immediate and longer term threats to climate change and clean air efforts in Southwestern Virginia. He highlighted two immediate actions by EPA that attempt to rescind recent grant awards for projects throughout our region – one for $20 million led by UVA and affecting projects in Dickenson and Buchanan Counties; the United Way of SW Virginia; UVA and UVA-Wise, JMU, and Virginia Tech; the Clinch River Valley Initiative; and the Nature Conservancy, and a second for $500,000 coordinated by Appalachian Voices and affecting the towns of ClinchCo, Dante, Dungannon, Pennington Gap, and Pound.
See these recent Cardinal News articles for more details. https://cardinalnews.org/2025/05/05/epa-cancels-20-million-grant-for-southwest-virginia-projects/
Longer term threats include the dismantling of the Biden Administration’s all-of-government strategy that integrated climate mitigation and adaptation efforts into the work of numerous federal agencies including: DOD, State Department, EPA, Department of Energy, HHS, HUD, Department of Education, NIH, CDC, DHS/FEMA, and Department of Commerce/NOAA. Through funding and staffing cuts, drastic policy changes, and court actions, the Trump Administration is targeting existing climate efforts, and expertise and capabilities built over decades. These are in addition to their ongoing attempts to illegally impound previously award grants authorized through the Inflation Reduction Act of August 2022, such as those noted above.
What Can Be Done?
Call your elected federal representatives (Senators and Congressmen) and object to the illegal rescission of the two grants highlighted above.
Stay informed by following and supporting two great regional resources: Cardinal News (https://cardinalnews.org/) and Appalachian Voices (https://appvoices.org/).
Let’s stay engaged. Let’s stay informed. And let’s continue doing good—together.
In solidarity,
Dina