02-14-2018 Letters and Commentary

Be My Valentine Love Poem

Be My Valentine, Dominik Davis, my grandson, you are the light of my life and the song in my heart. My sun and stars, who reopened my heart to the joys that it should feel. I was weary my child for my travels had been long, then you came along. Love that is true, Love that is pure, Love that knows no limitations and that is always be free. One day I hope you will see this poem to you from me. My baby, my baby, sweet grandchild of mine, your love raised me up out of the ashes of sorrow and promised me a new tomorrow. Your love lifts me up and shows me the way every day. You showed me the way of love, the way that love should always be, Love is unconditional, and love is free. Diana Householder

Thank you from Miss Spirit 2018 Dear Tri-City Record, I want to thank you so much for the beautiful write up you did about me when I won Miss Spirit. It was written so well and I loved the picture! Seeing my face on the front cover made me feel so special! I thank you all for your time and effort you put into a great newspaper! I always look forward to reading it every Friday. Olivia Ziemer, Miss Spirit 2018

Thank you from Coloma 2018 royalty Dear Editor, I cannot thank you enough for the one year subscription to your newspaper. My family and I love receiving it every week with my name personally on it. Thanks again! Micah Saxe Miss Coloma 2018

Dear Editor, Thank you so much to the Tri-City Record. You did a fantastic job reporting the pageant. I’m pretty sure that when my mom got the paper and saw me in it she started to tear up a little bit. We are all incredibly grateful for all that you have done, and I have no doubt that you will keep it up too. Derek Plitt Mr. Coloma 2018

House bills to improve crime reporting for victims Nassar case results in legislation to eliminate barriers for reporting sexual offenses A three-bill package has been introduced to better protect victims of criminal sexual conduct-based offenses in response to the recent Larry Nassar scandal at Michigan State University. State Reps. Klint Kesto, Kim LaSata and Brandt Iden are sponsors of the legislation. “After the disgusting circumstances of the Nassar case, there’s a clear need to make sure all Michigan students have a safe educational environment,” said state Rep. Klint Kesto, chair of the House Law and Justice Committee. “We must remove any barriers that hinder the reporting this criminal behavior, to make sure the proper authorities are alerted and action to protect students, athletes, and patients, is taken. Nassar victimized young girls for two decades and this legislation will prevent another monster from doing the same.” Kesto’s legislation prohibits anyone in a position of authority to prevent an individual from reporting a crime, including criminal sexual conduct. The legislative package also adds a mandatory reporting requirement for K-12 and post-secondary coaches and athletic trainers for criminal sexual conduct offenses. Sexual abuse, assault, or rape also would be added to the state of Michigan’s OK2Say program, which allows anyone to confidentially report tips or criminal activities directed at Michigan students, school employees, or taking place on school grounds. “The victims of Nassar stated over and over they felt bullied or prevented from having a voice,” said LaSata, of Bainbridge Township. “This legislation stops that from happening again, while giving multiple options to report this illegal behavior.” The Nassar case showed a legal requirement for athletic officials must be added to Michigan law. “It is completely unacceptable that our coaches and trainers are not required to report allegations of abuse,” said Iden, of Oshtemo Township. “Our children look up to these individuals to guide and protect them, not to turn a blind eye when something is terribly wrong. Identifying athletic coaches and trainers as mandated reporters is a step in the right direction and I am proud to be a part of this change.” House Bills 5537, 5538 and 5539 have been assigned to the Law and Justice Committee.#7 February 15 Issue Rep. Kim LaSata files paperwork for State Senate election run Republican State Representative Kim LaSata announced her candidacy to represent the families of Southwest Michigan as their State Senator from the 21st District. “I was raised to serve when called, and after a great deal of encouragement from family, friends, and community leaders, I have decided to step up and answer the call. Today, I announce my candidacy for the State Senate in the 21st District. I love this community and am proud to have the opportunity to serve Southwest Michigan with my passion, voice and experience,” said Kim LaSata. While declaring her candidacy for the State Senate, LaSata also announced the endorsements of Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey, Former Senator Cameron Brown of Saint Joseph County and Southwest Michigan College President, Dr. David Mathews of Cass County who will serve as LaSata for Senate Campaign Co-Chairs. “In the Senate, I will continue to push for common sense reforms and fight for taxpayer savings because I fundamentally believe Michigan families should keep more of their hard-earned money in their pocket, not send it to Lansing,” announced LaSata. “As a State Representative, I have followed my conservative values and worked hard for Southwest Michigan to lower income tax rates for families, reduce auto insurance rates, and reform our State’s education system,” concluded LaSata. Among LaSata’s top legislative priorities are achieving meaningful auto no-fault reform, giving Michigan families much needed tax relief, and building a business environment that will attract good, high paying jobs to Southwest Michigan. LaSata currently serves as the State Representative of the 79th House District which encompasses multiple cities and townships in Berrien County, including St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. The 21st Senate district is currently represented by Senator John Proos who is unable to run for reelection due to term limits. She and her husband Charlie, a former State Representative and current Circuit Court Judge, live with their four children in Bainbridge Township.

Biblical investment advice Of all places, would we expect to find financial investment advice in the Bible? Principles of long-term and diversification can be found in Ecclesiastes 11:1&2: “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.” While this is good advice, Jesus’ New Testament investment message has a different emphasis. Jesus’ message was much bigger than monetary rates of return. The investments He spoke of were people investments. The principle of caring for the needy, the vulnerable, and the elderly carries throughout the Bible, with motivation always relating to both love and obedience. In Micah 6:8 God challenges His people to understand His expectations for the practical outworking of the Law in their daily lives: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (NASB) The vertical relationship with God was to show in horizontal relationships with others. Jesus’ commandment for His followers was similar. John 13:34 states, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Again evidence of right vertical priorities is shown by right horizontal priorities. Kindness is love in action, reflecting obedience to a higher standard. Jesus also describes the diversification that belongs to this kind of investment. It involves spreading our kindness to those outside our own circle of friends; even to those we might consider enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). We can “cast our bread upon the waters” remembering the long-term investment in eternity. Diversify our love and care, committing to good investment priorities for good returns. Good advice.

It’s easy to request a replacement Social Security card online in Michigan In Michigan, to apply for a driver’s license or state identification card, the Secretary of State requires one document demonstrating a valid Social Security number such as a W-2 form, a recent paystub containing the full Social Security number, an SSA-1099 or a Social Security card. Luckily, replacing a lost or stolen Social Security card in Michigan is easy. Congress approved the requirement for REAL ID cards in 2005 to provide enhanced security standards for state driver’s licenses recommended by the 9/11 Commission. More than two dozen states have complied with the new licensing and ID standards so far. The remaining states will be converting to the REAL ID standard between now and 2020. Losing an important document, like a Social Security card, can sometimes be a hassle. However, because we have the ability to verify state-issued identification, such as driver’s licenses, in Michigan, you can request a replacement Social Security card online. Our new online version of the Application for a Replacement Social Security Card can make getting a replacement easy and stress free. It allows people in certain areas to apply for a replacement card through our secure my Social Security portal without traveling to a field office as long as you’re not requesting a name change or any other change to your card. To get started, you’ll need to create a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. When you open a my Social Security account, we protect your information by using strict identity verification and security features. The application process has built-in features to detect fraud and confirm your identity. Your security and protection is what matters most. Once you have a personal account, simply access your account, go to “Social Security Card Replacement,” and follow the instructions to replace your Social Security card. It’s safe, convenient, and secure. Learn more about getting a replacement Social Security card, and find out if you can request yours online by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/ myaccount. Vonda VanTil is the Public Affairs Specialist for West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525 or via email at vonda.vantil@ssa.gov.

VALENTINES ALL… I hope you enjoyed a Happy Valentine’s Day with your special sweetheart. Many folks celebrated the holiday early, either to take advantage of more time over the weekend or to give way to the Lenten tradition of fasting that begins on Ash Wednesday. Which by a calendar quirk of fate, fell on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day. Thanks to the sponsors and participants of this year’s Valentine’s Love Letter contest. Thanks as well to the three couples that shared their Valentine’s love stories with our readers in last week’s Record. All the features and fun brightened an otherwise dreary week of snow and cold. Anne and I helped celebrate Karlianne’s birthday with her family and friends gathered at the Loshboughs for corned beef and cabbage Sunday evening. It was Karli’s party but her nephew William Harold Loshbough V stole the show as usual. He eats well and plays hard… which is a treat for us all to watch.

OLYMPIC GOLD… Anne and I have enjoyed watching the Winter Olympics in South Korea on TV this past week. Anne especially likes the figure skating events and I go for the curling and (now) the snowboarding. Snowboarding is a relatively new event, kind of a skateboard without the wheels. Many of the snowboarders, perhaps most of them, are a bit of a cross between young teen skateboarders, and knarly surfers who can withstand the bitter cold, which comes from competing in the high mountains. Who could create a better finish than the men’s event Saturday night? The leaders in the event, in an effort to break the tightly bunched scores in the final round, were pushing the limit and were crashing on landing. Along toward the end the last place finisher in the second round, 17-year-old Red Gerard from Colorado, made every effort to impress as well. He had fumbled both runs previously and had nothing to lose (except breaking some bones). Red flew down the ramp, ran the rails perfectly and took to the final jumps like Wiley Coyote with a rocket tied to his rump. Red hair sticking out of his helmet (I said who could have created a better ending), one perfect landing, two perfect landings and a third to go! The kid hit the last jump with a full head of steam and soared to the Gold Medal. He landed a backside triple cork 1440 pointed in the right direction. He didn’t fall off until he crossed the finish line and then crashed into a snow fence. He maybe qualified for another gold medal for guts. What a show. If you missed it… look for it on the recap shows or online. I’ve watched the reruns a couple times and I still cheer. I’m thinking about making a trip to Colorado to see family this year. Perhaps I’ll look Red up. Then Monday night we watched Cloe Kim win the woman’s snowboard gold. Cloe, another 17-year-old, set the mark of 93.something on her first run and then the field scrambled to beat it unsuccessfully. This gutsy teen crashed on her second run and even though she clinched the gold, bettered her score (needlessly) on the third! Maybe I will look up her hometown in Southern California and go visit her too! As much as I enjoyed the snowboarding, I’ve enjoyed watching the figure skating with Anne as well. The skaters are so graceful and such superb athletes seeming to effortlessly glide over the ice, make their marks and turns, and then perform all the required elements to the perfection demanded by the judges. Next weekend wraps up the Winter Olympics. Without benefit of a crystal ball, I’m guessing the event will go into the history books as one of the best. Congratulations to all the contestants and all the medal winners.

WELCOME BACK SNOWBIRDS… please call us with your address changes… 463-6397