03-14-2019 Letters and Commentary

GO AHEAD… BE IRISH… Take a look at Page 6 in this week’s issue for the rundown on all the good times this Saturday in Coloma, as they celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. And as Coloma Mayor Jim Polashak might say, you don’t have to be Irish to come to town and have a good time.

COLORFUL KUTE KIDS… the Kute Kids feature is now printed in color, thanks to Karla Smothers, the Watervliet State Farm Insurance agent. The Kute Kids feature was created by Co-Publisher Anne Bayer more than 25 years ago. Why not have a special place to highlight all the cute kids we have in the town, she mentioned after a shift at the daycare center. We have a lot of sports pictures and news pictures but no pictures of the cute babies, she said on another occasion, cuddling grandbaby Willy (now 28). So, with just a handful of weeks without a baby picture, there have been almost 1,300 pictures of Kute Kids, a couple BIG KIDS and a pet or two. All printed in the hometown paper just because they were cute! Now thanks to Karla, we are embarking on a new era of Kute Kids pictured in color.

DAYLIGHT SAVING… Whether you like it or not, you moved your clocks ahead an hour by 2 a.m. Sunday last. And if there was any question, most of your digital devices were programmed to jump ahead on their own. So, with all the wind up and battery driven clocks handled and the digital stuff connected to the web and such, there really is no confusion to moving time forward. Not! Here it is mid-week and I’m still sleeping in to the “old” rising hour of 6 a.m., which is now 7 a.m. When I oversleep, I’m cutting in to the time I allow for watching the morning news shows. Tuesday was possibly the worst, I rolled over to look at the bedside clock and it read 6:55. The sun out the window was bright and risen over the trees and the lawn was covered with frost. All in all, I thought, a pretty morning. I lay in bed for a few minutes admiring the view when an inner alarm went off. It’s Tuesday morning and nearly 7:15! By the time you read this, hopefully my inner clock will have adjusted to the clock(s) that drives my (your) life!

Response to Jerry & Pam Wojtas from Travis Bolin Dear Wojtas family, How great it is to hear from you guys once again, it’s always nice to know that people still have an interest in the things that I do in this crazy and amazing game of baseball. I thought answering your questions in the Tri-City Record would be a good way to respond as that’s how you connected with me. So just to answer some of your questions that maybe other people in Watervliet would like to know as well. I am still playing professional baseball and trying to make a career out of a game that has given me so much and so many things I can be proud of. I am no longer with the Rangers and I am currently playing for the Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League. We won the Frontier League Championship last year and it was the best feeling in the world, an amazing accomplishment for me and all my boys on the Slammers. I am very excited to get the ring and put that bad boy on my finger. I am back in Watervliet now getting ready for my second full season with the Slammers of Joliet, Illinois to see if I can move my career further in the direction that I want to take it. I am reporting on the 29th of April and am eager to get back on the field with my team. Joliet is not where I thought I would be at this point in my career, but am so blessed and thankful to still be in this game, because like my dad says, “When it’s over it’s over, so enjoy every second,” and that’s what I’m going to do. I would like to say thank you to Pam and Jerry Wojtas for reaching out to me and asking how I am and how I’m doing, if you are in the area and want to see a game, get a hold of me and I will arrange the tickets. I am also encouraging anyone who wants to see me play a professional baseball game to do it, it’s a lot of fun and I can arrange tickets for anyone who wants to come. Travis Bolin EDITOR’S NOTE: Tri-City Record published a Letter to the Editor in the Feb. 28, 2019 issue from Pam and Jerry Wojtas of Surprise, Arizona inquiring the whereabouts of Travis Bolin. This is Travis’ response.

Reusable diapers have “life” after baby Dear Editor, I don’t know that this is really for your “Letters and Commentary” column, but I think that Mr. Bachman should check out the advantages that cloth diapers have over disposables. Cloth diapers are washable and, therefore, reusable. They are a one-time cost – even if you buy three or four dozen it’s much cheaper than one-time use diapers. Laundering diapers won’t pollute our ground waters, since all water going through our sewer systems is purified before being released. As for polluting our landfills… every mother that ever used cloth diapers knows that there are unlimited uses for them after the babies no longer need them! They are great for dusting, washing and polishing windows, wrapping collectibles or Christmas ornaments, washing cars, waxing and polishing cars, stuffing animal beds, or, as a last result, donate them so others can find a practical use for them. The trouble with disposable diapers, which take years to decompose, is that they, not cloth diapers, end up in great quantities in our landfills! Respectfully, Julia Smith, Coloma

Public input needed for County Parks Plan Berrien County Parks and Recreation officials are seeking public input on the development of the 2020-2024 Berrien County Parks Five Year Plan. The plan will cover Rocky Gap, Silver Beach, Love Creek, Madeline Bertrand, Paw Paw River, Historic Courthouse Square and Galien River County Parks, as well as the Red Arrow Linear Trail. Park officials invite the public to share their ideas at “Open House” style meetings on Wednesday, March 20, from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. before the Berrien County Parks Commission Meeting and after the meeting from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Love Creek County Park, 9292 Huckleberry Road, Berrien Center. Meetings will take place periodically at different locations around the County in 2019 to seek public input and ideas for Berrien County Parks’ future plans. The public is also invited to send written comments to: Berrien County Parks, 701 Main Street, St. Joseph MI, 49085 or email comments to parks@berriencounty.org. Please have written or emailed comments in by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2019.

Michiganders being warned about local public health calls scam Attorney General Dana Nessel and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon are warning Michiganders about phone scammers posing as public health officials. The warning comes during National Consumer Protection Week. Several health departments – including Central Michigan, Chippewa, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Midland, Mid-Michigan, Ottawa and Washtenaw – have received reports from residents about calls from individuals seeking personal information that could be used to steal someone’s identity. The callers claim to be from a local health department or Medicare and appear to be calling from health department phone numbers. Anyone who receives one of those calls should hang up immediately. No one should give out personal information to an unsolicited caller. “Scammers use every tool they have to take advantage of anyone they can,” Nessel said. “It’s important residents remember they should never give personal and confidential information to unsolicited callers. Simply hang up and report the call to our office.” “Local public health and Medicaid officials will not call you and request account information, Social Security numbers or passwords over the phone,” said Gordon. “If you receive one of these calls, we urge you to hang up.” Those who wish to make a report about these calls can do so by contacting the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. A complaint can be filed online or by calling 877-765-8388.

Michigan AG Nessel takes national lead to protect lottery revenue for schools With more than 900 million dollars in annual funding for Michigan schools at stake, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel led the effort to file an amicus brief opposing the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) opinion that would encompass all types of bets and wagers in the federal Wire Act’s prohibitions. Twelve jurisdictions joined Michigan in the brief, which was filed Monday, March 11, 2019 in support of the New Hampshire Lottery Commission in two consolidated cases in the New Hampshire federal district court — New Hampshire Lottery Commission v. Dep’t. of Justice and NeoPollard Interactive LLC and Pollard Banknote Limited v. Dep’t. of Justice. “Like nearly every state lottery in this country, Michigan’s Lottery generates hundreds of millions of dollars every year to fund education,” said Nessel. “Billions of dollars are generated annually across this country for critical governmental services including schools, senior citizens programs, first responders, and infrastructure programs. This new interpretation of the law could have a dire effect on these programs by threatening their funding source.” The jurisdictions oppose the Department of Justice’s January 14, 2019 opinion, which reverses its previous position that the Wire Act applied only to interstate wire communications of sports wagers. The new opinion could threaten intrastate online lottery games offered by Michigan and other states. The New Hampshire lawsuit is asking for a declaratory judgment that the Wire Act does not apply to state-conducted lotteries and requesting a permanent injunction against the DOJ from acting to enforce its new opinion. Joining Michigan in the brief are: Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia.

Senators reintroduce bipartisan resolution opposing privatization of U.S. Postal Service U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Jerry Moran (R-KS) led 23 of their Senate colleagues on Thursday, March 7 to reintroduce a bipartisan resolution opposing privatization of the United States Postal Service (USPS). The resolution notes that the USPS is a self-sustaining establishment and that potential privatization would result in higher prices and reduced services for USPS customers, especially in rural communities. “Since 1775, the United States Postal Service and its dedicated employees – including over 100,000 of our nation’s veterans – have performed an essential government service, maintaining an affordable and universal network that connects households and businesses in rural, suburban and urban communities,” Senator Peters said. “Congress should take all appropriate measures to prevent privatization and ensure the Postal Service remains a strong institution that will serve the American people for generations to come.” “The U.S. Postal Service has a significant history in Kansas dating back to the Pony Express, and it continues to play a vital role in the American economy – especially in Kansas’ rural communities,” said Senator Moran. “In order to provide certainty for rural America and to protect taxpayers, Congress must continue to assert itself and push back on any proposals to privatize the USPS, which threaten its future and the well-being of the communities the Postal Service serves. I will continue working with my colleagues to fight for our rural communities and the future of the USPS.” The USPS is a self-supporting, independent entity that relies on revenue derived from the sale of postal products and services, not on taxpayer dollars. The USPS employs over half a million Americans, including over 105,000 military veterans, who provide postal services to more than 157 million residential and business customers. The USPS serves as the center of the $1.4 trillion mailing industry, which employs 7.5 million people in the United States.

Fix it now An unexpected maintenance issue threatens plant operations. Excessive vibration or unacceptable temperature variation, whatever it is, the “Fix-It-Now” (FIN) Team is engaged. Hopefully a quick solution can be developed. The FIN Team is the action team when timely action is required. Moses’ training made him a perfect leader for Egypt’s armies. While probably unpopular with Pharaoh’s regime at the time, he was known to be effective. According to historical accounts (including Josephus, Antiquities 2.10,1ff) by the time he was 40 he had turned down the Pharaohship twice, led the Egyptian army in a brilliant defeat of Ethiopian invaders, captured a key Ethiopian city and married an Ethiopian princess. As General of the mightiest army on earth, young and handsome Moses had the 1500 BCE world by the tail. But he hadn’t forgotten his roots. The oral history of the Hebrew people (which Moses himself would document in what is today Genesis 15) had probably identified him as their deliverer from Egyptian bondage. His parents probably taught him this when he was under their tutelage. He was in a unique position to be the head of the Deliverance FIN Team. But his timing was off (career limiting). His untimely choice to kill an Egyptian oppressor (Exodus 2:11-15) sent him to the back side of the desert for 40 more years of desert survival and shepherd leadership training. Then the timing was right and God’s deliverance plan could be implemented. We can pine about and preach against the moral degradation of a society that has chosen its values according to the religion of Secular Humanism, but we must remember that God’s deliverance plan is better than our best FIN Team approach. While we must speak up for the defenseless, let’s stay focused on our core task of teaching and preaching the Living Word, the gospel of Jesus Christ, until at the right time, He fixes it. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Why Social Security retirement is important to women Social Security plays an especially important role in providing economic security for women. In the 21st century, more women work, pay Social Security taxes, and earn credit toward monthly retirement income than at any other time in our nation’s history. But, women face greater economic challenges in retirement. Women: Tend to live longer than men. A woman who is 65 years old today can expect to live, on average, until about 87, while a 65-year-old man can expect to live, on average, until about 84; often have lower lifetime earnings than men; and may reach retirement with smaller pensions and other assets than men. Social Security offers a basic level of protection to all women. When you work, you pay taxes into the Social Security system, providing for your own benefits. In addition, your spouse’s earnings can give you Social Security coverage as well. Women who don’t work are often covered through their spouses’ work. When their spouses retire, become disabled, or die, women can receive benefits. If you’re a worker age 18 or older, you can get a Social Security Statement online. Your statement is a valuable tool to help you plan a secure financial future, and we recommend that you look at it each year. Your statement provides a record of your earnings. To create an account online and review your statement, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov/ myaccount. If your spouse dies, you can get widow’s benefits if you’re age 60 or older. If you have a disability, you can get widow’s benefits as early as age 50. Your benefit amount will depend on your age and on the amount your deceased spouse was entitled to at the time of death. If your spouse was receiving reduced benefits, your survivor benefit will be based on that amount. You may be eligible for widow’s benefits and Medicare before age 65 if you have a disability and are entitled to benefits. You also may be eligible for benefits if you are caring for a child who is younger than 16. Our “People Like Me” website for women has valuable resources for people of all ages. You can access it at www.socialsecurity.gov/people/women. To read more about how we can help you, read and share the publication “What Every Woman Should Know” at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10127.pdf. 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.