06-21-18 Letters and Commentary

God of coincidences We once gave a book about inventors and their inventions to one of our sons as a birthday gift. It’s an interesting book, and includes different categories of inventions, such as Communications, Weapons and Warfare, and Electronics and Science for example. Our son was always curious about how things work and how to fix things, so he enjoyed the book very much. Sometimes however, things are unexplainable. How they happen remains a mystery. Like the time my wife needed a watch and one was provided “out of the blue” – actually out of blue Lake Michigan, one sunny afternoon. Janie needed a new watch. Money was tight. We decided to sell something that we didn’t need. We had replaced a sink in our house and we still had the old one. Perfect! We could put it out with a sale sign on it with the price. Unfortunately someone decided it should be free and took it without paying. We were very disappointed. We were so bummed about the whole situation that we decided to take a time out and go to the beach. The kids could play in the water and we would just walk and talk along the surf’s edge. As my wife walked along, not saying much, Janie noticed something lightly touch her foot in the lapping waves. Bending over to see what it was, we were both amazed to discover it was a watch! A watch? Yes, a watch! We could hardly believe it. It was in perfect condition with its white leather band, and it had the right time! What a surprise blessing from God! God is very capable of controlling every little detail of our circumstances no matter how bummed we are feeling at the moment. The conclusion? There is nothing impossible for God; we can choose to trust Him.

How the work rules work for you Retirement doesn’t have the same meaning for everyone. Some people plan to retire and never work again. Some people plan for second careers in occupations that wouldn’t have adequately supported their families, but they do the work for pure enjoyment. Some people, whether by design or desire, choose to work part-time or seasonally to supplement their retirement income. Retirees (or survivors) who choose to receive Social Security benefits before they reach full retirement age (FRA) and continue to work have an earnings limit. In 2017, the annual earnings limit was $16,920 for those under FRA the entire calendar year. In 2018, it is $17,040. If you earn over the limit, we deduct $1 from your Social Security monthly benefit payment for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. In the calendar year you reach FRA, which you can check out at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/retire/ageincrease.html, you have a higher earnings limit. Additionally, we will only count earnings for the months prior to FRA. In 2017, the limit was $44,880. In 2018, it is $45,360. In the year of FRA attainment, Social Security deducts $1 in benefits for every $3 you earn above the limit. There is a special rule that usually only applies in your first year of receiving retirement benefits. If you earn more than the annual earnings limit, you may still receive a full Social Security payment for each month you earn less than a monthly limit. In 2018, the monthly limit is $1,420 for those who are below FRA the entire calendar year. The 2018 monthly limit increases to $3,780 in the year of FRA attainment. Once you reach FRA, you no longer have an earnings limit, and we may recalculate your benefit to credit you for any months we withheld your benefits due to excess earnings. This is because your monthly benefit amount is calculated based on a reduction for each month you receive it before your FRA. So, if you originally filed for benefits 12 months before your FRA, but earned over the limit and had two months of Social Security benefits withheld, we will adjust your ongoing monthly benefit amount to reflect that you received 10 months of benefits before your FRA, and not 12. Most people understand that if they work while receiving benefits before FRA, their benefit may be reduced. What most people do not consider in their retirement planning is that we recalculate your Social Security monthly benefit at FRA to credit you for Social Security benefit payments withheld due to earnings over the limit. Explaining the earnings limit is another way that Social Security helps secure your today and tomorrow. Understanding both the earnings limit and the possible recalculation of your ongoing Social Security benefits will provide an additional perspective on retirement for you to consider.

ANOTHER (NEW) SCAM… This just in from the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department: The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office would like residents to be aware of a possible fraud / phone scam technique. A Coloma resident received a phone call around 08:00 a.m. on 6/12/18. Her caller ID displayed (269-983-7111). This number returns to the Berrien County Court. A male subject identified himself as being from the civil department and asked to meet her at her home so he could serve her legal papers. The unidentified male provided a toll-free number and wanted the resident to call it so they could avoid serving the paperwork. If you receive a similar call, avoid giving any personal information over the phone. Hang up and contact your local law enforcement agency. Today, sophisticated scams can clone recognized phone numbers. All of us think we are smart enough to avoid being ripped off by a crook. Sadly, the savvy criminals in this world aren’t the knot heads robbing gas stations or ripping ATMs out of store walls, the savvy criminals are those using modern technology to get us to hand over the cash and then say “thank you”. I can’t write (say) it enough; never give out personal information over the phone or computer. Hang up and call the cops if anyone calls and demands money to pay off a debt, fine or anything else. Never give out your address, social security number or date of birth. Anyone with the aforementioned bits of info can empty your bank accounts by the time you hang up. The real savvy criminal can use it to apply for a new credit card and/or apply for a loan and have the bill sent to you!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CHS softball team on winning the State Championship! We are all very proud of you. Make sure to see the Press Box in this week’s issue and the special page with exclusive action photos of this amazing team in action.

TOP POPS ALL… thanks to all the folks that entered this year’s Top Pop Contest. Congratulations to letter writer Ava Thomas, age 8, who won the Top Pop honors for her daddy Dennis Thomas. Thanks as well to all the contest sponsors for providing gifts for the Top Pop.

IT’S EASY TO BE A FATHER, IT’S HARD TO BE A DAD read the marquee on a local church this past weekend. Wow, I thought, ain’t that the truth. I’ve carried a lot of bias of many a young man’s lifestyle, fathering kids outside marriage and then leaving them with their mom. That bias is not a bad thing. I mostly got it from my parents and relatives, and from a Catholic education. Some more of that bias came from the national culture I grew up in, young men married young women and together they raised a family. What changed was the national culture that relaxed the rules of propriety and responsibility. It doesn’t matter who stretched the rules, but it occurred with many of the kids who embraced a lifestyle which rejected the culture of their parents, which ironically, allowed the kids economic and social freedoms that their parents never had. The fact of the matter is this is the new culture, couples have families without marriage, and some marry later. The struggle to be a couple is immense; both need jobs to live a life together. When the kids come along, the couple works harder to provide child care and a home. It is no surprise that there are more single moms raising kids alone. It is no surprise that there are men out there that father kids and abandon them and their moms. Like the church marquee read, it’s hard to be a dad. What is a surprise, thanks mostly to great parents, there are many unmarried fathers who are great dads. And there are many unmarried moms and dads that are making a happy life together with children. Times have changed, and as they continue to change, dads (and moms too) need to adjust as well. Most of us old timers would like to see that they include the marriage vows. For those that remain a couple without benefit of a contract on a sheet of paper do the best you can as a dad and a mom. We’ll be rooting for you.

DUCK RACE IS ON!!! Get your Duck Race tickets for the Independence Weekend Celebration in Watervliet, June 29-July 1. The Duck Race is in Flaherty Park on Sunday, July 1. The first place duck will win its ticket holder $1,000. All in all, there are 30 cash prizes, $1,000, $500, $200, $100, and $10. We have duck race tickets here at the Record!

Correction

 In the June 14, 2018 issue of the Tri-City Record, an error was made on Page 3 in the caption for the new military logos in Laura Baker Park. The correct name for the County Commissioner is Dave Vollrath. Tri-City Record apologizes to Commissioner Vollrath and is sorry for any inconvenience or confusion this error may have caused.

“Papa” is my Top Pop

Dear Editor,

My Grandpa Earl Elston is my Top Pop.

My grandpa is one of the hardest workers I know. My grandpa would work 40 plus hours a week and then come home and farm all while me and my three brothers were living there.

He always made time for all of us, whether it was teaching us how to swing on our own or being our personal ”horse” or giving us a ride on the tractor, he was always there.

My grandpa is a man of very few words but none of us have ever doubted the love he has for each of us. So on this Father’s Day I want to show appreciation to the man that I’m extremely grateful to call my Papa.

Erica Shafer, Hartford

Every law enforcement officer, or citizen who “Supports the Blue” vote Kim LaSata for State Senator

Dear Editor,

On September 3, 1992 our lives (retired Lt. John Briney & mine) changed forever. Deputy Briney was on routine patrol conducting a traffic stop when two career criminals attacked him. Briney was shot, beaten and his eyes nearly gouged out of his head by the two felons. I responded as back-up and was ultimately shot at as well. John likely would not be alive today had he not been able to call for help.

In 1992 our attacker, Donald Bolton Jr., was sentenced to LIFE in prison for the attempted murder of two police officers. Since the sentencing, John has had four surgeries to save his eyesight and both of us continue to deal with physical and emotional trauma from the attack.

Incredibly, our attacker who was sentenced to LIFE in prison was paroled in September of 2017. He was no model prisoner, in fact he was caught smuggling drugs into prison while incarcerated. This parole for an attempted cop-killer sentenced to LIFE would not have been possible but for a bill sponsored and pushed by State Rep. Dave Pagel. Tragically, Pagel’s bill became law in 2016, removing the veto power of successor judges in LIFE cases. Therefore, even though the successor judge objected to Bolton being considered for parole, he was released at the ripe old age of 46! If not for Dave Pagel he would still be serving the LIFE sentence he deserves while we (and our families) continue to deal with the aftermath of that attack on September 3, 1992.

Unfortunately, Pagel didn’t stop there. He recently introduced another “criminal friendly” bill which would allow for the release of ill prisoners. Under his legislation, a criminal could rob a bank and be sentenced to 30 years in prison and if he had a stroke or heart attack on his way to prison he would be released, not serving a single day of his 30-year sentence. Does Mr. Pagel believe this is justice? Why does he consistently side with criminals over victims?

We know that Rep. Kim LaSata has been endorsed by all three sheriffs in the 21st Senate District. I encourage every law enforcement officer, or citizen who “Supports the Blue” to vote for Kim LaSata as your next State Senator on August 7!

Sincerely,

Chief Dan Unruh

Retired Lt. John Briney

A’s, B’s and O’s are missing – Red Cross campaign calls for new blood donors to fill the Missing Types

As part of an international movement, the American Red Cross is launching the Missing Types campaign to recruit new blood donors – and those who have not given recently – to ensure lifesaving blood is available for patients.

During the Missing Types campaign, the letters A, B and O – the main blood groups – will disappear from brands, social media pages, signs and websites to illustrate the critical role every blood donor plays. When the letters A, B and O vanish from everyday life, the gaps are striking. And when A, B and O blood types are missing from hospital shelves, patient care could be impacted.

Don’t wait until the letters A, B and O go missing from hospital shelves. Join the #MissingType movement today – make an appointment to give blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/MissingTypes, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Potential blood donors do not need to know their blood type before giving blood. After individuals give blood, the Red Cross provides each donor their blood type. By joining the #MissingType movement, donors can find out their blood type this summer.

Missing letters can lead to delays in treatment

Each day, blood and platelets are needed for accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those who are receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood donations every day for patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals across the country.

New donors needed

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. But for the past four years, new Red Cross donors have declined by about 80,000 each year. This is not just a Red Cross trend, but a challenge blood collection organizations face across the country and around the world.

Donating blood is a simple process and only takes about an hour from start to finish.

The Red Cross appreciates the support of its 18 lead partners who have joined the #MissingType campaign, including: Adobe, Anheuser-Busch, AvalonBay Communities, Inc., Domino’s, Dropbox, Google, IBM, Land O’Lakes, Inc., Mastercard, Nationwide, Neiman Marcus, the New York Yankees, Oreo, PayPal, Salesforce, State Farm, Sunoco and U.S. Bank.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass are encouraged to help speed up the donation process. RapidPass lets donors complete the pre-donation reading and answer the health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass from the convenience of a mobile device or computer, or through the Blood Donor App.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Senate approves auto insurance reforms

State Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker on June 8 applauded Senate passage of several reforms to the state’s no-fault auto insurance system.

“Residents are tired of high premiums,” said Schuitmaker, R-Lawton. “Michigan drivers pay the highest premiums in the country, and that is a direct result of the current system. While some promote the program’s success, it is clear that something needs to be done to address the exorbitant costs.”

Michigan is one of 12 states that currently operate under a no-fault system of automobile insurance.

Under the current system, a driver’s own insurance company covers all accident-related medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. Because of this, all motorists in the state are legally required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which pays for an individual’s medical expenses resulting from injuries sustained in an auto accident.

“The legislation approved by the Senate includes a $400,000 cap for personal injury protection for people who have never paid into Michigan’s no-fault system,” Schuitmaker said. “This would reduce costs and bring Michigan more in line with neighboring states. There is no reason for Michiganders to be covering unlimited PIP claims for out-of-state residents.”

There are, however, many reasons for Michigan’s high rates. Michigan’s unique uncapped benefits, fraud and increasing health care costs are just a few examples.

Senate Bill 1014 would address the rampant fraudulent activity within the system by creating the Michigan Automobile Insurance Fraud Authority within the attorney general’s office. The authority’s primary operation would be investigating insurance fraud, which according to the Insurance Institute of Michigan is estimated to be about $400 million per year.

The bill would also make changes to attendant care, setting limits on the amount that could be paid to family and household members to help protect against inflated costs. Coverage for the first 56 hours of attendant care provided in a week would be limited to a reasonable and customary amount, and coverage of care in excess of 56 hours would be limited to $15 an hour.

Included in the package is legislation that would allow Michigan residents age 65 or older the option to choose a capped auto-insurance policy. SB 787 would set the cap at $50,000 and personal insurance or Medicare would cover remaining medical expenses from an automobile accident after the $50,000 limit is reached. Seniors who opted for the limited coverage would see their catastrophic claims assessment drastically reduced.

Seniors would also have the option to remain in the current no-fault system.

“Michigan has the highest average annual premium in the nation at $2,394, while the national average is $1,318,” Schuitmaker said. “We need to work to close that gap and do better for hardworking Michigan taxpayers.”

SBs 787 and 1014 have been sent to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Bishop Bradley calls for just solution at the U.S. border

In light of policies that are currently separating children from their parents at the U.S. border, Bishop Paul J. Bradley of the Diocese of Kalamazoo has released the following statement calling for more just resolutions.

“I join with my fellow Bishops in expressing deep concern for the recent practice of separating children from their parents at the United States border and detaining them,” said Bishop Bradley.  “As the debates rage, and as the rhetoric becomes heated and divisive, young children are being forcibly taken from their parents for months at a time. These parents are seeking a better life than what they know. As Cardinal Daniel DiNardo said, ‘Families are the foundational element of our society and they must be able to stay together. While protecting our borders is important, we can and must do better as a government, and as a society, to find other ways to ensure that safety.’”

“There is a better way to solve this problem; it is God’s way of love and mercy. I invite all people of good will to unite in prayer for those families adversely impacted by this forced separation and implore our government officials to pursue resolutions that are just and proper to the dignity we all share as sons and daughters of God.”

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo is the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). His full statement may be found at www.usccb.org.