08-09-2018 Letters and Commentary

Schrage family needs community support to retain business at their home

Dear Editor,

We are asking the community to NOT sign ANY petitions to shut us down.

We had a set of twin girls born at 27 weeks and unfortunately one of them has several medical conditions and a rare life-threatening illness. One small fever could wipe her out.

She requires around the clock care and IV hook-ups every day and her immune system is compromised after losing 95% of her small intestine. She had heart surgery and suffered a stroke after cardiac arrest leaving her with cerebral palsy as well.

Sadly there are not enough nurses in our area. My husband had to take lots of time off from his previous employment for surgeries or emergencies and it’s hard to keep a job when you need so much time off. He started his own business so he could work from our property to be home when emergencies arrive.

We have a neighbor who is against us having a business and trying to make it impossible for us to financially support our family. As she feels we are ruining the countryside. We love this community and chose to buy a house here because it’s what we enjoy as well.

We built a barn keeping sound in mind and used thicker materials. We have done a sound test to make sure we are within peaceful means. We are asking the community to not sign any petitions. We are trying to make an honest living and provide for our family as best as we know how. We just want to make memories with our kids, especially our baby girl who we don’t know how long we will be blessed with, while providing services to the community.

Thanks for your support!

The Schrage Family

One Way Auto

6101 E. Napier, Benton Harbor

Local history

Dear Editor,

I am surprised how many local people do not know the reasons why ”Blue Star Memorial Highway” and “Red Arrow Highway” are named.

”Blue Star Memorial Highway” runs from Gary, Indiana to Grand Haven, Michigan (137 miles), and it is named from an organization of mothers during World War II who had sons serving in the military, and flew the Blue Star Flag at their homes. “Blue Star Mothers” was organized in Flint, Michigan in 1942, and continues nationwide today with the nearest ”Blue Star Mothers” Post in Paw Paw, and represents men and women in our Armed Forces.

”Red Arrow Highway” runs from New Buffalo, Michigan to Paw Paw, Michigan (60 miles); and named after ”The Red Arrow Division,” organized in 1917 and trained at Camp Custer, now Fort Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan. The “Red Arrow Division” gained fame in France during World I in 1917 and 1918, with 100,000 soldiers trained in those years.

Don Oderkirk, US Navy, Ret., Watervliet

Two local students nationally recognized for award-winning work with SW Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force

Two local young ladies who are passionate about human trafficking awareness and prevention won gold at Nationals with a nationally-recognized partnered project on fighting human trafficking.

Anahi Vargas and Jennifer Fabian, of Covert High School began “Stomp out Trafficking” in the fall of 2017. As they began the process of organizing their Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) community service project, they realized the impact this project could have on so many people. A partnership was established between them and the Southwest Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force, with Cathy Knauf as the founder and director.

Anahi Vargas and Jennifer Fabian are second-year student protegees at the Van Buren Technology Center (VBTC) in the Early Childhood Careers and Education program (ECCE). Through several fundraising activities that were overseen by advisors Gwen Doneruse and Susan Yerrick, Anahi and Jennifer presented the Task Force with a check in the amount of $1,400.00 to cover the cost of two billboards which were located on I-94 and I-196.

“One of the most significant points of the billboards was that one of Covert High School students was the model used in the billboard photo representing a trafficked human being,” stated Knauf.

In March, Anahi and Jennifer participated in the FCCLA Spring Leadership Conference to present “Stomp Out Trafficking.” They received the highest score in their category with a gold medal and were invited to attend the FCCLA National Leadership Conference to represent the State of Michigan, in July, where, once again, the girls received a gold medal for the facilitation and presentation of their project “Stomp Out Trafficking.” Anahi and Jennifer represented not only the ECCE program at the VBTC, but Southwestern Michigan, Covert High School, and themselves, with absolute excellence and determination.  The fight against human trafficking has never been stronger.

Additional information on this subject can be found at the SW MI Human Trafficking Task Force website: www.swmihumantrafficking.org.

Michigan families living in public housing now protected from secondhand smoke exposure

Secondhand smoke is a serious health threat, and can linger in rooms and even travel between homes in multi-unit housing. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, and Michigan residents in public housing should be protected by a new smoke-free housing rule from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that went into effect July 30, 2018.

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy life, and ensuring homes are free from the risks of secondhand smoke is a critical step for the health of residents,” said American Lung Association Senior Manager of Health Promotions Patty Inman. “This is especially true for children and those who are more vulnerable to the impact of second smoke, such as those living with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Today we’re making a healthier future for Michigan and our nation.”

In November 2016, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a rule requiring all federally-owned public housing to become smoke free by July 30, 2018. This rule will protect close to two million Americans nationwide from being exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes, including 690,000 children.

The American Lung Association celebrates this long-awaited health protection, following more than a decade of advocacy for the passage of the rule as well as support for the implementation of smoke-free housing policies in local public housing authorities. In Michigan, it means protections for residents in local public housing agencies.

Locally, the American Lung Association has worked for smoke-free housing initiatives through educational initiatives, including programs on the dangers of secondhand smoke, training facilitators to help with tobacco cessation through the American Lung Association’s Freedom From Smoking program, and the distribution of a variety of publications on the topic.

“Today we celebrate this important step to protect the health of residents in Michigan and we know we’ll see the health benefits for years to come,” said Inman.

Secondhand smoke exposure poses serious health threats to both children and adults. Damaging health effects in children and adults include lung cancer, respiratory infections, worsened asthma symptoms, heart attacks and stroke. For residents of multi-unit housing (e.g., apartment buildings and condominiums), secondhand smoke can be a major concern to non-smokers, as smoke can migrate from other units and common areas and travel through doorways, cracks in walls, electrical lines, plumbing, and ventilation systems.

Bishop applauds Pope Francis’ update to Catechism of the Catholic

Church stating the death penalty “inadmissible”

Bishop Bradley welcomed the news on August 2, 2018 that Pope Francis has approved a clearer articulation of the Church’s teaching in regard to the death penalty, based on the principle of the dignity of the human person, and encourages efforts to advocate for the abolition of the death penalty worldwide.

Bishop Bradley indicated that because of the revision in the articulation of this teaching, paragraph 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church will now state that the “death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person,” and “she (the Church) will continue to work with determination for its abolition worldwide.”

Bishop Bradley’s statement follows:

“Today we were happy to learn that Pope Francis has approved a clearer articulation of the Church’s teaching on the death penalty.  The revised language in the Catechism of the Catholic Church now states that the death penalty is always inadmissible, regardless of the gravity of a person’s crime.  Our Holy Father, in making this doctrinal clarification on the 25th anniversary of the promulgation of the Catechism, affirms the teachings of Pope St. John Paul II, especially in his major encyclical ‘Evangelium Vitae’ (The Gospel of Life), and the teachings of each Pope since, including his own.

“It is our strong hope that this clarification will assist in renewing our hope for a world that affirms the sanctity of all human life as a gift from God, and that the Church will continue advocating for an end to any evil that is against human life, from abortion to the death penalty.”

Following is the revision to paragraph 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

Recourse to the death penalty on the part of legitimate authority, following a fair trial, was long considered an appropriate response to the gravity of certain crimes and an acceptable, albeit extreme, means of safeguarding the common good.

Today, however, there is an increasing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes. In addition, a new understanding has emerged of the significance of penal sanctions imposed by the state. Lastly, more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens but, at the same time, do not definitively deprive the guilty of the possibility of redemption.

Consequently, the Church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that “the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person”, and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide.

Peace in the storm My brother recently bought a house in Cheyenne, Wyoming. One requirement was that the new house would have a full basement to provide a safer place in the event of a tornado. We grew up in Philadelphia. We didn’t have tornados there, but we did have dramatic thunderstorms which we enjoyed watching from the safety of our garage. There are other storms we face that are category-5 tornado equivalents. Fearful storms, like potentially terminal disease storms, aging issues storms, family relationship storms, financial struggle storms. How can we weather these? A full basement isn’t enough, and there’s no hiding from the violent winds. Jesus referenced physical storms in His teaching. For example the parable of the wise man building his house on rock contrasted with the foolish man building on sand. Storms revealed the value of the foundation. The rock is God’s Word. The sand is anything else. So storms confirm the value of our foundations. We can learn from storms and begin to build differently if necessary. Another stormy occasion was when Jesus told His disciples they were going to the other side of Lake Galilee. They got in the boat, set off, and a bad storm blew up during the trip while Jesus slept. The disciples forgot what Jesus had said (that they were going to the other side), and they even accused Him of not caring. When we forget God’s promises we might get angry with God about our circumstances. If we are a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ, then we need to remember His promises even during storms. One promise is “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Peace in the storm? Rest in a sure foundation and remember God’s promises. Potentially helpful Bible references offered: Psalm 4:8, Lamentations 3:17-25, John 14:27, and Philippians 4:4-7.

Working while disabled – Social Security can help While it may be best known for retirement, Social Security is also here to help you get back to work if you are disabled. For millions of people, work isn’t just a source of income, it’s a vital part of who they are — it gives them purpose and pride — it’s a connection to community. If you’re getting Social Security disability benefits, we have good news for you. Social Security’s work incentives and Ticket to Work programs can help you if you’re interested in working. Special rules make it possible for people receiving Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments. The Ticket to Work program may help you if you’d like to work. You can receive: Free vocational rehabilitation; training; job referrals; and other employment support. You can read more about working while collecting disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/work. Work incentives include: Continued cash benefits for a time while you work; continued Medicare or Medicaid while you work; and help with education, training, and rehabilitation to start a new line of work. If you’re receiving Social Security disability benefits or SSI, let us know right away when you start or stop working, or if any other change occurs that could affect your benefits. If you returned to work, but you can’t continue working because of your medical condition, your benefits can start again — you may not have to file a new application. You can read more about the Ticket to Work program in the publication titled “Working While Disabled: How We Can Help” at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf. Part of securing today and tomorrow is giving you the tools to create a fulfilling life. Getting back to work might be part of that. We’re here with a ticket to a secure tomorrow. 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.

THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE CANDIDATES in this week’s Primary Election. It is no small thing for a citizen to put his/her (from here on “his”) hat in the ring of public opinion and then be subject to unfair and untrue scrutiny and comments. It certainly takes a courageous person to offer his name to be vilified by political opponents and their supporters. Then, the “winner” is catapulted into the arena of the general election and will once again be the hapless target of unfair and untrue attacks. If there is any consolation, given the primary system, the winner of the primary of the dominant political party is most usually the winner of the general election. And as such, might avoid much of the mudslinging. Thankfully, despite all our failings and failures, our country is the greatest and its citizens willing to serve it are the best of all.

GLAD-PEACH IS TOPS… I give a tip of the Tri-City Record topper to the glad-peach festival committee for another phenomenal celebration in Coloma. Hats off to all the volunteers, vendors, sponsors and visitors for making the Glad-Peach Festival the premier community festival of the Tri-Cities and certainly one of the best in the region.

FAMILY VACATION ON PAW PAW LAKE… Anne and I enjoyed a wonderful week on Paw Paw Lake with the Justin and Kris Bayer family. Justin and Kris have for the past 10 years or so rented a summer home for our entire family to share. The days and weeks fly by with so much fun things to do. This year was no exception although the numbers of family present were less than previous years. It is no surprise that the highlight of every day is being with family members and missing those that couldn’t join us this year. Paw Paw Lake is undoubtedly a sparkling jewel of the entire state of Michigan and is enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year.