08-22-2019 Letters and Commentary

Humble beginnings There are many big names in industry that have had humble beginnings. A few popular ones would include Whirlpool, McDonald’s, and Ford. These all started small and then grew with good ideas and good management. Considering such origins should encourage us about our own “small ideas”, and should remind us to encourage humble beginnings in the minds of young people as well. Some hymns and songs also have humble beginnings. One such children’s song that most of us can probably remember hearing at some time in our lives is “Jesus Loves Me”, written by Anna Bartlett Warner in 1860. In its original form it was actually a part of a novel, “Say and Seal”, of her authorship. It was composed as a song sung to a dying child at one place in the story. The words of the popular three-verse version are: “Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak, but He is strong. “Jesus loves me! He who died, heaven’s gate to open wide. He will wash away my sin; Let His little child come in. “Jesus loves me! He will stay Close beside me all the way; Thou hast bled and died for me, I will henceforth live for Thee.” Those three verses profoundly explain the message of the Gospel in simple, childlike terms that can be widely understood. That song has given encouragement to many children and adults. I remember my uncle, Homer Grasberger, an attorney in Philadelphia, requesting that song to be sung at his funeral as an expression of his simple faith. As a member of Tenth Presbyterian Church he regularly had rich musical worship experience as the orchestras played from the rear balcony, but that song was one of his favorites. The humble statement, “Jesus loves me!” will always express the most profound truth in the universe.

Five ways to use Social Security online Social Security is here for you, not just when you need us financially, but when you need accurate information about our programs, retirement, and more. There are many online sources for Social Security information, but you need to make sure you’re getting the right information. By using www.socialsecurity.gov, you know that what you’re reading and watching is approved by our experts and specifically created for you. Here are five of our resources that can offer you invaluable information. Want access to our latest news, retirement planning tips, and helpful information? Social Security Matters is our blog at blog.socialsecurity.gov. From there, you can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube, where you can watch our popular videos. Our online calculators, such as the Retirement Estimator, the Life Expectancy Calculator, and the Early or Late Retirement Calculator, can be found at www.socialsecurity.gov/ planners/calculators. Have you lost or misplaced your Social Security card? Find out how to get a new, replacement, or corrected card at www.socialsecurity.gov/ ssnumber. In fact, you may be able to quickly request a replacement card online with a “my Social Security” account, if you meet certain qualifications, at www.socialsecurity.gov/ myaccount. Verify your annual earnings and review estimates of your future Social Security benefits when you access your Social Security Statement, one of the many services available with a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Do you have to pay taxes on Social Security benefits? How do you apply for Social Security retirement benefits? What is your full retirement age? Discover the answers to your Social Security related questions at our Frequently Asked Questions page at www.socialsecurity.gov/faq. With so many services available online, Social Security is here for you when your schedule allows. And we’re the authority for Social Security program and benefits information. Be sure to tell friends and family about all the business they can do with us from the comfort of their home or office at www.socialsecurity.gov. 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.

COMMUNITY CENTER IN WATERVLIET’S FUTURE? This Monday, August 26 at 6:05 p.m., citizens of Watervliet are invited to discuss the future of the downtown by way of a special land use permit for the building that formerly housed Bob’s Hobby Shop. The discussion will be held as part of the agenda of the Watervliet City Planning Commission meeting at City Hall. The special land use permit is requested by the Freshwater Community Church, which is currently leasing space from Coloma Schools. That lease expires in October. The church is proposing to rehabilitate the Watervliet Main Street building to use as a church for worship and a non-profit community center. This is an important meeting for all that are concerned with the future of the downtown. As more and more businesses are leaving the downtowns for elsewhere, those of us that choose to stay are encouraged by new business concepts to populate vacant buildings and to bring customers to the sidewalks. This is something that a hands-on community church can do by stimulating activity with an involved church family and by providing space for a community center in Watervliet. Frequently the idea of a community center comes up when there are visioning discussions. “There’s nothing for the kids to do in Watervliet” is the lament. “We need a community center”, is the idea. When such a discussion becomes heated, it is soon cooled by the questions, “Who will pay for it and who will operate it”? The answer this time is… Freshwater Community Church will pay, open, and operate a church and a community center in Watervliet. The church and community center will not disenfranchise any business or service. It will not take away business space for a more vital need. It will not cause any parking issues (there is numerous parking spaces on the same block and same side of the street). Any tax revenue lost because the building is owned by a church was brought up at a recent DDA meeting. Freshwater Church Pastor Justin VanFerrari said the proposed church/ community center could generate increased business on Main Street through its activities every day. This might be the case that a new idea can grow and flourish because the time is right for a new idea to grow and flourish in Watervliet. In full disclosure, my daughter Amy and her husband Bill Loshbough are active members in Freshwater Church, as are their children. I share their excitement that Freshwater Church wants to relocate to Watervliet.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GUN RIGHTS DEBATE… Two weeks have hardly passed when people were gunned down by domestic terrorists in Texas and Ohio. While political leaders promised unilateral action to protect citizens from homegrown terrorists and to protect citizens’ rights to own guns, such promises have already faded away nearly as quickly as the smoke from the gun barrels spewing bullets at innocent targets on American streets. I read a news piece on the National Public Radio web site earlier this week which claimed that Americans polled mostly supported laws that help families and police to remove guns from those that display traits that may indicate the gun owner is at risk to himself or to others. The NPR article read: “Poll: Americans, including Republicans and gun owners, broadly support red Flag Laws… Strong majorities of Americans from across the political spectrum support laws that allow family members or law enforcement to petition a judge to temporarily remove guns from a person who is seen to be a risk to themselves or others, according to a new APM Research Lab/Guns & America/Call To Mind survey. These laws, often called extreme risk protection order laws, or red flag laws, have received renewed attention after 31 people were killed during mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. Variations of these red flag laws are in place in 17 states and the District of Columbia. Since the mass shootings, President Trump and some congressional Republicans have signaled support for federal red flag legislation, though next steps in Congress are unclear at this point. Overall, 77% of Americans surveyed support family-initiated ERPOs, and 70% support them when initiated by law enforcement, according to the survey, which was conducted before the recent Texas and Ohio shootings. There is broad support among Republicans and gun owners for these types of laws, the poll found. Two-thirds of Republicans and 60% of gun owners support allowing police to seek the court orders; higher percentages — 70% of Republicans and 67% of gun owners — support allowing family members to seek them. There is broad support among men and women, but there is a gender gap — with more women in favor of red flag laws than men. There are also regional differences, with a smaller percentage in the west (though still a majority) supportive of these laws. Support for the laws also increases the higher the level of educational attainment.” Hey, it’s a start, isn’t it?

Correction

In the August 15, 2019 issue of Tri-City Record, an error was made on Page 11 in the article on the 2019 Berrien County Youth Fair royalty. The last name of the 1st runner-up to the queen was listed as Jackemeyer in the second column. It should have read First Runner-up Gruss.

Tri-City Record is sorry for any inconvenience or confusion this error may have caused.

N.B. Community Development & Coloma Watervliet Chamber Community Golf Outing

Dear Editor,

The North Berrien Community Development & Coloma Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce had a great golf outing on Friday, Aug. 9 and we want to thank all that participated, we could not do this without you!

We had the best weather we have had in a long time and we look forward to next August for our 17th Annual Community Golf Outing at the Paw Paw Lake Golf Club.

The following were Hole Sponsors: Spectrum Lakeland Health – Major Corporate Sponsor, Combined Insurance Agency (CIA), Wightman, Honor Credit Union, Lane Automotive, Midwest Family Broadcasting, Bob Becker – Alfred Metals, Brian W. Smith – Edward Jones, American Homes Real Estate Mikki Swisher, Centsible Heating, Orchard Hill Landfill, Bestway Disposal, Dicastal, Sheriff Paul Bailey and Robert Michael Salon.

A big thank you as well to any business that donated prizes for the raffle and or swag bags, such as: B&B Grocery, Blackbird Waterhouse, Berrien County Community Development, Boelcke Heating and Cooling, Chemical Bank, Coloma Community Schools, Coloma Glad-Peach Committee, Contessa Wine Cellars, Dicastal, Honor Credit Union, Crown Trophy #104, Karla Smothers State Farm Agency, Grapevine Nursery, Lazy Ballerina Winery, Mattson’s House of Décor, North Berrien Community Development, Robert Michael Salon and Spa, The River, and Wightman.

Centsible Heating out did themselves this year with two teams, a hole sponsorship and a beautiful basket for Closest to the Pin Contest.

We appreciated the support of volunteers and all the teams representing businesses, municipalities, police and sheriff departments and members of the community!

Congratulations to the three teams that placed, Coloma Township Police Department, Brian W. Smith team and Honor Credit Union.

Our volunteers, were so important, so thank you Sherri and Rochelle Ulleg, Jen and Patty from Centsible Heating, Robin from Grapevine Nursery, Marsha Hammond and Jim & Sherry Polashak.

If I have forgotten anyone I apologize, and we hope you tell your friends to participate next year!

Chana Kniebes, Director

North Berrien Community Development

Coloma Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce

Traveling Trunks debuted at N.B. museum

Dear Karl,

After much planning, the North Berrien Historical Museum has completed its first-ever professional development program for educators. On Monday, August 12 from 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., the Museum Educational Outreach Committee presented Hands On History, a program which detailed the contents of six of NBHM’s Traveling Trunks. The local educators in attendance earned State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) for their participation.

The Traveling Trunks offer educators hands-on materials, lesson plans, and activities covering different historical topics to utilize in their classrooms. These can be checked out for free from the Museum. The presentation on August 12 gave teachers a thorough demonstration of how these trunks can aid them in teaching history. A fun and informative time was had by all throughout the course of the day as participants tried out the crafts and activities available in the various trunks. This ranged from playing Native American games to designing their own lumber company logo.

We hope to offer more professional development programs in the future. Educators interested in receiving notification of future opportunities can email me at peter@northberrienhistory.org.

Thank you for including information on the August 12 offering in the Tri-City Record.

Regards,

Peter Cook

Director of Programs and Outreach

North Berrien Historical Museum

Widening of Napier Avenue

Dear Editor,

In regard to the pedestrian Mark Snyder who was hit by a car on Napier Avenue and later died, I am in hopes that the subject of widening Napier Avenue and installing sidewalks will seriously once again be investigated by the township to avoid any more fatalities. I have seen many bicyclists and pedestrians navigate Napier which is dangerous. I would encourage drivers to obey the speed limits and use caution when driving on Napier Avenue.

Dawn Consolino, Coloma

Tariffs cost the U.S.

Dear Editor,

Tariffs aren’t the answer!

Trump has shifted U.S. policy from negotiating global trade deals with an alliance of countries to using tariff threats to force trade and immigration agreements.

In January 2018, the President imposed 30-50% tariffs on solar panels and washing machines. In March 2018, Trump enacted a 25% tariff on steel and a 10% tariff on aluminum imports.

India responded with tariffs on $240 million of U.S. goods. Canada also imposed matching retaliations. China imposed retaliatory tariffs on $34 billion of U.S. goods which included aircraft and automotive items along with hogs and soybeans.

Soybeans valued at $12.4B are the largest U.S. export to China. Soybean prices are down about 22% since April meaning farmers have suffered most. Now China has threatened to stop all soybean purchases.

For those who don’t know (including apparently the President), import tariffs aren’t fines. They’re taxes paid to U.S. Customs and Border Protection by companies importing goods from abroad. Those companies typically pass on these taxes as increases on our consumer prices. The steel tariffs may have saved some jobs but the higher prices may cost America $5.11 billion or $1 million per job saved. The New York Federal Reserve estimates that tariffs already imposed by the administration are costing the U.S. about $830 annually per household: Like the 12% increase in washing machine prices.

Per a Washington Examiner article: Rather than act unilaterally, the U.S. should demonstrate thoughtful global leadership by putting together a coalition of like-minded nations, including Japan and members of the European Union, to challenge China’s theft of intellectual property and unfair trade practices. Use an alliance of nations to isolate China.

Trump tweeted: “Trade wars are good, and easy to win”. We have a president (Tariff Man) who doesn’t win: he’s simply robbing our pocket books.

Ken Peterson, Buchanan

Michigan residents reminded to protect against mosquito bites

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is reminding residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites following the confirmation of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in the state. As of Aug. 12, two cases of EEE have been confirmed in horses in Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties. Neither horse was vaccinated against EEE, and both animals have died. There is an EEE vaccine available for horses, but not for people.

“These equine deaths indicate that EEE virus activity is increasing and provides warning that human cases could also occur,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health. “Michigan residents are urged to take precautions and protect themselves from mosquito bites.”

The southwestern region of the state has experienced outbreaks of this mosquito-borne disease in horses and people in the past, with the most recent outbreaks occurring in the early 1980s, mid-1990s and 2010. EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the U.S., with a 33 percent fatality rate among humans who become ill and a 90 percent fatality rate among horses that become ill.

People can be infected with EEE from the bite of a mosquito carrying the virus. The disease is not spread by horse-to-horse or horse-to-human contact. In humans, signs of EEE include the sudden onset of fever, chills, body and joint aches. EEE infection can develop into severe encephalitis, resulting in headache, disorientation, tremors, seizures and paralysis. Permanent brain damage, coma and death may also occur in some cases.

Residents can stay healthy by following steps to avoid mosquito bites:

Apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved product to exposed skin or clothing, and always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.

Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside.

Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires, or similar sites where mosquitoes may lay eggs.

Use nets and/or fans over outdoor eating areas.

Additionally, West Nile Virus activity in Michigan has increased. Health officials have identified eight infected birds and 12 positive mosquito pools in the Lower Peninsula. Mosquito-borne illness will continue to be a risk in Michigan until late fall when nighttime temperatures consistently fall below freezing.

Lastly, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recommends that residents protect their horses by: Talking to their veterinarian about vaccinating horses against the disease; using fans in barns and bringing horses indoors from early evening until after sunrise when mosquitoes are most prevalent; using an approved insect repellant on the animals; contacting a veterinarian if your animal shows signs of illness.

For more information about mosquito-borne diseases, visit Michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.

Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector installations saving lives

A statewide push in Michigan to save lives is already seeing positive results. Monday, a Blair Township family exited their home safely after a recently installed carbon monoxide detector indicated high levels of carbon monoxide in their home. The family left the home when the detector sounded and avoided the escalating buildup of carbon monoxide from a faulty stove in their home.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that causes “flu-like” symptoms in low amounts and can kill people and animals who breathe in large amounts.

The carbon monoxide detector was one of thousands installed by local fire departments over the last several months through a grant coordinated by MI Prevention, a statewide fire safety campaign organized by the State Fire Marshal, the Bureau of Fire Services and Michigan’s fire safety organizations.

This is just one example of the impact of the recent push to install 21,384 smoke alarms and 6,455 carbon monoxide detectors throughout the state.

Funding for the initiative came from a competitive, one-year, $525,000 Fire Prevention and Safety grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Homeland Security, and a five percent match from the state of Michigan.

In 2018, 139 Michiganders perished in home fires with $260 million in reported property damage. Since January 1, 59 people have died in residential fires in Michigan, a 30% decrease as compared to the 84 residential fire deaths that had occurred at this time last year.

“Working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors save lives,” said Orlene Hawks, the director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, which houses the Bureau of Fire Services. “MI Prevention is an important statewide partnership that is already having a direct impact on the lives of Michiganders.”

“Fire deaths and carbon monoxide-related fatalities are largely preventable if we educate Michigan residents on the importance of having working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in their home,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer. “The lives of all Michiganders depend on education and awareness.”

The recent campaign targeted adults over age 40 and children under age nine in Flint, the Traverse City area, and Lake County, where some of the highest number of fire deaths have occurred in recent years. Other priority areas included Detroit, Saginaw and Southern Macomb County – all of which had smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors installed in homes as a part of this program.

The grant also allocated funding for marketing and educational campaigns to raise awareness and knowledge about fire safety to achieve a sustained behavioral change. Starting August 26, billboards will be going up around the state to remind Michiganders of two important messages: “Close the Door” – sleeping with closed doors can save the lives of your family; and “Push the Button” – working smoke alarms can save lives.

Consumers can find more resources and safety information at the MI Prevention website: www.michigan.gov/miprevention.

MI Prevention is built around a community risk reduction (CRR) program first introduced in Michigan by the National Fire Protection Association in 2017 and is comprised of representatives from fire service, law enforcement, school officials, and other public and private organization and community leaders. A statewide CRR Task Force developed a three-year Michigan CRR 2018-2020 Strategic Plan.

Special recognition this year goes to community partner Home Depot in Okemos, MI for its invaluable support by providing and distributing alarm orders to fire departments throughout the state.

Hundreds share insights on elder abuse with MI AG, Supreme Court Justices during Listening Tour

Traveling more than 2,600 miles around the state and hearing from more than 200 seniors and advocates about ways to address elder abuse, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Michigan Supreme Court Justice Megan Cavanagh this week wrapped up their 12-stop Elder Abuse Listening Tour in Marquette.

Nessel along with Supreme Court Justices Cavanagh and Richard Bernstein embarked on the tour in June to better focus and guide the efforts of the Michigan Elder Abuse Task Force on the issues and concerns that impact Michigan seniors. The tour started in Grand Rapids in June and ended Aug. 12 at Northern Michigan University.

“This listening tour was about providing a voice to those who don’t often have a chance to speak up and speak out,” Nessel said. “We appreciate all those who attended and provided valuable input and feedback, the insights and personal experiences were humbling, at times heartbreaking, and always enlightening. We fully intend to incorporate these comments as we prepare to properly address the troubling issue of elder abuse.”

The Task Force, which launched in March, identified nine initiatives to tackle immediately as part of a statewide crackdown on elder abuse. The listening tour was developed to ensure the Task Force was on the right track with the first nine initiatives and to identify any additional issues that should be addressed.

In total, nearly 1,000 seniors and advocates attended at least one tour stop and more than 10,000 residents tuned in online via Facebook Live. The tour included stops to Bay, Berrien, Genesee, Grand Traverse, Isabella, Kalamazoo, Kent, Marquette, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.

Of all the testimony provided, the three top concerns shared by seniors and advocates alike included: Full-time and court-appointed guardianships; selling the personal property of a senior who has been declared a ward of the court; and isolation from their families.

“The key thing that I have learned from these listening sessions is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution,” said Michigan

Supreme Court Justice Megan K. Cavanagh. “Elder abuse is a complicated problem that takes a comprehensive solution with involvement of judges, prosecutors, protective service workers, neighbors, and family members. Together, we’ll tackle each challenge and won’t stop until the job is done.”

“Everything that we as public servants do centers on the people of Michigan, and we genuinely participated in the Task Force listening sessions to try to make a difference and try to help,” said Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein. “I appreciate the courage of each and every person who spoke and shared their stories of pain and loss. Your strength in speaking out is the inspiration for the next step – turning words into action.”

“I sincerely believe that when we are done with these initiatives, we will have made more progress in protecting our seniors than we have in the last 30 years,” Nessel added.

The Attorney General’s Elder Abuse Task Force is made up of more than 80 individuals representing more than 50 different organizations including law enforcement, state agencies, probate judges, the Michigan House, Senate and Congressional delegation, and advocacy groups.

For more information on Michigan’s Elder Abuse Task Force, visit Michigan.gov/ElderAbuse.