10-08-2020 Watervliet City Clerk actively working to process absentee ballot applications

THIS KUTE KID IS… Ivee Rose Flores, 3-year-old daughter of Eddie and Stephanie Flores, of Hartford. The grandparents of young Ivee are Manuel and Herminia Zuniga from Hartford. Ivee’s parents say she has such a sweet heart and is loved by so many. Her smile is the first thing people notice. Currently she likes Barbie dolls, babies, playing outside, and wearing dresses. Daddy’s little girl is a true blessing to their lives.

Watervliet City Clerk actively working to process absentee ballot applications

Though challenging, the City is prepared and ready for November 3rd Election. In agreement with Berrien County Clerk Sharon Tyler’s Sept. 22 press release stating that “ballots will arrive on time,” Watervliet City Clerk Christa Townsend has announced that the City has received its supplemental ballots and that her office continues to process applications and mail out absentee ballots. While the City believes there has been confusion and misinformation circulated, the first batch of applications have been processed and this action will continue to be done daily until the election. “I’m here to ensure a well ran, efficient, and accurate election,” stated Townsend. The City continues to receive absentee ballot applications and they will be processed in a timely manner, ensuring every eligible voter who wishes to participate has the opportunity. Absentee ballot applications can be picked up at Watervliet City Hall or may be applied for through the Michigan Secretary of State website at: www.michigan.gov/vote. The website is able to provide answers to voting and election questions on an array of topics including registration to what’s on the individual voter’s ballot. As a reminder, absentee ballots can be returned to City hall during normal business hours 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday or dropped off in the City’s secured lock box outside of City Hall. The polls will be open for in-person voting on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

WHS HOMECOMING ROYALTY… was crowned at lunch Oct. 2, 2020, followed by a parade through town at 6 p.m. From the left: King Garett Hotovy is the son of Mark and Becky Hotovy; Queen Riley McKinney is the daughter of Travis and Nicole McKinney; Prince Parker Lanning is the son of JP Lanning and Melissa Lanning; Princess Hannah Hart is the daughter of Grant and Wendy Hart. The King & Queen are seniors and the Prince & Princess are juniors, at Watervliet High School.

HARTFORD HIGH SCHOOL… Students of the Week for Sept. 25, 2020 are: 9th Grade – Mauritza Cruz, student of Umberto & Enedelia Cruz; 10th Grade – Fantasia Eastman, student of Scott & Kristia Eastman; 11th Grade – Jennell Mason, student of Thomas & Stephany Mason; 12th Grade – Adam Henslee Jr., student of Adam Henslee & Amber Little. Congratulations to these “Students of the Week” and keep up the great work!

Tuesday Night Bingo canceled at St. Joseph Catholic Church

The chairmen and officers of the Knights of Columbus have chosen to cancel their Tuesday Night Bingo for the time being. This activity was held in the basement of the St. Joseph Catholic Church on Lucinda Lane in Watervliet. The organizers will evaluate the COVID-19 situation in 2021 and may re-schedule bingo for a later time next year. An announcement will be made when the activity will resume then. Knights of Columbus Fr. Raynold G. Thelen Council 4055 extend gratitude to all past patrons of Tuesday Night Bingo for their support over the last 50 years of this event. They also wish all of the patrons and their families good health.

Can you influence your financial aid award? Right now, the pandemic is causing chaos and uncertainty for colleges and students. But it won’t always be that way. And if you have children who will be heading off to school in the next few years, you’re probably thinking about more typical concerns – such as expenses. How will you pay for the high costs of higher education? Most colleges do offer financial aid packages that can greatly help with these expenses. But it pays to know, well in advance, how financial aid works. And the key platform for determining much of your child’s financial aid is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In fact, if you have children starting college next year, now is the time to get going on the FAFSA, which became available Oct. 1 for the 2021-22 award year. Filling out your FAFSA will provide you with what’s known as your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC calculation takes into account four separate areas: parent income, parent assets (excluding retirement funds, such as 401(k) plans and IRAs, home equity and small family businesses), student income and student assets. The EFC does not calculate the exact amount you must pay for college – rather, it’s an estimate, and the amount you pay can be below or above this number. Nonetheless, the EFC is important in determining your financial aid package, and your actions can influence the results. Here are a few suggestions for future years: Save money in your name – not your child’s. FAFSA will just consider up to 5.64 percent of a parent’s assets, compared to 20 percent of a student’s assets. Be aware of how retirement plan contributions can affect aid. Many of your current assets, such as your retirement accounts, may be excluded from the EFC calculation. However, any voluntary contributions you make to your 401(k) or traditional IRA during the “base” year (the prior tax year) generally must be reported on the FAFSA and are counted as untaxed income; consequently, these contributions may have a similar effect on aid eligibility as taxable income. Mandatory contributions, such as those made by teachers to a state retirement system, are generally not reported on the FAFSA. Avoid withdrawals from your 401(k) or traditional IRA. The money you take out from these accounts in the years you fill out the FAFSA, and the prior tax year, may count as taxable income in the financial aid calculations. If you really need the money, you may want to consult with your financial professional for alternatives. Consider having children put earnings into a Roth IRA. Money from after-school or summer jobs your children put in a Roth IRA may not be included in EFC – plus, your kids will get a head start on a tax-advantaged retirement account. Keep in mind, though, that Roth IRA withdrawals could be considered as taxable income on the FAFSA if the account owner is younger than 59-1/2, which will be the case for your children, or the account is less than five years old. Not all these suggestions will be appropriate for everyone, but they’re worth thinking about. You might also want to consult with a college’s financial aid officer before you complete the FAFSA, as aid calculations can be complex. An investment of your time and effort early in the process may pay off when the aid packages are finally delivered. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. This content should not be depended upon for other than broadly informational purposes. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation. Make sure to discuss the potential financial aid impacts for your specific situation with a financial aid professional.