11-02-2017 Letters & Commentary

“Ten Thousand Angels”

 They say, “God moves in mysterious ways.” Actually God does whatever He wants, whether we think it strange or not. This was demonstrated in the life of Ray Overholt, the writer of the popular contemporary Christian hymn, “Ten Thousand Angels.”

How that song came into being demonstrates four principles worth remembering. First, our programs do not limit God’s plans. According to our music program, Christians write Christian music. Ray Overholt did not have Christ for his savior when he wrote “Ten Thousand Angels.” God used that song to help bring Ray to the realization that he needed the salvation about which he had written. The second principle is God always uses His Word to produce spiritual growth. Ray’s study of Jesus’ Gethsemane experience gave him the foundation for the message of “Ten Thousand Angels.”

Third, a parent’s prayers may be answered long after the seeds of truth have been planted in a child’s heart. Ray connected with the Bible because of his mother’s early teaching.

Fourth, God graciously meets people where they are. This was demonstrated in Ray Overholt’s life story. Ray sought God only because God sought Ray, giving him the seed thoughts to write a song about Christ. Then drawing Ray to the Scriptures to discover the truth that would transform his life forever. God works very patiently with those He seeks. He arranges circumstances and timing so that those He draws to Himself can find Him and finally enjoy His forgiveness and loving kindness personally.

The twelve legions of angels Jesus could have called was probably more like 72,000, not just ten thousand, but the song captures the truth that Jesus didn’t run from His task, but He instead “died alone for you and me”.

We are following God’s good example when we too graciously meet people where they are.

Retiring abroad? What you need to know about getting benefits overseas

Retiring outside of the United States can be an exciting way to spend your golden years. Perhaps retirement in Poland or Peru is in your plans. In many cases, it’s possible to receive your Social Security retirement benefits while living abroad. Our website can help you navigate your benefit eligibility while living overseas.

If you’ve worked in both the United States and another country, it may be possible for your credits to combine for a larger benefit. Currently, there are 25 countries with such international agreements with the United States. To find out if you have qualifying work in a country with such an agreement, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/international.

You can receive benefits in many countries. To find out whether you can receive your benefits in the country where you are retiring, you should use our Payments Abroad Screening Tool at www.socialsecurity.gov/international/payments_outsideUS.html.

There are easy ways to get in touch with us and report changes to Social Security when you live overseas. You can contact your local U.S. embassy, write to us by mail, or call us at 1-800-772-1213. You can find other information in regards to living overseas at www.socialsecurity.gov/foreign.

Social Security is with you throughout life’s journey, even if that journey takes you outside the United States. You can always access our wide range of safe and secure online resources 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.

FALL BACK… Don’t forget Daylight Saving Time ends at 3 a.m. this Sunday, November 5. Turn your clocks back an hour at bedtime Saturday night and you should be fine Sunday morning having gotten an extra hour of sleep.

TUESDAY ELECTION… Hartford City residents have the opportunity for hands on choices in the management of the City with Tuesday’s municipal election.

The front-page story in this issue lists the candidates and their positions on local issues. Hopefully it will be helpful in assisting you with your decision.

HALLOWEEN SAFETY… I hope your Halloween festivities were fun, friendly, and uneventful.

As I have aged, my view on the Halloween traditions has changed. I no longer find it funny to scare the kids to tears, or fun to soap windows, tp houses, ring doorbells, or to knock over pumpkins.

Even if I could, I have no interest in running up and down the streets in the dark in costume.  That is dangerous and just plain stupid.

All that being said, I love watching the little ones (age 16 & under) celebrate Halloween in the many daylight events held at churches and in the community. Coloma’s Trunk or Treat in the Park on Saturday and Watervliet Sidewalk Costume Parade after school on Halloween are two great examples of enjoying all the best of the tradition without any of its worst.

From the kids’ safety standpoint, we can do without any of the shenanigans in the dark.

ADVERTISING RULES NEEDED … the recent disclosure that foreigners and foreign governments were complicit in placing internet advertising to influence last year’s election came as no surprise.

Why not? The internet is the wild west of the global economy. There is no restriction on content, placement, truth or untruths, ethics, or anything else.

What was surprising is that there is no requirement (on the internet) to disclose the identity of the committee or person placing the ad.

Such a disclosure has long been a requirement for placing political advertising on television, radio and in the newspapers. Every ad is required to have the disclosure, including the address of the person or committee placing the ad copy.

Now we are told the internet accepted more than 10 million dollars in advertising, much of it in rubles.

Why did it take a federal investigation to disclose this? Why did some of the internet bigwigs deny any knowledge of such transactions while accepting the money for the ads?

I have always been an advocate of free speech and disclosure. I don’t see how or why there are those that claim requiring disclosing of that buying ad space for election advertising is an infringement on those rights.

Indeed, there have been some crackpot claims made in ads promulgating certain views even when a name and address is required.

What we haven’t seen in print or in the mainstream broadcast media is the outlandish and ludicrous claims made on the internet.

While it remains to be seen if the ad campaign on the internet was directly responsible for electing Donald Trump President, we will know come the next election.

Meanwhile, there is a senate bill pending that requires disclosure of those placing ads on the internet and other regulations that require the internet media to keep records of the transactions and the ad copy.

Hopefully the bill will become law soon.

Support for Dig Pink volleyball event appreciated; $850 raised for cancer fund

Dear Editor,

Watervliet Panther Volleyball and Hartford Indian Volleyball would like to thank all those who supported their Pink Volleyball fundraiser in October. The two volleyball teams competed on the court, but worked together to raise $850 for the Marie Yeager Cancer Oncology Fund of Lakeland Health Foundations.

The outpouring of support for this cause is a testament to the generous hearts of the students, staff, families and friends in the communities of Hartford and Watervliet. We are proud to have been a part of this event.

Watervliet High School

Athletics Department

In appreciation of Tri-City Record

Dear Editor,

Thank you for your contribution and support of the 8th Annual 5K Run/Walk Event held by Experimental Aircraft Association, Chapter 585 of Watervliet on October 15, 2017. Your support and generosity is greatly appreciated.

Maria Freed, 5K Run/Walk Coordinator

Gary Heuser, Pres. of EAA Chap. 585

Gun control is an important part of the answer to gun violence

Dear Editor,

A recent Op-Ed by Leah Libresco in the Washington Post indicated: “I used to think gun control was the answer. My research told me otherwise.” Gun extremists have seized this article as “scientific proof” that gun control doesn’t work.

Libresco bases her conclusions on a 3-month study of gun violence that she and other colleagues at the website “538” conducted. Libresco often misrepresents the study’s results and ignores many other studies that reach very different conclusions.

Libresco indicates gun control is not the answer to reducing gun violence.  The study states, “This doesn’t suggest that tighter gun control would have no effect on gun deaths.”  Research shows background checks and longer wait times lower homicide counts.

Libresco indicates that nearly 2/3 of gun violence deaths are suicides. Fatal suicides are much more likely with one or more guns in the house. Guns are used 10 times more often for suicide than for self-protection.

The article states: “Almost no proposed restriction would make it meaningfully harder for people with guns on hand to use them.”  However, there are proposed legislative solutions such as an “Extreme Risk Protection Order“ (ERPO) that allows family members, partners, and law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily prohibit new gun purchases and temporarily remove firearms from individuals in crisis.

A study of Connecticut’s ERPO law found 99 percent of warrants removed at least one gun and 44 percent of warrants resulted in respondents receiving psychiatric treatment.  For individuals in crisis, ERPOs can provide a life-saving buffer.

We have an epidemic of gun violence in our country. Gun control alone is not enough. We must also reduce poverty, increase treatment for mental illness, and identify and protect those at risk for domestic violence.

We have an epidemic of gun violence in our country. Gun control alone is not enough. We must also reduce poverty, increase treatment for mental illness, and identify and protect those at risk for domestic violence.

Ken Peterson, Buchanan

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson reminds voters of November elections

 School districts and communities, including many cities, in 75 counties will hold elections Nov. 7.

Check your registration information at the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.Michigan.gov/vote.

You also can view your sample ballot if your community is holding an election as well as find your polling location and track your absentee ballot.

A list of communities with elections can be found online at www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/Elections_by_County.

How you can get an absentee ballot? Voters who qualify may choose to cast an absentee ballot. As a registered voter, you may obtain an absentee ballot if you are: Age 60 or older; Physically unable to attend the polls without the assistance of another; Expecting to be absent from the community in which you are registered for the entire time the polls will be open on Election Day; In jail awaiting arraignment or trial; Unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons; Appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence.

Those who wish to receive an absentee ballot by mail must submit the application by 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4.

Visit us online to find out more www.michigan.gov/sos.

ExpressSOS.com allows voters to change address. Many Michigan residents who already are registered to vote can change their official state address, including their voter registration address, online at no cost. Visit ExpressSOS.com and follow the simple instructions.

Voters will be asked to provide identification when they visit the polls on Election Day. They will be asked to present valid photo ID, such as a Michigan driver’s license or identification card. Anyone who does not have an acceptable form of photo ID or failed to bring it with them to the polls still may vote. The person will be required to sign a brief affidavit stating that he or she is not in possession of photo ID. The ballot will be included with all others and counted on Election