12-28-2017 Letters and Commentary

2018 – time to reinvent yourself

 Focusing on positive possibilities is empowering, and setting goals is the beginning of accomplishment. Goals define the “what” we want to accomplish. Even before we clearly define the “what,” however, we must define the “why” – our motivating reason to go forward. Otherwise obstacles which we will inevitably encounter are likely to stop us. The “why” gives us our reason to go on.

A part of encouragement for future possibilities includes remembering past accomplishments and discoveries – our past experiences that we bring to the table. Psalm 3 is an example of David looking at his life with its many challenges, but also looking at God’s past faithfulness in hearing his appeals for help. Based on those experiences, David decides he can trust God for even more in the future. Listen to what he says in Psalm 3:4-6. “I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; awoke, for the Lord sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.”

David wasn’t the only one who discovered that God’s plans are much bigger than our own. Moses found out God was not limited (Numbers 11:18-23). Joshua obediently went forward with a bizarre plan he could not have dreamed up himself (Joshua 5&6). Gideon discovered he could accomplish much more by boldly following God’s guidance in new directions (Judges 7). Abraham found empowering rejuvenation in God’s promises (Genesis 18:1-14).

These all had success, and we can as well if we adopt the motto, “There is no limit to what God can do. I choose to trust Him.”

What does God have for you this new year – and beyond? Why not ask Him. And then seek Godly wisdom in boldly going forward.

4 questions to ask yourself as you plan for retirement

 Deciding when to start receiving your retirement benefits from Social Security is a decision that only you can make. There are a lot of important questions to answer.

Should you claim benefits earlier and get a smaller monthly payment for more years? Or should you wait and get a bigger monthly amount over a shorter period?

There is no right or wrong answers, but we encourage you to consider these four important questions as you plan for your financially secure retirement:

How much money will I need to live comfortably in retirement?

Anticipate what your expenses will be in retirement, including things like mortgage payments or rent, utilities, healthcare insurance and related costs, food, personal care, car payments and maintenance, entertainment, hobbies, travel, and credit card or other debt.

What will my monthly Social Security retirement benefit be?

The average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker in 2018 is $1,404 (up from $1,377 in 2017). The average monthly Social Security benefit for a disabled worker in 2018 is $1,197 (up from $1,173 in 2017). As a reminder, eligibility for retirement benefits still requires 40 credits (usually about 10 years of work).

Will I have other income to supplement my Social Security benefits?

Secure your financial future with a retirement portfolio that includes savings, investments, and possibly a pension plan. You may choose to increase your income by working past retirement age. Social Security replaces a percentage of a worker’s pre-retirement income based on your lifetime earnings. Most financial advisors say you will need about 70 percent of pre-retirement income to live comfortably in retirement.

How long do I expect my retirement to last?

Anticipate the length of your retirement, keeping in mind that many American workers will live much longer than the “average” retiree. Consider your health, family longevity, and lifestyle. Your Social Security retirement benefits will provide continuous income for as long as you live. Discover your life expectancy with our online calculator at www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/population/longevity.

If you’ve contributed enough to the Social Security system through FICA payroll taxes, you can receive your full retirement benefit at age 66 or 67 depending on when you were born. You may also claim it sooner, starting at age 62, at a permanently reduced rate. Or you may wait until after your full retirement age, increasing your benefit amount by up to 8 percent per full year to age 70.

Social Security is with you through life’s journey, and we’re here to help you prepare for a financially secure future for you and your family. We invite you to use our online retirement planners at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/retire/.

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.

HAPPY NEW YEAR… as the year 2017 comes to a close, please recall the best days of the past and look forward to more to come.

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS… I hope your Christmas was all you hoped it could be. Ours was wonderful, with a 1-year-old great grandbaby to provide most of the entertainment and then a puppy for Grandma Amy, the day was a delight.

ISSUE SWAN SONG… how soon it is over. You may note the Issue #52 on the front page signifying the last Tri-City Record of Volume #135, the 135th year of publication of the newspaper.

Starting with this week’s paper and continuing over the next few weeks is a recap of the lead news stories as they were published during 2017.

I hope you find the recalling of the “big stories” of the year, by reporter Angie Stair, to be of interest and value.

Following News and Newsmakers will be the recap of the best sports events and top athletes of the past year as reported in Kristy Noack’s Press Box.

COMING THIS SPRING… Wow, work is progressing at an astonishing pace at the Casey’s General Store at I-94 in Watervliet. I was skeptical at first that the store would be open in the spring. Not so anymore. The tanks are in, the building is up and the help wanted signs are out front.

The corner at M-140 and I-94 has turned into a hotspot. When I came to town in 1984, the main attractions were the Chicken Coop and the Waffle House (now Mill Creek Charlie’s). Now Casey’s joins a thriving destination that ably serves the freeway travelers and the community as well.

If plans for a truck stop on the other side of the freeway get underway and the rumors of a Culvers Custard coming as well behind Casey’s prove true the corner vacancies will all be full.

JUST ONE MORE TURN… I should hope I’m old enough (71) to know better, but it is not to be anytime soon if recent events are a clue.

Last week found me happily cleaning the inside of the gas fireplace. I took off the top cover and the front grill, dusted and vacuumed them and set them aside. Next, I used my battery powered, impact screwdriver to remove the 12 screws that hold the high impact, heat resistant glass in place.

The glass window with its fiberglass gasket and steel frame keeps the gas combustion fumes from poisoning all those inside the house by exhausting out the chimney. On many a chilly morning or evening, Anne and I have enjoyed the ambiance of an open fire without the fuss and mess of firewood, sparks, and ashes.

Indeed, the enclosed system is near perfect but for that every other year or so carbon soot builds up on the inside of the glass and has to be cleaned off.

I have easily performed the task as the occasion demanded. This year I noticed the gasket material had become frayed, probably just from taking the glass out for cleaning. Stray strands of fiberglass were hanging down on the inside as I reinstalled the glass.

I resolved the problem by taking the glass back out and moistened the strands enough to stick them in place long enough to get the glass back where it belonged.

Viola! Success was achieved by ingenuity. To finish the project I replaced the screws with the power impact driver. With a flash of brilliance, I deduced the frayed fiberglass gasket was allowing air to seep into the firebox, thus causing the carbon building up. The simple remedy was to give the screws an extra turn with the driver. The success of the first zippppp of the driver tightening the screw led to a second zipppppp and SNAP of the glass. Before I could release the tension on the glass I watched the crack race across the width of the glass, 19 inches to be exact.

John and Art at John’s Glass were helpful with information about the type of glass need (pyroceramic). When John called later he was apologetic that the glass was so expensive and suggested I might want to check with a fireplace repair business.

As I was looking through the “yellow” pages, I noticed a listing for Mark’s Fireplaces Plus on Arent Rd. in Watervliet. A call to 208-1766 soon had me talking to Mark. With the measurements provided by John, he was able to locate the needed glass and order it for me. When it comes in, Mark will install it for me and I’ll leave the impact screw gun in the garage!

LETTERS

WHS NHS letter of appreciation

Dear Editor,

The Watervliet High School National Honor Society thank you for all you do. You are the best!

Students of WHS

National Honor Society

Republican tax bill is an abomination

Dear Editor,

If you’re not angry then you just aren’t paying attention. This Republican tax bill that Fred Upton voted for is a giveaway to the rich that exacerbates income inequality; explodes the federal deficit ($1.4 Trillion); strips health insurance from millions of low-to-medium income and elderly people; and will put untold burdens on the working class for years to come.

By removing $1.4 trillion of public funds directly from vital public infrastructure, facilities, departments, and programs, you better believe there will be repercussions to pay.

Some of us regular folk may get a small bonus next year from this tax plan, but it will be an illusion. When public transportation fees rise, utilities go up, health insurance premiums jump (10 to 20%), and you find yourself paying more to fix automobile damages from bad roads, you’ll be wishing you had your properly funded society back. Instead, the top one percent will be getting their million dollar tax-cuts year after year without a care in the world about us.

An analysis of the bill by the non-partisan Tax Policy Center indicates that in 2018, 67% of the tax cuts will go to the wealthiest 20% of taxpayers. When the bill reaches maturity in 2027, 82% of tax cuts will go to those in the top 1% of the economic ladder. And by the end of the decade, 53% of Americans will be paying higher taxes.

Why Fred Upton and nearly every other congressional Republican felt the working classes needed a more emphatic kick in the teeth is beyond reason. But that’s what happens when you get corrupted by the elite special interests. It’s impossible to not see how giant corporate campaign contributions corrupt our government officials.

Why also did Fred Upton just support giving full control of the internet to the top few telecom giants (Comcast, Verizon, AT&T)? Perhaps because they gave him tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions. It’s time for Fred CorrUpton to go.

Damon Wolf, Benton Harbor

Legislation needed concerning pit bulls

Dear Editor,

The tragic mauling of a Virginia woman by her own pit bulls should serve as a wake-up call for the need to regulate breeding pit bulls and confining dogs outdoors 24 hours a day.

Dogs confined to chains or pens are more likely to be neglected and to become territorial and aggressive. Pit bulls are especially vulnerable, targeted by dogfighters and others who chain, beat, and starve them to turn them into cheap alarm systems or living weapons.

Pit bull overpopulation, abuse, and attacks can be addressed logically and humanely with legislation that regulates ownership of these dogs. Such ordinances have proved effective:

In San Francisco, the number of pit bulls euthanized at the city’s animal control facility dropped by 24 percent just 18 months after the city passed an ordinance requiring that pit bulls be sterilized.

Just one year after San Bernardino County, California, passed a breed-specific law, it experienced a nearly 10 percent decrease in dog bites.

In Aurora, Colorado, officials reported that nine years after banning pit bulls bites involving the breed were down 73 percent and euthanasia of pit bulls was down 93 percent.

Legislators must act before more people and dogs get hurt.

Teresa Chagrin

Animal Care & Control Specialist