Karl's Kolumn

HOMETOWN SERVICE… A couple of months ago, during all the brouhaha with the medical insurance renewals for us seniors, I just did what I was told. Even though it meant it was to sign up for new medical insurance coverage.

Even if it meant changing from our current coverage to a “new and improved” product.

I argued we were happy with what we had. We never had any trouble with our medical insurance. Even when it might mean more costs and co-pays.

Up to now, this minute, this day, is the second time I have paid a co-pay for a prescription. And I didn’t mind because it was to my hometown pharmacy.

To me it’s all about being a hometown business. I like them all… the Watervliet Pharmacy, the Hartford Rite Aid Pharmacy and the Coloma Rite Aid Pharmacy; and so do I like the hardware stores, groceries, cafes & restaurants, the dollar stores (thanks for replacing the 5&10s), gas stations and convenience stores, pet shops, thrift stores, gadget and gizmo shops, plus all the great souls who venture in the retail jungle and try again, thank you all.

I recall few years back a large employer dropped offering medical insurance to its employees. That was a big financial burden to many residents. They couldn’t afford to buy their own coverage. They couldn’t get a better paying job either.

My point is… small towns, when there is no anchoring business (or businesses), struggle to survive. Look around your hometown, and then the neighboring hometowns.

What I’m saying, it takes a whole town’s support every day, every week, every season to survive.

Remember the “shop at home” campaigns? It took the whole town to support shop at home. When the ads quit working, the after-hours service closed, the Sunday openings became shut, the shop at home campaigns no longer shopped. And it took three decades to kill it.

And to all the wonderful, kind, and courageous customers, thank you. Keep shopping at your hometown first, and your neighbors next.