Tax Help for Seniors

Good news for Missaukee County seniors!

Tax help is on the way!

Thanks to the AARP Tax Aide program, low- and middle-income seniors over age 60 will be able to meet with a tax counselor between February 4th and April 15th.

Tax assistance

• What: Tax help for low and middle income seniors

• Who: AARP offering free help for citizens ages 60 and over

• When: Appointments for Wednesdays and Fridays ¨ begin next week

• How: Call Missaukee County Commission on Aging at ¨ 839-7839

-Cadillac News, 1/29/09

If you know a senior in the area, please pass on this great information and have them call for an appointment.

Drunk Driving in Missaukee County

We all know that a firefighter, DougShaw, was arrested for drunk driving on December 27th, and he has been suspended (but he had already called LMFD Deputy Chief Keith Lounsbery and resigned).

I've seen and heard some crazy stuff, such as:

I think it is a joke that he was allowed to drive the truck back to the fire barn than arrested. Why after everything is done and over, was he arrested. Sounds like someone had a grudge. Instead of calling police,they should have called Doug and had him pull over immmediatly, than call police if needed.

-posted by Bryan on 1/16/09 at 9&10 News

Well, idiot...let me explain, the Deputy Chief did not know until Shaw had left the scene that he was intoxicated. They should not have resorted to your little plan of calling Shaw, having him pull over and then calling the police if needed because the Deputy Chief did what he was supposed to do, call the police as soon as he became aware that there might be a crime. If my explanation isn't working for you, try this:

Deputy Fire Chief Keith Lounsbery told the board that he was too busy keeping an eye on his firefighters to be aware of a possibly intoxicated firefighter. But he says he called police as soon as it was suggested that Shaw might be drunk.

"It was reported to me and I reported it to the Sheriff's Department that a crime may be occurring," Lounsbery told the board.

-9&10 News, 1/13/09

Okay, there may be a grudge going on, but it's not against Shaw.

On one side, some firefighters say the initial reaction from at least one member of the board was to question why and criticize the department officers, Lounsbery and Chief Rick Bradley, for reporting Shaw to law enforcement in the first place.

Lounsbery's wife Michelle, also a LMFD firefighter, told the Sentinel her husband and Bradley were looking at being fired Tuesday-not for Shaw's drink driving of a department vehicle under their watch, but for bringing it to light in the first place.

-Missaukee Sentinel, 1/16/09

Now that sounds like some real Missauke County attitude. I wonder, just who was that one member of the Lake Missaukee Fire Authority Board who thought that a drunk driver should not have been reported to law enforcement. Perhaps the board needs a shake-up and some new members.

BTW, Shaw is due in court today.

Novel Concept

I have the wonderful opportunity to listen people say things like, "I won't take a job that pays minimum wage" or even, "I won't do that kind of work" quite frequently and it just baffles me. Guess what, unemployment is high, HIGH, HIGH! Too high for pride to prevent you from accepting a job, or trying to find a job. Just take a cue from Rob LeBlanc, a former restaurant manager who delivered pizzas to support his family.

After several weeks of searching, he took the only job he could get -- a Domino's pizza delivery man, a job that would cover the family's expenses.

"I had to swallow my pride and take whatever I could get," Rob LeBlanc says. "I kept telling myself one of these days something better will come along."

-CNN

Speaking of...

Let me tell you about another strange (but not so rare) event that I encountered a couple of days ago in Kingsley at the Subway. I was there with a colleague whom I consider to be of average intelligence probably above average ability. This colleague of mine really put my head in a spin when she ordered her ham and cheese on Italian bread. That doesn't sound so bad does it. It's not what she ordered, it's how she said the word Italian. She said it like this, "Eye-talian." I thought to myself, "That sounds very ignorant," but not exactly with those words.

So let me continue by saying that I often hear people saying Italian like that up here in Northern Michigan and it's time to put a stop to it. See the article below for some other common mispronunciations that get people's goats:

Say What? Common Mispronunciations that Get My Goat


I just have to add that I was in Baked Beans last week, our own cute little coffee shop and tanning salon (odd mix?) in Lake City and saw that the specials included pinnini. I just want to clarify, we have until summer to get it straight so the tourists don't think we are a bunch of rubes up here, the word is panino single and panini plural. Americans commonly use the plural form, I've grown to accept that, but please note the use of the letter A instead of I following the P. But, hey, all complaining aside, it is a good place to stop in and get a cup of Joe. They do host Good Morning Lake City on the third Friday of each month. Just stop in and ask them about it.

Blog for Choice

As our new President begins to dive deep into the numerous duties and responsibilities that we, the people, have bestowed on him through the democratic process, I turn my thoughts to the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. The GOP has already begun pressuring President Obama to reconsider his position.

Republican lawmakers on Wednesday urged President Barack Obama to reconsider his support of legal abortions as anti-abortion activists arrived in Washington for a protest on the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling.

-The Miami Herald

Wexford Missaukee Right to Life marched this past Sunday to further their agenda against women (it's not enough that we have to look at their billboards plastered around the country every single day, or even watch them parade their agenda at the Greatest Fourth in the North). These are the kind of people who tell you that there is an alternative, adoption. I guess they just don't realize that there are thousands of children waiting to be adopted in the United States but nobody wants them. To every single person who wishes to overturn Roe V. Wade, I make this challenge: adopt one child from foster care.

Nearly One Quarter of Foster Care Children Are Waiting for Adoptive Families
In 1999, the latest year for which totals have been finalized, there were about 581,000 children in foster care in the United States. Twenty-two percent of these children -- about 127,000 kids -- were available for adoption.

Foster Care Population Down From 1999
Preliminary federal estimates indicate the foster care population decreased from 581,000 to 556,000 between 1999 and 2000. The number of children waiting to be adopted, however, increased to about 134,000 during the same period. Early estimates for 2001 show the foster care population marginally increased to 565,000.

-Adoption Institute

You don't have to tell me your excuses, I know that nobody wants those children. Those children are not perfect little infants. No, they are drug-affected babies, they are older children with behavioral problems caused by years of abuse and neglect, they are children with disabilities that require special care. Oh, so much easier to adopt an infant from some other country, sounds to me like participating in the baby trade, you know, trafficking in persons (albeit legal, it's still a little bit twisted).

President Obama, has stated in the past that he will not yield his position and I trust that he will not. My hope for the President and the new Congress is that they ensure the following:

-Fact based, comprehensive sex education
-An end to insurance discrimination for health services provided to women
-Laws to prevent the harassment and ensure the safety of health providers and their patients

Anti-abortion folk rely on fear and misinformation to bring more people into their fold, I hope that our elected politicians make their choices based on fact and their duty to uphold the civil rights of all citizens.

There's still time to Blog for Choice.

OASIS/FRC Seeks Volunteers

The Cadillac Area OASIS/Family Resource Center and Second Chance Retail Store are conducting volunteer training tomorrow, Thursday, January 22nd, from 1-5 p.m. at their offices, 118 S Mitchell Street in Cadillac.

Volunteers are needed for many areas within the agency including, crisis line workers, childcare, clerical, store workers and maintenance workers.

OASIS/FRC serves victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and homelessness and volunteers are always needed.

If you are interested in attending please call Valerie Shultz at 231-775-7299 today to reserve a spot for training.

Why should you volunteer?

We all know that the labor market is extremely tight right now and we also know that large gaps between employment are not idea on your resume. Sure, you can skip the dates but then an employer may wonder what you’re hiding. Volunteering is a great way to fill in a gap, learn new skills, gain useful experience and meet other people (you know, NETWORK). Volunteering can help you find your next job and launch a new career.

Through volunteer work, you can develop many of the “soft” skills that employers are looking for including communication and teamwork. How many times have you read a job posting for a position that you were interested in and felt that you could do only to be discouraged by the words, prior experience required? Volunteering is a great way to gain the required experience for many jobs. Don’t forget to include your volunteer experience on your resume.

Additional benefits include: meeting new people; trying new things; and having fun!

Please consider volunteering in your community.

Sen. Kuipers Visits Cadillac

Well he was a long way from Ottawa County and the 30th State Senate District but it's never too early to start campaigning for Rep. Pete Hoekstra's Second Congressional District seat in Washington. In all actuality, he's probably been groomed for the seat by his good friend Pete:

"I have had a long friendship with Pete (Hoekstra) over the years. He has represented the district well, but he is moving on to different things," Kuipers said. "You will see a lot of me over the next couple years, as well as the other candidates."

-Cadillac News

I know we've all gotten pretty used to that up here, something I like to call cronyism. Going to the polls to vote is more of a habit than any real statement. Remember last November? There were an awful lot of unopposed seats on my ballot. Competition is good. Competition makes people do a better job.

Anyway, one of the highlights of Sen. Kuipers' visit was his appearance at the Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Lecture Luncheon held at Baker College last Friday where he discussed "The Three E’s - Energy, Education and Economy." Three extremely vital topics for the Cadillac area and it seems to me that more emphasis on education could help out with the other two, but I digress, I really want to mention the bad guys; the Department of Environmental Quality.

Here's what Sen. Kuipers had to say:

"Why wouldn’t the DEQ want to work with businesses rather than intimidate them and get them to leave? Until we change that, if businesses have options (to leave the state), they will take them"

-Cadillac News

It's not intimidation to be expected to follow the law. For example, when I'm speeding and a cop pulls me over, I cannot use as my defense, "the police intimidated me, now I'm going to move someplace else (and spend my money there)." That's just ridiculous but apparently not taking responsibility is the way to go these days. Every state has an environmental agency and every state is required to have particular plans and programs under Federal regulations. I'm sure this quote was in reference to the bench trial currently underway between AAR Manufacturing and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. It doesn't look like either side is backing down on this one but that doesn't make anyone a bully either.

If you're interested the trial is scheduled to reconvene January 27th in the 28th Circuit Courtroom.

Pump It Up!

A colleague who uses a wheel chair introduced me to The Pump Guide recently. It's an extremely cool website from Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America. The Pump Guide lists over 800 gas stations across the state that provide full-service to drivers who display a license plate or window placard that identifies them as a person with a disability (see the Americans with Disabilities Act). Sounds pretty neat, huh?

Here's something that's not so neat; only one gas station in Missaukee county is listed on the site, the B.S. Lounge in Falmouth. That's pretty pathetic. Lake City, your gas stations are lacking, even that brand new shiny Wesco. Every single station on M-55 & M-66 through Missaukee county should be on this list. Let me explain...the one sure thing we have here in Missaukee is a lot of visitors and passers-through, we should do everything in our power to ensure that everyone who passes through our fair county feels welcome and wants to come back again (and spend their money).

Station owners, sign up here!

Boo-Hoo-er

As the real people of NW Michigan face the reality of lay-offs and plant closings our elected officials bicker, moan, continue to think only of themselves and try to pass the buck:

The plant closing came as a surprise to State Rep. Darwin Booher (R-Evart).

Booher said he was frustrated that he found out from a friend who worked at the plant before he was contacted from anyone at the state level.

"I am getting hammered in my hometown."

"I had no knowledge other than the rumor mill," Booher said. "A friend called me who works at the plant and that is when I get the word that it is in fact happening. What’s broke here?"

Booher said after the call from his friend, he called the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. He said MEDC has representatives in the area who are supposed to stay in contact with industries.

"The word is that there was no contact with the Evart plant for several months," Booher said. "MEDC should have contacted them. They have a system to go around and talk to these businesses. Somewhere there was a breakdown."

Booher said if a governmental agency knew the plant was closing, legislators should have been notified.

"Somewhere down the line...somebody should have known this and told the legislators so we could have tried to do something.

"I am trying to find out why none of this was known until (Thursday)."

-Cadillac News

Stick around town more often, Darwin, and spend some time talking to the real people that you represent.

Darwin Booher represents District 102 (Counties: Mecosta, Osceola, Wexford) in the Michigan House of Representatives. View campaign contributors to Rep. Booher. Even more interesting check out his responses to MLive's 2008 Voter Guide. Looks like another politician in NW MI banking on his constituent's ignorance.

The Elusive Mr. Smith

Yesterday afternoon while I was elbow-deep with the plunger in the clogged toilet (thanks to the kid) the front doorbell rang. The dogs were going mad; barking, barking, barking! The doorbell rang again.

I went out through the garage so that the dogs wouldn't attack the visitor and came upon a tall young gentleman about 70 years old who I will call Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith had spryly trudged through the knee-deep snow and leaped onto our porch (without even using the steps) to our front door (we never shovel the front walk, since we just use the garage and everyone who comes over usually uses the garage as well) and trudged back through it to meet me at the front of the garage. Mr. Smith asked me if I knew where Don Something-Or-Other lived but I had no idea (come to find out later, it's that jackass that flies his plane over our cattle, but anyway...). I said, "I'm sorry Sir, I can't help you. Does he live on this road or that road. Because that road is on the other side of the lake." (As in, "you can't get there from here.") He was sure that Don lived on this road so I sent him on his way.

The old cat then proceeded to get into his car and ask me, "how do I get out of here?"

I said, "what do you mean?"

He repeated, "how do I get out of here?"

Getting a little bit frustrated I replied, "well, you back up." You see he drove his vehicle all the way up to our garage from the road, he would need to back all the way down the driveway and into the road again.

The coot sat there for a minute and said in all seriousness, "well, I can't back out of here because I can't turn my neck." At this time the man appeared to be contemplating something very serious and finally said to me, "can you back it out for me?"

"Yeah," I said. "I guess I could." He grabbed his cane and got out of the car leaving the door open for me to get in. Because the door was open, the light was on in the car and I happened to look into the back seat (actually, I thought it might be a good idea at this time). When I looked into the back seat I saw a sheet, draped over the seat and a spade shovel. I didn't know what someone was doing with a spade shovel when the ground is frozen solid and there's a foot of snow anywhere you go, yet I still got into the car and started to back it out.

The dude walked down the driveway ahead of me, with his cane, as I backed out (very slowly). I noted that it was odd that he didn't walk around and get in the passenger seat. When I go to the end of the driveway, I again expressed my sorrow that I was unable to help him.

The man got into the car and shut the door but before the dome light went out, he turned his head and looked at me as he drove away.