SENIOR BEACON MAY 2023

LEARN THE FACTS ABOUT COUNCIL-MANAGER GOVERNMENT

Everyone wants strong political leadership—neighborhoods, civic leaders, and the business community included. And today’s complex communities cannot succeed without the guidance of effective mayors who provide a sense of direction and contribute to the smooth functioning of a local government.

But communities also need thoughtful, dedicated council members, who work with the mayor to establish appropriate policy, and competent, professional managers to carry out those policies. None of the three are mutually exclusive; they can and do work together today in many of the country’s successful council-manager communities.

Today council-manager government is the fastest growing form of government in the United States; it frees up the elected body to establish policy, which is carried out by an appointed manager and an administrative staff. The manager is accountable to the entire council for the satisfactory implementation of council policy and the day-to-day administration of municipal affairs.

There are compelling reasons why many of the nation’s most successful cities and towns have adopted council-manager government rather than the “strong-mayor” form. Council-manager government encourages neighborhood input into the political process, diffuses the power of special interests, and eliminates partisan

politics from municipal hiring, firing, and contracting decisions.

People who take time to learn the facts about council-manager government are likely to join the ranks of those who favor this popular form. Consider the following when deciding which form of government is best for your community:

Neighborhoods Strengthen Their Voice

The council-manager form encourages open communication between citizens and their government. Under this form, each member of the governing body has an equal voice in policy development and administrative oversight. This gives neighborhoods and diverse groups a greater opportunity to influence policy.

Under the “strong mayor” form, political power is concentrated in the mayor, which means that other members of the elected body relinquish at least some of their policy-making power and influence. This loss of decision-making power among council members can have a chilling effect on the voices of neighborhoods and city residents.

The Power of Special Interests is

Diffused

Under the council-manager form of government, involvement of the entire elected body ensures a more balanced approach to community decision making, so that all interests can be expressed and heard—not just those that are well funded. Under the “strong mayor” form, however, it’s easier for special interests to use money and political power to influence a single elected official, rather than having to secure a majority of the city council’s support for their agenda.

Merit-Based Decision Making Vs. Partisan Politics

Under council-manager government, qualifications and performance—and not skillful navigation of the political election process—are the criteria the elected body uses to select a professional manager. The professional manager, in turn, uses his or her education, experience, and training to select department heads and other key managers to oversee the efficient delivery of services. In this way, council-manager govern-

▶ SEE MAYOR, PAGE 9

PUEBLO, Colo. – The City of Pueblo welcomed a South Korean delegation during a recent visit to Pueblo in conjunction with the CS Wind America groundbreaking for expansion.

“I am happy to welcome the South Korean delegation to Pueblo during their visit for the expansion of CS Wind,” said Mayor of Pueblo Nick Gradisar. “I met with the mayor of Gunsan and university officials from Kunsan National University during my trip to Korea in the fall of 2022 and now we can return the hospitality to showcase what a wonderful place Pueblo is to live and work.”

Mayor of Pueblo Nick Gradisar traveled to South Korea in the fall of 2022 with Councilor Dennis Flores, President of Pueblo Community College Patty Erjavec, Ph.D.

We’ve Seen This One Before

RONALD S. PHILLIPS Author of two books, teacher & trusted columnist

WHAT IS NOT BEING REPEATED?

We have stagflation from the 1970s; a similar long recession like the 1980s; a banking crisis like the 1990s; and maybe a multiyear market drop like the 2000s. I’ve probably missed something, too.

to happen. But last year was down and our economy could hurt the markets this year. Let’s hope the market proves me wrong.

Yogi Berra said so many fun things. This market and economy reminds me of when he said, “It’s déjà vu, all over again.” Or like Michael J. Fox said in the “Back to the Future” movie: “Hey, I’ve seen this one before.” This past three years, and more recently, remind me of so many different times and different economic calamities.

Our stagflation is significant and, I think, much worse than in the 1970s. We printed up 40% of our money supply during the pandemic, to the tune of almost $6 trillion dollars. Six. Trillion. Dollars. Forty percent extra money supply. It’s like the 1970s weren’t even trying!

This massive, massive money printing is, arguably, hiding any economic sins. Whether it’s corporate earnings, personal earnings, or U.S. GDP. It’s simply funny money and hiding organic results (or lack of results).

The 1980’s back-to-back recessions resulted in what felt like one long and shallow decline but were two different drops in the economy. We’re currently experiencing an inflation-adjusted recession plus a recent “textbook” recession of two quarters of GDP dropping. The S&L crisis was actually in both the ‘80s and ‘90s. The multiyear drop is just my prediction. I do not want it

Some of the good news is that what we’re experiencing is mostly very light in comparison to those tougher, earlier times. For example, in the S&L Crisis almost a third of the associations failed—over 1,000. The drop of the U.S. markets lasted for three straight years from 2000 to 2002. We may not even notch two years… we’ll see.

SOME SILVER LININGS

There are spots of strength. In many emerging markets they have good news. It’s a mixed bag with some areas like China or Vietnam but Singapore’s private sector growth was up a lot. Brazil, with lower inflation than the U.S., at 4.65% annually, is experiencing a stronger market. India’s services sector is growing at it’s fastest in about thirteen years and their stock market is at an almost thirteen year high. There are other examples, too.

I’ve recommended and tiptoed into emerging market funds in a very small way. There are a few funds very cheaply priced and paying very high dividends—producing for us while we wait.

In general, though, most countries are pretty weak and are also raising interest rates to control this global inflation. What seems like an economic miracle, especially in the U.S., is that stock markets are so darned strong. I’m

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convinced it’s just that “funny money” (and the blissful ignorance of rampant money-printing).

BE NIMBLE

There’s a few things to consider doing in these times. I’m recommending to clients to:

1. Sell gains

2. Underweight growth stocks/ funds

3. Overweight value stocks/funds

4. Invest in short-term treasury-bills, which helps to

5. Be nimble by holding cash or “nearcash”

6. Reallocate parts of portfolios for a new bull (after a possible drop) and

7. Buy selective bargains, which seem to be increasing by the day

Here’s one more from Yogi: “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

This article is for illustrative purposes only. Ron is not recommending any investment security for you but just trying to educate the community. INVESTMENTS CAN AND DO DROP IN VALUE; THEY HAVE NO BANK OR OTHER GUARANTEE. He is licensed and regulated by the great State of Colorado.

Ron Phillips is The Investment INCOME Advisor, a Pueblo, CO native, and an independent business owner. Order a free copy of his book Investing To Win by leaving a message at (719) 220-3005. Visit RetireIQ.com or email RonPhillipsAdvisor@gmail.com

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE CAVE

JAMES R. GRASSO Former Chief Cook & Bottle Washer

It is hoped that the thunderous unending wind we've had here is in our rear-view mirror but, of course, it never entirely disappears.

Another May is here. At this writing, yeah, the Rockies are Rocky as usual, but the Nuggets are into the second round of the playoffs with one win over Phoenix already in the bank, our Avalanche hockey team fell trying to win back-to-back Stanley Cups, Coach Prime, Deion Sanders is busily reshaping the Colorado Buffs hopefully into the winners they used to be and our beloved Broncos have a proven coach in Sean Peyton who is firmly in control of the team. So, hope springs eternal. I'm sorry I know nothing of the pro soccer team in Denver, just not my sport.

Our home was inundated with tumble weeds this year. Worst year ever by far. We're still not finished seeing them on our property.

It reminds me of an old nemesis that never goes away, certainly not in my lifetime which started in 1949, so I missed the run-up from 1917. We all thought that the beginning of the end was on Nov. 9, 1989. Doesn't it ring a bell? Here's a clue, it was about a "Wall." It was instigated by the greatest President of my life with a speech in Berlin. Yep, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!' were RWR's words and sure enough it happened. We all thought that the world was going to run smoothly after that. The Vietnam War was finished the decade before but started during the JFK regime and got white hot during his successor's (strange word in this context because it wasn't in any way a success from our perspective), and his party's leader, LBJ, and didn't end until RMN, yes the Watergate guy, pulled the plug on the whole quagmire in January of 1973. Well we all know the history to some degree of what has happened since. An ex-KGB(USSR hench-man) General VVP has run Russia since 1999. VVP slowly but surely has turned Russia from a fledgling Republic at least and perhaps, God-forbid, maybe a Democracy(?) back into the days of one-man, one rule, Soviet Communism.

Unless you were on another land at least a couple light years away, you know how VVP has encroached on the old Soviet nations like Latvia, Khazakhstan, Tashkent, Georgia, among all others and then, suddenly out of nowhere on vulnerable Ukraine. VVP made it known that he was well within his rights in invading Ukraine because it was a part of the USSR. Talk about living in the past! He doesn't care what happens in Ukraine. He should be put on trial like those from WWII only this time not in Nuremberg, but in Lyiv, Ukraine a second time! His military has no rules. They bomb churches (well that's a no-brainer since they, the communists, are atheists) but they/he targets hospitals,

apartment buildings, schools, colleges, civic centers, the list goes on. But so what, he and his henchmen love to murder "dissidents" by using poison. The types that prolong death so as to suffer more. I always thought that killing by poison use was preferred by women, but I digress. I read about a 13-year-old school girl living in Yefremov, Russia. Masha drew an anti-war picture in school and they arrested her father and threw him in jail for two years while she was sent to an orphanage. Do you remember Adrei Sakharov? He was a great Soviet era physicist and dissident. During the "woke" period of Russia after the demise of the USSR, the Russian society rewarded dissidents with entities such as the Sakharov Foundation. No more. It's gone.

The VVP military began tearing through Ukraine until most NATO nations realized that if not stopped in Ukraine why would VVP end there. Valiantly and with NATO's help with the U.S. leading the way (who else?), Ukrainians have turned back and pushed back VVP's initial victories into defeats, gaining back much of the territory. Stories have leaked out of Russian soldiers raping and killing women and even children throughout the war zone areas. Of course, Ukraine stories are what feeds the world with wanting to try VVP and/or his Generals for War Crimes. But the real deal is that VVP and his minions are keeping their thumbs on the inhabitants of Mother Russia. His own people. Like his idols Stalin, Kruschev et al before him, life in Russia has turned back to the old Soviet days. Have you heard of a dissident by the name of Alexei Navalny? They made a documentary about him. He survived a murder attempt. Yes, via poison. But he was thrown into something called an isolation cell. Sounds chilling. My Lord we are going backward, aren't we? By the way, Navalny - the documentary, won the Academy Award this year for Best Documentary. There are other names like journalist Ivan Saronov (22 years in prison). Another named

Vladimir Kara-Murza survived two poisonings and now is serving 25-years in prison. Another, Boris Nemtsov, who was the leader of the Russian opposition was finally murdered by slipping off a bridge. There are many, many more. It is said that Russia now has more dissidents in prison than it did during its demise after the fall of the Berlin Wall. I found a clip of the aforementioned documentary Navalny watching his wife Yulia, speaking from the stage. Yulia said, "My husband is in prison just for telling the truth. My husband is in prison just for defending democracy. Alexei, I am dreaming of the day you will be free. Stay strong, my love." How did this happen? How did we/they throw away what we/they gained during the Reagan administration? Going backwards is very bad. How do these megalomaniacs get power and keep it? Be vigilant.

As I've told you for the past several months, I found a pamphlet that has been printed from the very words of Jesus Christ as told to Sr. Maria Faustina Kowalska of Poland during the time of Hitler's advancement toward the East at the beginning of his reign of terror. Her story is spell-binding and His words are profound. Believe in heaven? Want to go? Then contact me at SRbeacon@gmail.com to get your free ticket to paradise. The pamphlet itself is just prayers and a paragraph or two of background. No hype. No trying to part you from your money. Just prayers. You can say a fifteen minute chaplet or do a nine-day novena. It's called the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Contact me leaving your name and address. You'll never hear from me again and I will keep no record of you contacting me. After I send the pamphlet, I delete your email and at my age I don't remember things very well. (NB: RWR=Ronald Wilson Reagan, VVP=Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, RMN=Richard Millhouse Nixon, JFK=John Fitzgerald Kennedy, NB=Noto Bene(latin, Note Well).. Godspeed to you and yours.

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-Mae West

‘LIGHT FOR THE JOURNEY’

Him to listen. I remembered when I was at this same stage in my spiritual growth, perplexed, yet fascinated and curious.

HEARING MY FATHER’S VOICE

"Jan, people are talking about God speaking to them,” my friend blurted near the end of a conversation we were having. His voice grew louder with emotion. “I mean, they say they really hear God’s voice!”

“He does speak to His children today, Bob. He is speaking to you. You just need to listen.”

Bob’s face displayed doubt. I smiled and encouraged

As an eager new Christian, my hunger for more of Jesus seemed insatiable. I longed desperately to walk closer with Him, to please Him in all I did. As a young mother of four it was difficult to find a quiet place and time alone with Jesus to pray and read my Bible. However, my new Teacher, the Holy Spirit, made a way to teach and encourage me. Without someone to mentor, or disciple me, Christian radio and teaching tapes were part of my daily fare. Along with devouring God’s word, they provided spiritual nourishment that brought dramatic growth.

I was free to attend only Sunday morning worship services so had little intimate contact with other Christians for the first year of my new life in Christ. A little further on, a ladies Bible study was added to my course in Christianity. I soon discovered the value of Christian friends. We laughed, cried, prayed, and worshiped together. Intimate sharing of our praises, struggles and prayer needs brought us close to one another. The fellowship was precious and sweet. We were all growing in relationship with the Savior and each other.

Occasionally, one of the ladies mentioned the Lord speaking something to her. She shared details and specific things He spoke. As time passed, it was very clear that this lady could hear the voice of God.

My spirit was fine tuned to everything she said about it. I could not hear God’s voice speaking to me. Perhaps I was not “spiritual enough” or good enough for God to speak to me. Prompted by these thoughts, my heart cried out to my Father, “Lord, if you really speak to people today, I WANT to hear your voice. I want to KNOW it is you. Please make it very clear to me, Jesus. Don’t let me hear my own voice or thoughts. Don’t let me hear the voice of the enemy. Please just let me hear YOUR voice and know it is you.”

I prayed that prayer fervently for weeks, claiming James 1:5. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” I was asking if He really speaks to people today and if so, to prove it to me.

One morning, out of the blue a strange but distinct thought, almost like a command, passed through my mind. “Call Lori Persons and ask if she needs some clothes.” A bit baffled as to where it came from, I brushed it aside. Lori was the wife of the associate pastor at my church. Like me, she was petite. Later in the morning, the same thought was repeated in my spirit. “Call Lori Persons and ask her if she needs some clothes.” Again, I ignored this ridiculous thought. Still, it came again, clearer than before. Frustrated, I walked to the phone, certain she would think I was crazy and dialed Lori’s number. Her husband answered the phone. “Dave,” I said, “I know this sounds ridiculous, but does Lori need any clothes?” He paused a moment and said, “Jan, do you know Lori is pregnant?” I was amazed but STILL didn’t get it! I told him I had a lot of maternity clothes I needed to give away. Knowing my tendency to procrastinate I told him I would clean my closet in a week or two and get the clothers to her.

That very afternoon, to my dismay, I was compelled to clean my closet. Everything I couldn’t wear or hadn’t worn for a long time came out. Soon two big boxes of clothing, including the maternity clothes, were loaded in the car.

Driving in front of Lori’s house the next day, I was surprised to see several cars there. I knocked on the door to ask where she wanted me to put the boxes of clothes.

Several ladies were in her living room packing piles of clothing into big boxes. Bewildered, I told Lori the boxes of clothing that I spoke to Dave about were in the car. Excitedly, she said, “Oh, you’re just in time. We’re packing clothes to send to Vietnamese Christians in Oklahoma. They’ve been praying for clothes. We must send them today!” Then I got it! God had spoken to me. He used me, along with Lori and the others to participate in His answer to the prayers of Christian sisters from a foreign land in another state.

I drove away in awe. The memory of that pressing thought came to my mind. “Call Lori Persons and ask her if she needs some clothes.” God’s voice! His words, firm and persistent in my spirit, were the answer to my prayer. Though I didn’t recognize it right away, He persisted until I GOT the message! I could have floated home!

How incredibly humbling to know the Creator of the Universe wants to fellowship with me; wants to converse with me; wants to TALK to me! Over the years, there have been times in my Christian walk when His voice was clearer and more distinct than at others. Sometimes, I ask with my hands over my ears not wanting to hear for fear He might ask something of me I don’t want to do. Sometimes I am too busy. Sometimes, I am just not listening.

I believe the Bible teaches that God speaks to all His children. Sometimes from His word, sometimes from a pastor or another person, sometimes from the words of a song. Sometimes it is in that still small voice within a Christian’s spirit. The key to hearing is listening!

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 His sheep know His voice. His lambs have to learn it!

(From Light For The Journey, the book.)

© 2023 Jan McLaughlin. Jan can be contacted at (719) 649-2937 or (719) 275-6971. And

JAN MCLAUGHLIN

Columnist & founder of an international prison ministry

UNTIMELY GHOST MOVIE

BETTY JO TUCKER Pueblo award winning film critic

The father and son play for real.

And ghost guy tries this show to steal.

So what went wrong here? We are okay with Kevin and his brave friend (Isabella Russo/Law & Order) trying to find out Ernest’s identity and the problems there. But turning the film into a tangent involving the government doesn’t work. And it adds more time to an already long story.

By the last part of this flick, my adult daughter and I were yelling and praying at the screen, “Please, please JUST END IT.”

However, to close in a more positive

mood, special effects around Ernest’s materializing come across as intriguing, and Jennifer Coolidge (Shogun Wedding has a bit of fun as a modern medium in one over-thetop sequence. .

FULL DISCLOSURE: I have not read Geoff Manaugh’s SHORT story “Ernest,” the material director Christopher Landon adapted for the screen.

COMEDIES WITH HAUNTED

HOUSES usually entertain me. I even remember way back to the 1940s when I laughed through Abbott and Costello’s Hold That Ghost and Charles Laughton’s amusing performance as The Canterville Ghost with darling little Margaret O’Brien as his co-star. That’s why I looked forward to watching WE HAVE A GHOST. And, once again, my habit of high expectations made it difficult to watch this new offering. Another thing bothering me about this ghost movie involves its untimely release. It probably would get a more welcome reception during the Halloween season instead of early in the year. But on with the show!

Ernest, the ghost in WE HAVE A GHOST, can see and hear and touch but can’t remember who he is and why he’s trapped in the house newly bought by the Presleys. When he materializes humans can see him, which scares son Kevin, who first discovers him. Kevin, played by Jahi Winston (Queen & Slim), befriends Ernest, portrayed by Dave Harbour (Hellboy), and tries to help him. But Kevin’s angry father (Anthony Mackie/ The Hurt Locker) wants Ernest out of the way – until he realizes money can be made by publicizing “the ghost in his house.” This causes a rift between father and son. Plus, Kevin’s mom (Erica Ash/ Survivor’s Remorse) doesn’t seem happy about the entire situation. .

“We Have a Ghost” tries many things to scare us but no “scary” rings.

The same thing goes for comedy, which makes it 2 for 2 for me.

Car chase all messed up in this flick.

Cutting it down might do the trick

Too bad this film runs way too long. Editing needed -- and real strong.

But background music I applaud.

Plus, some actors deserve a laud.

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All houses in which men have suffered and died are haunted houses. --- Mary Roberts Rinehart

(Released by Netflix and rated “PG-13” by MPAA)

ContinuingInto AnotherCentury ofService

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100 Years Serviceof 100 Years Service

History Argues for the Council-Manager Form of Government

ment maintains critical checks and balances to ensure accountability at city hall.

Functioning much like a business organization's chief executive officer, the appointed professional manager administers the daily operations of the community. Through a professional staff, the manager ensures the effective provision of services and enforces the policies adopted by the elected body. He or she, in turn, uses merit as the leading criterion for making all hiring and personnel decisions.

Nearly 100 years old, the council-manager form of government has proven its adaptability; today it is the most popular choice of structure among U.S. communities with populations of 2,500 or greater.

were looking for ways to return control of municipal government to citizens. Those reformers advocated the council-manager structure of government to eliminate the corruption found in many cities. With its emphasis on professional training and accountability, the council-manager form of government was first formally adopted in 1912 (following appointment of the first manager in 1908), and was subsequently adopted by a number of cities in the 1920s and 1930s.

Council-manager government, however, was not always an option. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there was widespread corruption, graft, and nepotism among U.S. cities. The stories of New York City’s Tammany Hall and Kansas City’s Pendergrast machine are only two examples of the misuse of local government power during this time

Appointed local government managers have no guaranteed term of office or tenure. They can be dismissed by the council at any time, for any reason. As a result, they constantly must respond to citizens and be dedicated to the highest ideals of honesty, integrity, and excellence in the management and delivery of public services.

Under the “strong mayor” form of government, the day-to-day management of community operations shifts to the mayor, who often lacks the appropriate training, education, and experience in municipal administration and finance to oversee the delivery of essential community services. Also, under the “strong mayor” form, the temptation is strong to make decisions regarding the hiring and firing of key department head positions—such as the police chief, public works director, and finance director—based on the applicant’s political support rather than his or her professional qualifications.

It took years to diffuse the power entrenched in turn-of-the-century city political machines and special interests. Today, however, citizens throughout the U.S. have resumed control by adopting or retaining council-manager government in their community and enjoying representative democracy at its best.

By the early 20th century, reformers were looking for ways to return control of municipal government to citizens. Those reformers advocated the council-manager structure of government to eliminate the corruption found in many cities. With its emphasis on professional training and accountability, the council-manager form of government was first formally adopted in 1912 (following appointment of the first manager in 1908), and was subsequently adopted by a number of cities in the 1920s and 1930s.

Prepared by the California City Management Foundation and ICMA, the International City/County Management Association

San Jose, California (pop. 894,000)

Long viewed as the “capital” of Silicon Valley, San Jose uses the council-manager form of government to successfully manage diverse interests in an environment of rapid residential and commercial growth

Phoenix, Arizona (pop. 1,321,000)

In 1993, Phoenix captured the international Bartelsmann Award for being one of the two best managed cities in the world. Today, the city continues to maintain its reputation as a model U.S. community

Boulder, Colorado (pop. 94,000)

One of the nation’s most beautiful and environmentally conscious communities, the city of Boulder successfully balances environmental quality with a vibrant business climate.

Dayton, Ohio (166,000)

Dayton enhanced the process of involving citizens in community decision making by creating neighborhood-based priority boards to deal with key funding, service, and neighborhood issues.

large-scale wind turbines supporting companies like Vestas Wind Systems, GE, Simens Gamesa and Nordex. More than 850 jobs will be created with the three-phase expansion upon completion in 2028. Currently CS Wind manufactures 2,500 sections of wind tower per year, this expansion will allow for the production of up to 10,000 sections to be distributed across North America.

Gradisar continued, “To meet the increased demand for wind tower manufacturing, CS Wind will increase their employees at the Pueblo plant and they are working with community partners such as Pueblo Community College to ensure training and employment needs are met. CS Wind’s plans to supply their North America customers from the expanded plant in Pueblo will guarantee good jobs for our citizens for years to come.”

◀ FROM KOREA PAGE 1

It took years to diffuse the power entrenched in turn-of-the-century city political machines and special interests. Today, however, citizens throughout the U.S. have resumed control by adopting or retaining council-manager government in their community and enjoying representative democracy at its best.

Many Successful Cities Use Council-Manager Government Council-manager government works! It balances diverse interests, responds quickly to challenges, and brings the community together to resolve even the toughest issues.

Currently, more than 92 million Americans live in council-manager communities, and the system continues to flourish. This form of government is used by thousands of small, medium, and large jurisdictions, including Charlotte, N.C.; Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, and San Antonio, Texas; Las Vegas, Nev.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Sacramento, San Jose, and Anaheim, Calif.; and Wichita, Kansas. Consider the examples in the graphic.

History Argues for the Council-Manager Form of Government

Nearly 100 years old, the council-manager form of government has proven its adaptability; today it is the most popular choice of structure among U.S. communities with populations of 2,500 or greater.

Council-manager government, however, was not always an option. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there was widespread corruption, graft, and nepotism among U.S. cities. The stories of New York City’s Tammany Hall and Kansas City’s Pendergrast machine are only two examples of the misuse of local government power during this time.

By the early 20th century, reformers

and Dean of Arts and Sciences at Pueblo Community College Young Kim, Ph.D. During the trip the group from Pueblo met with CS Wind officials to discuss the future of expansion with the company in Pueblo and met with Kunsan National University officials to discuss work force training and education partnerships.

is playing an important role in the local Pueblo economy through the expansion of their current production and this groundbreaking signifies CS Wind’s commitment to investing in our community,” said Gradiar.

Prepared by the California City Management Foundation and ICMA, the International City/County Management Association (Revised 2009)

During the recent trip to Pueblo Kunsan National University officials included President of Kunsan National University Jang Ho Lee, Dean of Admission Seok In Ko, Director of Institute of International Exchange and Language Education (I.A.L.E.)

See Gyoon Park, Leader of I.A.L.E. Joon Sung Kim and a member of I.A.L.E. Yong Bynn Yi who toured City Hall, Pueblo Community College, the Transportation Technology Center Inc. at ENSCO and Colorado State University Pueblo all in addition to the CS Wind ground breaking. CS Wind and Kunsan National University officials have made a designated effort to establish partnerships with the Pueblo community.

“CS Wind

The CS Wind America groundbreaking on Tuesday, April 4 marks the expansion of the company which manufactures towers for

The City of Pueblo was established in 1842, incorporated in 1870 and is proudly called the “Home of Heroes” because of the record of four living recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor who claim Pueblo as their hometown. The City Seal, which is under the five flags, represents the countries and territories that held dominion over the Pueblo area which include France, Mexico, Texas, Spain and of course the United States of America.

FLORENCE SENIOR CENTER

Please call (719) 345-3064 before 9:30 a.m. for reservations. Congregate meals served MondayFridays. All menus subject to change.

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Foot and Ankle Safety Tips for the Summer Months

(StatePoint) From the beach to the backyard, taking care of your feet and ankles in summer is essential.

“Nothing ruins summer fun faster than a problem with your feet. However, a few smart precautions can help keep you healthy and safe,” says Gretchen Lawrence, DPM, AACFAS, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and an associate member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS).

To help you understand some of the most common summer risks to feet and how to avoid them, ACFAS is sharing these insights:

• Puncture wounds: Millions of Americans go barefoot every summer, and thousands will sustain cuts and puncture wounds. To prevent injury and infection, wear shoes whenever possible and get vaccinated against tetanus. If you do get a puncture wound, see a foot and ankle surgeon within 24 hours and don’t swim until it’s healed. Bacteria in oceans and lakes can cause infection.

• Pool problems: Always wear flip flops or other footwear in locker rooms and on pool decks to prevent contact with bacteria and viruses that can cause athlete’s foot, plantar warts and other problems.

• Sun damage and skin cancer: Don’t overlook your feet during your sun protec tion routine. Feet get sunburned too, and melanoma on the foot or ankle is more likely to be misdiagnosed than on any other part of the body. A study published in “The Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery” reported the overall survival rate for melanoma of the foot or ankle is just 52%, in sharp contrast to the 85% survival rate for melanomas on

other areas of the body. Apply sunscreen to the tops and bottoms of feet and limit sun exposure. Dr. Lawrence notes, “If you spot abnormal moles or pigmented skin, including under toenails, visit a foot and ankle surgeon. Early detection and treatment could save your life.”

• Pains and sprains: Summer sports can lead to arch pain, heel pain, ankle sprains and other injuries. Proper footwear with heel

This month’s Senior Safety Page is Proudly Sponsored byAMERICAN VEIN! Give them a call right away! And thank themfor sponsoring this valuable addition to the Senior Beacon!!

skin break has the potential to get infected if it isn’t noticed right away, and exposure can cause dry, cracking skin. Inspect your feet daily and wear closed shoes whenever possible. Swelling is another hot-weather risk, potentially making shoes fit tighter which can cause blisters. Compression stockings may not sound appealing in hot temper-

go barefoot in summer. Impaired nerve sensation can make it hard to detect just how hot surfaces are. Just a few minutes walking barefoot on pavement to grab the newspaper can cause third-degree burns.

For more information and to find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the patient educa-

ANCIENT FAERIE LORE: FAERIE HERBS AND POTIONS

GLEN VOLLMECKE

Author: "Intermission a Place in Time."

The Unicorn. Imagine.

tDue to the obscure reality of this remarkable animal, these tales will incur wonder and beauty which will stimulate your souls. Undoubtedly we’ll continue reading about this creature, and its splendor through more columns eventually. However, for now, we’ll examine the initial stages of our tales from the beginning. Hold tight and prepare for the ride of your lives.

Comparable to a deer, the Unicorn possesses many spiritual qualities. He/ she dines from hanging branches, and eats only ripened fruits and grains. He only drinks from waterfalls, his head held high. Sweet smelling shrubs are his favourite, especially lavender. He takes giant soaring leaps, and willfully defies natural laws of the forest, seemingly carried forward by invisible winds or breaths. Serenely, his expression is majestic in solitude.

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He listens to whispering breezes, falling tender leaves, and twittering rodents. Nor can bubbling streams deflect from his focused harmony of mind. As he sinks into an apparent sleep, head erect he may not stir and listens. Over time, amid folkloric theories, and realism, masses of contradictions evolve. Does the splendid Unicorn really exist?

Apart from modern

fantasies, imaginations, i.e., ornamental images, jewelry, folklore studies of the proverbial Unicorn, few can recognize the sacred perceptions relating to this legendary creature. Take this journey with me and together we’ll discover a furtive, yet a mystical consciousness unknown before, all conceived at the very beginning of time. Born in the small Italian village of Anchiana in the 15th. Century, an elabourate, mystical and ornate portfolio, manuscripts and illustrations, were produced by an inquisitive academic, cultured in philosophy and alchemy, an artist by vocation, he was a man who began intense research into antiquity, who presented tangible evidence regarding the existence of this universally fabled creature. A complex combination, a mixture of late Middle-Aged philosophy and renaissance spirit. These scripts (and creative illustrations) once translated from Italian, supplement conclusions we must comprehend, to appreciate what we are about to reveal. Hence meet a modern-day journalist who combines his passion of the Unicorn with an older man Frater Lamblicus, a type of monk living in reclusive monostatic conditions high in the Italian mountains. The following story concerns their mutual appointment taking place in the solitary hermitage, a rocky retreat unseen from the world and villages below. The journalist already planning to write a book on the Unicorn, had no former evidence regarding the theme of his books. In full reliance he permitted himself to feel and hear all that would be involved. His introduction to Frater involved absolute faith, and everything mentioned here accurately defines his surprise and boundless gratitude, for his support involving the genuineness, and anticipation of this meeting. After consuming a simple lunch of bread, wine and cheese, he unquestionably followed his chaperone into the woodlands. Soundlessly they entered a tiny rustic structure, an antiquated chapel covered in dark green ivy. Both men bowed to gain entry through the small framed doorway. After mutu-

ally sitting quietly for an ostensibly obligatory meditation, the cedar box emerged from a dusty drawer. The contents were incredible ‘Nunc ex tinebtris educto.’ “Now I bring thee out of the darkness,” explained his companion. Strangely beautiful the

pure white, almost transparent horn glistened on an ornate solid silver pedestal, decorated with cursives of Celtic runes, and purple amethyst gems. “You may touch” whispered Lamblicus, reverently. Tender fingers caressed this magnificent symbol of the Unicorn. Truthfully it seemed far colder than ivory. A talisman, a sovereign power, a creature of mystery and faith. Words fail to adequately define this angelic moment. As though in a dream, the author was completely unable to verbally express his feelings. Time stood still, as he gazed deferentially at the entity in plain sight. Marveling at being able to actually ‘see’ and feel this cherished object, as no-one had in the centuries before him… Thought for the day. Achieve mastery, as moving forward, one needs the ability to be outrageous.

After consuming a simple lunch of bread, wine and cheese, he unquestionably followed his chaperone into the woodlands. Soundlessly they entered a tiny rustic structure, an antiquated chapel covered in dark green ivy. Both men bowed to gain entry through the small framed doorway.

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GRAVE SITE, OLD Mountain View Cemetery. Good location close to street. $1000

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HOME CARE: Quality care, dependable, trustworthy, lovingly companionship. Belmont or Northside.Call Connie: 719-214-0321 or leave message #0523

You will find spell binding testimonies of prisoners’ lives and behind- bars encounters with the living Christ. own faith by reading these amazing stories of prisoners’ by the touch of Christ through caring volunteers. Find out how you can make an eternal difference incarcerated man or woman across the country or on Jan McLaughlin’s book will touch your heart and to reach out to the lost and broken men and women. you to pray for them. Perhaps He is inviting you to help Treasures of Darkness!

THE GENERAC PWRCELL, a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today. Call 1-877-650-3380 #0723

Proceeds help fund Prayer For Prisoners Int’l, a ministry based on the power of prayer which was founded by Jan. McLaughlin

$10.00 plus shipping 719-275-6971 or Jansmail@reagan.com

Or by mail: PFPI - P.O. Box 1574 - Cañon C ity, CO Checks payable to PFPI or Prayer For Prisoners International

LIGHT FOR THE JOURNEY

A Great Gift for any Occasion

LIGHT FOR THE JOURNEY

A Great Gift for any Occasion

You will laugh and cry as you walk with Jan through memories that point to an incredible God who orders our steps and uses even the worst situations to His glory and our good. An easy read which also makes a delightful devotional.

You will laugh and cry as you walk with Jan through memories that point to an incredible God who orders steps and uses even the worst situations to His glory good. An easy read which also makes a delightful devotional.

Reviews: A Delightful and Inspirational Read

Reviews: "A Delightful and Inspirational Read"

"The reader will find author Jan McLaughlin’s book an inspirational and thoroughly delightful reading experience. Her wit and love of life permeates the entire 400plus pages. Reading will not be tedious in the least. I think what I most enjoyed was the author’s ability to take ordinary, and sometimes harrowing, experiences and draw a spiritual lesson that the reader can apply in his or her own life.

The reader will find author Jan McLaughlin’s book inspirational and thoroughly delightful reading experience. Her wit and love of life permeates the entire 400-plus pages. Reading will not be tedious in the least. I think I most enjoyed was the author’s ability to take ordinary, sometimes harrowing, experiences and draw a spiritual lesson that the reader can apply in his or her own life.

The chapters are short and keep the reader’s interest

The chapters are short and keep the reader’s interest. The author is humble and not adverse to admitting her own foibles. As a result, this reviewer can relate as one less-than-perfect reader to a less-than-perfect author.

A 4-word recommendation: It’s a happy read!" Dr. Raymond White, Pueblo, CO

$10.00 Plus shipping.

719-275-6971 or Jan@prayerforprisoners.org

The author is humble and not adverse to admitting foibles. As a result, this reviewer can relate as one than-perfect reader to a less- than-perfect author. A 4- word recommendation: It’s a happy read! Dr. Raymond White, Pueblo, CO $10.00 Plus shipping.

719-275-6971 or Jan@prayerforprisoners.org

Or you can order by mail: Checks payable to Jan McLaughlin P.O. Box 855 - Cañon City, CO 81215-0855

Or you can order by mail: Checks payable to Jan McLaughlin P.O. Box 855 - Cañon City, CO 81215

says Emery Keller, ProLube owner

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Fill

A Tribute to Mothers

“Charm can be deceiving and beauty fades away, but a woman who honors the Lord deserves to be praised. Show her respect- praise her in public for what she has done.”

31:30-31 Genesis 1:26a

Proverbs

Sometimes in life we are not certain that we make wise decisions and choices. Many times, we ask ourselves did we do enough, did we teach our children all they need to know to make a good life for themselves and

27. Influencer's creation

29. *Meg, Chris and Stewie Griffin's mom

31. Egghead

32. "____ like the plague"

33. Canvas primer

34. *Alex and Mallory Keaton's mom

36. Pasta option

38. Virgo and Libra mo.

42. ____ Lewis, Lamb Chop puppeteer

45. By word of mouth

49. What catastrophe and

their families. So many times, we second guess ourselves in decisions we make. As mothers, we pray we made the correct decisions when they were growing up and into their adult lives. I have 6 children and they are all different with different needs and there were times I wondered if I made the right decision. It certainly helps if you have a mate that helps in those decisions and especially if you have Divine guidance from the Lord.

It is especially encouraging when you get a letter from one of your children like the one below. I share this letter to encourage you as a mother, grandmother or great grandmother. As we lean on the Lord even in the midst of making those life altering decisions, if we trust in God, He will make it good for them as well as for us.

[The article below was written by my daughter Launa Owen Odom.]

ratatouille have in common

51. Wear (2 words)

54. Treated with EVOO

56. *Pebbles Flintstone's mom

57. Law school entry requirement, acr.

58. First name palindrome

59. Civil disorder

60. They're on Freddy's street

61. Widespread

62. Relating to armpit

63. 3 squared

66. Tight one in football

68. Bro's counterpart

▶ ANSWERS ON PAGES TWO & SIX

Blue skies greet me as I walk out the door of my church on this beautiful Mother’s Day morning. My four daughters walk ahead of me in their pretty clothes. I marvel at how blessed I am to have them in my life, even though I sometimes feel overwhelmed. As a single parent, there are days that I question whether I have the strength to raise them on my own. I pray daily for God’s guidance and help. Thankfully, when I was just five years old, he sent the answer to my future prayers…

My step-mom was everything a young girl could hope for; kind, patient, loving, beautiful, graceful, and most importantly, a child of God. Her love for her Savior was apparent in everything she did. She was all these things because of three women in her life: her mother, Dolly, and her aunts, Ruby and Mary. These women shaped and molded her into the strong woman she is today. They taught her morals and values and instilled in her a love for all those around her. It’s because of them that I now have the tools to help my girls become godly young women.

*To mothers and grandmothers reading this article, God bless you for bringing up your children with love and respect. In doing this, you leave a wonderful legacy that will be passed on for generations.

(This article is dedicated to my mother: Kay Owen Larson. Thank you for all that you’ve done to make me the mother I am today. I would also like to dedicate this to my Granny and my wonderful aunts. They were incredible women and will remain in my heart forever.) Have a blessed Mother’s Day!

Written by Kay Owen-Larson

OPINION-EDITORIAL

ANN COULTER Columnist, author and lawyer

EXPEL

PLEASE

SON DID. It The vote to expel two Democrats from the Tennessee House of Representatives last week reminds us of one of the immutable laws of politics: Whenever Democrats accuse anyone of racism, demand to see the videotape.

Hey — remember the 2016 racist bus attack on three black coeds at the University at Albany that caught Hillary Clinton’s attention? They claimed a group of white men shouting racial epithets started hitting them, but no one on the bus cared! Foolishly, in retrospect, they didn’t check to see if the bus had cameras. It did. Rallies, hysteria, a Hillary tweet … and then it turned out they were the ones beating up a white girl.

Or how about the Princeton professor who claimed she’d been the victim of a

vicious racist policeman in 2016? “Many women who look like me,” she wrote on Twitter, “have a much more frightening end to such arrests.” After a hue and cry, the police released the officer’s dashcam footage. The officer had been almost comically polite to her, despite her going 20 mph over the speed limit, as well as driving on a suspended license.

In 2015 in Connecticut, another BIPOC lady professor decided that, instead of simply paying a small traffic fine, she’d wreck a cop’s life. In a blizzard of letters to government officials, she accused the policeman of racism and demanded that “action be taken against the officer.” The police released a recorded transcript of the entire interaction — and guess what? The officer never said any of the racist things she’d alleged. He, too, was a model of professionalism.

The list goes on and on and on. And on and on. And on and on … (Though it’s important we avoid reflexive cynicism. Only the most callous among us would doubt Jussie Smollett.) In any case, the moral of the story: Democrats say RACIST!!, you say “Show me the video.”

Which brings us to the allegedly racist Tennessee Republicans who expelled two of their colleagues this week just because they were black! (Didn’t Republicans notice these guys were black before now?)

MEDIA: The expelled lawmakers did nothing that others didn’t do!

Normal people: Show us the video.

MEDIA: Trust us, these lawmakers were the picture of decorum.

Normal people: Show us the video.

MEDIA: We must have left it in the car. We’ll try to remember to bring it tomorrow.

There’s a reason Tennessee Democrats frantically tried to prevent the playing of the video.

What it shows is two black Democrats, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, on the Tennessee House floor carrying on for more than an hour, shouting into a bullhorn, waving protest signs, banging on the podium like a drum, and leading chants with protesters in the gallery:

Power to the people! Power to the people!

No justice, no peace! No action, no peace!

Whose house? Our house! Whose house? Our house!

Gun control now! Gun control now!

Please explain how the Jan. 6 QAnon Shaman showed more contempt for the democratic process than Jones and Pearson did. How about compared to a representative sending naughty texts to female colleagues outside of business hours — the casus belli of the last expulsion in 2016.

But according to MSNBC, the only reason Jones and Pearson were expelled was because the “predominantly white, predominantly male” lawmakers refuse to “coexist with representatives who are female or young or black” — as Nicole Wallace put it. (Nicole: Relax. You’ve got the job.)

In bafflement, Wallace asked, “Why did they have to be expelled? Why did this come to this?”

Idea: Show the video, Nicole!

Rep. Gloria Johnson, the body-positive white representative, begged not to be expelled, pointing out with some justice that, unlike Jones and Pearson, she broke no House rules — never shouted, pounded the podium, displayed a protest sign or used a bullhorn.

But as soon as her argument succeeded

All views expressed in these pages are that of the author/s and not necessarily endorsed by the Senior Beacon, Beacon News Group, et al. Further, by reading this paper you agree to a Hold Harmless Agreement pertaining to the publisher (Evergrowth Media, LLC), it's principals, and all writers.

and she wasn’t expelled, Johnson rushed to MSNBC to say racism was the only reason she wasn’t. The sole deciding factor, she said, was “the color of our skin.”

Some conservatives say the Republicans should have expelled the white lady just to avoid (false) charges of racism. Yes, and innocent whites and Asians should be sent to prison so no one can say our criminal justice system is racist.

Rep. Johnson is a liar, but she didn’t break any House rules. Jones and Pearson did.

Apparently, we’ve returned to the Treating-Black-People-Like-Children phase of “Diversity.” I just wish liberals would state their racism plainly: We simply can’t expect black people to abide by white norms of dignity and decorum.

COPYRIGHT 2023 ANN COULTER

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Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns are the opinions of the writers and not necessarily that of the publisher. Senior Beacon is locally owned and operated. Founded in February of 1982.

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THEM AGAIN

EXPLAIN HOW THE JAN. 6 QANON SHAMAN SHOWED MORE CONTEMPT FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS THAN JONES AND PEAR-