VIEWPOINTS
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Bethel Journal
September 29, 2011
EDITORIALS
Are you concerned about giving kids apple juice after a recent TV show revealed trace amounts of arsenic in the juice? Why or why not? “Just more Doctor Oz paranoia. Drink away, kids. If I’m wrong, it’ll save me the cost of a college education or two.” J.J. “Evidently, ‘an apple a day doesn’t keep the doctor away.’ ‘The land of Doctor Oz’ show with consultants such as Dorothy, the Tinman and the Scarecrow has only attempted to hype the evils of apple juice as a means to increase TV ratings. Unless us Americans individually consume a 55-gallon drum of apple juice daily, I think we’ll all be fine as mentioned on The Today Show regarding the heated counterpoint. “What is most disturbing to me is the fact that the Chinese may watch the Dr. Oz show. As I understand, they provide this bankrupt nation of ours with 80 percent of our daily apple consumption. That’s a lot of juice surrounding this controversy. “Shame on you, Dr. Oz. In this land of your and ours, I think you owe the Chinese a bid apology since they own through debt, a big portion of this country. You should fire all your consultants, including the Scarecrow.” J.W. “To borrow from The Bard, this is ‘much ado about nothing.’ Even the originator of the rumor, Doctor Wizard of Oz, downplays the danger of arsenic in apple juice. “I liked the discussion between two lawyers being interviewed on Fox News by Megyn Kelly recently. One of them was drinking from a bottle of apple juice while making his comments and talking about the risk. “We need to be cautious about certain aspects of our behavior, including the risks associated with smoking, overeating, lack of exercise, etc. ... But apple juice doesn’t worry me.” Bill B. “Apple juice has about the same nutritional content as soft drinks, lots of sugar and not much else. Even with no harmful chemicals, it is a lousy thing to give to kids. “If you followed this up at the FDS website at www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm271595.h tp, you will find that this, like most other scares of this nature, is a tempest in a teapot. Oh my goodness, elephants are big and gray! Old news.” F.S.D.
LETTERS
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COLUMNS
Editor Theresa Herron | therron@communitypress.com | 248-7128
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Last week’s question
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Next question Do you agree with the decision of state officials to move Ohio’s 2012 primary election from Super Tuesday in March, to May? Why or why not? Every week The Bethel Journal asks readers a questions that they can reply to via e-mail. Send your answers to clermont@communitypress.com with “chatroom” in the subject line. “How many things are we supposed to be afraid of? That’s just ridiculous!” J.K. “What are you going to do, pull every apple juice product off the store shelves, vending machines, and households? There is no point to really be concerned over this issue mainly being overblown by the media, keeping in mind it is good to be alerted.” O.H.R. “I just heard the news tonight and they are saying maybe the tests done on arsenic levels in apple juice may have been done incorrectly. In either case I would not drink it until we know all the facts, especially when it comes to children.” Dave D. “We haven’t skipped a beat since Dr. Oz put his foot in his mouth. Whether it’s apple juice from a large bottle or the smaller cartons, our grandchildren enjoy their apple juice!” R.V. “Actually, I’m more concerned that they are drinking apple juice, period. We call it sugar water in our house. Best if the kids just drank good old H20.” L.A.D. “Absolutely not! Although I like knowing what is in our foods, however, if you looked deeper into the issue you find that the levels were fine. Of course that is assuming your child doesn’t drink apple juice like water. Everything in moderation.” K.L.S. “Of course I’m concerned. I was a child in the 80’s and remember having to begrudgingly give up Diet Coke! We all remember the dangers of Saccharin. And now, while maybe well intentioned, the Wizard of Oz tells me my 4-year-old can’t have apple juice. I may have to wait for the congressional hearing for real proof though. In the meantime, I’ll just serve organic apple juice, that way the arsenic is free from pesticides.” T.F.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Support senior services levy
I am writing this letter of support for the Clermont County Senior Services levy. I have leveraged Clermont County Services both professionally and personally and can attest to their value to this community. As a geriatrician, I have assisted patients and their families who deal with devastating and chronic ailments such as dementia, depression, congestive heart failure, chronic pulmonary disease and pain syndromes. Providing a day program which can provide socialization for patients who commonly become isolated with these diagnoses is critical to prolonging function and quality of life. The Clermont County Welcome Center, one of the Clermont Senior Services programs, gives family members peace of mind and provides a needed break for caregivers. The Welcome Center customers obtain both physical and mental exercise in a professional and caring environment. The eligible senior also receives a well-rounded meal which allows them an additional advantage to maximize their quality of life each day they visit the center. I ask you each to consider lending your support for the levy. I will be providing my positive vote, not only as a professional who refers to the center, but as a
family member whose loved one needs this service. Dr. Sally Brooks Vice President, Medical Development Kindred Healthcare Milford
Levy will benefit seniors
Since my heart surgery in 2008, I have been dependent upon Clermont Senior Services’ transportation. Three times weekly I am provided a ride to my cardiac rehab sessions. This has been crucial because I have no vehicle for these appointments. And rehab is so important for improving my health. I have been so impressed with the sensitivity of the Clermont Seniors’ staff members. The drivers, especially, are so helpful to those passengers using wheelchairs or oxygen tanks. In some instances, they have even walked a client to their front door. What a compassionate group. This November, a renewal levy for Senior Services will be presented to voters. I understand that there would be no increase in our taxes. I encourage all voters to do their part to pass the levy. Hundreds of local senior citizens will benefit. Chris Burroughs Batavia
Senior levy much needed
I am pleased to make readers of The Bethel Journal aware of the
levy in support of Senior Services in the Clermont County area. The date of the election is Nov. 8. This is a much needed levy for those in need of services, such as Meals on Wheels, transportation for medical needs and programs that are received for seniors in the Clermont County area. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Clermont Senior Services at 724-1255 for needs. Ann Ferguson Milford
Vote for seniors
I am writing in regards to the senior services levy. The Welcome Center is where my mom, a Bethel resident, has been going since June 28, 2011. My family has seen great results in her wellbeing and quality of life. The staff is very friendly and professional. The Welcome Center gives me, my sister, brother, and sister-inlaw a much needed break from Mom’s 24-hour care. It also gives us peace of mind that Mom is in a facility that provides both mental and physical exercise. I live in Warren County, but I have been telling my friends and family who live in Clermont County, to please vote for this levy. I tell them how great the programs are and that we are blessed to be able to send Mom to the Welcome Center. Patricia Chandler Price Mason
Bethel electric rates should be lower The electric rates in Bethel, Ohio, have not been lowered as they should have been. A new contract was negotiated with American Electric Power (AEP) during 2010. Bethel council accepted the new contract thinking that these new lower rates would b passed on to our customers. Each customer of Bethel power should have seen a savings in their electric bill starting in January 2011. The savings in cost of power under the new contract is significant. The savings have varied from $60,000 to $70,000 each month. That savings has yet to be passed on to the customers using electric in and around the village of Bethel. The village administrator was asked by council to have a rate survey done for the purpose of lowering electric rates, but so far he had not been forthcoming. A majority of village officials have chosen to leave electric rates artificially high and in doing do, have in essence, levied a tax on every customer without their permission. So far, this “tax has
The savings have varied from $60,000 to $70,000 each month. That savings has yet to be passed on to the customers using electric in and around the village of Bethel. brought in more than $600,000 to the village treasury. Some officials now would like to spend that money on items and services for which the voters of Bethel have had no input. Should this be allowed to go on? I think not. The village accounts will be enriched by the end of the current contract with AEP by nearly $2.5 million. These overcharges should by right be returned. I urge the resident and customers using electric of the village of Bethel to voice your opinion and stop this diverting of your hard-earned money for purposes not know and better left to voter consent. Gary Hutchinson lives in Bethel.
Gary Hutchinson Community Journal guest columnist
About letters & columns
We welcome your comments on editorials, columns, stories or other topics. Include your name, address, cell and home phone numbers so we may verify your letter or guest column. Letters may be no more than 200 words and columns must be 400 to 500 words. Please include a color headshot with guest columns. All submissions will be edited for length, accuracy and clarity. Deadline is noon Friday. E-mail: clermont@community press.com. Fax: 248-1938. U.S. mail: The Bethel Journal, 394 Wards Corner Road, Suite 170, Loveland, OH 45140. Letters, columns and articles submitted to The Bethel Journal may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.
Electronic payments for benefits a must For years, Social Security has stressed the convenience, security and safety of getting benefit payments electronically. Soon, direct deposit (or Direct Express) will not just be the best way to receive federal benefit payments – it will be the only way. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has announced a new rule that will phase out paper checks for federal benefit and non-tax payments by March 1, 2013. Here is how the transition will work. • Anyone applying for Social
Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits on or after May 1, 2011, will receive their payments electronically, while those already receiving paper checks will need to switch to electronic payments by March 1, 2013. • Anyone already receiving their benefit payments electronically will continue to receive their payment as usual on their payment day. • People receiving benefits have the option of direct deposit to a bank or credit union account (of their choice) or into a Direct Express Debit MasterCard account
(a treasury-recommended prepaid card option). Visit www. godirect.org to learn more about this option. • Social Security, SSI, Veterans Affairs, Railroad Retirement Board, Office of Personnel Management benefits and other nontax payments are included. For most people getting monthly benefits, this won’t really be a change. Already eight out of 10 beneficiaries receive payments electronically. Why the push for electronic payments instead of paper checks received in the mail? • It’s safer: No risk of checks
being lost or stolen. • It’s easy and reliable: No need to wait for the mail or go to the bank to cash a check. • It saves taxpayers money: No cost for postage and paper and printing. • It saves you money: No check-cashing fees or bank fees. • It’s good for the environment: It saves paper and eliminates transportation costs. If you still get your check in the mail, don’t wait for the new rule to go into effect to enjoy the benefits of electronic payments. Please visit www.godirect.org today and begin getting your
Social Security and SSI payments the safe, easy, inexpensive and green Sue Denny way – electroniCommunity cally. Press guest Sue Denny is the public affairs columnist specialist for the Social Security Administration in Cincinnati. Do you have a question about Social Security? Would you like to schedule a free Social Securityrelated presentation for your group or organization? Contact her at susan.denny@ssa.gov.
A publication of Your Community Press newspaper serving Bethel, Chilo, Felicity, Franklin Township, Moscow, Neville, Tate Township, Washington Township E m a i l : c l e r m o n t @ c o m m u n i t y p r e s s . c o mm Website: communitypress.com
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Bethel Journal Editor . . . . .Theresa L. Herron therron@communitypress.com . . . . . . .248-7128 Office hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday | See page A2 for additional contact information.
248-8600 | 394 Wards Corner Road, Loveland, Ohio 45140 | e-mail clermont@communitypress.com | Web site: www.communitypress.com