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The Leakiest House on the Block
7 Tips When Buying a Used Car
C O M M U N I T Y,
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E D U C AT I O N ,
City of Tyler’s employee Joy Fry was honored at Wednesday’s City Council Meeting with a service award for her 25 years with the Tyler Police Department. Mrs. Fry began with the Tyler Police Department in April of 1992. Beginning in Data Management, she was named Employee of the year in 1996. A few years later, she was promoted to administrative secretary, a position she still holds.
See SERVICE on Page 3
Dr. Damon Spencer with Arely Valdez, Cecilia Olivares and Clarisa Gutierrez
Smith County Agent Recognized
Smith County Horticulture Agent Greg Grant received the statewide Lone Star Land Steward Award for his life’s work on his family farm. Grant, who became the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Smith County Extension Agent in Horticulture in October, was honored with the award given by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.
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R E L I G I O N
N E W S
May 25-June 1, 2017
Wellness Pointe Appreciates Employees Wellness Pointe, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), held its annual Employee Appreciation Luncheon, Wednesday. The management including Chief Executive Officer Chad Jones, Human Resource Director Hope Echols and others were
on hand to serve delicious Papacitas Mexican food with all its trimmings to employees. Physicians, nurses practically everyone attended. Director of Quality & Compliance Tomiko Richardson was elated about the luncheon. “The management team surpasses themselves when showing appreciation” said Richardson.
See WELLNESS on Page 3
What We Can Learn from War Memorials By Kevin Basl In Dryden, New York, a proposed solar farm recently caused a stir. Thousands of solar panels — enough to power 7,500 homes — are scheduled to be installed near a rural cemetery in the town. Some opponents complain that it’s disrespectful to the veterans buried there.
See WAR VETS on Page 7
Paula Wallace and Scherry Barnes
“The management team surpasses themselves when showing appreciation. They take out time to ser ve us and we are grateful. It assures us, we are not just hard working staff but more like family.” — Director of Quality & Compliance Tomiko Richardson
Diana Tarpley
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Michelle Starling
By Keisha Roland
Greg Grant
P O L I T I C S
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Tyler gives Service Award
B U S I N E S S ,
Trump’s Budget to Preserve the Swamp?
Tamiko Richardson, Maria Galvan, Hector Rodriguez, Talia Peterson and Patrick Johnson
President’s 2018 Budget Neglects Rural Areas
Lyons, Neb. - Center for Rural Affairs Policy Associate Anna Johnson said today that President Trump’s 2018 budget does not support rural America and its communities. The budget was released in its final form Wednesday. “The President’s budget demonstrates President Trump’s lack of understanding and prioritization of the struggles of rural communities,” she said.
See RURAL on Page 7
See SMITH on Page 3
Boil Water Notice Rescinded
Water from the public water system for certain portions of Tyler no longer need to be boiled before drinking. Tyler city officials said necessary corrective actions have been taken to make water safe for human consumption.
Delia Corona, Jane Wood, and Francis Kelly
Cynthia Balboa Secretary DeVos
Education Budget Puts Students First
See WATER on Page 2
W H AT ’ S I N S I D E Local.......................... 2 Local & State............ 3 Opinion..................... 4 Business.................... 5 Gospel Spotlight...... 6 National.................... 7 Health........................ 8
Vicky Vicky Rojas, Rojas, Khoshunda Khoshunda Williams Williams and and Tania Tania Terales Terales Emileigh Phillips, Christi Thompson and Hope Elchols
The Trump Administrationbhas released the Fiscal Year 2018 budget, which lays out a series of proposals and priorities designed to ensure every student has an equal opportunity to receive a high quality education.
See DeVOS on Page 7
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Luke 5:32 (KJV)
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Local News
Yuridia Valdez and Mayra Riojas
May 25 - June 1, 2017
Claudia Gomez, Gabriela Romero, Kimberly Yanez, Dr. Jennifer Smith and Taylor Johnson
Wellness Pointe Appreciates Employees
From Page 1
“They take out time to serve us and we are grateful. It assures us, we are not just hard working staff but more like family.” Besides eating, employees seem to take pleasure in this time of togetherness. “The luncheon is a time of fellowship,” said Director of WIC Services Scherry Barnes. “The effort and time spent by management to put this together speaks volume. They are giving us the opportunity to relish in the moment. It is great way to show appreciation to their staff.” In addition, Human Resource Director Hope Echols felt the appreciation luncheon was just a small token of the organization’s care for its employees. “We try our best to show the employees we appreciate all their hard work” said Echols. “They are a representation of what Wellness Pointe symbolizes. We are honored to take a day and express our gratitude towards our staff. Without them Wellness Pointe would not be successful.” Wellness Pointe has been providing East Texas with comprehensive, affordable health care for more than 20 years. With
Food being served at the gathering, above. Right, Eleazar Ruiz, Salud Gonzalez and Hope Perez
Jessica Teague
a unique blend of medical, dental and social services programs, Wellness Pointe meets the individual needs of patients at several convenient locations. Locations and services are as follows: •Longview: - 1107 E. Marshall Ave. Services offered: Obstetrics, Gynecology, Pediatrics, Optometry, Family Medicine, Psychiatry, Counseling, Family Dentistry, Substance Abuse Treatment and WIC
- 805 Medical Circle Obstetrics and Gynecology - 2430 South High Street (Next to Texas Workforce Center) Family Medicine, Psychiatry, Counseling • Gilmer: - 601 Titus Street Family Medicine, Family Dentistry, Counseling • Kilgore: - 1171 South Henderson Boulevard Family Medicine and WIC.
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Boil Water Notice Rescinded From Page 1
Last week, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the City of Tyler (PWS 2120004) public water system to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers within the area bounded by Claude Street to the north, West Houston Street to the south, Vine Avenue to the east and South Peach Avenue to the west, that due to conditions which occurred recently in the public water system, the water from this public water system was required to be boiled prior to use for drinking water or
uttyler.edu TYLER, LONGVIEW & PALESTINE
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human consumption purposes. The public water system has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes and has provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of May 24, 2017. If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Kate Dietz at (903) 531-1085.
May 25 - June 1, 2017
Smith County Agent Recognized
Local News
From Page 1 Joy is an important part in preparing the yearly budget and keeps documents up to date for all employees and retirees. “Over the years, Joy Fry has become a vital part of our organization,” Chief of Police Jimmy Toler said. “She continues to be a daily resource of information as she assists employees and citizens.”
Awardee Joy Fry proudly shows off her award. She is flanked by members of the Tyler City Council
Senate Signs Off on Dallas Pension Deal By Richard Lee The Senate unanimously approved Tuesday a proposal to fix the pension fund that pays for the retirement of Dallas police officers and firefighters. Years of mismanagement and poor investments led to the fund facing an insolvency crisis, but the new plan would make the fund solvent for the foreseeable future. The agreement was the result of cooperation between Dallas lawmakers, city leadership and union officials. Led in the Senate by Senators Don Huffines and Royce West, the proposal would change the governance structure to give the city a majority on the governing board but would require a two-thirds majority to make changes to benefits or contributions. It would require an independent actuarial study in 2024 to ensure proper man-
agement of the fund. “Now we provide the City of Dallas the ability to nurture and further develop this pension fund into what we want it to be, a model for not only for the Great State of Texas but also the United States,” said West. With the end of the session looming, the Senate met in session for many hours Tuesday, passing a flurry of legislation. One measure was HB 2, the supplemental budget bill, by Senator Jane Nelson of Flower Mound, which would spend about $1 billion in state revenue to true up current fiscal year expenses with what was appropriated in 2015. Because the budget is written two years in advance, the state must pay for unexpected costs and account for actual revenue at the end of the biennium. This year, the big costs were growth in Medicaid and prison healthcare, as well as $100 million in emer-
gency appropriations for Child Protective Services approved over the interim. “It meets our supplemental needs and it rights the ship at Child Protective Services to ensure the safety of children at risk,” Nelson said of the measure. Passed unanimously by the Senate, it goes back to the House for consideration of Senate changes to the bill. Also passed Tuesday was HB 2908, a bill that would extend hate crime protections to police officers and judges.. A priority of Governor Greg Abbott, the bill would enhance penalties for crimes committed against a police officer. Restraining, assaulting or threatening an officer would go from a class A misdemeanor to a second degree felony, which carries a penalty of 2 to 20 years. Causing serious bodily harm to an officer, a second degree felony under current law, would be
enhanced to a first degree offense, meaning the perpetrator could face five to 99 years in prison. “House Bill 2908 sends a clear message that the state of Texas stands with our police officers,” said bill sponsor Senator Joan Huffman of Houston. The bill will now head to the Governor’s desk for his signature. Finally Tuesday, the Senate passed a measure that would ensure that parents can adequately say goodbye when they face the ultimate tragedy of losing a child. “When a child dies, the parents may be prohibited from seeing the body and saying goodbye until after the body has even gone as far as autopsy,” said New
Braunfels Senator Donna Campbell, who sponsored the bill, HB 298. It would affirm in statute that a parent has the right to see their child before the body is released to the county or state for examination or autopsy. Before final passage, Campbell introduced her constituent, Laura McDaniel, whose tragic loss of her seven year-old son Wyatt led to the crafting of the bill. After Wyatt died after being buried by a sand pile, McDaniel had to wait days to finally see the body of her son. Following the incident, she fought for changes in law. “I’m honored to have her join us today to be part of this significant moment,” said Campbell.
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AG Paxton Settles with Target
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today announced an $18.5 million settlement with the Target Corporation to resolve a multistate investigation into the retail company’s 2013 data breach. The breach affected more than 41 million customer payment card accounts, along with contact information for more than 60 million customers. To date the settlement amount is the largest related to a data breach achieved by a multistate group. The states’ investigation found that cyber attackers accessed Target’s gateway server through credentials stolen from a third-party vendor around November 12, 2013. The credentials were used to exploit weaknesses in Target’s system, which allowed the attackers to access a customer service database, install malware on the system and capture consumer’s personal information and banking information. “Cyber threats and identity theft are of increasing concern to Texas consumers,” Attorney General Paxton said. “Today’s settlement underscores that in the 21st century, a business that obtains consumers’ personal information must be proactive in maintaining reasonable safeguards to protect that information.”
Smith County Agent Recognized From Page 1
The award was given during a banquet in Austin on Thursday, May 18, 2017. Grant was one of seven award recipients representing six ecologically diverse regions of the state. Started in 1996 by the TPWD Private Lands Advisory Committee, the Lone Star Land Steward Awards recognize the important role private landowners play in the future of Texas’ natural resources by honoring them for their accomplishments in habitat management and wildlife conservation. “It was humbling and inspiring,” Grant said of receiving the honor. “It is very much a labor of love.” Grant lives on what was once his great-great grandparent’s 50-acre farm in Arcadia, in Shelby County, where he restores parcels of native habitat for the benefit of wildlife and the education of others. From 1953–1993, Grant’s grandfather farmed, produced hay and raised cattle and horses there. When Grant took ownership, he began to reforest portions of the property and plant some parts in native prairie. His primary wildlife goal is to create habitat for native cavity-nesting birds, pine savanna birds and a number of pollinator species.
His pine forest has attracted seven of the eight species of East Texas woodpeckers, as well as eastern bluebirds, pine warblers, brown-headed nuthatches and numerous other songbirds. Perhaps closest to his heart is a remnant population of prairie trillium, which he discovered growing in his hardwood forest. The rare species was previously unknown in Texas and is now found in only two other locations in East Texas. In addition to restoring his great-great grandparent’s 1890’s dogtrot farmhouse, Grant has cooperated with the Stephen F. Austin State University Center of Regional Heritage Research as the pilot community for their Voices from Small Places project. Over the last 20 years, Grant has hosted hundreds of visitors for educational and recreational tours of the property. Grant said he doesn’t do any of the work on his family’s land for recognition or honors. He finds it comforting to be out in nature and has spent nearly every weekend of his life working on the property. Six others from around the state received the Lone Star Land Stewards Awards. Since the program’s inception 21 years ago, more than
200 landowners have been honored for conserving more than 3 million acres of fish and wildlife habitat. “This year we recognized properties around the state ranging in size from over 26,000 acres down to 50,” Justin Dreibelbis, director of TPWD’s Private Lands and Public Hunting program, said. “These landowners and managers come from different backgrounds but what they all have in common is a love for the land and a desire to make it the best functioning system that it can be. The clean air, water, food and fiber that come from these properties is important to all Texans and we are honored to be able to recognize this group of land stewards for their efforts.” Grant was born in Tyler and raised in Longview. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Floriculture and a master’s degree in Horticulture from Texas A&M University. The Smith County Extension Office is part of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, an agency of the Texas A&M University System. Extension is a cooperative effort of the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of Texas through Texas A&M University, and the Smith County Commissioners Court.
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Wellness Pointe accepts most medical and dental insurance plans, CHIP, Medicaid, and Medicare. Affordable payment options are available for qualified patients. Walk-ins and new patients are welcome at all locations!
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Opinion
May 25 - June 1, 2017
Trump’s Budget to Preserve the Swamp? By Veronique de Rugy
President Donald Trump’s first budget proposal is finally out, and it boldly promises to deliver a “new foundation for American greatness.” I guess that grandiose language is supposed to resonate with those voters who don’t understand how the budget process actually works. The sad reality is that this budget would accomplish no such thing, for several reasons: First, notice that I said “would,” not “will.” That’s because the proposal is dead on arrival on Capitol Hill. Even if one believed the Trump budget would be successful in achieving its stated aims, congressional Republicans have made clear that they won’t be carrying the administration’s water. Specifically, GOPers have already made clear that they have zero appetite for pursuing the spending cuts and program terminations recommended in the administration’s budget proposal. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Republicans have had many opportunities over the years to ax such budget zombies as the National Endowment for the Arts, Corporation for Public Broadcasting subsidies and the Economic Development Administration. They’re not going to finally go to war for those spending cuts now. Other reforms will most likely be met with wobbly knees from congressional Republicans, too. For example, the administration wants to strengthen work requirements for able-bodied people using federal welfare programs. That should be a no-brainer, but with Democrats and their
media allies ready to pounce, don’t expect the GOP to put up much of a fight. The budget also proposes reforms to Medicaid that would reduce the growth in the program’s ballooning costs. On top of that, studies have shown that Medicaid beneficiaries don’t experience better health outcomes than uninsured people. Will congressional Republicans fight for these reforms when GOP governors start complaining about having to assume greater responsibility for the joint federal-state program? If the Obamacare reform debacle is our guide, the answer is no. Second, although the administration’s proposal contains many good ideas, it also contains the sort of budget gimmicks that have turned previous presidential budget proposals into punching bags. It claims it could balance the budget in 10 years, using rosy estimates of growth and revenue alongside a continued abuse of the budget for “overseas contingency operations,” which is stuffed with $77 billion in extra spending. As Taxpayers for Common Sense notes, if the fund for overseas contingency operations were an agency, it would be the fourth-largest in terms of federal discretionary spending. There are other problems with this budget, too. Though its designers are willing to ax counterproductive low-income programs, they won’t tackle programs that serve wealthier Americans, such as Medicare and Social Security. In fact, though the budget would cut Medicaid, it might even prop up Medicare, as Reason’s Peter Suderman explains in a piece about the budget. It’s not
OK that seniors, who are overly represented in the top income quintile, require younger and poorer Americans to transfer massive amounts of money to them through these insolvent programs. It also would add billions to the already bloated defense budget, bringing it up to $668 billion. That would be $22 billion above the current level. Even though the proposal acknowledges the approximately 20 percent excess capacity spread across the military departments — that, if eliminated, could save $2 billion over 10 years — it fails to tackle the $125 billion of waste in the Pentagon that the president decried on the campaign trail. It renews a commitment to unworkable weapons systems and a shadow army of defense contractors. It also caves to Ivanka Trump and would implement a paid family leave program, and it falls for the fallacy that the federal government is the best entity to pay for and implement infrastructure improvements. That being said, the biggest problem with this budget is the fact that I can’t see President Trump actually fighting for it. Sure, he’ll continue to make speeches about his great wall and his anti-immigration positions with the passion that got him elected, but don’t count on him to go to the mat for work requirements, Medicaid reforms and a reduction in the food stamp rolls. This is bad news for those of us who want to see good reforms implemented, but it’s good news for the swamp — which will most likely get to rule the day once again.
Did Trump Know Enough to Obstruct Justice? By Jacob Sullum
For almost a year, Donald Trump has been complaining that FBI Director James Comey gave Hillary Clinton “a free pass for many bad deeds,” as the president recently put it on Twitter. Trump thinks his opponent in last year’s presidential election should have been prosecuted for her loose email practices as secretary of state, even if she did not deliberately expose classified information. The president might want to reconsider that hardline attitude. The reason Comey cited for not recommending charges against Clinton — a lack of criminal intent — could prove crucial in rebutting the allegation that Trump obstructed justice by trying to impede the FBI’s investigation of ties between his associates and the Russian government. When Comey announced the results of the Clinton investigation last July, he criticized her “extremely careless” handling of “very sensitive, highly classified information,” saying she “should have known” the unsecured private email system she used “was no place” to discuss such matters. That description sounded like grounds for charging Clinton under 18 USC 793, which makes it a felony to “mishandle classified information either
intentionally or in a grossly negligent way.” But Comey argued that “no reasonable prosecutor” would pursue a case against Clinton based on gross negligence. He said he was aware of just one case where the government had used that standard in the century since the law was passed, which suggests federal prosecutors “have grave concerns about whether it’s appropriate.” While prosecuting Clinton might have been legally feasible, Comey told a congressional committee, it would have been
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unjust. “In our system of law, there’s a thing called mens rea,” he said, referring to the state of mind required for a conviction. “We don’t want to put people in jail unless we prove that they knew they were doing something they shouldn’t do.” That brings us back to Trump, who has done (or allegedly done) several things that could be viewed as attempts to undermine the FBI’s investigation of Russian meddling in last year’s presidential election, including the hacking of embarrassing Clinton-related emails. The FBI’s investigation, Comey confirmed during congressional testimony in March, encompasses possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign. After Comey said that, The Washington Post reported this week, Trump asked Daniel Coats, director of national intelligence, and Michael Rogers, director of the National Security Agency, to publicly say there was no evidence of such collusion. Both declined, deeming the request improper. The previous month, according to a Comey memo described by The New
York Times, Trump interceded with the FBI director on behalf of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, one of the associates whose ties to Russia are of interest to the bureau. “I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go,” Trump reportedly told Comey. “He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go.” A few months after that alleged encounter, Trump fired Comey. Two days later, Trump admitted that the Russia probe, which he had denounced as a “taxpayer-funded charade” on Twitter the day before he gave Comey the boot, was on his mind when he made the decision. Some Democrats are already calling for Trump’s impeachment, arguing that his response to the FBI investigation amounts to obstruction of justice. But that crime requires proof of intent, and it is not at all clear that Trump knew he was doing something he shouldn’t do — the standard that Comey applied to Clinton. If Trump was acting “corruptly,” as the statute that seems most relevant requires, why would he approach three officials who were likely to make note of his requests? Why would he publicly condemn the Russia investigation before and after firing Comey? These do not seem like the actions of a man who is conscious of his own guilt. They seem like the actions of a man who is only beginning to figure out how a president is supposed to behave.
The Leakiest House on the Block By Susan Estrich
What’s the leakiest house in Washington, D.C.? Here’s a hint: It’s on Pennsylvania Avenue. Ask anyone who’s been inside the White House lately. There’s never been anything like it. Sinking ships leak. As do losing campaigns, lameduck administrations, and most White Houses, eventually. But not in April and May of a president’s first year in office. This is ridiculous. Or not. In case you haven’t noticed, hardly a day goes by without a source very, very close to the top leaking some very, very damaging tidbit about the latest Donald Trump explosion, implosion, incredibly stupid mistake or attempt to maybe obstruct justice. Most of these stories appear in The Washington Post and the so-called “Failing New York Times” (a nickname that amuses its staff). Failing no more, thank you, Mr. President. Just to give you an example: It isn’t easy to get a transcript of the wordfor-word notes taken when the president meets with the foreign minister of, say, a somewhat important country such as Russia. Think about the last time you saw a transcript like that. That’s because there are very few people who could transcribe one, and none of them are loose-lipped members of the chattering class. They are
“all the president’s men” (and women). And they are — they have to be because no one else knows this info — leaking like sieves. Why? That’s what a few of us have been asking ourselves. I mean, it’s one thing if we don’t like Donald Trump and think he and his administration are doing an embarrassingly bad job, but why should they be selling that? The answer — the one I keep hearing from people who know such things, and the one that makes sense — is the ultimate irony. It’s the only way for the top staff to get through to their boss. He doesn’t listen to their opinions. He doesn’t even ask them. The only way they have to get ideas in front of him, to get through to him just how serious they are, is to have them appear in the “Failing New York Times” — which he reads and pays attention to, because everybody he cares about does. Take that, Mr. and Mrs. Populist. The thing to remember, for those who missed Dick, is that Richard Nixon didn’t fall from favor and lose the support of his party in a day. In fact, unbelievable as it may sound, he was quite busy during the drip-drop of bad stories in the same two aforementioned newspapers: He went to China, was starting the Environmental Protection Agency, was busy
being an effective president (with the dual exceptions of Vietnam and Watergate). So for now, Americans keep hoping that something good might happen for them economically; that their insurance premiums won’t go through the roof; and that their kids get into a decent charter school. But you can play out the next few months in your head: Michael Flynn’s taking the Fifth (it’s very bad to take the Fifth: The only thing worse is going to jail because you didn’t take it); the public testimony from James Comey; the investigation led by Robert Mueller; the testimony of the deputy attorney general; the question of what the president knew and when he knew it; the president’s having possibly given out classified information; and so on, and so on. And if the White House lawyers are really studying impeachment, as reported, then they have already learned that impeachment is — despite all the legal nomenclature — an essentially political process, entrusted to the legislative branches of government and not the judiciary. And it is ultimately controlled, as it will be in 2018, by the will of the people. That will be a midterm referendum. I wonder if we’ll read tomorrow that the White House is considering opening a war room.
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May 25 - June 1, 2017
Business
Social Security Options for Widows and Widowers
By Tom Margenau
Q: My husband died in 2009. I continued working until I was 62 in 2013. I then started drawing widow’s benefits. In February of this year, when I turned 66, I went to the Social Security office to apply for my own benefits. I thought I could get both retirement and widow’s benefits. But they told me no. They said I could only receive my own benefit because it was higher. Is this correct? It doesn’t seem fair. By the way, I was getting $1,870 in widow’s benefits until I switched to $2,120 in my own retirement. A: It is correct. And I believe you’ll think it’s fair once I explain it to you. Also, at the end of my answer, I’m going to give you another Social Security option that’s available to you. As a general rule, if you are due two Social Security benefits, you don’t get them both. You only get the one that pays the higher rate. Although frequently a widow will get benefits off of two records, if her own benefit is less than her husband’s. For example, let’s switch your benefit rates.
Let’s say you were due $1,870 in retirement benefits and $2,120 in widow’s benefits. In that case, they would pay your own $1,870 benefit first. Then they would give you $250 in widow’s benefit to take you up to your husband’s $2,120 rate. In other words, you’re technically getting benefits off of two accounts. In reali-
ty, you’re really just getting a widow’s benefit rate of $2,120. But in your case, your own benefit exceeds what you are due on your husband’s account, so you simply get your own higher retirement benefit. As far as the fairness of getting only the higher benefit, think of it this way: Benefits for spouses and widows(ers) are legal-
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ly considered “dependent” benefits. You normally would get a spousal benefit only if you were financially dependent on your husband. But you had your own job. And it must have been a better paying job than your husband had because you get a bigger Social Security benefit. So you were not dependent on him
while you were working. And now that you are retired and getting your own higher retirement check, you shouldn’t be due any dependent benefits. Or here is another way to think of that. If the government paid you both your own and your husband’s benefits, then every other married person in the country should be able to claim the same. I
should get my own Social Security and I should get husband’s benefits on my wife’s record. And for that matter, she should get her own Social Security and get a wife’s benefits on my record. The Social Security system would go broke tomorrow if everybody in the country got both their own Social Security benefit and a spousal benefit. And now let me tell you about the option I hinted about earlier. Instead of switching to your own retirement benefits at 66, you might have been better off waiting until age 70 to make
that switch. By waiting that long, you would be due a total of 32 percent in “delayed retirement credits.” In other words, instead of getting 100 percent of your benefit at age 66, or the $2,120 you mentioned, you would get 132 percent at 70, or almost $2,800. And it’s not too late for you to make that switch. The law allows you to change your mind and withdraw your claim up to six months after you filed. You are still within that sixmonth window. In other words, you could withdraw your retirement claim and
switch back to your widow’s benefits. You would have to repay the difference between those rates, or $250, for the four months you’ve already received your own benefit. So you’d have to write a check for $1,000 as part of the withdrawal process. And if you think you can live on that $1,870 widow’s benefits for the next four years, you’d then start getting a $2,800 retirement check with the extra credits. You will just have to sit down with a good calculator and do the math and decide if it’s worth it.
Seven Things to Consider When Purchasing a Used Car By Nathaniel Sillin
Although it can be a more affordable alternative to purchasing a new vehicle, buying a used car can be an overwhelming process. In the past three years, BBB received 26,000 complaints regarding used car purchases. Whether you’re looking for your first car or replacing the family vehicle, BBB provides some tips to help your find a car dealer you can trust: The average reimbursement sought for repairs after purchase in BBB complaints is an estimated $3,500,” said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB serving Central East Texas. “That’s why it’s important to remember to do thorough research and make informed decisions before making that purchase.” Consider the following when purchasing a used vehicle: 1. Use a reputable dealer. Research the dealership’s business profile at bbb.org. Check the company’s track record, history of resolving complaints, customer reviews and advertising reviews.
2. The Used Car Rule. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Used Car Rule states that dealerships must post a Buyer’s Guide for every used car that is for sale. In addition to any major mechanical or electrical issues with the car, the Buyer’s Guide will inform a buyer if the car comes with a warranty, or if it’s being sold “as is,” and the percentage of repair costs to be paid by the dealer if it does include a warranty. 3. Know the history of the vehicle. Make sure the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the driver’s side dashboard and on the driver’s side door post are identical. The VIN provides a Vehicle History Report and allows the buyer to check the title of the used car. Find these reports online at the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System website. Also, be sure to obtain any service records that are available. 4. Test drive the vehicle. Try to drive on various road conditions; in traffic, and on hills and highways. Consider things like comfortability, visibility and any possible noise coming from the vehicle. It’s also
important to note how the car shifts and how the pedals feel when you brake. 5. Have the car inspected. The dealer should have nothing to hide. If the salesman does not allow you to have a third-party mechanic inspect the vehicle, you may choose to look elsewhere. 6. Consider a certified, pre-owned (CPO) vehicle. These are vehicles that typically have been given multipoint inspections before being placed on the lot. CPO programs are backed by many automakers, and the vehicles may include an extended manufacturer’s warranty on major parts such as the engine and transmission at no cost. 7. Read the contract carefully. Take your time to read and understand the entire written agreement. Be sure that all blank spaces are filled in, that all verbal promises are included, and that the type of warranty that comes with the car is spelled out. As there are many opportunities for consumers to get scammed, BBB reminds consumers to use extreme caution purchas-
ing vehicles online through third parties. Even if you able to test drive, and obtain an official vehicle history report using the car’s VIN number, these are extremely risky transactions
which leave consumers vulnerable to many kinds of fraud. BBB also reminds consumers never to wire funds or send funds via prepaid card to someone you don’t know.
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6 Gospel Spotlight
May 25 - June 1, 2017
ON THE REFORMATION’S 500TH ANNIVERSARY
Remembering Martin Luther’s Contribution to Literacy By Richard Gunderman This year marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s famous 95 Theses, which helped spark the founding of the Reformation and the division of Christianity into Protestantism and Catholicism. The 95 Theses critiqued the church’s sale of indulgences, which Luther regarded as a form of corruption. By Luther’s time, indulgences had evolved into payments that were said to reduce punishment for sins. Luther believed that such practices only interfered with genuine repentance and discouraged people from giving to the poor. One of Luther’s most important theological contributions was the “priesthood of all believers,” which implied that clerics possessed no more dignity than ordinary people. Less known is the crucial role Luther played in making the case for ordinary people to read often and well. Unlike the papacy and its defenders, who were producing their writings in Latin, Luther reached out to Germans in their mother tongue, substantially enhancing the accessibility of his written ideas.
A copy of Luther’s “95 Theses”, as translated into English An art installation, “Martin Luther - I’m Standing Here”, by German artist Ottmar Hoerl, featured plastic statuettes of the Protestant reformer, in the main square in Wittenberg, East Germany
In my teaching of philanthropy, Luther’s promotion of literacy is one of the historic events I often discuss with my students. Early Years Born in Germany in 1483, Luther followed the wishes of his father to study law. Once, while caught in a terrible thunderstorm, he vowed that if he were saved, he would become a monk. Indeed, Luther later joined the austere Augustinian order, and became both a priest and a doctor of theology. Later he developed objections to many church practices. He pro-
tested the promotion of indulgences, the buying and selling of clerical privileges, and the accumulation of substantial wealth by the church while peasants barely survived. Legend has it that on Oct. 31, 1517, Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg, the town where he was based. He was branded an outlaw for refusing to recant his teachings. In 1521, Pope Leo X excommunicated Luther from the Roman Church. His patron, Frederick of Saxony, saved Luther from further repri-
sal and had him taken in secret to a castle, where he remained for two years. It was during that time that Luther produced an immensely influential translation of the New Testament into German. Impact of Luther’s Writing Gutenberg’s earlier introduction of the printing press in 1439 made possible the rapid dissemination of Luther’s works throughout much of Europe, and their impact was staggering. Luther’s collected works run to 55 volumes. It is estimated that between 1520 and 1526, some 1,700 editions of Luther’s works were printed. Of the six to seven million pamphlets printed during this time, more than a quarter were Luther’s works, many of which played a vital role in propelling the reformation forward. Thanks to Luther’s translation of the Bible, it became possible for German-speaking people to stop relying on church authorities and instead read the Bible for themselves. Luther argued that ordinary people were not only capable of interpreting the scriptures for themselves, but that in doing so they stood the best chance of hearing God’s word. He wrote, “Let the man who would hear God speak read Holy Scripture.” Luther’s Bible helped form a common German dialect. Prior to Luther, people from different regions of present-day Germany often experienced great difficulty understanding one another. Luther’s Bible translation promoted a single German vernacular, helping to bring people to-
gether around a common Reading to Interpret Truth tongue. Luther had many reasons Expanding Literacy This view, combined to favor the dissemination of with the wide availability learning. He was a universiof scripture, shifted re- ty professor. His 95 Theses sponsibility for scriptural were intended as an academinterpretation from clerics ic disputation. His teaching to the laity. Luther wanted and scholarship played a cruordinary people to assume cial role in the development more responsibility for of his theology. Finally, he recognized the crucial role reading the Bible. students would In proplay in carrying moting his movement his point forward. of view, So powerLuther fully did Luhelped to ther’s influence provide reverberate one of down through the most the ages that, ef fective during a visit a r g u to Germany ments for in 1934, Rev. universal Martin Luther King Jr. literacy in the history of Michael King Sr. chose to change both his and his Western civilization. At a time when most son’s name to Martin Lupeople worked in farming, ther King. MLK Jr., namereading was not necessary sake of the great German to maintain a livelihood. reformer, would make But Luther wanted to re- full use of the power of move the language barri- free speech in catalyzing er so that everyone could the American civil rights read the Bible “without movement. In posting his 95 Theses, hindrance.” His rationale for wanting people both to Luther was encouraging learn to read and to read a vigorous exchange of regularly was, from his ideas. The best communipoint of view, among the ty is not the one that supmost powerful imaginable presses dissent but one that – that reading it for them- challenges ideas it finds selves would bring them objectionable through rigorous argumentation. It is closer to God. For much of Luther’s largely for this reason that life, his remarkable output the founders of the United in theological treatises was States took so seriously exceeded only by his Bible freedom of religion, free commentaries. He believed association and the protecthat nothing could substi- tion of a free press. Luther trusted ordinary tute for direct and ongoing encounters with scripture, people to discern the truth. which he both advocated for All they needed was the opand helped to shape through portunity to interpret what they read for themselves. his detailed commentaries.
Richard Gunderman is the Chancellor’s Professor of Medicine, Liberal Arts, & Philanthropy at Indiana University.
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May 25 - June 1, 2017
7
Local/State
What We Can Learn from War Memorials
From Page 1
Energy and environmental considerations aside, what does it mean to respect our deceased service members and veterans? We visit their graves, to ensure their small flags stand upright. We grieve during “Taps.” These activities are healthy. But true respect — the kind someone who gave their life in service deserves — begins with learning from our country’s mistakes, not ensuring a scenic resting place. It’s easy to forget that memorials — gravestones, ceremonies, monuments — aren’t deceased persons themselves. Rather, they’re sacred markers for the living. They provide a space for public mourning, and they teach history. Memorials can be spontaneous and unique, or they can become so commonplace that we no longer experience them meaningfully. Unfortunately, many events honoring veterans I’ve witnessed over the past decade — I’m an Iraq War veteran myself — have fallen under the latter category. On Memorial Day, we’ll honor our service members killed in battle, along with deceased veterans. We’ll be reminded of their sacrifice to our country. We’ll hear stories of cour-
Americans Repay Our Veterans Poorly If We Don’t Use Our Freedoms to Question Our Wars
age in combat. Respectfully, we’ll bow for a moment of silence. But what will we learn? What will we do in the following days? Whatever we do, we should start by admitting that 16 years of war has run up enormous costs. According to the Watson Institute at Brown Univer-
sity, the United States has spent $4.8 trillion on war since September 11, 2001. That number doesn’t include residual costs, such as treatment for veterans and interest on money our government has borrowed to pay for war. Perhaps most tragically, it doesn’t include the human costs, either — from
resources redirected away from our communities at home, to the millions of Iraqi and Afghan civilians killed or displaced, to veterans and service members in the form of post-traumatic stress, moral injury, or worse. Those things seldom come up at Memorial Day ceremonies. Most won’t
discuss veteran suicide, either. Since coming home from Iraq in 2008, I’ve known eight veterans who’ve committed suicide. Almost as many have made attempts. The latest Department of Veterans Affairs report on suicide says 20 veterans commit suicide daily — and even that estimate is likely too low.
Veterans who died from cancers linked to toxic burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan and Agent Orange in Vietnam — victims of military contractors whose top concern is profit — should receive special mention at ceremonies, too. Few will. Iraqis and Afghans who died helping U.S. forces as translators and escorts — along with deceased workers from other countries who served food, cleaned latrines, and washed U.S. soldiers’ uniforms in hazardous duty areas — likely won’t be included either. When we exercise our freedoms — our freedom of speech especially — we pay respect to veterans who took an oath to uphold the Constitution. But we’re repaying them poorly if we don’t use those freedoms to question our nation’s military endeavors, especially when the results have been so barren. After our moment of silence this Memorial Day, we ought to ask if the wars waged in our name have been worth the costs — for veterans and everyone else. Kevin Basl is a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War.Distributed by OtherWords.org.
President’s 2018 Budget Neglects Rural Areas DeVos: Education Budget From Page 1 Program and the Envi- Prioritizes Students
“Although President Trump won the presidency with broad support from rural voters, his budget proposes to zero out several programs that address the challenges of rural communities. Proposed cuts include reducing or eliminating support for rural small businesses and entrepreneurs and compromising anti-poverty programs that lead to healthy families.” “Economic opportunity is a central struggle in rural communities: 85 percent of counties with persistent poverty are in rural areas and rural communities still have not recovered the jobs they lost during the recession,” she continued. “Nearly one in four nonelderly rural residents are covered by Medicaid, a figure that grew nearly six percent with Medicaid expansion. Programs like the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) also serve as a lifeline for those living with limited incomes in rural areas, where an estimated 15 percent of households receive SNAP assistance. These critical assistance programs are both slated
Budget Director Mick Mulvaney holds up a copy of President Trump’s proposed 2018 federal budget
for decimating cuts under the proposed budget.” Johnson stated the budget retains deep cuts to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) discretionary spending included in the budget blueprint, including eliminating activities of the government agency that builds rural economic opportunity: the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS). “The RBCS administers several programs – including one that provides low-interest loans to rural entrepreneurs – all zeroed out in this budget proposal,” she said. “Today’s final budget goes a step further by eliminating additional mandatory spending, including support for the Rural Economic Development Program.”
Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue proposed a reorganization of USDA that would eliminate the Undersecretary for Rural Development. “He has described it as an ‘elevation’ of this function, but this promise rings hollow given the level of proposed funding cuts to rural development programs,” Johnson said. The president’s 2018 budget also proposes cuts that would reduce farmers’ and ranchers’ abilities to expand conservation practices. “Although many farmers and ranchers would like to enroll in conservation programs such as the Conservation Stewardship
ronmental Quality IncenFrom Page 1 tives Program, they face regular bottlenecks when Through this budget, local conservation offices the President has reafare understaffed or over- firmed his commitment to burdened,” Johnson said. returning decision-making “The president’s proposal power over education back to reduce funding for con- where it belongs—in the servation programs and hands of parents, educafor local conservation staff tors and State leaders. would increase the backlog U.S. Secretary of Eduof conservation program cation Betsy DeVos issued delivery.” the following statement: “President Trump came “This budget makes to the presidency with the an historic investment in stated goal of ‘draining the America’s students. Presiswamp’ and cutting federal dent Trump is committed spending. Instead, the new to ensuring the Departadministration’s first bud- ment focuses on returning get proposal would drain decision-making power support for rural America. back to the States, where We fear that these actions it belongs, and on giving represent a lack of under- parents more control over standing of rural voters’ their child’s education. It struggles.” he said. also ensures stable fund-
Area's Best Business Review
Presented by: Metro News ©2017 All Rights Reserved. 1-800-580-1039 Spending more and buying less? Maybe you should be shopping at WALMART where your dollar goes a lot further! Conveniently located at 4006 Estes Pkwy, in Longview, phone (903) 236-0947; this full line department store offers something that most other stores can’t compete with… the area’s very lowest prices on EVERYTHING! Food to feed your family, toys to entertain your children, school supplies, sporting goods, tools, and auto accessories. Nearly every little thing you can think of! Most “regular” retail department stores feature “full retail” prices. At WAL-MART, this is not the case! Here you get the service you want, the quality you look for, and prices you can afford! Open 24 hours, they can meet all of your needs at any given time day or night. If you are shopping for appliances or furniture WAL-MART offers you the kind of quality you deserve. We, The editors of this 2017 Area’s Best Business Review, offer this suggestion to the people in our area: So, whether or not you need a big grocery shopping trip, get your tire changed or pick-up a prescription, do what smart shoppers do…make WAL-MART your one-stop shopping headquarters for the best products, the largest selection and the ultimate in everyday bargains!
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ing for critical programs, including Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Key initiatives in the President’s 2018 budget are below: • Creating New Education Options through School Choice • $1 billion increase for Title I for new Furthering Options for Children to Unlock Success (FOCUS) grants. FOCUS grants would provide supplemental awards to school districts that adopt student-centered weighted student funding formulas combined with open enrollment systems.
8
Health
May 25 - June 1, 2017
Local Physician Talks
Dr. Christopher Yancey
D
By Joycelyne Fadojutimi and Kelly Bell, East Texas Review r. Christopher Yancey is a local. He attended Mozelle Johnston Elementary School, Judson Middle School and Longview High School. His brothers became engineers, but when the oilfields stopped producing, one of those brothers advised Christopher to take another route--specifically the one leading to medicine. He had the grades and did indeed take this direction. He has spent the past 20 years as a beloved specialist in delivering babies and treating some forms of infertility. He loves his work, and his patients love him. Yancey has served as Chief of the Division of OB/ GYN at Longview Regional Medical Center. He matriculated from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston and University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. He is a member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, and the Wiser Society. In addition, Yancey is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “I love delivering babies,” he says. “My work has diversity of what I do. There is more than delivering babies in my practice. I have delivered everybody, and have walked with some to the grave.” Still some of his patients are have difficulty having children. This condition is known as infertility. Infertility is the inability of a sexually active, non-contracepting couple to achieve pregnancy in one year. Some of his patients cannot become pregnant, while others cannot carry a pregnancy full term. The emotional heartbreak of this state is crushing. When couples cannot conceive, it is vital that both husband and wife see the doctor because in 30% of cases, the problem lies with the man. Age is another factor. A 21-year-old woman has time on her side, but if a woman is 38 and still childless, she needs to attend to her biological clock while it is still ticking. There are many factors to consider.
Smoking, specific lifestyles and some medications can cause infertility. Women who smoke increase the chances they will be unable to become pregnant or will suffer miscarriage. Yancey urges them to wisely manage their lifestyles so as to not work against themselves. “Healthcare is a relationship,” he says. “So, I do my part and you do your part so the couple can achieve the goal of having a baby.” Yancey treats specific aspects of infertility, recommends other infertility specialists if necessary, and sends husbands to urologists for examination and treatment when needed. He also has personal reasons for pursuing this calling. “My wife and I always wanted a large family, but wanted to wait until I finished school,” he says. “The prospect of starting a family was exciting. First bath, first words, first steps, riding a bike, coaching little league, dance recitals, pinewood derby, fishing, bedtime stories, tea parties, playing dress up, building forts. It was all too exciting. When do we start? Sign us up.” It did not work out as expected. One year, two years, and then three with no babies. When they went to an infertility specialist he could find no problem to treat, and told them they would likely never have children. Knowing she would be crushed, Yancey did not share this last bit of information with his wife. The loneliness of infertility set in--the sensation of having lost something precious before even having had it. It is a problem one has to experience to understand. The afflicted must resist becoming embittered, especially around those blessed with children. It was doubly difficult for Yancey because of the medical capacity in which he served. “I was an obstetrical resident in a large, inner-city hospital. We cared for people who did not want to get pregnant,” he says. “We cared for people who did not need to get pregnant. We cared for patients with serious drug problems, prostitutes, people angry at their unwanted pregnancies. I didn’t understand. It just wasn’t fair.” Yancey gave his wife a yellow lab puppy--Sadie Haw-
kins Dance. This wonderful canine became a substitute child. Climbing fences, climbing onto furniture and climbing onto them. She was priceless therapy, going everywhere with them. “She loved riding in the car. We would never dream of putting her in a kennel if we went on a trip, so she went with us,” he says. “She was our child and she was our therapy, but what she did most for us was be there. She would be there as we suffered the pain of infertility. She never spoke, she never gave advice, she never told us she knew ‘how we felt.’ A lesson in unconditional love.” In time the couple’s problem was solved, and they were blessed with two wonderful children who came to love Sadie as much as their parents did. She was their first child. Their struggle with infertility taught them the value of life, and Sadie taught them the value of “being there.” Yancey’s devotion to his work and a compulsive fixation on doing everything in his power to help his patients has actually led to him being labeled “overcautious.” He readily admits to this, and that this tendency stems from his own, personal experience with the heartbreak of infertility. His treatment of childless couples and his success in treating them means he has no interest in case numbers. “I’ve never kept up with how many babies I’ve delivered because then they just become a number,” he says. “Every delivery is its own story, life and family--not just a number.” He knows well how infertility infuses its victims with a life perspective incomprehensible to those who have never experienced it. “This life perspective deepened for me because of a yellow Labrador who provided comfort and taught empathy,” he says. At age 13, Sadie developed a tumor that slowly crippled her. As she slipped away, all Dr. Phillip Yancey could do was “be there” for her. He was. For more information or to contact Dr Christopher Yancey, please call (903) 757-6042.
With every heart we help, we help another heart keep smiling. That’s why our patients say their heart belongs to Longview Regional Medical Center. Our cardiac care team 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
We offer: Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Chest Pain Center Heart Risk Assessment P.A.D. Coalition Stroke Center
2901 N Fourth Street • Longview • 903-758-1818 • www.LongviewRegional.com Longivew Regional is recognized as Certified Stroke and Chest Pain Accredited facility
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