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C O M M U N I T Y, Vol. 21 No. 019
E D U C AT I O N ,
B U S I N E S S ,
P O L I T I C S
&
R E L I G I O N
Complimentary Copy
N E W S
June 1 - 8, 2017
Smith County Constable Recognized On May 12, 2017, Patricia Matthews’ worst nightmare happened. After no longer hearing her 4-year-old granddaughter playing outside with the neighbors’ dog, she searched her property frantically, but Lilly-Anne had simply disappeared.
Main event sponsor Scott Peters of Peters Chevrolet, with wife Gillian
See CONSTABLE on Page 3
Tyler Celtic Festival on Saturday
All laddies and lassies are invited to the grounds of the Goodman Museum located at 624 N. Broadway Ave. for the second annual Tyler Celtic Festival on Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
By Joycelyne Fadojutimi
Mark Chesnutt
Cattle Barons’ Ball 2017 Chairperson Shelly Russell and her committee: Courtney Fults, Ashley Gleason, Christina Gibbons, Marissa Elliott, Amanda Harrison, Hilary Arnold, Bailey Brightwell, Morgan Allen, Donna Blalock, Jordan Fout, Lynsey Tipitt, Jennifer Grubbs, and Tonya Hickman outdid themselves with their Saturday annual fundraiser.
Shelly Russell and Joshua Farms Owner Debbie Head
See CBB on Page 7
See CELTIC on Page 3
Local County Employee Honored
Lakisha Wilprit was honored during Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, May 30, for 10 years of service in the Clerk’s Office of Smith County.
See SMITH on Page 3
Rural Affairs Center Backs Diversity By Rhea Landholm
Lyons, Neb. - The Center for Rural Affairs has issued a statement in support of diversity in rural America. “Amidst the turbulent political times for immigrants in our country, the Center for Rural Affairs reiterates its commitment to advancing a set of values that reflects the best of rural America,” the statement says.
See RURAL on Page 2
W H AT ’ S I N S I D E Local.......................... 2 Local & State..... 3 & 7 Opinion..................... 4 Business.................... 5 Gospel Spotlight...... 6 Health........................ 8
Mark Chesnutt with Shelly Russell and the Cattle Barons’ Ball Committee: Morgan Allen, Jordan Reynolds, Christina Gibbons, Marriss Elliott, Jennifer Grubbs, Amanda Harrrison, Lynsey Tippitt, Hilary Arnold and Tanya Hickman
Summer Prayer Fellowship June 3rd at 9 a.m. Heritage Plaza Downtown Longview This event is sponsored by the Longview Clergy Coalition and the Longview Area Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. The purpose is to pray for our youth at the beginning of summer. Christians from all denominations and ethnicities are invited to participate.
Protect Your Medicare Card By Mary Hunt
What do a U.S. Social Security card and a Medicare card have in common? Both have the cardholder’s Social Security number emblazoned on the front in all its 9-digit glory!
See MEDICARE on Page 2
Donna Blalock and fiancé John Habinc
Texas Adds 30,400 New Jobs Habitat Widens Vet AUSTIN — The Texas economy expanded in April with the addition of 30,400 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0 percent. “Texas employers continue to create jobs in the broad based Texas economy with ten of the 11 industries expanding over the year,” said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Andres Alcantar. “With
the addition of 258,900 jobs over the past year, TWC remains committed to providing the services needed to get Texans back work.” Employment in the Education and Health Services industry recorded the largest private-industry gain over the month with 10,400 jobs added. Manufacturing employment grew by 8,100 jobs in April and Professional and Business Services employment expanded by 7,400 jobs.
See SMITH on Page 3
Program
Longview Habitat for Humanity, Inc. will expand its veteran repair program beginning July 1. The organization has received a grant from the Fund for Veterans Assistance to assist home repairs for veterans residing in Gregg, Harrison, and Upshur counties.
See HABITAT on Page 2
Big Pines Blues Fest Scheduled The Big Pines Blues Festival has released the final updated schedule of performances for the 2017 event, which will be held at the Maude Cobb Convention Center Rodeo Arena, this Friday, June 2, and Saturday, June 3. The Big Pines Blues Festival is dedicated to the deep heritage of the blues which stretches across all of the Piney Woods region of the South. Elvin Bishop Band headlines the performers. The festival will kick off on Friday afternoon with a free admission performance of “The Next Generation of the Blues”.
Rock ‘n’ Roll & Blues Hall of Famer Elvin Bishop
See BIG PINES on Page 2
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Luke 5:32 (KJV)
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Longview Habitat Widens Vet Program From Page 1 The repair program focuses on disrepair that threatens the health or safety of the home’s occupants. Cosmetic repair is not eligible for this program. The Longview Habitat veteran repair program was launched on Veterans Day 2015 with a grant from a local family foundation and has expanded each year. “We are thrilled with the outpouring of support that we have received for the veterans repair program,” said Executive Director, LaJuan Hollis. “We began in November 2015 conducting just six repairs for veterans in Longview. Since then, three funding partners have joined our efforts, making it possible to complete another 21 repairs. Now, can now offer repair opportunities to more Gregg County veterans and Harrison and Upshur Counties as well.” The organization is accepting applications for the veterans home repair program now. Please call 903-236-0900 ext. 201 or visit the Longview Habitat office located at 905 McCann Road, Longview, TX for more information. Longview Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit housing organization dedicated to eradicating poverty housing in Longview. We partner with people to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through the shelter. The organization provides four programs in Longview; home ownership; home repair; beautification and maintenance and a ReStore. The repair program also serves veterans living in Gregg, Harrison, and Upshur counties. To learn more, to volunteer or to donate, visit www. longviewhabitat.org or call 903-236-0900 ext. 204.
Local News
Big Pines Blues Fest Schedule From Page 1
The Next Generation features young up-andcoming blues artists, sponsored by Welch Funeral Home, The Cammack Family and Marcus and Karla Welch. Fri., June 2, 2017 KLTV Main Stage at the Rodeo Arena • 4 p.m. - Gates open and admission is FREE • 6 p.m. - Red House Revival, featuring Andrew Greear • 7:15 p.m. - Riverside Blues Band featuring Carter Wilkinson • 8:30 p.m. Ally Venable Band 9:45 p.m. - The Peterson Brothers Saturday morning begins with the Big Pines Junior Showcase performances featuring 15 student-aged guitar players from Texas, Arkansas and Tennessee competing for prizes and the chance for on-stage appearances with festival headliners. The is no admission charge for these performances. Sat., June 3, 2017 KLTV Main Stage at the Rodeo Arena • 9 a.m. - Gates open and admission is FREE • 10 a.m. - Junior Showcase Competition • 12:30 p.m. - Junior Showcase Awards and Judges Jam Session Two musician workshops are scheduled for early Saturday afternoon that will be of interest to both guitar players and music fans. Ally Venable, who launched a professional career while still in high school, will offer her insights into career building for young musicians. Jimmy Wallace (yes, the driving force of the Stratoblasters) will present both technical and business advice based on his 30 year career as a professional musician and event promoter of the Dallas International Guitar Festival. Admission
June 1 - 8, 2017
Center for Rural Affairs Supports Diversity From Page 1
The Peterson Brothers
Elvin Bishop
to the workshops is $20 at the door. Sat., June 3, 2017 Maude Cobb Convention Center •1 p.m. - Workshop with Jimmy Wallace • 2 p.m. - Workshop with Ally Venable The festival gates to the KLTV Main Stage open at 2:00 PM on Saturday with the price of admission at $25. Headliner Elvin Bishop, 2014 Grammy Award nominee and member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Blues Hall of Fame, along with his eight member
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Ally Venable Band
ensemble, will take the stage at 9:00 PM. Opening for Elvin and his band will be Dallas native and Boston vocalist and harp master Darrell Nulisch, preceded by the Andrew “Junior Boy” Jones band featuring vocalist Kerrie Lepai. Sat. June 3, 2017 KLTV Main Stage at the Rodeo Arena • 2 p.m. Gates open and admission is $25 • 2:30 p.m. - Pleasant Hill Quilting Group • 3:45 p.m. - Johnny and The Night Crawlers • 5 p.m. - AJ & The Two Tone Blues Band
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uttyler.edu TYLER, LONGVIEW & PALESTINE
• 6:15 p.m. - Andrew “Jr. Boy” Jones Blues Band • 7:30 p.m. - Darrell Nulisch • 9 p.m. - Elvin Bishop Band 10:30 PM The Big Pines Jam hosted by Jimmy Wallace and the Stratoblasters Easy entry and exit to free festival parking may made through either the Grand Avenue or Jaycee Drive gates. The two-day Big Pines Blues Festival is produced by an IRS designated 501c(3) non-profit corporation. The festival is made possible by a grant from the City of Longview.
“Among those values are RESPONSIBILITY placed upon each of us to contribute to our community and society, genuine OPPORTUNITY for all to earn a living, raise a family, and prosper in a rural place, and FAIRNESS that allows all who contribute to the nation’s prosperity to share in it.” The Center leads several initiatives to include rural America’s newest residents in advancing shared values. Staff provide training and technical assistance to new Latino-owned businesses. The New American Loan Fund helps Latino entrepreneurs access credit. Bilingual and bicultural farmer training programs offer skill building in production, business, and marketing to Latino farmers. Intercultural leadership programs help rural leaders of all ethnicities and backgrounds in newly diverse towns build inclusivity. “We are committed to equity and inclusion for all residents of rural America,” the statement says. “From the first Native people in North America to the present, waves of newcomers have shaped rural America into the place we are proud to call home.” “All of this brings renewed opportunity to rural America,” the statement says. “The Center for Rural Affairs will continue on as we have always done: fighting the good fight for everyone, in small towns and rural areas across the country. This includes Native Americans, the first residents of this land. It includes the descendants of all those who have come to call rural America home over the centuries. And it includes those who have arrived here recently in search of a new life.”
Medicare Card From Page 1
The Social Security Administration warns: “Keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Don’t carry it with you unless you need to show it to an employer or service provider.” But Medicare instructs seniors, “Be sure to carry your card with you when you’re away from home.” Say what? Dear Mar y: You encouraged me to write in with my question, so here it is: On the back of my Medicare card it says, “Carry your card with you when you are away from home.” I am uneasy with that because it has my Social Security number printed right on it. Doesn’t this expose me to identity theft if my wallet or purse were to be lost or stolen? But on the other hand, wouldn’t I need it in my possession in the event that I need emergency medical treatment or go to a doctor appointment? — Boe Dear Boe: You’re right!
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Medicare advises seniors to carry their card at all times, but doing so makes them more vulnerable to identity theft if their wallet or purse were to be lost or stolen. A new Medicare card is coming, one that will no longer display the Social Security number. The agency has been working on it since 2015 (seriously), but as of this writing, no date has been announced for when new cards will be issued. The wheels of government grind slowly. In the meantime, AARP suggests that Medicare beneficiaries ignore the carry directive and instead carry a photocopy of the card with the first five digits of the Social Security number completely blocked out, leaving only the last 4 digits visible. While emergency personnel can’t refuse to provide care until you show an insurance card, it is true that you’d need to come up with billing information before leaving a hospital or treatment facility.
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Local/State
June 1 - 8, 2017
Smith County Constable Recognized From Page 1
Lakisha Wilprit (left) with Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips
Smith County Employees Honored From Page 1
Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips said Ms. Wilprit began working as a parttime archivist in 2007, but quickly became a full-time deputy clerk in the Criminal Misdemeanor Department, where she still works today. “Lakisha is very dependable, reliable and responsible,” Mrs. Phillips said. “When I walk by her desk in the morning, she’s already hard at work but is always ready with a smile and a ‘good morning.’ She is the kind of employee every supervisor wants in their office. “ Ms. Wilprit has trained six of the seven people who work in her department. She is also a voting mem-
ber of the Bail Bond Board, which meets monthly. “Lakisha is loved by everyone in her department and the entire office…,”Mrs. Phillips said. “I thank you for your 10 years of excellent service in the County Clerk’s Office and to Smith County as a whole.” Other Smith County employees recognized for their years of service to the county who were not in court include: • 10 Years: Conchita Mendez and Juana Mendoza, Juvenile Services; and Michael Taylor, Sheriff’s Department. • 5 Years: Brenda Wilson, Sheriff’s Department; and Kimberly Hazuka, District Clerk’s Office.
TSTC Grad Uses Computer Skills to Develop Business A Texas State Technical College alumnus is staying local with his new managed service provider business. Joe Childress, 46, started Nextview Technology Solutions last summer at his home in Marshall to provide technical work for businesses with less than 50 employees. His associate degree in Computer Networking and Systems Administration from TSTC helped give him the foundation to work confidently. “The problem-solving techniques I learned - I use in my skills today,” Childress said. “The people skills I learned from the other classes have been beneficial.” He wanted to locate his business in Harrison County because of the need to make employees more efficient and technically savvy. “You are going to have more up-to-date hardware, and your employees are going to get more done and get a full-time information technology person
Living on Lake Placid, with deep woods all around, Mrs. Matthews began to panic and called 9-1-1. Within five minutes, Smith County Precinct 2 Constable Andy Dunklin responded. He quickly looked in the house while calling for back up. Multiple agencies, including the Noonday Fire Department, Smith County Sheriff’s Office and a K-9 unit, responded. “The quick response and excellent communication per Constable Andy Dunklin resulted in the best outcome –Lilly-Ann was found over one-half miles away -- safe and unharmed,” Mrs. Matthews said. “My deepest regards towards this awesome Constable can never be expressed in words. I was utterly devastated and essentially useless while Constable Andy Dunklin had excellent communications with the multiple departments that were deployed to find Lilly-Ann. And his take charge, yet gentle manner, towards me will never be forgotten. The quick and timely manner in her being found was simply amazing.” On Tuesday, May 30, Dunklin was recognized during Smith County Commissioners Court, where he was reunited with Lilly-Anne and her family. A few days after the incident, Mrs. Matthews reached out to Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran, letting him know what happened and asking him if there was anything that
“This sustained increase in job creation provides more opportunities for Texas employers to expand, which helps increase opportunity for all Texans,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth Hughs. “TWC is committed to developing workforce programs that keep our businesses competitive
could be done to recognize Constable Dunklin. The Commissioners Court recognized the constable with the “Excellence in Action Award.” “The county wants to say thank you for the excellent job you do,” Moran said. Lilly-Anne’s father, John Earle, said when he received the call that his daughter was missing, he hopped in his car and raced home from his job in Jacksonville. By the time he made it to the home off of Lake Placid, his daughter had been found. “I wanted to thank you so much for your attentiveness and your quick response,” Earle said. Dunklin humbly said the Smith County Sheriff’s Office did most of the work,
as well as the dog Boomer, who stayed with the girl. “All we did was get dirty,” he said. “She got found.” “But I want to thank you for recognizing law enforcement in Smith County,” Dunklin added. Lilly-Anne, who loves animals, followed the neighbor’s dog Boomer more than a half-mile through the woods to a horse stable. “I never knew you could get there through the woods,” Mrs. Matthews said. Lilly-Anne later told her grandmother that the dog had taken her to see the horses, but she got scared and lost and didn’t know how to make it home. The owner of the horse stables found Lilly-Anne crying and could not get her to talk to him. He called
Tyler Celtic Festival From Page 1
Childress
on call 24 hours, seven days a week,” he said. Childress has attended as many Greater Marshall Chamber of Commerce activities as he can to generate business interest. “To accomplish our goals, we work in partnership with businesses, professional services, concerned citizens, and local city and county governments,” said Stormy Nickerson, the chamber’s executive director. “As a chamber, our mission is to provide quality service and leadership to our members and the community, build a healthier local economy and improve the quality of life.”
The event will be include 40 vendors selling a wide assortment of items. There will be food, Celtic lore storytelling, as well as a battle demonstration by the skilled members of the Shire of Oakwood. The Irish Band, The Jig is Up, will be in attendance playing riveting music and Paul Watson will be entertaining the crowd on the bagpipes. This event is open to the public; admission is free. Sponsors for this event include Tours of Tyler, Events by Darcey, City of Tyler, Townsquare Media and Astronet Radio. For more information, please contact George Jones, event coordinator, at (214) 621-6071 or Jericho_co_productions@yahoo.com or contact Mary Foster, museum curator, at (903) 531-1286 or mefoster@tylertexas.com.
Texas Economy Adds 30,400 Jobs
From Page 1
Constable Dunklin with Lilly-Ann Earle
Boomer’s owner from information found on the dog’s tags, and the neighbor went to pick up his dog. When Boomer’s owner did not know who the little girl was, they called 9-1-1. After about 10 minutes of Dunklin responding to the scene, a call came over dispatch about a found child, and within another 10 minutes, a positive identification was made of Lilly-Anne. “Officer Dunklin was so professional, and absolutely non-judgmental – he showed great compassion, yet had the situation in total control,” Mrs. Matthews said. “I just want to thank him and all the other people who came and helped us. I have never called 9-1-1 for a family emergency before and was amazed at such a response in a short time. Tyler is blessed to have such wonderful dedicated people. I am so grateful!” “I know he probably just thinks he was doing his job, but my family and I think he is an absolute HERO!” Mrs. Matthews said of Constable Dunklin. “He will daily be in my prayers of thanksgiving.” Mrs. Matthews, who is a nurse, had to work on Tuesday and could not attend Commissioners Court. Her husband, Bobby Matthews, attended court with his granddaughter, Lilly-Anne Earle, her sisters Lydia and Leslie, and their parents, Elizabeth and John Earle.
and our growing talent pipeline a priority.” The Amarillo Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded the month’s lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 3 percent, followed by the Austin-Round Rock, College Station-Bryan and Lubbock MSAs with a rate of 3.2 percent. The Mid-
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land MSA registered a rate of 3.5 percent for April. “Several Goods Producing industries are showing strength in Texas, including Manufacturing,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “Positive economic growth means continued employment opportunities for the expanding Texas labor force.”
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Opinion
June 1 - 8, 2017
Open Dialog with White House Will Pay Off for HBCUs By Johnny C. Taylor Jr. My job is to promote the interests of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. So naturally I was concerned when I heard earlier this year that the new Trump administration was planning to propose increasing defense spending by $54 billion and slashing nonmilitary spending by an equal amount. That’s when the HBCU presidents, chancellors, and I decided to roll up our sleeves and get to work engaging the Trump Administration and the Republican-controlled 115th Congress to fight and protect our interests. It paid off: In late February, after weeks of meetings and phone calls with administration officials, more than 70 HBCU leaders and I attended a listening session with top Administration officials, and a dozen returned the next day for a signing ceremony event at the White House, where President Trump signed an executive order recognizing the importance of our institutions. A few weeks later, the administration released its budget blueprint, which called for maintaining federal HBCU spending at current levels. Let me be clear: flat spending for HBCUs in a president’s budget that calls for a 13 percent funding decrease to the Department of Education is a win! It’s clear that this Administration understands the value of HBCUs, which educate nearly 300,000 students a year, award three-quarters of all doctorates earned by African Americans and provided the undergraduate degrees of 80 percent of black federal judges.
Not everyone is happy though—some are critical of President Trump because they believe he should have significantly increased the budget for HBCUs. Such notions are naïve in the current political environment in Washington, now run by Republicans who’ve vowed to reduce the size of government. There are some other important things to remember as well: First, the President makes a “budget request” while the Congress has to ultimately authorize and appropriate the funding for the actual budget. The HBCU commu-
nity is working hard to ensure the President’s final budget request scheduled to be released in May protects HBCU funding. At the same time, we are engaging the Congress to not only protect the HBCU funding, but to also increase programs that are critical to our mission. This is the beginning of the process, not the end. Secondly, the Administration has proposed to maintain—not to cut—the Pell Grant program. And while it is true the Administration has suggested reallocating $3.9 million in Pell Grant surplus funding, we are busy working with the Congress
to use the additional funding to restore year-round Pell that was eliminated under President Obama. Our recent visits to the White House reinforced my belief that we must seek an open dialogue that transcends partisan lines to ensure access to quality higher education for all our deserving young people. That’s why we’ve chosen a strategy of engagement, building relationships in Washington in addition to our traditional allies, such as the Congressional Black Caucus. We are working hard to reach out to key lawmakers in both parties, such as Republican Sen. Tim Scott and Rep. Mark Walker, who hosted the fly-in for HBCU leaders in February. And we have developed a strong working relationship with the Administration, which has been, frankly, more accessible than the Obama White House, which often shortchanged our budget requests and seemed to fail to grasp the complexities of our mission. I encourage all who support HBCUs to remember this is a marathon not a sprint. In addition to the upcoming fiscal year budget request, TMCF and our HBCU leaders have identified billions of dollars in additional needs over the next four or five years. We will get there through persistence, diplomacy and relationship-building, not by attacking those who are eager to work with us. Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. is an NNPA Newswire guest columnist. He is the President & CEO of Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community.
The Energy Crisis is Gone and It’s Not Coming Back
By Steve Chapman
Remember the energy crisis? If so, congratulations on your good memory. The United States is producing more oil than it has in three decades. Our dependence on foreign petroleum has gone way down. And now, the Trump administration wants to sell off much of the government’s emergency stockpile of oil. This will come as a surprise to the millions of Americans who were unaware that the government has an emergency stockpile of oil. It brings to mind the country song: “How Can I Miss You When You Won’t Go Away?” But we’re not likely to miss it even if it does.
The Strategic Petroleum Reserves consists of oil stashed in salt caverns in Louisiana and Texas, solving the age-old puzzle of what to do with giant underground holes after you have taken the salt out of them. It amounts to 688 million barrels, which equals what we import in 141 days. The stash is there in case foreign supplies are cut off and we need oil to avert disaster — or prices spike and we want to bring them down. It was created in 1975 after the Arab oil embargo against the United States, which coincided with a decision by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to cut production and raise prices.
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Long gas lines and economic disruption ensued. Americans, who were used to endless rivers of cheap fuel, suddenly felt terribly vulnerable. The reserve calmed fears by supposedly ensuring that oil exporters could never again use the oil weapon to punish us. If they tried, we could tap our hoard to foil them. But the stockpile was based on a fallacy. It wasn’t the embargo, the price increase or the production cutback that caused the chaos. It was the price controls imposed by President Richard Nixon, combined with the clumsy system the feds created for allocating supplies. The problem was that markets were not allowed to work normally. Had they been, the pain and disruption would have been far less. When prices are allowed to rise and fall in response
to changes in supply and demand, as they are today, there is no such thing as a shortage. If Saudi Arabia or Venezuela reduces its output, prices will increase and consumption will decline, a process that quickly equalizes supply and demand. In the summer of 2008, world oil prices soared to more than $140 a barrel — but not for long. The increase fattened profits, which encouraged more production, which expanded supplies, which reduced prices. By the end of the year, oil was fetching just $30 a barrel. Eventually, prices crept up, only to slide back down. Lately, the going rate has been around $50 a barrel, with prices at the gas pump in the neighborhood of $2.40 a gallon on average. Americans have learned to adapt. There has rarely
been a popular outcry to tap the reserve. “A Presidentially-directed emergency release has occurred twice in the history of the SPR,” says the Energy Department. Even in 2008, when prices hit a record, President George W. Bush didn’t use the reserve to bring them down. So what’s the point of having it? Maintaining fuel in storage is not free. A 2007 Cato Institute paper by Jerry Taylor and Peter Van Doren put the cost to taxpayers at between $65 and $80 per barrel — and the figure would be higher today. The administration plan, which would mean selling off some 300 million barrels over a decade, promises to bring in more than $16 billion. If it made economic sense to put millions of barrels of oil aside for a
possible emergency, we wouldn’t need the Department of Energy to handle the job. Private companies would do it in hopes of selling high someday. As long as the federal government has the reserve, they have no incentive, since it could release its supplies to flood a tight market and erase their profits. Another rationale for the reserve has also vanished. The United States used to import more than half the oil consumed here. Today, it’s only a quarter. And our biggest foreign source is also the least worrisome: Canada. The chance of being blackmailed by Middle Eastern nations is roughly zero. The petroleum reserve is a costly and unnecessary solution to a problem we will probably never have. The energy crisis is gone, and it’s not coming back.
Wells Fargo Scandal Fallout is Not Over By Dr. John E. Warren
The Wells Fargo scandal is far from over and it continues to provide insight into the “Cherry Picking” culture of providing select help in places where it seeks to get the greatest impact. In New York City, there was an investment of over $10 billion dollars in affordable housing construction. But that alone appears not to be enough to keep the City from following its own rules when considering where to bank. Perhaps other customers of Wells Fargo should take a close look at these facts. In March of this year, federal regulators, using the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) changed the banks rating from “satisfactory” to “needs improvement”, citing an extensive pattern of discriminatory and illegal lending practices. Under New York City rules, in order to get government deposits, a bank must have at least a “satisfactory” rating with the Comptroller of the Currency following the CRA. The City of New York reportedly has hundreds of millions of dollars deposited with Wells Fargo bank. The city’s Banking Commission meets May 31st and could vote to move those funds
based on its own rules. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the city says that they have recommended a number of steps for the bank to “began restoring investor, customer and public confidence”. Clearly if other cities and individuals, customers and investors followed the Community Reinvestment Act policy of the federal regulators, there would be more people taking a closer look at doing business with Wells Fargo Bank. Earlier this month, lawyers in San Francisco, representing customers who are suing Wells Fargo, stated that the bank opened 3.5 million unauthorized accounts over the past 15 years, instead of the 2 million unauthorized accounts previously reported, “Based on public information, negotiations, and confirmatory discovery.” This information was based in part on the fact that federal regulators, when looking at the scandal, only went back as far as 2009. Last month the bank said the problem dates back to 2002. Where the bank had initially agreed to pay $110 million dollars in settlements going back to 2009, it has now agreed to add an additional $32 million dollars to include claims
starting in May of 2002. These dollars are in addition to the $185 million fine Wells Fargo agreed to in September 2016. The September fine is to be paid to the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the federal Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Los Angeles city attorney. Following this announcement, shares of Wells Fargo fell 1.3 percent. So far in 2017 Wells Fargo shares have dropped 3.8 percent. It appears that Wells Fargo is willing to pay everyone except the African American community and it appears that the use of our newspapers to reach a wounded, underserved and omitted customer base with which the bank is seeking to “Restore Customer Confidence” continues to include all newspapers and media outlets except the African American community. The bank has decided to serve the Black customer base through “Cherry Picking” those among us it deems important while omitting others who still do business with Wells Fargo Bank. The Community Reinvestment Act as a matter of public policy requires outreach to all communities. The present conduct of Wells Fargo is exactly what led to the creation of the CRA in the first place.
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June 1 - 8, 2017 By Nathaniel Sillin Whether it’s a matter of comfort, appearance or safety, there are many medical procedures that you may want or need, but your health insurance won’t cover. Laser eye surgery may fall into the want category for most people and it can be a hefty investment with each eye costing several thousand dollars. For those wanting to start a family, infertility treatments, which can cost over $10,000, may be closer to a need. Yet most states don’t require health insurance to cover treatments. Considering the lasting impact that these and other procedures can have on your life, you may not want to seek out the least expensive option. However, that doesn’t mean you should forgo attempts to save altogether. From tax-advantaged accounts to comparison shopping doctors, there are many approaches to safely cutting costs. See if you could get a tax break. Although tax breaks don’t lower a medical procedure’s price, tax deductions can decrease your taxable income and by using a tax-advantaged account you may be able to pay for some medical procedures with income-tax-free money. Take a medical expense tax deduction. If you itemize your tax deductions, you can get a deduction for your qualified medical expenses that exceed 10 percent of your adjusted gross income. Laser eye surgery and some fertility enhancement treatments may qualify. However, cosmetic
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Business
Safely Cut the
of Elective Medical Expenses surgery doesn’t unless it’s related to a congenital abnormality, disfiguring disease or an injury resulting from trauma or an accident. Use an employer-sponsored flexible spending account (FSA). Some employers offer FSAs as an employee benefit. You can make tax-deductible contributions to the account each year and withdraw the money tax-free to pay for qualified medical expenses, including health insurance deductibles and copayments. However, this approach could require planning as you may forfeit remaining FSA money at
the end of each year. Enroll in health insurance with a health savings account (HSA). An HSA account is similar to an FSA in that you can contribute pretax money and withdraw funds to pay for eligible medical expenses tax-free. HSAs don’t have the use-itor-lose-it requirement, but to qualify for an HSA account, you need to enroll in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and can’t be eligible for Medicare. Ask your health insurance company about discounts. Even when a health insurance provider doesn’t cover a procedure,
members may still be able to save money by going through their insurance. For example, health insurance generally won’t cover the cost of Laser eye surgery, but your provider may offer a 5 to 15 percent discount if you get the surgery at partner eye care centers. Health insurance requirements can also vary from one state to another, and you should double-check your benefits before assuming something isn’t covered. Infertility treatment is one of these gray areas, as some states require health insurance plans to provide coverage while others do not.
Compare costs from different providers. Varying medical costs sometimes make headlines when patients find out that a $3,000 medical procedure at a hospital could cost several hundred at a nearby clinic. If it’s not an emergency, there are websites that you can use to comparison shop nearby medical centers and get estimated prices. Some people also look for savings in other countries. Medical tourism is a growing industry, and millions of people travel outside their home countries seeking lower costs, higher-quality services, treatments that aren’t available at home, a relaxing T:5.73”
environment to recover in or a combination of several of these factors. While the U.S. is a destination for some medical tourists, Canada, Southeast Asia, Latin America and parts of Europe are also popular. Bottom line: Although you may not be able to convince your health insurance company to cover what it considers an elective procedure; you can turn to other methods to save money. As with other large expenses, you can take a dual big- and little-picture approach by looking for tax breaks that lower your effective cost and savings opportunities that can reduce a procedure’s price.
LEGAL NOTICE These Texas Lottery Commission scratch ticket games will be closing soon:
Game #
Game Name / Odds
$
Official Close of Game
End Validations Date
1801
Texas Loteria Overall Odds are 1 in 3.96
$3
8/2/17
1/29/18
1826
$500 Frenzy Overall Odds are 1 in 4.15
$5
8/2/17
1/29/18
T:10.16”
The odds listed here are the overall odds of winning any prize in a game, including break-even prizes. Lottery retailers are authorized to redeem prizes of up to and including $599. Prizes of $600 or more must be claimed in person at a lottery claim center or by mail, with a completed Texas Lottery® claim form; however, annuity prizes or prizes over $2,500,000 must be claimed in person at the Commission Headquarters in Austin. Call Customer Service at 800-375-6886 or visit the lottery website at txlottery.org for more information and location of nearest claim center. The Texas Lottery is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets, or for tickets lost in the mail. Tickets, transactions, players and winners are subject to, and players and winners agree to abide by, all applicable laws, Commission rules, regulations, policies, directives, instructions, conditions, procedures and final decisions of the Executive Director. A scratch ticket game may continue to be sold even when all the top prizes have been claimed. Must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a Texas Lottery ticket. The Texas Lottery supports Texas education and veterans. PLAY RESPONSIBLY. For help with a gambling problem, ncpgambling.org. © 2017 Texas Lottery Commission. All rights reserved.
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6 Gospel Spotlight
June 1 - 8, 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 Martin Luther King Jr. in 1934, Rev. universal 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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7
Local/State
June 1 - 8, 2017
Chesnutt, Shelly Russell and Scott Peters
From Page 1 Chesnutt and his band
Jeff and his wife Tammy Gibbons and Justin and his wife Christina Gibbons
Chelsea King, Catherine Espinoza and Cassie Weaver
Main Event sponsor Scott Peters of Peters ChevroletChrysler-Jeep-Dodge-RamFiat helped bring on such renowned entertainers as country music superstar Mark Chesnutt and attractions like auctions, food catered by Road House, sundry refreshments and dancing to support the anti-cancer crusade. Chairperson Shelly Russell spared no efforts to raise money for the American Cancer Society. This was the 30th year for the event to raise funds for cancer research, and the second year Russell has overseen it. Last year, country sensation Neal McCoy was on hand to croon for the cause. This year, it looked like pouring rain would dampen the festivities, but Russell prayed for a break, and the Almighty came through. “I thanked God for stopping the rain,” Russell said. “God had a hand in stopping it because the weather cooperated and we had intimate settings and a great event.” She also thanked Chesnutt and his band for their rhythmic entertainment. “They are so easy to work with,” she said. “We are glad they were able to come to our event.” On a different note, it was
a great victory to gain the support of Scott Peters of Peters Chevrolet-ChryslerJeep-Dodge-Ram-Fiat. His approachability and unselfish dedication to the cause were additional blessings. “I was very nervous when I first went and spoke to Scott,” Russell said. “After talking to him about the cause, he believed in us and has given us more than 100% support.” Other main sponsors were Enbridge and Whataburger. “These businesses believed in us the first year, and came back again this year,” she said. Russell and her committee strive to raise funds to help cancer patients both locally and wherever they may be suffering, and spread word of local patients’ resources and options. There are area cancer patients who lack transportation to treatment facilities, need wigs because of chemotherapy-caused baldness, and who cannot afford additional cancer-induced necessities. “We want to help all these people and create more birthdays through research,” Russell said. Her passion for this cause has been fueled by
heartbreaking interaction with cancer sufferers such as a six-year-old stage four cancer victim living in Hallsville. “It does not matter if you are getting help from somewhere else, the American Cancer Society will help you meet other cancer-related needs,” Russell said. “This is the reason for our Cattle Barons Ball.” The driveway leading to the event location was lined with sponsor signature signs as well as Signs of Hope bearing the names of those who passed away from cancer. Russell also had help in her toils. Debbie Head owns Joshua Farms, where the ball was held. “Debbie is special. She has a heart of gold” said Russell. “She helped us get more sponsors. She is a wonderful woman.” Russell was careful to give credit to all the hard-working women who assisted her in this night of love, hope and care. “I am grateful to the committee for their diligence. Teamwork makes the dream work,” Russell said. “I am very grateful for the genuineness of everybody. We have good people in our town.”
TV star-auctioneer Walt Cade and wife Cheryl pose in front of their show truck, complete with longhorns and a “Storage Wars” license plate. With them is Tonya Hickman.
Dr. Kenneth and wife Nicole McClure
Diana Hicks, Jennifer Coleman Cristi Parson and Angela Hanley
85th Senate Session Winds Down
Memorial Day marks the end of the 85th Regular Session, but lawmakers could find themselves in Austin during the summer to deal with some unfinished business. After a bill to extend the Texas Medical Board died due to conflicts between the House and Senate in the waning days, Lt. Gover-
nor Dan Patrick wants Governor Greg Abbott to call a special session to deal with two of his top priorities that didn’t make it to the governor’s desk: property tax reform and the so-called “bathroom bill”. Only the governor can call an extra session and only he can set the topics eligible for legislation in it.
Over the weekend, the House and Senate passed a final version of the state budget, authorizing $107.7 billion to pay for state services for the next two years. Also over the weekend, the Legislature gave final approval to sweeping reforms to the agency that oversees child welfare in Texas.
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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8
Health
June 1 - 8, 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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