TON-01-20-2017

1 Front Volume 143 No. 7

Friday, January 20, 2017

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Tonica explores new TIF district Board amends liquor ordinance

By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

TONICA — Tonica is working on a new TIF district, which necessitates the village decide what will be included. “My thought was Main Street and going north along the old railroad because there are properties going up there, and we get to the corner,” Tonica President Kevin Sluder said at the Tonica Village Board meeting Jan. 16. However, the board has to put some consideration toward the possibility of different property owners not wanting to be included in the new TIF district. One resident contacted Sluder asking to be taken out

of the current district, saying it was causing his taxes to go up. “I said, it can’t be because he didn’t develop it,” Sluder said. Sluder believes the issue of these particular taxes is not because of being in the TIF district, but because of being farmland. This property could be essential for the district, depending on how it is drawn up. As it is already annexed into the town, Sluder believes it could still be included regardless. The previous TIF district benefited the town, which indicates this new one should as well. “It’s going to take a long time to do it, but we need to get it rolling. Because that is how the town survives,”

Sluder said. In related discussion, an individual has been waiting to be preemptively included in the TIF district before he gets to work on his project. This would utilize what village attorney Bob Steele referred to as an inducement resolution, “to say he’s going forward with this project and will be able to reimburse on that.” “This allows him to make his expenditures now eligible for the new TIF, even though it’s not in place yet,” Steele said. “He’s waiting to start plumbing and electrical and everything,” Sluder said. “The longer we wait, the longer it goes, and the longer he doesn’t do any work.”

Tonica TIF Page 2

87 and still counting Nicole Hendrix of the American Red Cross prepares Tonica resident Bob Marshall for his latest donation during the recent blood drive at the Tonica United Methodist Church on Jan. 16. This was Marshall’s 87th donation, which amounts to almost 11 gallons and several hundred lives saved. Tonica News photo/Dave Cook

Audit discussed in Lostant By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

LOSTANT — Lostant received its audit report in January, which underscored different fluctuations — or lack thereof — among the village’s different fund balances. Kim Bird of Hopkins and Associates provided the highlights to the Lostant Village Board at its Jan. 9 meeting. The general fund has not seen much action, remaining around the same level at which it has stood over the years. “Revenues are pretty consistent,” Bird said. “It’s really just stayed stagnant. It hasn’t really moved. “The cash balance is low, and you do have some debt there,” she said, adding that it can be difficult to increase this revenue.

There was a motor fuel increase of $15,000, caused by lack of projects. Similarly, TIF saw an increase: “The property taxes are higher this year,” she said. The water fund is an area Bird suggests watching, as projects within that realm are costly. Nevertheless, this fund contained an ending cash balance of $9,000. “I don’t think that’s been the case for a while,” Bird said. The different funds share history with each other, as, when the TIF fund was set up, the water fund paid some of it. Such instances are common, Bird noted, saying one fund often supplements another. For this reason, she explained the water fund owes the general fund $2,700. “This is years’ worth of buildup,” she said, indicating she does not expect it will

Lostant Page 2

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Chickens must fly the coop By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

LOSTANT — The ongoing saga of the chickens in Lostant comes to an end, as the village has cried foul on the birds’ presence. Lonnie Hendrix, local resident, has been petitioning the Lostant Village board for a number of months now, hoping to persuade them to allow his chickens to remain, but his efforts came to a close on Jan. 9, when the Lostant Village Board decided to uphold the village’s existing ordinance. The plea “From the beginning, there’s been a distinct theme,” Hendrix said. The ordinance refers to farm animals and livestock, which he argued are terms that do not apply to his chickens. He referred to the dictionary on this matter, making his case that these particular chickens should

not fall under the ordinance. “Statements used here and in the press seem to indicate that some have not gotten that,” Hendrix said. “My chickens are pets; I would never sell them,” he said. “Colonel Sanders will never see my girls.” Considering the possibility of this track’s failure, Hendrix had another point to make: The possibility of court. “I do not want this to end up in court,” he said. However, he stated with certainty he would have a chance of success. The 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution contains a section called the Equal Protection Clause, which prohibits the selective enforcement of ordinances, stating everyone must be provided equal pro-

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2 • The Tonica News • Friday, January 20, 2017

Where in the world is The Tonica News? Are you planning a vacation or holiday trip? Don’t forget to take along a copy of the The Tonica News. Once you get to your destination, have someone snap a photo of you holding the newspaper, and then send the photo to us along with pertinent information about who is in the photo and where you are. We’ll be happy to share your photo with other Tonica News readers, your friends, family and neighbors. Email your photo and information to news@tonicanews.com. You can also drop it by our office in Tonica.

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Sewer project changes, but still on budget and on time By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

TONICA — During construction, plans for Tonica’s sewer plant have changed, but the project remains on budget and on time. One of the major changes came from a manufacturer, impacting other plans which had previously worked. “The electrical drawings came in earlier, and then the manufacturer came in,” village engineer Jack Kusek said at the Tonica Village Board’s meeting on Jan. 16. While the electrical drawings matched the current plan, the manufacturer provided different recommendations for different breakers, which are larger than what had previously been envisioned, causing changes which affect the electrical plans. “Definitely want to go with the manufacturer,” Tonica President Kevin Sluder said, as that is the only way to have a warranty on that aspect. The project has run into some other changes as well. “We ran into some bad soils,” Kusek said, which requires some additional

Tonica TIF From Page 1

In other business at the meeting, a Tonica ordinance governing the hours in which liquor can be sold is being amended, changing to allow establishments to operate until 2 a.m. throughout the week. The change was requested by a new business in town, the owner of which wanted the option to be open later if business is going particularly well on a given night. “He said, ‘I’m not going to do this Sunday to Sunday — 2 a.m.— but I want to be able to do it, if there’s a local event or something,’” Sluder repeated to the board what the new business owner had told him. One night in particular stood out when such a change might be beneficial to the business. “His biggest concern was, if there’s a Wednes-

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board learned a water main which sits under a road in Tonica is threatening to cause damage. Marc Lemrise, public works superintendent, spoke about the issue, discovered when the water mains were being mapped out. “I know we’re spending all kinds of money, and the last thing we want right now is another project,” Lemrise said, however, he thinks this problem needs to be considered. “It’s breaking every year. It’s broken three times in the last three years,” he said. While the main likely would not have been set up in this way initially, changes over time have increased the difficulty of the situation. “I’m sure it wasn’t there originally. Either the road was moved or widened or something,” Lemrise said. Despite the cost and trouble involved in fixing the situation, Lemrise believes the village needs to look into the issue, lest it cause damage down the line. “At some point, it’s going to break again, and it’ll be far enough under the road that it’ll wash out part of the road or something,” Lemrise said.

day before Thanksgiving, he doesn’t want to have to stop at midnight because that’s the biggest night of the year,” Sluder said. The topic needed to be addressed because it impacts the paperwork which the business owner has to file for the state. “It does have to do with the paperwork that he has to file with the state of Illinois,” Sluder said, for which the main issue is not the hours during which the business owner can sell liquor, but when his gambling machines can be operational. “The biggest thing is the machines,” Sluder said. “When those machines are open and on, they are making money.” This revenue then benefits the village. Overall, Sluder sees the change as being worth trying. With the requirement that liquor licenses be

renewed every six months, the village has leverage over an establishment if it becomes problematic. “If it becomes a problem, we can talk to him, and if it continues to be a problem, we can revoke the license,” Sluder said. “That gives us a little leverage to see how it goes.” If one establishment is too much of a problem, the whole experiment could be torn down. “Basically, it’s theirs to

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Send your press releases to news@tonicanews.com. screw up,” Sluder said. Also at the meeting, the board learned Tonica’s old squad car has found a new home. After months of looking for a buyer, the village has finally found someone to buy the vehicle. “I said it’s yours if you want it. It just needs to be taken to the board for approval,” Sluder said. A month ago, the board had agreed to set a minimum rate of $400 to sell the vehicle, which is what has

now been offered. The village has had buyers drop out before, such as when people get tired of waiting for the board to meet and approve the sale, but even if this sale were to fall through there is another buyer lined up for the chance to purchase the car. “If, for some reason, he does not come get it — which I hope does not come up again — we have somebody waiting in the wings,” Sluder said.

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be paid back. While paying it back between the funds is a possible course of action, Bird suggested the village move to remove that debt. How Lostant’s funds stack up against similar villages was a point Bird could not talk about in-depth, as villages are different in many ways. “It’s hard to compare villages of size because there are different situations,” Bird said, but there is an aspect which they tend to share: “It’s hard to grow revenues; that’s something consistent in all these villages.” Something has occurred in other villages, which supplements their funds and has yet to take root in Lostant — gaming. “It’s not a ton of money,” Bird said, but it is enough to be notable. Trustee Dave Mertes said the village should see increases from Bullheads. In other news: • Dog issues rove around Lostant, from residents refusing to pay to strays running amok. “We still have one resident which is having trouble paying for their dog,” Trustee Jack Immel said. “Just refuses to pay.” The resident in particular holds steadfast in refusal to submit payment, according to Police Chief Darin Trask. “He’s received an ordinance citation and says he’s taking it to court,” Trask said. Furthermore, Ray Brierly mentioned there have been a number of stray dogs around town. One of these had been mistaken for a coyote a month prior and has eluded capture. “That’s the one I saw last month,” Immel said. “And I’m telling you, it can run.”

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work for the structures being constructed. The project has also seen piping changes “to allow the deep well to be drained during the maintenance period,” he said. Even though the possibility remains for further changes to appear, the project should be nearing a point where they should be less of a problem. “I can’t say that there won’t be any more changes because we’re only 40 percent complete, but we’re almost out of the ground,” Kusek said, indicating the most volatile phase where amendments are at their most expensive is nearly over. Despite adding $16,000 in changes, Kusek said the project is working within budget. “We’re still $43,553.55 under,” he said. “We’re still very good with contingency.” Overall, progress on the project has slowed down somewhat with the weather, but has not fallen behind. “Things are moving ahead and right on schedule, or even still ahead,” Kusek said. Also at the meeting, the

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Friday, January 20, 2017 • The Tonica News • 3

Don’t get snowed by scammers this winter

Year in review Saying goodbye to 2016 Compiled

by

Dave Cook

news@tonicanews.com

Editor’s note: This is the final story in a three-part series recounting events that happened in the Tonica-Lostant area during 2016. Sept. 2 Lostant Grade School prepares to offer a salad bar to students to help encourage healthier eating. A total of 184 cars, trucks and motorcycles take part in the annual Tonica Fest. Sept. 9 The Kimble Farm Field Day demonstration helps 50 people learn about new farm management practices to help with the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. The first human case of West Nile is reported in LaSalle County. Sept. 16 The Illinois State Police confirm the body of missing person Deborah K. Dewey, 62, of Ladd was found in a shallow grave in Standard. Lostant Fire Department hosts a nighttime training exercise with more than 40 firefighters from seven local departments. The teams practiced extinguishing a 600 gallon LP tank fire. Sept. 23 Charges are elevated from concealment of a death to concealment of a homicidal death for Clifford Anderson, of Standard in connection with the Dewey homicide. Officials allege Anderson knew the death of Dewey, his sisterin-law, was a homicide. Tonica’s Bangert family is announced as the 2016 Conservation Farm Family of the Year by the LaSalle County Soil and Water Conservation District. Sept. 30 The Illinois State Police (ISP) asks the public for help in the investigation of Deborah Dewey’s death. The ISP are searching for anyone with knowledge about Clifford Anderson during the time frame in question and continues to build their case. The Tonica School Board appoints Al Leffelman as their new board secretary and Julie Goff-Rietgraf as a new board member. Oct. 7 The Illinois State Police announce confirmation that Deborah Dewey’s autopsy had been conducted and the cause of death had been determined. Details are being withheld from the public because of the ongoing investigation. Route 251 is renamed Witczak Brothers Memorial Highway in honor of the family’s seven brothers, five who served in World War II and two who served in Korea.

Chickens From Page 1 protection of the laws. Hendrix said previous mayors, as had been discussed during his prior visit to the board, had gone around the prohibition. One had allowed geese to remain at the village’s pond, and the other had kept chickens at a time. “There is a chicken factory on Main Street,” Hendrix said as another example of

selective enforcement. “I’m aware that there are members of this community who walk their dogs without leashes.” “The selective enforcement of ordinances, gentlemen, violates the Equal Protection Clause,” Hendrix said in closing. The response The board, however, would not be swayed by these arguments. Regarding the dictionary definitions, trustee Jack Immel explained the ordi-

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Oct. 14 The Lostant Village Board reviews the abandoned vehicle ordinance after a vehicle on village property is moved just enough by owner to stay within guidelines. Oct. 21 Tonica’s sewer mapping project nears completion as the village continues to locate utilities. Dams built by beavers are considered a nuisance by Tonica Village Board. Oct. 28 Tonica ranked 257th best city for Illinois homeowners in study of 259. Things considered in the study included taxes, home prices and values, cost of insurance, safety, and more. Nov. 4 The Lostant Library welcomes Zach Hartenbower as its newest librarian. Nov. 11 Lostant eighth-graders choose Donald Trump by one vote during their mock presidential election held on Election Day. Nov. 18 Neighbors of a Lostant man sign a petition in support of a variance so he can keep his chickens after village board rules upholds ordinance. Nov. 25 Tonica cracks down on delinquent water bills by shutting off water to those residences. Dec. 2 Clifford Anderson enters a not guilty plea to the charge of the concealment of the homicidal death of Deborah Dewey. Dec. 9 Tonica School receives its report card from the Illinois State Board of Education. Results show 25 percent of Tonica’s students, as compared to the state’s average of 34 percent, have met or exceeded educational expectations. This is a seven percent decrease from the 2015 results for Tonica and a one percent increase for the state. Dec. 16 Lostant resident Lonnie Hendrix once again asks the village board to be allowed to keep the five hens he keeps as pets. The board postpones their decision until January 2017. Dec. 23 The work on Tonica’s sewer plant slows with the cold weather, but is still ahead of schedule. Dec. 30 Lostant Superintendent Sandra Malahy tells school board the state is not fully funding schools despite their stopgap promise and has fallen drastically behind in their payments. nance does not refer specifically to the definitions Hendrix had used. Its purpose remains unaltered. Therefore, the chickens, regardless of Hendrix’s intent for keeping them, would fall under its jurisdiction. Issues from the past also had no effect. “I wasn’t on that board at that time, and I don’t know that anyone here was,” Immel said. “You’re dealing with a very different board.” The dog-walking issue, he said, is a moot point.

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“If you look in our ordinance, it says dog on a leash unless it’s under control,” he said. On other matters previously discussed, Immel questioned the removal of waste from the chickens, saying that Hendrix had claimed to dispose of it through burning it in a burn barrel, which violates both EPA standards and a Lostant policy. “EPA says you don’t burn manure,” Immel said, as the method is ineffective.

CHICAGO — As winter hits Northern Illinois, the Better Business Bureau reminds consumers scammers will be on the hunt for some cold cash. Most people from our area are used to the conditions Mother Nature delivers this time of year. But the clean up after storms and sub-zero temperatures may be a task some consumers prefer to leave in the hands of a professional. This is the time of year where furnaces become stressed, and plumbing can be problematic, and you may need help with snow removal. Do your homework now, and avoid being tempted by door knockers soliciting their services. Fake utility workers, charity representatives, untrustworthy furnace and plumbing contractors and snow removers find the cold a hot season to go door to door. BBB Tips on hiring a contractor: Check ask.BBB.org - Read the contractor’s Business Review as well as any Consumer Reviews that have been posted. Check licensing - Depending on the project they may be required to be licensed and bonded. Get estimates - In the event of a major repair such as plumbing or furnace replacement - never feel pressured by a contractor,and if you choose, exercise your right for another estimate. Get a written contract - Illinois requires a written contract for any project that will cost more than $1,000. Understand your payment options - Don’t pay in cash. Try to pay with a credit card, so you have some recourse if the job is done poorly or not completed at all. Base any final payments on a completion schedule.

HSTP Transportation Committee to meet OTTAWA — The Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP) - Region 3 - (Bureau, DeKalb, Grundy, Kendall, LaSalle, Lee, Ogle, and Putnam counties) Transportation Committee will meet at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 27, at Mendota Moose Lodge 714, 211 E. 12th St. (Route 34), in Mendota. The Regional Transportation Committee is responsible for the development and implementation of the Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP). HSTP identifies transportation needs and develops solutions to improve transportation services for the general public. An emphasis is placed on seniors, people with disabilities, individuals with lower incomes and veterans. The Illinois Department of Transportation has formed an agreement with North Central Illinois Council of Governments (NCICG) for the purposes of preparing, implementing and updating the plan for Region 1. For more information about NCICG, HSTP, or if special accommodations are needed, contact Kim Zimmerman at 815-433-5830.

“Manure doesn’t burn.” Discussions Immel has held with four different real estate agents indicate the presence of chickens will cause neighboring property values to go down. “I had one say up to 10 percent,” Immel said. “Others say it’s a bad thing.” Regardless, with an ordinance already in place, Immel argued the board does not need to rule on anything. “My opinion is, we don’t need to vote on an ordi-

nance we already have,” he said. Mayor Fred Hartenbower reminded the board that not making a motion on the matter means the ordinance stands. Nobody moved on the issue. “Lonnie, I’m sorry, but the ordinance stands,” Hartenbower said as the issue closed. The board has stated a willingness to allow Hendrix some time to make arrangements for his pets, but they cannot stay in Lostant.

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4 Perpective

4 • The Tonica News • Friday, January 20, 2017

The Editorial Page The Tonica News Sam R Fisher

Terri Simon

Publisher

Editor

Our talent show One year, my family attended “Family Camp” at Mennohaven Camp and Retreat Center outside of Tiskilwa. This was the opportunity for us to bond in the great outdoors with heat and mosquitoes and ... oh, yeah ... other Christian families. Lori We spent a gloriBoekeloo ous long weekend in the country comCOMMENTARY muning with nature. As a mom, I especially liked it since all of our meals were prepared and all I had to do was eat and read. Normally family vacations are just me doing the same job in a different venue. This was different. I actually got to relax. One of the highlights of Family Camp was the talent show. When this idea was first presented to me, it sent me into a panic. I don’t claim to have any real talent. I don’t play a musical instrument; my body doesn’t contort into pretzel shapes anymore; I can’t make my nose produce funny noises (be quiet, kids); and as far as I know, I have never been able to burp the alphabet or anything equally amusing. Okay, maybe I can, but I’m trying to learn to be more socially acceptable. The kids and I decided to sing a cute little song that required no musical ability. As we sat there waiting for our turn, we saw quite a variety of acts. One family played percussion. All of the kids could bang on a bongo and make you want to dance. I bet their house is fun when everyone is practicing. They also had a couple of guitar players in their clan. One group did a drama. Still another played out a joke. The counselors had the unique talent of grossing everyone out with a Fear Factor-style “joke” where one counselor actually drank a glass of spit and toothpaste and raw eggs (is that a talent or an imbalance?) One 7-year-old boy did acrobats. He turned a cartwheel until he almost hit the piano. He also possessed some math skills that astounded his audience. He apparently was overabundant in the talent department because he was willing to display far more of his abilities than his parents were willing to allow. They made him stop. It was a wonderful time. No one person or group did the same thing. Maybe their act was the same, but they displayed their talents differently. If they had been the same, the show wouldn’t have been near as exciting or fun. If everyone had recited poetry, I would have become bored quickly. As it was, we had a fun-filled evening packed with such diversity. I thought of how the church body functions. Everyone has different strengths. We all have something to bring to our church experience. If we all could only cook, our potlucks would be great, but fundraisers would fizzle. If everyone was a great teacher, our Sunday School would draw crowds, but who would fold the bulletins? If every member of the congregation could preach fire and brimstone, we might pack the pews on Sunday mornings, but how would the budget get done? If singing was the talent, we could rock the house and have them dancing in the aisles, but who would counsel the grieving or bring meals to the shut-ins? We all have our place. We all have something to bring. Whether your talents are big and dynamic or small and unassuming, they all have a place in God’s kingdom. Every small act of kindness, done in God’s name, is a gift from Him to pass along to others. Don’t lament the fact that you can’t warble like a lark — praise God that you have the time to email a word of encouragement during the day. If you can’t contribute financially as much as you’d like because you lost your job — praise God that he freed up your time so you could help a church member who needs their roof repaired. Find the blessing in your giving, no matter how big, how small or how humble. Lori Boekeloo of Hennepin is a mother of three. She can be reached at lorianne67@hotmail.com, or friend her on Facebook for more humor and inspiration on a daily basis.

First Amendment “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Constitution of the United States, 1789

Our regrettable shrinking state The U.S. Census Bureau released new migration data Dec. 20, and it’s frightening. Illinois has a massive people problem. From July 2015 to July 2016, the state’s population declined by more than 37,000 people. That’s the worst population loss in the nation and will likely mean the loss of a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Pennsylvania, which also experienced a net population loss in the Census, is now set to overtake Illinois as the fifth-largest state. Illinois is simply sliding backward faster. Census data show an alarmingly rapid trend fueling Illinois’ shrinkage: Illinoisans leaving for greener pastures. And Springfield has had practically no solutions for this problem. Illinois lost more than 114,000 people to other states over this period. That’s akin to losing almost the entire population of Peoria in a single year, or 1 Illinoisan every 4 minutes 36 seconds. Lynn Cisco is one Peorian who’s already left. After moving to Indiana in 2015, Cisco said her family is saving more than $400 a month on property taxes alone. “We felt like suckers for staying [in Illinois] for so long. That [property tax] bill affects how you structure your family,” she said. Cisco’s husband works for Caterpillar as a service engineer and was transferred to Lafayette. “I’m convinced Caterpillar is slowly, stealthily moving out of Illinois. The world headquarters might stay in Peoria, but the manufacturing is absolutely leaving,” she said. The long-term trend of Illinoisans leaving for other states is astonishing. Since 2000, Illinois has lost 1.2 million more people to other states than it gained from other states. This is

Austin Berg COMMENTARY

roughly equal to the 10 largest Illinois cities outside of Chicago vanishing: Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, Naperville, Springfield, Peoria, Elgin, Waukegan, Champaign and Arlington Heights. All gone in a flash. Tom Paul is leaving for Arizona. He’s worked as a police officer and crime analyst in a village near the Wisconsin border for 30 years. But he won’t be able to afford Lake County property taxes on a fixed retirement income. After that bill hit $5,000 a year in 2013, he and his wife began planning their escape. “Our kids are here; our grandbabies are here; but we’ve done the numbers on trying to maintain a home in Illinois; and that math does not work at all,” he said. “We’ve lived here all our lives, so the weather wasn’t really a driver. The main driver is the fixed income and zero trust in government to get these costs under control.” Some politicians refuse to believe this flight of people and wealth means anything about the state of the state. Steve Brown, the spokesman for House Speaker Mike Madigan, had this to say about Illinois’ out-migration during an August interview on Chicago’s AM 560: “The important thing is to figure out the ‘why.’ What part of it is due to the quality of government services, and what part of it is due to your grandchildren living somewhere, you’re retiring, [and] you want to be in a warmer climate? Nobody’s ever done that kind of qualitative analysis — of the ‘why’ part.”

Brown was either clueless or lying. The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute found in October that nearly half of Illinoisans want to leave the state. Pollsters asked why. The most common response? Taxes. And data shows it isn’t retired snowbirds driving the majority of Illinois’ migration losses: It’s working-age adults. Kayla Williams and her young son are leaving for Minnesota. The budget impasse has thrown her work as a legal advocate for domestic violence victims into disarray. And she pays around $3,700 a year in property taxes on a Springfield home she can’t sell for $50,000. “We tax everything, and there’s still money for nothing,” she said. “You can’t really get much of a break in Illinois.” Good luck trying to balance a state budget in the long term, while young taxpayers like Williams are leaving in droves. And hiking taxes on a population that’s clearly had enough is a great way to accelerate that trend. Springfield lawmakers need to take a hard look at the long-term drift that has led the state to this point. Blaming the budget impasse is convenient but isn’t grounded in reality. Illinoisans pay among the highest property taxes in the nation, suffer under the worst manufacturing jobs growth in the region, and aren’t seeing any signs of a better job climate or lower tax burden in the near future. Illinoisans are holding politicians accountable for this state of affairs in the most damning way possible — mass exodus. Austin Berg is a writer for the Illinois Policy Institute. He wrote this column for the Illinois News Network, a project of the Institute. Berg can be reached at aberg@illinoispolicy.org.

TO Letter THE Editor

Superintendent explains tax levy error To the Editor, Correction to the Tonica News article titled “New Levy adopted by Tonica School Board” dated Friday, Dec. 30, 2016. It is my responsibility to make some necessary corrections to the fine article written by Zachary Pratt regarding the annual tax levy portion of the story. Zach has done a fine job of covering board meetings since I joined the Tonica District in late July. Thanks, Zach, for your dedicated service to your school district. In November, I submitted the tentative annual tax

levy to the board at its regular meeting. At that time, the total amount requested was $1,171,439. This amount was the standard and allowable 5 percent increase above the prior year’s request. A 5 percent tax levy increase does not require the board to conduct a hearing. The board holds a tax levy hearing annually as a courtesy to the public. At the regular December meeting, I informed the board that the district could gather funds that it had not done in the recent past. The added revenue tax levy and rate proposed

in my recommendation exceeded the allowable maximum 5 percent increase and required a Truth-in-Taxation public notice placed in The Tonica News. The board accepted my recommendation at the meeting and approved the higher levy request. However, I had failed to place this proposed tax levy increase notice in the local newspaper within the required time frame. The LaSalle County Clerk will recalculate the tax levy request back to the original amount of $1,171,439. This represents the 5 percent increase allowable by law

without a public notice. This levy request would not raise Tonica District taxes. The estimated tax rate is 3.2316, which is actually lower than the 2015 tax rate of 3.2671. Again, my regrets to the Board of Education and the Tonica School District for my error. The information reported in the article was correct as presented by me. The responsibility to correct the matter is mine. Thank you for your understanding. James Whitmore (interim superintendent) Princeton

5 Life

Friday, January 20, 2017 • The Tonica News • 5

Community Open house planned for Pastor Kristi Hopp MCNABB — An open house for New Hope Parish Pastor Kristi Hopp will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at the McNabb Fire House. Hopp, who is a captain in the Air National Guard, will be leaving for a nine-month tour.

Relay for Life team meeting on Jan. 23 STREATOR — The LaSalle County Relay for Life team will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, at Park Church, 201 N. Vermillion St. in Streator. The meeting will feature an opportunity for teams to present their fundraising projects currently taking place as well as a chance for teams to display pictures, poster boards, handouts of prior successful ideas. This is a great networking meeting for getting ideas on future fundraisers for teams. Tables will be provided for teams to set up their items. The planning of the 20th anniversary of the LaSalle County Relay event is in full swing by the commit-

tee which meets monthly throughout the year. The special 20th anniversary event will be held June 9-10 at the Streator City Park. Teams and/or individuals are encouraged to attend this meeting to get their team signed up and to get details of the upcoming annual kickoff event beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, at Celebrations 150 in Utica. The committee is excited about the new location as well as other changes that are planned for this years’ event. For more information, call Karen at 815-252-2091 or visit www.relayforlife. org/lasalleil.com.

Nursing admission information session on Jan. 25 OGLESBY — A nursing admission information session will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, in room CTC123 at Illinois Valley Community College. Sponsored by the counseling center, admissions and records and the nursing department, the session will cover admission requirements and courses students should take before applying to either the associate degree (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs. Due to space limitations, students are encouraged to RSVP with Kathy Sramek by calling 815-224-0439 or by email to kathy_ sramek@ivcc.edu.

Photo contributed

Lostant students rewarded after meeting AR goals Lostant Grade School students in grades 3-5 enjoyed a special treat on Jan. 6. Every student in third though fifth grade met their AR goals for the second quarter so they were treated with a nacho party. Superintendent Sandra Malahy visited the 3-5 study hall around midterms and learned that the kids were working hard toward their goals. As an extra incentive, she told the students that if they all met their goal, she would give them an extra reward. Once the entire group met their goal, they brainstormed ideas and decided on a nacho party. After the nacho party, the kids enjoyed their regular AR party which was free time in the gym.

IVEO class will host variety show LASALLE — The LaSalle-Peru High School Illinois Valley Entrepreneurial Opportunity Class will host a variety show from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, in Matthiessen Memorial Auditorium, 541 Chartres St. in LaSalle. Tickets are $7 in advance or at the door. Tickets are available by calling LPHS at 815-876-6609 or by emailing a ticket request to lphs.iveo@ gmail.com. Tickets will also be sold by all IVEO students and at the door on the night of the event.

Dental clinics will start Feb. 3 OGLESBY — Illinois Valley Community College’s Dental Assisting Program is offering dental clinics to IVCC students, staff and the community beginning Friday, Feb. 3, through Friday, May 5.

cleaning. Call Heather Seghi, Dental Assisting Program coordinator, at 815-224-0359 or the dental lab at 815-224-0227 to make an appointment.

Free services offered include dental X-rays, exams, dental sealants and fluoride treatments. Dental cleanings will be available for $30 and IVCC students and staff may qualify for a free dental

••• Items for the Community section can be emailed to news@tonicanews.com.

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their local high schools. The event is organized by the IVEO class. The class, now in its sixth year, is taught by Martin Makransky, who coordinates their activities directly through the Area Career Center at LPHS. The class meets daily from 8 to 9:45 a.m. As part of the curriculum, the class tours area businesses as well as meets with Illinois Valley area businessmen and businesswomen in addition to full classroom activities centered on learning about entrepreneurial opportunities.

Anyone who would like to be a contestant can also email the IVEO class. The show will carry a variety of classes, singers, dancers, comedians and stage artists. Tryouts will be conducted on Wednesday, Jan. 25, and prizes will be awarded to the top performers in each class at the event on Feb. 4. Anyone interested in being a contestant can email or call the number above for more information. Also, all IVEO students will have contestant sign-up sheets with them at

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6 Life/Class

6 • The Tonica News • Friday, January 20, 2017

Winners announced in 2017 ‘Young Performer’s Competition’ LASALLE — The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra held its annual “Young Performer’s Competition” on Jan. 7 at the LaSalle-Peru High School Matthiessen Auditorium. The winner of the junior division of the competition was Noah Johnson, violinist, a home-schooled ninth grader from Utica who played Haydn Concerto in G Major, 1st movement. The runner-up was vocalist Corrine Lindig of Ottawa, a ninth grader from Ottawa High School, and honorable mention went to violinist Billy Hawley, a homeschooled freshman from Seneca. The winner of the senior competition was Faith Sommer, violinist, who played the Bruch Violin Concerto in G minor, 1st movement. She Photo contributed is from Spring Valley and is a Junior Division winners were Billy Hawley (from left), Noah Johnson and Corrine Lindig. home-schooled junior. The runner-up was Natalie Lindig of Ottawa, flute, a senior at Ottawa High School. Honorable mentions were Jessica Znaniecki of LaSalle, flute, a sophomore at LaSalle-Peru High School; Abigail Meyers, violinist, a home-schooled sophomore from Minonk; and Joannah Cisneros of Oglesby, flute, a junior at LaSalle-Peru High School. The winners will perform their solos with the IVSO at the series concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 11, in the LaSalle-Peru High School Matthiessen Auditorium. They will also have the opportunity to perform for area students at the annual IVSO educational school Photo contributed concerts held this year at L-P High School Auditorium Senior Division winners were Abigail Meyers (from left), Joannah Cisneros, Jessica and JFK in Spring Valley. Znaniecki, Natalie Lindig and Faith Summer.

IVSO will host Trivia Night PERU — The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra will have a Trivia Night on Saturday, Feb. 25, at St. Joseph’s Church Hall, 1925 Fifth St. in Peru. Doors will open at 6 p.m.

and trivia will begin at 7 p.m. The cost is $10 per person, with teams of six to 10 players. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and there will be 50/50 raffles, a silent

auction, tip boards and mulligans. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. To reserve a spot, call Andrea at 815-488-1412 or email andrea_kowalski@ivcc.edu.

Menus Lostant Grade School Breakfast Jan. 23 — Breakfast toast, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice. Jan. 24 — Breakfast burrito, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice. Jan. 25 — French toast and syrup, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice. Jan. 26 — Muffin, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice. Jan. 27 — Danish, yogurt, cereal, fruit and juice. Lunch Jan. 23 — Chicken alfredo, mixed vegetables, fruit cocktail, bread, milk. Jan. 24 — Tortellini soup, peaches, bread, milk. Jan. 25 — Grilled cheese, tomato soup, applesauce, milk. Jan. 26 — Ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, gelatin with fruit, bread, milk. Jan. 27 — Baked chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, pears, bread, milk.

Tonica Grade School

Breakfast Jan. 23 — Oatmeal with dried fruit, chocolate chips and brown sugar or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Jan. 24 — Mini pancakes with syrup or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Jan. 25 — Cheese omelet or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Jan. 26 — Pancake and sausage on a stick with syrup or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Jan. 27 — Cinnamon rolls or cereal, toast, granola, yogurt, fruit, juice, milk. Lunch Jan. 23 — Breaded chicken patty, bun, carrots, fruit, milk. Jan. 24 — Cheese bosco sticks, marinara sauce, lettuce, fruit, cookie, milk. Jan. 25 — Hamburger, cheese slice, pretzel bun, french fries, fruit, milk. Jan. 26 — Taco in a bag (taco meat, shredded cheese, refried beans, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, salsa), fresh fruit, nacho corn chips, milk. Jan. 27 — Personal pan pizza, Romaine lettuce, fruit, milk.

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Jan. 23 — Smoked sausage, fried potatoes, baked beans, bread and butter, pears. Jan. 24 — Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, buttered corn, roll and butter, apple slices, dessert. Jan. 25 — Enchiladas bake, salad with toppings, fruit cocktail, ice cream. Jan. 26 — Barbecue on bun, baked beans, fruit, chips, dessert. Jan. 27 — Chili with crackers and cheese, hot dog on bun, coleslaw, bananas. Bread, butter, fruit juice and 2% milk are available with meals. For reservations, call 800-757-4579 24 hours in advance of the day’s meal. The menu is subject to change. Meals are available to senior citizens 60 plus at no cost, but donations are appreciated. The suggested donation is $5. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m.

––––––––––––––––––––– Classifieds –––––––––––––––––––– General Terms and Policies The Tonica News reserves the right to classify correctly, edit, reject or cancel any advertisement at any time in accordance with its policy. All ads must be checked for errors by the advertiser, on the first day of publication. We will be responsible for the first incorrect insertion, and its liabilities shall be limited to the price on one insertion. CLASSIFIED LINE AD & LEGAL DEADLINES: • Friday Paper deadline Friday before by 3pm We Accept Call 815-875-4461 classified@bcrnews.com

HARD TO FIND THAT RIGHT PERSON FOR THAT JOB OPENING? The Tonica News Classified can reach just the right person you are looking for to fill that job opening. Call 815-875-4461

- 200 Employment

- 400 Merchandise

450 • Under $1000

232 • Business Opportunities

441 • Wanted to Buy

************ HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL?

********** THE CLASSIFIED Advertising Department of the Tonica News Does not have the opportunity to fully investigate the credibility of each advertiser appearing within these columns. If an offer sounds “too good to be true” it probably is. Proceed with caution if you are asked to send money or to give a credit card number. Proceed with caution in calling 900 phone numbers. All phone numbers prefixed by”900” are charged to the CALLER. Charges may be assessed on a “per minute” basis rather than a “per call” basis. The Tonica News Classifieds makes every effort to qualify these charges for the reader. If you have a concern about an advertiser, please contact: Better Business Bureau 330 North Wabash Chicago, IL 60611 312 832-0500

Wanted to Buy: Old books and comic books. Call 815-481-4922

450 • Under $1000 2 matching walnut end tables, $20 each or $35 for both; 2 matching table lamps, $15 each. Call 815-879-8001 5 used tires, 245-65R 17, 1/2 tread left, $75. Call 815-993-8435 Antiques: oak curio mirror back & curved glass $500; sideboard $200; 2 tables $50 each. Call 815-878-1516 Classical music & children record sets $3 each; 3 old floor lamps $25; brass fireplace andirons $75. 815-869-3054 Porcelain double sink $25; 4 solid quality maple chairs, $35 each/best; mid size mirror $10. Call 815-830-8153

Put your ad in for FREE Items $1,000 or less can run FREE for 1 time. Limit of 5 lines. Up to 3 items with price and price totaling under $1,000. 1 ad per household per week. No commercial ads, firearms or animal sales. E-mail information to: classified@ bcrnews.com (include your name, address & phone number) No Phone Calls! Schwann 430 / Journey 4.0 elliptical machine. $300. 815-499-3918 Sunrise medical electric bed, works well, $200; vintage tower manual typewriter, $50. Call 815-224-2931

WANTING TO SELL YOUR CAR? Call 815-875-4461

- 700 Real Estate For Sale 767 • Mobile Home Sales **************** PUBLISHER'S NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call, HUD tollfree at 800 669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 800 927-9275

E-mail items for sale to:

classified@bcrnews.com

7 Class

Friday, January 20, 2017 • The Tonica News • 7 999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

999 • Legal Notices

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT LASALLE COUNTY, OTTAWA, ILLINOIS PROBATE DIVISION ESTATE OF ) ROBERT C. BOERS, ) Deceased. ) No. 2017 - P - 5 CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of ROBERT C. BOERS of Peru, Illinois. Letters of Office were issued on January 10, 2017 to Patricia Truckenbrod,

as Executor and Representative, of 1513 Indiana Avenue, Mendota, IL 61342, whose Attorney is Lisa Olivero of Olivero & Olivero Law Offices LLC, 1611 Fifth Street, Peru, IL 61354-2603. Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Probate Division, in the LaSalle County Courthouse, 119 W. Madison Street, Ottawa, IL 61350, or with the Representative, or both, on or before July 20,

2017, or if mailing or delivery of a notice from the Representative is required by Section 18-3 of the Probate Act of 1975, the date stated in that notice. Any claim not filed on or before that date is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Representative and to the Attorney within ten (10) days after it has been filed with the Clerk of the Court. GREG VACCARO CIRCUIT CLERK –

LASALLE COUNTY LASALLE COUNTY COURT HOUSE 119 WEST MADISON STREET OTTAWA, IL 61350 ATTORNEY LISA OLIVERO Olivero & Olivero Law Offices LLC Attorneys for the Estate 1611 Fifth Street Peru, IL 61354-2603 Phone (815) 224-2030 Fax (815) 224-2900 Published in the Tonica News Jan. 20, 27 and Feb. 3, 2017.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT LASALLE COUNTY, ILLINOIS IN THE MATTER OF: ) THE ESTATE OF ) FRANK A. HEGLAND, Deceased ) No: 2016-P-236 CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of FRANK A. HEGLAND of Oglesby, Illinois, who died on September 22, 2016. Notice is given to any interested party or unknown heir whose names or addresses are not stated in the petition for letters of office or are unknown, that letters of office were issued on January 4, 2017, to GEORGE HEGLAND, 339 N. Woodland Avenue, Oglesby, IL 61348, whose attorney is Gary L. Peterlin, 170 E. Walnut Street, Oglesby, Illinois, 61348.

Claims against the estate may be filed in the Office of the Circuit Clerk, Probate Division, Downtown Courthouse, Ottawa, Illinois 61350, or with the representative, or both, on or before July 20, 2017. If a claim notice is mailed or delivered personally to a creditor of the decedent, the creditor’s claim may be filed on or before the date stated in that notice, if later than the date shown above. Any claim not filed within the time allowed is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the Representative and to the Attorney within ten days after it has been filed. Perona, Peterlin, Andreoni & Brolley, LLC 170 E. Walnut St., PO Box 35 Oglesby, IL 61348 Tel: 815-883-4102 Published in the Tonica News Jan. 20, 27 and Feb. 3, 2017.

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8 Finance Matters

8 • The Tonica News • Friday, January 20, 2017

Finance Matters

A Publication of

Financial choices for all ages It’s never too late or too early to make sound financial decisions COMPILED BY TERRI SIMON tsimon@bcrnews.com With a new year before us, many have made several resolutions: Lose weight, get more exercise, get organized, etc. While most have their own personal finances on their mind throughout the year, KB Elliott senior financial advisor Steve Bouslog in Princeton answered a few questions regarding what different age groups should be thinking about when it comes to their financial decisions. The following advice can help direct you as you make your financial goals for 2017. Shaw Media: It’s the start of a new year. How should parents of grade school children begin preparing them for sound financial decisions in the future? Bouslog: Parents should begin with young children impressing upon them the importance of savings. Consider opening a bank savings account and have them routinely make deposits with parts of allowances, birthday and Christmas gifts. Impress upon them the importance of not using debt to buy things. Let them purchase items they want with cash from their savings. Parents should set the example of not using credit cards for those same types of purchases. Parents should also consider purchasing permanent life insurance policies for their children which will accumulate cash value. Shaw Media: What advice would you give to college students or post-high school students about beginning their financial portfolio? Bouslog: At this time of their lives, young people should concentrate on learning skills for job careers that will generate income during the working years. Even though expenses will be high for education, they should keep following their savings routines of putting money away on a regular basis. Some might consider staring Roth IRAs. Even though the amounts may be small, the habits of saving for retirement should begin as soon as possible at a young age. Shaw Media: Young couples, in their 20s and or 30s — what should they be doing now to prepare for the future – those with children and those without? Bouslog: As you begin your working careers, many of your employers will be offering retirement savings plans such as a 401k, 403b, 457, or other such type of accounts. Make absolutely sure you begin by contributing from your pay enough to receive a match from your company. Even if there is no match, investing as much as you can will pay off in the long run. Increase the amount of your contributions each year by 1

See FINANCE MATTERS, Page 9

Shaw Media photo/Dave Cook

Melissa Brisbin and Steve Bouslog of KB Elliott in Princeton look over some files in their Princeton office, located at 306 Backbone Road East, Princeton. For more financial planning information, Bouslog can be reached at 815-915-8646.

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9 Finance Matters

Finance Matters

Friday, January 20, 2017 • The Tonica News • 9

• FINANCE MATTERS Continued from Page 8 percent or more until you reach the maximum allowed by IRS rules. Secondly, Roth IRAs could be started but only after your employer plan reaches maximum contributions. If you have children, you should strongly consider starting a college savings plan. Most of these plans allow for most types of post-high school education, not necessarily a four-year university. Don’t forget to protect your loved ones by purchasing life insurance that will replace income if lost and pay off debts such as mortgages and student loans if any remain. Shaw Media: What about single people in that age group? Bouslog: The advice for single people in the same age group will be mostly the same. Starting retirement planning, even though it seems so far away, will be as important to them as couples. Being single may present more discretionary income, so getting to the maximum contribution in your 401k (or other savings program) might be easier. College savings plans could be considered for nieces and nephews. Life insurance will also be important as an integral part of your financial foundation. Don’t leave an important cornerstone of your financial future to chance by not considering life insurance. Shaw Media: Middle age couples - 40s and 50s – what should they be doing now as retirement looms in the not-so-far future? Is there different advice for single men/women? Bouslog: The advice for this age group is the same for both married and single men and women. By now, you should be reaching the maximum contribution limits of your employer-sponsored retirement plan. This decade or so of maximum contributions will be critical to a comfortable retirement. Current IRS rules allow for “catch up” contributions after you reach age 50. Take advantage of this rule. If Roth or Traditional IRAs have not begun, consider this option for the second leg of your retirement income. Also, at this point in your life, other viable investment options become very attractive that can offer guaranteed income for life. Discuss these options with your financial professional to determine if they make sense for you. You have also reached the age to consider Long Term Care Insurance. The best time to purchase this insurance is in this age group. If you have term life insurance, begin considering converting some or

all of it to permanent insurance. Delaying this will only be more expensive as you age. Finally, formal financial planning becomes an important tool as you assess your retirement age. If your financial professional cannot provide this for you, you have the wrong financial professional! Shaw Media Seniors – 60s and up – what kind of financial things should they be thinking about if they are still working of if they have retired? Does if differ for couples and singles? What about those who have grown children and those who don’t? Bouslog: Here again, the advice is the same for couples and singles. Formal financial planning will continue to be important for you. Find an advisor that offers this for you, and works for your benefit. For those of you still working, keep contributing to your employer plans – hopefully at the maximum amount allowed. However, you should consider re-allocation of your investments if you have not done so. As you approach retirement, protecting your nest egg becomes more important until such time as you do retire. Start learning about Social Security benefits and how you and your spouse can maximize benefits payments at the age you wish to retire. Look for investment products that can augment Social Security income by creating a guaranteed income stream. Start this planning with the assistance of a financial professional now. Medicare will be available to you at age 65, but it will be considerably different from your health plan at work. Meet with insurance professionals who can guide you through Medicare, Medicare Supplemental coverage, and drug coverage. Reading the pamphlets won’t be enough. Seek professional advice from those who know how to guide you. Depending upon your financial situation, you might want to start thinking about estate planning and how to transfer wealth in a tax efficient manner. If Long Term Care Insurance has not been purchased, consider it now. Those with grown children may be blessed with grandchildren. Start college savings programs for your grandkids, one that allows your children (their parents) to contribute as well! Shaw Media: What about those who are 60-plus who have not prepared financially for their futures? What options are available to them now? Bouslog: It’s never too late to begin investing for your future. Your late start, however, will limit how much you will have once you retire. But do not let that deter you. If you are still working, make sure those maximum

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contributions get made to your 401k even if you are just starting participation. Maximize IRA contributions. Perhaps an inheritance comes your way. Work with a financial advisor who can help you turn this “gift” into added retirement security. Also, follow the Social Security advice discussed earlier. Prepare for retirement even though you don’t have a huge nest egg. It is indeed never too late to take an active role in your life after work. Don’t leave it to chance. Shaw Media: And for those who live paycheck to paycheck – or even Social Security check to Social Security check – what options are available to them? Bouslog: The advice is somewhat different for these two groups. For those of you that feel you can’t save anything for retirement because you are living paycheck to paycheck, consider this. Why don’t you pay yourself first? You pay your rent (or house payment), your car payment, your insurance, food, etc. Why not pay yourself? Even if it is such a small amount. If your employment offers a retirement plan, get in it. Even if your contribution is only a small amount, pay yourself first! If you don’t have a retirement plan, put 5 percent of your pay in a savings account and leave it there. Look at all unnecessary purchases and eliminate them until you have established a savings plan. For those of you living Social Security to Social Security, the challenge is more difficult. Each year when open enrollment comes around, meet with your insurance professional to review your Medicare coverage to make sure you are getting the best deal. This is particularly important for drug coverage. Hang on to any savings or Certificates of Deposit you might own. If an inheritance comes your way, seek advice from a financial advisor that can give you choices on how those funds could enhance your income without risk to your principal.

The opinions and ideas of this piece are those of Steve Bouslog and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Williams Financial Group or its affiliates. Williams Financial Group and its affiliates and Steve Bouslog do not provide tax or legal advice. Securities offered through WFG Investments, Inc., Member FINRA & SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through WFG Advisors, LP.

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10 Finance Matters

10 • The Tonica News • Friday, January 20, 2017

Finance Matters

KIDS AND MONEY

DEFINING YOUR BRAND

How to turn monetary gifts into teachable moments

​ Children and teenagers who received monetary gifts for the holidays are often excited to choose what to buy. While they should be allowed to spend some of the money or gift cards, as a parent, you could also use these windfall gains as an opportunity to teach and practice important personal finance lessons. Here are a few ideas to start with, although you can alter the message or subject matter to match your child’s experience and ability to understand the topic. • Create money goals together. Planning how your child will save or spend monetary gifts is a valuable skill and practice no matter their age. (If you don’t have a personal plan, this is a great opportunity to set an example by developing your financial path as well.) You can start by drawing three columns – spending, saving and giving – and having them write a few goals for each. Explain the difference and importance of long- and short-term goals, and the value of having an emergency fund (for kids this could help pay for a car repair or bike tire).

• Set priorities and discuss the big picture. Have them add up all they received and divide it into each column. Offer guidance to help them determine how much to put into savings and charity, taking the time to explain your reasoning. They’ll likely find that there isn’t enough money to make a significant impact on all their goals, and they’ll need to prioritize based on how important each goal is to them. Share your own experiences and how sometimes it’s better to save for a bigger and better purchase later. You could also have them calculate how expected earnings from allowance, working or upcoming holidays or birthdays could help them achieve their unrealized goals. • Decide where to store the savings. If they don’t already have one, it might be a good time to open a bank account with your children. Go over the differences between a checking and savings account and how they can store the money they received and earn. Your kids can then decide how to split their funds between checking and savings based on their goals.

• Gift cards can pose a challenge, particularly if they’re store-specific cards. Children who receive them can’t deposit them at the bank, and they should take this into account as they determine which priorities they can meet and which may need to wait. However, there are online marketplaces where they can buy and sell gift cards. How much they’ll pay and receive depends on the marketplace and the store – an example of supply and demand in action. • Comparison shop before making a purchase. No doubt children are going to want to spend some of the money right away. It offers an excellent opportunity to discuss the importance of comparison shopping. Comparing prices at various retailers can help them find a good deal, and they should also consider several alternative but similar purchases. Being able to figure out what best fits one’s needs, wants and budget is an important skill at any age. • Discuss the time value of money and importance of saving wisely. Older children might be ready to learn about the time value

of money, the idea that a dollar today is worth more than a dollar in the future. You could discuss how inflation can decrease the purchasing power of money over time. Older children might be able to think of examples, and you can reinforce the point with images of old advertisements for 5-cent soda or gum. • The next step might be to discuss the importance of saving and investing and how compound interest could potentially offset or supersede the effects of inflation. Perhaps conclude by touching on opportunity costs, the trade-offs that come from every decision. Bottom line: You can’t force behaviors, but you can use teaching moments to explain and practice valuable money management skills. The holidays are a great opportunity as many children receive gift cards or money, and these lessons can continue throughout the year. Try to reflect the skills and practices you’re teaching in your day to day life as well. Children can pick up on the non-verbal lessons you demonstrate as much as the explicit lessons you sit down and teach.

Source: Nathaniel Sillin.

How do you plan your financial future?

Neglecting your brand can torpedo your career

AT&T understands the importance of promoting its brand. So do Toyota, Disney and McDonald’s, just to name a few. But individuals often don’t understand just how critical it is for them to promote their personal brands as well. In fact, their careers depend on it. “No one from the CEO to the secretary can afford not have a strong personal brand (online and off), if they want to succeed in today’s job climate,” says Karen Tiber Leland, a branding expert and author of “The Brand Mapping Strategy: Design, Build and Accelerate Your Brand” ([http://www.karenleland. com). A personal brand – much like those corporate brands – tells the world about you. It’s a way of selling yourself and your image in a way that leaves a positive impression. Leland points out personal branding is not a new idea. She notes the article that Tom Peters wrote in 1997 titled, “The Brand Called You,” which helped give rise to the popular idea that an individual can be just as much a brand, as a soft drink or laundry detergent. She also points out people such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin were carefully nurturing their brand images decades and even centuries before it became fashionable. “Even though personal branding has been with us for decades,” says Leland, “the advent of social media as a daily part of all our lives, has brought it to the forefront and made it a priority in today’s wired world.” Leland says there are several reasons why it’s important for everyone to follow Churchill and Chaplin’s lead and cultivate a personal brand. A

See BRAND Page 11

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11 Finance Matters

Finance Matters

Friday, January 20, 2017 • The Tonica News • 11

Little or no retirement savings? Most Americans know they need to save more for retirement. But most Americans aren’t doing it. Just how bad off are some of them? A study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found about half of households 55 and older had no retirement savings at all. Clearly, many Americans could be headed for retirement disaster. Fortunately, though, there are steps they can still take to improve their situation. “While it’s never too early to start saving for retirement, it’s also never too late,” says Chuck Price, president of Price Financial Group Wealth Management Inc. and author of “Investing Simplified: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You.” “Even if you’re in your 40s or 50s and you have no money saved at all, you shouldn’t just throw up your hands and give

up. You can still begin building a portfolio that can put you in a better position for when you retire, even if it’s not as good as it would have been if you had started at 25.” The first step, Price says, is to calculate how much money you’ll need to live on. A ballpark figure should suffice. If you’re not sure how to even begin, there are online retirement calculators that can help. Once you’ve done that, Price says you should: • Pool your resources. Figure out how much money you have for investing and saving, and also how much you’ll receive in Social Security. If you have a pension, include that, too. The goal is to get an idea of where you are financially in relation to how much money you’ll need. • Set goals. After you have good grasp of your money situation, set savings goals for yourself. You’ll want to make reg-

ular contributions to savings. • Set up a 401(k) and/ or a Roth IRA. If your company offers a 401(k) and you haven’t taken advantage of it, now is the time, Price says. Many companies match your contributions up to 50 percent. If you make below certain income thresholds, you may also be able to contribute to a Roth IRA. Roth IRA contributions aren’t tax deductible, but you can withdraw the money tax free when you retire. • Avoid being too conservative. If you’ve waited this long to begin saving, then you can’t afford to be conservative. You have a lot of years to make up. “Don’t be reckless,” Price says, “but a little aggressiveness could do you a lot of good if you only have a decade or two left to build a sizable retirement account.” Investing in stock and mutual funds, after some extensive research, could make a difference.

• BRAND

ers use social networking sites to research job candidates. And not having social media accounts isn’t a good option because 35 percent of those employers say they are less likely to interview someone who doesn’t have an online presence. A negative image could undermine your career goals. While social media sites can help promote your personal brand, Leland says, they can also be your worst enemy. That same CareerBuilder study reported that 48 percent of employers chose not to hire someone based on social-media content. So ditch inappropriate photos, references to drinking, critical comments about former employers and anything else you wouldn’t want a prospective employer to see. “Anyone who plans to wait out the personal-branding trend until it passes needs a new plan,” Leland says. ““It’s no lon-

ger an option in career management. If you don’t define your personal brand, someone else will define it for you.”

Continued from Page 10 few of those reasons include: You need to outshine the competition. The job market is a competitive place, and it’s easy to get lost in the clutter of all those other applicants. You can stand out from the crowd by carefully crafting your brand with elements that can range from the way you dress to the way you tell the story about the accomplishments you have achieved. Social media is forcing your hand. “It’s critical to make sure your online presence (including Facebook, LinkedIn etc.) represents you in the most powerful and professional way,” says Leland. Why? Because potential employers will check them out to check you out. According to a 2015 CareerBuilder poll, 52 percent of employ-

• Eliminate debt. Granted, this is easier said than done. Getting out of debt, especially heavy debt, can take years and can severely impact your ability to save. The sooner you’re out of debt, the better. “If saving is still a struggle, you might want to consider downsizing your home or taking a second job,” Price says. “But the most important thing with saving for retirement is just to get started.”

About Karen Tiber Leland: Karen Tiber Leland is a branding expert and author of “The Brand Mapping Strategy: Design, Build and Accelerate Your Brand.” She is also president of Sterling Marketing Group, where she helps companies, CEOs, executives and entrepreneurs build stronger personal, team and business brands. Her clients have included Apple Computer, LinkedIn, Twitter, AT&T, Avis Car Rental and Bank of America, among many others. She is a regular guest of the media and has been interviewed by Fortune, Fast Company, CNN, MSNBC and Oprah, among others. She has spoken for Stanford, Harvard, The American Management Association, Young President’s Organization and others.

“Even if you’re in your 40s or 50s and you have no money saved at all, you shouldn’t just throw up your hands and give up. You can still begin building a portfolio that can put you in a better position for when you retire, even if it’s not as good as it would have been if you had started at 25.” Chuck Price

President of Price Financial Group Wealth Management, Inc.

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