Importance of neighbors helping neighbors
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In My Humble Opinion
Jodi McDade
I feel fairly certain we are all concerned about our economy and the increased costs of goods. One thing everyone needs to understand is that most ALL of us are investors in the stock exchange and are stockholders in some of these major companies that are under attack.
If you have a retirement fund, 401(k), or even an insurance policy, you are investing in and a stockholder in oil companies, minerals, pharmaceutical companies, timber companies, etc. When the government complains that these companies are making too much money or need to be taxed more, they are talking to YOU.
No one person owns these companies – they are owned by the stockholders who have invested in some way in the company. So, when the stock prices fall, you lose money if your retirement fund has invested money in them. And sometimes these investments may be through other investment companies and you don’t even know you are a shareholder.
If a corporation is lucky enough to make a profit, those funds are either paid out in dividends to their stockholders or reinvested in the company (operating costs, salaries, production, research and development, etc). Depending on how your retirement funds are handled you will either make or lose money. For those of us who are already retired and currently receiving those benefits, our future income relates to the stock market.
Also, the majority of businesses in the United States are small businesses owned by individuals. Most of them file their company taxes on their individual income taxes. Think about the people you do business with: hairdressers, plumbers, electricians, small landscape companies, auto repair, etc. But now, the government wants to increase taxes on them.
Last week’s edition of the CCN had a lot of interesting news in it about new businesses, the progress of the animal shelter, and one item that really struck a cord with me. In the “History of The CCN,” they were working on improving the ambulance service in Coosa County! Well, here we are, still trying to get ambulance service in Rockford that can service the southern and western sides of the county.
The ambulance itself should be here anytime (if it’s not already here). Sheldon Hutcherson has done a great job getting the grant done and approved so he is now working on setting up the administrative side of it. With the elderly population of Coosa County, the lakes on both sides of the county and the lack of medical care locally available, ambulances need to be available in more than one area of the county. Let’s hope this new effort will make the changes that were needed 30 years ago!
One other thing in last week’s edition was the reorganization of the Ray VFD! This is MUCH needed for the residents in that area. Insurance premiums are based on the distance a home or business is from a fire department, and many people in that coverage area have been hit by huge increases in their insurance in the last few years.
We have many outstanding volunteers in our county, but, again, we have an aging population and desperately need younger people to step in to help. And it’s not all about fighting fires – there are other things that need to be done that women and older people can help with!
And speaking of volunteers, they are needed in other areas in Coosa County. The Neighborhood Watch groups are an extension of a program organized years ago by the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office, and they can always use more people to attend the meetings and participate in activities. The same goes for our churches, the County Extension Office, Flagg Mountain, and activities that are sponsored by other groups.
We also have many new people moving in to Coosa County, and hopefully some of them will consider helping. Neighbors helping neighbors is what it is all about – especially in small rural areas who cannot afford for the governments to pay for all the services we want and/or deserve.
We have a couple of people planning to come interview people on the history of Flagg Mountain and the Weogufka area. If you are interested in participating please go to the Weogufka Friends Facebook page for more information. Or, they will be available at Farm Day to meet with people.
One unexpected event happened last week that I want to share with you. Retired Probate Judge Terry Mitchell resigned as the chair of the Coosa County Republican Party, and as of this past Monday I have stepped back into this position TEMPORARILY until our Executive Committee meeting after the election in November.
Our priority will be helping all of our Republican candidates leading up to the general election in November. Please see an article in this edition of “The Coosa County News” for information on our public meeting on Monday, August 22, and put it on your calendar.
Also, another volunteer opportunity is getting involved with our county party. Attend our monthly meetings, volunteer to serve on our Executive Committee, or even volunteer to run for an office on our Executive Committee. We are another one of the aging groups and need people with fresh ideas and passion to join us.
God bless you all, and please remember to pray for our nation.