Friday, July 27, 2007 - Ron A. Smith to update Rotarians on Social Security matters

UC Social Security Manager Ron A. Smith Visits

    Today, Ron A. Smith, the new manager of the Union City Social Security Office will be our guest speaker—discussing the Social Security program in general with an emphasis on Medicare Part D and Prescription Drug plans.
   Ron hails from Memphis. He was born the fifth of seven children to Gale and Renia Smith and is a graduate of Memphis Central High School and LeMoyne-Owen College, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics (Magna Cum Laude).
   During his talk today, Ron will discuss the future of Social Security—the major source of income for most of the elderly.   SS will get its biggest test in a few years when fewer and fewer Americans will be asked to support an elderly population that will grow with the retirement of our Baby Boomers.  This year alone, nearly 50-million Americans will receive over $602 billion in SS benefits.    

Exchange Students Rachel Triplett  & Julia Schulz

  Next week, Rotarians welcome Youth Exchange Students Rachel Triplett and Julia Schulz, who will report on their recent visits to Germany and the United States.
   Rachel is the 17-year old daughter of Teri and Dr. Jeff Triplett of Union City.  She will be a senior at Union City High School.
   Julia is the 17-year old daughter of Connie and Lothar Schulz o Mellrichstadt, Bavaria. She attends Martin-Pollich Gymnasium (high school).
   Rotary International says the most powerful force in the promotion of international understanding and peace is exposure to different cultures.  The world becomes a smaller, friendlier place when we learn that all people—regardless of nationality—desire the same basic things—a safe and comfortable environment that allows for a rich and satisfying life for our children and ourselves. Welcome girls!

Rep. Phillip Pinion Reports on General Assembly

     Last  week, State Rep. Phillip Pinion addressed his fellow Union City Rotarians on the just completed first session of the 105th Tennessee General Assembly.
   “We had a good session,” Pinion said.  “Education was our top priority with lots of money earmarked for K-12 and teacher benefits.”
   Pinion, who was introduced as having remained “indictment-free” during his 18 years in the Legislature, has managed to rise in seniority during an era in which colleagues are seen being herded off in handcuffs by FBI agents for various abuses of power and criminal acts.
   While education is getting a lot of legislative attention these days, the lawmakers are making sure that teachers are becoming more accountable than ever efore.  Phillip said be believes teachers will become “full-fledged state employees” in the not-too-distant future.
   “We cut the sales tax on food by one-half cent while raising the cigarette tax by 42-cents,” Pinion reported. 
   He talked about the state of prisons in Tennessee and the fact that federal judges mandate many of the changes lawmakers are forced to enact on modern times.  He bemoaned the fact that it costs Tennessee about $57,000 a year to house a state prisoner for one year while the state spends just a tenth of that to educate its K-12 students.
   Pinion, who is chairman of the House Transportation Committee, updated the many road projects in the area, including
I-69 and Highway 45-W between Union City and Kenton.  He told how he and other local officials worked to secure money for a new $4.75 million connection for Everett Stewart Airport to Highway 22—even though some local bickering nearly botched the entire project.
   Pinion concluded by discussing his support of toll road projects in the state to help local communities speed up the process of building much-needed roads and bridges when they so desired.  He reported that state officials are now looking at the possibility to turning one lane of traffic on I-40 into a toll road for truckers.
   Thanks Rep. Pinion for you report.

Coming Attractions

8/10        Mike Rinker—Recent Participation   
               in Spanish Aeronautics Show
8/17        UTM Football Coach Jason Simpson
8/24        UCHS Football Coach Jimmy Fishel
8/31        Bill Lawrence—Pre History and Archeology of Reelfoot Lake
9/7          TBA
9/14        Congressman John Tanner
9/21        Dr. Shirley Raines—President of the University of Memphis & Former
                President of Memphis Chamber of Commerce
 

 Happy Birthdays

7/27      Victor Castro
7/29      Bill Simrell
7/31      Skipper Bondurant
7/31      Scott Gilliam

       Happy Anniversaries

7/29      Randy and Debbie Chism
7/29      Bill and Linda Simrell
7/31      Bruce and Roma Culver
7/31      Jimmy and Barbara Jones
8/1        Steve and Nancy Raines
8/1        Jim and Martha Rippy, Jr.
8/1        Bart and Jean Ann White
8/2        Harold and Glenda Cozart
8/2        Portis and Cindy Tanner

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