February 2015
Basin Business Impressions Marketing has new digs in Westwind Village — Page 5
Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, Herald and News
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KLAMATH BASIN
Business
Modern makeover:
Winema Electric & Woodland Lighting
Cindy Schmech is the owner of Woodland Lighting, which is profiled as part of the Hoss Building in this edition of Basin Business.
Message from the Chamber president — Page 2
See details — Page 4
Economic Summit II at Ross Ragland — Page 3
A publication of the Herald & News
www.klamath.org
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Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, Herald and News
Basin Business
Message from the president
Leadership can resolve conflicts facing the Basin
traits that I’ve learned from those From a professional standpoint, I now have I most admire and do my best to 26 years of experience in water resources emulate: engineering and policy matters. n A willingness to tackle the Since the mid-1990s, I have worked pritough issues; marily in advocacy positions representing Western irrigators, including 10 years as n The gift to honor differences; executive director of the Family Farm Allin The ability to openly commuance, over three years as executive director nicate; of the Klamath Water Users Association n A demonstrated readiness to (KWUA), and four years at the Northern stand up for other leaders; California Water Association. n A commitment to building In my decade at the Alliance, the organizaand sustaining strong relationtion has been asked to testify (by both parships; ties) before Congress 45 times. n The ability to integrate I think this is some of the best evidence I diverse perspectives and endorse can point to which supports how our organia philosophy of trust, collaboration zation is viewed nationally and acceptance; as a leader in the Western n Personal responsibility; water arena. n The energy to cultivate new I have lived in numerand sometimes non-traditional ous communities in several Submitted photo friendships; states during the course of n And a willingness to elevate my life and career. EveryA view of Upper Klamath Lake can be seen from the Moore Park walking from being in a leadership posiwhere I’ve lived, I’ve been trail. Cooperation among various leaders and groups in the Basin can tion to becoming a true leader. fairly active in community help develop the region for the betterment of all. affairs. However, before It sometimes seems our commoving to Klamath Falls in 2001, Klamath Falls City School bond measure, political munity is in a constant state of conflict. However, campaigns in support of leaders who I believe will Keppen most of those activities were tied, I’ve learned that distress sometimes brings out best serve our community, as well as initiatives directly or indirectly, to my work. the best in true leaders. in support of the important Klamath water settleThat changed significantly when I moved to In the past year, encouraging developments ment agreements and the current effort to fund Klamath Falls. My first few years in the Klamath have sprung up that give me true, enthusiastic public safety improvements in the community. Basin were very stressful and intense, as KWUA I chaired the Klamath County Natural Resourc- hope for our community. was in the midst of one of the most controversial, The Economic Development Summit is coming es Advisory Committee, which provides guidance high-profile water conflicts in the country. together and many local organizations are getting to our county commissioners. I also served on the After the devastating water curtailment of involved to tackle key challenges. We are seeing a advisory committee for the Henley High School 2001, KWUA and other leaders in the local comlocal momentum shift in favor of a historic water agricultural and vocational education program. munity and our elected officials managed to keep agreement. On the national level, I served three years on the water flowing to the farmers in the ensuing years. Irrigation Association board of directors. The Klamath IDEA (business incubator), KlamWhen I stepped down from KWUA in 2005 to ath Works, the Downtown Association and Main I currently serve on the board of directors for start my own business, I felt a debt of gratitude for the national Clean Water America Alliance and Street Re-development, a more engaged business a community that openly shared its appreciation community and a revitalized Klamath County was appointed by the state of Colorado to the for the work we had accomplished during a very Economic Development Assocaition, expansion of agricultural water conservation work group as contentious period. Oregon Institute of Technology and Oregon Health part of the Bureau of Reclamation’s “Next Steps” Sciences University and the Klamath Community In fact, the work-related award I most cherish is phase of the Colorado River Basin Study process. College workforce development program are all the “First Citizen” award presented to me by the I am also a senior fellow for the American Leadercoming together at the same time, and the time Chamber of Commerce in 2005. ship Forum of Oregon and a proud Paul Harris couldn’t be better. Fellow member of the Klamath County Rotary Prior to 2005, much of my “civic duty” commitI look forward to working with the Chamber in Club. I’m truly honored to begin my term as the ments were applied in a variety of local, regional the coming year as our organization seeks to lead, new president of the Klamath County Chamber of and national water and environmental endeavors, connect and advocate on behalf of the local busiCommerce board of directors, after serving on the where I felt I could best apply my talents. After ness community. board for more than a decade. stepping down from KWUA, that changed. I felt an immense sense of gratitude toward this comThe current Chamber leadership team has the So — with all that background laid out, I feel munity that I wanted to pay back in terms of a skills, I believe, to forge truly effective solutions like I can begin to articulate my thoughts on leadmuch more local sense of “civic duty.” ership, and share my perspective on what I believe to the really tough challenges we face, based on a foundation of strong leadership, listening, collaboare the skills that make better leaders. I’ve been In the past 10 years, I’ve been involved in a ration and networking. honored to work with leaders at all levels, and variety of local political referendums, includbelieve me, we have some amazing, courageous ing two bond measures to fund Klamath County School District improvements (I chaired the politi- leaders in this community who set a great examDan Keppen, Chamber board president cal action committee for the failed 2006 effort); the ple for others to follow. These are the leadership
Basin Business
Economic summit Wednesday n Globally recognized expert on community economics speaking at investment summit Local organizations are preparing for an economic summit focused on local investment opportunities and strategies Wecnesday, Feb. 25 from noon to 5 p.m. at The Ross Ragland Theater Cultural Center. This event follows the “Economic Summit: A Vision Forward” held in July 2014 and addresses the actions needed to improve local opportunities identified at the 2014 event. The summit is open to anyone interested in learning more about economic development investments at the local level but seating Shuman is limited and pre-registration is required. The summit keynote speaker will be economist, attorney, author, and entrepreneur Michael H. Shuman. Michael is a globally recognized expert on community economics. He is one of the architects of the crowdfunding reforms that became part the “JOBS Act,” signed into law by President Barack Obama in April 2012. Shuman is currently director of community portals for mission markets and a fellow at Cutting Edge Capital. He’s also a founding board member of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies. The Economic Summit is sponsored by Klamath Community Development Corporation and the Ford Family Foundation as part of an ongoing community education process to engage stakeholders and the public in a conversation about vision and resources, and gathering local input. “This event is another step in building local economic development infrastructure that directly supports home grown activities”, says Charles “Chip” Massie, executive director of the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce. “Klamath is beginning to pivot to a very local model for job creation, business retention and sup-
Contact us: Klamath County Chamber of Commerce 205 Riverside Drive, Suite A Klamath Falls, OR 97603 Office: 541-884-5193 Fax: 541-884-5195 Charles “Chip” Massie: Executive Director cmassie@klamath.org
port, workforce training, and understanding other opportunities available locally to spur growth. It is a very exciting time,” Massie said. Additional information to be shared at the event includes; an overview of Oregon’s new local unaccredited investor program, Hatch Oregon; Klamath resources, such as, Small Business Development Center and Southcentral Oregon Economic Development District; and an open panel discussion between participants and presenters. Local sponsors include; Klamath Community College’s Small Business Development Center, SCOEDD, Klamath County Chamber of Commerce, Klamath IDEA, Klamath County Economic Development Association, and Hatch Oregon. For additional information and online registration go to www.klamath.org, or call the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce at 541-884-5193.
Agenda Economic Summit II – Local Investing Feb. 25 noon to 5 p.m. The Ross Ragland Theater Cultural Center Agenda 11:30 — Doors open & lunch Noon — Seat participants 12:15 — Welcome & housekeeping items 12:30 — Intro Michael Shuman Shuman’s presentation, Q & A 2 — Break 2:15 —Amy Pearl Hatch Presentation and Q&A 3 — Local Entrepreneurs Video 3:15 — SCOEDD & SBDC Presentations 3:50 — Break 4:05 — Final panel discussion with all presenters led by Michael Shuman 4:55 — Acknowledgements
Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, Herald and News
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Speakers forum broadcast at OIT
The Klamath County Chamber of Commerce is hosting Maximum Impact Leadercast for the sixth year. Community and business leaders can access the knowledge and experience of worldrenowned leaders by attending Leadercast at Oregon Tech in Klamath Falls on May 8. Leadercast exists to positively change the way the world thinks about leadership. This year’s theme — The Brave Ones — challenges leaders to lead with a sense of bravery, unrelenting boldness. Bring your friends or team members to experience Leadercast and discover what it means to be a leader worth following. The Leadercast event is broadcast live from Atlanta to hundreds of sites around the world, including Klamath Falls. This year’s speaker lineup includes: n Andy Stanley — Leadership author and communicator n Malala Yousafzai — Nobel Laureate; Founder, The Malala Fund n Ed Catmull — President of Pixar & Disney Animation Studios n Seth Godin — Best-selling author n Rudy Giuliani — 107th Mayor of New York City (1993-2001) n Aja Brown — Mayor, City of Compton n Bill McDermott — CEO of SAP AG n Cmdr. Rorke Denver — Navy SEAL Commander and Author n Bill and Giuliana Rancic — Award-Winning Personalities & Co-Hosts of Leadercast. “It is one of the single most consolidated sources of leadership that I know of,” said Heather Tramp, the Chamber’s marketing and program coordinator. For more information, visit klamath.org or call 541-884-5193. Sponsors are Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union, Cal-Ore Communications and Pacific Power.
Heather Tramp: Marketing and Program Coordinator Email: heathert@klamath.org www.klamath.org
Mark Fay, M.D. Scott Stevens, M.D. Physician/ Surgeon of the Eye Physician/ Surgeon of the Eye
Edwin Tuhy, O.D. Optometrist
Jennifer Sparks, O.D. Optometrist
www.facebook.com/Klamath Chamber twitter.com/AccessKlamath
New Patients Welcome
2640 Biehn St. • 541.884.3148 • www.klamatheyecenter.com
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Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, Herald and News
Basin Business
Business spotlight:
The Hoss building at 735 Commercial Street houses a variety of businesses as well as Winema Electric and Woodland Lighting. The rebuilt site dates back to the early 1920s.
Winema Electric & Woodland Lighting
H&N staff photos
Growth in solar energy, new technologies, home decor helps firms weather recession
Winema Electric, Inc.: Owner, William L Schmeck Woodland Lighting, Inc.: Owner Cindy Schmeck Location: Both at 735 Commercial Street In Business: for over 35 years for Winema and six years for Woodland How has the business changed over the years? Winema Electric: We have strived to meet and exceed the needs of the community and our industry by staying current with technology, safety, training and energy options. Woodland Lighting: We started out as a lighting store, but as we saw there were more needs in the community, we expanded to add home décor, accent furniture and gifts. This year we will be adding some custom furniture. What trends in your line of business are you seeing right now: Winema: Energy efficiency-lighting retrofits, solar and wind power. Woodland: Expanded product lines. Many lighting showroom have expanded to include product lines. We are seeing reclaimed wood in the furniture world and Lots of LED lighting in the lighting world. Plans and visions for the future: Winema: As an electrical contractor we are still suffering the consequences of the decline of construction in our community. We have diversified to include solar work and are continually looking for ways to be more efficient, highly skilled and professional. In doing this we have prepared ourselves to be the front runner as the construction industry continues to improve. Our goal is secure more work, create living wage jobs and grow in 2015. Woodland: Expansion. Bringing in a variety of products to meet the needs of the community: Lighting, some plumbing, art, furniture, home décor and more. We hope to expand to add more living wage jobs. Why are we a Chamber member; What is the benefit of Chamber membership? Winema and Woodland: We are members of the Chamber, because we believe that the local Chamber of Commerce is our best voice to community leaders. What is your vision for the future of our community — in a word growth? Winema and Woodland: We believe in order for any community to survive, it must grow. We must always be raising the bar, looking for ways to improve the businesses, creating more living wage jobs, thus improving the quality of life for everyone. In doing this, we will attract more businesses to our community — and it will grow. Creating jobs, creates prosperity for the individual and the community.
Submitted photo
Phillip Aguon, left, nephew of Bill Schmeck and one of the lead journeymen for Winema Electrict, and owner and presdient, Bill Schmeck, stand in front of photos of Hoss, the mascot for the two businesses located on Commercial Street.
Woodland had previously focused on lighting, said owner Cindy Schmeck, but home decor, above, has come to the forefront in customer demand.
Basin Business
New member profile:
Sara Irvine is the owner of Impressions Design and Marketing in the WestWind Village mall.
H&N staff photo
term advertising for any medium. Detail your business background: Impressions Design and Marketing is owned by Sara Irvine, a long-time Klamath Falls resident, who graduated from a local, private high school and went on to study communication and marketing at Oregon Institute of Technology. Her work history shows increasing experience and responsibility in marketing and public relations with a local furniture store, as well as Sky Lakes Medical Center. Irvine has been invited to showcase her work at prestigious events, such as the HOW Live Design Conference. Her desire to stay on top of the newest trends pushes her to research, travel and network with agencies from around the nation to ensure Impressions Design and Marketing is offering the best marketing efforts to its clients. How do you see your business developing? We have seen such growth since the beginning of Impressions Design. Our increased business created the opportunity to move from a home-based business, utilizing contract workers, to having a storefront agency in 2014 with multiple employees. As we grow, we continue to gain attention from local businesses as well as companies from outside Klamath Falls — even outside Oregon. The more we grow, the better it is for our local economy; to help fuel local businesses.
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Colucci joins AmeriTitle
Impressions Design & Marketing New member: Sara Irvine, Owner of Impressions Design and Marketing Business address: 2650 Washburn Way, Suite 150 C, Klamath Falls, OR 97603 Phone: 541-892-5657 Website: Impressionsdesign. com What was your motivation in opening this business? Klamath Falls has amazing businesses that would benefit from amazing advertising. We felt we could offer that opportunity for the area. We know Klamath Falls. We knew we could showcase local businesses and help them earn more customers while retaining their loyal ones. There were some marketing techniques and avenues that we had not seen being utilized, so we wanted to offer a one-stop-shop for design, advertising, photography, video and website management. Tell us about your goals and marketing strategies: Our goal is to become the preeminent advertising agency for Southern Oregon. We want to help local businesses grow and retain their customer base. We are dedicated to providing creative, high-quality advertising and design work. We market ourselves as an agency that does big things in a personal way. We use social media, community sponsorships and direct introductions to market ourselves to the community. Our web portfolio showcases some of our larger projects. What makes your business unique or different? As a full-service agency, we are able to help create a consistent branding message for our clients. We get to know our clients and their customers in ways that matter. We are able to communicate a business’ message on paper, television, radio and websites in a fluent manner. And because we offer so many specialties under one roof, we are able to develop meaningful relationships with our clients that translates into effective, long-
Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, Herald and News
Other business details: We invest in Klamath Falls. Not only do we make every effort to shop locally for any possible service, we are actively involved in supporting area youth and education through sponsorships, guest teaching and internships. We are also proud members of the Chamber of Commerce.
AmeriTitle of Klamath Falls has recently added Cindy Colucci to its team as its business development representative. Colucci brings to the table more than 13 years of real estate experience both as running prominent agencies and being licensed in New Jersey. She’s also the owner of a health and wellness business. “I’m extremely happy to be working at AmeriTitle. I pride myself on outstanding customer service and helping others and I’m looking forward to meeting and working with everyone; along with involvement in the community.” A self-proclaimed Jersey Colucci girl having grown up on the New Jersey shore, she recently “transplanted” to the area in December of last year and is very happy to now call Klamath Falls her new home. She has two grown children, Phil and Lindsay Vitillo, and a golden retriever, Logan. She’s the daughter of the late Raymond Driscoll Sr. of Chiloquin, sister of Ray Driscoll Jr., and sister-in-law of Jan Driscoll of Klamath Falls.
Do you own or manage rental properties? • Ever had a tenant pay the rent late or not at all? • Has your property been damaged by a tenant? • Do you need rental forms? • Are you looking to save money when upgrading or repairing your property? • Are you aware of the Fair Housing regulations? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, find out how the Klamath Rental Owners Association can help you. JOIN TODAY!
4509 South 6th St. #314 www.KlamathROA.com
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Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, Herald and News
Basin Business
Bookie Joint: Books at bargain prices
The Bookie Joint, the used book store of the Friends of the Klamath County Library, was started in 1994. Jean Elzner, a Klamath county commissioner, designated the garage of the library as the book store for the Friends. Following a naming contest, volunteers shelved hundreds of library withdrawals and the store opened for business every Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. Donations from the public were encouraged and expanded the store’s inventory. Ten years later, the store added Saturdays, from noon to 4 p.m. to its hours. Friends of the Klamath County Library, a non-profit group, encourages reading in the community. It is not part of the county library system but it does provide financial support to the library for adult and children’s programs not funded by taxes. Membership in the Friends, which is $5 a year, is a great way to support your library. The Bookie Joint, which is staffed by volunteers, is the Friends major source of income. A large assortment of adult and children’s books, both fiction and non-fiction, are available with prices ranging from 10 cents to $1. To find the Bookie Joint, walk down Second Street between Main Submitted photo and Klamath Avenue on any Wednesday or Saturday afternoon. Look for Max Baker keeps an eye the wealth of used books at the Bookie Joint. signs on the sidewalk and on the door.
Business in brief Free tax preparation workshops offered Free tax counseling and preparation for lowand middle-income taxpayers with special attention to those 50 years old and older will be provided by AARP Tax-Aide now through April 15, according to a news release. Membership in AARP is not required. It will be at four sites: n St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 801 Jefferson St., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday on a first-come, first-serve basis with Spanish speaking counselors and interpreters available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. n Klamath County Library, Third Street and Klamath Avenue, from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday on a first-come, first-served basis. n Chiloquin branch of the Klamath County Library, 104 S. First St. in Chiloquin, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday on a first-come, firstserved basis. n Klamath Basin Senior Citizens Center, 2045 Arthur St., Tuesday and Thursday by appointment only. Taxpayers receiving the service are asked to bring their 2013 tax return, a photo ID, Social Security numbers for them and their dependents, and health insurance coverage information for everyone listed on their returns. If coverage was
purchased from Marketplace/Exchange, they will receive a form 1095A and will need to bring it in. If they applied for an exemption through Marketplace/Exchange, they will need to bring in the exemption codes received. For joint returns, both husband and wife should come in. For more information, call Paul at 541-810-0025.
Business forum draws host of experts to Portland A number of the Portland area’s most well known and successful business owners and some of Wells Fargo’s national small business experts will share their experience and advice at the free “Start. Run. Grow. Business Conference.” The event is 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at the Portland Hilton. Wells Fargo is hosting the event in conjunction with the Portland Business Journal. Those interested in attending should register online at bit.ly/WFargoPBJ-Event. The conference will feature three panels of local business owners and experts who will discuss how to start, run and grow a business. The 12 panelists run companies that include Health Wright Products, Jamba Juice & Cinnabon, Geffin Mesher, Cupcake Jones, Oodles 4 Kids, Delap, Salt & Straw, Alta Planning + Design, and Pacific Seafoods.
Cherpeski to address entrepreneurs today Klamath Falls City Manager Nathan Cherpeski will be the guest speaker at the weekly Klamath Entrepreneur Meetup Group, which meets at Klamath Community College each Thursday. He will speak today, Feb. 19 on future growth, innovation and entrepreneurship. The group meets at 5 p.m. every Thursday in Building 6 at KCC. The room number will be posted on the whiteboard at the Building 6 entrance. Anyone interested is invited to attend and more information about upcoming meetings is available at meetup.com/Klamath-EntrepreneurMeetup.
Broadway’s the theme for Ross Ragland Romp The 11th Annual Ragland Theater Red Tie Romp dinner and fundraiser is Saturday night, Feb. 21, starting at 5:30 p.m. It’s an evening of celebration and Broadway’s best as we raise a glass (and our bidder numbers) to support the arts, said Mark McCrary, executive director of the Ross Ragland.
Basin Business
Herald and News circulation director takes on expanded duties Bill Shannon, circulation and production director for the Herald and News, has taken on additional sales duties for the entire Pioneer News Group, the parent company for the H&N, based in Seattle. Shannon takes on the role of Retail Sales and Single Copy Strategic Director for the company. Shannon was promoted along with Skagit Publishing circulation director, Manny Nevarez, who will over see home delivery strategies for the company. Based in Klamath Falls, Shannon will work with other circulation executives to identify areas of opportunity, develop new marketing and acquisition plans, strengthen newspaper readership retention efforts. Nevarez started his career in 1992 establishing TMC delivery for Gannet’s Spanish-language publications, and has worked his way through nearly every level of circulation management. Since then, he has led successful efforts in markets across the coun-
try for companies like Gannett and Knight Ridder. With Pioneer since 2009, Nevarez has managed daily and weekly circulation efforts for Skagit Publishing and has been a key member of its Shannon executive team. Shannon came to Pioneer in early 2014 with more than 35 years in the circulation sales and management profession, leading successful company-wide efforts for Gannett and Lee in markets across the country. He is also in charge of the H&N production, press and mailroom operations. He has fast become a key member of the Klamath Falls Herald andNews executive team, and his recent data-driven efforts have resulted in positive single copy numbers at the Herald and News.
New Chamber Members
Klamath County School District 541-883-5000 Klamath Open Door Family Practice 541-851-8110 Laize Dayz Yarn & Tea Shoppe 541-887-8560 Nickel Want Ads 541-883-2292 The Oregon Gift Store 541-884-1600 Platt Electric Supply 541-882-2379 Shaw Stationery 541-882-2586 SHRM-Soc of Human Resource Mgmt 541-892-6490 Solutions Life Enhancement Center 541-885-4548 Sonberg Co LLC 541-382-3678 The Ledge/Yeti’s Lair 541-8825586 TimberMill Shores 541-884-3177 United Way 541-882-5558 Wells Fargo & Company 541-883-4331 WGS Financial Services, LLC 541-882-4577 Winema Electric 541-884-7796 Winger’s 541-273-9464
Asurion K’z Purple Onion Stacy and Dennis IT Solutions Big Boy BBQ Iconicontent The Chopping Block
Anniversary Members American Red Cross & Blood Donation 541-779-3773 Big R 541-882-5548 E3Live/Klamath Algae Products 541-273-2212 FlipKey.com 617-849-8883 Friends of the Children — Klamath Basin 541-273-2022 Goodwill, Southern Oregon 541-884-9642 Henris Roofing & Supply of Or gon Inc. 541-884-6161 Jeff Houston 541-363-6427 JM Solutions LLC 541-884-8822
Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, Herald and News
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Women may face extra challenges in seeking financial security
On March 8, we observe International Women’s Day. On this occasion, thousands of events across the world will honor the cultural, political and social achievements of women. Even here in the United States, women encounter more obstacles than men in the pursuit of financial security, particularly in seeking a comfortable retirement lifestyle. So if you are a woman — regardless of your marital status – you will need to be aware of these challenges and take steps to overcome them. Let’s consider a few of these challenges and some possible solutions: Challenge: Women spend more time out of the workforce and accumulate less money in 401(k) plans. Women spend an average of 12 years out of the workforce caring for children or elderly parents, compared with less than two years for men, according to the Social Security Administration. This time away from work can translate into less money in retirement plans – in fact, women’s average 401(k) balance is only about two-thirds as large as men’s, according to a study by Fidelity Investments. Potential solution: Take full advantage of your 401(k) and IRA. Your care-giving obligations are an issue to be decided by you, your spouse and perhaps other family members. But while you are working, contribute as much as you possibly can to your 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored plan. Also, try to fully fund your IRA each year. Challenge: Women typically live more years in retirement and depend more heavily on Social Security. Women reaching age 65 are expected to live, on average, an additional 21.6 years, compared with 19.3 years for men, according to the Social Security Administration, which also reports that the average annual Social Security income received by women 65 years and older was about $12,500. Furthermore, Social Security comprises about 50 percent of the total income for unmarried women age 65 and older, compared to just 36 percent for elderly men. Potential solution: To become less dependent on Social Security, create a sustainable withdrawal strategy for your investment portfolio. Social Security was designed to supplement one’s retirement income, not replace it. Consequently, it’s essential that you make full use of your other sources of income, such as your 401(k), IRA and other investment accounts. To make this money last, you’ll need to create a sustainable withdrawal strategy early in your retirement — and stick to it. Challenge: Women are far more likely than men to need some type of long-term care. More than two-thirds of nursing home residents are women, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. And the average cost for a private room in a nursing home is more than $87,000 per year, according to the 2014 Cost of Care Survey produced by Genworth, a financial services company. Typically, Medicare covers only a small percentage of these costs. Potential solution: Prepare in advance for long-term care expenses. Long-term care costs can be enormous, but you do have some protectionrelated options for meeting these costs. Check with your financial advisor to learn which of these choices might be most appropriate for your situation. These aren’t the only financial issues facing women, but they do give you a good idea of what you may be facing. So, be proactive in meeting these challenges – because there’s actually a lot you can do. Meredith Hoffman financial advisor, Edward Jones
1307 S. Alameda Ave., Suite B Klamath Falls, OR 97603-3601
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Basin Business
Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, Herald and News
Paid Advertisement
February 2015 Newsletter for Oregon State Senator Doug Whitsett, District 28 Senator Doug Whitsett
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-311 Salem, OR 97301 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1728
R-Klamath Falls - District 28 I represent the citizens of Senate District 28, which includes Klamath, Lake and Crook, as well as parts of Jackson and Deschutes Counties. As Senator of one of the largest Senate districts in the state, it is extremely important that my constituents remain in contact with me about the issues and concerns that affect their lives. You and I must work together to protect the common interests of rural Oregonians. I encourage you to contact my office by either email or telephone so that I can know how to best serve you. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Best Regards, Senator Doug Whitsett
Newsletters: www.leg.state.or.us/whitsett Email Senator Doug Whitsett: sen.dougwhitsett@state.or.us
SB 326 IS ABOUT TO CAUSE YOUR GAS PRICES TO SKYROCKET! A public hearing on Senate Bill 324, the adoption of an Oregon Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), was scheduled for the very first day of the 2015 Legislative Assembly. The timing of the hearing appears to signal that the majority party simply cannot wait to test its newfound supermajority voting muscle. This issue cuts much deeper than politics. LCFS is prominently, specifically and directly named in the U.S. Department of Justice’s subpoena, pursuant to its investigation of former governor John Kitzhaber and his girlfriend, Cylvia Hayes. LCFS was first enacted by a Democrat supermajority in 2009 through the passage of HB 2186. That bill passed without a single Republican vote in either the House or Senate, and was also opposed by some Democrats in those chambers. HB 2186 granted broad authority to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and evaluate similar programs being done by the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the states of California and Washington. It also defined the term “low carbon fuel standards” and allowed DEQ to adopt, by rule, standards for gasoline, diesel and fuels that could be used as substitutes for them. Those standards are also applied to greenhouse gas emissions that could be attributed to fuels throughout their lifecycle, including their production, storage and transportation. The law required that its provisions expire, or sunset, at the end of 2015. No fewer than three bills, SB 488, HB 2237 and HB 2791, were introduced during the 2013 regular sessions to extend the sunset. All three failed to pass. The alleged purpose of the LCFS is to reduce the “carbon intensity” of fossil fuels. Once implemented, the standard would maximize the blending of so-called lower intensity alternative fuels into standard gasoline and diesel. Producers of ethanol, biodiesel and other biofuels will be given “carbon intensity credits” for their production of “renewable” energy products. Conventional suppliers of gasoline and diesel will be forced to purchase these “carbon intensity credits” to “mitigate” their carbon dioxide emissions. Proponents of LCFS originally stated that the primary reason for its implementation is to artificially increase the price of fossil fuels. Their stated reason is to incentivize the use of alternative fuels and encourage other modes of transportation. The only question is how much harm this intentional fuel price increase and attempted market transformation under LCFS will inflict on Oregonians. One fact is abundantly clear: Everyone that purchases gasoline and diesel fuel will ultimately be required to pay the increased costs resulting from the purchase of those carbon
intensity credits. DEQ estimates that applying the low carbon fuel standard’s artificial cost enhancements to fossil fuels will increase the price of gasoline from 4 to 19 cents per gallon at the pump. However, consumer user groups are estimating the cost of compliance with the low carbon fuel standard to be much closer to $1 per gallon of fuel. A four cent covert gas tax will cost Oregonians about $104 million per year. Six cents will calculate to an annual cost of $156 million. The highest DEQ estimate, of 19 cents per gallon, will add nearly half a billion dollars to Oregon fuel costs at the pump. Thirty cents will cost about three-quarters of a billion dollars each year. Finally, $1.06 would cost Oregonians an astounding $2.8 billion, at the pump, each year. The hidden fuel tax would be rolled seamlessly into the price at the pump, because under the current provisions of the bill, no notification of the covert tax is required to be provided to consumers. Most Oregonians won’t even realize that they are paying an extra $2 to $20 to fill up their gas tanks. In a recent article, the Oregonian editorial board stated: “What has always been misguided policy, driven by misrepresentation from the governor’s office on down, now carries a depressingly familiar stink…the low-carbon-fuel standard is opaque and costly…it is a roundabout way of taxing gasoline and diesel fuels to subsidize alternative road fuels such as ethanol, biodiesel, and other biofuels.” I have to categorically agree with the editorial board’s opinion that “opacity sold by half-truths is cause for alarm.” It is no surprise that the producers of these alternative fuels are among the strongest supporters of the low carbon fuel standard. They will also receive virtually all the direct financial benefit from the hidden fuel tax. Our understanding is that there are currently 15 companies that supply the kinds of fuels that would qualify as producing the kind of “renewable” fuel under LCFS. Of those, 13 are located out of state. All the money that will go to those companies under SB 324 will never go towards paving a single mile of road or repairing a pothole anywhere in Oregon. At the end of the day, the low carbon fuel standard is not really about saving the planet. Oregonians comprise only about five ten thousandths (0.0005) of the global populace and only 1.3 percent of the population of the United States. Even the complete elimination of ALL Oregon greenhouse gas emissions would not result in a measurable difference in global emissions. The low carbon fuel standard proposed under SB 324 is not
about social justice, either. Families living at or near poverty levels spend the highest percentage of their income for energy. In fact, Oregon’s poorest families will suffer the greatest harm by forcing artificial and unaffordable increases in energy prices upon them. Put quite simply, using corn as fuel instead of fuel is bad public policy. Leaders around the globe are realizing that biofuel production threatens global food security. It is among the worst forms of social injustice, because it grossly distorts the price of both energy and food. People in poverty spend the preponderance of their resources on those two commodities, food and energy. These kinds of policies will only serve to perpetuate the kind of inequality that social justice proponents claim to be fighting against. The low carbon fuel standard represents little more than a political scheme to social-engineer huge subsidies for alternative fuel suppliers. Not surprisingly, many of those fuel suppliers provide enormous political contributions to compliant politicians. The low carbon fuel standard is a political partisan issue. I do not expect a single Republican to vote to enact the standard. The only way it can be created is by a party-line Democrat majority vote. SB 324 passed the Senate on Tuesday, February 17 on a party-line vote following more than two hours of debate. Oregonians concerned about this misguided policy would be wise to contact their state representatives to urge them to oppose SB 326. The outcome of this legislative session will depend largely upon participation from the public. That’s especially important, as an emergency clause currently attached to the bill would make it effective immediately upon passage and prevent citizens from being able to challenge and repeal the law through the referendum process. People need to make their voices heard; otherwise, we may end up with laws like SB 326 that will ultimately undermine the prosperity and well-being of working families throughout the state. Please remember, if we do not stand up for rural Oregon no one will. Best regards, Doug Follow the link below to subscribe to an electronic version of my weekly legislative newsletter updates: https://public.govdelivery. com/accounts/ORLEG/subscriber/new?topic_id=ORLEG_30.