EAST TEXAS REVIEW NEWSPAPER

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 NIV

C O M M U N I T Y,

E D U C A T I O N ,

B U S I N E S S ,

P O L I T I C S

&

R E L I G I O N

Complimentary Copy

Vol. 29

February 20-27, 2020

Johnnie Johnson, Unity Honoree proudly displays her award

Houston Texas Mayor Sylvester Turner Endorses Mike Bloomberg for President

Sally Barron, Unity Honoree with her former student, Dr. Melissa Sutton

See Page 8

See Page 7

See Page 8

NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION

Reformers Honored

By J o y c e ly n e

Sally Gossett Barron and Johnnie Johnson with Mayor Andy Mack

Holly Bruce and Robin Fruia

Page 8

Page 8

Fadojutimi

The 2020 Unity awards from the city of Longview’s Partners in Prevention Unity and Diversity committee have gone to Johnnie Johnson and Sally Gossett-Barron for their exemplary and unselfish service to the community.

Johnson’s civic contributions are her founding of an organization called ONEKOP, which helped furnish a hospital; organize and direct voting drives. Johnson also worked as the governor’s hostess for Black Political forums.

Contd. on Page 8

LEDCO schedules Industry Houston, Texas Appreciation Forklift Rodeo Mayor Sylvester Longview Economic Development Corporation will host an Industry Appreciation Forklift Rodeo at Maude Cobb Convention Center on Tuesday, February 25, 2020.

This is a special event as part of Longview’s Industry Appreciation month.

Lurenia Bratton and Georgia Wayne

N E W S

Turner Endorses Mike Bloomberg For President

Contd. on Page 5

Mayor of one of America’s largest and most diverse cities to serve as National CoChair for the Bloomberg 2020 Infrastructure Council Contd. on Page 7

Zonta slates Get MONEY for college IRS IS HIRING Antique show Apply for Mayor T help taxpayers who are Mack’s scholarship

o

behind on their tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service is adding up to 20 employees at the Austin call site to help staff key collection phone lines.

Contd. on Page 3 Dr. Melissa Sutton and Adam Hearnsberger

Page 8

Contd. on Page 5

Contd. on Page 5

Candidates file for May election

Regina Redmon

Page 8

A general election for City of Longview City Council Districts 3 and 4 will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2020. The deadline to apply for a place on the ballot for District 3 and 4 was 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14. As of Feb. 14, the following candidates have filed to run in the May 2 Election.

Contd. on Page 3

New labor law goes into effect

Contd. on Page 3

East Texas Review

February 20-27, 2020

3

COMMUNITY NEWS

February 20-27, 2020 Candidates continued from page 1

For Council District 3 Name: Wray M. Wade Age: 51 Occupation: Business Owner Mailing Address: 1012 S. Green St. Telephone: (cell) 917-557-7834

Occupation: Retired Mailing Address: 615 E. Melton St. Telephone: (cell) 903-240-6183

For Council District 4 Name: Kristen Ishihara Age: 38 Name: Darrin Rudy Rudolph Occupation: Attorney Age: 55 Mailing Address: 1214 Hillcrest Drive Occupation: Transport Human Remains Telephone: (cell) 903-399-1178 Mailing Address: 30 Wylie St. Telephone: 903-209-7839 For more information about the City of Longview General Election, please visit Name: Hank Guichelaar LongviewTexas.gov or contact the City Age: 62 Secretary’s Office at 903-237-1081.

Darrin Rudy Rudolph

Hank Guichelaar

Kristen Ishihara

New labor law goes into effect

IRS IS

HIRING

To help taxpayers who are behind on their tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service is adding up to 20 employees at the Austin call site to help staff key collection phone lines.

The contact representative positions, which are at the government’s GS-5 level, will be open for applications for a brief period.

Starting pay is $16.73 to $17.05.

The new hires, part of hiring taking place at 19 locations across the country, will be focused on a specialized call line for taxpayers who receive a balance due notice for unpaid taxes. These are taxpayers at the earliest stages of the IRS collection process.

Applications will be taken until Feb. 28. Seasonal employees are scheduled to work at least three months and may be able to return year after year.

The first step to apply for an IRS job is creating a profile at usajobs.gov. Then visit the IRS page on USAJOBS at www.jobs. irs.gov/USAJOBS and look for the job announcement number.

For more information about IRS positions in Austin: • Contact Representative (English), look for announcement number: 20MEMSBX0004-0962-5.

• Contact Representative (Bilingual Spanish), look for announcement number: 20CE4SBX0164-0962-05.

“The IRS is proud to be a part of the community in the Austin area, and we strongly encourage people to consider applying for these jobs,” said Eric Hylton, the IRS Small Business/Self Employed Commissioner. “These new phone assistors will work with people who have past-due tax bills.”

“The IRS is committed to making it easier for people with pastdue taxes to reach us early in the collection process, and these new hires are part of that process,” said Eric Hylton, the IRS

Wray Wade

By Mechele Agbayani Mills

Small Business/Self Employed Commissioner. “For this tax season, we urge taxpayers to seriously explore their payment options up front if they can’t pay. And if people can’t pay and start receiving notices from the IRS, it’s critical they reach us as soon as possible. Interest and penalties can quickly accrue without any action.”

The IRS emphasized that new employees on these collection phone lines are different than the general tax assistance phone lines used by the IRS to service taxpayers with account related or general tax questions. The general phone lines remain extremely busy during the 2020 filing season, and the IRS strongly encourages people to check IRS. gov first to avoid lengthy delays on the phone. The website has much of the same information as phone assistors.

Hylton also encouraged taxpayers who are struggling to pay their tax bill before the April 15 deadline to explore payment options on IRS.gov. Taxpayers can use IRS Direct Pay to pay their tax bill in full, or they can use the Online Payment Agreement application to arrange an installment agreement.

“If taxpayers owe money and start receiving letters from us, it’s critical for them to contact us early in the process so they can explore all options,” Hylton said. “These new phone assistors – along with other steps we’re taking – will help us work with more people earlier in the collection process.”

Last fall, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced its final overtime rule which revises the overtime exemption regulations or the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The rule focuses primarily on updating the compensation levels needed for executive, administrative, and professional (EAP) workers to be exempt.

The new rule became effective on January 1, 2020 and is expected to affect more than 1 million American workers.

The rule: • Raises the standard salary threshold from the currently enforced level of $455 to $684 per week ($35,568 per year).

• Sets the total annual compensation requirement for highly compensated employees (HCE) from $100,000 to $107,432 per year. (Highly compensated employees are eligible for exempt status if they meet a reduced duties test.); and • Amends the salary basis test to allow employers to use nondiscretionary bonuses and incentive payments (including commissions) to satisfy up to 10 percent of the standard salary level.

• Maintains a special “base rate” threshold for employees in the motion picture producing industry.

It’s important that employers become familiar with the ruling and the future updates. It may also be a good time for employers to review productivity levels to increase efficiency as well as to ensure fair compensation for employees.

“Any change in established and well-known rules can cause stress for employers, but, in this instance, the rule change is concrete and easy to comply with— something rarely the case in the legal world. Employers need

not stress about the rule change if they simply follow the BBB’s compliance advice,” says Eric Kolder, employment lawyer and shareholder at Ramey & Flock, PC, A BBB Accredited Business.

BBB advises business owners to consider the following: Raise salaries. If your leadership staff who meet the exempt employee requirements are close to the new threshold, and who typically work more than 40 hours per week, consider increasing their salaries to meet the new threshold so that they can maintain their status.

Maintain salaries, but pay overtime. If your employees who meet the exempt employee requirements do not typically work over 40 hours per week, it may make more sense to maintain their current salary and pay them overtime for hours in excess of 40 hours per week. It’s always a good idea to have employee policies and processes in place which allows staff to work overtime only when it has been preapproved. Keep in mind, that if the employee does work over 40 hours in a week, regardless of whether you have a policy in place, you are required to pay them overtime. This is where having a (signed) policy in place which explains consequences for violations comes into play.

Analyze workload distribution. You might find additional solutions by performing a time and motion study with the purpose of evening out workload distribution levels.

For more information about the DOL final rule, go to dol. gov. For additional resources on how to build a better business and on how to be a savvy consumer, go to bbb.org. To report fraudulent activity or unscrupulous business practices, call BBB at 903-581-5704 or report it via BBB ScamTracker.

4

OPINION

February 20-27, 2020

February 20-27, 2020

STATE/NATIONAL

Scared of the coronavirus: Get your flu shot

LEDCO continued from page 1

This event will promote forklift safety and give local forklift drivers the opportunity to perform forklift maneuvers through an obstacle course, network, and have some fun! Top contenders will be awarded prizes. A catered lunch will be served to forklift drivers only. Forklift drivers MUST be registered through the Longview Economic Development Corp prior to February 20, 2020.

The flu kills far more people than coronavirus. The panic isn’t just irrational — it’s taking on a darker edge.

By Jill Richardson

I’ve met two people whose relatives got struck by lightning. While I take proper safety precautions when I go camping, I’m not afraid of lightning.

A high school friend was killed when she was hit by a train. While I look both ways before crossing the tracks, I’m not afraid of trains.

The week before my first trip to Yellowstone, a grizzly bear ate a guy. So I carry bear spray and make noise in grizzly country. But I’m not afraid of grizzly bears.

I don’t know anybody infected by the coronavirus, but I take the same general precautions I’ve taken my entire life to avoid getting sick. Mostly that’s just washing my hands. I also wouldn’t make out with someone who was coughing and sneezing.

So, I’m not paranoid about the coronavirus either. Why should I be?

Globally, there are 43,103 confirmed coronavirus infections, and 1,018 deaths as of this writing. That’s about a 2 percent mortality rate, and that’s even with underestimating the number of infections that don’t get reported. Think about all of the times you’ve had a mild case of the flu and never went to the doctor.

Speaking of the flu…

In the 2018-2019 flu season, an estimated 35 million Americans got sick — and an estimated 34,000 died. Remember, that’s just in America. The global numbers are much bigger.

In short, if you’re scared of the coronavirus, get the flu shot.

I get it: Novel threats can feel scarier than the risks we are used to dealing with every day. Even though the flu kills thousands annually, many of us aren’t even concerned enough to get the vaccine.

Nor do we think twice about getting in the car and driving, even though more than 36,000 Americans died in car crashes in 2018. Driving and riding in cars is a risk we’re just used to.

I grew up in the Midwest, so driving in snow doesn’t even phase me. When I’ve met people who grew up where it doesn’t snow, they’re more afraid to drive in it than I, simply because they aren’t used to it.

But fear of the coronavirus appears

5

to involve more than just anxiety about a new, unfamiliar threat. There’s also a darker side: Asians around the world have experienced an uptick in xenophobia and racism since the virus hit the news.

This is not a new phenomenon.

American history is filled with cases where ethnic minorities, including the Chinese, were scapegoated for disease outbreaks.

Anti-Asian racism is pervasive enough that I noticed it as a white person who was merely studying Chinese in college.

My white friends acted as if the Chinese language and culture were so foreign they simply couldn’t be understood.

The most common (and annoying) remark I got was, “You’re studying Chinese? Did you know they eat dog?”

Yeah, thanks, I’ve heard. (FYI, the most common meat in China is pork. So exotic.)

One friend and her mom said they would never go to China because they thought it was too dirty, a fear that centered on food and drink. I’d already spent a summer in Beijing, enjoying the food and never getting sick. Nothing I could say convinced them they were wrong. Racism is irrational.

We should not layer fear of the coronavirus on top of anti-Asian racism.

If you don’t want to get sick or spread disease, wash your hands and get a flu shot. Same as any other year. It’s not rocket science. It’s basic epidemiology.

Check-in is at 11:30 a.m., lunch will be served at noon, followed by a safety meeting and course instructions at 12:30 p.m. The event is free to observe, and families, friends and companies are welcome to observe when the rodeo begins at 1:00 p.m.

For further information and to register, please call 903-753-7878 or contact Kelly Overby via email at kelly@ LongviewUSA.com.

ZONTA continued from page 1

Zonta Club of Greater East Texas will hold the Zonta Antique Show and Sale at Maude Cobb Convention Center, March 6-8, 2020. The event is a high-end antique show featuring leading exhibitors from multiple states, selling fine antiques, furniture, estate and costume jewelry, glassware, sterling silver and more, along with the Tea Room and Dessert Bar, featuring a wide variety of pies, brunch and lunch

selections. Show hours are 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 for the weekend and may be bought from any Zonta Club of Greater East Texas member or purchased at the door. For further information, please contact Kim Hawes at 903-2416181, via email at hawesk@ ugisd.org or visit online at https://www.facebook.com/ GETZontaDistrict10/.

GET MONEY continued from page 1

Lessons from ministering on the border As a Sister of the Church, I believe Americans have a moral obligation to learn more about why Central Americans are forced to seek refuge here.

By Kathleen Erickson I recently spent three weeks at the border between El Paso, Texas and Juárez, Mexico.

The experience strengthened my resolve, as a person of faith and Sister of Mercy, to share more about how the situation there concerns all of us in the United States.

In the shelters where thousands of refugees await their court dates, I met many migrants who quietly maintained their dignity despite sleeping for months on floors and suffering degrading treatment from U.S. border authorities.

As their faces became real to me, my heart lurched. I could recognize the hope in the eyes of parents waiting for the chance to request asylum, even as I knew almost none of those requests would be granted.

I greeted a newly arrived woman at the Juárez migrant center. As she wept, I learned she was waiting to talk with a doctor about being raped on the journey north. Her fouryear-old daughter clung to her and broke my heart.

People throughout the U.S. who pay attention to this crisis are appalled. The problem is most of us just aren’t paying attention.

The truth is, even if folks know a little about the border, many Americans simply have no idea about the U.S. policies that have created the displacement crisis. “The people

in the U.S. are good people,” I remember a speaker in Nicaragua saying back in 1985, “but they live in a cloud of disinformation.”

Most are not aware, for instance, that the U.S. government supports a Honduran president broadly considered illegitimate and criminal. Our own lack of awareness contributes to that reality — and to the thousands of Hondurans forced to flee their homes. Among the migrants I met were women from Honduras who’d received death threats for participating in protests against that government.

It’s not a new situation. I grew up waking to the smell of coffee my dad made every morning, never once realizing that the Central Americans who grew and harvested that coffee were paid so little their children didn’t have shoes.

Guatemalan friends in Omaha, meanwhile, tell about family members back home whose children are dying due to lack of food and access to medicine. Their country is experiencing drought for the third year in a row, accelerated by our own government’s hostility to climate science.

When you look a little closer, it’s no surprise that desperate people risk their lives and freedom to cross our border. When will we realize everything is connected — and that how people treat one another shouldn’t

A migrant shelter in Mexico City (Shutterstock)

be a partisan question?

“It’s foolish and retrogressive to accept a kind of citizenship that implies toleration, silence, and approval of crimes against the innocent,” warned the late Jesuit priest Daniel Berrigan in 1977. Still, we are blessed to live in a time of growing awareness. We can no longer avoid the truth except by deliberate choice.

To learn more, I recommend books such as New Confessions of an Economic Hit Man,

by John Perkins; Storming the Wall: Climate Change, Migration, and Homeland Security,

by Todd Miller; and Sand and Blood: America’s Stealth War on the Mexico Border,

by John Carlos Frey.

Slowly, many are waking up. At the border, I met generous, caring volunteers from around the United States and Mexico. I saw rooms full of donated blankets, clothing, and other supplies, and learned of campaigns to raise cash to support the shelters and get legal aid for asylum seekers.

Vision Services Optometry & Optical

Wellness Pointe accepts most medical and dental insurance plans, CHIP, Medicaid, and Medicare. Affordable payment options are available for qualified patients.

Walk-ins and new patients are welcome at all locations!

The City of Longview is accepting applications for Mayor Andy Mack’s scholarship. Graduating seniors from Longview, Pine Tree, Spring Hill and Hallsville High Schools who are residents of Longview are eligible to apply for this one-time, $2,000 scholarship to college.

Each year, Mayor Mack provides a scholarship to local students who have shown an attitude of service to the Longview community. One scholarship is awarded per high school to students for furthering their education.

These funds, which total $8,000, are provided by Mayor Andy Mack and Councilwoman Kristen Ishihara, who use their annual

council stipends to invest in students’ futures.

“I am always amazed by the students who apply for the scholarship,” Mack said. “They give me an incredible hope for our city’s future, and I am so proud that Kristen and I can play a part in their future success.”

The completed application and one-page essay may be submitted online, mailed, or delivered to City Hall. The essay prompt for 2020 is, “If you were Mayor of Longview, what would be your primary focus?” Applications must be received by 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 1, 2020.

For more information or to complete an online application, please visit LongviewTexas. gov/Scholarship.

Always Best? (Part 1 of 2) When You gospel SPOTLIGHT spotlight 6Need It The Most GOSPEL

By Carey Kinsolving

Psalm 23 speaks of the Lord leading his people in paths of righteousness. A “When you have a baby February 20-27, August 2, 2020 2018 biblical proverb promises sister, and sometimes you that the Lord will direct trick her, then God will not the paths of those who aclike that,” says Victoria, 8.

By Michael A. Guido, D.D. knowledge him in all their Baby sisters seem to ways (Proverbs 3:6). have radar for discovering We are all grateful for our “first responders.” They Doing good or evil begins they’ve been duped — at save lives, bind wounds, bring food, give clothing, prowith the decisions we make. least my baby sister did. vide shelter and restore power. They have become our Paths, the directions we Parents also possess this “rescuers.” And, indeed, they fulfill a critical role. travel in life, same radar, as Katelyn, 8, Discipline” is discipline is likewise are helpful instart with pathBut as Christians, when we face a time of trial or tragways in the brain. Whatevcan testify: “I was faking edy, we have One who has been waiting for us to call a word that is pregnant with meaning. training people to be er we fix our minds on will sick, and I got grounded for upon Him when we need help. He is always waiting for pregnant with There are a variety of autonomous, influence our selfbrain’s paththree weeks. I got in trouan opportunity to prove His power whenever we face a meaning.

We can practices which might restrained members ways and our life’s paths. ble with my dad, and that’s difficult situation.

The results of a 17-year use the expression be termed “disciplines,” of society, but many bad.”

One morning, about four o’clock, Peter was in seristudy in the journal Science Katelyn, your“being life will disciplined” be ous trouble. He and a few of his friends were in a small to such as fasting, praying, of us have forgotten reported that 5.7 percent of much more peaceful and boat far from shore when a fierce storm arose out of mean that one shows and obedience, which how to dowho these youths watched less fun if you do the right thing. nowhere. Fearing for their lives they became even self-restraint and has deepen our spiritual things, which isofwhy than one hour television Take a tip from Keeleigh, more frightened when they saw what they thought was a day committed regulated lives and help us having a spiritual aggres11: “If you do right all the his or her a ghost. They screamed in terror. And over the howling sive acts against others in time, you won’t life get in introusuch a way that develop the proper mentor or guide wind came a stern voice that said, “Stop being afraid.” subsequent years. That figble, you won’t get fussed It was Jesus assuring them that there was no reason there is at, order and that self-restraint in the is important.

Over ure jumped to 22.5 percent and you will have more fun. for them to fear for their lives because He was there to one’s life is productive. spiritual realm. Selfthe coming weeks, for those who watched one That means you will make save them when they needed Him the most.

Too much television time for children: Good or bad?

We can also talk of restraint is such an we examine towill three hours a aday and God happy and have a bet“If it is really you,” said Peter, “tell me to come to 28.8 percent for those who “being disciplined” to important character variety of spiritual few it’ll be grief/ To the law real life, the “fun” ended ter relationship with Him.” You – let me walk on the water!” “Certainly,” said Jesus, watched more than three By Dr. Michael Guido when Bonnie Parker and a relief/ But it’s death for Doing the right thing “come on. You’ve nothing to fear!” He got out of the mean that one is being trait that without it disciplines, including hours a day.

Clyde Barrow drove into Bonnie and Clyde.” and having fun punished may sound by boat, felt the wind and the waves, lost His faith and beexternal life becomes chaotic. meditation, fasting, Think about this: You You don’t have to be a the Bible a hail of bullets fired by gan to sink.

HeBen shouted, “Save me, Lord,” and Jesus He did.left contradictory, Years ago, Franklin Stores a commandbut for forces or agents.

Parents People who cannot praying, and study, are what you think.

Parents calls this fun state “bless- lawmen waiting in ambush bank robber to know that It isanever the eloquence or length were major, successful retailof our prayer each that of us to obey: “Go discipline into the their children restrain themselves find as well who consider television a as simplicity, ed.” Many people think fun along a tree-lined Louisiana the Bible says, “The wages counts, but our simplicity and sincerity. It is never a forchain.

Many of their customers world and make disciples!”

Fish benign babysitter should road. of sin addicted is death.” to We’ve all comes when they in anbreak attempt to help themselves service and mula but our faith. He will always come to our rescue if think again. Children are came rural areas shop in Him.never comerules. to the fisherman before herdrugs, death, earned those wages.

Many movies we callfrom on Him in a faith thatto believes themdepict developShortly that selfincarcerated, andMany submission.

Reflect vulnerable to the strangtimes, the second part of Bonnie Parker gave a poem lawless people having all Lord, we do indeed believe in Your power forPrayer: their needs.

One observant - the fishermen always go restraint or discipline without the material on areas of your own to her mother, which proved that scripture is not quot- ers who invade your home the fun. and Your promises.

Increase our faith whenever employee overheard some wherewe the fish are. Skepticism which is necessary for resources to sustain where you needDoing to television. is through Remember the movie to be prophetic. Here’s how ed: “but the gift of God life doubt. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. customers describing the and disobedience to Christ’s right begins by thinking them to function well. their lives. be more disciplined. eternal life The in Christ Jesus the poem ends: “They don’town “Bonnie and Clyde”?

RobScripture for this week: Psalm 12:1 Help, LORD, right. difficult they had inthose getting ended many they’re tough or des- ourdisciplines Lord” (Romans 6:23). –If Christopher bing banks looked so think for no onetime is faithful anymore; who arecommand loyal have have In alike spiritual context, religious Simon tovanished one offrom the the stores torace. shop. He opportunities to fun reach outmovie. to In perate./ They know the law Bonnie had known the sec- Memorize this truth: “For much in the human always wins./ They’ve been ond half, she might have as he thinks in his heart, so discussed the problem with win the lost. Like Sam Walton, BAKER LAND is he” (Proverbs 23:7). avoided a lifeloves of crime.knowledge, shot at before/ But they do “Whoever loves discipline Franklin and recommended to we must go to the people with Ask this question: If you LINEN “Doing what is right is not ignore/ CHARIOT That death is him that he open some stores in God’s message of love, mercy, feed on a diet of television hates correction stupid.” always best becauseis once thebut wageswhoever ofCORN sin.

MAGICIANS rural areas. When his suggestion grace, salvation, and hope. the first time, you violence, what are you “Someday they’ll go you do it —Proverbs 12:1 NIV DISCRETE PERISH down together/ And they’ll almost can’t stop doing it,” prone to do? was rejected, he resigned and

REACH OUT

“

7 HOUSTON, TEXAS MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER ENDORSES MIKE BLOOMBERG FOR PRESIDENT

February 20-27, 2020

COMMUNITY NEWS

Mayor of one of America’s largest and most diverse cities to serve as National Co-Chair for the Bloomberg 2020 Infrastructure Council

PHARAOH’S PROPHETIC DREAM

began building stores closer to the people.

As a result of his vision, Sam Walton’s name is known around the world and Wal-Mart stores are everywhere. He did not expect people to come to him.

So, he went to the people!

One day Jesus said to Simon, “Now, go out where it is deeper and let down your nets and catch some fish.” Initially, Simon was hesitant, saying that he and his co-workers had already tried that and it did not work. Then, after thinking for a moment, he said to His Lord, “But if You say so, I’ll let them down again.”

And when he followed the advice of Jesus, the results were simply amazing.

Prayer: Father, may we reach beyond our homes, our churches, and “our world,” to find those whom You love and died for. May we do all that we can to win the lost.ANSWERETH In Jesus’ DELIVER Name, Amen.

DESPISETH DESTROYETH DWELL EXALTETH FINDETH GATHERETH GOETH INCREASETH LABOURETH LEAVETH LOVETH MAKETH PERCEIVE PRESERVE PURSUETH RECEIVE REFUSETH REJOICETH REWARDETH SEEMETH TRUST TURNETH UNDERSTAND WALKETH

Scripture For Today: Luke 5:1-11 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.

But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

One of the most common questions of persons who are in the One of themidst mostofcommon questions whoHow are in the grief is some variationofofpersons “how long?” long will midst of grief ispain some variation ofbefore “howI long?” longlike willI did this last?

How long am able How to function this pain last?

How long before I am able to function like I did before? How long before I stop crying whenever someone before? How long before I stop crying whenever someone mentions the name? mentions the name?

We think sometimes thinkas ofagrief as a condition - an illness V. Stanmore Director We sometimes of grief condition - an illness that that V. Stanmore Director has to run a course. particularWith course.

With or a cold flu,can we take can take has to run a particular a cold flu,or we that in a we few will days recover. we will recover.

Webe will be back to normal.

Allsigns signs of of comfort that comfort in a few days We will back to normal.

All the be illness will be merely a memory. the illness will merely a memory.

Grief is not or an aillness or a disease.

It is a transition.We do not better.We We Grief is not an illness disease.

It is a transition.We do not getget better. reconstruct in of thethe faceloss. of theWe loss.

We learn to live with that loss.Grief Grief is is aa reconstruct our lives inour thelives face learn to live with that loss. difficult journey.

We may experience allof sorts of emotions - guilt, anger,sadness, sadness, difficult journey.

We may experience all sorts emotions - guilt, anger, loneliness to name may find it difficult to concentrate, distressedby by so so loneliness - to name a- few.

Wea few. mayWe find it difficult to concentrate, distressed many We memories.

We may hurt physically, less than best. may many memories. may hurt physically, feelingfeeling less than our our best.

It It may the we waysbehave. that we We behave.

Wefind mayourselves find ourselves avoiding othersororangry angry influence theinfluence ways that may avoiding others the normal of may life. We may struggle withfaith, our faith, trying sortout outall all at the normalatirritants ofirritants life. We struggle with our trying to to sort our whyto this had to happen. our questions ofquestions why thisofhad happen.

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bury them side by side./ To says Cecile, 10.

DREAMS

FAMINE FED FOOD GATHER GOD GOLD GOOD EARS HANGED INTERPRET KINE

PHARAOH PLENTY RIVER RULER SEVEN STALK STORE THIN EARS WIND WISE YEARS

Longview Full Gospel Holy Temple 6 E. Pittman St. Longview, TX 75602 | 903-758-9532 Sunday School 9:45a.m. Sunday Worship 11:00a.m.

Pastor Jerry Stanmore

306 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Longview, TX 75602 • 903-753-1774

Sunday School 9:00a.m.

Sunday Worship 10:30a.m.

2717 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Longview, TX 75602 | 903-757-6440

Pastor H.C. Rockmore

Sunday School 9:45a.m.

Sunday Worship 11:00a.m.

2101 W. W. Marshall Marshall Ave., Ave., Longview Longview 2101 903-759-1401 | www.highridgelv.com 903-759-1401 | www.highridgelv.com

Pastor Tim Ingram

First Service: 9:00 am FirstService: Service:10:30 9:30 am am 2nd 2ndService: Service:12 11:00 am 3rd Noon

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HOUSTON — Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg today, praising his national infrastructure vision that confronts challenges facing cities across the country and his commitment to helping under-resourced and underserved communities that have been ignored for too long. Mayor Turner was also named National Co-Chair for the campaign’s Infrastructure Council where he will advise on strategy and policy.

“As Mayor, I know that cities are ultimately made up of two things – people and places – and to be a truly successful city, we need to invest in both. And not just some people and some places, but all people and all places. We cannot allow American cities to be divided into cities of haves and have nots. That means creating economic opportunity in neighborhoods that have historically been overlooked, and it means doing the hard work of overhauling our infrastructure so that citizens can go about their lives more efficiently and safely,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “A key to that effort is finding partners who are willing to work hard alongside us, and I’ve found that partner in Mike Bloomberg. Mike’s been a mayor himself, so he knows that we need more federal dollars for local projects, and that cities can go farther when they have leaders in Washington who are responsive to their concerns.

As mayor, Mike embraced New York’s diversity and made smart investments that brought better infrastructure and greater opportunity to all five boroughs.

We need a president who knows how cities run. It’s why I’m proud to endorse Mike for president, and I look forward to sending him to Washington in November.”

“Being a great mayor of a large, diverse city means taking on big challenges that affect millions of people, like infrastructure and climate change, and issues specific to certain groups, like expanding opportunities for young men of color – and Mayor Sylvester Turner has done both amidst the melting pot of cultures in Houston,” said Mike Bloomberg. “He deserves a true partner in the White House – a president who understands local issues and empowers local leaders – and that’s what I’ll be. I’m honored to have his support and excited to welcome him as National Co-Chair for our campaign’s Infrastructure Council.

Together, we can turn Texas blue and rebuild and reunite America.”

As Houston’s 62nd mayor, Turner has eliminated a $160 million budget shortfall in record time; led the city’s remarkable rebound from Hurricane Harvey; championed historic pension reform; expanded municipal investments in renewable energy and led the winning bid to host the World Petroleum Congress in 2020. Through the Complete Communities initiative, Turner has leveraged private and nonprofit investments to enhance infrastructure and economic and cultural developments in underserved neighborhoods. Turner has brought a performance-driven approach to the job, creating more responsive, streamlined and efficient delivery of city services while shoring up Houston’s financial future.

Prior to his election as mayor, Turner served for 27 years in the Texas House as the representative for District 139. He worked on the House Appropriations Committee for 21 years, serving as Speaker Pro Tem for three terms and appointed to several Budget Conference Committees to help balance the state’s budget and served on the Legislative Budget Board.

Turner will be with Mike later today at an event in Houston to help officially launch Mike for Black America, a Mike Bloomberg 2020 organizing program to engage Black Americans on key issues important to the Black community and organizes voters to defeat Donald Trump and elect Mike in November.

Mike for Black America embodies the Greenwood Initiative, a real plan responding to systemic bias keeping many Black Americans from amassing generational wealth. The plan would invest $70 billion in the country’s 100 most disadvantaged neighborhoods. It creates 1 million Black homeowners, 100,000 new Black-owned businesses, and supports Black entrepreneurs by increasing access to capital.

For Mike, this is more than a plan. It’s building on his proven track record. As mayor of New York City, he instituted an ambitious plan to expand affordable housing. The New Housing Marketplace Plan led to a $23.6 billion investment in affordable housing across the city. The initiative built or preserved 175,000 units.

Mike also supported minority-owned businesses. The value of contracts awarded to women-and-minority owned businesses grew to $3.5 billion in New York.

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February 20-27, 2020

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Upon her return to Longview, she cofounded Longview Outreach Mission and serves as its executive director.

Her loving inclination to selflessly serve her community has empowered and assisted hundreds as she teaches and counsels her fellow residents. She has served on boards that have healed instances of injustice and inequality, and she does it all through her personal drive to support human rights.

Johnson said, “I am truly humbled as a recipient of this award. I truly believe that this is God’s way of rewarding me for diligence. His Word tells me to serve and I am not satisfied unless I am serving the community,” she said. “God ordained this award even though the City of Longview Unity and Diversity Committee put it on.”

Barron was a charter member of the former Race Relations Committee now called the Unity and Diversity Committee.

In addition, Barron was a pivotal representative in organizing the Partners in Prevention retreat for Community Mobilization in the early 1990s, and in addressing Race Relations in Longview.

Her example as a tireless campaigner for the betterment of Longview and its people make her an ideal model for future civic action workers. Both in her earlier career as an educator with the Longview Independent

School District and her current position as a licensed professional counsellor at Eastman, she has worked compassionately and competently with diverse populations.

She has passionately pursued a campaign against drugs and drinking among Longview’s youth by sticking to the motto “silence is consent.”

“It is amazing to be honored for your passion,” Barron said. “I have taught students for over 45 years, together, we promote unity.”

Johnson and Barron are indeed a voice for the voiceless and a champion of the underserved. Both ladies personify what it takes to earn this award.

The Unity Honors is a lifetime achievement recognition for those who demonstrate leadership in establishing unity, mutual understanding and social justice. But that is not all.

Longview Community Ministries, and Newgate Mission also received awards for their outstanding community service in promoting diverse relationships and needed services to all Longview residents. “We work hard to connect people to services they need,” said Hollie Bruce, executive director of Newgate Missions. “We are the first stop for the homeless and a staple for those in need in our community.”

From the desk of

MIKE BLOOMBERG Dear Reader, Thank you for taking the time to learn about The Greenwood Initiative.

As someone who has been very lucky in life, I often say my story would only have been possible in America — and that’s true. But I also know that because of the artificial barriers of discrimination, my story likely would have turned out very differently if I had been Black, and that more Black Americans of my generation would have ended up with far more wealth, had they been white.

Johnnie Johnson with her award

Building Generational Wealth for Black Families is Critical. That’s why I launched The Greenwood Initiative in Tulsa last month. I visited the site of the Black Wall Street Massacre, where a white mob decimated the prosperous community of Greenwood.

It is to the memory of the lost lives and promise of Greenwood that we’ve dedicated The Greenwood Initiative: a plan to address the systematic bias that has kept Black Americans from building wealth.

THE GREENWOOD PLAN WILL: • Create 1 million new Black homeowners Sally Barron shows off her award with Dr. Melissa Sutton

Sally Barron and Mayor Andy Mack

• Double the number of new Black-owned businesses • Invest $70 billion in the country’s 100 most disadvantaged neighborhoods

Fixing the System for Black Families. When I was mayor of New York, I was proud to take on the systematic inequality that held back too many New Yorkers. We increased education funding, built 650 new schools and raised Black graduation rates to record highs. We led an ambitious effort to reduce poverty and managed the largest amount of affordable housing in the nation. And as President, I will work even more aggressively to combat inequality nationwide.

L-r: Spring Hill State Bank: Paula Loden, Janette Rowan, Tammy Gibbons and Carol Lee

Mayor Andy Mack and Johnnie Johnson

I understand that undoing generations of systematic discrimination won’t happen overnight, but we can make progress with a clear vision and a comprehensive plan. I’ve included a pamphlet along with this letter that lays out my plan. When I’m President, implementing The Greenwood Initiative: will be a top priority.

Join me in ending the systemic inequality that has held Black Americans back for too long!

Sincerely, Mike Bloomberg

For more information visit

Sara Francois, Marie Crayton, Sally Barron and Cindy Castillo

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Johnnie Johnson, NaTasha Crain, Mike Johnson and Charlotte Turner

Sheila and Johnnie Johnson

PAID FOR BY MIKE BLOOMBERG 2020

MikeForBlackAmerica.com

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February 20-27, 2020

Nobody should live in a health care desert.

Yet, many African Americans have inadequate access to hospitals in this country. Some communities have only one doctor in the area. Others don’t even have a local hospital. Let’s call this what it is: institutional racism. When African Americans don’t have access to health care, it perpetuates cycles of oppression and marginalization. Health care should be a human right afforded to everyone. It’s time to ensure African Americans have access to quality, affordable health care. I will fight for this fundamental right.

Join us to increase hospital access in your community.

PAID FOR BY TOM STEYER 2020

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16 Diabetes is a killer that afflicts multitudes, although many live for years and even decades with the disease.

The effects can be lethal, but generally there are symptoms that tip off those with type 2 diabetes that they have the affliction even though they can be mild to the point of going unnoticed. Common symptoms include: • Frequent urination, Chronic thirst, Feeling very hungry despite eating, Fatigue, Blurred vision • Cuts and bruises that are abnormally slow to heal, Noticeable weight loss even though the patient is actually eating more (Type 1).

Tingling/pain/numbness in hands and feet (Type 2) According to the American Diabetes Association, the medical community is committed to helping the millions of Americans who already have and are at risk of this illness. Education is a prime treatment. Informing the whole world about diabetes, its causes, effects and treatments is the purpose of the following questions and answers.

What does excess weight have to do with diabetes?

As is the case with many physical ailments being overweight is a major factor, but there are other aspects to consider. Person’s amount of physical activity, family histories, ethnicity and age must also be taken into account. Too many are under the misconception that weight is the sole cause of type 2 diabetes, but many type 2 sufferers are either only slightly overweight or not overweight at all. Still, dietary habits are significant.

Does eating sweets and sugars cause diabetes?

Any diet high in calories (including sugar) contributes to weight gain, which is certain to place one at risk for type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is determined mainly by genetics, lifestyle and other, unknown

COMMUNITY HEALTH and AIDS combined. Being diabetic nearly doubles the risk of heart attack. On the plus side diabetes is an illness that can be managed.

DIABETES PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT: FROM HELEN DANIELS, MD Two primary things determine the development of anything in life – GENETICS and ENVIRONMENT. While we can do nothing to change our genetic predisposition to diabetes, we HELEN DANIELS, MD can do our best to decrease our risk and/ or delay onset of disease by optimizing our ENVIRONMENT, that is, optimizing the bodies in which we live. LIFESTYLE CHOICES will dictate this and only we can determine this.

Here are some goals to aim for in the path to prevention.

LOSE excess body FAT, and in particular belly fat. Being overweight or obese are major

By Joycelyne Fadojutimi risk factors for diabetes. factors which precipitate the MAINTAIN CALORIE disease, but not by sugar intake. CONTROLS – with a high Do sugary beverages trigger proportion of lean meats , fish , diabetes? vegetables and fruits in smaller Research indicates that portions, while avoiding food drinking sugary beverages high in carbohydrate contents, is indeed a cause of type saturated fats and processed 2 diabetes. The American foods. At each meal or snack Diabetes Association there should be a combination recommends avoiding sugarof protein, healthy fat and fiber. sweetened drinks in order DRINK WATER. Replacement to head off type 2 diabetes. of high calorie sugarFurthermore, sugary drinks sweetened drinks which have also boost glucose (also known no nutritional value with water as blood sugar) levels by significantly reduces diabetes containing several hundred and obesity. calories per serving.

ENGAGE in regular A single 12-ounce can PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. of regular soda contains Current recommendations are approximately 150 calories and for 150 minutes of moderate 40 grams of carbohydrates--in exercise, such as walking, other words the same amount weekly. as in ten teaspoons full of sugar!

DE- STRESS. High levels Sugar-sweetened beverages of stress induce hormones include such drinks as: Regular that predispose to the soda, Fruit punch, Fruit drinks, development of diabetes.

Energy drinks, Sports drinks, Find time to relax daily.

Sweet tea and other sugary Get a good night’s SLEEP. drinks.

Chronic sleep deprivation and/ As a disease, how serious or poor sleep quality increases is diabetes? risk for diabetes.

Know the warning sings Every year diabetes kills ( increased thirst, urination , more people that breast cancer

Diabetes: What to look for and what to do

February 20-27, 2020

hunger, weight loss, itching) and see your doctor for an ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAM which will also include screening labs for common diseases.

Diabetes Management Should diabetes develop, all hope is not lost.

Your doctor in conjunction with you, will develop an individualized patient centered approach to the treatment of your disease with an array of meds available, Your goal is to KNOW YOUR NUMBERS and to start and maintain the lifestyle changes previously outlined in order to get to those targets.

Here are some numbers to know.

Glucose Levels: While blood sugar levels are individualized, the ADA recommends the following target for most nonpregnant adults with diabetes Hb A1C <7% or an average glucose reading of 154 mg/dl Fasting blood sugars of 80-130 2-hour Post meal sugars of <180 BP goal of < 140/90 Cholesterol levels.

Improve your cholesterol profile. Bad cholesterol ( LDL ) targets no longer apply, however obtaining values of < 100 with improved good cholesterol ( HDL ) levels of > 40 are preferred.

The current standard of care recommends use of a lipid lowering agent or statin in all diabetics, regardless of how good the cholesterol profile is, due to a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes.

The American diabetic association (ADA) recommends that you be SMART, that is, that you set Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Relevant Time-bound goals.

It’s your destiny that hangs in the balance and attaining well planned, timely, worthy goals leads to freedom.

And as always be forever in pursuit of YOUR ULTM8 IDL.