April 12, 2013 - Southbridge Evening News

8 SPENCER NEW LEADER • Friday, April 12, 2013
VIEWPOINT
OPINION AND COMMENTARY FROM SPENCER, LEICESTER AND THE BROOKFIELDS
THE MINOR
DETAILS
ADAM MINOR
Play ball!
Sometimes I wonder what my life would be
like if I stuck with sports.
Keep in mind, I was never really great any
one particular sport growing up before high
school, so it’s not like I ever had the skills necessary
to develop into a professional athlete of any
kind. I’ll get that out of the way right now — I was
never the best player on any team I played on. I let
the guys named “Pistol Pete” and “Squirrel” do
the heavy lifting. I was more of a utility guy.
In soccer, I was the big boot. I typically played
on the defensive side of the
field, usually the right side,
and was a specialist at clearing
the ball. I was never really fast,
and didn’t have a ton of stamina,
but man — I could lay into
a ball and send it flying for our
much-faster forwards to chase
down for the easy goal in the
open field.
In basketball in middle
school, I was more of an offensive
threat than a defensive
stopper. I was always a pretty
good shooter, so I would typically
play on the wing, either
as a two or a three guard
(shooting guard or small forward).
I didn’t have the size to
dominate the paint, and I didn’t
possess the quickness and
agility to run the point guard position, but I could
always be depended on to knock down the 15-foot
jumper, or even the occasional three-pointer
when called upon. I was also a pretty good free
throw shooter, so people were typically hesitant to
put me on the line when the game was in the balance.
I never did play organized football. I don’t think
my mother would have allowed me too, even if my
school or town did have an organized league. I’m
actually kind of glad I didn’t. I don’t think I would
have had the toughness required to take hits on a
regular basis. I wouldn’t have been able to handle
the punishment, but if I did have a position, I
probably would have been a tight end or a larger
wide receiver as a kid. I could throw the football
OK, but I was always pretty good at reeling them
in.
As I sit here at my desk, it’s Opening Day at
Fenway Park, and the Boston Red Sox have just
wrapped up a 3-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles
to take early sole possession of first place in the
American League East. Each time this time of
year comes around, I’m transported to my youth
as I remember vivid details of my time in Little
League growing up.
I’ve already told several stories about my Little
League adventures in this very column, such as
my “almost first and only home run” (if you
haven’t heard the story or didn’t read it when it
was published, feel free to shoot me an e-mail at
the address below, and I’ll be happy to regale you
again!), but I watch some of these players, most of
whom are either my age or below my age now —
which is crazy to think about — and I wonder to
myself, if I had put in the work, the time, the
effort and had been blessed with little to no
injuries and God-given talent, in some parallel
universe, could I have ever been dressing up in a
Red Sox uniform in front of thousands of adoring
fans?
The short answer? Probably not.
As a third baseman in Little League, my coach
called me “Hoover,” because I sucked in every
ground ball that came my way on the “hot corner”
of third base. I had a pretty good glove and a
good arm from that position, so I was pretty adept
at taking ground balls and throwing out runners
for your basic 5-3 out, and even turning a double
play when the time came.
But one night, one that I remember clear as day,
one Little League player thought he was playing
football, and I was on the receiving end of the
punishment.
It was a routine ground ball, as I remember it. I
was 7-10 feet off of the third base bag, and the ball
was moving fast enough that I just let it come to
me. A runner was on second base, and he took the
opportunity to break for third.
As I fielded the ball cleanly, I remember hearing
the yelling from the crowd, my mother’s alwaysdistinguishable
voice, and my coach shouting
instructions.
Usually, base runners (at least in Little League)
have courtesy if a player is in their way as they
are running the base path. Either that, or they
just stay on the bag if they know you are holding
the ball.
Either this kid didn’t know — or he didn’t care.
With a vicious football tackle, the base runner
drove his shoulder into mine and knocked me airborne
like he was attacking the catcher with the
ball at home plate. Next thing I know, with a violent
thud, I was on my back, clearly disoriented,
and wondering what just happened.
I was taken out of that game, and was probably
diagnosed with just getting the wind knocked out
of me, a slight bruise, and an even more severely
bruised ego, but I was ultimately fine.
And I did hold on to that ball — so at least I got
the out! Take that, kid!
OK, so maybe I was never meant to be an athlete.
Turns out, I was just destined to write about
them.
Hey, I’ll take it.
Adam Minor may be reached at 508-909-4130, or
by e-mail at aminor@stonebridgepress.com.
1 8 7 2 - 2 0 0 7
25 Elm St., Southbridge, MA 01550
Telephone (800) 367-9898
Fax (508) 764-8015
www.spencernewleader.com
FRANK G. CHILINSKI
PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER
ADAM MINOR
MANAGING EDITOR
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Collette: Thanks for supporting fishing derby
To the Editor:
On behalf of the Spencer Fish and Game
Club I would like to thank all the people and
businesses that have donated time, money
and prizes to sponsor our annual fishing
derby.
This year the derby will be the weekend of
April 27-28, starting at 8 a.m. The Fish and
Game will be selling breakfast and lunch
starting at 6 a.m. There will be prizes for
every child that participates, as well as a trophy
and prize for the three largest fish.
There will be a senior cash pool each day
and a trophy for the largest fish.
To the Editor:
A: The Lord God spoke and said, “Be
fruitful, and multiply.”
B: As life slowly developed on earth, those
organisms that had a low sex drive were
quickly replaced by those with a stronger
drive, and the weakest are still being weeded
out.
A is obviously the religious theory, and B
is the theory of evolution. Whichever explanation
you prefer, humans are driven to
reproduce, and this presents us with the
problems of teen sexual activity, sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs), teen pregnancy
and the abortion question.
It is relatively easy to solve the teen problems
with better sex education, and other
countries have done this successfully. We
must allow schools to utilize professional
counselors to educate teens and pre-teens
about human sexuality, sex, how to handle
the confusing feelings of puberty, and how
to avoid the myriad of problems of being a
single teenage mother. People in general,
and particularly teens, need to understand
the prevalent of, and transmissibility of,
diseases passed to another by various sex
acts.
Many advanced countries put us to shame
with their low rates of teen pregnancies,
teen STDs, and teen pregnancies.
Depending on the category, their rates are
from one-half to one-eighth of ours. It is
foolish to reject these irrefutable data,
whatever your emotional or religious hang
To the Editor:
My name is Linda M. Lincoln and I am a
sticker/write-in candidate for a position on
the Board of Selectmen at the Annual Town
Election on Tuesday, April 30.
Many of you know me as the former Town
Clerk, a position I proudly held for 22 years
until my retirement in May 2010.
For those of you who do not know me, I am
a life-long resident of Brookfield. Over the
past 25 years, I have served as an assessor,
treasurer, and Advisory Board member, and
as a member of various committees. I currently
serve on the Municipal Facilities
Planning Committee and Brookfield
A biology lesson
This year we will have the largest stocking
ever, with more than 550 trout ranging from
12 inches to 5 pounds and 10 golden hybrids
worth $25 each, plus numerous tagged fish
for various prizes from our sponsors.
Without the volunteers and generosity from
everyone this derby wouldn’t be the great
event it is.
Thank you!
KEN COLLETTE, FISHING DERBY CHAIRMAN
SPENCER
up. Too many Americans view Western
Europe as socialist and secular, but we
could learn many valuable lessons from
them in regards to teen sexuality and pregnancy.
They have a far more mature and
enlightened attitude about sex and sexuality
than most Americans, and their teen statistics
bear this out.
European adults view teens as assets, not
liabilities, want them to succeed and are
willing to help them navigate the confusion
of puberty. In these European countries,
human sexuality is integrated into all
school curricula, there is widespread advertising
on the need for safe sex, and many
forms of contraception are readily available.
Europeans give their children the educational,
parental and medical support
needed to make informed decisions, and let
the youngsters know they are expected to
act responsibly. As a consequence European
young people believe it is ‘stupid and irresponsible’
to have sex without protection,
and rely on the maxim, “safer sex or no
sex.” This realistic approach not only
reduces teen pregnancy, but also reduces
the overall demand for abortions.
Too many Americans will balk at this
common-sense solution. It is still true:
There are none so blind as those who will
not see.
Lincoln throws hat in ring for selectman
To the Editor:
The Town of Brookfield will be voting on
the Community Preservation Act on
Tuesday, April 30.
Much has been said about those eligible
for an exemption. If the CPA is approved,
everyone, including those eligible for an
exemption, will be assessed the surcharge on
their tax bill. This means even though you
may qualify for an exemption, you will be
required to pay it up front. Upon receiving
your tax bill in January you will have until
Feb. 1 to apply for an exemption. This is just
like an abatement application for your regular
real estate tax. The application will have
to be turned into the Board of Assessors,
who will then review all your personal information.
But just like your real estate tax, in order
to qualify for an exemption the applicant
will be required to apply for the exemption
on an annual basis. This is not a one-timeonly
exemption. The next step will be filling
out the exemption request form. It should be
noted this is a four-page form that will
require you to furnish personal information.
CHARLES F. H OTZ
SPENCER
Housing Authority. I continue to volunteer
my time today.
I wish to become a member of the Board of
Selectmen because no one came forward to
run and it is too important a position to leave
unfilled. It will allow me to continue to serve
the town and help to bring about unity
among our townspeople once again.
I would appreciate your vote on April 30.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any
questions or wish to obtain stickers.
Problems with CPA exemption application
SOUND OFF:
The letter in the Spencer New Leader
recently, “‘Cutting the Cord’ from cable,” by
Mike Malone, is right on.
I don’t know why Spencer doesn’t get it.
With a lot of people out of work, this is probably
the only enjoyment they get including
SOUND-OFFS
LINDA M. LINCOLN
BROOKFIELD
This includes a copy of your most recent W2
forms, recent pay stubs, medical information,
any rental income and whatever other
intrusive information deemed necessary to
make things frustrating on the applicants’
part.
The form is made to be intrusive so that
you will immediately lose any incentive to
move forward with an application. Most
towns that adopt the CPA see a dramatic
decrease in exemption applications after a
few years in existence. It can all be attributed
to the hassle factor. Do you really want
the Board of Assessors to know all your personal
information? Do you want your personal
tax information stored at the Town
Hall? And in the event the assessor’s office
determines you are eligible you will be obligated
to wait months for them to send you a
refund. This is just one of many reasons
Brookfield voters should be wary of this proposed
additional tax.
‘Cutting the cord’ letter is ‘right on’
MICHAEL P. SEERY
BROOKFIELD
families with kids those of us that are
retired and still live in our homes. Spencer
needs to check into a company that
Shrewsbury has called Selco. I hope Mr.
Malone’s letter hasn’t fallen on deaf ears.
Thank you, editor!
Please see more op-ed on page 18.
If you haven’t
saved enough
for retirement,
now what?
If you are one of the many Americans who
have not saved or are not saving enough for
retirement, you need to address the situation
now.
The longer you wait, the more difficult the
problem will become for you. As I commented
in my last article, you have to take responsibility
for planning for what you want.
So what can you do? Where do you start?
If you are within a few years of retirement,
you need to carefully assess your finances,
make critical decisions and
begin triaging your situation.
Spend less. If you have a
budget, look at it carefully
and identify areas where
you can cut back. If you
don’t have a budget, then put
one together now. If you
don’t know where your
money is going, then how do
you know if you are spending
it wisely? If you just con-
YOUR
tinue to float along with your
MONEY
MATTERS
ANNE O’BRIEN
current level of spending,
how will you ever be able to
improve your retirement
picture? The choice is yours
– spend less today so that you
will have more to spend in
retirement.
Increase your current income and save.
Working overtime or taking on a second job
now can make a huge difference in your situation.
If you are carrying a lot of high-interest
credit card debt, use your new income to pay off
those bills first and then start saving. And be
sure to put the credit cards away so you don’t
rack up the bills again. If you have a mortgage
and you are tempted to make extra payments,
think about that decision very carefully. While
paying off a mortgage can bring a lot of emotional
relief, it may not be the smartest financial
move. Remember, your goal is to increase
your savings.
Work longer. This may not be a really pleasant
thought, but it is likely your best option.
Why? Because working longer not only means
that you will bring in more income, it also
means that you will delay spending your retirement
savings. If working longer in a full-time
job isn’t possible, then consider a phased-in
retirement approach by working part-time for a
number of years before you fully retire.
Lastly, the least desirable option — pare
down your retirement dreams. You may have to
accept that you will not be able to live the retirement
you want to have. While paring down
your dreams will be hard, the sooner you
accept the reality of your situation, the sooner
you can begin to figure out how you can best
utilize what you have. In my experience, this
has been a very difficult realization for several
clients, although for some it provided the
opportunity to look at things differently and to
start fresh with new retirement dreams.
Having less financial backing for retirement
than you had planned doesn’t necessarily mean
you can’t craft a retirement that you can afford
and enjoy.
If you are many years away from retirement,
then you are in a much better situation because
you have some time to turn things around. But
time can also be your enemy because it may lull
you into a false sense of security. You know,
retirement seems way too far away to worry
about now. Don’t fool yourself into thinking
that you can put retirement planning off. The
day will come and you need to be ready.
If you are eligible for an employer-provided
retirement savings plan, take full advantage of
it. If you are not participating, join as soon as
you can and start contributing at least an
amount that will qualify you for the company
match, if there is one. Increase your contributions
on a regular basis. For example, every
time you get a raise, defer half of that raise into
your retirement account. After all, you can’t
miss spending money that you have never had.
The goal is to reach the contribution maximum
and to continue that maximum contribution
amount throughout your working career.
If your employer does not offer a retirement
savings plan, then maximize your contributions
to an IRA or a Roth IRA. In 2013, you can
contribute up to $5,500 – up to $6,500 if you are
50 years or older this year.
Look at what you spend and don’t save. If you
are like most of us, you work hard and often
just don’t know where the money goes. With
each paycheck, pay yourself first by depositing
an amount into a savings or an investment
account. Set up your savings as an automatic
deposit and increase that amount as often as
you can. You can’t spend money that isn’t in
your pocket – unless, of course, you whip out
your credit card every time you see something
you would like. As a general rule of thumb,
don’t use a credit card unless you know that
you will be able to pay off the balance when the
bill comes in at the end of the month. A credit
card can be a wonderful convenience, but it can
also create a lot of unnecessary debt and
finance charges that can keep you from getting
ahead.
In business school, I learned about a concept
called “opportunity cost”. Basically it means
the amount given up when choosing one thing
over another. In other words, what you spend
today you won’t have tomorrow. Giving it a positive
spin – what you don’t spend today, you will
have tomorrow – and retirement will be one of
your most important tomorrows!
Think about what you want to do after your
working career. Dream your dreams, flesh
them out and put together a plan to make them
happen. If you have a hard time visualizing
what you want in the future, don’t give up. Just
keep thinking about it. You will be surprised
how thinking about what you want in the
future will help you to focus better on what you
need to do today to enable yourself to get there.
Anne is an independent, fee-only Certified
Financial Planner and a Massachusetts
Registered Investment Advisor. She is located in
North Brookfield and can be reached at 508-867-
8123 and anne@obrienassociates.net.