Union County - Carolina Weekly Newspapers

Aging(continued from page 1)Union County Council on Aging informationand assistance specialist Pam Irish (left) andExecutive Director Linda Smosky review detailsin a Seniors’ Health Insurance InformationProgram brochure. SHIIP is just one resourcethe council offers seniors.and the Council recognizes that thesepeople are often in need of time torecharge their batteries, said LindaSmosky, the Council’s executive director.The Family Caregiver Support service,created in response to that need, offerscaregivers a few hours of respite everyweek through the in-home aide service.The Council also can give caregiversfinancial assistance through grants forshort-term care for their senior relativesin case a caregiver needs to leave thehouse for a few days.Through the Lend a Helping Hammervolunteer program, the Councilassists seniors in need of minor homerepairs. John McMullen, a volunteerfrom First Baptist Church in Monroe,and Arnold Biven recently built a handicapramp for a senior’s home. The materialswere paid for with a grant from theIndian Trail Lion’s Club. McMullen, asenior citizen himself, heard about theprogram at church and decided to getinvolved two years ago as a way to giveback to the community.The Council also offers informationabout community services for theaging, as well as assistance accessingthose services. The agency is also thecoordinating site for the Senior HealthInsurance Information Program, a divisionof the North Carolina Departmentof Insurance. SHIIP helps seniors withquestions about Medicare, and helpsthem find out if they’re eligible for supplementalhealth insurance.Clients are often referred to theCouncil by local hospitals and areaphysicians. However, word of mouthhas been its best form of advertisingthrough the years.“We try to keep people in theirhomes; that’s our major goal. If we cando that with direct services, or gettingpeople connected with other services,that’s what we do,” Smosky said. qCommunityUnion County residents go tothe polls: voter informationUnion County residents will go to thepolls on Oct. 6 in Monroe and Nov. 3 inthe rest of the county to choose from 86candidates in 41 municipal races. Followingis some general voter and Monroeinformation. Union County Weeklywill provide additional election informationin upcoming articles.Some precincts movedThe Union County Board of Electionsvoted Aug. 11 to temporarily movevoters to alternate polling places for theOct. 6 and Nov. 3 elections. All affectedvoters will be notified by mail:Precinct No. 25 Rock Rest ElementarySchool moved to Precinct No. 3 St. Luke’sLutheran Church, 909 Circle Drive,Monroe, for the Oct. 6 vote and possiblerun-off for this election only on Nov. 3.Precinct No. 39 Porter Ridge ElementarySchool moved to Precinct No.30 Grace United Methodist Church,3522 Secrest Short Cut Road, Monroe,for the Oct. 6 election only.For the Nov. 3 Wingate election, votersin Precinct No. 36 Crossroads AMEZion Church will vote at Precinct No.8 Wingate Community Center, 315 W.Elm St., Wingate.Now AcceptingNew PatientsMonroe absentee ballots,registration, one-stop votingMonroe residents will vote for mayorand three council members on Tuesday,Oct. 6, with polls open from 6:30 a.m.until 7:30 p.m. Absentee ballots must berequested in writing by Sept. 29. Absenteevoting began Sept. 7 and all ballotsmust be received in the Union CountyBoard of Elections office by 5 p.m. onOct. 5.Monroe residents who aren’t registeredto vote must register on or beforeSept. 11 to be eligible to vote in thiselection. Voters who registered previouslyneed not re-register. Any voterwho’s moved since the last election mustnotify the BOE in writing by Sept. 11.Residents can register at the BOEoffice, 316 B E. Windsor St. in Monroe.Forms are available at all Union Countypublic libraries and town halls, and aform is available on the BOE Web siteat www.co.union.nc.us. Mailed formsshould be sent to P.O. Box 1106, Monroe,NC 28111.One-stop voting hours are Mondaythrough Friday, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. in theGriffin Room at the Monroe Public(more on page 16)We are pleased to announce theopening of Union Neurology Clinic, PLLC.Dr. Dalsania provides excellent care andmanagement of Neurological Conditionsincluding: Headache, Stroke, Seizures,Sleep Disorder, Multiple Sclerosis,Dementia, Movement Disorder, Nerveand Muscle Related Problems and PainManagement.Mital Dalsania, MDBoard Certified NeurologistWe perform Nerve Conduction Studies, EMG and EEG in our office.UNUnion Neurology Clinic, PLLC1550 Faulk Street, Monroe NC • 704-225-1501Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8.30 am to 4.30 pmwww.unioncountyweekly.comUnion County Weekly • Sept. 11-17, 2009 • Page 9