Thanks to Stan Schwartz, editor, and the Bowling Green Times for outstanding coverage of the Champ Clark Heritage Day Festival. Also, thanks to all who supported and participated in the parade, car and truck show, vendors, food trucks, Amish, and fun-seekers!
I would like to recognize our Hispanic Community as September is Hispanic Heritage Month. Thanks for contributing greatly to our town, our culture, our schools, and workforce! Muchos gracias!
I am so proud of our Bowling Green community that is united, compassionate towards others, and is so generous to our schools, non-profit organizations, churches, and community needs. Well done Bowling Green! Thanks for allowing me to be your mayor!
There are less than 41 days before the 2024 National Elections by the time you read this article. I would like to encourage you, even plead with you to make sure you’re registered to vote and then do so! There are many crucial topics to understand and educate yourself that range from taxes, crime, border control, energy, inflation, unemployment, housing needs, high interest rates, abortion, and the list could go on. No matter which political party you stand with, be an informed educated voter!
AARP projects the Cost-of-Living Adjument (COLA) for Social Security benefits will be around 2.5 to 2.6 percent for 2025. COLA is based on the CPI which is Consumer Price Index. It is applied to urban wage earners and clerical workers information from the Department of Labor Statistics. They price goods and services which include food, energy, and medical care in the third quarter, June – August, of each year. It compares the current year with the past year. The purpose of COLA is to maintain purchasing power for recipients. There is no way they can consider eggs up 48 percent from last years, and milk and other necessary foods up 36%. Including fuel and medicine along with 9.1% inflation from 2023-2024, a 2.5-3.0% increase in COLA does not go very far.
In this election year, many values and historical events have been impacted. There is a contest for third grade through 12th grade called 2025 America’s Field Trip Contest. Essays are written on “What America Means to You.” In times of protest in favor of terrorist organizations, riots on college campuses, burning of Federal buildings and businesses from Seatle to Minnesota, antisemitism, and tearing down of historical monuments, we may have a need to understand what it means to be an American and “what America means to you!” All first-place winners and one parent/guardian will receive a field trip to one of the Nation’s historical and cultural cities.
Appreciation to those who attended the Second Chance Trivia Night and Silent Auction evening this past Saturday! It was a fun and crazy time of enjoying one another, “some” competitiveness revealed, (LOL), and supporting the efforts of Second Chance emergency shelter to help those stranded, abused, neglected, and/or simply needing a hand up! Many thanks to those who donated various items for the silent auction. Your generosity means a great deal!
Written by Mayor Jim Arico