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Veterans Day is more than a sale at Macys. There has been confusion in the past, but today I think it is understood that you are assigned the mission, trust it's importance, and put your life on the line to do it.

Thank you Veterans for your service!

posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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Hello Mr. Fearless47

I have read some of the blog you sponsor. I see by your own description here that PERS is a mess created by the employers and legislature. Also, I read that PERS is one of the best in the country. Is it a mess or the best? Also, I interpret your comments as that a PERS retirement is the rest of the compensation you did not receive during your active employment. Is that correct? If so then would you also assert that success in PERS investing played a part in setting the amount of your pension? That is, were your earned contributions, employers contributions, and returns from PERS investments during your working years what account for the retirement pension you now receive? If so, did the legislation in 2003(?) steal from your account? Maybe I asked this in a previous question, but with the downturn in the economy or even in a good economy and market are today's taxpayers making payments to you in your retirement? Is paid medical insurance part of a PERS retirement?

Lynda

posted 2 years, 6 months ago
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Of course Damascus is out of the reserve and ready to go as Oregon's newest city. My first thought is with this scheme will the tax base support the infrastructure and services required by a city? I share the suspicion described by scottmil. Unlike Happy Valley that experienced rapid development fueled by creative lending (a number of homes now empty or in short sale) the Rurban approach might allow for "on demand" development with the farm shrinking as homes are built. Doesn't this create planning issues? Where are the jobs in this area? And, in Damascus won't cars be a requirement for all members of the family? Are these self supporting farms or just hobby farms? How will zoning and codes be created to address the many issues this kind of mix presents?

posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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usesjobdango, I apologize. I wanted to keep my comment short, I do see how it contains generalizations. I offered the story and info only to support my two questions at the end. I was very interested in this program because as I said I see contradictions, and it is confusing. In the past I was out of work because of economic conditions. I was younger and had a family to support. I realized that: An employer would not hire me because I "needed" a job. The job would exist only if the employer had no other choice but to hire someone. I would be hired only if I could make the employer more than I would be paid. I had to have the skills that were needed. I had to live on a budget that did not exceed my earning ability. I had to create an emergency fund. I do have a great deal of compassion for someone that is unemployed and wants to work. In this kind of communication it is difficult to convey how one feels. In my writing I may be reflecting somethings from the emotion I experienced when the realities of unemployment happened to me. I worked one and a half jobs. I requested a night shift at a low paying assembly plant so I could look for a job during the morning hours. Later I worked days and weekends (two jobs) and found a way to go to school evenings. I mention some of this because I want you to know I have felt something of the experience and understand. I did not have a house to lose, but I did have rent to pay for some very humble quarters. I was very lucky in eventually getting the certifications I needed to improve my situation. It took years. Again I apologize. It is an employers market, and a different time than my experience. I had some luck, and sincerely wish you luck. 

Lynda M

posted 2 years, 8 months ago
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I am confused by the contradictions I see, what I hear, and what I read. Friday I went to Clackamas Town Center and Costco to shop. I had trouble finding a parking space at each. Inside there were crowds of people purchasing merchandise. Oregon is fourth in the nation for unemployment? Out of curiosity I used the Internet to look at a site called Job Dango. There I found thirty pages of jobs, at about 18 to 20 jobs per page. The range of jobs was very large. Many offered training, medical and 401k benefits. I know of a number of people who have decided to not work. A neighbor explained to me how to “play the system”. He explained how to stay unemployed and meet the conditions for unemployment benefits. His excuse for not taking a job was that none paid him enough and did not offer what he wanted to do. Taking personal responsibility and accepting the idea that we cannot always have everything we want, exactly the way we want it appears to be a concept that has been dumped in today’s world. Do some, or many expect more than what is realistic, and do extended unemployment benefits actually encourage unemployment?

Lynda M.

posted 2 years, 8 months ago
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