Khadra gets invitation to address Ohio State Senate

Frances Strickland, Yussur Abrar, Khadra Mohamed and

Samia Al-Zifr

The facilitator of the annual  International Women’s Day in Columbus, Ohio, Khadra Mohamed received an offer from State Senator Charleta B. Tavares to address the Ohio State Senate. 

The offer was made to her during the International Women’s Day Program held March 7 at the Ohio State House Atrium.

Senator Tavares commended Khadra for her contributions to the upliftment of women in the State, especially for haven facilitated the International Women’s Day in the last six years. 

(R) Senator Charleta B. Tavares

In her welcome address, Khadra Mohamed said the annual event was designed to showcase the contributions of new American women to the Ohio community. 

The immediate past Ohio State First Lady, Frances Strickland gave the Keynote address, encouraging women to continue in their active contributions to making the society better.

Former Governor of the Central Bank of Somalia, Yussur Abrar was honored as the 2017 International Woman of the Year.

Health Insurance vs. Life Insurance

Patrick Olabode MSN, RN, CNP

I am compelled to write on this topic largely because of an ever-increasing cost of health in our society coupled with dwindling incomes, the challenges posed by partial or permanent disability with no means of livelihood or family survival and lastly because of recent incidents among the immigrant community in general.

Which is more important-Health insurance or Life insurance?

Here are two questions that we need to ask ourselves:

When are we going to get ill?

More than likely we don't know. Disease and sickness are inevitable of life just like death. I have not seen anyone who has opened a savings account for payment of medical/hospital bills except in form of health insurance. Chances are, everyone will be ill one time or the other and will need medical treatment. So, everyone needs health insurance to pay medical bills when ill.

When are we going to die?

Every one born is destined to die! Everyone on the face of the earth more than likely does not know when he or she will die, hence the need for life insurance to prepare for when that time comes. This will help in payment of expenses/debts incurred, and for final burial rights and family upkeep; that is, to keep the family in a good financial status that they are accustomed to. We are not promised tomorrow; no one is. 

Thus, everyone should be able to make a decision about which is more important between health insurance and life insurance-the decision is yours to decide. However, I am of the opinion that both are equally important and they are equally MUST HAVES!

PS: The next 2 topics in this series will address these two important MUST HAVES separately highlighting the advantages and information on how to obtain insurance.

Health is Wealth! Let us all remain healthy.

Patrick Olabode MSN, RN, CNP

patolabode@yahoo.com

Franklin County moves 16 Voting Locations for May 2 Primary Election

*  Registration ends Monday, April 2

More than 31,000 post cards have been mailed to Franklin County voters informing them that their polling locations have been changed for the May 2 primary election.  That equates to roughly four percent of those registered countywide. 

Also  registration for the May 2nd primary will end on Monday, April 3rd. The board of elections, located at 1700 Morse Road, will remain open Monday until 9:00 p.m. for voters to register or deliver their completed forms to our office.

Voters may also go online at http://myohiovote.com to register to vote with a valid Ohio driver’s license or update an existing registration. Registrations by mail are acceptable if they are postmarked by April 3rd. Registration forms are available at our office, on the Web at http://vote.franklincountyohio.gov.

Forms may also be found at many government offices throughout the county. Registration is open to U.S. citizens who live in Franklin County and who will be 18 or older by the November 7th general election. Voters as young as 17 may register and vote for candidates as long as they will be 18 years of age by November 7, 2017. 17 year old may not vote for issues in the primary.

A statement by the spokesperson for the Board of Elections, Aaron Sellers said that “16 locations are changing for various reasons and were not available for use in this election.  The changes only involve polling locations open on May 2.”

“Each postcard lists the name, address and precinct of the new voting location as well as the legislative and school districts it covers.  The board of elections will have signs posted at former voting sites to redirect voters to their new location.  Voting locations are also available under the Sample Ballot link on our website www.vote.franklincountyohio.gov. 

“Voters still have the option of voting early by mail or in-person at the board of elections beginning Tuesday, April 4 through Monday, May 1 by 2:00pm,” he added. Close of Registration for the May 2, 2017 Primary is at 9:00 p.m. on April 3, 2017.

The city of Columbus, Ohio, will hold elections on November 7, 2017. A primary election will occur on May 2, 2017. Three of the seven seats on the city council are up for election. The positions of city attorney and city auditor are also on the ballot. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 1, 2017.

Be prepared—Richard Herman, Immigration Lawyer

Richard Herman, Immigration Lawyer was a Guest Speaker at the recent New American Collaborative Initiative meeting in Columbus, Ohio. He spoke to TheNewAmericans on measures that should be taken by immigrants who may be affected by the policy of President Donald Trump on immigration.

Immigrants 

They should carry with them documents that indicate that they have been in the United States for more than two years. There is a provision in the law that Trump is signaling he’s going to enforce which is if the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE agents think a person has been here less than two years undocumented they could be deported without a trial. If you have been here for like five years, and you’ve got kids that were born here three years ago, you’ve got receipts like utility bills, keep them with you. If you have good character or no criminal records that goes a long way both in bond issues when immigration is involved.

Prepare

The best thing is to prepare and talk to someone who knows immigration laws to plan your strategy going forward. What happens, if you apply; can you apply for something in the immigration court; are you eligible for asylum; are you eligible for cancellation or removal or green card program? 

Stay low

There are some people, there is nothing they can file for. Make sure that if there is a program out there that you are eligible for, get a good advice and perhaps they can file. They are going to stay low and wait for the law to change.

Marriage

If it is in good faith and a real marriage to a U.S citizen or a permanent citizen, he could file. If the person is here legally but overstayed, and then married a U.S citizen he can apply for a U.S green card. If they came illegally without a visa it is more complicated. They may apply for a waiver here and if they get the waiver approved they could travel out of the country and go to the embassy to apply for visa to come back in.

Travel

If they have green cards and they want to travel, they have to make sure they have no criminal convictions and background unusual. I do recommend they have a lawyer represent them, they have documents signed by a lawyer that they can take to the border in case there is a problem and the lawyer can intervene. But generally speaking, they shouldn’t be afraid. 

Vote

Under state statute and immigration statute it is an offense to vote accidentally; it is a violation of the law. And the N-400 will ask specifically if you voted unlawfully. But you have to talk to an expert before you file. There are ways to become a citizen even though you voted unlawfully.

2017 Tax Filing Season ends April 18

 *  Free File Tops 50 Million Users

*  Saves Taxpayers $1.5 Billion since Inception  

Commissioner John Koskinen

Tuesday, April 18, 2017 is the filing deadline to submit 2016 tax returns. Rather than the traditional April 15 date, 2017, April 15 falls on a Saturday, and this would usually move the filing deadline to the following Monday — April 17. 

However, Emancipation Day — a legal holiday in the District of Columbia — will be observed on that Monday, which pushes the nation’s filing deadline to Tuesday, April 18, 2017. Under the tax law, legal holidays in the District of Columbia affect the filing deadline across the nation.

Meanwhile, the Internal Revenue Service, IRS has announced that Free File – the pioneering public-private partnership that makes free tax software available to 70 percent of taxpayers – recently surpassed 50 million users since the program started.

Since 2003, the 50 million taxpayers who used this free tax service saved approximately $1.5 billion based on a conservative estimate of $30 per tax software product.

Taxpayers who earned $64,000 or less can choose from among a dozen, brand-name software products offered by leading private-sector companies for free. Taxpayers who made more than $64,000 may use Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version of Internal Revenue Service paper forms.

Free File is available exclusively at www.irs.gov/freefile. Several products offer both free federal and free state return preparation. Each software provider sets its own eligibility standards but anyone who made $64,000 or less will find at least one product to use. 

“Reaching 50 million users and achieving $1.5 billion in taxpayer savings mark important milestones for the Free File initiative,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “The Free File effort shows how the public and private sectors can work together to provide a critical service to the nation’s taxpayers. After 14 years, this innovative program continues to break new ground as it evolves to meet people’s needs.”

Jobs

Evergreen Insurance Agency and Financial Service has opening for a Part Time customer service associate, preferably a bi or multi-linguist.

Located at 2151 Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH 43229 Tel: 614-899-2310 

Diversified Health Management, Inc. is hiring licensed practical nurses, LPN and registered nurses, RN.

Located at 3569 Refugee Road, Suite C, Columbus, OH 43232. Tel: Tel: 614-338-8888 Fax: 614-338-8030 Cell: 614-315-0189

Coming Events: ADO meets Mar. 22; NCAC/RAD Mar. 30

ADO meets Mar. 22

The African in the Diaspora, Ohio, ADO will meet Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at Dynotec, Inc., Complex, 2931 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH 43231 beginning 6.30pm.

African light refreshments will follow after the meeting.

NCAC/RAD host political and Cultural forum Mar. 30

The New Citizens Advocacy Coalition (NCAC) and Reynoldsburg Area Democrats (RAD) will host a political and cultural forum with candidates for city and county elected offices along with other community leaders on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at the IBEW Hall, 610 Lancaster Avenue, Reynoldsburg, Columbus, Ohio beginning at 5pm and ending at 7.30pm.

Topics for the forum will include the Candidates; Issue 11 which will be on the ballot on May 2; how to participate in local politics and political organizations; cultural differences among Reynoldsburg residents, and how we all have a place.