Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Aug. 11, 2016, edition 1 / Page 5
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Protest focuses on Burr's Medicare history BY TODD LUCK THE CHRONICLE A protest on Thursday, Aug. 4, in front of Sen. Richard Burr's Winston Salem field office tried to draw attention to his sup port of increasing privati zation in Medicare. The protest, organized by the N.C. Democratic Party, had about 30 people holding signs on the comer of Miller and First streets. There was a table set up with mock coupons for Medicare. It was a refer ence to the Seniors Choice Act, a 2012 proposal by Burr and Sen. Tom Cobum to give seniors a fixed amount that could be Applied toward a private ?plan or a government plan ?modeled on Medicare. Protestors chanted '""Medicare now, coupons 'never!" . William Dworkin, pres ident of North Carolina 'Alliance for Retired Americans, told his fellow protestors he was afraid that such a plan would not cover the entire cost of insurance, especially for those in bad health. "I want it to be simple, comprehensive and stan dard," he said. Matilda Phillips, presi dent of North Carolina Senior Democrats, and Fred Terry, president of Forsyth County Senior Democrats, also spoke on their fears that future cov erage might not be com plete and comprehensive if the program shifted toward privatization. "What we have now, we paid for, and what we have now must continue," said Terry, a former city council member. As of 2015, more than 55 million Americans were covered by Medicare, but the Congressional Budget Office has forecasted it will become insolvent by 2026. Burr's proposal in 2012 was touted as a way to pre vent insolvency. Along with the choice of plans, it also proposed gradually raising the retirement age to 67, increasing Medicare Part B premiums and hav ing out-of-pocket protec tion so seniors wouldn't pay more than $7,500 per year in medical expenses. Burr said at the time he hoped it would act as blue print for legislation, but his campaign site makes no mention of it, simply say ing he would "fight to pro tect our retirement pro grams so that America's seniors can continue to count on these benefits being there for them." The protest was held on the same day that Democratic nominee Deborah Ross attacked him on Social Security and Medicare at an event in Fayetteville. Ross was recently endorsed by the non-partisan National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare because, accord ing to the organization, she understands and supports "the critical roles that Social Security and Medicare play in the retire ment and health security of our nation's older citizens and their families." Photo by Todd Luck William Dworkin, president of North Carolina Alliance for Retired Americans, speaks to fellow protesters outside of Richard Burr's office on Thursday, Aug. 4. My Brother's Keeper looks to inspire students on first day of school 100 Male Reception Tbnnel to usher in the start of the 2016 2017 school year at Ashley Academy BY TEVIN STINSON THE CHRONICLE My Brother's Keeper (MBK), a male mentoring initiative designed to empower young men of color, is trying to make sure the first day of school is one the young men at W illiams Ashley Academy will remember. On the morning of Monday, Aug. 29, MBK is planning a 100 Male Reception Tunnel to greet young men as they enter the area of learning to jumpstart the new school year. The purpose of the wel coming ceremony at Ashley is to inspire stu dents to start on the right foot and help them carry that momentum throughout the year. During the event, professional men will offer words of encouragement during an assembly at the start of the school day. MBK was launched by President Barack Obama to address persistent opportu nity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and ensure that all young peo ple can reach their full potential. At the local level, director Rev. Dr. Lamonte Williams and other mem bers on the committee have been working to ensure those in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County reach their potential. Williams mentioned the event will also give stu dents an opportunity to connect with possible men tors who will work with students throughout the school year. "The first day of school is very important; that's why we feel it is important that we are there to wel come them with open ,* '.:C arms," Williams said dur ing a MBK committee meeting held last month. "We want the boys and young men of color to know that we are here to support them," he contin ued. "That's what this ini tiative is all about, making sure our young men stay on track." While MBK will begin the school year at Ashley, that is only the beginning. As the school year pro gresses, the mentoring pro gram will look to make an impact in every elementary school and surrounding communities in the district. Williams said MBK will first focus on elementary schools because so many in the area are performing below the state average. "We won't be finished after we touch the students at Ashley," continued Williams. "The purpose of this initiative is to change the lives of all boy and young men of color and that's what we intend to do." While the purpose of the welcoming ceremony and the mentoring program is to inspire students, a number of parents said they were also excited to see how the initiative will impact the community. When told about the plans for the first day, Adriana Ross, whose son is a third grader at Ashley, said she was interested to find out more. "That program seems like a perfect fit for schools like Ashley," she contin ued. "A lot of these young men come from single par ent homes, so for them to see successful black men on the first day they go back to school is amazing. "I am excited to see how the program works in this community." If you are interested in participating in the 100 Male Reception Tunnel, or becoming a male mentor, contact MBK committee member Aretha Garr at 336-871-6307. Have a Story Idea? Let us Know im@wsdmmclem i 100?/. CHOICE BEEF YOUR TASTE BUDS WILL THANK YOU Our new 100% USDA Choice meat is tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Visit your local Food Lion today and experience quality meat at affordable prices. I HOWfaREFRESHING ?' ? H ?i I wgj/gfi jf ??& JK JK
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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Aug. 11, 2016, edition 1
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