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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 2015)
22 Wednesday, October 21, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon walden: Talk ranged from energy to housing CERTAIN AGE: No COLA means adjusting the budget Continued from page 1 Continued from page 18 that he was visiting not to talk about his work but to hear from constituents. “I’m actually here to listen and learn,” he said. Since he was being hosted by airport owners Julie and Benny Benson, who also operate ENERGYneering Solutions, Inc., Walden heard first a good bit of input on the need for consistent support for renewable energy. David Wentworth, of Evensol, which is affili- ated with ENERGYneering Solutions, noted that, “People should think of renewable energy as an infrastructure project” that should be “blind to politics.” Walden said that “the real debate is how far does the government put their finger on the scale?” The congressman also acknowledged real concerns about the vulnerability of the electrical grid and the value of distributed energy and individual energy sources — local infrastructure that Sisters Country firms are capable of developing. “We could probably power the whole town with renew- able energy,” Benny Benson noted. Attendees also briefed Walden on the Outlaw Aviation program that is help- ing high school students make real strides toward careers in aviation. The conversation turned to one of the major concerns in the Sisters community: the availability — or lack thereof — of rental and workforce housing. That is perceived as an impediment to the eco- nomic development of the area. Benson noted that his company is growing and employing more young engi- neers and mechanics, but “we But in the past decade, the COLA has been that big only once. The five times I did receive a small COLA, it basically covered the increase in my Medicare Part B premium for outpatient care. When that doesn’t hap- pen, a long-standing federal “hold harmless” law protects the majority of beneficiaries (70 percent) from having their Social Security payment reduced because of increased insurance premiums and no COLA. However, there are 30 percent of Medicare benefi- ciaries who do have to pay an increased premium that would otherwise be spread among the full 100 percent. Higher premiums (up $54) will be paid by 2.8 million new beneficiaries, and 1.6 million, whose premiums are not deducted from their Social Security payment. 3.1 million people with higher incomes, many of whom already pay higher premiums, could see large increases. For those with incomes above $214,000 a year, premiums next year could exceed $500 a month, up from about $335. photo by Jim Cornelius Rep. Greg Walden visited with locals at Sisters Airport last week. fight, a bit, the rental market.” Walden asked, “What con- strains that?” City Manager Andrew Gorayeb replied that “capi- tal availability is definitely a little bit of a challenge.” Gorayeb said, “We’ve got property here in town ready to be developed for multifam- ily … there’s no capital fall- ing from the sky available to develop those dwellings.” Walden noted that he hears from bankers that they are lending money and from com- munities that capital avail- ability is a problem. He hopes to look into the question. “How do you put those two together?” he said. Gorayeb is anticipating a growing strain on local infrastructure. “The exodus from California is going to be big- ger than people realize,” he said. “We’re going to be chal- lenged with infrastructure … we’re going to see a lot more bodies.” As talk turned back to education, Steve Marsan, of Innoviator Flight Science, which recently located at the airport, noted a need for TREATING SPORTS INJURIES Children & Adults Three Sisters Chiropractic 270 S. Spruce St., Sisters Dr. Inice Gough, DC, 541.549.3583 ThreeSistersChiropractic.com SISTERS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Thrift Store Halloween is ReStore We are getting ready to transform the upstairs into a winter wonderland, so 1/2 PRICE! 60% OFF Outfi t not fi tting? EVERYTHING UPSTAIRS IS Come on down! 541-549-1740 ellie! Whoa N e serious m That’s s a o vings! s 541-549-1621 141 W. Main Ave., Sisters 254 W. 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There’s some real skills being developed over there.” Walden concluded his visit with a tour of the airport facilities, which continue to see upgrades as it becomes an economic hub for the community. NuggetNews.com is your online source for Breaking News Classifieds | Weather GET READY FOR WINTER TRAVEL Tires, Suspension, Brakes & Alignment DAVIS TIRE Serving Sisters Since 1963. 541-549-1026 188 W. Sisters Park Dr. In Sisters Industrial Park across from SnoCap Mini Storage States’ budgets will also be impacted because they pay part of the Medicare pre- miums for about 10 million low-income beneficiaries. There is pressure being brought to bear in Washington, D.C. urging Congress to protect all retir- ees from dramatic increases in Medicare costs. With the continual logjam in Congress, it seems unlikely they will be able to compro- mise or enact any legislation. In the absence of legisla- tive action, the White House could choose to do one of several things. It could authorize the big increase in Medicare premiums for the 30 percent (15 million). Or it could authorize the sec- retary of health and human services to take money from the Medicare contin- gency reserve, which acts as backup in case actual spend- ing is higher than projected. Unfortunately, that fund is already lower than the level recommended by Medicare actuaries. Whatever action is taken or not taken will be reflected in my first 2016 Social Security check, and I may have to amend my budget for the coming year. BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! OCTOBER IS ITALIAN MENU MONTH Serving up seriously good Italian food Come taste what everyone is talking about! 541-549-EATS (3287) Fri.-Tues., 5 p.m. to close 243 N. Elm St. Sisters Walk-ins welcome!
