May 22, 2018 • Page 2 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com A Friendly Community Dave Says By Daris Howard Save Up, or Get a Mortgage? Dear Dave, I’m 28, single, and I just became debt-free. In addition, I make $70,000 a year and have the equivalent of six months of expenses set aside for emergencies. Should I save up to pay cash for a house, or is mortgage debt okay? I’d like to keep the price of a new home between $200,000 and $225,000. Since I currently live in a nice apartment, I think I can save about $20,000 a year. What do you think? Kathryn Dave RAMSEY Dear Kathryn, It sounds like you’re in great financial shape. Congratulations on becoming debt-free! Let’s take a look at both scenarios. If you can save $20,000 a year, that means you’re about 10 years away from a nice, paid-for home, and you’re still debt-free. That’s one option. At the same time, I don’t yell at people for taking out a 15-year, fixed-rate mortgage, where the payments are no more than 25 percent of their monthly take home pay. In this situation, you could save like crazy for a couple of years and make a big down payment on a home in the price range you’re talking about. Then, you could pay off that house in just 15 years. I honestly don’t have a problem with either solution, Kathryn, but think about this. Wouldn’t it be great to have your own home, and still be completely debt-free, at 40? It’s something to think about! — Dave Gov. Daugaard Appoints Kent Shelton As Third Circuit Judge PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced today that he will appoint Kent A. Shelton of Huron as a circuit court judge in South Dakota’s Third Circuit Court. “I thank Kent Shelton for taking on this important role as circuit judge,” said Gov. Daugaard. “Kent is a respected member of the bar and a well-known member of the Huron community. He will do an excellent job.” Shelton has been in the private practice of law in Huron since 1990, and is a partner in the Churchill, Manolis, Freeman, Kludt, Shelton and Burns law firm. Shelton has a general practice that includes criminal defense, family law, real estate and property, estate planning and corporate law. “I am honored to have been selected to serve my community and state as their circuit court judge,” said Shelton. “I have always respected the judges and their decisions and will maintain the honor that goes with the position.” Shelton is a lifelong native of Huron. He graduated from the University of Montana with a bachelor’s degree in 1986 and a law degree in 1989. Shelton has served as chairman of the Huron College Endowment Fund and on the boards of directors of the Huron Chamber of Commerce, the Beadle County Humane Society and the Cornerstones Career Learning Center. Shelton and his wife, Laurie, have three daughters and three grandchildren. He will succeed Judge Jon Erickson, who is retiring in June. The Third Circuit includes Beadle, Brookings, Clark, Codington, Deuel, Kingsbury, Grant, Hamlin, Hand, Jerauld, Lake, Miner, Moody and Sanborn counties. Hartington Tree LLC TREE TRIMMING, REMOVALS & TRANSPLANTING Stand up to Them! Dear Dave, A debt collection agency started calling my office a few weeks ago. I gave them an initial payment, and made an agreement to pay off the debt in monthly installments. This morning, they started calling me at my office again wanting payment. Can I legally demand they not call me at my place of employment? James Dear James, Absolutely! You have a legal and moral obligation to pay your debts, and I’m glad this is something you recognize. But collectors have rules they must follow. They’re governed by law just like everyone else. Be certain to keep your end of the agreement. Make your payments on time, or early, whenever possible. Then, if they call you at work again, remind them of your initial payment and the terms of the agreement already in place. Be polite, but firm, and demand that they never call you at your office again. In addition, send them a certified letter, return receipt requested, so you’ll have proof you sent the letter and they received it. In the letter, let them know that — according to guidelines set forth in the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act — you are demanding they not call you at your office again. If they call you there after receiving this formal demand to stop, they’ll be in violation of federal law. If that happens, let them know you’ll talk to a lawyer and sue them. — Dave * Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business, and CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven bestselling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 12 million listeners each week on 575 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com. When Dewey and Emily walked into the Mule Barn the other day, they were greeted with applause and whistles. Emily blushed and Dewey took a bow, almost hitting the coffee pot Loretta was carrying. “I hear you too really fell for each other,” Doc said. “And the way I hear it, many times.” “That’s right, Doc, I finally cornered him and we’re planning a wedding,” Emily said. Emily is a brave soul, taking for a husband the most accident prone human being since Wrong Way Corrigan. The think tank was at the round table this morning, and the fellows made room for the young couple. Dewey very slowly and deliberately pulled a chair back for Emily, then helped her scoot it in. He then pulled out his chair slowly and sat down. It was like he was operating in molasses. “Are you okay, Dewey?” “Sure am, Doc.” “Moving kinda funny this morning?” Dewey smiled. “Part of my new plan, Doc. You know things have a way of … happening … to me, right?” Yes indeed. “So I kinda slowed myself down and I do things very deliberately now. And it’s working out really well. Steve, would you pass those creamers, please?” Steve reached across the table with the creamers and Dewey reached for them, knocking Herb’s water glass over and spilling ice water in Herb’s lap. Herb jumped up and his chair hit the busboy who dropped dishes with a tremendous crash. Once the danger of flying shrapnel was over, Mary the cook looked out into the dining room with a questioning look on her face. Loretta said, “Dewey.” Interested in this spot? TREES FOR SALE EVERGREEN • SHADE • ORNAMENTAL Yankton 605-260-1490 Hartington 402-254-6710 Serving Southeast SD & Northeast NE for 20 Years Call 665-5884 to NEW! place your ad here. 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When church ended, the youth burst out the doors into the fresh air, much like frisky young creatures coming out of hibernation. But the adults were affected by this spring fever as well. Instead of visiting in the church foyer, as was usual, the conversations moved outside into the parking lot. I, too, went outside. As I was slowly moving to my car, I watched one family who was new to our community. The wife, Brenda, said to her husband, “Honey, could you drive the children home. I think I would like to walk home today.” “Good luck with that,” I said. Brenda looked at me with surprise. “It’s not that far,” she said. “It can’t be much more than a mile.” “It’s not the distance,” I replied. “It’s the neighbors. Everyone is too friendly.” Brenda laughed. “How can neighbors be too friendly?” “You’ll see,” I replied. Brenda walked toward the road. Her husband and children passed her on their way home and waved. They were barely gone when Brenda settled into a nice casual stroll. But she hadn’t walked more than fifteen yards when the first car stopped. The driver rolled down his window. “Do you need a ride?” I heard him ask. Brenda shook her head. “Just out for a pleasant walk home.” The friendly driver visited with her for a few minutes, and I could hear the angst in Brenda’s voice as she must have desired to be on her way. Finally, the driver pulled out around Brenda and continued on his down the road. Brenda hadn’t gone another twenty yards when the next car stopped. Once more the driver rolled down the car window, and I heard the familiar words. “Do you need a ride?” I was barely within earshot, but I could sense the frustration in Brenda’s voice as she said she was just enjoying the walk. The driver visited with her for a few minutes and then drove on. As another car approached, Brenda appeared to quicken her pace. But she hadn’t made it too far when the third car stopped. By this time she was too far away for me to hear, but I could imagine that the conversation was much like the previous ones. Instead of heading home, I decided to continue watching. Brenda’s pace had changed from a pleasant walk to an almost-jog. But as I watched, three more cars stopped before she had even covered a hundred yards. I climbed into my car and started on my way home. I watched ahead of me as cars continued to stop for Brenda to offer her a ride. When it was my turn, I pulled up alongside and rolled down my window, but I didn’t stop. Instead, I kept pace with her. “Now do you understand what I meant about the neighbors being too friendly?” I asked. Brenda sighed. “I guess it’s possible after all.” “That’s why when I walk home I cut through fields or follow the train tracks,” I said. With that, I continued on my way, but I smiled as I watched in my rearview mirror as the next car stopped to offer Brenda a ride. 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In 2014 the monarch was petitioned for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act, and a decision on whether listing is warranted is expected in 2019. Monarchs produce multiple generations each year and undertake a lengthy fall migration from the U.S. and southern Canada to the forested mountains of central Mexico where they overwinter. The goal of the strategy is to coordinate state and partner efforts to restore and enhance habitat to support an average overwintering population in Mexico occupying about 15 acres (6 hectares), consistent with international goals. The plan primarily focuses on voluntary and incentive-based habitat restoration and enhancement efforts, but also includes priority education and outreach, research, and monitoring needs related to monarch conservation. For more information, a copy of the draft strategy, and how to submit comments, please visit the MAFWA website at MidAmerica Monarch Conservation Strategy.