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Wednesday, November 8, 2017 - 11:15am

Novel tells boy’s journey to success through determination

Donald Ball announces release of fifth book in ‘Country Living’ series

POMONA, Calif. – Published author Donald Ball releases the last installment to his five-book series “Country Living” (published by Xlibris). The novel follows a young boy’s inspirational journey to success through determination and hard work.

 

Young Ted is a good wood worker and uses his skills in anything else he might undertake. He finds friends that help him learn music and Grandpa teaches him to plow with his mules. He is never afraid to start new projects, and soon affords to buy a new farm and become successfully independent.

 

“I wanted to tell how a young boy could survive during the depression. This book shows the struggle a kid has to go through in life. Most of the books today just show blood and glory,” Ball shares.

 

Reflective of the author’s own life story, “Country Living” imparts to readers a reminder: “Kids still have to find their way in this world, and there are lots of ways to be successful. This book will tell young people that they can always be successful Never give up. No matter what happens never give up.”

 

“Country Living”

By Donald Ball

Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 268 pages | ISBN 9781543455113

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 268 pages | ISBN 9781543455106

E-Book | 268 pages | ISBN 9781543455090

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

 

About the Author

After college, Donald Ball became an engineering officer in the navy, and then worked as a math teacher after his military service. He taught math in junior high school for 38 years. He is the author of a memoir titled “Hopscotch” and a book series titled “Country Living.”

Xlibris Publishing, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider created in 1997 by authors, for authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles. For more information, visit xlibris.com or call 1-888-795-4274 to receive a free publishing guide. Follow us @XlibrisPub on Twitter for the latest news.

 

 

Considering a Personal Bankruptcy? Read This First

National nonprofit credit counseling agency Take Charge America helps consumers think through bankruptcy decision

PHOENIX – (Nov. 8, 2017) –  For people struggling under a mountain of debt, bankruptcy may seem like an opportunity for a fresh start. However, few understand what it really means to declare bankruptcy, or the long-term repercussions.

“Bankruptcy should be the last possible option,” said Michael Sullivan, a personal finance consultant with Take Charge America, a national nonprofit credit counseling and debt management agency. “The financial and credit implications are considerable, so it’s best to exhaust all other options first.”

Sullivan offers five points to consider before pursuing bankruptcy:

It kills your credit. Nothing has a more negative impact on your long-term credit than bankruptcy, which stays on your credit report for seven to 10 years, making it difficult if not impossible to qualify for an auto loan on reasonable terms or for a mortgage. You may have trouble renting an apartment or getting a job since credit is often a reference point for landlords and employers.

It’s complicated and costly. It’s not easy to file bankruptcy. First, you have to determine whether you’re filing for Chapter 7, Chapter 11 or Chapter 13. Then, the federal government requires a Pre-Filing Bankruptcy Credit Counseling certificate from an approved credit counseling agency, and a course in financial management prior to discharging any debts. After you file, you must obtain a Post-Filing Bankruptcy Debtor Education certificate.

You’re also on the hook for filing fees and any attorney expenses for completing the bankruptcy process.

It doesn’t clear all debt. Many believe that filing bankruptcy will give them a fresh, debt-free start, but that’s not the case. Student loans cannot be discharged in bankruptcy, and neither can child support, alimony, criminal restitution or debts resulting from fraud.

You may have alternatives. Two of your other options could include debt settlement or debt management.

  • Debt settlement has a downside. It seems like a smart alternative to bankruptcy, but there’s an ugly side to debt settlement. With debt settlement, you stop sending money to your creditors and send a new, lower monthly payment to the debt settlement company instead. Once your accounts are a few months past due, the company works to negotiate a settlement with your creditors. In the interim, creditors report your late payments. Often, the debt settler can negotiate a settlement that’s considerably less than your original debt, but the costs are still significant. Late payments remain on your credit report for up to seven years.
  • Debt management may be an option. You might consider working with a nonprofit credit counseling agency on a debt management plan, which combines multiple creditor payments into a single monthly payment. It reduces the time it takes to repay credit card debt while lowering the total amount of interest paid. It also eliminates collection calls, late fees and over-limit fees.

For more information on debt management, credit or bankruptcy counseling call (866) 528-0588 or visit www.takechargeamerica.org.

About Take Charge America, Inc.

Founded in 1987, Take Charge America, Inc. is a nonprofit agency offering financial education and counseling services including credit counseling, debt management, student loan counseling, housing counseling and bankruptcy counseling. It has helped more than 1.6 million consumers nationwide manage their personal finances and debts. To learn more, visit www.takechargeamerica.org or call (888) 822-9193

 

 

Gov. Herbert appoints new general counsel

 

SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 8, 2017) – Gov. Gary R. Herbert has announced the appointment of Ron Gordon as his general counsel. Gordon replaces Jacey Skinner, who has served as the governor’s counsel since 2013, and who has accepted a position as deputy court administrator for the Utah Administrative Offices of the Courts. The governor’s general counsel serves as the legal advisor to the governor and his office. Counsel advises the Governor’s Cabinet, acts as legislative advisor and director for the administration, advises on all litigation with the Attorney General’s Office, and advises the governor on judicial appointments.  

 

“Ron Gordon is a capable and reliable individual who is extremely well regarded in the legal community,” said Gov. Herbert. “Not only has he consistently provided me with sound advice in appointing the most qualified individuals to Utah’s judicial branch, but he also has a demonstrated track record of understanding complex legislation and legislative processes. He has been a key advisor to me for many years, and I am thrilled that he has accepted this new role within my administration.”

 

Gordon is currently executive director of the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ), having been appointed to that position by Gov. Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. in February 2009 and retained by Gov. Gary R. Herbert since that time. In this capacity, he oversees a 21-member commission charged with coordinating criminal and juvenile justice policy throughout Utah. Gordon works closely with executive branch agencies, the Legislature, Judiciary and local governments as well as private entities in policy development. Gordon oversaw recent reform efforts in the Utah criminal justice system and the Utah juvenile justice system. Gordon also currently serves as a member of Gov. Herbert’s senior staff and as criminal justice policy advisor, and assists Gov. Herbert with judicial appointments.

 

Prior to his appointment as executive director of CCJJ, Gordon served as the director of the Office of Crime Victim Reparations, coordinator of the Criminal Justice Advisory Council in Salt Lake County, director of the Utah Sentencing Commission and staff attorney to CCJJ. He received his Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University in 1995 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Utah in 1998.

 

“I have been very fortunate to work for Gov. Herbert for the past eight years and to see firsthand how committed he is to serving the people of Utah,” said Gordon. “It is a great honor to be able to serve as his general counsel as he continues his tremendous service to this state.”

 

The governor’s appointment is effective Nov. 25, 2017.

 

 

Conservatives have the chance of a lifetime, right now, to pass tax reform that puts more money back into your hands and the hands of all hardworking Americans, empowers small businesses to thrive, brings financial relief to families, and jump-starts the American economy. 

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