Newsletter 4-8-2020

 

 

 

 

The Village Board Meeting for tonight (Wednesday, April 8th)

IS CANCELLED!

Please watch our Facebook Page: Unadilla Bill - Groundhog Celebration

for real time updates.

 

 

 

Business updates: Nitty Gritty has changed their weekend hours to match their weekday hours: 7-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m. There is no admittance to the Village Office or the Community Center until May 1. Please remember to support your local businesses as much as you can!

 

Links with information on cleaning supplies. 

EPA List: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-03/documents/sars-cov-2-list_03-03-2020.pdf

Disinfectant: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html

 

 

 

On a happy note, garden season has begun. Bob has planted onions, radishes, carrots and cucumbers. Too early you say? I say we need our "social distancing" time!

 

 

Glad to report Jean Lucas and Sandy Kimbell are slowly getting back to normal. Hope everyone else is doing well and staying safe. I have been busy making cloth face masks. Sorry everyone, I couldn't possibly fill all the requests I've had so far! There are some great videos for non-sewers on FB for making them out of bandanas, scarves and even paper towels.

 

 

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

 

4-9   Michele Wilhelm

4-10   Addison Poppas

4-12   Tom & Shelly Block, Becky West

4-13   Anita Schomerus, Landon Oelke

4-14   Deb Flessner, Diane Oelke

 

 

 

NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO

 

Friday, 4-9-1920, The Otoe Union:

There were 356 votes cast in the Village election. Trustees elected: Horstman, Morgan and Butt. Paul Watts, son of Samuel, and Fairy Lucas, daughter of Thomas, were married in Lincoln on 3-31-1920. Guy Dean, son of William, and Ruby Graham, daughter of Taylor, were also married in Lincoln, on 4-3-1920. Catherine Dively died and was buried in the Hopewell Cemetery.

 

 

 

Fort Report Column: Coronavirus––Your Questions and Answers

By Congressman Jeff Fortenberry

 

The Cares Act just passed Congress to help individuals and families,

small businesses, and our health care system overcome this pandemic.

Given the rapidly changing dynamic in our country around coronavirus,

I put together the following list of answers to frequently asked

questions about the new law.

 

INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

Will I get financial help from the government?

Most Americans will get a check or direct deposit of $1200 per

individual, or $2400 per married couple, with an additional $500 per

child (for incomes below $75,000 per person or $150,000 per couple).

How soon will I get my money?

Payments will be sent out “as rapidly as possible.”  The Treasury

Secretary expects the payments to start going out in three weeks.

Do I have to pay income tax on this check?

No.

I am on Social Security.  Will I also get this payment in addition to

my Social Security?

Yes.

What about my IRA?

There is a temporary suspension of required minimum distribution rules

for older Americans. You can also withdraw funds without penalty for

coronavirus-related expenses.

I have lost my job.  Now what?

Unemployment benefits have been significantly expanded, including for

the self-employed and independent contractors.

When are taxes due?

Tax filing and payment are delayed until July 15.

Do I have other options besides unemployment benefits?

Yes.  One option is for your employer to take out a loan to pay your

salary and benefits.

SMALL BUSINESS

How is the help for small business being delivered?

The main program is an SBA-guaranteed loan with deferred interest and

payments, plus loan forgiveness for employee retention.

How does the loan forgiveness component work?

This applies to businesses that keep their employees on the payroll

from February 15th through the end of June.  The portion of the loan

covering payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent, and utilities is

forgiven for an eight-week period.  There is flexibility for those

employers who laid off workers and then re-hired them.

I am a business owner.  Does loan forgiveness apply to my salary?

Yes, within limits

Who is eligible?

Businesses with fewer than 500 employees and private non-profits –

501(c)(3)s.  Health care providers are also eligible, no matter how

they are structured.

What is the loan limit?

Loans can be as high as $10 million.

How do I apply for these loans?

Go to your bank or credit union.  Your financial institution will

primarily run the program, not the government.  However, the SBA.gov

website has a lot of good information.

Are contractors and sole proprietors included?

Yes. You are eligible for the loan and the forgiveness portion of

wages paid to yourself.

How long will the SBA loan review by my bank take?

Due to the unique nature of this situation, the lender can process,

close, and service the loan without an SBA review.

I am a farmer. How does an SBA loan help me?

The bill includes a number of small business provisions designed to

help farmers stay in business. This includes a provision that allows

farmers to work with their trusted farm credit institutions for the

purposes of securing payroll tax loans, along with 1-year deferrals,

100% guarantees, and low rates.

I don’t want to take out a loan. Is there any other help I can get?

Yes.  Grants of up to $10,000 will be available to cover

small-business operating costs.  The process will be announced shortly

by the SBA.

What is the employee retention tax credit?

Employers can temporarily receive a 50% tax credit on wages up to

$10,000 per employee for anyone kept on the payroll.  Employers are

eligible if their business was closed due to government shutdown or if

they suffered a revenue loss of at least 50%.

Are taxes delayed?

Yes. Payroll taxes are delayed until 2021. Tax filing and payment are

delayed until July 15.

My credit score is not exactly stellar.  Can I still get a loan?

These are exceptional times and making sure you and your business stay

afloat should be the most important priority.  See your banker ASAP.

My business is doing fine right now, but I am worried about what will

happen in the next weeks and months.  What should I do?

Go to your financial instituion.  Banks and credit unions are the

primary portal through which loans will be released.  You don’t have

to be idle right now.  The intention of the legislation is to keep you

working.

I have not been in business for a year.  Can I still apply for the

loan?  Can I use it to hire someone?

Yes.

Can my bank delay my existing loan payments?

Yes.

HEALTH CARE

If I get coronavirus on the job, are my medical costs covered?

Yes.  Your medical care will be covered for coronavirus.

If I become unemployed, what happens to my health insurance benefits?

Existing COBRA insurance rules still apply.

Will the loans my employer uses to keep me employed also cover health

insurance costs?

Yes.

Should I get tested?

Testing is free.  Contact your medical provider or state and local

health department on if, when, and how to get tested.

Can my doctor treat me over the phone?

Yes.  The bill greatly expands the option of using telemedicine for

health care treatment.

Please note these answers are intended to provide basic clarity––some

aspects of the law have additional requirements.  I hope you find this

information helpful.  If you need anything, my staff and I are here

for you.

 

Congressman Jeff Fortenberry is the Ranking Member of the House

Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a Member of the House

Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations.

 

 

 

 

NEWS FROM OUR NEIGHBORS