Malden News and Views

2008-02-20T17:52:00.000-08:00

Q: I normally don't need to file a tax return. How do I know if I'm one of those people who may be eligible to receive an economic stimulus payment?A: This group includes some recipients of Social Security, Railroad Retirement or veterans' benefits as well as taxpayers who do not make enough money to normally have to file a 2007 tax return. For example, this can include low-income workers, those who receive Social Security benefits or veterans’ disability compensation, pension or survivors’ benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2007. These people will be eligible to receive a payment of $300 ($600 on a joint return) if they had at least $3,000 of qualifying income.Qualifying income includes Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits, certain veterans’ benefits and earned income, such as income from wages, salaries, tips and self-employment. For people filing joint tax returns, only a total of $3,000 of qualifying income from both spouses is required to be eligible for a payment.

Special Guidelines for Recipients of Certain Social Security, Veterans and Railroad BenefitsCertain people who normally are not required to file but who are eligible for the stimulus payment will have to file a 2007 tax return. This includes low-income workers or those who receive Social Security benefits or veterans’ disability compensation, pension or survivors’ benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2007. These taxpayers will be eligible to receive a payment of $300 ($600 on a joint return) if they had at least $3,000 of qualifying income.Qualifying income includes Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits, certain veterans’ benefits and earned income, such as income from wages, salaries, tips and self-employment. For taxpayers filing joint tax returns, only a total of $3,000 of qualifying income from both spouses is required to be eligible for a payment.The special version of the Form 1040A unveiled today on IRS.gov shows taxpayers in these groups the specific sections of the form they need to fill out to qualify for the stimulus payment. The mock-up is designed to be used as a guide for filling out an actual Form 1040A."People who don’t normally need to file have a roadmap on how to fill out the Form 1040A quickly and easily," Stiff said. "We encourage recipients of Social Security and veterans’ benefits who don’t normally need to file a tax return to use this mock-up of the form as a guide to help them get their stimulus payment."The Form 1040A illustration on IRS.gov shows the limited number of lines that will need to be filled out for recipients of Social Security, certain Railroad Retirement and certain veterans’ benefits. A key line is reporting their 2007 benefits on Line 14a of Form 1040A. The IRS reminds taxpayers they can also use Line 20a on Form 1040 to report these same benefits.In addition, taxpayers in these groups should write the words "Stimulus Payment" at the top of the 1040A or 1040.For now, taxpayers in this group filing a tax return can only file a paper copy of the Form 1040 or Form 1040A. The IRS is working to update its systems to accept electronic versions of these limited-information returns for taxpayers who otherwise have no need to file a tax return. The IRS is also working with the software community to handle these returns electronically at a future date.The IRS also reminded taxpayers with Social Security, Railroad Retirement or veterans’ benefits who have already filed but did not report their qualifying benefits on either Line 14a of Form 1040A or Line 20a of Form 1040 that they may need to file an amended return in some situations to receive a larger stimulus payment.Taxpayers who already have filed but did not report these benefits can file an amended return by using Form 1040X, which can only be filed with a paper form.The IRS reminded taxpayers who don’t have any other requirement to file a tax return that submitting a tax return to qualify for the economic stimulus payments does not create any additional tax or trigger a tax bill. In addition, the stimulus payments will not have any effect on eligibility for federal benefits.The IRS is working with the Social Security Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs and other organizations to ensure that recipients are aware of the need to file a tax return to receive their stimulus payment in 2008.

Veterans Bonus Reminder

2008-02-16T15:25:00.000-08:00

Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei and Malden Veterans Services Director John Webster this week are reminding local veterans who were called to active duty after Sept. 11, 2001 that they may be eligible for a cash bonus through the state-funded Welcome Home program.
Established by the Legislature in 2005, the Welcome Home program provides a one-time $1,000 bonus to Massachusetts soldiers for active service in Iraq or Afghanistan and a $500 bonus to those who served at least six months of active duty at home or abroad since Sept. 11, 2001.
Active service does not include active duty for training in the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Naval Academy, or reservist training.
The bonus is available to service members who were residents of the commonwealth for at least six months prior to entry into the armed forces, and were discharged under honorable conditions.
Fewer than half of the 28,000 qualifying Massachusetts veterans have filed the necessary paperwork to receive their bonus payment.
“We want our servicemen and women to know this benefit is available to them, and we encourage them to apply,” said Tisei. “The bonus payment represents just a small token of the Commonwealth’s appreciation for those who have proudly served our country to protect the many freedoms and liberties we enjoy as Americans.”All applications must be accompanied by a certification of residence issued by the City Clerk or Election Commissioner; a copy of the service members’ discharge papers; and a signed and dated W9 form.
Application forms are available online at www.mass.gov/treasury/veteransbonus/welcomehomebonus.htm.
For more information, contact the State Treasurer’s office at 617-367-9333, ext. 350 or 505, or visit the Malden Veterans Services office at City Hall, 200 Pleasant St., Room 527, or call 781-39
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Metro North Mass Senior Action Malden Ma

2008-02-16T15:04:00.000-08:00

Seniors in our group gave a scholarship to Malden high for student who participated in Mass Senior Action Program.
With the cooperation of Mystic Valley Elder Services And the Council of Aging Director Christine DePietro we were able to get a Shine representative at the Senior Center on a permanent basis to help seniors get assistance with the health and welfare programs under State And Federal programs
We were able to get increase in funding for the Shine Program at the State House
MSAC members were active in getting Prescription Advantage funded originally and then to get open enrollment for the program.
We with the cooperation of the local TV station and the state representative of Elder affairs started an out reach program to inform Malden Seniors of the program.
We were successful in getting our State House Representatives and Senators to give us support
(We urge you to contact them to get needed verification)
In discussion individually and as a group with Mayor Howard we were urged to get participation
of our Seniors in the government process and also to inform them of programs that are run for their benefit though the local Non-Profits( who were furnished grants for this purpose)
One of our past Accomplishments was participating in finding a sight and in discussion with Mayor Howard presenting our thoughts on a new Senior Center.
Thanks to his forward thinking and the cooperation (at our urging) of the City Council the new Senior Center is a reality. (We urge you to contact them of our efforts in keeping them informed on senior issues)
We now have a Senior from our organization on the Board at Tri Cap to offer our organized Seniors their help and keep us informed on what efforts are being made to assure the services
We are looking forward to getting some of Malden non profits as affiliates of our organization
and cooperating with organizations interested in Senior concerns about health and welfare.
We want to bring the Mass Senior Action Mission Statement to Malden
We have participated in the planning of the Senior Center by attending meeting of the building planning committee and the Senior Center to observe progress and advise the views of present Seniors.
We ran a survey of the Seniors, across ethnic lines at the Senior Center on a one on one
basis to get maximum participation about their expectations for the new senior center.
COPIES FURNISHED TO:
MAYOR HOWARD
CITY COUNCILORS
COUNCIL OF AGING DIRECTOR
VISION FOR MALDEN
MASS SENIOR ACTION BOARD MEMBERS
MATV.
This Survey Graphs furnish by State Mass Senior Action from information Furnished by Metro North Chapter.
After talking with Mayor Howard on the survey he indicated that as the Senior Center progresses he would like to do a city wide outreach program to the community on its status and the Benefit to all in the community and we hope our Senior population will embrace his concept.
We think our organization can make a major contribution to the effort of the Vision for Malden
if we can introduce our organizer skills of Mass Senior Action to Malden

New Malden Senior Center Malden Ma

2008-02-16T11:10:00.000-08:00

Our new Senior Center is scheduled to open on December 8, 2008. The contractor is up to date on his work and has indicated that he will meet the set date.
FRONT AND CENTER
From Coast to Coast the staid old senior center is being revamped as an "activity center" filled with boomer-friendly offerings such as basketball and martial arts. We at MSAC have been looking out for are present Senior members who range in the late seventys but in Malden government circles we are looking to open to a broad range of the community. We are looking forward to a range of 50 and up. THIS PUBLIC CENTER WILL BE KNOWN AS "Planet 50 Plus"
Another suggestion as been made to get more diversification and open the doors to all Senior Citizens. How about programs and services published in the languages that all our Seniors bring to Malden Since we have a wide range of Seniors in Malden how about the affluent come to the center to participate by helping those who through a variety of circumstances are left behind and in need of help and advise. WE could use a Food Pantry in the newly renovated Senior Center with the help of Bread of Life.
ALERT
Bills required Defibrillators at health clubs (one of the goals of the Senior Center )
Massachusetts should require health clubs (senior center to have defibrillators as advocates say could save lives. With those now using the Senior Center presently at risk we are courting an incident that get attention.
The legislature should require fitness centers to have a least one of these devices on site in case a visitor or employee goes in cardiac arrest and needs immediate help
The devices cost beteen $1000 and $3000 each, reads a patients vital signs when pads are placed on the persons chest.
Many models speak to the rescuer, telling the person when to bush a button that delivers a shock to revive or regulate the heart rate (AP)
AGING BOOMERS FACING INCREASED HEALTH PROBLEMS.

Second Year Malden High Senior Intern Program

2008-02-16T05:57:00.000-08:00

Nearly 100 MHS seniors set to learn the ropes' at area businesses, offices.Coordinator of successful program cites bridge to the working worldIt provides an experience for students to investigate a career or explore an interest before they study it in(colloge) or seek that profession.Michele Manger Program coordinator and Malden High Teacher mmanger@malden.mec.eduThis years internship program runs from April 7 till May 1(remember that wmca coordinator wants to cooperate with student)
Malden Senior

2008-02-14T13:32:00.000-08:00

Verizon Public Hearing on Thursday, February 28, 6pm in City Council Chambers
As many of you know, Verizon is in negotiations with the City of Malden to become a secondary cable provider for the citizens of Malden. As part of these negotiations, Verizon will be asked to support MATV with a portion of the operating funds and a capital contribution. Just as we did during the negotiations with Comcast, we are asking MATV members to come to the hearing and speak in support of MATV. Let Verizon know what MATV is all about and how it benefits you, members of the Malden community. Let them know why we are worth supporting with substantial operating and capital funds. We have saved your letters that were submitted from the previous public hearing, and we'll be re-submitting these to Verizon. But we'd love to see many MATV members attend the public hearing on Thursday, February 28th and speak out on behalf of MATV. For more information, email Ron or myself. And thanks, in advance, for your support!

2008-02-04T13:29:00.000-08:00

-- Recently, volunteers in Missouri and a handful of other states discovered the cremated remains of war veterans inside small canisters and cardboard boxes.

Instead of receiving their promised military burial, these war heroes have been forgotten and left on mortuary and hospital shelves for decades.

A national effort is underway to give these veterans a proper and dignified burial.

Municipal Spending

2007-11-06T12:15:00.000-08:00

There is only so much money to go around, and a dollar more in benefits for teachers is a dollar less for police. Each public employee union jusifies itelf to its members by outdoing not only the municipality against which it bargains for benefits, but also the other unions against whitch it competes for benefits. Cutailing the process means curtailing union power.
COMMENT

Health Costs and the Employee Unions

2007-11-01T13:27:00.000-07:00

The problen is that the public emloyee unions control State and local government. The occasional official who tries to gbing government healthcare costs under contol is asking for trouble.
Quincy Mayor learned this lesson earlier this year (2007) When teachers went on strike over his efforts to give them to pay more toward their healthcare costs.
How is this to be handled in Malden?
Lets get action for the Mayor and City Council on this issue!

Low interest Loans MRA

2007-11-01T13:22:00.000-07:00

As part of its efforts to encourage homeowners to replace their private lead water services lines, the City through the Malden Redevelopment Authority is offering low-interest loans to subsidize the work. The MRA has a list of qualified contractors for this work and will provide professional staff to help the homeowner through the process.
1. For more information about the low-interest loan program to replace lead water service lines contact the MRA at 781-324-5720.

MAYOR RICHARD C HOWARD

2007-03-16T08:05:00.000-07:00

Running for reelection as announced at a recent Chamber of Commerce Breakfast. I am looking forward to his agenda for the coming term. I feel he has a lot "on the plate "in plans to bring Malden Downtown into the 21st century. I appreciate his accomlishment in recognizing the Senior Citizens and acting on the Mass Senior Action Council request for a Downtown Senior Center.
Their is a lot of work ahead and Seniors in all the Wards are getting involved and looking forward to the local canditates
getting into the campaigns. We would like import on what is the concerns of the Malden Citizens