Dean Bill Promoting Fair Debt Collection for Vets Moves Forward with Unanimous Support

Submitted Photo

U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, left, and PA Attorney

General Josh Shapiro speak with veterans at a

Veteran's Day service in Abington.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the office of U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act (H.R. 5003), sponsored by U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean D-4th Dist.,  passed out of the Financial Services Committee with unanimous support on Nov. 13. 

This legislation addresses a variety of abusive debt collection practices targeting members of the military.

“The Financial Services Committee is taking a hard look at unscrupulous debt collection practices, and protecting our servicemembers is a top priority," said Dean. 

"This week's unanimous vote sends a clear signal - we will stand up to defend our servicemembers," said Dean.

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, (CFPB) servicemembers are subject to a variety of unfair debt collection practices:

• Contacting the servicemember’s chain of command in order to extract payment;
• Including a clause in the loan contract that the servicemember must grant the debt collector the authority to contact the chain of command;
• Threatening punishment through the Uniform Code of Military Justice, threatening to have the servicemember’s rank reduced, or threatening to have security clearances revoked.

Nearly forty percent of complaints filed by servicemembers with the CFPB concern debt collection, and servicemembers were more likely to face debt collection challenges than all other consumers.

Veterans Community Day With Food, Beer and Music

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department.

The Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department will host a Community Day in Memorial Park on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

This event will feature free entertainment, family-friendly activities, a bounce house for children provided at no charge, local food stands, a Sly Fox Biergarten, and representatives from multiple regional U.S. Veterans’ organizations.

There is no admission fee.

Hillbilly Shakespeare

A portion of the proceeds, including funds raised in the Sly Fox Biergarten, will be awarded to local veterans’ organizations in support of their missions.

The event will be held on The Island at Memorial Park, amidst the World War II and Vietnam War Veterans’ Memorials. The event begins at 11 a.m. with a short ceremony recognizing American Armed Forces veterans, including two local Korean War Veterans, Al Kutz and Henry “Hank” Saylor who will be recognized with special awards from Glass Tears and Congressman Ryan Costello.

Speakers include Monsignor Thomas Coyle, Army Chaplain Ret.; Bishop Everett Debnam, Pottstown Police Department Chaplain;; and musical performances by Hamilton Celtic Pipe and Drum and Thomas Wang, an award-winning actor who has appeared in numerous theatrical productions as well as in Hollywood, independent and industrial films.

Stephanie Grace

The featured speaker is Captain Robert Boyce, retired commanding officer of the USS Florida, a nuclear Ohio-class submarine, and proud Pennsylvania educator.

Following the ceremonies, the Sly Fox Biergarten will open for business and free concerts will commence from Hillbilly Shakespeare (12 to 2 p.m.) and Stephanie Grace (3 to 5 p.m.).

Activities will be hosted by ArtFusion19464, Stowe Lions Club, and the Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars, among others.

The long-running Pottstown Rotary Duck Race will also take place at this event, commencing at 4:30 PM. Duck Race tickets will be on sale all day during the event.

Food vendors will include local favorites, Grumpy’s Hand-Carved Sandwiches, Manatawny Green, and The Butcher and the BBQ, offering all of Pottstown’s favorites.

Free parking for this event can be found at 75 West King St, in Memorial Park and more information can be found on the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department Facebook Page: facebook.com/PottstownParksandRec

The event is rain or shine.

Vets, Military Ride Steam Rails Free Memorial Day

This is the last weekend for some time that railroad enthusiasts can ride the Colebrookdale Railroad as it is being pulled by a real steam engine.

And for veterans and active military personnel, as well as reservists, that ride is free on Memorial Day for the 11 a.m. trip..

Locomotive 7236 will power our round trip from Boyertown to Pottstown and riders can choose from first class parlor, deluxe coach, or cafe.

Present your military ID at the gatehouse, Philadelphia Avenue, Boyertown for your free ticket.

Click here to buy tickets for the last steam ride.

Senior Center Invites Veterans to Ceremony Friday

The Pottstown Area Seniors’ Center is looking for a few good veterans.

They want to honor them at their event Friday, Nov. 13 at the Berean Bible Church at 2675 E. High Street in Lower Pottsgrove.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m.

A color guard, music with Kevin Pierce and special guest speakers along with presentations to our Veterans will be just a part of our day. 

Meet State Representative Tom Quigley, Sean Halbom from Montgomery County Veterans Affairs and others. 

A free lunch for Veterans is included. All are welcome to attend. 

 If you are a Veteran or know someone who is and would like to take part in the program, please RSVP at 610.323.5009.

The Pottstown Area Seniors’ Center serves adults age 50 and better with programs and services including information and referral assistance, a daily lunch, exercise programs, social activities, and much more. 

The mission of the Pottstown Area Seniors’ Center is to enhance the well-being of its members by providing services and activities that promote an independent and healthy life style. The Pottstown Area Seniors’ Center has more than 3,000 members residing in the tri-county area. 

Anyone living in the tri-county area (Berks, Chester and Montgomery Counties) who is 50+ years of age is welcome to use the senior center. 

 Learn more at www.greaterpasc.com.

Memorial Day in Pottstown

Photo by Evan Brandt

Pottstown Mayor Sharon Thomas addresses the crowd during Monday's Memorial Day Ceremonies following the placement of a wreath for the fallen of each of the nation's wars.

From the opening of Memorial Park's spray park, to downtown Pottstown's war memorials, to the signature parade and a moving ceremony at the Vietnam War Memorial, the last three days in Pottstown are likely emblematic of Memorial weekends across the nation.

(Remember to click the blue "Read Next Page" bar to get the whole story. And thanks to Mercury Reporter Frank Otto for his Tweet and Tout contributions to this post.)

Veteran's Welcome

Blogger's Note: Below is a press release received from Montgomery County Community College.

For the fifth consecutive year, Victory Media has designated Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) as a “Military Friendly School,” positioning the institution among the top 20 percent of colleges and universities in the country for its veteran support services.

Veteran services are a part of MCCC’s overarching Student Success Initiative – expanding access to higher education and increasing student success through process improvements and support strategies that reduce the barriers for students to complete their education.

A wide array of veterans’ resources – orientation, advising, study groups, a lounge and even yoga – makes MCCC eligible for “Military Friendly” status. However, it’s the genuine compassion and commitment of the College’s faculty and staff behind these resources that is the true champion.

A unique group of faculty and staff – the Veterans Support Team – has taken on the charge of assisting student veterans in their transition from active duty to civilian life. The team, which self formed in 2007 out of a shared commitment to student veterans, includes representatives from advising, counseling, financial aid, enrollment services, academic affairs, business and finance and veterans services.

“Our goal is to make sure the infrastructure is aligned to support the success of our student veterans,” explained team member and Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Ann Marie Donohue. “We’re able to respond to issues quickly because we’re communicating and problem solving across departments.”

“It’s important for student veterans to know who we are and know that they can talk to each of one of us -- that we can be advocates for them,” added Tracey Richards, director of financial aid and member of the support team.

The Veterans Support Team meets monthly in the Veterans Resource Center – a small farmhouse at MCCC’s Central Campus in Blue Bell that was renovated last November with grant funding from the Collegiate Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development. The Center serves as a “home base” for student veterans and includes a lounge, meeting areas and offices for MCCC’s Veterans Services staff.

The Veterans Resource Center is also the hub members of MCCC’s Student Veterans Organization -- an official chapter of the Student Veterans of America. The group operates as a student club through MCCC’s Office of Student Leadership and Involvement, and members actively participate in campus and community events. Last year, the Student Veterans Organization hosted an appreciation dinner at VFW Post 32 in Lansdale to recognize individuals and groups that support veterans in the community.

MCCC’s student veteran enrollment has more than doubled over the past five years, with 413 veterans enrolled this fall. To accommodate this growth, the College recently hired a full-time Coordinator of Veterans Services, Justin Machain, a Marine Corps veteran who previously served as coordinator of the Military Student Center at Austin Peay State University.

To learn more about Veterans Affairs at Montgomery County Community College, contact Justin Machain at 215-619-7307 or jmachain@mc3.edy. For information about the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, visit www.gibill.va.gov.