County Civil - February 2022

County Civil - February 2022

COUNTYCIVIL.COM

FEBRUARY 2022

Why We’re Always Prepared ...

FOR SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT FAMILY GATHERINGS

My wife Marti and I always like to be prepared. Not in the “doomsday” kind of way, but we like to have canned goods and frozen meals in stock. This is because we have family gatherings quite frequently, and we want to provide the best meals to our friends and family whenever they come over. Although I like to plan out things, I am a spur-of-the-moment kind of person. Marti and I are always prepared because we will invite people over, like our sons and their families, and we like to have something ready to go in case we need a good meal along the way. That is the exciting part about spur-of-the-moment invitations — because when you do things unplanned, you can’t be disappointed. I give a lot of credit to Marti; she does a lot of the planning and makes sure we have everything we need. For example, she will take inventory of what to buy at the grocery store and make sure our grandchildren have the snacks and juices they like and what we need for dinner. If it weren’t for her, a lot of these get-togethers wouldn’t be possible. When family comes over, I like to cook my specialty — breakfast. My mother-in-law bought me a Blackstone grill for Christmas, and I love using it. I enjoy cooking bacon, eggs, sausage, and all kinds of breakfast foods on it. Of course, I will sometimes cook other things like hot dogs and hamburgers, but breakfast meals are my go-to. I love my grill so much that I’ll even clear a path outside to use my grill in the wintertime! I usually leave dinner to my wife because she’s an excellent cook. I will cook dinner occasionally because she does so much for the family all the time. I like to give her a chance to relax and hang out with our sons and grandchildren.

Cooking meals for my family and having them over is something I’m really grateful for. We plan where we’re going, what we’re cooking, and what we’re going to do during the holiday seasons. But it’s great to have gatherings that aren’t centered around the holidays. Two of my sons live next to us, and they will ask to come over, and we never turn that down. We take every opportunity to spend time with our loved ones.

“Spontaneous gatherings are my favorite because everyone gets involved and spends time with one another. Everyone is in the same room, taking part in the same conversation … we’re able to appreciate each other and the little things with unplanned events like this.”

Spontaneous gatherings are my favorite because everyone gets involved and spends time with one another. Everyone is in the same room, taking part in the same conversation. There aren’t family factions where people go off in other rooms to talk to each other — we are all present and living in the moment together. So, we’re able to appreciate each other and the little things through unplanned events like this. So, this is why Marti and I are always prepared — you never know who will stop by at any given moment. I want to give a special shoutout to my wife; she has made our family gatherings run smoothly without any hiccups. These moments couldn’t have been possible without her hard work and dedication. -Rick E. Risk

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CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY WITH YOUR FAMILY

3 ACTIVITIES FOR THE DAY OF LOVE

Create a surprise. Nothing says “I love you” like a gift that comes from the heart. Encourage your children or grandchildren to help you create a gift for your spouse. For example, you can create a banner, decorate a picture frame with a picture of your family in it, or create a homemade card. Having gifts made by your loved ones gives it a special meaning because they took the time to make something that reminds you of them. Have a movie night. This allows you and your family to cuddle up on the couch and spend time with one another while watching Valentine’s Day movies. There are tons of films out there that will make your heart skip a beat. Of course,

Valentine’s Day is a day full of love. It’s usually thought of as a holiday for romantic love, but you can celebrate the holiday as an entire family to show your appreciation for one another. Here are a few Valentine’s Day activities the whole family can enjoy. Go on a date together as a family. Is there a restaurant your whole family loves? Is there a meal you like to cook with them? Then, you can celebrate the holiday with a great meal that will leave you all full of love and food. If you decide to cook a meal, you can set up your home with Valentine’s Day decorations and set the table to look like a restaurant. If the weather permits, you can have your feast outside and enjoy the winter scenery.

the Disney princess movies are always a good choice, but you can also watch “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown,” “The Sound of Music,” or a good kid flick like “Benji” or “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” These activities will help you create memories with your family that will last a lifetime. Nothing is better than spending quality time with the ones you love. So, this Valentine’s Day, tell the people you care about that you love them. Appreciate the little moments you have with your family and enjoy the time you all have together.

Brock vs. Brock The Man Who Sued Himself

On July 1, 1993, Robert Lee Brock made a mistake. By his own account, he had a few too many alcoholic beverages that evening, and in his drunken state, he committed breaking and entering, as well as grand larceny. Brock was arrested, and the court sentenced him to 23 years behind bars at the Indian Creek Correctional Center in Chesapeake, Virginia. In 1995, Brock decided he deserved restitution. Reasoning that he had violated his own civil rights, he sued himself for $5 million. For his family’s pain and suffering, as well as his children’s college tuition, he requested $3 million. He also asked for $2 million to support his needs during his 23- year prison sentence.

Central to Brock’s claim was that, due to his drinking, “I caused myself to violate my religious beliefs. This was done by my going out and getting arrested, which caused me to be in prison.” And since he was a ward of the state, he explained that Virginia should pay the $5 million on his behalf. After all, he was incarcerated and unable to work, and the state was responsible for his care. Plus, he promised to pay the money back after his release. In a move that shocked no one (except, perhaps, Brock), Judge Rebecca Beach Smith dismissed his case. While she did call his claim “ludicrous,” she also praised his creativity, stating that he “presented an innovative approach to civil rights litigation.”

Perhaps the lawsuit against himself wasn’t his first or last attempt at legal restitution. He once filed 29 complaints in a single year. Due to the repeated suits, the court removed his ability to file further litigation. “None of Brock’s allegations have ever been found by any court to have any merit,” the decision read. “Because Brock’s repeated, frivolous claims have placed a significant burden on this court, as well as on the district court ... we hereby impose sanctions upon Brock.” Brock’s case ranked No. 3 on Time Magazine’s list of Top 10 Outrageous Legal Battles. So, while he didn’t achieve wealth, he did gain fame. It was an impressive feat for a man who found a novel way to take personal responsibility for his actions.

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5 CREATIVE, AFFORDABLE GIFT IDEAS FOR GRANDCHILDREN

3 Tips for a Smoother Transition GOING BACK TO THE OFFICE? Today, more and more people are heading back to their offices for work. This new transition can be stressful because you now have to get back into the routine of commuting, among other things. There are a few reasons for being anxious about the transition back — engaging in social situations, navigating safety-related issues, or balancing your professional and personal life. Here are a few tips to help it all go as smoothly as possible. Revisit (and adjust) your routine. You may have already had a morning routine. As you return to your daily work commute, it’s worth getting back into the habit before returning to the office. At least one or two weeks before you start working in person, wake up each morning and begin your routine. This will help you get back into the groove and adjust anything to start off your morning with ease. Make changes to boost professional happiness. Identify concerns you may have that could lead to stress — such as wanting to feel more valued by your team, having more one-on-one time with your boss, or making adjustments and accommodations

you may need. If you have any concerns about going back to the office, reach out to your supervisor or HR and let them know. By addressing your concerns, you will be more prepared for this transition. Communication is vital during this time. Be kind to yourself. This transition is difficult for everyone. If you feel like a meeting didn’t go as planned, you messed up on a presentation, or you didn’t communicate enough with your coworkers and supervisors, it’s okay. Remember that you’re not alone; others around you could be feeling the same way. Try your best every day — with time, things will get better. Not everything will be perfect at first, but with communication, consistency, and patience, your experience at the office will soon return to normal. So, go at your own pace when it comes to working in person. It will help you and the people around you feel more comfortable.

BEADS CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL FOOTBALL HISTORY LUNAR

PINK PRESIDENTS SWEETHEART TIGER VALENTINE VIOLET

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2383 Tamarack St., Lake Odessa, MI 48849 616-374-7170 | COUNTYCIVIL.COM R isk & A ssociates

Rick Risk is Founder and President of Risk & Associates, a legal support service provider in Michigan, and has assisted hundreds of attorneys, municipalities, courts, Sheriff Offices, businesses, and others with their strategic process needs.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Appreciate the Little Things With Your Family Valentine’s Day Isn’t Just for Couples

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The Man Who Sued Himself

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Take It One Day at a Time!

Why an NYC Attraction Became Illegal

A Big NYC Attraction Becomes Illegal THE 1930S AND PUSHCART MARKETS

If you were an immigrant who just arrived to New York City in the 1880s, you probably didn’t have much money to spare. But, if you had at least 10 cents, you could rent a pushcart and become a pushcart merchant and business owner. For more than 50 years, pushcart markets in New York City offered immigrants immediate access to an $828 million industry (in today’s money) that sold competitively priced goods like groceries, household items, clothing, and much more. Pushcart merchants would line up their carts along the streets of New York City and create vibrant and diverse markets that even tourists could enjoy. But not everyone in the city seemed happy about it. Although technically “merchants,” in the late 1800s and early 1900s, pushcart sellers were not described as such. Many of New York City’s middle class and wealthy residents

reserved this favorable term for sellers who had brick-and-mortar stores since they did not see pushcarts as a traditional means of honest work. Instead, they saw it as a public nuisance and a source of embarrassment. Politicians, city planners, and anti-pushcart movements complained primarily about poor sanitation in the open-air markets. So, in 1938, Mayor La Guardia proclaimed in The New York Times that “peddling on the streets of this city is a thing of the past.” To ease opposition, La Guardia opened indoor markets, which required pushcart sellers to apply for limited spots and pay higher fines. Upon opening the first indoor market, Mayor La Guardia proclaimed to the crowd, “I found you pushcart peddlers, and I have made you MERCHANTS!” Despite the cheers that followed, thousands of pushcart sellers lost their jobs after the final ban of open-air pushcart markets.

The ban surprised the people who supported it; some brick-and-mortar stores lost as much as 60% of their business with the decrease in nearby foot traffic. New Yorkers eventually became nostalgic about pushcart markets. Once described as dirty and a “menace to the health of New York City,” people began to describe them as “fresh and attractive,” even “picturesque.” To this day, pushcart selling is still illegal, and New York City’s licensing policies make it extremely difficult for vendors to obtain permits, leading to an underground black market of selling and buying outdoor permits. However, in the city, you’ll still find street food with hardworking vendors making their American dream a reality!

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