United Way votes in new officers for 2005

CADILLAC - Officers of the 2005 United Way of Wexford County Board of Directors were voted in April 28 at the 50th annual meeting held at McGuire's Resort in Cadillac.

John MacLeod, CEO of Cadillac Mercy Hospital, was voted in as the board president, succeeding Judy Coffey, who had served the position since 2003.

"I believe the United Way is the best means for us to join together to meet the human needs in our community," MacLeod said in a press release. "I feel privileged to be able to work with so many dedicated people helping our most vulnerable citizens."

Other 2005 officers elected included: Paul Liabenow, CAPS superintendent, as first vice president; Van Eldridge, store manager of JC Penney of Cadillac, as second vice president; Tim McNalley, Northwestern Bank vice president of commercial loans, as treasurer; and Melody Hurley, human resources manager of Cadillac Wal-Mart, as secretary.

Darlene Merritt, president of Fifth Third Bank in Cadillac, was announced as chair of the 2005 United Way Campaign.

John Sniegowski of Borgwarner was named as co-chair of the campaign and announced the goal for the 2005 fall campaign will be $320,000, an increase of $5,000.

Todd Bennington, chair of the 2004 United Way Heroes Campaign, presented awards to the leadership campaigns and recognized the top 10 businesses in the Wexford County area for their support of United Way.

McNalley spoke of United Way's continuing transformation to community impact and focusing on solutions to the community's top priorities. He recognized more than 30 volunteers for their efforts in evaluating local programs seeking United Way support.

The business meeting concluded after recognition of the outgoing board members whose terms have expired.

New board members, Anne Perillo of McCurdy and Woitila, and Sniegowski were officially welcomed to the board for three-year terms.

The seventh annual Sue Westhauser Golf Classic benefit for the United Way, will be held on July 20 at McGuire's Resort.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.