Legal Issue. What s Inside: Page 4. Mark Kogan, ESQ. CHOOSING AND WORKING WITH YOUR LAWYER PRESENTS. June 2014

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1 LATIN LINK PRESENTS La Voz Y Connexion De La Communidad // The Voice And Connection Of The Community June 2014 Page 4 The Legal Issue What s Inside: As I See It Como yo lo Veo p. 3 PAGE 8 Siempre hay Tiempo para Disfrutar la Belleza de la Vida p. 5 Why Do We Need Lawyers? p. 7 Mayor of West Reading Borough p.14 Fiancée and Marriage Visas p. 21 Mark Kogan, ESQ. CHOOSING AND WORKING WITH YOUR LAWYER PAGE 10 PAGE 18 PAGE 28 Visítenos en Lavozlatinacentral.com Visit us at Lavozlatinacentral.com

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3 AS I SEE IT COMO YO LO VEO By Graham Hetrick Last week, I was at an Estamos Unidos dinner. Estamos Unidos is a charitable organization dedicated to the education of Hispanic children in eastern Pennsylvania. This particular dinner was a recognition dinner for Ruth Cruz and Mauricio Conde. This charity is especially important for my wife because we helped form this organization. The reason I am writing about this particular meeting is that it reflected what potential America could have if we just forget what separates us and concentrate on what brings us together. The first thing I noticed was that the room was filled with diversity. There were Hindus, Christians, Jews and who knows what else. We were all Americans, but we all came from places like India, Korea, Switzerland, Latin America, South America and Mexico. The varied dress and the multiple dialects gave a certain spice to the conversation. The room was noisy and animated. I have been a member of many nonprofit organizations and have gone to many meetings and recognition dinners, but this one had additional warmth. You just knew that people were there not for networking or recognition, but rather out of loyalty and love. Estamos Unidos is not a large organization; it has no building or executive director. All the board members are working volunteers. You don t want to be on this board unless you are willing to roll up your sleeves. Even those recognized that evening were classic examples of servant leadership. There was another interesting commonality with this group: All those there believed that there was something beyond man that required us to serve our fellow man. Unlike some Darwinian concept of the strong triumphing over the weak, those at this meeting believed that we are obligated to serve others, and that to whom much is given, much is required. Everybody there realized that what we may have, we have by grace, and those less fortunate than ourselves deserve our love and concern. As I looked around the room, I saw so many life stories of achievement and perseverance against remarkable odds. I saw examples of sacrifice for others, and I saw true joy in the achievements of others. Love was in that room. I thought how wonderful it would be to expand this attitude beyond the walls of this room to all of America and to mankind. I know it sounds simplistic, but isn t this what we should all be doing? We must take that which helps others, that which creates respect for mankind and breaks down the walls, and pass the love and respect to our greater society. We cannot let governments dictate the role of mercy or compassion. The government administers compassion as coldly as they do justice. We need servant leaders, not government programs. We need communities with a conscience. We need to love our neighbors as ourselves. It was a great evening. La semana pasada estuve en una cena de Estamos Unidos. Estamos Unidos es una organización benéfica dedicada a la educación de los niños hispanos en el este de Pennsylvania. Esta fue una cena especial de reconocimiento para Ruth Cruz y Mauricio Conde. Esta Institución es especialmente importante para mi esposa, porque hemos ayudado a formar esta organización. La razón por la que estoy escribiendo sobre esta reunión en particular es que refleja el potencial que América podría tener si nos olvidáramos de lo que nos separa y nos concentráramos en lo que nos une. La primera cosa que noté fue que la habitación estaba llena de tanta diversidad. Había hindúes, cristianos, Judíos y quién sabe qué más. Estábamos todos los estadounidenses, pero todos venimos de países como India, Corea, Suiza, América Latina (Centroamérica, Suramérica y caribe), y México. La variedad indumentaria y los múltiples dialectos dieron un cierto sabor a la conversación. La habitación era ruidosa y animada! He sido miembro de muchas organizaciones sin fines de lucro, y he ido a muchas reuniones y cenas de reconocimiento, pero ésta tenía un calor adicional. Uno sabía que las personas que estaban allí no habían asistido para establecer contactos o reconocimiento, sino por lealtad y amor. Estamos Unidos no es una organización de gran tamaño; no tiene ningún edificio o director ejecutivo. Todos los miembros de la junta son personas voluntarias. Usted no querría estar en este directorio, a menos que esté dispuesto a subirse las mangas. Incluso los reconocidos esa noche eran ejemplos clásicos de liderazgo de servicio. Hubo otra coincidencia interesante con este grupo. Todos los que no creían que había algo más allá del hombre que nos obligaba a servir a nuestro prójimo. A diferencia de algún concepto darwiniano de los fuertes triunfando sobre los débiles, los que estaban en esta reunión creían que somos obligados a servir a los demás, y al que mucho se le da, mucho es lo que requiere. Todo el mundo se había dado cuenta de que lo que tengamos lo tenemos por gracia, y por los menos afortunados que nosotros mismos merecen nuestro amor y preocupación. Al mirar alrededor de la habitación, vi tantas historias de vida de logro y perseverancia contra probabilidades notables. Vi ejemplos de sacrificio por los demás, y vi la verdadera alegría en los logros de los demás. El amor estaba en esa habitación. Pensé en lo maravilloso que sería ampliar esta actitud más allá de las paredes de esta sala para toda América y para la humanidad. Sé que suena simplista, pero no es esto lo que todos deberíamos estar haciendo? Debemos tomar lo que ayuda a los demás, lo que crea el respeto por la humanidad y se rompe las paredes, y pasar el amor y el respeto a nuestra sociedad en general. No podemos dejar que los gobiernos dicten el papel de la misericordia o la compasión. El gobierno administra la compasión con la misma frialdad que lo hace con la justicia. Necesitamos líderes siervos, no los programas de gobierno. Necesitamos comunidades con conciencia. Tenemos que amar a nuestro prójimo como a nosotros mismos. Fue una gran noche. LA VOZ LATINA CENTRAL JUNE

4 a note from the associate publisher With the city of Harrisburg serving as capital of our Commonwealth, it is no surprise that we have an assortment of lawyers from which to choose. However, choosing an attorney is not always an easy task. There are many facets in the world of law, so one should research before choosing the right attorney for their specific needs. This issue showcases our first annual legal issue for La Voz Latina Central. On page 15, you will find this special section where we introduce you to several attorneys who specialize in legal matters, such as immigration, family, corporate and civil law. La Voz Latina Central staff member Joe Benish had the opportunity to spend a day shadowing HGSK Attorney Mark Kogan, a regular contributor to our newspaper. As a result, Joe was able to observe a typical day of client visits at HGSK s Lancaster office and come up with some insights and valuable tips on how to choose and deal with an attorney when you need one (page 18). Last month, La Voz Latina Central was honored to attend Estamos Unidos de Pennsylvania s 5th annual Tribute and Scholarship Fundraising Dinner. Estamos Unidos de Pennsylvania paid special tributes to Ruth Cruz and Mauricio Conde at the dinner, which was held at the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg in Camp Hill. The keynote speaker for the evening was the Honorable Pedro Cortéz, former Secretary of State, now with the HGSK law firm. A special tribute to the awardees was given by Congressman Scott Perry, along with accolades from various members of the community. Photographs of the event can be found on page 10. You will also find photo highlights of the annual ArtsFest, held every Memorial Day weekend at Riverfront Park in Harrisburg (right). If your company would like to feature upcoming events, happenings or ceremoies, please go to lavozlatinacentral.com and upload to our website. It is free and quite easy to do. There are lots of great articles in this month s issue. As always, we would love to hear from you. Feel free to contact me at pboccassini@harrisburgmagazine.com. Enjoy the kickoff to summer! SCENES Photography by Paul V Photography Con la ciudad de Harrisburg servir como capital de nuestra Comunidad, no es de extrañar que tenemos un surtido de abogados entre los que elegir. Sin embargo, la elección de un abogado no es siempre una tarea fácil. Hay muchas facetas en el mundo del derecho, por lo que uno debe investigar antes de elegir al abogado adecuado para sus necesidades específicas. Este número muestra la primera cuestión legal anual de La Voz Latina Central. En la página15, encontrará esta sección especial - donde le presentamos varios abogados que se especializan en asuntos como la inmigración, la familia, la empresa y el derecho civil. La Voz Latina Central funcionario Joe Benish tuvo la oportunidad de pasar un día sombreado Fiscal HGSK Marcos Kogan, un colaborador habitual del periódico. Como resultado de ello, Joe pudo observar un típico día de visitas a los clientes en la oficina de Lancaster HGSK y llegar a algunas ideas y consejos valiosos sobre cómo elegir y tratar con un abogado cuando lo necesita (página 18). El mes pasado, La Voz Latina Central tuvo el honor de asistir a quinto Homenaje y Recaudación de Fondos de Becas de la cena anual de Estamos Unidos de Pennsylvania. Estamos Unidos de Pennsylvania pagó tributos especiales a Ruth Cruz y Mauricio Conde en la cena, que tuvo lugar en el Radisson Hotel Harrisburg en Camp Hill. El orador principal de la noche fue el Honorable Pedro Cortéz, ex secretario de Estado y ahora con la firma de abogados HGSK. Un homenaje especial a los ganadores estuvo a cargo de congresista de Scott Perry, junto con los elogios de varios miembros de la comunidad. Fotos del evento se pueden encontrar en la página 10. Usted también encontrará puntos culminantes de las fotos de la ArtsFest anual, que se celebra cada fin de semana del Memorial Day en el Parque Riverfront en Harrisburg (página 4). Si su empresa desea ofrecer los próximos eventos, acontecimientos o ceremoies, por favor vaya a lavozlatinacentral.com y subirlo a la página web. Es gratuito, y bastante fácil de hacer. Hay un montón de buenos artículos en la edición de este mes. Como siempre, nos encantaría saber de usted. No dude en ponerse en contacto conmigo en pboccassini@harrisburgmagazine.com. Disfrute de la patada de salida para el verano! Patti Boccassini Associate Publisher/Editor 4 JUNE 2014 LAVOZLATINACENTRAL.COM

5 mind, body & spirit It is Always Time to Celebrate the Beauty of Life Siempre hay Tiempo para Disfrutar la Belleza de la Vida We all see the world from different angles physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually and we contemplate success, happiness, and achievement through different parameters and from multi-dimensional perspectives. As a result, you may consider yourself inferior to some or superior to others. It depends on how you measure your realizations. However, on a fundamental level, we are neither inferior nor superior to anyone. We are all just different. In other words, we may have advantages and disadvantages, which should never make us grander or smaller, but rather unique and special. My hope is that any single human being can find the opportunity to become conscious of the multiple blessings that are present within and between us every single day. If you are able to find them, please share these ideas with others, especially with those in need. I do not mean necessarily just those deprived of material assets, but also those who are needy in spirit. As Seneca said, It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor. As you may agree, there is a substantial difference between wants and needs as well as needs and desires. As Ernie Zelinski says, It is important not to mix necessities with desires [neither success with happiness]. Success is to get what you love; happiness is to love what you get (Zelinski 2001, 227). Consequently, the concepts of happiness and sadness should always be seen just as mental states. They cannot be ruled or imposed on us because they depend on our power of choice. We cannot spend our whole lives preparing to find happiness. We have to act to discover the magic in ordinary things and find the vital elements of life s meaning. As an old proverb says, There are many things in life that will capture your eyes, but very few will capture your heart. Let us live and enjoy what we have, let us show appreciation for what we get because there is always time to enjoy and celebrate the beauty of life. Todos vemos el mundo desde diferentes ángulos físico, mental, emocional y espiritualmente y por lo tanto, podemos contemplar el éxito, la felicidad y los logros a través de parámetros diversos así como de diferentes perspectivas. Como resultado, algunas veces uno puede considerar a sí mismo inferior o superior a los demás. Esto solo depende de cómo usted mida sus realizaciones. Sin embargo, en el plano racional y real, creo que al final no somos ni inferiores ni superiores a nadie. Todos somos simplemente diferentes. En otras palabras, en una u otra forma, unos podemos tener ciertas ventajas en unas áreas así como desventajas en otras, es por eso que nunca uno debería sentirse superior ni inferior ya que todos somos únicos y especiales. Mi esperanza es que cualquier ser humano es capaz de tomar conciencia de las múltiples bendiciones que recibimos todos los días. Si usted es capaz de encontrar esa virtud, por favor comparta esa cualidad con los demás, especialmente con los más necesitados. No me refiero necesariamente sólo con los privados de bienes materiales, sino también con aquellos que urgentemente necesitan ayuda espiritual. Como dijo Séneca, No es pobre el hombre que tiene poco, sino el que más ansía. Quizás usted concuerde conmigo y acepte que hay una diferencia sustancial entre los deseos y las necesidades. Como dice Ernie Zelinski, "Es importante no mezclar las necesidades con los deseos [ni de éxito con la felicidad]....el éxito es conseguir lo que a uno le gusta; la felicidad es amar lo que uno obtiene (Zelinski 2001, 227). En consecuencia, los conceptos de felicidad y tristeza se deben ver solo como estados mentales. Nosotros no debemos permitir que estas circunstancias se impongan ya que ello depende solo de nuestro poder de elección. No podemos pasar nuestra vida entera preparándonos para encontrar la felicidad. Tenemos que actuar para descubrir la magia de la vida que usualmente está en medio de las acciones ordinarias y encontrar los elementos vitales que le dan sentido y razón a nuestras vidas. Como un viejo proverbio lo dice, Hay muchas cosas en la vida que capturarán nuestros ojos, pero muy pocas capturarán nuestro corazón. Vivamos y disfrutemos lo que tenemos, apreciemos lo que recibimos y recuerde que siempre hay tiempo para disfrutar y celebrar la belleza de la vida. LA VOZ LATINA CENTRAL JUNE

6 JUNE 2014 Volume 4 No. 6 La Voz Latina Central PUBLISHER Graham Hetrick. ghetrick@lavozlatinacentral.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Patti Hill-Boccassini. pboccassini@harrisburgmagazine.com MANAGING EDITOR Jadrian Klinger. jklinger@benchmarkgroupmedia.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Yessenia Matamoros. ymatamoros@benchmarkgroupmedia.com SOCIAL MANAGER OF WEBSITE Chelsea Hess-Moore. chessmoore@benchmarkgroupmedia.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joe Benish Scott Campbell Oralia Garcia Dominic, Ph.D., M.A., M.S. Susan Haas Mark Kogan, Esq. Dr. Hector Richard Ortiz Kristen Lacaillade CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Paul Vasiliades Ali Waxman ACCOUNT SALES REPRESENTATIVES Joe Benish (717) Jim Laverty (717) ext. 122 TRANSLATOR Marisol Aviles 3400 N. 6th Street Harrisburg, PA fax benchmarkgroupmedia.com PRESIDENT AND CEO Davy H. Goldsmith ext. 114 PUBLISHER Patti Hill-Boccassini ext. 130 DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING Chad Overbaugh ext. 128 DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM PUBLISHING Jim Laverty ext. 122 CIRCULATION MANAGER / DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS FINANCE Violetta Chlaifer ext JUNE 2014 LAVOZLATINACENTRAL.COM

7 legal corner By Mark Kogan, Esq. Por qué Necesitamos de Abogados? Why Do We Need Lawyers?? Es difícil de creer que he estado practicando la ley por 20 años. Después de graduarme en 1994 de la escuela de derecho, comencé mi carrera como asistente del fiscal de lucha por los derechos de los ciudadanos de la Mancomunidad de Pensilvania. Después de un breve período como fiscal, me fui a la práctica privada que representa a las compañías de seguros y particulares en el ámbito de los litigios civiles. A lo largo de mi carrera, he tenido la suerte de ser testigo de cambios significativos en la ley y también serios desafíos a las libertades de individuales y los derechos constitucionales. Muchas veces, oigo cuestionamiento del público en general en cuanto a por qué puede necesitar la ayuda de un abogado en su vida diaria. La verdad es que los abogados hacen la diferencia. Fueron los abogados que lucharon para acabar con las leyes de identificación de votantes de Pensilvania que fueron dirigidas a privar de derechos a las personas pobres y las personas mayores de sus derechos de voto. Fueron los abogados que desafiaron las leyes anti-inmigrantes que fueron propuestas como las ordenanzas municipales de la ciudad de Hazleton. Se encontró que ambas leyes de identificación de votantes y las leyes de ordenanza de la ciudad de Hazleton es inconstitucional y que ya no están en vigor. Finalmente, fueron los abogados que desafiaron a Pennsylvania la prohibición sobre el matrimonio del mismo sexo, que a partir del Miércoles, 21 de mayo 2014, ya no se luchó. La decisión del gobernador Tom Corbett no apelo la decisión de un juez federal que derribaron los estados prohíben el matrimonio del mismo sexo ahora permite parejas del mismo sexo a solicitar licencias de matrimonio y tener los mismos derechos del matrimonio que las parejas de distinto sexo. Sin abogados, esas leyes todavía estarían en los libros y los ciudadanos de Pennsylvania habrían tenido que limitar sus derechos de voto, derecho al trabajo y sus derechos de matrimonio. Fueron equipos de abogados que desafiaron y sucedieron. En mi práctica personal, no veo la necesidad para los abogados todos los días. Yo represento a las personas que resultaron heridas en el trabajo. Se requiere que cada empleador en el Estado de Pennsylvania tenga un seguro de compensación para trabajadores. Sin embargo, en la mayoría de las lesiones en los lugares de trabajo, las compañías de seguros intencionalmente toman medidas para limitar la capacidad de las personas para recibir una pérdida de salario, cuando no pueden trabajar debido a sus lesiones o la atención médica cuando no pueden ver a un médico. Yo trabajo, como abogado, para luchar en nombre de estas personas. Es mi responsabilidad como miembro del Colegio de Abogados de ver que la justicia prevalece y lo hago porque creo en un fuerte sentido de lo que está bien en este mundo y que es mi papel como un abogado para hacer del mundo un lugar mejor. He estado hablando con miembros de mi firma que muchas veces representan las personas en accidentes de vehículos de motor sobre la necesidad de abogados. Sorprendentemente, me enteré de que las compañías de seguros de accidentes de vehículos de motor están obligados por ley a cumplir con el deber de buena fe y trato justo. En realidad, ellos no lo hacen, especialmente cuando usted no está representado por un abogado. Todo el personal de las reclamaciones que recibe formación en tácticas de negociación. Se les enseña a resolver los casos, no por su valor razonable, pero por la cantidad más baja posible. A menos que usted está representado por un abogado competente, hay una buena probabilidad de que pueda ser aprovechado. A pesar de sus consejos, las compañías de seguros no están en su lado. Las aseguradoras suelen decirles a los reclamantes de que conseguir un abogado va a reducir su recuperación debido a los cargos. En realidad, la recuperación neta de los demandantes después de gastos es mayor que para las personas sin representación. Es importante no caer en la propaganda difundida por las compañías de seguros. Después de un accidente o lesión, su mejor aliado es un buen abogado. Si usted tiene alguna pregunta adicional sobre este artículo o la necesidad de representación en cualquier asunto, subrayo que se comunique con un abogado competente especializado y practicando en el campo de su necesidad. Si usted no sabe a dónde ir, la Asociación de Abogados local en su condado lo puede ayudar a guiar a buscar una representación adecuada. Si usted tiene alguna pregunta adicional sobre este artículo, por favor no dude en ponerse en contacto conmigo en mkogan@hgsklawyers.com. It is hard to believe that I have been practicing law for 20 years. Having graduated in 1994 from law school, I began my career as an assistant district attorney fighting for the rights of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. After a short stint as a prosecutor, I went into private practice representing insurance companies and individuals in the field of civil litigation. Throughout my career, I have been lucky to witness significant changes in the law and also serious challenges to individual freedoms and constitutional rights. Often times, I hear questioning from the general public as to why they may need the assistance of an attorney in their everyday lives. The truth is, lawyers make a difference. It was lawyers who fought to end Pennsylvania s voters ID laws, which were aimed to disenfranchise poor individuals and senior citizens from their rights to vote. It was attorneys who challenged the antiimmigrant laws, which were proposed as ordinances in the City of Hazleton. Both the voter ID laws and the Hazleton City ordinance laws were found to be unconstitutional and are no longer in effect. Lastly, it was lawyers who challenged Pennsylvania s ban on same-sex marriage, which as of Wednesday, May 21, 2014, will no longer be fought. Governor Tom Corbett s decision not to appeal a decision of a federal judge who struck down the state s ban on same-sex marriage now allows same-sex couples to apply for marriage licenses and to have the same marriage rights as couples of opposite sex. Without lawyers, those laws would still be on the books, and the citizens of Pennsylvania would have had limiting voting rights, and limiting rights to work and rights to marry. It was teams of lawyers who challenged and succeeded. In my personal practice, I see the need for lawyers every day. I represent individuals who were injured at work. Every employer in Pennsylvania is required to have workers compensation insurance. However, in most work-place injuries, insurance companies intentionally take steps to limit the ability of individuals to receive wage loss when they cannot work due to their injuries or medical care when they cannot see a doctor. I work, as a lawyer, to fight on behalf of these individuals. It is my responsibility as a member of the bar to see that justice prevails. I do it because I believe in a strong sense of what is right in this world and that it is my role as an attorney to make the world a better place. I have been speaking with members of my firm who oftentimes represent individuals in motor vehicle accidents about the need for attorneys. Surprisingly, I found out that insurance companies in motor vehicle accidents are required by law to comply with the duty of good faith and fair dealing. In reality, they fail to do so especially when you are not represented by counsel. All claims personnel receive training in negotiation tactics. They are taught to settle cases, not for fair value, but for? the lowest possible amount. Unless you are represented by competent counsel, there is a good chance that you will be taken advantage of. Despite their advisements, insurance companies are not on your side. Insurers often tell claimants that getting an attorney will reduce their recovery because of fees. Actually, the net recovery of claimants after fees is greater than unrepresented individuals. It is important not to fall for the propaganda circulated by insurance companies. After an accident or injury, your best ally is a good attorney. If you have any additional questions about this article or the need for representation in any matter, I stress that you contact a competent attorney specializing and practicing in the field for which you have the need. If you do not know where to go, the local bar association in your county can help guide you to seek appropriate representation. If you have any additional questions about this article, please do not hesitate to contact me at mkogan@hgsklawyers.com. LA VOZ LATINA CENTRAL JUNE

8 salud/ health By Dr. Oralia Garia, Ph.D, M.A., M.S. Pennsylvania farmers have begun preparing their farmland so that it can produce agricultural products such as fruits and vegetables. As you know, this is important because it's our primary source of essential vitamins, minerals and fiber that help protect us from chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Talk with your doctor to learn more about your protein, carbohydrate, fat and fiber intake needs. Buy locally grown fruits and vegetables, live stock and food products to support our farmers, which in turn helps sustain our communities. Vegetable Production Using a High Tunnel 8 JUNE 2014 LAVOZLATINACENTRAL.COM Farming: Financial and Technical Assistance Are you interested in starting your own farm? Or do you own or manage a farm and want to learn Local Farming: Did You Know Agricultural Management Assistance Programs Exist? more about ways to improve its operations? Then contact Noel Soto who works at United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Pennsylvania via at noel.soto@pa.usda. gov or by phone at (717) or (866) NRCS is a technical agency of the USDA. The agency was established in 1935 to carry out a continuing program of soil and water conservation. In 1994, NRCS was organized to provide financial assistance for natural resource conservation. According to Soto, The USDA has programs that can help people that are starting to farm or that have been farming for a while. The production site could be of any size, and the value of the farming goods as low as $1,000 per year. We also have programs for pasture and woodlands. Typically Hispanic farmers and other minorities don t participate in the financial and technical assistance programs the USDA offers, and this is why we are reaching out to you today. Examples of the assistance that we provide are: microloans, grants for energy efficiency and marketing value-added agricultural products, incentives for the installation of high tunnels to extend the growing season, incentives to install efficient irrigation systems and programs that help families purchase their own homes. According to Soto, the USDA promotes organic and sustainable productions supports with technical assistance (e.g. conservation planning consultation and engineering designs) and financial assistance (money from tax payers because society demands a clean environment) for farming practices that promote

9 clean water and air, soils for healthful and abundant crops and wildlife habitat. Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) According to the USDA, Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) provides funding assistance to help agricultural producers reduce risk by voluntarily installing conservation practices to address issues such as water management, water quality and erosion control. Pennsylvania s 2014 funding option is Irrigation Systems. For information for eligibility and how to apply, please contact Noel Soto. The National Institutes of Rural and Minority Health (NIRMH) recently received a USDA grant to help increase awareness and knowledge about these farmingrelated programs. For more information about NIRHM, please contact Mauricio Conde at (717) LA VOZ LATINA CENTRAL JUNE

10 Estamos Unidos de Pennsylvania Pays Special Tribute to Two Central Pa. Residents Photography by Ali Waxman L ast month, the Estamos Unidos de Pennsylvania paid special tributes to Ruth Cruz and Mauricio Conde at the 5th annual Tribute and Scholarship Fundraising Dinner, Held at the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg in Camp Hill. The keynote speaker for the evening was the Honorable Pedro Cortéz, former Secretary of State and now with the HGSK law firm. A special tribute to the awardees was given by Congressman Scott Perry, along with accolades from various members of the community. The Awardees Ruth Cruz, who has a heart for serving the community, has nearly 15 years of government experience, working particularly in juvenile justice and administrative assistant roles. Cruz is an experienced leader who has a strong educational background. Her passion, effective communication and interpersonal skills are some of her strongest assets. Cruz s ability to form and nurture lasting relationships with government agencies is critical in working with all stakeholders who share the common interest in improving the livability and sustainability of the City of Harrisburg. Cruz currently works for T.W. Ponessa & Associates in Harrisburg, with at-risk youth and assisting families to refocus on better support to their children. She also serves with the Harrisburg School District, Latino Hispanic Professionals and the Harrisburg Rotary Club. Through work and volunteer experience, Mauricio Conde has had the opportunity to serve the Medicaid community, the Latino community and those that are less fortunate. Conde s work experience includes nonprofit organizations as well as private-sector corporations with an impeccable record of success in facilitating collaborative efforts among government agencies, health care providers, advocacy groups, nonprofit organizations and consumers at the state and national level. Born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico, Conde has taken his love for music to the next level by playing in a number of professional recordings, participating in a number of professional tours with a diverse genre of artists and has even served as a guitar instructor. His musical journey has led him to serve as a volunteer guitar player at his home church, LCBC Harrisburg, and occasionaly at the Life Center Church and the Living Word Community. Conde is operations manager for MAXIMUS, serving the Commonwealth of Pa. s nearly two million Medicaid Managed Care eligible customers. The awardees also received a Proclamation from Governor Tom Corbett, which was presented to them by Maria Montero, executive director of PA Commission for Women and The Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs. The evening s festivities concluded with a performance by Mariachi Rey Azteca and some entertaining songs sung by EUP immediate past president Esmerelda Hetrick. To see more photos of the event, go to lavozlatinacentral.com. 10 JUNE 2014 LAVOZLATINACENTRAL.COM

11 (l-r) Deep Gupta, founder of Asian Indian Americans of Central PA (AIA); Gabriella Cortes; Pedro Cortes; Congressman Scott Perry; EUP president Dr. Oralia Garcia Dominic; and immediate past president Esmerelda Hetrick. (l-r) Cheri Rinehart, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers; Esmerelda Hetrick; Dr. Oralia Garcia Dominic; and Anna Maria Kiehl, chief accounting officer for the Commonwealth of Pa. (l-r) Esmerelda Hetrick; awardees Ruth Cruz and Mauricio Conde; and Dr. Oralia Garcia Dominic. LA VOZ LATINA CENTRAL JUNE

12 galería espacio gallery space Placidus, oil on panel, 2010, 48" x 32" Painting Skill and Architectural Motifs Combine for Striking Results Since his undergraduate days at the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design, Dana Sink has devoted his art to the representation of space. Combining the recessive qualities of architectural imagery with his deft skill in oils, the 39-year-old Harrisburg man produces complex and colorful compositions that accomplish the objective. Students of art history will immediately recognize in Sink s work the influence of Dutch printmaker M.C. Escher ( ). Oh, yes, that s true, he admits. I m also drawn to the 18th century architectural engravings of Giovanni Piranesi. Whereas Escher s work was detailed, mathematically rigid and, at times, defied perspective, Sink favors a smoother presentation in the quest to define space. Interlaced with cascading steps, 12 JUNE 2014 LAVOZLATINACENTRAL.COM A Man Devoted To His Art viaducts and arched structures are spherical, cylindrical and domed shapes that also call to mind a contemporary of Escher, the French cubist Fernand Leger ( ). My paintings are products of a series of corrections, declares Sink. I m getting closer to where I want to be. My creations are solely done to satisfy me. I m not compromising my vision. Readers can appreciate that vision at the Perry County Council of the Arts in Newport (perrycountyarts.org). An exhibition of Sink s work will be in place from June 6 through July 9. To learn more about the artist, visit danasink.com. Desde sus días de estudiante en la prestigiosa Savannah Colegio de Arte y Diseño, Dana Sink ha dedicado su Por Scott Campbell arte a la representación del espacio. La combinación de las cualidades recesivas de imágenes arquitectónicas con su sutil habilidad en los aceites, a los 39 años de edad, el hombre de Harrisburg produce composiciones complejas y coloridos que logran el objetivo. Los estudiantes de historia del arte reconocerán de inmediato en el trabajo del fregadero la influencia del artista holandés MC Escher ( ). Oh, sí, eso es cierto, admite. También me siento atraído por los grabados de la arquitectura del siglo 18 de Giovanni Piranesi. Mientras que la obra de Escher se detalló, matemáticamente rígida y, a veces, desafió la perspectiva, Sink favorece con una presentación más suave en la búsqueda para definir el espacio. Entrelazado con escalones en cascada, viaductos y estructuras arqueadas son esféricas, cilíndricas y de formas abovedadas que también trae a la memoria a un contemporáneo de Escher, el cubista francés Fernand Léger ( ). Mis pinturas son producto de una serie de correcciones, declara Sink. Me estoy acercando a donde yo quiero estar. Mis creaciones están hechas exclusivamente para satisfacerme. No voy a comprometer mi visión. Los lectores pueden apreciar la visión en el Consejo del Condado de las Artes de Perry en Newport (perrycountyarts. org). Una exposición de la obra de Sink estará vigente a partir del 6 de junio al 9 de julio. Para aprender más sobre el artista, visite danasink.com.

13 También me siento atraído por los grabados de la arquitectura del siglo 18 de Giovanni Piranesi. ~ Dana Sink Passages, oil on panel, 2012, 11" x 9" Spurius, oil on panel, 2011, 48" x 32" Composition in Red and Green, oil on panel, 2012, 18" x 24" Locus Magnus, oil on panel, 2011, 43" x 48" Green with a Chance of Purple, oil on panel, 2012, 24" x 18" LA VOZ LATINA CENTRAL JUNE

14 Photo Credit Courtesy of Mayor Valentin Rodriquez Meet the Mayor of West Reading Borough Valentin Rodriguez Jr. By Kristen Lacaillade West Reading Borough in Berks County welcomed their new mayor, Valentin Rodriguez Jr., when he was sworn into office on January 6, In the May primary of the election, Rodriguez Jr. needed enough write-in votes to secure him a spot on the official ballot. With 122 combined votes, he was one step closer to making his efforts a true reality. Having run as an Independent throughout the mayoral race, Rodriguez trumped two other opponents with 290 votes to award him the seat. Upon the announcement of his election into the position, Rodriguez was quoted as proclaiming, People were fed up with the parties, which contributed to the notion that nonpartisan support was key in his election success. Former West Reading Borough mayor Shane J. Keller chose not to seek re-election. The election of Rodriguez as mayor marks a first for West Reading, but not for the state of Pennsylvania. Rodriguez s victory is the first time that a Latino has been elected as mayor in Berks County, but the second time a Latino has become mayor in Pennsylvania. Jose Rosado is marked as the first Latino mayor in Pennsylvania serving Fountain Hill, in Lehigh County, beginning in 2010 as an appointed mayor, making it official in the 2011 special election. Rodriguez, who was born and raised in West Reading, saw firsthand what it was like to serve the people through his father, Valentin Rodriguez Sr. His father was one of the most influential Latinos in the area. Settling in West Reading in 1952, Rodriguez Jr. s father helped to found the Puerto Rican Latin Association in Reading in the 1960s. Rodriguez Sr. later went on to serve as the association s treasurer. Mayor Rodriguez Jr. explained that the encouragement of residents and borough council members were what drove him to make the decision to run for mayor. West Reading Borough is a vibrant neighborhood with much to offer both residents and visitors alike. Along Penn Avenue, considered the borough s main street, one can find locally owned boutiques, shops and restaurants. The quaint and welcoming environment is also host to the main campus of the Reading Health System. The borough celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2007, praising both its character as well as its rich diversity. Roughly 18 percent of West Reading is Latino. The road to Rodriguez Jr. s mayoral seat was one that can be regarded as hard-earned. He served as a PRLA board member, taking after his father who helped to establish the association, and he also took a stand for a polling station to be put into Reading s Oakbrook neighborhood. From then on, Rodriguez Jr. continued to ensure that his voice was heard, also advocating for bilingual ballots and serving as chairman of the Reading Police Diversity Board for eight years. The passion and the drive was there, and Rodriguez Jr. was ready to take the next step forward in his life to become mayor. Many of Rodriguez Jr. s fellow council members and friends were confident enough in his drive and character to give him their support publicly. Rodriguez Jr. explains that his win should be an example for the city of Reading as a whole. He expressed that with a Latino majority in not only the borough over which he presides, but also in Reading as a whole, why not elect a Hispanic mayor. In the most recent November elections in Reading, many Latinos were elected to positions of remarkable influence. Rodriguez Jr. made clear that his intention serving as mayor was to not necessarily serve the party s needs, but rather to assure he serves the needs of the people first and foremost. 14 JUNE 2014 LAVOZLATINACENTRAL.COM

15 SPECIAL SECTION The Legal Issue constitutional family environmental business marriage nationality visa file sharing familia inmigracíon adoption housing criminal law immigration impuesto divorcio ley adopción ciudadanía negocios constitucional citizenship nacionalidad administrative migratory status ambiental tax divorce industrial internet administración LA VOZ LATINA CENTRAL JUNE

16 SPECIAL SECTION LAW OFFICE OF TROY J. MATTES, P.C. Providing Affordable and Personal Immigration Legal Services since Toll Free: East Chestnut Street Lancaster, PA 16 JUNE 2014 LAVOZLATINACENTRAL.COM

17 SPECIAL SECTION Last summer, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act ( S.744 ) addressing various aspects of the immigration process from border and enforcement issues to legal immigration reforms. The bill has been sitting with the House of Representatives that has not taken up the Senate bill. It now appears unlikely that the House will take any action on this bill or any other immigration legislation prior to the mid-term elections in November. While the media has primarily focused on the political theater attendant to the legislative process and the implications of immigration reform for the 11 million undocumented immigrants within the United States, there are important aspects of the proposed legislation that should be examined as it affects all employers. Employers without the need to hire foreign nationals may assume that they need not consider or comply with the knotty requirements of immigration law and the regulations enforced by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. To the contrary, there are requirements applicable to all employers, requiring businesses to verify the identity and work authorization status of every employee. The mechanism for compliance is the I-9 Employment Verification Form that every employer should complete on the date of hire or earlier. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in significant fines, loss of government contracts and adverse publicity for an employer. A number of years ago, in an effort to make the employment verification process more user friendly, the Department of Homeland Security established the E-Verify program, an Internet-based system intended to provide a fast and free way for employers to ensure a legal workforce. The E-Verify system compares information from an employee s Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 to data from U.S. government records. Because the system is not mandatory, however, less than 1 percent of employers in the U.S. are currently enrolled in E-Verify. Under S.744, use of the E-Verify system will be made mandatory for all employers over a period of five years. In general, mandatory use of the system will be implemented based upon the number of employees. The bill requires E-Verify use within two years by employers with more than 5,000 employees, three years for employers with more than 500 employees, with an exception for agricultural employers, who are given four years. All remaining employers subject to mandatory E-Verify must use the system within four years, with limited exceptions. The bill requires identity verification through the use of enhanced fraudproof documents, such as tamperresistant Social Security cards and the use of a photo tool to allow employers to verify an individual s identity. The bill (if it becomes law) will take precedence over local and state laws related to the hiring of foreign nationals, creating a uniform national standard. Employers who fail to comply with E-Verify requirements are subject to increased civil or criminal penalties as are those who knowingly hire, recruit, refer or continue to employ an unauthorized immigrant. The foregoing is just one example of the reach of the immigration reform Immigration Law Reform and Why it Matters to All Employers By Steven J. Koehler, Esq. proposal currently being debated in Congress. Immigration laws and reform proposals affect the business community in many ways. It is important for all employers to have an understanding of the scope of these laws and regulations. Steve Koehler, Esq. Koehler is a shareholder of Shumaker Williams, P.C., a regional law firm with offices serving the central Pennsylvania region. Koehler routinely counsels clients ranging from start-up entities to multinational corporations on matters involving immigration law, entity selection, shareholder and operating agreements, intellectual property licensing and protection of confidential information, manufacturing sales and joint development agreements and general business and real estate matters. In the immigration area, Koehler s years of experience in representing business and institutional clients provides a complement to the legal needs of clients recruiting professionals and other workers to compete in the global marketplace. LA VOZ LATINA CENTRAL JUNE

18 SPECIAL SECTION Choosing and Working With Your Lawyer By Joe Benish, Photography by Ali Waxman 18 JUNE 2014 LAVOZLATINACENTRAL.COM When faced with legal challenges of any kind, it can be difficult and even intimidating to not only choose the right attorney, but also work closely with him or her to help them best represent you. Add to that the stress of a sometimes confusing, complex legal system, the challenge of a potential language barrier and the process of choosing and working with a lawyer can be daunting to anyone. But it doesn t have to be. Recently, I had the opportunity to spend a day in the shadow of one of our frequent La Voz Latina Central contributors, Attorney Mark Kogan of the HGSK law firm, with offices in Philadelphia, Allentown, Lancaster, Reading, Holland, Kennett Square and Harrisburg. While in the Lancaster office, I observed Kogan meeting with a number of Latino/Hispanic clients on cases ranging from personal injury and worker s compensation to family law matters. What I learned was that, even with the very capable assistance of an in-house interpreter, sometimes even the smallest communications challenge can affect how a case is approached. I also learned how important it is for one to communicate fully and honestly with the lawyer who represents you, so you can be assured of the best representation they can offer. HGSK has a long and intense history of dealing with the Latino- Hispanic community, explained Kogan. We also enjoy working within the community that we serve. We deal daily with bias, language difficulties and prejudice. All of these issues must be incorporated into the educated and wellexplained line of communication with our clients. In addition, we have to have a culturally competent presentation of the evidence to the courts and insurance companies we deal with. This attention to detail is what we feel sets HGSK apart in dealing with the Latino/Hispanic community, Kogan explained. All firms refer cases to others. We are proud of our reputation for working for more than 40 years to fight against racism and to build bridges to justice. Each case presents its own unique set of circumstances and challenges from both the client s perspective and sometimes from the courts or other parties we are dealing with. Sometimes even a small nuance in language or interpretation can make a difference, so we take great pains to ensure our clients can communicate effectively with us. This includes the use of in-house interpreters, when necessary, Kogan explained. After sitting in on a half-dozen client conferences, I came away with some key do s and dont's for anyone who needs to find and work with an attorney, should follow. The first challenge is finding the right attorney to represent you. Some good tools include: Personal references. Check with others within your community. Many times, they will refer you to a lawyer who has already represented them. Online services. Check with your local (county) bar association. They often have advice on not only how to choose a lawyer, but also often have a referral service. Business referrals. Check with your local chamber of commerce, which may know of local attorneys

19 Most people who are faced with legal issues are unfamiliar with the legal/justice system. who can help with specific business issues, licensing, permits, etc. Consider a specialist. Choose a lawyer who specializes in the type of assistance for which you are looking. Some lawyers focus on family law (divorce, custody, etc.), others on criminal matters, while some lawyers specialize in personal injury, workers compensation or immigration. Interview your prospective lawyer. Remember, you are hiring them to best represent you. Trust your instincts. Are you comfortable with them? Do they provide translation services, if needed? Communicate. Communicate freely and fully with the lawyer you choose. Remember, he or she cannot properly represent you or prepare your case without knowing all the facts. Remember, too, that all communications between you and your lawyer are considered confidential, and will not be shared with anyone without your permission. Promptness. Ask how long it will take to get back to you if you have questions. At the same time, promptly provide any information, documents, medical bills and records, etc. that your attorney asks of you. Preparing your case takes time, and you have an important role in providing the information necessary in a timely manner. Willingness to work with you. Your lawyer is depending on you to provide all that he or she needs to properly represent you. A good lawyer will explain the legal process and procedures that you will, together, need to deal with in order to be successful. Work as a team, follow your lawyer s expert legal advice and don t be afraid to ask questions. Remember, most people who are faced with legal issues are unfamiliar with the legal/justice system. Working closely and honestly with an attorney you trust only betters your chances for success in assisting you with a specific and sometimes very personal problem or issue. LA VOZ LATINA CENTRAL JUNE

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