These days, having a good credit record is more important than ever. Your credit record can, not only impact your ability to get a loan to purchase a home or a car, but more and more companies are making credit checks part of getting insurance or even being hired for a new career.
 
If you've made some missteps, my office in Albrightsville can help. I'm partnering with the locally-based nonprofit Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Northeastern, PA to offer FREE credit counseling.
 
Services available include help with housing and mortgage debt, budgeting and financial counseling, as well as debt management for people in financial distress. To find out more about Consumer Credit Counseling visit them online at www.cccsnepa.org.
 
The two most important things a person can do when debt gets overwhelming are get the facts and be as proactive with creditors as possible. Anyone who is worried about debt may call for an appointment, toll-free, at 1-800-922-9537 to learn what options are available and when you can meet with them at my Albrightsville office. They have appointments available on Aug. 25, Sept. 22 and Oct. 27. All of those dates are Wednesdays.

While summer heat may be upon us—and how—it's never too early to start thinking about the fall, and one of my favorite days of the year, my annual free Senior Fair!

This year's fair will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21 at Jim Thorpe's Memorial Hall, and, once again, we'll have more than 70 vendors ready to help seniors get the information they need, plus health screenings, prizes and a free lunch!
 
We'll also be collecting nonperishable food items for the area food banks. Last year we had a fantastic response and delivered a full truckload of items to area banks.
 
So please circle Thursday, Oct. 21 on your calendar, and I hope to see you there. If you're not a senior citizen yet, please pass on the news to a friend, neighbor or loved one.
 
As always, I'd like to close by reminding you that my offices in Lansford, Lehighton and Albrightsville can help with virtually every state government issue that impacts your life. From handling driver's licensing and registration renewals to helping our seniors with prescription assistance applications or pointing you in the right direction with local and federal issues, I hope you'll look at my office as "one-stop-shopping" for the help you need when dealing with government.
 
Keith McCall