Veterans Treatment Court trade handcuffs for a helping hand that can pull veterans back from the edge.
Author: Lynn Goya
Lynn Marie Goya has been serving as the Clark County Clerk since 2015. Since taking office, she has streamlined services in her department, saved the county hundreds of thousands of dollars through increased efficiencies, increased government transparency, reduced the Clerk Office’s environmental footprint and raised the profile of wedding tourism. Her efforts have resulted in numerous awards for the office as well as international recognition for excellence I government.
Prior to being elected as the Clark County Clerk, Lynn Marie Goya was a freelance journalist who wrote for local, regional, and national publications including USA Today, Audubon and the Boston Globe. She is an award-winning playwright; an Emmy-nominated writer; received the Frederick L. Ryan Award for Economics; the JCPenny Golden Rule Award for community leadership; and the EMERGE Nevada 2016 Alumni of the Year.
Local Authors Series, We’re talking to Lynn Goya
In this next installment of our Local Authors Series, we’re talking to Lynn Goya. In case you’ve missed previous articles, we’ve learned that there are nearly two dozen authors locally here in town. But, there doesn’t really seem to be a way to easily find the books they’ve written or any local source for them to promote their work. We created this series to share the authors stories and to let all of you – perspective readers – get to hear about their works. (If you’ve missed our previous columns, we’ve got links for you at the bottom of this page.)
Please share a short bio to introduce yourself.
I’m flexible, love politics, nature, crafts and the outdoors – and Boulder City. Curly hair defined me as a radical by age three – and I never turned back.
My husband and three children moved to Boulder City in 1993, and live in the same house in the historic district. We love walking downtown to eat, listen to music and meet our friends.
Tell us about the books you’ve written and a short synopsis?
Wrote a book for 4th graders (out of print) on Nevada history – started with the earth forming beneath our feet. Ghosted a book on infertility for a local doctor (out of print). Wrote 4 editions of Fun with the Family in Las Vegas (all out of print) visiting every family-friendly attraction in Clark County. Wrote two hiking guides for Falcon Press with oldest son, Alexander Goya: Best Easy Day Hikes Cedar Rapids: Including Iowa City And Cedar Falls/Waterloo (Best Easy Day Hikes Series), Jun 1, 2010 (regional best-seller) and Best Hikes Near San Diego (Best Hikes Near Series), Aug 16, 2011.
What inspired you to write?
We like to explore.
What do you hope your readers will experience or learn from reading your work?
We believe that travel guides should be fun to read and make one excited to explore while providing new insight into the world around you. These guides fulfill these goals.
When and how did you publish your books.
These guides were published through Falcon Press and other major publishers.
What events in your life contributed to your becoming an author?
I’ve been a professional writer for the past 30 years.
Did you take informal or formal classes or seminars in writing? What would you say to other would be authors about the process of writing?
I have a degree in English. Nothing is better for your writing than sitting down and moving your fingers on your typewriter. I don’t have time to write since I have become an elected official, but there is no better job in the world than that of a journalist.
Educational Benefits for Veteran’s Children
As children across America head off to college, the costs can be staggering. But there are many educational benefits for veteran’s children who are permanently and totally disabled due to service-related circumstances or whose parent died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.
As part of their veterans’ benefits, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) helps cover education and training support through the Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program. Benefits may be used for on-the-job-training, to take part in an apprenticeship, to be certified in a chosen field or to obtain or a college degree.
DEA will also help pay for correspondence courses or remedial, deficiency and refresher courses, under certain circumstances.
Children or spouses with disability may also find resources to support their training needs. Special Restorative Training or Special Vocational Training may be accessed to overcome or lessen barriers from physical or mental disabilities so that they may pursue educational or vocational programs. Dependents or survivors of a person that the VA has determined has a service-connected permanent and total disability or who is a member of the armed forces and is hospitalized or receiving outpatient medical care services or treatment are also eligible to apply for these funds.
Eligible dependents may receive up to 24 months of benefits. As of October 1, 2013, some benefits were expanded to 81 months through the GI Bill. Children of qualified veterans must be between the ages of 18 and 26, in most cases and not be serving in active duty within the armed forces. Spouses may qualify for benefits for up to 10 years from the date you were found eligible for benefits by the VA.
For more information, or to apply, obtain VA Form 22-5490. educational-benefits-for-veterans-children
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Lynn Goya is a regional best-selling author and Emmy-nominated writer who covers business, people, the environment, and families for regional, national and international publications including USA Today, Audubon and Outdoor Family. With many family members in the military, including an uncle who was a fighter pilot and POW in WW II, she has long been an advocate for military men and women.
Veterans Win in VA Reform Bill
Student Veterans Win in VA Reform Bill
Some win, some lose. The VA Reform Bill, set to be signed into law on Thursday, demands that all public schools receiving GI Bill funds provide veterans with in-state tuition, saving students thousands of dollars per year. Currently, many states already offer veterans in-state tuition. This bill would extend that benefit to all states.
The losers, however, may be public schools, most of which have already swallowed huge cutbacks during the past recession. Veterans were a reliable source of much-needed revenue. The student veteran paid the difference between in-state and out-of-state costs, while the federal government covered the core in-state tuition fees. Public schools will now receive only the in-state fees.
Not all schools are subject to the new law, however. Private and for-profit schools already pull in the majority of funds distributed through the GI Bill. Eight of the top 10 schools who received GI Bill funds for the 2012-2013 academic year were for-profit colleges, according to a Senate report (read here). Taxpayers spend twice as much, on average, to send a veteran to a for-profit school even though analysis shows that most students fail to obtain a degree. Almost 66 percent of students enrolled in for-profit schools dropped out in 2008-2009 without obtaining a degree.
For-profit colleges are also well paid. The University of Phoenix may be paid up to $20,000 per year through veterans’ benefits. Over the past five years, in fact, the University of Phoenix has received over $1 billion from 80,000 veterans using the GI Bill. Investigators say that private colleges often fail in core educational missions – educating students and helping them find jobs – all the while loading them with debt or sucking dry a GI’s educational benefits. Seven of the eight for-profit schools currently under investigation by state attorneys general or other federal agencies for “deceptive or misleading recruiting” are on the top-federal-aid list for receiving the GI Bill.
The Center for investigative Reporting found that a single campus of the University of Phoenix received $95 million — more than the entire University of California system — yet had an overall graduation rate under 15 percent. (No statistics were available that broke out veterans graduation rate.) Three hundred of California’s for-profit private schools failed to pass minimum standards for accreditation, yet they still received GI Bill funds. Many veterans now feel “tricked” into attending for-profit schools that fail to deliver a quality education.
Yet they stay in business through creative marketing and aggressive recruitment using veterans to reach out to target young veterans whose pockets are still full of GI Bill benefits.
For-profit school lobbyists routinely block legislation that attempt to determine whether veterans are getting a good education through for-profit schools. Additional losers may also include states, like Nevada and Idaho, that had already passed legislation providing the same benefits in order to lure veterans to their colleges and their state. Veterans “bring a worldly view,” says Ross Bryant, a veteran who attends the University of Nevada Las Vegas as an in-state student. “[States] hope we will stay here.”
by Lynn Goya
8/4/2014
Lynn Goya is a regional best-selling author and Emmy-nominated writer who covers business, people, the environment, and families for regional, national and international publications including USA Today, Audubon and Outdoor Family. With many family members in the military, including an uncle who was a fighter pilot and POW in WW II, she has long been an advocate for military men and women.
Top PGA Golfers Tee-Up to Support Veterans and Families
Top PGA golfers tee-up to support veterans with “Birdies for the Brave,” a free greens admission and golf lessons to active duty military, Guard, Reserve and retired military and their families at PGA Tour, champions Tour and Web.com Tour events across the country. The latest course to host the military families was the Professional Golfers’ Association Tour, headquartered in the plush green and its exceptional military outreach program.
Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia visited Tournament Players Club Sawgrass to meet officials from “Birdies for the Brave,” which offers complimentary admission, lessons and more for active duty, Guard and Reserve and retired service members and their families at select PGA Tour, Champions Tour, and Web.com Tour events.
The PGA Tour public relations and community outreach director John Flaschner, listed the nine military homefront groups that Birdies for the Brave and PGA Tour players fundraising efforts are supporting this year. The groups and players for 2014 are:
- Phil Mickelson: Homes for Our Troops and Special Operations Warrior Foundation;
- Corey Pavin: Operation Homefront;
- Jerry Kelly, Vijay Singh and Frank Lickliter II: Navy SEAL Foundation;
- Rory Sabbatini: United Through Reading;
- Ted Purdy and David Toms: Military Warriors Support Foundation;
- Bubba Watson: Green Beret Foundation;
- David Duval and Bob Duval: K9s for Warriors; and
- Rod Pampling: Feherty’s Troops First Foundation.
In 2012 the White House’s Joining Forces initiative recognized Birdies for the Brave as one of the U.S.’s top military-friendly charities. “Our entire mission is just to say ‘thank you’ to military men, women and their families,” said Flascher.
The organization was created by pro golfer Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy for troops who came home with combat injuries. At the time, Mickelson pledged $100 for each birdie and $500 for each eagle he made during his tour to the Homes for Our Troops and Special Operations Warrior foundations.
Now, Birdies for the Brave is in 32 of the 45 PGA Tour tournaments as well as six tournaments each at the Web.com and Champions tours. The PGA Tour has over 100 tournaments within three tours that include the Web.com Tour for young, rising players and the Champions Tour for players ages 50 and above.
And Birdies for the Brave is at 32 tournaments out of 45 on the PGA Tour, with a presence of six each on the Web.com and the Champions tours, Flaschner said. “Our goal by 2018 is to have a presence at all of these tournaments.”
Partner organizations include Operation Shower, a St. Louis charity out that coordinates with base ombudsmen and local stores to host surprise baby showers for pregnant mothers whose husbands are out of the area. Operation shower donates cribs, dressers and other essential baby items.
Battaglia applauded Birdies for the Brave pairing top-level athletes with military veterans and their families. Flaschner said he was also inspired to do something for service members who inspired others with their commitment to freedom and bravery.
Flaschner added, “Whether it’s mortgage-free home donations to wounded service members and their families or the donation of service dogs to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, our fundraising events have raised more than $13 million for military homefront charities that directly benefit military members and their families. To see their gratitude for us when they’ve given so much is just overwhelming.”
By Lynn Goya
5-13-2014
Lynn Goya is a regional best-selling author and Emmy-nominated writer who covers business, people, the environment, and families for regional, national and international publications including USA Today, Audubon and Outdoor Family. With many family members in the military, including an uncle who was a POW in WW II, she has long been an advocate for military men and women.
Dogs Help Veterans Cope with PTSD
What if you discovered a way to save two lives at the same time? That’s what Cathy King, a long-time animal rights activist found she was able to do when she paired animal rescue dogs with veterans who needed the love and guidance of a trained rescue dog. Dogs offer their owners unconditional love, along with tools to help veteran through the mind-bending experiences of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Service dogs help veterans with PTSD, panic disorders, anxiety disorders, depression and other conditions. Studies have found that service dogs trained specifically to be paired with veterans can reduce the severity of PTSD symptoms, suicidal behaviors as well as panic and anxiety disorders.
Formerly the Executive Director of Friends of Animals, King always had an interest in pet therapy. Animals, especially dogs, have been shown to improve the well-being of older people, hospitalized patients and heart attack victims. Simply petting a dog can lower blood pressure. Bringing a dog into a children’s cancer ward or an assisted living home has been shown to boost patients’ moods and their social interaction. A UCLA study found that dog owners need less medical care for stress-related aches and pains than people without pets. Some studies show that pet owners actually live longer than non-pet owners.
Armed with this knowledge, King decided to start a nonprofit, Canines with a Cause, in 2011 that would rescue dogs from shelters, then train the dogs to help veterans with PTSD who are returning from war to cope with their symptoms. One in four Iraq and Afghanistan veterans experiences PTSD, depression and/or anxiety, making it difficult to reintegrate into civilian life. A companion dog can help heal the invisible wounds of war.
There is a huge demand for dogs to be matched with different populations, says King but she decided to concentrate specifically on veterans. “Dogs for autistic children need to be trained very differently than a see-alert dog, for instance. It didn’t make sense to try to be everything; it wasn’t working as a model. That’s why we ended up focusing on veterans. Now we are not trying to train a number of different types of dogs.”
The nonprofit focuses on three programs. Pawsitive Partnership: Veterans, that takes rescued dogs and pairs them with veterans who work together through the Canines with a Cause training program to meet the veteran’s needs. These free training courses can last as long as the veteran likes, giving both the veteran and the dog time to learn and practice the Canine Life and Social Skills curriculum.
The Comfort Crew: Veterans goes one step further, training veterans to take their dogs out to aid other veterans in need. The therapy animals are trained to go to VA hospitals and assisted living programs to provide comfort and love to veterans unable to care for a dog on their own.
Most recently, Canines with a Cause partnered with the Utah State Prison Women’s Correctional Facility to teach female prisoners how to train service or assistance dogs for veterans. There are more than 2.4 million people in prison, more than half of whom suffer from mental illness. This program allows these inmates to feel as if they are contributing to society as well as garnering the benefits of caring for and working with service animals as they train them. The Pawsitive Healing Prison Program allows the animals to live with the inmates, providing the women with a much-needed opportunity to love and cherish another living being. Trained dogs are then matched with veterans based on personality traits, size, energy level and other characteristics. “Most of these women are there for life, so they have very little interaction or touching. They really do bond with the dogs,” King said.
On the rare occasions when a match doesn’t work out, the dog is never returned to the shelter, King emphasized. Instead, the dog is matched with another veteran or an outside family. To find out more or to donate to this Utah organization, go to www.canineswithacause.com.
By Lynn Goya
Lynn Goya is a regional best-selling author and Emmy-nominated writer who covers veterans, business, people, the environment, and families for regional, national and international publications including USA Today, Audubon and Outdoor Family. With many family members in the military, including an uncle who was a POW in WW II, she has long been an advocate for military men and women.
Published in Veteran Journal
5-24-2014
4 Top Tax Tips for VA Loan Borrowers
Many people dread it, but it comes like clockwork every year – TAX TIME! Tax Tips for VA Loan Borrowers can take advantage of many tax deductions that can result in paying less to the IRS, or getting a refund, when filing their taxes.
- Veterans who obtained VA purchase loans in 2012 can write off these costs:
- Mortgage Interest
- Discount Points
- Origination Fees
Tax Tips for VA Loan Borrowers
The “big 3” mortgage write-offs can put many veterans who use them well over the standard deduction on their 1040 tax returns for 2012. VA borrowers, like other homeowners, are allowed to write off ALL of the mortgage interest they pay every year. For the initial couple of years, almost all of your mortgage payments will go toward interest. Therefore, this deduction is pretty sizable for new homeowners.
Discount points and origination fees associated with your 2012 home purchase can also be deducted – even if you weren’t actually the one to fork over the dough. VA loans allow for up to all closing costs and up to 4% concessions to be seller-paid. Even if the seller or someone else pays discounts and origination for the buyer, the buyer can still itemize them on the tax return.
- Deduct Interest through a VA Cash-out Refinance
A VA Cash-out Refinance Loan can enable veterans with credit card debt to turn their high-interest debt into a low-interest mortgage payment with a tax benefit to boot. Most credit cards carry an interest rate of around 21%. The going mortgage interest rate is currently around 3.5 percent. Veterans benefit twice when using the cash-out program, because they can reduce their monthly payments on their credit card debts and take the tax deduction on the mortgage interest paid. When the VA cash-out program is used, the mortgage balance increases to reflect the cash taken from the home’s equity.
- No Capital Gains for Most Home Sellers
Married homeowners filing jointly can sell a home for up to $500,000 tax free. They must occupy the home for two years. Capital gains can be avoided even if a different home is sold every two years. Single filers are permitted to sell a home up to $250,000 with the same tax-free benefits. As long as the home is used as a primary residence, a requirement for VA borrowing anyway, many veterans avoid paying taxes after selling a home. For active duty military members frequently reassigned, this can be an especially handy tax deduction.
For more on VA loans, contact a specialized lender.
By Lynn Goya
Published in Veterans Journal
1-7-2013
Lynn Goya builds coalitions
Many people can write well, and some people speak eloquently. Lynn Goya has demonstrated effective coalition building has benefited her community. Lynn Goya builds coalitions.
Subject: Lynn Goya’s Emerge 2010 Nevada Program Application
To Whom It May Concern:
It is my humble opinion that anyone seeking a leadership role in today’s divided and patrician world of politics must possess patience without becoming complacent, must be able to actively listen while not allowing the discussion to go on ad nauseam, must be able to advocate for one’s beliefs without becoming a bully, must be willing to incorporate other opinions in the discussion without selling out on one’s own principles, and most of all, in the end of the day, must possess the communication skills to articulate the outcomes both verbally and in writing so that others are willing to accept them as their own. The descriptors listed in the above statement are the essence of Lynn Goya!
Many people can write well, and some people speak eloquently, but in my opinion, few people possess the above referenced skill set. Additionally, few people understand how to apply them in constructive coalition building that effects community change. Lynn Goya has the skill set described; she has demonstrated effective coalition building time and time again, and through her involvement, she has benefited her community.
During the 2008 Clark County Convention, Ms. Goya chaired the Platform Committee. I observed Ms. Goya’s patience, active listening skills, ability to advocate, ability to incorporate others’ opinions, and ability to produce a written document that was true to the mission. As the Chairman of that convention, her responsibilities were huge, and her obstacles were great. Under Ms. Goya’s leadership, the Platform Committee demonstrated how to take the big tent of ideas, along with compassionate people, and build a coalition where everyone was allowed to participate. In doing so, Ms. Goya and her committee produced a great document under difficult circumstances on time without any blood-letting.
During one debate over a platform plank regarding juvenile justice which is Ms. Goya’s passion, the vote did not go her way. Ms Goya advocated for her position without using her position as chair, and she did not anger a very contentious crowd. As I was curious, I left that meeting and did an investigation of my own regarding the treatment of juveniles who find themselves in the justice system. I must say
Ms. Goya won a convert in me that day with her intellect and passion.
I admire Ms. Goya’s leadership qualities, and I hope the admission committee shares my view. In closing, Ms. Goya will be a great ambassador for Emerge Nevada. As always, Ms. Goya will donate far more goods to the steward’s pantry than she will ever use!
Sincerely,
William H. Stanley
IUEC Political and Organizing Director
Lynn Goya builds coalitions
Kudos for Lynn Goya’s Writing for Families
Lynn Goya’s writing for families received numerous kudos for each of the four editions of Fun with the Family in Las Vegas by Globe Pequot Press.
“The informal tone and exhaustive detail let you know the author is a mother who knows what kids like and how to find it.”–Daily Herald (Chicago)
From the United States
VespaGal
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2008
I’ve never been to Vegas; never really wanted to, actually. But guess what? We’re a military family and our motto is: ‘Home is where the Air Force sends us.’ How do you tell two teenagers that they have to leave their friends in our nice quiet community to move to “Sin City”? Well, for once, I did the right thing. I picked up Lynn Goya’s book, FUN WITH THE FAMILY LAS VEGAS and poured over the contents in one afternoon. The once crisp clear pages are now folded, marked, tabbed, and highlighted to grab the attention of my once unenthusiatic teens. Well, one month til “zero hour” and we’re ALL (myself included) actually really looking forward to checking out the great kid-friendly activities that Ms. Goya’s book introduced us to. Here’s the thing, my original plan was to avoid “the strip” at all costs — especially with the kids. However, Ms. Goya took me by the hand (well, it felt like that while I was reading it) and showed me each kid-friendly spot that “the strip” has to offer. Anyone for Laser Tag at Circus Circus? Uh, sign me up! Of course, you’ve got the Venetian and their gondola rides (Goya covers all that for you too), but frankly, most kids are going to want to have a hand in choosing which hotel to stay in based on which one has the coolest pool. Guess what, the book lays all that out for you as well. I’m telling you, as a military family we’ve traveled to at least 20 countries and countless states within the US and my bookshelf is busting at the seams with guide books to prove it. When comparing the general information that each of my other books has to offer with Goya’s FWTF LAS VEGAS, I have to say this one holds up on its own. For one, I can’t tell you how many times we would vacation and all my kids would talk about was how bored they were. Too many of today’s books show you where to stay, where to eat, how much each will cost you and the occasional historical building/monument that will take up all of 10 minutes until boredom sets in. How sad is it that we adults forgot how to have fun. I dare you all to try this one out for a day if you find yourself in Vegas. Hit the occasional casino if you want — Goya shows you each one’s kid-friendly hot spots, but get a car and drive off further afield to check out the REAL Las Vegas. Believe it or not people actually live there, and they love it. What’s not to love when you have Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in your back yard!!! Goya’s book covers it all, and more. I, for one, have gotten over the shock of having to relocate to Las Vegas and this book lent a huge hand in that recovery. I’ve got big plans for us all after all of the boxes are unpacked and this book will live permanently in my car for the next three years. Take the challenge and live like a kid again.
Amazon Customer
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2002
Top review from the United States
Fishing Tales and Friendship
Fishing Tales and Friendship
The wind chimes were going mad Saturday morning, a clear signal for my husband, Alan, to stay in bed instead of rising before dawn to put on his waders to go fishing. Lake Mead’s proximity was one of the major reasons we moved to Boulder City fifteen years ago. Most weekend mornings will find Alan in his float tube on the lake. The shore fishermen (mostly men) get there when the sky is still full of stars, float in the water or stand in their armpit-high waders, casting their lines, letting their voices carry to each other across the pre-dawn blackness, waiting for the Great White striper to strike.
Food, Fish Tacos and Friends
Alan’s been fishing and feeding his friends since he was a boy growing up in Hawaii. Instead of organized sports, fishing absorbed their afternoons and summers. They’d fish, free dive, spearfish, and surf, bringing home enough seafood to fill their freezers, their friends’ freezers, their neighbors’ freezers until the pots of everyone they knew were overflowing. So, in the middle of a desert, Lake Mead casts an irresistible lure. Here the variety of fish is minimal, but Alan’s fish tacos, featuring hand-caught striper, are legendary, especially among BC kids.
Unbreakable Lines
Over the past decade the invisible shore fishers whose voices call out to each other over the darkness have become linked. In the predawn blackness their voices skim the water in a bawdy exchange of tall tales, daily fishing tips and updates on the figmentary notches on their fishing poles. The voices have also told of cancer, Alan’s open heart surgery, divorce, death and financial destruction.
Fishing Tales and Friendship
It’s light out and I take my binoculars to look for shore birds. While I look for heron, eagles, grebes and ibis, Alan seeks his friends, many ensconced in their trucks to keep warm as they watch their lines. “They’ll worry if I don’t check in,” he says, which is more than I can say about my birds.
By Lynn Goya