Clinton Township Newsletter

1 4 j u l y 2 0 2 6 W W W . C L I N T O N T W P N E W S L E T T E R . C O M Happy 4th of July! 5 Geopolitical developments, economic policy changes, inflation data, and interest rate shifts regularly influence the markets. While recent headlines may feel unsettling, market volatility is not unusual — and uncertainty has always been part of investing. What often matters most during these periods is not reacting to the news itself, but focusing on what you can control and ensuring your financial plan continues to support your longterm goals. W h e t h e r y o u ' r e e a r l y i n y o u r c a r e e r , approaching retirement, or already drawing income from your portfolio, periods of market volatility can serve as a useful reminder to revisit your strategy and confirm it still aligns with your needs, priorities, and comfort level with risk. If you're decades from retirement: Market swings can feel uncomfortable, but they also provide an opportunity to reassess your perspective on risk. Investing always involves some degree of uncertainty, and how you react emotionally when markets move up or down can offer insight into whether your current portfolio still fits your risk tolerance. Taking time to reflect on that response can help ensure your strategy is appropriate for your circumstances. With a longer time horizon, shortterm market fluctuations often become less meaningful. Historically, markets have recovered from downturns over time, and what feels significant today may ultimately appear as a temporary setback in hindsight. Consistent investing, such as dollarcost averaging, can also help turn volatility into an advantage by spreading investments over time rather than trying to time the market. If you're nearing retirement: A s r e t i r e m e n t a p p r o a c h e s , diversification becomes increasingly important. Different asset classes and investment types often respond differently to economic conditions, and a broadly diversified portfolio c a n h e l p m a n a g e r i s k d u r i n g periods of volatility. Reviewing y o u r a l l o c a t i o n a c r o s s s t o c k s , bonds, cash, and other investment v e h i c l e s c a n h e l p e n s u r e y o u r portfolio reflects both your income needs and your comfort with market movement. I t ' s a l s o w i s e t o c o n s i d e r h o w y o u r i n v e s t m e n t s a r e p o s i t i o n e d f o r y o u r upcoming expenses. Funds you expect to use in the early years of retirement may benefit from being invested more conservatively, while assets with a longer time horizon can remain focused on growth and keeping pace with inflation. Striking the right balance between protection and continued growth is key as you transition toward retirement. If you're already retired: Market volatility can feel especially personal once you're relying on your savings for income. Reviewing your withdrawal strategy during uncertain markets can help protect your longterm financial security. If your portfolio experiences decline, it may be worth reassessing how much you're withdrawing to ensure your income remains sustainable over time. While equities may still play a role during a retirement that could last several decades, preserving your savings base is critical. Evaluating your stock exposure within the context of your overall financial plan can help ensure you're not taking unnecessary risk while still allowing your portfolio the potential to grow over the long term. Regardless of where you are in your financial journey, market movement provides an opportunity to step back and compare your investment strategy to your goals. Are you still on track? Even if the answer feels uncertain, there are steps you can take to regain clarity and confidence. Working with a financial advisor can help you stay focused, adapt to changing conditions, and move forward with a plan designed to support your financial goals — even when the markets feel unpredictable. Michelle Heide, CFP ® , CRPC ® , BFA, is a Private Wealth Advisor with Gentlestone Wealth, a financial/private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, located at 16 Leigh Street in Clinton. She specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 35 years. To contact her, go to: www.GentlestoneWealthampf.com, or call 908.713.6600. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements. Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and its affiliates do not offer tax or legal advice. Consumers should consult with their tax advisor or attorney regarding their specific situation. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss. Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results. Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value. Securities offered by Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2026 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. File # AMP8815522.1- (Approved until 03/16/2028) S t a y i n G o n t r a c K w h e n m a r K e t S F e e l u n c e r t a i n "The Spirit that prevails among Men of all degrees, all ages, and sexes is the Spirit of Liberty." ~ Abigail Adams, A leer from Abigail Adams to Edward Dilly on May 22, 1775 l i F e , l o y a l t y a n d t h e P u r S u i t o F h a P P i n e S S A Series on the Vought Family of Revolutionary Hunterdon County By David Overaker, President, Board of Trustees, 1759 Vought House Part 4: Rounded Up: Acting on the June 26 order by the New Jersey Provincial Congress to apprehend the Loyalist "insurgents" involved in the raid on Jones' Tavern, the Hunterdon militia marched from White House and arrived at the Vought House around midnight. The account of Cornelius Messler, a member of the arresting party, describes the action: "Having surrounded the house with his men, [Colonel] Freylinghuysen went to the door and rapped with the hilt of his sword. In a moment a back window was thrown open and the man they sought jumped out in his night shirt but ran into the arms of one of the men who at once threw him down and had him bound. They then went into the house in search of something to eat. In the cellar they found a boiled ham and some bread and butter with a barrel of Methiglen [spiced mead] which was soon tapped and some of the men had the bees buzzing in their heads all day and even at night fall". The man captured was Christopher Vought. Although son John was not present, he soon turned himself in upon hearing of his father's capture. On July 2, 1776, the New Jersey Provincial Congress adopted a constitution formally declaring independence from Great Britain and establishing a new government for the province – the first constitution of the State of New Jersey. It would stand for 68 years, until a new constitution was adopted in 1844. In the same session, the Congress ordered Christopher and John Vought and others of the raiding party confined in the jail in Trenton. Christopher and John were held in jail for five days until they could post a bail of 2,000 pounds. As the ringleaders of the attack on Captain Jones, they were each charged and fined 100 pounds by the NJ Provincial Congress on July 31 and released. The only other member of the raiding party to receive such a high fine was Joseph Lee, a supervisor at the nearby Union Iron Works and a friend and ally of the Voughts. – Support the mission of the 1759 Vought House! Donate at: www.VoughtHouse.org or mail a check to: 1759 Vought House, P.O. Box 369, Annandale, NJ 08801. "The essence of America – that which really unites us – is not ethnicity or nationality or religion – it is an idea – and what an idea it is: that you can come from humble circumstances and do great things." ~ Dr. Condoleezza Rice, address at the Republican National Convention, Aug. 29, 2012

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