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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-12 , 7 A Newsletter for (: Employees and Retirees of Tompkins County I ct 7 . P ...t.7.0 it FItTZ at DECEMBER 1994 Volume 6 Number 12 PARTNERS FOR QUALITY Updates: see page 2 v ,...... . , i „, CURRENT VACANCIES �`: � IN TOMPKINS COUNTY. :. a rt SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: ® Fiscal Coordinator, Full -time, LG N(14) effective 1/1/95. r �` 4. DATA PROCESSING DEPARTMENT: n •y= J Systems Analyst, _ , ,� me " Full-time, LG N(14) - ' MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT: Rehabilitation Specialist, " 10 : Full -time, LG P(16). ry HEALTH DEPARTMENT: Nurse Practitioner. Part -time, LG P(16) ' Physical Therapist, Part -time. LG 0(15) '1. CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT: County Clinical Nurse I, •. " Full-time & Part -time LG 0(15). ,1rt Ail''' County Clinical Nurse II, Full-time & Part -time, LG 0(15). Left to right: John MacLean, Kevin Banwell, Louis Loiselle, Joe Longo, Craig Fuller, Supervising County Clinical Nurse, Dave Crawford and Mickey Carlisle. Full-time & Part -time LG Q(17). TOMPKINS SENECA TIOGA BOCES: J Let It SHOW, let It snow, IQt It snow! Jj Printer, Full -time position. . Vocational Assessment Coordinator, _ • _ Are you dreading another winter of digging out your driveway after Part -time 50 %, 10 month position. .. te ther snowstorm? The airport staff haven't forgotten last winter and have Occupational Therapist, 11 - been busy this summer rebuilding their 1979 SMI snowblower in preparation Full -time. 10 month position. for the coming snows. After its heavy use last season, the unit underwent TOMPKINS CORTLAND a major overhaul of the blower section after IS years of operation. COMMUNITY COLLEGE: The snowblower is powered by two diesel engines generating a total of Cleaner, Part -time, (3:30 a.m. - 7:15 a.m.), 735 horsepower which allow it to move up to 3,500 tons of snow per hour. permanent position. With the runway and parallel taxiway comprising over 30 acres alone, the VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS machine is critical to the safe operation of the airport. CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT: By doing the work in- house, significant savings were realized in repair Account Clerk/Typist, costs. The entire airport staff had a hand in the overhaul with Joe Longo Full -time & Part -time, LG F(6) ,. 4. -I and Mickey Carlisle leading the way. The unit had its first use the day Keyboard Specialist • ::. ;. before Thanksgiving and performed flawlessly. Full-time & Part-time, LG E(5) •:. • . , ".$ So the next time you fly out of the airport this winter, take a look out the Senior Level Clerical, ` ". �' window and you're likely to see the airport staff operating this machine to Full -time & Part -time, LG 11(8) keep the runway clear, and your flight on time. 1 COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT by Scott Heym 'IOLA; A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY . • j The orientation sessions for all County employees that are now being held to familiarize everyone with Partners for Quality are historic in a couple of ways. First, no one with whom I have spoken can recall any occasion when all employees were asked to come together for any reason. Second, no one has any recollection that County government has ever undertaken an effort to change and improve itself that is as broad as Partners for Quality. At the time of this writing, three orientation sessions have been held and attendance and participation have been outstanding at all three. Trainers Marcia Callichia and Ipek Kursat, who have participated in all three, have been impressed with employees active interest, with their understandable skepticism, and with their willingness to raise candid issues publicly. After the conclusion of the orientation sessions all of the questions received during the sessions will be printed in Corridors with answers. Thanks to everyone who attended these sessions and thanks for your thoughtful questions and comments. PARTNERS FOR QUALITY UPDATE fp_ Q Orientation sessions. Three of six orientation sessions for all employees and for the County Board have been held at this writing; the final three are scheduled for December 13. Questions, answers, and comments from all six sessions will appear in the January Corridors. Facilitators. Signups for an information session at which trainer Ipek Kursat will explain in detail the role of facilitators in Partners for Quality are taking place at orientation sessions. Anyone interested in finding out when this orientation session will be held can just send their name through interoffice mail to The Leadership Council at the Old Jail. Facilitators are critical to the improvements that we are talking about making in how County government does its business -- and they are guaranteed to enjoy themselves using the training and support they will receive to assist people who do not work with them to solve problems in some very innovative and different ways. Keeping informed. Minutes of all Leadership Council meetings will soon begin to appear on bulletin boards in every County department. Along with reading this section in Corridors every month, this will be an excellent way to keep up to date on what is going on. In addition, a looseleaf containing all Council minutes will be available in most departments (ask your department head about the location) very soon. The library of printed and video materials about the ideas and principles of quality improvement that is located in the County Administrator's office continues to grow. It recently added a one -hour PBS video about the life of "W. Edwards Deming, Prophet of Quality." It is a fascinating look at a remarkable life that began in the 19th century and ended only last December. Please come in and browse and check out anything that is interesting. Getting involved. The Communication, Human Resource and Performance Management committees of the Leadership Council are still looking for members. This is an interesting and easy way to get involved and to contribute to a better workplace. Send your name and work number to The Leadership Council through interoffice mail if you want more information. Volunteers are also needed to serve one time as participants in focus groups that will identify employees' training and education needs. Leadership Council Members Barbara Mink, Board of Representatives 274 -5434 Bob Lampman, Sheriffs Deputy Assn. 257 -1345 Charlie Evans, Board of Representatives 274 -5434 Loretta Bernal, Confidential Employees 274 -5252 Scott Heyman, County Administrator 274 -5552 Ward Hungerford, Middle Manager 274 -4262 Emery Guest, Sheriff 257 -1345 Mary Pat Dolan, Department Head (DSS) 274 -5252 David Chase, CSEA White Collar Unit 274 -5294 Irene Stein, Department Head (COFA) 274 -5482 Penny Van Shoick, CSEA White Collar Unit 274 -5321 Staff: Leighann Baldwin, CSEA White Collar Unit 274 -6674 Nancy Zahler 274 -5310 Tony Denmark, CSEA Blue Collar Unit 277 -5290 • . Anita Fitzpatrick 274 -5526 1 10 Commandments of Safety MET US KNOW, LET US KNOW, LET US KNOW .t (continued from last issue) County Corridors began publication in March 1988. We want to 6. Look out for Chemical Hazards -■ Read the know if it is serving its purpose of communicating information to MSDS and the warning label on a chemical employees and retirees. YOU can help us to improve YOUR before you use it. • Know the health hazards of newsletter by answering the questions below and sending your the chemicals you use and know how to protect answers to Judy Tynyk at Weights and Measures. yourself from these hazards. • Remember that an unlabeled chemical is a dangerous one. 1. Check one: I read County Corridors every month Report unlabeled chemicals to your supervisor. Never smell or sniff an unlabeled chemical. I sometimes read it and sometimes do not 7. Use Protective Clothing and Equipment - Protective clothing and equipment can keep you I seldom read County Corridors safe from most chemical hazards you'll encounter on the job. But you have to use and maintain them properly. • Know the right kind 2. Check one: Corridors is easy to find every month protective of ea h tta k you perform. equipment use for perform. ■ Inspect gloves, It is not easy to find; I often miss it :to, ._ respirators, goggles and other types of personal protection frequently and replace worn or damaged clothing or equipment when necessary. 3. Check one: I like the appearance of County Corridors 8. Respect Machinery - Modern machines can do very much. It is easy & pleasant to read marvelous things, but they can also be extremely I don't enjoy the appearance of County dangerous to those who operate or repair them. Corridors If your job involves working with machinery, maintain a healthy respect for it. • Always leave 4. The features or aspects of County Corridors I like best are: machine guards in place and follow instructions for operating machinery. • Avoid wearing gloves, loose sleeves, rings, watches or other • jewelry that can get caught in a machine. - • Follow your company's lockout /tagout procedures when machinery is shut down for cleaning or repair. 9. Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls - Millions of workers are injured each year by slipping, 5. What are your suggestions for improving County Corridors? tripping or falling. Hazards are everywhere, but you can protect yourself by following these guidelines: • Use the 4 -1 ladder rule - for every four feet of ladder height set the base of your f tix ladder one foot away from the wall. • Never use } t���• the top two rungs or steps of a ladder. • Secure wires, cords and cables away from walkways. • Use safety cages and fall restraint devices If you are interested in volunteering for the Editorial Board of County when available. • Clean up spills and debris Corridors, please call me at 274 -5523 or 564 -9244 evenings. right away. 10.Be Prepared for Emergencies - Knowing how "Thanks for helping to improve your newsletter" to react in an emergency can make an enormous difference when accidents and injuries do occur. Gt- Be familiar with your company's emergency C— plan, including:• Location of fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, emergency showers, first -aid stations and exits • How to respond to a chemi- cal spill • The type of fire extinguisher to I I II use on a fire © What to do if your clothing is II 6: contaminated by a hazardous chemical • How to react if you inhale a hazardous chemical or if a I � hazardous chemical ets on your skin or in your g Y Y r . eyes • Medical first -aid procedures such as CPR. II " :&: +' t CHEERS FOR DSS (more to come) UNCLASSIFIEDS The following people were recently recognized by the FOR SALE: DSS Success Recognition Committee. *Wooden Jewelry Box 18"x7 1/2", 11 Drawers $35. • Marleta Anderson took over the operation of Staff *Motorcycle Helmet with Shields, Adult S/M $35. Development while Phil Lapadula was unexpectedly out for *Stair Climber Plus $35. a couple of months. Even though Marleta was relatively 'Sauder Computer Stand $40. new to her position and agency, she rose to the occasion 'Sauder Desk $50. beautifully and managed to hold the Staff Development or best offer Unit together. She was able to keep important activities 607 -589 -6041 Evenings running smoothly and efficiently. Marleta certainly deserves recognition for a "Job Well Done ". *14 x 70, 3 Bedroom Trailer in small McLean • Hazel Eva has worked as a Keyboard Specialist in the Trailer Park on Champlin Road. $10,500, Lot Food Stamp Unit for 29 years. She is a very friendly and Rent $160 /month. No pets. Owner financing to helpful co- worker. Her cheerful personality has brightened qualified buyer. Call 844-8196 days and our agency halls for many years. She is always willing to 753 -1528 eves. after 6 p.m. help track down missing files, issue benefit cards on a moment's notice and help clients, depending on their need * 1988 Chev Beretta in excellent shape $3,500. just to name a few things. Over the years, the job has Call after 6 p.m. 844 -9519. changed considerably, but Hazel has been able to work with the changes. We would like to say "Job Well Done ". WANTED: • Paula Herman is moving from CPS to the adoption unit *Someone who repairs TV, CD Players, etc. at this fall after seven years as a Child Protective worker. In reasonable rates. Call after 5:30 p.m. 844 -3793 CPS she became the primary investigator of sexual abuse, necessitating an ability to work skillfully and quickly with law enforcement, medical and mental health professionals, children's service agencies, and children and their families. The measure of her success is not only in the number of - children she has helped rescue from abusive situations, but also the number of families she has helped hold together tCtill t 1 over the years. Paula will be missed in Child Protective! o • Linda Thayer has been with DSS for 26 years. She — „ adapts well to changes and has endured the many changes that have taken place over the years. She spent several years in Adult Services then moved to Children's Services. Linda is excellent in crisis intervention. She is the DSS referral source for the Dispositional Alternative Program FREE UNCLASSIFIEDS and the local Detention System, which she knows well. Classified ads up to 25 words in length are free to County employees retirees and their iuunediate families. Ads may be for any purpose except no professional ads Linda is always willing to share her time and knowledge will be accepted. No County addresses or telephone numbers may be listed in these with her co- workers. aas. Use this coupon to send your ad to Corridors c% Central Services. • Jim Myers, a public assistance examiner, has been PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT LEGIBLY! assigned to the same caseload for most of his tenure with DSS. He has always been efficient, competent and knowledgable. Although Jim can sometimes have controversial ideas, he has always been committed to helping his clients and the agency. Jim has always been there for his co- workers such as answering questions for new co- workers. Jim can be a calming factor for upset or angry clients; always taking the time and effort to assist them as needed. We would like to take this opportunity to COUNTY CORRIDORS thank Jim for all his hard work and dedication. Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by the volunteer • Brenda VanEtten has worked as a Keyboard Specialist in editorial board based on their interest to Tompkins County employees and retirees. Medicaid for four years. She is always willing to help Material is solicited from current employees, retirees and others. g P aS Material for publication is selected by the editorial board which reserves the needed and willing to learn and take on new responsibili- right to edit any submissions. The editorial board is made up of: Bill Chapp, ties when asked. She is a conscientious worker who is social services; S Cooper, Assessment; Iretta Ellis, Airport; Scott Heyman, responsible for doing filing for ten Medicaid examiners, C Ad min is tra t o Mari r, Louise hlcEwen, Personnel; Ruth Pond, Purchasing and Central Services; lyn Strassherg, Office for the Aging; and Judy Tynyk which in itself is a huge task. Brenda has always done a (Chair), Weights and Measures. professional job of handling the telephone, including Correspondence may be sent through County inter - office mail to: County dealing with upset clients and applicants. We would just ust Corridors, do Purchasing and Central Services: or contact any board member, o like to thank her for her hard work and dedication. via US Mail to: County Corridors, cia Purchasing and Central Services, 125 E. Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850. 1