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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-06 1 :. ...,:! . !12:1, r.: ::401g.t::::',:,... - ,::P::'\ FT/ 4 , N wsl a attar f r A 0 ...... :::::::::.::-\ . , :,, 1.111U111 ....... Employees Retirees ` ._ _ of Tompkins County l < owe < I \\ JUNE 1999 orii mirm Volume 12 Number 6 CERTIFICATE OF MERIT AWARDED Our next two projects were conceived as a result TO THE TOMPKINS COUNTY of the last election. Because every vote counted in our BOARD OF ELECTIONS local Sheriff and State Attorney General's race, every ballot by Elizabeth W. Cree was scrutinized from top to bottom. The Commissioners decided in order to reduce future objections, we should send all our applications back to our absentee voters to complete in more detail. Kimberly took that one step further and developed a brochure to show each voter the proper procedure for completing an absentee ballot. At 4 4. —, . ,�;� election time the entire staff participates in the absentee 6. application and balloting process to ensure that all eligible "' ,00 people are able to vote. This was the first opportunity we have had to `` j showcase our hard work and we are extremely proud of all I our accomplishments. We will continue our efforts to VA ' ,: ' -! streamline and update our procedures and we look forward to submitting next year's programs. k D . I to r front: Elizabeth Cree, Kimberly Spencer, Carol Boles; back: Shannon Doucett, Shary Zifchock. I C r rreSte i The Tompkins County Board of Elections is proud to announce that we received an award of merit presented to . us on May 7, 1999 by the State Board of Elections for �l. ^a� ¢ ;" _ t; t r innovative concepts developed in the field of Election t ' � ,- Administration and Operations. In February, the State_ a[* " Board of Elections asked all 62 counties to submit their ' • 4' . :4::::: ,, ideas and projects to share with other Boards of Elections. i" ''r 11 y et ' We could submit more than one and since we have been "% . . , constantly striving for new and better ideas for ` x communication with the voting public, Kimberly Spencer, , y • a • �' Senior Elections Clerk, was asked to use her knowledge to prepare our entries. 0 '/II The three projects submitted were on the _ development of our web page, absentee voting procedures op. k Lk , . and a newly devised absentee pamphlet to assist voters. j We started working on our own web page last ,r i summer. Kari Stamm, a former part time Elections Clerk, , : OW „,•.. 1i and the Commissioners had started to develop the ideas - r ti w ,." and what we wanted to include to make elections more y : -w <• - rys • - • accessible. Election time rapidly descended upon us and , 4 , ° _ our page was still not complete, but due to the graciousness of ITS, we were able to get our page up and running before election. It includes links to candidates, Photo byJackieKippola nformation v and elec much Kimberly representatives is ojjicer: " Ignorance of the law is no excuse, Sir." presently working to update our page and have new ,� • „ features available for easier viewing. Erb: It i in Maine! COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR "S REPORT Tales from the Bush By Rick Erb by Dave Bush, Sheriff's * * * ** Hello from high on the hill * ** I had the great pleasure of participating in this year's ��! Ji � �"�r' It seems as though summer has 25 -Year Club Dinner, held on .; Ma 27th. The kind of ' 4 beset upon us! Soon the schools Y w• ^r. 'i <� � - �t- will be out and the kids at home, dedication it takes to achieve { ('� that old saying will prevail upon us this milestone in service to the ' all "I'M BORED!" County deserves special 4. „y it ■ recognition and it was ' past Our Sheriffs patrol boat (PB1) is in gratifying fY 9 to see so many P the water as of Memorial Day and and present County employees this year the Captain is Deputy turn out for the occasion. It was especially nice to see the : Greg "My knots don't hold” Vestal. variety of departments The Department has been doing many varied duties of late, represented at the dinner, as seat belt enforcement, speed enforcement and also the members of the Airport, Highway, Health, Fire & Disaster, opening of the Pyramid Mall office in conjuction with Ithaca Mental Health, Weights & Measures, and Sheriffs State Police. We also have taken delivery of a Chevy Departments were all recipients of awards. This year's Tahoe, 4 wheel drive which will be our shift supervisor's class brings the total membership to ninety -eight since the vehicle. Deputy Shippos has advised me that his D.A.R.E. first employees were honored nine years ago, an students from Lansing, Enfield, Caroline & Newfield have impressive number for an organization of our size. Thanks all graduated with honours, congratulations to all the kids to all who helped organize and participated in this year's who took part in the program and also the County for event, providing it! Have you seen the Tompkins County website lately? It has I asked John Beach of the STOP -DWI program to send me had a significant makeover in the past few weeks, resulting some stats of our DWI arrests, and he provided the in a more attractive and user friendly site. Check it out at following: Year to date arrests by the Sheriffs Department HYPERLINK http: / /www.tompkins- co.org. Members of 78 of which 25 had prior DWI /DWAI convictions. Only 9 of several departments contributed as part of the website these arrests came as the result of a crash. There were 13 team and their work has paid off handsomely. I have females and 65 males arrested. On that note I will pass personally seen the value of a well crafted site, as it can along this issues humour section provide the most requested public information twenty four Billy Ray & Jim Bob were driving down the highway hours a day, seven days a week. This results in better drinking their beer, when flashing lights from a police car informed citizens and frees staff time for less redundant appeared in the rear view mirror. "Don't worry!" Billy Ray tasks. said to Jim Bob, "Just do exactly what I tell you and When I arrived, it was explained that budget season is everything will be O.K.." He then adds "Peel the labels off eight months long in Tompkins County, but I figured they those two beers and well each stick one to our foreheads. were pulling my leg. I was right, the process is really closer Now shove all the beer bottles under the seat! And let me to nine months, perhaps because we've tinkered with it. do all the talking You will be able to recognize the Admin types - we're the They pull over to the side of the road and the ones squinting badly when venturing out into the July sun. Deputy walks up to the truck and shines his light inside and looks at the two drunks. "Have you two been drinking?" The thought for this month? The early bird gets the worm, Billy Ray replies "Oh, no sir." "But I saw you weaving back but the second mouse gets the cheese. and forth across the road. Are you sure you haven't been drinking?" Oh, no sir we haven't had a drop tonight." The deputy then, with a puzzled look on his face says " I just have to ask you, what are those things pasted on your ` foreheads ?" "That's easy sir, you see we are both 0.% alchoholics, and we're on the patch" it Ten ..,. t Well so long for now & happy trails. Dave 11., • Interested in playing tennis? We are trying to get together an informal after -work county employee tennis group. If interested meet us at 5 p.m. starting Monday, June 14, at ONgga gg the Ithaca High School tennis courts. We will probably divide up according to skill level. We will try to meet every O Monday through August. Any questions contact me via e- mail at Bob_ Slocum @einstein.co.tompkins.ny.us. Foster Parents Dinner Wellness Committee Update by Bemice Yarosh by Theresa Lyczko DSS held its annual recognition The Wellness Committee has been hard at work helping to dinner for foster parents at the bring you "Imagine Action" and the new walking program, Lakewatch Inn Friday evening n "WINK" (Walking Into the Next k - 1000 Years). May 21, 1999. Over 95 foster ° But that's not all it's been doing. Committee parents, staff and community - „ members serve as liaisons between the committee and people participated. Judith J empoyees and provide input to Jared Jones, Employee Ashton, Executive Director of Health Nurse on employee health programs and employee the NY State Citizens Coalition health interests. The committee is also in the process of for Children, Inc. was this reviewing and setting guidelines for wellness year's guest speaker. She cited reimbursements. achievements of Tompkins For several years, the Wellness Committee has County foster parents and the provided reimbursement incentives for activities that would foster care program as help employees lead healthy lives and help prevent chronic compared to state -wide diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and some averages: 93% of children in placement are in family foster cancers. These reimbursements have included health club care in Tompkins County, compared to 61% statewide; memberships, Weight Watchers and well physicals - children stay in foster care for less time in Tompkins activities not covered by health insurance (or through other County than they do statewide; and most return home. County benefits) that have the potential for long term health Tompkins County also has a good record of locating maintenance. adoptive homes for children who can't return home. The Committee has completed its review of the Staff from Homefinding at DSS including Tim reimbursement for well physicals and has decided to Stephenson, Madalyn Alridge, Debbie Strite and Bernice eliminate all reimbursements for well physicals, effective Yarosh, coordinated the event and gave out certificates of immediately. The changes in health insurance plans and service to foster parents. Susan Harami helped solicit local their complexity of administration make Wellness florists for donations which were given as door prizes. Committee reimbursement less beneficial and efficient for Joan Knapp created and sent invitations and kept track of employees and health care providers. donations. Over $700 was raised from donations for the Wellness Committee members are: Jackie Yoder, event and it was a big success. Personnel; Randi Good, DSS; Sue Robinson, Domestic Violence /Admin.; Jim Strehle, Airport; Beth Midura and Barb Davieds, Mental Health; Lynn Leopold, Solid Waste; Sheriff Warns of Signs of Violence Jared Jones, Employee Health; and Theresa Lyczko, reprinted from the Newfield News Health Promotion, Health. For comments or questions Concerns about the recent wave of school shootings about Wellness Committee activities, contact any member. around the country have prompted the New York State Sheriff's Association and Tompkins County Sheriff Peter Meskill to offer the following list of warning signals as well as things parents can do to prevent violent tragedy. :k. sage is Warning Signals (behaviors in a child that could .3; ` potentially lead to violence): makes violent threats when . _ 1 Vii onacode angry; fascinated with explosive devices and /or weapons; , .,: •• i enjoys reading materials or Internet sited dealing with -. c`es e x e ci satanic rituals, or that have themes of violence and abuse; frequently depressed or has drastic mood swings; does not ; = 1 ; '.' . vacation seem to be accepted by the "in” crowd at school; feels ; .� empowered by bullying others; fascinated with movies, -= 1 kit woad music, TV programs and video games that express violent themes; spends majority of after - school time with little adult -� _ to �ic�tle supervision and goes out of the way to be cruel to animals. \ What Parents Can Do: Do not keep guns in the � home; teach your children at an early age of the dangers associated with guns; never take any violent threat lightly; a-tem, de report threats to the appropriate authority; become active in violence prevention programs; talk to your kids -- xnteriena c4va e/Ar/eA 0m� a/mad communication is one of the best ways for parents and children to stay connected through the teen years. ox ky 9e.&47 mad to �utl cma/ "If people learn to watch for the warning signals `�� and take them seriously, they may be able to identify a ri�2amoe -0efaJetimcnt; /25 -. �c t potential problem and get troubled students help before it's i° c ` /� too late." says Sheriff Meskill. C9txeet t6raca, &Cc/' 14850. o ,� ` We would like to thank all of those who attended `�' : :'0i yr eat: I and participated in the 25 -Year Club Dinner and ----- • ' j hope to see you again at next year's event. Special thanks to all of the guest speakers CONGRATULATIONS and department heads who spoke on behalf of the new members. TO THE NEW 25 -YEAR CLUB Brooke Kominos MEMBERS! : = Jackie Yoder o© bead ©© © d ©e,© Personnel Department \ \ -\ i ' ? 17,;-:' K - " - I ,. k iikwar T ifte.„46 ... .,._ ,.., ; i , ' " 4): . 1. : )------ O am, J ( -r: , , , , Sharon Dean 1 John MacLean Shirley Burun Sheriff's De.artment Air•ort Health Department y Y 1 / ) / A ,,, r 1 John Navarro Patricia Stamm Michael Rogers Public Works Health Department Public Works / �\ ��` . i j i __ , ----- 1.___ ,,, .„, ,.:. \ ''. . , 4, / . / ' 4iir' \ :1-": ) ' It; ''. - '''' '': - ) 4 \ 1 t 4, I � \ ' �,. pp� Christine Strizack Lawrence Ward Judy I. Tynyk Fire and Disaster Mental Health Weights and Mesures - New Officers Lead Library Foundation from Janet Steiner, Library Director 111119 Ir At its annual meeting in 1111111 April, the Tompkins County AL it 1► Public Library Foundation r • 1 11 elected new officers for the r/ f A� }�� k! I I 0 11 1 1� t� : � r �'� term A pri l of 2000 April 1999 through I Taube, of the architectural firm HOLT &C, will be the new President of the Foundation Board. Thomas B. Do you have a favorite snack? Colbert, of Integrated Acquisitions & Development Corporation, will serve as Vice - president. Howard P. Do you have to send snacks to school with your Hartnett, of M &T Bank, will be Secretary/Treasurer. children for their snack day to share with the class? Re- elected for three -year terms were current Board members: Howard P. Hartnett, Randall B. Do you ever get cravings for something special? Marcus, Jean McPheeters, Dorothy Reddington, and David H Taube. Other continuing members include: Rose Well, now is your chance to share your ideas. Please Bethe, Anne Foulkes, David McFarren, Frances A. send your favorite snack ideas interdepartmental mail Ramin, Alain Seznec and Dr. Jody Stackman. to Ruth Pond, Finance or (rpond @tompkins - co.org). Here is the first Snack Attack suggestion, submitted by Ruth Pond: 5th A nnua l Tompkins County Employee Golf Tournament Puppy Chow Friday, Sept.10th 9:00 a.m. Tee Off 6 oz. milk chocolate chips 6 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips (or 12 ozs. semi sweet for Tess sweet product) 1 c. creamy peanut butter 1/2 c. margarine or butter 12 oz. box of Crispix cereal Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and margarine or butter. Pour over cereal. Combine carefully. Pour 1/2 mixture in a LARGE plastic bag with 1 c. confectioners sugar. Shake bag to coat cereal and repeat with remaining cereal. Sometimes more confectioners sugar is needed. ii,„ 9 Store in refrigerator. P.S. Samples ALWAYS appreciated. Please send your snack ideas and enough for 10 people to Ruth Pond by the second Tuesday of the month. Unclassifieds The Personal Touch For Sale: Welcome to: Aparajita Maitra, GIS Analyst, at Assessment. Portable Crib $25; Fisher Price Booster /Car seat $25. Call 273 -3556. Wanda Verde, DSS Case Aide. Jeep Wrangler, soft top, am /fm stereo, center Congratulations to: console, 5sp 8,100 miles, $12,900, 272 -1673. Brooke Kominos, on her new position as Administrative Services Assistant in Administration. Wanted: Lydia Correa, Health Department, on her marriage to David Rodriquez, Health Department, on May 8, 1999. Best wishes to the happy couple. Certain Old Bottles, canning jars, milk bottles. Will give cash, strawberries or potatoes. Bob Karl Heck, Planning, on his new job as Deputy Director for Clauson, 594 -3622. the Cortland Housing Authority which he will begin June 14. Anne Drake, Mental Health, on her promotion to Principal Services: Account Clerk Typist. Zart Computer Services - for all of your computer needs: consulting, computers and accessories. Sympathy to: 266 -7492. Ron Schoneman, DSS, on the loss of his mother. Dunn Rite Wedding Photography. All of our Thank you to: packages use quality matte albums. Packages my family and friends for being there for me and for coming starting at $350. Call 594 -3387 until 7:30 p.m. to my wedding and sharing in my total hap A L jc/1a Correa Tynyk Originals is now a distributor for Tender Articles to be considered for the July 15 issue must be received by Hearts and A Special Place (home decor & gifts) Monday, June 28. Lengthy articles must be on disk. Send by and can save you 25% off catalog prices. If you interdepartmental mail to Ruth Pond, Finance, or 125 East Court would like to see a catalog, call 564 -9244 evenings St., Ithaca, NY 14850. Fax: 274 -5505. or e-mail at gitchygumma ©juno.com. Don't panic, Tynyk Originals still does creative sewing! uNCLASSIFIEDS Classified ads up to 25 words in length are free to County employees, retirees and their immediate families. Ads may be for any purpose except no personal ads Therapeutic Massage - in your home, my home will be accepted. No County addresses or telephone numbers may be listed or at my Cortland office. For rates or appointment, in these ads, however we do need the full name of the person submitting the ad. Call Richard Reed, LMT. 844 -5509. Use this coupon to send your ad via interdepartmental mail to Ruth Pond, County Corridors c/o Finance, or 125 East Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850. Please type or print legibly! Thanks! r - r • 1 • • • .,i ■ 11X11 til " A4 ►��11��1•.••.•..4` COUNTY CORRIDORS p- Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by the (.._� volunteer editorial board based on their interest to Tompkins County employees and rees. They � r eti Th do not necessarily express the opinions of the Editorial Board. :\ , ,; �1` /, Material is solicited from current employees, retirees and others. \ Material for publication is selected by the editorial board which reserves I the right to edit any submissions except in the instance of copyright articles. The / Editorial Board is made up of: Bit Chapp, Social Services; Sharon Cooper, Sheriffs; Liz Croop, Mental Health; Iretta Ellis, Information Services; Ruth Pond, (Editor), J Finance; Michelle Pottorff, Bd. Of Representatives; Katy Prince, Health; Judy Tynyk, (Chair), Weights and Measures; and Vickie Wagner, (Artist), Drafting Technician. Correspondence may be sent through County inter- department mail to: Trust you are having a good summer! County Condors, c/o Finance - Purchasing, 125 East Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850.