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Home My WebLink About2001-02 ` `T A Newsletter for .. /' Employees and Retirees I �_ , .! of Tompkins County i f 7--- , � n---- � � February 2001 �_, / :: LNi' _ � :. � ,� { Volumum INTRODUCING OUR My first employment with the county began in the early 1970's as a real property appraiser for the NEWCOUNTY Division of Assessment. I then joined the private sector and after several years of working as a project ADMINISTRATOR 9 manager for various contractors in the property revaluation field, I joined New York State's office of STEPHEN WHICH E R real property services (ORPS) where I held several management positions. Although my career took me around New England and the state, I always thought of Ithaca as my hometown and kept a home in the Ithaca area. So when the opportunity for the Director ii. !_ of Assessment came along, I could not resist. During my tenure at ORPS, I received extensive 1------ management training as part of the state's total quality management (TQM) initiative. The principles learned - ' ;- from my TQM training have proven their worth "� `", - throughout my management career both at ORPS and _" ,� �� . g Y g r r * here in Tompkins County. It will come as no surprise �/r15° z �f „ to anyone who has worked with me that I would like us to refocus on some of the main principles of the 4 `, , county's initiative. In short, I would like us to continue to become a dynamic organization that is _ j.. .43 adept at dealing with a constant state of change,where -- '' `-' :. challenges are viewed as opportunities and our focus -: ,off, is constantly on our customers' needs. I would first like to thank the Board of The constant state of change should be driven by our Representatives for selecting me as County willingness to challenge existing procedures, Administrator. In addition, I would like to thank the recognizing that the longer we do something the same Division of Assessment for their outstanding efforts way the greater that the likelihood that the process is during our restructure and revaluation. inefficient and unproductive. When we are faced with limited resources and challenging times, we must be While many of you know me from my former position capable of recognizing the potential for opportunities as Director of the Division of Assessment or from my to improve our work processes. Most importantly,our days in the Division of Assessment in the 1970's or systems must focus on our customers' needs, and the possibly from our school days, allow me to provide recognition that the best decisions usually come from the person closest to the customer. you with a brief synopsis of my career. A big thank you to all Employees of Annex C county employees convey appreciation to David Jayne, Arel Lemaro, Dear Fellow County Employees: and Chris Parker By Valeria Coggin,Assessment On January, 9, 2001 I had surgery. Unfortunately as a somewhat newer employee (1 & 1/2 years) and having In the line of our work as County employees, we other health problems, I didn't have sick or vacation time often go over and above the call of duty. accumulated and I will be out of work on disability for 2-3 Sometimes we do this at a personal sacrifice, out of months. dedication or simply as a humanitarian gesture. We don't fret over it if our actions go unrecognized or I would like to publicly thank the anonymous employees are taken for granted by the recipients of our who donated time to the emergency pool, as I was a services. At times when we do get a word of beneficiary of some of the time donated to the extent I appreciation it further reinforces our belief that was able to receive full paycheck for the first pay period kindness and care for one another goes a long way. that I was on disability. It provides us incentive that could never be expressed in monetary terms. Let this be an Those who donated time helped me to be able to occasion when we employees of Annex C publicly concentrate on healing instead of fretting about paying my convey our appreciation to our co-workers, David bills. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity. Jayne, Arel Lamaro, and Chris Parker. I would also like to thank those who have sent me cards During a recent gas leak crisis in our building,these and get well wishes. You've brightened my days of three gentlemen demonstrated the qualities of recovery. model county employees. With genuine concern for our health, they averted a potentially dangerous I hope that at some point in the future, I will have the situation where our safety would have been opportunity to return the generosity and thoughtfulness compromised. Regardless of time they stayed that has come my way. around into late hours to assist NYSEG in correcting the problems. The following day they Sincerely, provided heaters for those of us who had to work Joan Griffiths through the repair period. They made sure that the DSS — Child Support Unit building was safe for occupancy before the employees resumed work. Due to their lit 114 4 * *T4 4.°T4 .114 biP ST. conscientious action the building was shut down for only one day, and we were able to deliver services with minimum interruption. Thank you again for a Dear County Corridors Staff: job well done. When I was interviewed for my job, I was asked what I The employees of Annex C would do if I had put a lot of time and energy into a project and just didn't seem to be making any headway. I didn't know what to say, because I've always found that if Happy I take a "time out" it helps, and that just didn't seem like a good answer to give a prospective employer. I'm in the Ckg$ habit of taking a walk, or even putting it off till tomorrow — "ttri 14110 I think they call it sleeping on it. And it works! So, that's what I told my interviewers and I was hired. I still have to remind myself not to waste my time going round and round with the same problem and making no headway. After all, when I'm driving my car I don't go driving into brick walls, I find a way around them! Sincerely, Annie N. Mouse A Sadie (Hawkins?) Story from Kim Tompkins County Solid Waste Carter, Mental Health: Report Submitted by the Solid Waste Division Besides being a Forensic Counselor, I also have a Class A, CDL license to drive tractor trailer. We have made a great deal of progress in the Solid Waste management area this year. Our One night there was a group of us truck drivers work has included opening a household running together coming out of Warren PA hazardous waste facility, completion of plans for loaded with oil. It was about 3 am and when a storage building for the reuse program, we crossed back into NY one of the drivers examining approaches for improving the Caswell started to holler on the CB radio for Sadie. I leachate problem, seeking proposals for wondered what he was up to because I had operating the Recycling and Solid Waste Center heard rumors about "Flashin' Sadie!" Sadie for another contract term and enhancing our finally replied and the driver, deciding to play a recycling and solid waste education effort. trick on his father, told her he was in a green truck running up ahead of our group. Well, Areas focussed on were: Sadie came up along side of the green truck, turned on her dome light, and flashed the • Household Hazardous Waste Management driver of the truck "her stuff. The father then Facility replied that those were real nice and he • Building Reuse Program thought the guys behind him would be really • Recycling and Disposal interested in seeing them too! At hearing this • Old Landfills I very quickly grabbed the CB radio and • Public Information and Education informed Sadie to please not stop at the truck in the middle, as I have my own "stuff." Summary of Plans for 2001 Laughingly, Sadie replied she would not do that to me and continued on to the truck 1. Implementation of new RSWC contract; behind me! 2. Implementation of new reuse program 3. Construction of improvements to leachate collection system and cap at Caswell landfill; DOps1./ 4. Addition of small-quantity generators to the HHW program; 5. Introduction of paint drop and swap program at the In the winter of 68-69 (or thereabouts), North HHW facility; and Hanshaw Road at the intersection of the West 6. Interactive exhibit at the expanded Science Center Dryden Road got completely snowed in for four about reuse days. For more information, contact the Solid Waste Division at Finally the Town of Dryden sent up bucket 273-6632. loaders, trucks, and plows to dig us out. Trouble arose when the January thaw started, with the enormously high snow banks My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I preventing any drainage. The road filled with got canned and couldn't concentrate. about 2 feet of water. A woman who stalled her car in front of our house came in to call a Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just tow truck, bewailing the fact that her husband had warned her not to come this way to work. couldn't hack it, so they game me the axe. While we waited, the temperature dropped, and ice formed on the water. The tow truck After that I tried to be a trailor, but I just wasn't suited arrived, hooked on, gave a tug, and her motor for it mainly because it was a so-so job. fell out! I'm glad I didn't have to explain that one to MY husband! Next I tried working in a muffler factory but that was exhausting! Liz Croop - Mental Health CLASSIFIEDS The St. Patrick's Day For Sale: custom came to America in 1737. That was the first year St. Patrick's Day was For sale: Waterbed - Queen, board, shelves, rail publicly celebrated in this cushion, waveless and sheets, $100. (607) 589-4966, country, in Boston. Rich. 1999 black Hohner Acoustic Guitar - great guitar for a beginner. Only played max of 6 hours. CLASSIFIEDS Asking$180. Please call 277-7029. Classified ads up to 25 words in length are free to County employees, retirees and their immediate families. Ads may be for any purpose, however personal ads will not be Services: accepted. No County addresses or telephone numbers may be listed in your ad, however we do need your full Tioga Technical - Don't kill your computer! Let me name and County telephone number submitted with the help with troubleshooting, training, upgrades - whatever ad in case there are questions. Submit your ad to County it takes to get you and your computer working together Corridors do Michelle Pottorff, Board of Representatives, again. Call James Keegan at 273-7957 evenings or Court House, Ithaca, NY 14850 via US or weekends. interdepartmental mail or e-mail to: mpottorff@tompkins- It's never to early to start thinking about Easter or any co.org holiday! Call Tynyk Originals at 564-9244 evenings or NOTE: weekends for a unique gift or home decor item. If you would like to modify your classified or want to Expecting a new arrival? Ask about the Fleece Cuddle run it again, you must re-submit it! Wrap for babies. —.___ -- Tense? Stressed? Achy? Therapeutic Massage can DEADLINE: 1sT TUESDAY OF THE MONTH put relaxation and comfort back into your life. For an appointment or information call Richard Reed at 753- Articles to be considered for the March 22nd issue 6383. must be received by noon on Tuesday, March 6th. Submit articles via e-mail as an attachment or on disk Kinetic Performance - specializing in Motorsports in any file format that is readable by Word for engines, carburetion and general racing fabrication. Call Windows '95. Send disk and hard copy to County Dayton Umholtz at 277-6442 evenings or weekends. Corridors c/o Michelle Pottorff, Board of Representatives, Court House, Ithaca, NY 14850. Please include a contact number in case questions Congratulations: arise. - - COUNTY CORRIDORS To the Health Department! It is official. Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by Frank Croteau has announced that the Health the Editorial Board based on their interest to Tompkins County employees and retirees. They do not necessarily express the Department staff achieved 100% for Right to opinions of the Editorial Board. Material is solicited from current Know Training in 2000. Good job folks! employees, retirees and others. The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit submissions, except in the instance of copyright materials. - Sigrid Kerr, Health Dept. EDITORIAL BOARD Michelle Pottorff(Editor) Board of Representatives To Jennifer Luu on her new position in Iretta Ellis(Chair) Information Technology Services Workforce Development. Jennifer has worked Bill Chopp Cooper Department of Social Services p Sharon Cooper Sheriff's Office in the Board Office for eight years and has Liz Croop Department of Mental Health become a valued co-worker and friend. The Katy Prince Health Department Vickie Wagner(Artist) Department of Assessment Board and staff will greatly miss her but wish Donna Deputron(Distribution Coordinator) Bldgs.&Grnds her the best in her new endeavor! ll