HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-10 • COUNTY CORRIDORS
A Newsletter For Employees and Retirees of Tompkins County
Vo1.11 No. VIII October 1989
ASSAULT SOLD...TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER!
WITH A FURRY by Louise McEwen
On September 28, the March of Dimes held its first "Bid for Bachelors" night in the
WEAPON Tompkins County area to raise money for the Birth Defects Foundation of the March of
Dimes. About 125 women attended the "auction" at the Sheraton to bid on date packages
by Suzi Cook and bachelors, 23 in number, and about $4,000 was raised for the March of Dimes, through
the shrewd auctioneering of Col. Al Benjamin. The County's own John Huether, Criminal
The last Tuesday afternoon of Septem- Investigator in the Sheriff's Department, who was a bit reluctant at first, had to admit that
ber, I witnessed a small, gray shape scurry this event provided a good time for all and he was pleased to be a part of raising money for
across the office rug and under my closet charity... and he even said he might do it again next year! Congratulations, John!
door. After a moment of shock, like any
brave female, I screamed and fled the room.
A frantic call was made to the Board of Rep-
resentatives where Smokey was taking his
afternoon siesta, and our sleepy -eyed FRINGE FACTS:
Courthouse Cat was unceremoniously Q - If I am planning to retire, I know I have to have an application in to the Retirement
deposited in the closet and told to earn his System not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days. If I am also eligible to draw Social
keep. As Joyce, Phyllis, Cathy and I nervous- Security benefits, how long before my retirement date should I contact them?
ly watched, Smokey's tail jerked spasmodi-
cally as he scouted all the corners, that little A - Social Security applications may be filed up to 4 months in advance of your eligibility
e ouser nose twitching. After a few minutes, date. Most applications can be processed quickly but if you lack proof of birth, you should
e a streak, out ran the mouse with Smokey be making arrangements to get a duplicate of your birth certificate, a religious record prov-
in hot pursuit. We all jumped, Cathy hit her ing date of birth, or checking with Social Security to determine what other records could
head, and four totally hysterical women be used. Social Security has a summary of information you will need concerning retirement
screamed at the top of their lungs, imagin- and this is available by calling Social Security and requesting a copy of the pamphlet, "Retir-
ing that the little rabid creature would run ing? Remember Social Security ". The number of the local Social Security office is 273 -
up our pant -legs and inflict mortal injuries. 0977. As with New York State Retirement, the better you plan ahead, the more you "stream -
I've never seen an animal move as fast as line" the benefit payment process and avoid errors and delays.
Smokey as he pounced on the mouse and ran
with his prize dangling from his mouth,
down the Courthouse steps and out the
door. As we watched Smokey go, Deputy RMSCO INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS WILL BEGIN SOON
Paul Pagliaro our Courthouse champion
and protector, came running up the stairs, by Louise McEwen
his hand on his gun, presumably thinking
one of us was being murdered and coming
to our rescue. (Come to think of it, I 've January 1, 1990, begins a new plan year for participants in the Tompkins County Flexible
never seen Paul move that fast either, but we Benefits Program administered through RMSCO of Syracuse. Informational meetings will
sure appreciated your concern, Paul -- begin in November to make employees aware of the benefits of setting aside pre -tax dol-
Thanks.) lars to pay for health insurance premiums, dependent/child care costs, and/or non - covered
As an end to the story, Smokey took the medical/dental expenses. Think about costs you anticipate during 1990 and plan to attend
mouse into the alleyway and decided to play an information session to learn how you can reduce your tax liability through planning to
with it a while. In a split second of distrac- set aside monies in these three areas. In order to participate during 1990, you must enroll
tion, however, the mouse darted through a during the open enrollment period in November and December.
crack and presumably escaped, which just
goes to show you that you should never play
with your food.
But the next time you see Smokey, give
Min k an p extra hug because he truly does earn
Mins REMINDER NOVEMBER 7th IS ELECTION
DAY, SO PLEASE GET OUT AND VOTE!
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO MADE THE COUNTY PICNIC A SUCCESS.
In spite of some cool and very windy weather on Sunday, September 24, almost 300 Co nty employees, retirees, spouses, children and
guests attended the second annual County picnic at Stewart Park. A good time was had by all, and it appeared that the adults as well
the children seemed to enjoy the free merry-go -round tickets!
We'd like to thank everyone who worked to make this day a success -- from the set -up crew to the clean -up crew, we appreciate
everyone's help. It's impossible to name everyone who helped, but you know who you are, so accept our thanks for a job well done.
Hope to see more of you next year! Rain or shine, we have a good time! ,.
The Picnic Committee
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Photography by Bill Chapp •
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WANTED: Willing Workers EISEP Gets New Casemanager
and Bright Ideas Hello. My name is Michelle Gladu and I started work on August 28th as Tompkins
g County's EISEP Casemanager. EISEP, the Expanded In -home Services for the Elderly
Program, is fairly new. Funded by the New York State Office for the Aging and sponsored
•jy Kathy Leinthal locally by Tompkins County's Health Department and Office for the Aging, EISEP
provides Approximately two years ago, a group of month getting r to know m for
y clients, and catching l up r on paperwork! ight now EISEP ser-
Count department heads gathered to dis- ves 18 clients, with approximately an equal number on a waiting list for service.
cuss how they (as the County) could better I feel fortunate to be able to live and work in Ithaca. I grew up in Brooktondale and
address the issues of effective recruitment graduated from Cornell this year, and I didn't want to leave the area after graduation. I also
and retention of County staff. At the time, feel lucky to have a job working with the population that I enjoy the most and am concerned
the Health Department was in the throes of about - the elderly. As EISEP Casemanager I hope that 1 will be able to help senior citizens
a severe nursing shortage, reflecting a trend in Tompkins County remain independent and maintain their quality of life for as long as
which took the nation by storm. Other possible. If anyone has any questions about EISEP, I can be reached at the Health Depart -
departments were interested in the issue be- ment - 273 -7272.
cause they foresaw similar problems finding,
keeping, and promoting skilled people
within their own areas of expertise.
The initial group had been inactive in
recent months but is now re- established and
working in three sub -groups with the hope COFA Receives Grant To Support Caregivers
of pulling together background information, Hi!! My name is Carolyn Croke. On September 5, 1989, I started my new position as
new and innovative recruitment strategies, Coordinator of the Caregivers' Resource Center at the Office for the Aging. The Center is
and retention strategies which can be pack - made possible by a recent grant from the State Office for the Aging. Its main purpose is to
aged as a preliminary report to the County provide education and support to individuals caring, directly or indirectly, for a frail elder -
Administrator by January 1, 1990. In order ly person.
to develop a package which reflects the best The Center contains a variety of materials on caregiving and will offer practical tips to
thinking of the County, we are looking for caregivers in several series of workshops to be announced shortly. Several caregivers' fairs
additional staff who are interested and will- are also being planned as well as a quarterly newsletter containing items of interest to
ing to serve on one of the three work groups. caregivers. Finally, an effort is being made to expand support groups to help caregivers deal
An invitation is extended to all employees, with the stresses of their situations.
a nagement staff, and department heads to I grew up in Peekskill, New York, and graduated from Holy Cross College in Worcester,
r ideas or assistance. We want willing Massachusetts, in 1983 with a BA in psychology. For the past six years I have attended Cor-
workers and bright ideas! nell University as a graduate student in the Department of Human Development and Fami-
The next meeting of the whole group is ly Studies. My research interests revolve around health care of the elderly, both institution -
on Friday, November 17, 1989, at 12:00 al and, more recently, home health care with an emphasis on the perspective of the family
Noon in the Sadd A Conference Room. and support issues. I worked for the Office for the Aging for five months in 1987 implement -
SANDWICHES WILL BE PROVIDED IF ing the EPIC program in the County. I greatly appreciate the opportunity that my position
YOU CALL 2745251 by Monday, Novem- at the Office for the Aging affords me to support caregivers who provide such valuable as-
ber 13, 1989, to notify us of your planned at- sistance to frail elderly members of our community.
tendance. If you would like to help with any
of the sub -groups call 274-5251 and leave
your name, phone number, and your area of COUNTY CORRIDORS
interest. Department heads are encouraged Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors
to support this project by allowing staff time COFA to hold Public Hearing are selected by the volunteer editorial board based
to assist with this project. g on their interest to Tompkins County employees
You are invited to attend a public hear- and retirees. Material is solicited from current
For those of you who do not have the time ing on the 1990 Annual Implementation employees, retirees and others.
to give to this project, but who have ideas plan of the Office for the Aging. The hear- County Corridors is published by County
which merit consideration, please put those Central Services using "desktop publishing" typog-
ideas in writing and submit to Mary Pat ing will take place on October 23, 1989, at 10 ra phy and layout. Publication and distribution is on
a.m. at the Salvation Army, 150 North Al- the second County payday of the month.
Dolan, Recruitment/Retention Committee bany Street, Ithaca, New York. The Office Material for publication is selected by the
Chairperson, Department of Social Ser- will present its draft plan for serving editorial board which reserves the right to edit any
vices Tom ins County seniors. Public in put is submissions. The editorial board is made up of
Thank you! y p Karen Barry (Central Services), Bill Chapp (DSS),
solicited. Sheila Ferrari (Purchasing and Central Services),
Scott Heyman (Administration), Louise McEwen
(Personnel), Joyce Musson (Administration),
Please be aware that all articles for the Doreen Schrader (Buildings & Grounds), Marilyn
November County Corridors must be in by Strassberg (Office for the Aging), Judy Tynyk
y y (Weights & Measures), and Unnette Warner (Solid
tober 31st. Waste).
Correspondence may be sent through County
Correction: In the last issue of the Coun- inter - office mail to:
Corridors, Suzi Cook's job title was mis- Newsletter or Central Services
t
y ,p or via Us Mail to:
takenly put in as Secretary. The correct job Newsletter C/O Purchasing & Central Services
title is Secretary /Paralegal Aide to the Biggs Center Bldg A
County Attorney. tth B. Dates Dr.
Ithaca, N.Y. N YB
FREE UNCLASSIFIEDS The Tompkins
Classified ads up to 25 words In length are free to County employees, retirees and their im County Personnels
mediate families. Ads may be for any purpose except no personal ads will be accepted. No
County addresses or telephone numbers may be listed in the ads. Use this coupon to send your
ad to Corridors c/o Central Services. Office is accepting
applications for
IMMEDIATE AND
ANTICIPATED
VACANCIES in the
following positions:
Account Clerk Typist: Various Depts.,
LG 5
Auto Mechanic: Public Works, LG 12
Commissioner of Planning: Planning,
MG H
Junior Engineer: Public Works, LG 13
Motor Equipment Operator: Public
YOUR FEEDBACK, Wo
WORRIED ABOUT Psychiatric Social Worker: Mental
MEMORY LOSS? PLEASE... H e publ c LG 14
Health Nurse: Health, LG 14
Solid Waste Information Specialist:
For several months, the County Person- Public Works, LG 12
plan to attend the Solid Waste Inspector: Public Works,
ALZHEIMER'S PUBLIC EDUCATION nel Office has been distributing a monthly P
DAY issue of "Body Bulletin" to County LG9
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1989 employees and retirees. We hope you (and Solid Waste Technician: Public Works,
your family members) have been enjoying LG 12
111/
9 a.m. - 12 noon Typist: Various Depts., LG 4
and benefiting from this information. YP P
at the Do you have any comments? If so, please Youth Services Specialist: Youth
direct them to County Personnel and we will Bureau, 50% time, LG 10
UNITARIAN CHURCH, ITHACA, NY plan to publish the feedback in a future issue Welfare Investigator: DSS, LG 11
corner of Aurora and Buffalo Streets of "County Corridors ". Thank you. Welder: Public Works, LG 11
(parking in public lot corner of Seneca BOCES - Personnel Clerk
and Tioga Streets) TC3 - Security Officer (shift work)
hear nationally acclaimed speakers Senior Typist (18 3/4 hrs. through
RICHARD HAM, M.D., SUNY Distin- 9/15/90)
guished Chair in Geriatric Medicine, and Please contact Tompkins County Per -
CYNTHIA LANGE, Director, NYS sonnel for job descriptions and minimum
Resource Center for Geriatric Education qualifications on the above job vacancies.
sponsored by: Tompkins County Senior
Citizens Council, Inc.
Family and Children's Service of Ithaca s ,
Tompkins County Office for the Aging
Alzheimer's Association of Central. N.Y. -4 ��.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION RE- ` 1
QUESTED CALL 273 -1511
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