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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-09 ii (:::t A Newsletter ttar f or Em r alas Employees and y Retirees s o f T m kin o s County y 7 ::.:,.:., '' ,::. ::::,::::::„ .. , , 1 7 (, September, 99 1 .. ., . ,..:::.!:.:„.::::::::::::::::::::::::::. ,..:.,....:. ..:., .,, ... tiii ,.::.„,.:.::...:: Volume N N o. VI WORTH THEIR WEIGHT N GOLD! J a - i "Make New Friends, A r �, Keep the Old, _ ► One Is Silver, ! The Other is Gold" , _ _ i ce _ 1111b T __ Remember this old saying? The MarnieKirchgessner is the Departments' - ` Count Tompkins Tom ki Rights Depart- other "oldie and goodie ", having previously P County Human � P I ment is extremely fortunate to have among worked also for the Department of Social its small staff "some gold" - former County Services for over 12 years. She became a AN employees. Human Rights Investigator in February of 1989, after a 4 year parenting leave. Not only EXTRAORDINARY Carrie Himko, officially senior clerk, is was she nurturing her family during this the proverbial "Gal Friday", indispensable period, she made an unsuccessful run for the EMPLOYEE to the functioning of the office. Carrie County Board. During her hiatus, she in- formerly worked in the Department of So- creased her long -time involvement in the by: Ward Hungerford - Highway Manager cial Services for approximately 4 years Enfield Community Council that operates before coming to the Human Rights programs primarily for youth. She increased On October 3, 1951, the County Highway Department. Carrie works 3/4 time, and it is private and public support for the Council Department did something right. A man by usually her voice that first greets a troubled from $12,000 to a projected budget of over the name of Russel (Russ) Kastenhuber was client. She conveys the department's will- $80,000 for 1992 - all in her "spare time ". "I hired as a "Road Maintainer ". Now, nearly ingness to assist, to demonstrate empathy enjoy my paid work because it permits me a forty years later, Russ is still on the job and and professionalism. Perhaps it is Carrie's tremendous amount of creativity to resolve has played a key role in the maintenance and family background which has prepared her people's differences. It is also very intellec- improvement of our County highway system. to juggle her many faceted office duties so tually challenging while being part -time. The Russ has countless stories about how he well - she is part of a close family which flexibility of my work environment allows me built roads (literally) by hand breaking rocks includes 8 siblings, 3 children and 5 adored to be home in time to meet my school -age for road base with a mall, digging ditches grandchildren. She can trace her heritage children - my career priority!" with pick and shovel - all for $1.00 per hour. back several generations and is proud of her The methods have changed, but Russ, now a Native American lineage on her mother's by: Teddy Zimrot - Director of Human premier Heavy Equipment Operator, still side. In addition to her office duties, Carrie Rights works with a dedication and pride that is a volunteer on the County Wellness Com- makes him truly an outstanding employee. mittee, helping to plan ways to preserve and Congratulations on your forty year an- improve the health status of all County `o Recycled pager niversary, and thank you for the contribu- employees. tions you have made. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT By: Scott Heyman - County Administrator children from their natural parents. The County Board of Representatives These first steps at offering recognition provided funding this year for a significantly EMPLOYEE PICNIC for public service are not enough. The expanded program to promote County Recruitment & Retention Committee has employee safety through professional review A great time was had by all at the Fourth recommended that the new Employee of our workplace and development of a Annual County Picnic, held in the pine Council systematically review how best to training program that goes far beyond what grove northwest of Biggs Building B. Two improve and make more meaningful the we have provided in the past. hundred fifty employees and retirees at- recognition that public servants receive. Larry Reynolds, Manager of Risk Control tended, and eighty -nine employees were Services with Sedgwick James of Rochester, honored for having completed five, ten, fif- New York, and a Certified Safety Profes- teen or twenty years of service as of 1991. EMPLOYEE COUNCIL sional, is working with County Safety Coor- Forty -four employees and retirees who dinator Hugh Hurlbut to make this new ap- completed twenty-five or more years service The new Employee Council will hold its proach to employee safety a reality. for the County of Tompkins will be honored first meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, Sep- Reynolds has completed his initial review of at a dinner later this year as they were last tember 23, 1991, at the Courthouse, Room safety practices and of previously provided year. It is a genuine honor for me to par - 201. training, and he has proposed an overall pro - ticipate in offering recognition to our gram which is currently being reviewed by employees who have provided substantial Commissioner Hurlbut, Public Works Com- numbers of years of dedicated service to the EMPLOYEE SAFETY missioner Mobbs and which is now being community of which we are all a part. Even sifted into priority order. Many of the tasks at its very best, public service can impose Not in my lifetime has the issue of that he has proposed are already underway. stresses and strains on the employees who employee safety been on everyone's mind as In the next issue of CORRIDORS, I will provide it -- on behalf of the whole com- much as this week when 25 people lost their report on all of the components of that pro - munity, they must arrest, regulate, tax, lives in a fire in North Carolina because gram. penalize and even in some cases remove safety exits were padlocked. PICS OF THE PICNIC �g s . _ %. ;..# ; 3 ' ♦ rs o # gt Vic P /,. . $ I, £,y ,<S . ' ' a r ' Ow, --- s e arc 4§ ; e "`y ' e ? - 6 4 °' ,. Frisbees with the Tompkins County seal were given away at the picnic. A pretty scene under the trees at Biggs B. Y x 4 1 41 . 1 $11/ -<- '-' A ' - 4 — ns a,K ,� W j 1y Y` - : Lc l Enjoying a game of boccie ball. A little frisbee anyone? EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH TOMPKINS COUNTY SHE'S COME A LONG WAY! WELCOMES NEW CITIZENS by Doreen Schrader - Buildings & Grounds A smiling face and a word of encourage- and loves the people on her floor. She says, by: Aurora R. Valenti, County Clerk ment is what comes to mind when I think of "they are of good quality with warmth and You are cordially invited to join the Shirley Fritts. Born and raised in Cortland compassion." Shirley was found by her su- festivities on October 17, 1991, at 2:00 p.m. County along with 9 sisters and 1 brother, pervisor coming in to work on her own time in the main court room at 320 North Tioga Shirley led a very sheltered life. She married just to do little extra things that she couldn't Street for the next Naturalization Day Don Fritts, they bought a dairy farm, and accomplish during her regular work hours. ceremony. It is possible that this will be the that's where she spent the next 30 years. Now THAT is dedication! last time Tompkins County will host this Along with all the responsibilities of the farm, Back in January, 1991, County Corridors important occasion, and I know you feel as she raised 4 children, Don Jr., David, put out a call for help. The newsletter strongly as I that the individuals who are Ronald, and Joan. Editorial Board needed a volunteer to sort becoming citizens of our wonderful Tragedy struck in 1980 with the loss of her and stuff the newsletters so that they could country should be inducted in a manner son, Ronald, and then again in 1982 with the be delivered to our employees and retirees. which will insure that they will remember loss of her husband. Shirley tried for 5 years Shirley generously committed herself to this this day as one of the most important in to maintain the farm herself, but finally real- project, and has been doing it ever since. She their lives. We hope to have a small recep- ized she could do it no longer. To our good graciously volunteers her time once or twice lion following the ceremony, as we did in fortune, she decided she had to get a job in a month and works between four and eight April. the "big, bad world." After never working hours preparing the newsletter for delivery. Please call me if you should have any outside the home, Shirley knew she had quite The County Corridors Editorial Board questions. a task ahead of her. She never drove a car, so would sincerely like to thank her for all of transportation was going to be a problem. her help and say "We really appreciate all She knew she had to get a license, because the work you've done! ". U N C LAS S I F I E D S she'd be darned if she had to depend on other Shirley says now that she's been in the people. Off she went to driver's training, and work force for awhile, she never wants to finally got her license. Needless to say, this touch another cow. She loves flowers, enjoys was a giant step to the independent woman sewing, and refinishing furniture. Most of all she is today. though, she wants to spend as much time FREE KITTENS - Ready to leave mom In January 1987, Shirley was hired as a with her grandchildren as possible. Says in late October. Two calico, two black, one Cleaner for the Buildings and Grounds Shirley, "They are my pride and joy." Casey black and white, one tiger. Call Fred and division. The supervisor at the time, Donn is 5 and Katie is 2 and they live in PA. Eric is Nancy: 257-6873. Williams, saw a determined and genuine in- also 2 and lives in Cortland. dividual whom he thought would do a good A happy ending to a story; Shirley wants SALE - 20% off remaining summer stock job. He was certainly right. Working nights at to work as long as she is able, and seems to of TYNYK ORIGINALS at NU -2 -U Store, the Biggs Complex, Building A, Shirley says, be pretty content with her life now. I know 202 Taughannock Blvd. Store hours, Tues- "You'll never know how lost I was in this we in this division have no complaints, and I day - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Come in and enormous building" - BUT she wouldn't for one enjoy her friendship. see what you've been missing. trade it now for anything. She enjoys her work FOR SALE - 1984 Pontiac Sunbird sta- tion wagon - 58,000 miles - needs some en- gine work - $2800. 564 -9244 evenings and ,- 1 , 4 weekends. ' `` FOR SALE - 1984 Chevy Celebrity - , E ° z 4 body is good - new engine - needs power steering pump. High mileage $800. Call 257 -3868 anytime. Ill 3 ° FREE - 6 year old spayed female dober- man/basset hound mix. Also, two male yel- low and white cats. Call Lisa at 844-3305 after 6:30 p.m. '''` 3 b3 € : a 3 kv ` S " t 43 a 3 . a r T �� c a — — � 3 .,< �` � �� FOR SALE 1980 Datsun. New tires rusty but runs. Needs rear brakes. $200 or Shirley Fritts (far right), getting the newsletter ready for distribution. Every month Shirley B.O. Call Lisa at 844-3305 after 6:30 p.m. volunteers her time to make sure County Corridors gets where it is suppose to be going! Thanks Shirley!! 1 Take a minute- w a \ i ,' ", ', S3 •s 'P -• _.�, • � , � � � �, s „ Yom; � � ' �' �& � �� , A • 44� 'J • JO V y ' * J \ '. if to have a prostate exam. �� It could be worth your life. ilk This year, 122,000 American men will learn that they have prostate cancer. About d o die of it this Here are the 1991 graduating Preschoolers of the Tompkins Employee Daycare Center! About 32,000 will d year. Every man age 40 and over is at risk. From left to right: Nathan Hall, Ben Schwartzbach, Janelle Szary, Heather Stark, and One out of every 11 will get prostate can- Rachel Clement. Congratulations! A cer; one in nine for black Americans. Many men don't know they have prostate cancer %'� because it can occur and spread without any symptoms. A simple one - minute exam can lead to early diagnosis and effective treatment. r'� , On Au 30 1991 i n the 95 14 r. _ z �; The Good News ' Prostate cancer can be cured if diag- degree heat the Tompkins " nosed early. More than 80 percent of all County Public Works Depart-` patients whose tumors are diagnosed at an ment answered a challenge to , early stage are alive five years later. And a friendly softball game from n ik ow, even in advanced cases, the disease the Town of Ithaca Public' can often be effectively treated. -~ ..- The American Urological Association Works Department With the. and the Prostate Cancer Education Coun- County being down in the 4th cil recommend annual prostate exams for inning 5 to 3, they came back` all men age 40 and over. to win the game 14 to 8! Prostate Cancer Awareness Week ;:. September 22- 29,1991 is Prostate Can- " . cer Awareness Week. Medical centers around the country are offering free exams to men age 40 and over. The test is simple , I , and could be worth your life. ` . "" A FREE PROSTATE EXAM IS AVAILABLE M ; , `� SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 5 er♦ " ' " (5:30 -7:30 p.m. weekdays ... 10:00 a.m. to A noon on October 5) ir d ,� Sr* AT TOMPKINS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL , THE CONVENIENT ^ ' s ' CARE CENTER. FOR AN APPOINTMENT CALL The Tompkins County Public Works Softball Team 274 -4517. Top row left to right - Bill Mobbs, Mitch Gray, Cheryl Nelson, Iretta Ellis, Skip Ellis, Take a minute to get an exam and ask your and Craig Hopkins (team captain). doctor about prostate cancer, because Bottom row left to right - Dan Dean, Michelle Eighmey, Matt Whittemore, Greg timing is the key to successful treatment. Russell, and Ward Hungerford.