HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-05 sla
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STEFANS C RADLE ITS SPRING TIME!
The flower barrels are ready for planting.
By: Stephen Estes (Personnel) & Family Individuals or groups may sign up in the
DSS employee lounge for specific barrels.
I am very proud and pleased that our project "Stefan's Cradle” was chosen as a first
place award winner in Tompkins County's Trash Lite Exposition under the categories of A variety of flowers will be available at
Art Group Family and Most Practical. the Building & Grounds Department begin-
ning Thursday, May 28,1992.One represen-
This project was completed in the winter of 1991 while we were waiting for Stefan to tative from each group should pick up the
join our family. The legs and understructure are made from a discarded table. The cradle flowers. Two flats of flowers will be made
box is made from the slats from a bed which was picked up curbside. The mattress support available per barrel. No special requests for
is of tightly stretched mattress ticking. The mattress was cut out of a larger mattress pad. flowers can be taken. However, staff may
The smaller ornaments were bought as closeouts from a crafts store. The larger bear was supplement flower varieties at their own ex-
crafted by myself. My son Joshua gave as much assistance in applying the donated blue pense.
paint as a five year old possibly could.
Individuals or groups are responsible for
Some people look upon recycling with distaste, however, I am quite proud to be able the complete upkeep of their barrels.
to take something that would be thrown out and turn it into a beautiful and useful item.
We are all going to have to change our attitude if our children and their world are to have Contact Joanne Terwilliger at DSS, 5637,
a future. if you have any questions. Judging will occur
August 6, 1992 and prizes will be awarded.
�C, i?E i, f ' G
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' E i ,. 1 PICNIC SITE DETERMINED
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� ` The Vending Machine Committee is fi
-„,,,,,,,,„„,...„ ' nalizing plans for the County employee pic-
n for 1992. The site will be Newhart's
Lodge on August 30th from noon to six. The
' menu will be steak sandwiches, hot dogs,
hamburgers, sausage sandwiches, beans
`' and macaroni salad from noon on and a
chicken barbeque around 4. Non - alcoholic
, � beverages will be served all day. Music
€ � ' hopefully a live band) will be available.
.. , � Various sports activities are planned; more
�� ,
" R ." details later.
-� ;.,,43.-.',:i. There will be a cost for employees to
' supplement budgeted vending funds, the
exact amount will be determined at a later
Pictured here is the cradle that took first place in the Tompkins County Trash date. Please plan on attending.
Lite Exposition.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
response to the multiple crises that govern- work in the public sector need to face in-
REINVENTING TOMPKINS? ment at all levels, and in many counties, centives to be efficient, either in the form
fords itself in today? Is the general public, of payments based on outputs or in the
By: Scott Heyman - County Administrator as many believe, really just whining and form of competition, as happens in the pri-
complaining; does the public just want vate sector.
Maybe you didn't notice, but Tompkins more services for less money without any The dialogue between County govern -
County government completed 175 years of hassles? ment as a whole and the community we
service on April 16, 1992. the celebrations There are almost as many answers to serve needs to improve drastically. We
were not just mute, they were non - existent. these questions as there are people giving should not spend one more day depending
A year ago, the Board of Representatives those answers. I'd be interested in hearing on underinformed, undertrained media
decided that since celebrations cost money, yours - -drop me a line or write a letter to representative pursuing their own agendas
and money was in ever - shorter supply, it Corridors. For what it's worth, here are to tell the general public what we are about.
would pass for now and await the County mine: And government absolutely must fmd
Bicentennial in 2017. The "customer service trend in the pri- ways to streamline itself, cut its own red
Not many of us will be at our posts to vate sector must spread to the public sector. tape, restore direct lines of accountablity,
participate in that celebration (although it's For us in Tompkins this will not be wrench - and eliminate unnecessary approvals every
interesting to realize that some of us will). ing - -in our small community, County em- time someone wants to make a decision.
I can't help wondering what will be the ployees have a long history of giving good We've done a great deal of this kind of
tenor of the times in 2017 as compared with service, personalized and customized. streamling over the last seven years; we
1992. What will be the role of County, and The way financing of public bodies need to do more.
other local governments? What will be the works needs to be overhauled -- people who It could me an interesting 25 years.
EMPLOYEE SUGGESTION PAGE
COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES ARE UP 15 %. SALES TAXES FOR COUNTY PURPOSES MAY GO UP 50% (FROM 1.5
CENTS TO 2.25 CENTS). LOCAL SPENDING FOR COUNTY SERVICES HAS BEEN CUT BY $2.5 MILLION (NEARLY 10 %)
SINCE LAST FALL.
TAXPAYERS ARE ANGRY. PEOPLE WHO NEED SERVICES ARE FURIOUS. EMPLOYEES CAN HELP. YOUR IDEAS
ARE THE BEST IDEAS. THE STATE OF TEXAS RECENTLY CUT $2.4 BILLION FROM ITS BUDGET, MOST OF THIS AS
A RESULT 0 F EMPLOYEE SUGGESTIONS.
Send your suggestions in today. Sign your name, or send them anonymously. Send them to your supervisor, your program manager,
your department head, or to the County Administrator.
SUGGESTIONS:
Name (optional):
Department (optional):
PUBLIC WORKS OUTSTANDING
EM PLOYEE
'
were not holding it against him.
Submitted by Ward A. Hungerford, _ e
Highway Manager A military veteran, and hus- '
band for forty-three years (he
Ernie Conover, automotive mechanic at thinks), Ernie also enjoys huntmg °�` " g
Tompkins county Highway Division exem- deer and pheasant. When he is
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plifies "Outstanding Employee ". not in the woods, Ernie finds en- � � - � ��,�� �, �.
joyment in woodworking and res-
Ernie started at the Highway Depart- toration of his older home, circa
ment on January 5, 1976, and has been a key 1875.`
player in the success of our shop and high-
way operations since that day. Highly moti- Ernie has that special gift of
vated and always on the go, Ernie has earned patience, sense of humor and hu
the respect and admiration of his supervi- mility that has endeared him to
sors and fellow employees as a professional all of us at Tompkins County
that knows what to do and how to do it At Highway Division. Will Rogers
any given time you will find him under, on or said he never met a man he didn't
even inside a piece of equipment. like; I ve never met a man or
woman who didn't like Ernie
Ernie has been "turning wrenches" for Conover.'
many years. Before coming to Tompkins � :
County, Ernie already had twenty-five years Thank you Ernie! It certainly'"
experience as a mechanic and service man- has been and continues to be our <�
ager with B & L Ford and McGuire Ford of pleasure.
Tr burg. Some people think Ernie's
only "flaw" is that he is a "Ford man ", but
EMPLOYEE COUNCIL
UPDATE ON HIGHLIGHTS
PRE - RETIREMENT
PLANNING SEMINAR
• A training session with Jerry Bukiewicz was held for the Council members on
By Louise McEwen Wednesday, March 25. The Council learned about proactive versus reactive com-
munication to better respond to information requests for clearer and better com-
munication. Committee work sessions were held to develop tools for communica-
In response to an earlier article concern- tion. The afternoon session, which included Department Heads, involved a presen-
ing aseminar to assist with pre retirement tation/ discussion on the need for leadership.
planning, we had only 11 employees express
an interest. Since the group is really too • The Professional Growth and Development Committee has developed a draft of a
small for BOCES and County Personnel to Performance and Evaluation Policy. The policy is being developed as a result of
undertake the necessary planning, we may survey results which indicated that a majority of County employees would like to
attempt to be included in another group receive regular performance evaluations. The Council was asked to look at the draft
with BOCES in the fall. As this progresses, and send any feedback to Joanne Terwilliger. A final draft will be presented at the
well keep you posted. Just a reminder, how-
ever... if you have any questions relating to next Council meeting.
your NYS Employees' Retireinent System
benefits, the representative is still at the Vil- • The next Employee Council meeting was scheduled for Monday, June 1 at 9:00 in
lage Hall in Horseheads on the second and the Biggs A Conference Room.
fourth Tuesday of each month, from 9:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. • A Training subcommittee meeting has been scheduled for any employee of the
County to attend on Tuesday, June 9th at 10:00 a.m. at the DSS first floor conference
room. The purpose of the training subcommittee will be to develop a County plan
for meeting the training needs of employees. Any interested County employee is
welcome to attend!!
a
COFA Director Retired
mor
By Marilyn Strassberg
Margaret Harding, Director of The Tompkins County Office for the Aging since 1978,
retired on May 4, 1992. Mrs. Harding joined the office just a few months after its founding
in October of 1975. She witnessed the growth of the office front a small federally funded
agency subsidizing just a few programs for the 60 and over population to one offering a
wide array of federal, state and locally funded services for the older residents of Tompkins #`
County. •
Prior to her employment with the Office for the Aging, Mrs. Harding was on the Ithaca
School Board for 14 years, one year as chairperson. Those were decisive years for the Ithaca
City School District; and Mrs. Harding played an important role in the growth of the school Pk 1 E
district programs as well. #4
An Ithaca resident since coming here with her husband in 1953, Mrs. Harding earned r"
her M.S.W. from the University of Minnesota and worked in child welfare services in No
Minneapolis and for the Travelers Aid Society in several states during WWII before
"retiring" for the first time to raise three children. Shown above is Margaret Harding at her
retirement dinner at the Holiday Inn.
OFFICE PAPER RECYCLING UPDATE FROM THE VENDING
MACHINE COMMITTEE
RECYCLING REVISITED • • OF SPECIAL IMPORTANCE TO
W RETIREES
By Lynn Leopold
Recycling Specislist, Solid Waste Division
By Louise McEwen
A decision was made recently to permit
Try to imagine a line of 20 garbage trucks end -to -end. Now imagine each one of them expenditure of vending machine monies to
filled with paper, tons and tons of it. All those letters, memos, reports, copies, forms and send flowers to retirees who are in the hos-
computer print -outs from the many County offices. Now imagine that instead of heading pital. If you know of a retiree who is in the
to the landfill, those trucks took all that paper to be recycled. Got the picture? Good! hospital, please call Louise at County Per -
Because that's exactly what County employees have done over the last 41/2 years of office sonnel (274- 5526).
paper recycling. Together, we have managed to keep approximately 40 tons of good,
recyclable paper from being buried in the landfill. Instead, it has gone to mills, both in the
U.S. and abroad, to be made into new paper products, such as writing and printing papers, WHAT IS PERS
tissue and towelling, and boxboard (cracker and cookie boxes.).
County employees have been doing a great job of saving office paper in the little PERS is a communications system which
desk -side baskets and emptying them into the larger hallway bins. And the cleaning staff links an individual with the County's emer-
from Buildings and Grounds have been great about carrying all that paper out to the gency medical response system even if that
collection areas. That's real teamwork! person is unable to use the telephone.
The system depends upon the use of an
Please note that there are a few things that do not go into those recycling bins: envelopes, electronic transmitter which automatically
blueprint, FAX, tissues, glossy paper, such as magazines, and newsprint. Call 273 -6632 or dials a highly- trained emergency rescue dis-
273- 5700 with questions about office paper recycling. patcher who will send appropriate help to
the home where the signal originated.
Solid Waste staff will be conducting waste assessment in County buildings in the next The system provides around - the -clock
few weeks to determine what kind of service and equipment will be needed for recycling protection for persons who are ill, frail,
other materials, such as newspaper, corrugated cardboard, mixed paper (glossies, junk alone, or medically at risk.
mail, envelopes, etc.), and non - deposit glass and metal containers. This information will For further information, contact Barbara
be essential in planning the expansion of the recycling program in County buildings. Mearse or Hank McCrillis at 277 -0148.
Thanks for your cooperation! MARK YOUR CALENDAR
On June 29, volunteers from the U.S.
Army Band will play at Taughannock Park
in the evening. More information will be
passed along later as it becomes available.
MANAGING YOUR WORK DAY: UNCLASSIFIEDS
SOURCES OF HELP FOR CAREGIVERS OF THE ELDERLY Tom's Trimmings - Lawn mowing and
maintenance. Reasonable rates. Call after 6
By Carolyn Croke p.m. for a FREE estimate. 273 -5263
This is the fourth in a series of articles as a follow-up to Tompkins Coup s participation SOD BUSTERS! till deep. We s!
in the Employee Elder Caregivmg Survey conducted by the Office for the Aging. One of it cheap! Who ya g! gonna na call? Sod Busters!
the main problems faced by employed caregivers is how to juggle work responsibilities with 539 -6704.
family responsibilities, including caring for a frail older person. How does a person who Accounting software for small busi-
travels to her mother's house every morning to bathe, dress, and feed her as well as prepare nesses. DATA DIRECTIONS, 844-3774.
and store a lunch -time meal m addition to getting her own kids off to school, still get to
work by 8:00 or 8:30 a.m.? Furthermore, while the caregiver is fulfilling her responsibilities WANTED: Used bunk beds in good
at work, how can she keep from worrying about the safety as well as nutritional and social condition. Must be able to come apart and
needs of the older person who is alone during the day? There are no simple and clearcut be used as twins. Call Liza or Ken evenings
solutions to these dilemmas that work for everyone. Each situation is unique. However, if 272 -6618
you are a working caregiver who is concerned about these issues, there are two options
which you may want to look into - flexible time and adult day care programs. FOR SALE: Starcraft 1968, 15 ft. fiber -
Would different work hours help you meet your daily obligations to work and home? glass boat. 1969 Johnson 55HP outboard.
According to results of the survey, 21 people or roughly two - fifths of county caregivers Trailer. Good condition. $1,500.00 273 -
thought so. Presently there is no policy in place with regard to flex time for county 3325 after 5 p.m.
employees. Rather it is left to the discretion of the department heads. If you feel having a
different work schedule would better enable you to meet work and family obligations, FREE TO A GOOD HOME: Adult
approach your department head with your ideas. Hopefully the two of you will be able to cats. Two males about three years old, fixed
work out an arrangement that would give you the flexibility you need but also ensure that and friendly. Two females, one about two
your work obligations are met. and one -half years old and the other is one
Adult day care programs can also be a godsend to working caregivers. Thirteen people year old. Neither have been fixed. All but
or roughly one - fourth of county caregivers expressed interest in adult day care. These one have had shots. Call Dianna at 387 -
programs benefit the care receivers as well as the caregivers. Older adults who are in need 6569.
of supervision and/or socialization are provided with opportunities to enjoy good food,
great entertainment and satisfying companionship. Caregivers reap the benefits of peace FOR RENT: 3 bedroom mobile home
of mind - knowing that the older person is being well cared for. set up in Dryden Park. 844-3656 after 5:30.
There are currently two adult day programs available in Tompkins County. The Adult
Day Program offered through the Reconstruction Hone is available on Monday and
Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Titus Towers, 798 and 800 South Plain Street, Ithaca. Call
Peg Hopper, Admissions Coordinator, at 237 -4166 for further information. The Social
Enrichment Program, offered through the Groton Community Health Care Center, Inc.,
is available on Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. onsite at the Center.
Glenda Van Oort, Coordinator, can fill you in on the details at 898 -5876. The cost per day
for each of these programs is $30 but scholarships are available to families in need.
If you would like more information about flexible time, adult day programs or any other
options available to employed caregivers feel free to call Carolyn Croke, Coordinator of The Easter Bunny �SItS ....
the Caregivers'Resource Center, at the Office for the Aging at 277 -0148. y
ANNOUNCING...SUMMER PC COMPUTER CLASSES By: Suzanne R. Stopen,
Public Health Director
The following computer training classes will be offered to Tompkins County employees.
Each class will be held in the Mental Health, 6th floor Conference Room via large screen To the children in the Tompkins Employ -
monitor. Employees who are interested in signing up for classes may contact their super- ees Daycare and Pediatric floor of Tomp-
visors for more information. kins Community Hospital, the Easter Bunny
came to visit a couple of days early and they
Intro. to General Computer /DOS Thurs, June 18, 9:00 am -12 :00 couldn't have been happier.
Intermediate WordPerfect Tues, July 14, 1:OOpm -4:00 pm
Intermediate Lotus Thurs, July 30, 9:OOam -12:00 Katie Knapp, Secretary to the Public
Intro. to Quatro Pro Weds, August 19, 1:0Opm- 4:OOpm Health Director, was in costume for the day
(4/16/92) and made the rounds through
Class participants will receive a handout with highlights of the seminar and useful tips to Biggs A, Biggs B and Tompkins Hospital
try back at the office. distributing candies out of an Easter basket.
INSTRUCTOR: Peggy Sniezek, Micro - Computer Specialist,Central Data Processing, A round of thanks to all who joined in the
274 -5417 mystery. Boy, did we fool you!!!
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SUPERVISOR BEFORE REGISTERING!
PERSONNEL Commissioner Installed as
PERSONALS President
CONGRATULATIONS TO... By Mary Carnal, Program Planner
New Hires... Tompkins County Commissioner of So-
cial Services, Mary Pat Dolan, was installed
Diana Lotito is working full time temporarily in the Clerical Pool while Dorothy as President of the New York State Public
Tompkins is out on leave. Welfare Association (NYPWA) on Mon-
day, January 27,1992, at City Hall in Albany.
Elizabeth Arthur, who was our Cornell student Summer '91, and recently a case aide New York's First Lady, Matilda R. Cuomo,
(while Lori Hill was out on maternity leave, and since returned) will be the Independent officiated at the installation.
Living Coordinator in the Childrens Services Division. The NYPWA, established in 1869, is the
professional association representing New
Joan Jurkowich has been hired as the County's new Chief of Comprehensive Land Use York's 58 local social services districts, in-
P1 ^nning. Ms. Jurkowich comes to the County from Milton, Vermont, where she served as eluding the Human Resources Administra-
the Town Planner. tion of the City of New York. Ms. Dolan has
been involved with the NYPWA for many
Amy Carpenter (Cornell Student) will be working in Childrens Services as well as in the years, and was Director of the Services Di-
Adult Unit. vision before her appointment as Commis -
Publishing Operator in Purchasing. She will o Social al the Tompkins County Department
Welcome to Betty Olbrys, the new Desktop 8 Pe 8 of Social Services.
be publishing the County Corridors newsletter.
Promotions...
Nancy Jo Krebs started her new job as a Social Welfare Examiner in Foodstamps on
5/4/92. Nancy was previously employed by the DSS Employment Unit as a Keyboard
Specialist.
Carol Santucci is moving from Intake/Homefinding to Childrens Services and Case- FREE
worker. UNCLASSIFIEDS
Ellis Grist has been promoted to Sr. CPS Caseworker. He is leaving Childrens Services
where he has worked for three years. Classified ads up to 25 words in length
are free to County employees, retirees and
Debbie Strite, who worked in Job Training from the Personnel Office, will be our new their immediate families. Ads may be for
Caseworker in Childrens Services. any purpose except no personal ads will be
accepted. No County addresses or tele-
Sandy Brown, Case Aide, has been promoted to Caseworker in Intake and Homefinding phone numbers may be listed in the ads.
Services. Use this coupon to send your ad to Corri-
dors c/o Central Services. PLEASE
New Parents... TYPE OR PRINT LEGIBLY.
Sarah Jones, Emergency Services Coordinator at DSS, had a baby boy on 5/4/92. He
weighed 91bs. and 11 oz.
Goodbye...
Other students in DSS will be leaving this month -- they are: Lynn Tanevich, Jerri
Bernard, Lori Isman, Allison Kolins, Tori Poelvoorde, Kara Reimer, and Robin Walter.
Joe Faamuli has left CPS and is returning to American Samoa.
Wendy Shillington has left Childrens Services.
I would like to say good -bye to everyone I have had the opportunity to work with in the
County. And a special good -bye to Chrissy, a good super, but a great friend! I'm really
gonna miss you! See ya in Syracuse (we'll shop till we drop!). Your Friend, Karen Barry