HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05 F Newsletter for
Employees and retirees
o f To County
t t ID 0 tt. May 2001
Volume 14 Number 5
Thanks for 30 years of service to
Tom pkins County.
Michelle Fighmcy. TC Highway Division
:4 As of May 25, 2001, Ward
Hungerford will have officially left
the building" at the Tompkins County
Highway Department.
walAiiiiii::. '.'1407,
Ward began his eo
the Highway Department mpl on yment March with
: s 1 s 15, 1971 as a General Highway
>,::;41'N':
„
,�_' Manager and ,just completed his 30
year with Tompkins County.
t Ward will be greatly misse by all of
'
b� ; to ”
- , . the Highway employees and Public
� S AE
�� I. ' 1 s Works staff. We wish you the best
of luck as you travel on into your
11 r* .. { ,' .. retirement years and on to bigger
�s� fx! l a
� s
' r and better opportunities.
g �> 4 .' : tit its
� � Best of Luck Ward, from your many
: 'y ,. .4 , ,� r _ W friends and Tompkins County co-
,.- workers!
Ward Hungerford, Highway Manager
1 * .X * '. '''' .- *
DSS TO HOLD FOSTER
REPORT ' -- � CARE /A DOPTION MEETINGS 1
' Submitted by Ellie Amold, DSS i
FROM
, If IL Tompkins County Department of Social Services
THE COUNTY will hold informational meetings for those
—° 4 - interested in foster care and /or adoption on
ADMINISTRATOR Thursday May 10, 2001 1
. d i
Thursday June 14, 2001
I3y Stephen Whicher
The meetings will be held at the Human
Services Building in the Beverly Livesay
Last month I wrote about my recent decision to Conference Room, 320 W. State St., Ithaca, NY
impose a soft hiring freeze. I have asked our from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM. Please call 274 -
supervisors and managers to review each vacancy to 5266 for more information.
determine if the position is essential to the
department's core business process and to provide me
with a justification for filling each position. I have not Kudos from Representative Joe
taken this step lightly and I recognize the hardship Lalley to George McClure,
that it will place on departments. However, if we do
not act early and with resolve, the problems we face Wendy Skinner, Greg Potter,
will grow, as will the consequences. Jim Blizzard
While a soft freeze requires administrative review of
•
all hiring it is not simply a top -down management tool `(�,..
but rather it is intended to clearly state that we can 1 r ,
no longer afford to "do business as usual." To be
successful in minimizing the impact of our budget
difficulties on staffing and programs we will need }
everyone's vigilance in reviewing spending and
cooperative spirit in developing revised work
processes. and others who may have contributed behind the
scenes for getting the redistricting maps up on
There is an old adage that I am fond of, it goes the web so quickly after the May 5 meeting.
something like this: Success is the art of transforming "Several of my constituents have already been
a challenge into an opportunity. In this case, our to the site and looked at them. The work you and
challenge is the deceleration of county government your staff have done analyzing the data and
preparing the various scenarios in a form that
and the opportunity is to review procedures, work
people can understand is outstanding. Many on
processes and staffing structures. In addition, we can the Board have commented on how they feel the
review administrative rules and regulations for investment made in the GIS system has paid for
changes that could lead to efficiencies, and look for itself just by this process ".
ways to eliminate department barriers so that we can
support work areas that may be understaffed. This "I realize that it is easy to overlook the day to
part of the process requires everyone's cooperation day excellent work that your staff does to "keep
and support; it is not exclusively a management things working ". I am impressed by the lack of
responsibility. any grumbling from staff about computer support
since coming on the Board. Unfortunately, no
As I stated in my first statement for the "County news is often good news in any service
Corridors ", I believe strongly that the best answers business. It is nice when you have a visible,
often come from the person closest to the customer. successful task to showcase like the support you 1
As we move forward, I am confident that those who provide for redistricting. Please pass on my
know the programs and customers best will transform congratulations and thanks to those on your staff
our challenges into opportunities. who make it all work ".
- Joe Lalley
,
Take a look at the new Health A look at the 911 Dispatch Center
Department logo: These are photos of the 911 dispatch operations
center currently located at the Ithaca Fire
Department and its future home which will be
lJ G? constructed at the South Hill Fire Station on Route
96B.
e� 6
TOMPKINS COUNTY r '. .
HEALTH
, , . a . ea_
1 .,„ .., , DEPARTMENT f
Your Partner for a Healthy Community
'°!. ' . ;: '...:':. ''': ' ; t-: 0 ' ' '4 +.,
"4„
GOT
NEWS? ? ,
- Doug Conover, Emergency Dispatcher for Tompkins
County, sits at his current post located at the
Ithaca Fire Station on West Green Street.
The Corridors Board needs the help of all
County departments and employees to`�"`
submit articles!! We want you to tell us �f"
what is happening in your department. If
you have stories, photos, classified ads, or .,ir"--
well wishes please submit them!! 1 .
Happiness comes through doors you didn't even
know you left open. "'-^—
NNN ' „r _ ararel,. - _
We could learn a lot from crayons: Some are . ,
sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have
weird names, and all are different colors....but Lee Shurtleff, Deputy Fire, Disaster, and EMS
they all have to learn to live in the same box. Coordinator, provides the Public Safety Committee
and guests with a tour of where the new
centralized dispatch center will be constructed at
South Hill Station No. 5.
Need a place to meet?
Listed below are conference rooms that are available throughout the County and who to contact to schedule each room.
For more information on rules regarding the use of these rooms please contact the Board Office at 274 -5434.
Board Chambers, Courthouse Conference Room Any staff, Board of Representatives Office
Scott B. Heyman Conference Room 274 -5434
Mental Health Board Room Barbara Davieds or Judy DeGrusso
55 capacity; 35 seating 274 -6300
Mental Health Conference Room Barbara Davieds or Judy DeGrusso
10 capacity 274 -6300
Beverly E. Livesay Conference Room Security Office
75 capacity 274 -5366
Rice Conference Rooni, Biggs B Patty Stamm or Regina Hubble
50 capacity 274 -6600
Crash, Fire, Rescue Building Conference Room, Airport Chris Strizack at 274 -3888 or Roxan Noble
50 capacity 257 -0456
TC3 Conference Room at the Airport Fine Host staff
20 capacity 266 -0007
ITS Conference Room (internal use only) Kim Moore
10 capacity 274 -5517
Assessment Conference Room (internal use only) Mary Saxton
21 capacity 274 -5417
Borg Warner Conference Rooms - Public Library Donna Whitaker
60 each side (120 total capacity) 272 -4557
Father's Day History
Submitted by Katie Prince, Ilealth Dept.
(found at http:// www. marvelicious .com/fathersday.html)
Father's Day, 3rd Sunday in June. The idea for creating a day for children to honor their fathers began in
Spokane, Washington. A woman by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd thought of the idea for Father's Day while listening
to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909. Having been raised by her father, Henry Jackson Smart, after her mother died, Sonora
wanted her father to know how special he was to her. It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices and was, in
the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man. Sonora's father was born in June, so she chose to hold
the first Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910.
In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. Roses are the Father's
Day flowers: red to be worn for a living father and white if the father has died. Visit the web site. It is good!
When God Created Fathers
When the good Lord was creating fathers, He started with a tall frame. And a female angel nearby said, "What
kind of father is that? If you're going to make children so close to the ground, why have you put fathers up so high? He
won't be able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending, or even kiss a child without a lot of
stooping." And God smiled and said, "Yes, but if l make him child size, who would children have to look up to ?" And when
God made a father's hands, they were large and sinewy.
And the angel shook her head sadly and said, "Do You know what You're doing? Large hands are clumsy. They
can't manage diaper pins, small buttons, rubber bands on pony tails or even remove splinters caused by baseball bats."
God smiled and said, "I know, but they're large enough to hold everything a small boy empties from his pockets at the end
of a day...yet small enough to cup a child's face."
Then God molded long, slim legs and broad shoulders.
The angel nearly had a heart attack. "Boy, this is the end of the week, all right," she clucked. "Do You realize You
just made a father without a lap? How is he going to pull a child close to him without the kid falling between his legs ?"
God smiled and said, "A mother needs a lap. A father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, balance a boy on a bicycle or
hold a sleepy head on the way home from the circus."
God was in the middle of creating two of the largest feet anyone had ever seen when the angel could contain
herself no longer. "That's not fair. Do You honestly think those large boats are going to dig out of bed early in the morning
when the baby cries? Or walk through a small birthday party without crushing at least three of the guests ?" And God
smiled and said, "They'll work. You'll see. They'll support a small child who wants to "ride a horse to Banbury Cross" or
scare off mice at the summer cabin, or display shoes that will be a challenge to fill." God worked throughout the night,
giving the father few words, but a firm authoritative voice; eyes that see everything, but remain calm and tolerant.
Finally, almost as an afterthought, He added tears. Then He turned to the angel and said, "Now are you satisfied
that he can love as much as a mother ?" And the angel shutteth up!
By Erma Bombeck
Vending Committee Grandpa and the
F J Recreation Subcommittee g
�II
By Lucia Sciore, Mental Health
Alli ators
- Upcoming tours, trips,
'"'lig"`' a nd events sponsored b
- MOMMICt - P y My paternal grandfather, when he was young
the vending committee: (early 1900's), earned money by traveling
around the Finger Lakes area with a small
animal "circus." He had such exotic animals as
➢ "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at monkeys, chimps, alligators, parrots, etc.
the Hangar Theater -- Friday, June 29, 2001 at 8:00 (Once, when he had been drinking, he tried to
p.m. -- Cost $15.00 per person center seating. Limited buy a baby elephant, cute but my grandmother
number of seats, so make your reservations ASAP! said, "no! "...But that's another story) He finally
➢ New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays -- Old settled down into a real job (tailoring and dry
Timer's Day, Saturday, July 21, 2001. Cost $65.00/pp cleaning) and began raising a family of his own.
includes bus transportation and ticket to the ball game. He loved animals so much that he just kept the
Limited number of seats available so call to reserve animals that he traveled with until they grew old
your seat! and died.
➢ Renaissance Festival -- Saturday, August 4, 2001. My favorite family story is about the alligators.
Details to follow! They lived in a special galvanized steel tub that
my grandfather had built. The "gators" were
➢ Six Flags Darien Lake -- Saturday, August 18, 2001. only about 2 feet long. This was great during
Due to lack of employee votes for the park of their the summer, because they could live on the
choice, Committee members decided on Darien Lake. back porch of his house...But in the winter, they
Details to follow! needed heat. My Grandmother refused to have
them in her house. So, he took them into the
➢ Pocono Shopping at The Crossing -- Saturday, dry cleaning plant where they would be warm,
November 3, 2001. Details to follow! living under the boilers. Things went well for a
while.
➢ Genesee County Village & Museum Yuletide Tour &
Buffet -- Saturday, December 1, 2001. Details to M Father and Grandfather then hired Lester
follow! Smith to work with them. My Dad arrived early
➢
one morning to work. Lester mentioned to my
New York City Day Trip -- Saturday, December 8,
2001. Cost $25.00/pp You decide what you want to do: Dad that he thought there was a leak in the
boiler because he kept hearing a hissing sound.
shopping, show, sightseeing! This trip will fill up fast, My Dad dutifully checked all the gauges and
so be sure to call soon!
found everything fine. Lester said that he still
heard a hissing noise. My Dad then said
t G ,
j� casually, "Oh, that must be the alligators!"
�
,/1 Lester, who was not used to the way my family
resolved problems, ran out of the plant and
v G
At a friend's urging, I tried several didn't stop until he was blocks away. He refused
samples of exotic cheeses. The only trouble was, to return unless the alligators were removed.
the more I nibbled, the more my eyebrows shot up My grandmother had to put the tub in her dining
room. Not a happy compromise, but we
into the air, my right paw pinkie extended straight certainly get a lot of laughs out of this story.
out, and I started squeaking like my cousin from
Boston. Guess I'd better stick to good old NY5
cheddar!
Annie M. Mouse
CLASSIFIEDS Congratulations:
To Ray Clark, MEO at the Highway Department and
For Sale: his wife, Carolyn, on the birth of their daughter,
For Sale: Motorhome - Xplorer 272, 22' Class C. Good Alisse, born on March 1, 2001. Congratulations are
condition. 1978 w/440 engine, runs well. Sleeps 6. also extended to Matthew Watros, HEO at the
Everything works. New elec. system and batteries. New Highway Department and Pam, on the birth of their
carpet. Lots of stuff has been repaired and it is ready to daughter, Hannah, born on February 25, 2001.
roll. $5,000. Call 564 -7081 or email .
she11er3 @twcny.rr.com Welcome New Employees:
Wanted: Small boat or snowmobile trailer or lightweight Tamara VanOrman (3/19/01) and Tina Lincoln
junk trailer with 1214" wheels. Can be old camper or (12/10/00), Acct. Clerk Typists, and Veng Xayarath,
pop -up trailer rotting in the backyard. Looking to make Real Property Appraiser (4/10/01) in Assessment; and
our own lightweight trailer from old parts for low cost. to Peter Messmer (11/27/00), Assistant Highway
Call 564 -7051. Manager (recently appointed Highway Manager).
Free: Two complete window units, fit openings 38 "w x
50" h, and 31 "w x 36" h, single pane, double hung, vinyl CLASSIFIEDS
tracks, aluminum triple track storms. Call 844 -4442 Classified ads up to 25 words in length are free to County
evenings. employees, retirees and their immediate families. Ads may
be for any purpose, however personal ads will not be
For Sale: Four tires - P205/75R14, steel belted. Less than accepted. No County addresses or telephone numbers
10,000 miles. $30 for each. Call 272 -2301. may be listed in your ad, however we do need your full
Services: name and County telephone number submitted with the
ad in case there are questions. Submit your ad to County
Tioga Technical - Don't kill your computer! Let me Corridors c/o Michelle Pottorff, Board of Representatives,
Courthouse, Ithaca, NY 14850 via US or interdepartmental
help with troubleshooting, training, upgrades - whatever mail or e-mail to: mpottorff@tompkins- co.org
it takes to get you and your computer working together
again. Call James Keegan at 273 -7957 evenings or NOTE: If you would like to modify your classified or
weekends. want to run it again, you must re- submit it!
Tynyk Originals is proud to announce that selected DEADLINE: 1 TUESDAY OF THE MONTH
items are now available at Contented Country Gifts
located at 297 Jersey Hill Road, Danby; one of the most Articles to be considered for the June 26 issue, must
unique shops in the area! Custom gifts and home decor be received by noon on Tuesday, June 3. Submit
items are still available by calling 564 -9244 evenings or articles via e-mail as an attachment or on disk in any
weekends. If I can't make it, you don't need it!! file format that is readable by Word for Windows
Tense? Stressed? Achy? Therapeutic Massage can '95. Send disk and hard copy to County Corridors c/o
put relaxation and comfort back into your life. For an Michelle Pottorff, Board of Representatives,
appointment or information call Richard Reed at 753- Courthouse, Ithaca, NY 14850. Please include a
6383. contact number in case questions arise_ j
Kinetic Performance — specializing in Motorsports COUNTY CORRIDORS
engines, carburetion and general racing fabrication. Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by
Call Dayton Umholtz at 277 -6442 evenings or the Editorial Board based on their interest to Tompkins County
weekends. employees and retirees. They do not necessarily express the
opinions of the Editorial Board. Material is solicited from current
employees, retirees and others. The Editorial Board reserves the
right to edit submissions, except in the instance of copyright
Thank You: materials.
A big thank you to Arel, Chris, Ed, Laurie, Edwin, EDITORIAL BOARD
Michelle Pottorff (Editor) Board of Representatives
Tom and Larry for creating a beautiful new space for Iretta Ellis (Chair) Information Technology Services
us and helping us move into it! We love our new Bill Chapp Department of Social Services
"Garden Level Suites!" Sharon Cooper Sheriff's Office
Liz Croop Department of Mental Health
- Admin. Staff at the Health Department Katy Prince Health Department
Vickie Wagner (Artist) Department of Assessment
Donna Deputron (Distribution Coordinator) Bldgs. d, &rnds