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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-06 F Newsletter for t . . --- CII:1LAcf Employees and Retirees of Tompkins County 0 t -.- tRtgLI June. 2001 D V Volume 14 Number 6 Tompkins County Health Department had their Annual Employee Appreciation Breakfast. Submitted by: Katy Prince, Health Dept. ti - ;-. , 7 ..:. ' -"--- .-**;+ )1 1" ; TA h :. t , r r $ 041 +: *4111 tt.+W 4141:::: ` WWi.9tW.Wet , { ■ Jr 46111 C111/ Weir k. W. WWt ItW WeYh KNt..fW J.;' J.;' . "•. ••es Wst tea w x W kP # 4141 4141 " aset.ar .a : . . ; A A ...We. - p. t . a, • �dr4 tW. tt sl ttf Shown, from left to right, are: Barb Wright (Children with -= ''" Special Care Needs --CSCN), Wendy Coolbaugh (CSCN), Sue Bowman (CSCN), Reg Hubble (Administration), Terri Aroca .� (Healthy Heart), Linda Peal (Maternal Child Unit), Jana Taylor (CSCN), Dr. Klepack (Medical Examiner), Carol Franco (Home " Care), Carol Mohler (Maternal Child Unit), and Janice Wood (Environmental Health). In addition: Lori May (Home Care), Lori Sibley (Maternal Child Unit), Barb Keating (Maternal Child Unit), Alison Rice (Maternal Child Unit), Mary Russo (Home Care), and Marge Boykin (Home Care) all received "Years of :r. , Service" certificates and new Health Department pins at the :;, Health Departments Annual Employee Appreciation Breakfast on May 31, 2001, Coffee, juice, bagels, and fruits were served. ,;, _. „ Congratulations to the seventeen people who received years of service certificates from 5 years to 30 years totaling 195 years of service! The employees of Tompkins County Health Dept. also received handbags -� with the new Health Department Logo '� * �` ��� * * on them. Dr. Klepack is shown here with k i kllhis beautiful smile and new handbag. .7'11 Imagine Action! REPORT r y UPDATE FROM : One hundred and thirty County employees participated in n this year's Imagine Action! 6 week physical activity THE COUNTY =,. - promotion. The Health Promotion Program at the -�'` Tompkins County Health Department and the Health ADMINISTRATOF '. Planning Council, a program of the Human Services 4 1 , Coalition, sponsored the program that took place between April 2 and May 13 A total of 400 people participated. By Stephen Whicher Participants had 6 chances to win over 40 prizes including a $500 travel gift certificate from Stone Travel. County employees were well represented. Winners included: Lisa On June 5 the Board of Representatives established guidelines and fiscal targets for all county budgeting Holmes, COFA; Nancy Parrott, DSS; Cherly Nelson, units for the fiscal year 2002. The guidelines call for a Public Works; Lisa Chase, Health; Robert Slocum, COFA; reduction of 2% in fiscal targets. The net effect of this Sandy Abbey, DSS; Josephine Hill, DSS; Roberta Steve, action will require departments to both absorb any DSS; Pat Jebbet, Health; Pamela Bush, Mental Health; David Stoyell, COFA; Sigrid Kerr, Health; Debbie Strite, payroll and benefit increases as well reduce their overall DSS; Samantha Varner, ITS and Theresa Albert, Youth target budget by 2 %. For a department that is 100% Bureau who won the $500 travel gift certificate. locally funded the total reduction in effective spending Congratulations! And kudos to everyone who participated will approach 8 %. In addition, the resolution requires in Imagine Action! to give their physical activity routine a each department to submit a 3 -year budget that absorbs jump start. Keep going; here are some more tips for those an additional two years of payroll and benefit increases. who spend most of their workday at a desk: The resolution is responsive to current budget - Brainstorm project ideas with a co- worker while taking projections and will afford the Board the opportunity to a walk. examine a broad range of departmental requests for - Stand while on the phone. funding while simultaneously providing the Board with - Take a stretch break instead of a coffee break. a tool to review an additional two years. The resolution - Park a few blocks away from the building and walk the sends a clear message that the Board is intent on rest of the way. accomplishing a deceleration of the rate of growth of - Walk around the building for a break during the county government. The actual effect on each workday or during lunch. department will depend on the department's reliance on - Schedule your exercise time on your business calendar local tax dollars, availability of rollover funds and and treat it as any other important appointment. actions taken by the Board during budget review. During the budget process, the Board may elect to fully Fitness activity /health club reimbursement forms are fund one program, partially fund another or eliminate a available online at www.tompkins program entirely. In short, we have just begun a long only /forms /index.html process and the effect on any individual program will Print, fill out, attach receipt and send via office mail to: not be known until the Board completes their budget Theresa Lyczko - Health Department process. For a copy of the revised Wellness Committee On a brighter note, I would like to congratulate the reimbursement policy, contact any committee member: newest inductees to the 25 year club: Jared Jones, Employee Health; Theresa Lyczko, Health; Jim Strehle, Airport; Jackie Yoder, Personnel; Sue Margaret Arcangeli (Peggy) — Probation; Maryanne Robinson, Administraton; Beth Midura, Mental Health; Banks — DSS; Bernice Yarosh — DSS; Stu Grinnell - Barb Davieds, Mental Health; Randy Good, DSS; Lynn Mental Health; Joseph Longo — Airport; James Niemi — Leopold, Solid Waste. Sheriff's Department; and John Payne — Sheriff's Department 2 1 • Don't Delay! Have your Look What's Happening at the child immunized today! Public Library By Karen Bishop, RN Community ount HeaalthDepartmen t Summer Reading Reaps Rewards! Tompkins County Heth Departmen 9 p Getting your child ready to attend school in theme fall also includes making sure they have received all the necessary immunizations to i protect them and others from different ; diseases Come to the Library this summer and "book a trip" with the New York State Summer Reading Program Check your child's immunization record 2001: A Reading Odyssey! Kids who read at least for the following: eight books this summer can earn a reading certificate and a special surprise by registering • 4 doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and for this annual program at the Tompkins County acellular pertussis) Public Library. Kids 7th grade and younger are • 3 doses of polio invited to register at the Library anytime from • 3 doses of Hepatitis B Monday, June 25 through Friday, August 3 • 4 doses of Hib (H. influenza type b) Read at least eight books by Friday, August 17th • 2 doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and and you will qualify for a certificate and special rubella) surprise. • 1 or more doses of Prevnar (pneumococcal) The Tompkins County Public Library joins libraries • 1 dose of Varicella (chickenpox) all over New York State in offering this traditional way of encouraging kids to read during the Missing any immunizations? Make an summer. Children who participate in reading appointment with your child's doctor now. programs improve their reading skills, return to Don't wait until the night before school starts school better prepared for classes, and have fun to immunize your child. at the same time! If you're not able to get in to your child's Who- Dun -It Wednesdays!! doctor, call the Tompkins County Health Kids ages 7 and up are invited to join us at this fun Department at 274 -6616 to make a clinic appointment at a site nearest you. Vaccines 8 program of mystery stories. This program offered to children at the clinics are FREE! You will run on Wednesdays, July 11 through August must bring your child's vaccination record with Z9th from 11 - 12 p.m. (No program on Wednesday, you to the clinic. August 15t.) Come listen to an on -going mystery story, get suggestions for other great mystery If you have questions, call the Tompkins books, and participate in library scavenger hunts County Health Department at 274 - 6616. and other fun activities. Be sure not to miss our first meeting where we'll be voting on which mystery to read for the whole eight weeks! At our TOMPKINS COUNTY last meeting we will find ourselves investigators in HEALTH own mystery. Registration is recommended. DEPARTMENT For more information about the Summer Reading Your Partner for a Healthy Community Program or our other summer programs, call the Tompkins County Public Library Youth Services • Department at 272 -4557 Extension 275 or 276. 3 National Public Works Week - Observed ,, s , by Che l Nelson Public Works Administrator i Y rY t May 20th - 26th, 2001 was National Public Works Week. This year's theme was "Working in the Public z _ Interest". Each year the Tompkins County Public !� , Works Department looks for new and different ways to '° observe the event. 1 ....;*"'-, -,1 y-", f ...„ ,, The celebration for Tompkins County Public Works a 1 - j included a breakfast and luncheon for the departmental ! ) ,4 employees. Two gatherings were needed to accommodate all of the departmental employees and the �� . l',.. , various shifts they cover. Board of Representatives and ' i Public Works Committee members Michael Lane and a ' ` ° i , % ,_ Joe Lalley attended the breakfast along with County William VandeMark Administrator, Steve Whicher, and thanked the staff for their dedication. A reflective summary of comments was made by Cheryl Nelson, highlighting the many changes in the department since National Public Works Week, 2000. '<`;r,, A ground breaking ceremony for the Bostwick Rd. facility renovations project was scheduled to occur, but 4 . was postponed until after the Board of Representatives , � z takes action on approving the project on June 5th. A new date for the ground breaking will be scheduled. - �: This will be the first major renovation to the facility — x - -- -. �- , ��,: since it was originally constructed and opened in 1966., - _ "`- The Solid Waste division held a grand opening_ ceremony for the new Household Hazardous Waste and r W Reuse facilities. These are new programs underway in 4,t • Tompkins County. Both of these programs will help to keep hazardous and reusable products out of the waste David Crawford stream. These two programs, along with other Solid Waste programs, are public - private partnerships. Many "William VanDeMark, Heavy Equipment of the partners in these new programs were present to Operator for the Highway Division, and David say a few words, including Board of Representatives and Crawford, Maintenance Supervisor for the public Works Committee member Dooley Kiefer. Airport, were the first recipients of the Public The highlight of the week's activities was the Works Department's Annual Excellence Awards announcement of the winners of the Annual Excellence which were given out as part of the National Public Award. This was the first year that the award was Works celebration." presented by the department. The winners of the award were William VanDeMark and David Crawford. Each Congratulations and thank you to all of the Tompkins of these employees was awarded for being recognized by County Public Works Department employees in the their peers and customers for their overall contribution to divisions of Airport, Facilities, Highway, and Solid the organization, dedication to job duties, and for Waste for another successful year of protecting and consistently providing service at a level that exceeds maintaining the County's infrastructure and for working organization and customer expectations. The Annual in the public's interest! Excellence Award is one part of the department's overall employee recognition and reward program. 4 What's New in the Public Works airport's new name is the Ithaca - Tompkins Regional Airport. It is anticipated that the new Department? name will make the destination clearer. by Cheryl Nelson, Public Works Administrator • Bostwick Road Facility Renovations - Bids have In the past several months, there have been a lot of been sought for the renovations of the Bostwick changes in the Public Works Department. Many County Road facility. The majority of the work on the site employees have been wondering what's been happening will be to construct a new home for the Facilities and asking questions. So, here's a summary of the division. A new addition will be placed on the changes that have or are about to take place: building to house the Facilities division administrative and shop spaces. There will also be • Commissioner, or no Commissioner; that is the other changes and upgrades to the facility including question - The Commissioner of Public Works a new conference area, new office spaces for the position has remained unfilled since Bill Mobbs Highway division, and upgrades to the Highway retired in 1999. The department has been, and will locker room area. If the work starts this spring, the continue to be, managed by the "Public Works project should be complete by the end of the year. Cabinet" which is comprised of the division managers of the Airport (Bob Nicholas), Buildings • New Faces - Peter Messmer has been named the & Grounds (Arel LeMaro), Highway (Ward new County Highway Manager. Peter replaces Hungerford /Peter Messmer), and Solid Waste Ward Hungerford, who has retired from the County (Barbara Eckstrom), along with the Public Works after 30 years of dedicated service. Adam Potter Administrator (Cheryl Nelson), who chairs the started as the new Assistant Buildings and Grounds group, and the County Administrator (Steve Manager on May 21st. Adam will be handling the Whither). This cabinet form of departmental day -to -day operations of the Facilities division. management will remain in effect until the time that Chris Parker has been named the General the Board of Representatives implements some other Maintenance Supervisor and he will continue to form of management, or decides to fill the oversee the maintenance activities and be the contact Commissioner's position. person for the maintenance projects. • Engineering Division Assimilated - The I hope this gives you a better idea of the changes and Engineering division has been abolished as a stand improvements taking place in the Public Works alone division. Jim Kazda, Jeanne Boodley, and Department. It has, and will continue to be, an exciting Craig Hopkins - names associated with the County's time for the department. capital projects - have all moved on to other career opportunities. The employees that were left in the In summary, here's an easy reference guide to use: Engineering division have now become employees of either Highway or Buildings and Grounds. The If you have any questions related to highways or capital projects oversight and management formerly bridges - call the Highway division at 274 - 0300. done by the Engineering division staff is now the responsibility of Arel LeMaro. With the new If you have any questions related to capital projects for structure, the Highway division has its own county buildings, or day -to -day facilities management, engineers dedicated fully to highway and bridge cleaning or maintenance - call Facilities at 274 -0355. projects. Each of the divisions will have engineering needs covered by in - house staff or by contracts with If you have questions about trash disposal, recycling, or outside engineering firms. household hazardous waste collection - call Solid Waste at 273 -6632. • "Buildings and Grounds" Name Change to "Facilities" - The Buildings and Grounds division If you have questions for the airport administration - will be getting a new name. It was recommended by call 257 -0456 (note: call airlines, directly, for flight the Public Works Cabinet and supported by the information - NOT airport administration). Public Works Committee, to update the division's name to Facilities, the title more widely recognized If you have any other general questions about Public as an industry standard. Works, or need assistance with whom to contact within the department - call Public Works Administration at 274 -0302. • Airport is Re -Named - The Tompkins County Airport received a new name and new logo. The 5 SUPPORT FOR FAMILY opportunity, as there is a great need. For more information, please call Trina Schickel at the Office CAREGIVERS for the Aging, 274 -5491. Submitted by Lisa Holmes, Office for the Aging Families are the primary care providers for older HIV COUNSELING AND persons in the United States. More than 7 million TESTING persons in this country are providing informal care to Submitted by Linda Pealo TCHD older persons in their community. These caregivers are spouses, adult children and other relatives and Did you know that the Tompkins County Health friends. Paid home care is the exception, not the rule, Department offers free and anonymous HIV for the great majority of older persons with counseling and testing. disabilities. Clinics are offered in several locations. For an Caregiving is not typically an easy role. Caregivers appointment Call 1- 800 - 562 -9423 Monday — Friday dedicate, on average, 20 hours per week to provide 8:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m. care for older persons. Given the changing face of the American family, with increased geographic For more information call Alison Rice, RN @ 274 - separation, and more women in the work force, it is 6683 more difficult than ever for caregivers to meet the daily challenges of their responsibilities. Foster Parent Information The Administration on Aging of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has established an Meetings important new program, which will begin to help Submitted by Ellie Arnold, D55 over - burdened caregivers. All states will work in partnership with area agencies on aging to provide services for family caregivers. The Tompkins Where: Beverly E. Livesay Conference County Office for the Aging will enhance its Room, Human Services Building currently existing Friendly Visitor Program by asking volunteers to choose from a variety of tasks that When: July 12, 2001 could help a caregiver. These tasks might involve helping with transportation, or running errands or August 9, 2001 perhaps assisting with some light housekeeping. The volunteer will choose an area of assistance which is Tim: Noon to 1 p.m. comfortable and workable for them; he or she may simply choose to visit. Family and Children's Service of Ithaca will provide additional hours of respite for caregivers, and volunteers in the Friendly Visiting Program will be trained to do respite for less medically involved seniors. This program complements the work of the Caregivers Resource ,aC Center of the Office for the Aging. Many caregivers are already familiar with the support groups for caregivers as well as individual counseling available through the center. I saw a friend of mine, and she was driving a We need more volunteers! We need volunteers who nifty new car - one of those silvery bronze can give an hour or two of their time to provide a sedans with the plush interior. She said it's needed break for a caregiver, or to run an errand, or a perk of her job, hers to use with all to help take out the recycling, or to help vacuum the living room floor! The possibilities are numerous and gasoline and servicing paid for by her the potential for making a real difference in company. Hey, I squeaked, where do you someone's life is enormous! There are many work anyhow? caregivers in our community who would welcome any help at all. Please consider this valuable volunteer Annie N. Mouse 6 Congratulations to all of the new 25 -Year Club Members!! Margaret M. Arcangeli, Probation Maryanne M. Banks, Department of Social Services Stuart A. Grinnell, Mental Health Joseph B. Longo, Airport James R. Niemi, Sheriffs Department John E. Payne, Sheriffs Department Bernice A. Yarosh, Department of Social Services , . - N s $; 0 09 fi b A f: S 1 rt 3 t ga ;• b . . r t , .er - ■ i g ' :, 4 !t , • ."�k Stuart Grinnell, Bernice Yarosh, Jim Neimi, Maryanne Banks, Joseph Longo as to t i OF Ili Its : -,�.r s �_ i s . .,.. _„, .. ..,....,_ ....,... , ..... , , .i ._ , _.,...... , 7 .,.. ''' John Payne Margaret Arcang We would like to thank all of those who attended and participated in the 25 -Year Club Dinner and hope to see you again at next year's event. Special thanks to all of the guest speakers and department heads who spoke on behalf of the new members. Roxanne Iacove Personnel lli and DJackie epartment Yoder CLASSIFIEDS Thank You: For Sale: I To the staff within the Children with Special Care For sale: Four Volvo Nokia brand studded snow tires on Needs for all their hard work and dedication. four rims. Like new. Tire size is 185 /SR14. Were on 1985 Volvo wagon. $150. 532 -9224. Another Thank You to the staff at the Department For sale: Sears lawnmower - $75, pressure- treated lumber of Information Technology Services for creating swing -slide set $125, MacLaren single & double strollers the 3 -5 software program. This program required a $50 & $85. Much more before June 30. 257-7552 lot of time and effort, but we are seeing the For sale: 2 refrigerator /freezers: 1) G.E. 14.6 cu. Ft. $150 benefits. (64 "h, 28 "w, 26 &718 "d); 2) White Westinghouse 18.6 cu. Ft. Frost free $250 (64x3/16h, 31w, 29 &5/16d). Ellen Brazauskas Negotiable. Call Paul at 564 -1088. CLASSIFIEDS Services: Classified ads up to 25 words in length are free to County employees, retirees and their immediate families. Ads may Tioga Technical - Don't kill your computer! Let me be for any purpose, however personal ads will not be accepted. No County addresses or telephone numbers help with troubleshooting, training, upgrades - whatever may be listed in your ad, however we do need your full it takes to get you and your computer working together name and County telephone number submitted with the again. Call James Keegan at 273 -7957 evenings or ad in case there are questions. Submit your ad to County weekends. Corridors c/o Michelle Pottorff, Board of Representatives, Tynyk Originals is proud to announce that selected Courthouse, Ithaca, NY 14850 via U5 or interdepartmental items are now available at Contented Country Gifts mail or e-mail to: mpottorffCtompkins- co.org located at 297 Jersey Hill Road, Danby; one of the most unique shops in the area! Custom gifts and home decor NOTE: items are still available by calling 564 -9244 evenings or If you would like to modify your classified or want to weekends. If I can't make it, you don't need it!! run it again, you must re submit it! Tense? Stressed? Achy? Therapeutic Massage can put relaxation and comfort back into your life. For an DEADLINE: 1 TUESDAY OF THE MONTH appointment or information call Richard Reed at 753- Articles to be considered for the July 26 issue must 6383. be received by noon on Tuesday, July 3. Submit articles via e-mail as an attachment or on disk in any Kinetic Performance — specializing in Motorsports file format that is readable by Word for Windows i engines, carburetion and general racing fabrication. Call '95 Send disk and hard copy to County Corridors c/o Dayton Umholtz at 277 -6442 evenings or weekends. Michelle Pottorff, Board of Representatives, Courthouse, Ithaca, NY 14850. Please include a contact number in case questions arise. - JJ i COUNTY CORRIDORS 400. — Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by s \ Is '/1," the Editorial Board based on their interest to Tompkins County / \ employees and retirees. They do not necessarily express the opinions of the Editorial Board. Material is solicited from current a A employees, retirees and others. The Editorial Board reserves the ■ right to edit submissions, except in the instance of copyright WO ■ II o materials. PO 111 EDITORIAL BOARD Michelle Pottorff (Editor) Board of Representatives Iretta Ellis (Chair) Information Technology Services Bill Chapp Department of Social Services Sharon Cooper Sheriff's Office Liz Croop Department of Mental Health I I J I I �. 1 i I i Katy Prince Health Department aueali �� [�rl[� fotirth o f idy'l Vickie Wagner (Artist) Department of Assessment Donna Deputron (Distribution Coordinator) Bldgs. iii Grnds