HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-06 F
Newsletter
for
t . . --- CII:1LAcf Employees and Retirees
of Tompkins County
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June. 2001
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Volume 14 Number 6
Tompkins County Health Department had their Annual
Employee Appreciation Breakfast.
Submitted by: Katy Prince, Health Dept.
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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
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Stuart Grinnell, Bernice Yarosh, Jim Neimi, Maryanne Banks, Joseph Longo
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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