HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-05 t 0 1.]1]V/ F Newsletter for
Employees and Retirees
of Tompkins County
t °Z) t C 1* May 2002
Volume 15 Number 5
25 Year Club Inducts
New Members
The Board of Representatives hosted the Twelfth Annual 25 -Year Club
Dinner on May 16th at the Clarion University Hotel.
The following County employees were honored:
John M. Andersson, Health Department Richard R. Jackson, Highway
Michael E. Carlisle, Airport Terry A. Royce, Social Services
Anthony B. DeLuca, Mental Health Mark Scorelle, Mental Health
Mark R. Dresser, Sheriff's Department Thomas A. Weber, Jr., Social Services
Anita M. Fitzpatrick, Personnel Ernestine Wright, Social Services
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Mark Scorelle Richard Jackson
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Terry Royce, Thomas Weber, Anthony DeLuca, John Andersson, E 0.'," '''',14
az
Mark Dresser, Anita Fitzpatrick ._
Michael Carlisle
proclaiming "Thanks Jack" strung fifty feet in the
REPORT 74,4 air between two ladder fire trucks. Inside, the
7 Clarion's main ballroom was decorated with banners
FROM
from the various fire companies in Tompkins
County. and one large banner proclaiming "Its Miller
THE COUNTY Time." Even the podium was made to look like the
front of a fire truck - lights and all. And in one corner
ADMINISTRATOR :_ of the room was a massive screen for displaying
'# some of the highlights of Jack's career. Impressive
By Stephen Whicher to say the least!
Jack's son, Chuck, initiated the several hours of
H onoring One Who Has proclamations, recognitions, tales and accolades, by
relating what it was like for the family to live with a
Served Well man who has dedicated his life to the public. By the
end of his son's tribute, there was not a dry eye in
the house. As we quickly learned, Jack not only
On Saturday May 11`h nearly 300 people gathered served his fellow man well, he and his wife Marietta
at the Clarion to recognize Jack Miller's over 30 of 50 years managed to raise their remarkable
years of devoted service to the people of Tompkins children with love and care.
County. The room was packed to capacity with
more than 40 people on the waiting list. In Jack's own style he brought the house down with
his closing quip: "This has been a wonderful event.
Jack recently retired from his position as Tompkins I can't tell you how much it has meant to me, but I
County Fire Coordinator. Jack's title alone does can tell it was put on by firemen and not the County
not represent what he actually accomplished for the because it was done in less than 6 months and did
County. As one of the speakers noted, "Jack is the not require a $300,000 consultant's study."
kind of guy that just asks what needs to be done,
does it, and moves on to the next task with out any I would close by saying "Good luck, we will miss
desire for recognition." If one were to pick out one you Jack," but I somehow think you will still find a
accomplishment that typifies Jack's career it would way to assist us for it is in your blood. From all of
probably be his work in establishing the County's us
911 system. Our 911 system is arguably the most
effective and least costly in the State. This result is
the only one acceptable by Jack's high standards.
While Jack's disdain of the finer points of
administrative procedure could aggravate seasoned ,, ,
, 41r A
bureaucrats, no one ever questioned his motives and , I, �` '.
rarely could one question the results. s _
Back to the celebration: True to tradition, the
emergency service agencies showed us how a ,
retirement party for someone who has dedicated his
life to the welfare of the public should be done. It
all started at Jack's house with an honorary escort, ° `� —
courtesy of the Sheriff with sirens, lights, cars front ,.i - 1
and rear - the whole nine yards. When Jack arrived
at the Clarion he passed under a huge banner
2 i
I
1
The Shortest Retirement in Mickey Carlisle - 25 Years of
County History ?? Airport Service
By Robert Nicholas, Airport Manager By Bob Nicholas, Airport Manager
Airport Operations Technician, John MacLean, i
retired on April 13 after 28 years of service. John
joined the Airport staff in 1974 under Airport s.
Manager, Glen Turner, filling the vacancy for
"Maintenance Man." He subsequently became
the Maintenance Supervisor in 1981.
a a.
During his long career at the Airport John helped '
to overs some major infrastructure changes �
includin g the construction of the new terminal Pa z
the Crash /Fire /Rescue building, a new fuel farm,
four sets of aircraft hangars, one large corporate , , iii
hangar, and the building of an 800 foot runway s f
extension.
John agreed to help out while his replacement Mickey Carlisle
was being trained and returned to work on April
14 for an indefinite period. When I first came to Tompkins County to interview
for the position of Airport Manager it was on a
bone - chilling day in December, 1988. As I came
through the "quaint" Old Terminal building, I was
approached by a gentleman in a plaid shirt and
jeans. He introduced himself as Mickey Carlisle
� and told me he was a maintenance worker at the
Airport. Seemed like a really nice guy.
t
<, f As I made my way to the hotel (my interview was
the following morning), I was thinking: "If I get this
job, the first thing will be to do something about
that awful terminal building. The second thing will
= be to put the Airport maintenance staff in a
0 uniform."
As it turned out, Mickey has been the most reliable
employee I've ever had. His personal file is very
i 9 thin - for managers, that's always a good sign. It
contains his original application form, a 15 year
" certificate, and three letters of commendation
iiiiii , �' ranging from the first in 1981 to the most recent in
i t July, 2000.
He is rarely sick, will always come in to help during
■
winter storms, and during my tenure at least, has
never given cause for any kind of complaint.
° He has been passing on helpful suggestions to
' improve the Airport for the past 13 years - in a
manner reminiscent of TQM, but well before that
became a management buzzword. I would be
delighted if the entirety of my staff was made up of
Mickey Carlisle's. Thanks for your contribution to
John MacLean and Jack Miller the Airport, Mickey, and congratulations on
achieving this milestone.
3
I,
�` , . The farmstead cheeses, produced by Lively Run Goat
J Dairy, are gaining recognition through New York State,
by Geri Lockwood, Highway and in other select locations in the United States. There
is a large demand for their fresh cheeses, which include
Some of you may have had an opportunity to read an Feta, blue cheese, chevre, and other types and flavors.
interesting article in Rochester's Democrat and The cheeses are sold to restaurants and retailers
Chronicle, on Sunday, April 28th, titled "Cheers for throughout the Finger Lakes. Additionally, the brothers
Cheese ". In case you weren't fortunate enough to read and their families are working on a new tasting room
it, here's an expanded overview of what the article was and gift shop, which should be completed later this
about: summer. They are hoping this will attract tourists to
the area.
There is more to Pete Messmer, Highway Manager, than
what meets the eye... Pete and his former wife, Elsie,
invested in the Lively Run Goat Farm (if you've ever FOSTER CARE ADOPTION
visited their farm, you would agree that it is properly
MEETINGS
named) in Interlaken with his twin brother and sister -
in -law, Steve and Susanne Messmer. However, tragedy WHEN: JUNE 13
struck three years ago when Elsie suddenly and
unexpectedly passed away from a rare heart condition. JULY 11
Pete later remarried the former Galina Titar, who came
to America from Russia five years ago. Pete and Galina WHERE: BEVERLYLIVESAY CONFERENCE
work together with Steve and Susanne, helping them ROOM
with the farm project.
TIME: NOON TO 1 P.M.
One of the main purposes of the farm business is to
establish an outreach program, which is led and operated CONTACT JUDY VOORHEIS AT 274 -5266 OR
full -time by Steve and Susanne. "The objective of the TIM STEPHENSEN AT 274 -5615 FOR
program is to promote and support sustainable FURTHER INFORMATION.
agricultural projects in the Third World, where goats
and sheep comprise the majority of livestock operations ",
says Pete. A vision they all share is to someday see Tips that have nothing to do
pictures of some of their baby goats in the arms of
disadvantaged children around the world, where they with work••••
will help promote a better future for those families. Submitted by Katie Prince, Health Department
Pete, Galina, and their four children (Eva - 13, Steven - This tip is for families with several children, mainly with
11, Joshua - 9, and Jesse - 7), assist Steve, Susanne, and all girls or all boys
their two sons (Pete -14 and David - 13), with the farm
projects in various capacities. Pete, along with working To "mark" clothing so you know whose is whose, use a
full -time for Tompkins County Highway, oversees the system of dots on the tags of the clothing. Say you have
farm operations, including the supply of hay, corn, and 4 sons... The oldest son gets one dot on the tag of his
protein feed for the herd; maintenance of the barns; shirts, the second oldest gets 2 dots on his tags, the third
and scheduling of farm chores such as milking, feeding, son gets 3 dots, and the fourth son gets 4 dots. Then
and cleaning. Family members, intern students, when clothing gets handed down, say the oldest has
volunteers, and part-time employees perform the farm grown out of his shirt, all you need to do to indicate
chores. Galina works half time as a cheese maker and that this shirt has been passed down to son number two
assists with animal husbandry of the goatherd. Their is add another dot to the tag. Same thing can be done
children help with the daily feeding chores, and for girls. Or families with boys and girls, use lines for
occasionally assist in the cheese room. Steve oversees boys and dots for girls or vise -a- verse. (Thanks to friends
the farm's marketing and business management, and of Katy Prince, Dan and Cathy Wakeman from the
Susanne is in charge of the cheese production. Dryden United Methodist Church for this idea. They
have 4 boys.)
4 +�
1
In Appreciation of John R. "Jack" Miller
J J
By Lee Shurtleff
h 4
,
404"" Cp-
y LL .r
d Ice
S/ t •
Jack and his son, Chuck Jack surrounded by his EMS colleagues
John (lack) Miller began his thirty -year career with Tompkins County in January 1972, having been appointed Fire Coordinator
by the County Board of Representatives. His assignments were expanded later in that decade to include coordination of Disaster and
Emergency Medical Services.
A lifelong resident of McLean, Jack had worked many years as a toolmaker in and around the area. At the time of his
appointment, Jack was serving both as McLean's Fire Chief and as the sole State Fire Instructor for Tompkins County's sixteen fire
departments.
Jack's initial duties included the establishment of 273 -8000 as a single county emergency reporting number, consolidating the
many "fire numbers" that were used in different parts of the County. With the "8000 line" came a professional dispatch staff and the
beginnings of a progressive public safety communications system that has been the envy of many a county, both larger and smaller.
Through Jack's leadership, Tompkins County's EMS providers began providing advanced life support service, and a
comprehensive EMS Training Program was developed through a partnership Jack promoted with Tompkins Cortland Community
College. Jack was a founding member of the Central New York Emergency Medical Services Council some twenty -five years ago,
and in that capacity, developed a regional communications system that assured responders direct radio contact with the hospital
physicians.
There's little doubt that Jack's greatest challenge was the establishment of an enhanced 9 -1 -1 system for the people of
Tompkins County. When initial start-up costs were estimated in the millions of dollars, Jack went "back to the drawing board" and
developed a proposal to handle data functions in- house, and not through an expensive and distant leased service, as is done in other
counties. This move resulted in significant cost savings, minimal re- addressing, and extreme accuracy. Mobile data functions,
including geographical tracking of units, was a feature no other upstate county could provide in such a widespread and reliable
manner.
Perseverance, creativity, and an unwavering "get it done" attitude have characterized Jack's time with the County. When the
funding for equipment or other items was not available locally, Jack could often find it elsewhere. 911 computer systems, breathing
air compressors, radios for emergency vehicles, defibrillators for ambulances- and so much more- was secured by Jack through grants,
special legislation, and "gifts" from many sources. And as for management style, Jack was a "coach" to his team long before it was
fashionable.
For Jack, public service wasn't just his job, it was his calling. And as county residents and workers, we've all benefited from
these efforts. Jack- Thank you! 5
Tompkins County Training & Development
This page will provide updates and information about professional development opportunities, computer classes,
workshops, and conferences. For questions, suggestions, requests, or to register for classes, please contact:
Naomi Arndt, narndt @tompkins - co.orq, 274 -5591 or Diane Bradac, dbradacnatompkins- co.orq, 274 -5590
KEEPING TRACK OF TIME
For those who missed Dr. Ednita Wright's Stress and Change Management course, here are a few
tips on managing our busy lives:
4. Make a list of the ten most important priorities in your
life. If most of your time is not being spent with these
priorities, rearrange your schedule.
Give yourself enough time to accomplish tasks. In
agenda format, indicate on your to do list how much time
each job takes.
r � , 4. Keep your focus during decision making by asking
T yourself questions like "What is the impact of my
` F a� decision ?" or "How will this decision affect me now In
5 five years ?"
M n' .5.. _ _ y 4 n
.4, Change generates a range of emotional reactions.
Understand them and develop your own positive coping
strategy.
4. Maintain a nutritious diet.
There's still time to register for classes in the "Excelling as a Supervisor /Leader" series. Remember that any Tompkins
County employee can sign up. The course scheduled for June is:
"The Write Stuff" - featuring Joe Cambridge,
TC3 faculty member
Thursday, June 13, 2002, 1 -4 pm
This session will cover the mechanics of writing in the workplace —
principles to prevent misunderstandings, five common communication
traps, pruning the deadwood, and achieving clarity, coherence and class in
written materials. Participants are invited to submit sample letters,
memos, newsletters, committee announcements, or public service
announcements that they would like included in the training. (Any
identifying information will be removed prior to the training.)
Grammar: Mechanics to Prevent
Misunderstanding:
End Marks
Colons and Semi - Colons Pronoun Reference and Agreement
Commas (Sets and Singles) Subject /Verb Agreement (Five Common
Apostrophes Traps)
Pruning the Deadwood
Achieving Clarity, Coherence and Class
6
A i rp ort NeS T r iv i
rt
a
By Roxan Noble, Airport
By Robert Nicholas, Airport Manager
At their spring Safety and Security Training Conference
held in Buffalo, April 21 -23, the New York Aviation
Management Association (NYAMA) presented the CT:7=114i 41
prestigious "Bill Shea" Award to Robert A. Nicholas, P
manager of the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport.
noo
The award, named for former Associate Administrator of
the FAA and founder of NYAMA, is awarded annually Airport runways are designated according to the
"to the person deemed by the NYAMA Board of Directors direction they are facing - known as the heading.
to have done most to benefit aviation in New York State At the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport we have
during the preceding 12 months."
one piece of asphalt measuring 150 feet by 6601
In making the presentation, Terry Slaybaugh, president of feet but two runways - Runway 14 and Runway
NYAMA and director of the Greater Rochester 32. Runway 14 has a compass heading of 140
International Airport, cited the work Bob has done over a degrees (you simply knock off the zero).
number of years in helping toi cement NYAMA's Runway 32 is the same piece of asphalt but
relationship with the state's Aviation Department, in looking in the opposite direction - add 180
broadening its representation of all aviation interests, and degrees and you get 320 degrees.
in gaining recognition with elected officials in Albany.
Aircraft take off and land into the prevailing wind
Formed in 1976, NYAMA is a non - profit association of to maintain better lift from the wings. In Ithaca
aviation management officials with members from aircraft use Runway 32 about seventy- five
government agencies, planning boards, aviation consultants,
equipment manufacturers, airports and aviation businesses. percent of the time.
Representing thousands of people throughout the state,
NYAMA is the only association in New York dedicated to When you get to bigger airports like New York's
promoting the interests of aviation and representing the JFK International, you can get parallel strips of
needs of the entire aviation industry. asphalt which allow dual operations in the same
direction. In that case you have a left and right
designation as well. Kennedy has a Runway 13L
and a 13R. If you have figured out this system
from the foregoing, you will know that the
reciprocal runway for 13L is 31R and for 13R it
..M' is 31L. Draw two parallel lines on a piece of
,. paper and it will all make sense.
Now, if you have absorbed lessons one and two,
�, you are ready to think about lesson three. The
.4i,!, 7, answer will be published in the next County
W .' , , Corridors. Los Angeles has FOUR parallel
1 runways. How are they numbered? The first
person to come up with the answer will get a
free trip down Ithaca's Runway 14/32 in a fire
truck.
ii
7
VENDING COMMITTEE Washington, DC
When: Saturday October 12 - Monday, October
Recreation 14th
Subcommittee Antici Cost: $250 /pp Single, $150 /pp Double;
$115 /pp Triple; or $100/pp Quad
Cost includes transportation, 2 nights stay, and
1 ;� y Here it is! What escorted tour of Washington, DC on Sunday
you've all been Details to follow!
ems re
Note: We need a minimum of 30 people to make
waiting for...the
9 this trip feasible!
list of trip and Reservations and a $25 /pp non - refundable deposit
events for 2002! required by August 30
Binghamton Mets vs. Harrisburg Senators Shop! Shop! Shop!
When: Friday, May 31St When: Saturday, November r
Cost: $10.00/pp (adult)
Cost: $20.00 /pp
$7.50 /pp (children ages 14 and under) Stops include the American Candle Shop, Crossing
Includes ticket to the game and a "picnic" Outlet Mall, and the Burlington Coat Factory in
Doesn't include transportation to the game! Scranton
Reservations and payment needed by May 22nd Limited # of seats, make reservations early!
Minimum of 25 people needed to offer this!
Buffalo Bills vs. Super Bowl Champions, New
NY Yankees vs.Toronto Blue Jays - Old Timer's England Patriots
Day When: Sunday, November 3rd
When: Saturday, July 6th Cost $60.00 /pp
Cost: $65.00/ If we do not have at least 30 reservations by
Limited # of seats, make reservations ASAP! May 17 this trip will be cancelled!
Reservations & money need to be recd by 5/31! We need a $15 non-refundable deposit to hold your
seat.
Darien Lake
When: Saturday, July 20th New York City Day Trip 7th
Cost: $15.00/pp (2 and under free) When: Saturday, December 7
We hope to offer an early and a late bus! Cost: $25.00 /pp
Seats go fast for this trip, don't wait until the last
Niagara Falls, Canada & Marineland minute to sign up!
When: Saturday, August 24
Cost: $20 /pp ($10 - age 4 and under) - Marineland! Genesee Country Village & Museum, Mumford,
Cost: $10.00/pp - Bus only for those wishing to go New York
to the falls or casino! "Yuletide in the Country"
When: Saturday, December 14 (Details to follow)
Windmill /Luncheon /Wineries Be sure to call early this year if you are interested!
Windmill Farm & Craft Market, Buffet Luncheon at
Ginny Lee Cafe, wine tasting at 3 wineries! For reservations or more information, contact:
When: Saturday, September 7th
Cost: $30.00 /pp (over 21); $15.00/pp (ages 4 -20); Pete Coats - 274 -6688 (pcoats @tompkins- co.org) or
(3 and under - free) Patty Stamm - 274 -6674 (pstamm@tompkins- co.org)
8
Message to Employees_, Come Celebrate
From Jared Jones, Health Department ;, Dairy Day in
To all County employees: Dryden June 8
In one way or another, by doing a training, giving an
immunization, answering a health question or checking 9.30 - Parade to Montgomery Park. Celebrate all
a work station, I've interacted with almost every day with live entertainment, live animals, arts, crafts,
County employee since the Employee Health program
contests for everyone, and food.
was begun in 1997. As most of you probably know, the Milk - 5 cents! Ice Cream - 25 cents!
Employee Health Nurse position was eliminated at the
end of 2001. I've spent part of the last 3 months The question is..
wrapping up the loose ends to insure a smooth
transition. Now that work is done. I have been able to
say goodbye to many employees in person but, since I
IP
haven't seen everyone, I just wanted to tell those Who will be kissing the
employees I missed: first and foremost, I have really
enjoyed working with youl I will really miss the
working relationships I have built with many of you Don't Forget Father's bay
and wish you all the best in the years to come. I'm
still working for the County in another function, June 16th
though; I'm working as a service coordinator in the
Children with Special Care Needs unit of the Health € -\
Department and enjoying it. I apologize for the f v.
impersonal form of this letter and I would have i, ' yii
preferred to say farewell to each of you in person. j r
Take care of yourselves, Jared
i
FL
A bit on reflecting....
I remember sitting on my grandmother Ellie Mae Observe Flag Day June 14 , 2002
Mouse's knee as she told me her goal in life was to
pee in all of the bathrooms in the houses on Cat
Trap Lane. My reaction was always of puzzlement.
I could never understand why she would want to There/ h a lv e i beevy v r t a M y y ae doww
do such a silly thing. Well, it is now many years
later and although I still don't know why she would `" °'' '1,-' both as-
want to do such a thing, I have found out that in well ail( u.vi.Jcvtawni, who- have g,%vevv their
her old age my granny has decided to fulfill her cab for the sake- of a' bette,r worms 0 n'
goal in life no matter what anyone else thinks. Me noria1' Dcvy we' honored' the- memory
of those' who hcwe' died/ while/ %w the/
Last night, about 2:00 AM, I got a phone call from m a,;t , so r of the- uvu tech Sate* of
Mrs. Brownmouse on Cat Trap Lane. All she said to A w -ica. It also- fat that we
me was, "Will you PLEASE come get your rev/tombs,- al/ those/ who hamve. diet/ for
grandmother out of my bathroom?"
the- awe. of freedom
Respectfully submitted,
Teensy W. Mouse
9
CLASSIFIEDS "QUOTES TO PONDER"
For Sale: "There are two lasting bequests we can give our
children:
For sale: 2001 Ford Focus, ZX3 5 speed with premium One is roots. The other is wings ".
group and air conditioning. 12,680 miles; $9,999 o.b.o. Nodding Carter, Jr.
Call Chris at 607- 347 -6459.
"No one can make you feel inferior without your
For sale: 6 -piece Patio set with extra cushion; excellent consent ".
condition - $150. Call Nancy at 898 -3930 or Reta at Eleanor Rosevelt
898 -9922.
"Shoot for the moon.
For sale: Electric Organ, tuned recently; excellent Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars ".
condition - $500. Call Nancy at 898 -3930 or Reta at Les Brown
898 -9922.
1 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
help with troubleshooting, training, upgrades - whatever accepted. No County addresses or telephone numbers
it takes to get you and your computer working together may be listed in your ad, however, we do need your full
again. Call James Keegan at 273 -7957 evenings or name and County telephone number submitted with the
weekends. ad in case there are questions. Submit your ad to County
Tynyk Originals - Custom gifts and home decor items Corridors c/o Michelle Pottorff, Board of Representatives,
are available by calling 564 -9244 evenings or weekends. Courthouse, Ithaca, NY 14850 via U5 or interdepartmental
If I can't make it, you don't need it!! mail or e-mail to: mpottorff @tompkins- co.org
Tense? Stressed? Achy? Therapeutic Massage can put NOTE:
relaxation and comfort back into your life. For an If you would like to modify your classified or want to
appointment or information call Richard Reed at 753 - run it again, you must re- submit it!
6383.
DEADLINE: 1 TUESDAY OF THE MONTH
Kinetic Performance — specializing in Motorsports Articles to be considered for the June 27 issue, must
engines, carburetion and general racing fabrication. Call be received by noon on Tuesday. June 4 Submit
Dayton Umholtz at 277 -6462 evenings or weekends. articles via e-mail as an attachment or on disk in any file
format that is readable by Word for Windows '95.
French Tutor — Call Sarah at 257 -3047. Please leave a Send disk and hard copy to County Corridors c/o
message. Michelle Pottorff, Board of Representatives,
Courthouse, Ithaca, NY 14850. Please include a contact
Goosa Arts - See our beautiful and affordable traditional number in case questions arise.
Russian arts: nesting dolls, eggs, jewelry boxes, amber, COUNTY CORRIDORS
etc. Alisa Mengel, 277 -2917, hours by appointment, 120 Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by
Linn St. the Editorial Board based on their interest to Tompkins County
employees and retirees. They do not necessarily express the
I Welcome: I 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
materials.
To Mark Sawyer, Senior Planner in the Planning EDITORIAL BOARD
Department. Mark moved from Laramie, Wyoming to Michelle Pottorff (Editor) Board of Representatives
join the staff of the Planning Department. Iretta Ellis (Chair) Information Technology Services
Liz Croop Department of Mental Health
To Bob Beard, Electrician, and Bob Miner, HVAC Katy Prince Health Department
Technician, to Facilities. Vickie Wagner (Artist) Department of Assessment
Geri Lockwood Highway
Tammy VanOrman Assessment
Donna Deputron (Distribution Coordinator) Facilities