HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-12 CC U 1%-rY A Newsletter for
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COLLIIDOLS tit Turn nkins Culmty
December, 2002
Volume 15 Number 12
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Ring in '.' 1 11
Don't forget the address:
http:Ilwww.tompki ns- co.orgicou ntycorridors
REPORT Happy Holidays
nmm J from the
THE COUNTY Corridors
ADMINISTRATOR Editorial Board!!
By Stephen Whicher
ay We would like to remind all
employees and retirees that
This has been quite the year. As an organization, we this is the last paper copy
have gone through an incredibly difficult transition to of County Corridors that
a new world where resources are scarce and times will be distributed other
are challenging. than those requested by
retirees. We hope you will
We have made this transition rather smoothly and visit us online. Please
managed to preserve the integrity of most programs. continue to send in
However, we can not lose sight of the real cost to all
of us not only in seeing many of our fellow workers articles!
move on to retirement or other positions, but also to
everyone who had to endure the anxiety of this year's POPCORN SNOWMEN
particularly arduous budget process. Thank you all for
Yield: 6 servings
your courage, understanding and dedication. To those
of you who are moving on, either to retirement or to 4 tb Unsalted butter
new positions, your many years of service have 4 c Mini marshmallows
enabled Tompkins County to earn a well - deserved 9 c Popped popcorn
reputation for being leaders in nearly every field of 1/2 c Milk
service; thank you, I wish you the best in life. Gumdrops, cinnamon candies;
-fruit leather, jelly beans,
In the coming year, the general consensus is that we - licorice, pretzels, for
need to spend more of our time concentrating on garnish.
program support and development rather that on In a large saucepan, melt the butter
budget review. Recently, on Administration's budget over low heat. Add the marshmallows and
process review survey, a department head summed it cook, stirring often, until melted and
up quite well: Most of us take GREAT pride in syrupy, about 5 minutes. Place the
Tompkins County as a place where doing the right popped popcorn in a large lightly
thing and pride in public service is valued above most greased shallow pan. Pour the syrup over
else. We often talk about "how much better" it is here the popcorn, tossing to coat evenly.
as compared with other counties where Neanderthal While still warm, form 6 balls about
thinking and partisan conflict pollutes public 5" in diameter from the coated popcorn
processes. It will be important this year to ensure that for the bottom sections, giving the
our pride in our service does not ebb and our support balls flat bases so the snowmen will
for the Board is focused on our program goals and stand. Form 6 balls about 3 -1/2" in
achievements. The budget process and concerns will diameter for the middle sections. Then
still be there, but they do not need to be our entire form 6 balls about 2" in diameter for
focus. I am confident that through all your efforts, the top sections. Stir in the
Tompkins County will continue to innovate and lead confectioners' sugar and milk together
the way for county governments. until smooth. Use the icing to stack
three popcorn balls of decreasing sizes
into a snowman, then attach candies to
May you and your families experience all the decorate. (Gumdrops for hats, fruit
joy of the holiday season. leather for scarves, etc.)
2
Bridging the gaps..... STOP -DWI News
by Geri Lockwood and John Lampman, Highway Division By John Beach, STOP -DWI Coordinator
Have you taken a drive on North Triphammer Road lately? If On December 17 the New York State Senate is slated to
you have, you've probably noticed how nice and smooth it is. pass legislation that would crack down on drunk drivers
The reconstruction project, from Cherry Road to Rt. 34B, was by reducing the state's legal limit to be charged with DWI
completed near the end of October. to .08 BAC, and separate measures that would put in
place stronger criminal penalties against repeat drunk
The bridge at the Asbury Road intersection was replaced as part drivers and drivers with very high blood alcohol levels.
of the project. You might also notice that the flashing caution The Bill scheduled to be passed by the Senate is the
light at this intersection has been removed. With the same Bill passed earlier this year by the State Assembly.
reconstruction, sight distance was extended, making this light Governor Pataki has stated that he would sign the Bill into
unnecessary (saving taxpayer dollars from the utility and law and that it would most likely take effect mid -year
maintenance expenses for the light). 2003.
Drainage ditches were moved away from the road and roadside What would a lower BAC level mean to all of us?
slopes were flattened. These changes were designed to both • According to the National Highway Traffic Safety
improve drainage, thereby extending pavement life, and to make Administration, an average 170 -pound man must
the road safer for errant vehicles. Storm sewers were installed in have four drinks in one hour on an empty stomach
areas where terrain was adverse or the impact on properties to reach a .08 percent blood alcohol concentration
would be severe. (BAC) level. A 137 -pound woman would reach .08
BAC after about three drinks in an hour on an empty
The road was closed to thru traffic for the duration of the project. stomach - a level that exceeds what is commonly
Hopefully you will feel it was worth the wait and inconvenience accepted as social drinking.
of the detours when you drive across the nice, smooth new
pavement. • Regardless of how much alcohol it takes to get to
this level, at .08 BAC any driver is a dangerous
The project was contracted to Economy Paving, from Cortland, threat on the road. The .08 BAC level is the point at
and was overseen by John Lampman, Associate Civil Engineer which the fatal crash risk significantly increases and
from the Highway Department. virtually everyone is seriously impaired, affecting all
of the basic critical driving skills including: braking,
(before cloture) steering, lane changing, judgment and response
- -. time.
• Remember, there is really no such thing as
- -'° - -- "average ". The impacts of alcohol on each of us
°� ,s
vary, and will not only depend on the amount we
have had to drink in a certain time period, but will
also be determined by other factors such as: our
body size and type; the amount of rest we may or
— may not have had; how well we have eaten
recently; our physical condition (do we have a cold,
;P . M , etc); whether we are taking any medications; have
= +_: we been under a lot of stress.
It is estimated that if every state passed a .08 BAC law,
about 500 lives would be saved each year. Currently
a thirty -four states and the District of Columbia have a .08
. t . _ BAC law; if passed and signed, New York would become
•. the thirty -fifth state with the lowered BAC.
P " . •
i P.
During this wonderful Holiday Season, when planning gatherings
may with colleagues, family or friends, please also plan for a safe return
r + , . 4. home, both for yourself and others. First and foremost, if you are
• going to be drinking — DON'T DRIVE! have someone be chosen
y I as the designated driver; use public transportation; stay
j 1 overnight.....do anything other than get behind the wheel of a car
Y'''om A after you've been drinking. You will be safer and so will everyone
(after picture) else.
3
CLASSIFIEDS 1 Best Wishes: I
Best Wishes and congratulations to Shary
For Sale: 1 Zifchock and Carol Boles on their retirement
For sale: Lifestyler 1000 Exercise Bike. Call Judy at 347- from the Board of Elections. Best wishes to
6791. Leave message. Tai Musson on her recent marriage and
relocation to Albany.
For sale: Electric stove, good condition $45. TIRES; 2
all /weather, 215/70R15, like new $40, 205175R15 $25, 4 M/S
225/75R15 mounted rims (from S10 Blazer) $40 ea.
2/$75,4/$145. Contact Ken Thompson at 607 -898 -9992. CLASSIFIEDS
For sale: Electric and manual wheelchairs, and other various Classified ads up to 25 words in length are free to County
handicap /disability equipment. For more information call employees, retirees and their immediate families. Ads may be
607- 659 -4180. for any purpose, however personal ads will not be accepted. No
County addresses or telephone numbers may be listed in
For sale: 95 Camaro Z28 T -Tops, Maroon, mint condition
your ad, however, we do need your full name and County
350 6 speed, only 38,000 miles. $8,950. Call anytime and telephone number submitted with the ad in case there are
leave a message - 607- 273 -6241. questions. Submit your ad to County Corridors c/o Michelle
Pottorff, Board of Representatives, Courthouse, Ithaca, NY
14850 via US or interdepartmental mail or e-mail to:
I Services: mpottorff@tompkins -co. org
Tioga Technical - Don't kill your computer! Let me help with l NOTE:
I f
troubleshooting, training, upgrades - whatever it takes to get you would like to modify your classified or want to run
it again, you must re- submit it!
you and your computer working together again. Call James
Keegan at 273 -7957 evenings or weekends.
DEADLINE: 1 TUESDAY OF THE MONTH
Articles to be considered for the January 23r issue, must be
Tense? Stressed? Achy? Th Massage can put received by noon on Tuesday, January 7 Submit articles via
relaxation and comfort back into your life. For an e-mail as an attachment or on disk in any file format that is
appointment or information call Richard Reed at 753 -6383. readable by Word for Windows '95. Send disk and hard copy to
County Corridors c/o Michelle Pottorff, Board of
Representatives, Courthouse, Ithaca, NY 14850. Please include
Kinetic Performance — Custom racing carburetors parts, and a contact number in case questions arise.
racing fabrication. Call Dayton or Margo Umholtz at 277-
6462 evenings /weekends or email COUNTY CORRIDORS
KineticPerformance@thedirtforum .com. Visit our website at Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by
222.KineticPerformance.net the Editorial Board based on their interest to Tompkins County
employees and retirees. They do not necessarily express the
French Tutor — Call Sarah at 257 -3047. Please leave a opinions of the Editorial Board. Material is solicited from
message.
current employees, retirees and others. The Editorial Board
reserves the right to edit submissions, except in the instance
of copyright materials.
Goosa Arts - See our beautiful and affordable traditional EDITORIAL BOARD
Russian arts: nesting dolls, eggs, jewelry boxes, amber, etc. Michelle Pottorff (Editor) Board of Representatives
Alisa Mengel, 277 -2917, hours by appointment, 120 Linn St. Iretta Ellis (Chair) Information Technology Services
Liz Croop Department of Mental Health
I Welcome: Katy Prince Health Department
Vickie Wagner (Artist) Department of Assessment
Geri Lockwood Highway
To Steve DeWitt, Democratic Elections Tammy VanOrman Assessment
Commissioner, who will begin employment on January Donna Deputron (Distribution Coordinator) Facilities
2, 2003.
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