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Volume 16 No. 11
November, 2003
BestW Kathy
i ,,,.. Kathy Smithers - more than just a " Bean Counter"
Submitted by Jackie Kippola, County Administration
I I! Kathy Smithers, Deputy County Administrator, will be leaving Tompkins County government on
December 5, 2003.
1 1 ill Kathy began working for the County in 1973. She left to get married, and returned to the Budget &
Finance Office in 1976 - before the computer revolution. In December of 1981, she left again when
,: her son was born. Between 1981 and 1988 she worked as an Associate Accountant for a local
1 accounting firm, had her own bookkeeping business, and served as comptroller at a local health club.
Duty called, and Kathy was back again in 1988. (With this kind of record... she might be back again
fortunately, she has proven herself an unreliable terminee.)
1
� fi Kathy Trivia - - -- Kathy is one of a handful of people that has reported directly to each of the County's
four administrators. Kathy's father was on the Board of Supervisors from 1962 through 1969 - his
name appearing on several County buildings - and her great - great -great grandfather was on the very
first Board in 1817.
1 Kathy's depth of knowledge of County government evolved greatly during her tenure with former
administrator, Scott Heyman, who retired in 1998. Their synergy transformed many outdated
! w orkplace practices and provided a solid fra that w e kn ow as the Ad Policy
' Manual. After Scott left, Kathy led us as Interim County Administrator while a formal search took
place.
I ' Kathy has assisted the Legislators through multiple forms of budgeting, facilitated computerization of
our financial calculation methods, and mastered project analysis on countless fronts. Here's a lady that
can bring any project to a finish line and end up with winning solutions. We'll miss her wit, wisdom,
' and style, all delivered with admirable professional polish. Look up institutional knowledge and you'll
see Kathy's picture next to the definition.
' Kathy is looking forward to returning to self - employment -- as a more diversified and creative bean
counter! This time, she tells me, she can not only COUNT the beans, but she can make a wonderful
decorative accent piece with the leftover beans - suitable as a feng shui enhancement.
1 r We wish her well her future endeavors, and thank her for all of the insight she has given us over the
years. (Kathy's husband, Chuck Smithers, is a Senior Dispatcher in the Department of Emergency
i ll" __ Response).
REPORT 1.1
1-1
FROM
THE COUNTY
ADMINISTRATOR
By Stephen Whicher
•
The Legislature's recent 5 to 9 vote defeating the 2004 Tentative Budget has put the Legislature in unfamiliar
waters. However, the process going forward is clear. Between now and December 10th the Legislature will
attempt to develop amendments to the Tentative Budget that will garner a majority of support. If a package of
amendments fails to achieve the minimum eight votes, the alternate approach is to pass the Tentative Budget
and then individual amendments. If both approaches fail then the Tentative Budget and the resultant 19.65%
tax rate increase will become the final 2004 budget.
The challenges presented by our budget difficulties have led to debates regarding the merits of programs and
their associated costs. While these debates raise tensions and inflame passions, for the most part they are a
healthy part of our democratic process. Of course these debates make anyone whose job is on the line or
would suffer as the result of the elimination or reduction of a program increasingly uncomfortable.
David Chase's From where we sit in this month's County Corridors is a case in point. While I agree and
support his main thesis that employee wages and fringe benefits are a cost of doing business, I feel strongly
that it is unrealistic to expect that the unprecedented increases in the cost of our fringes must be borne solely
by the taxpayer. As we move ahead, resolving this debate will be a major challenge and will require
compromises from all sides.
Moving to another topic, this month I would like to recognize John Beach, Mary Pat Dolan and Kathryn
Smithers who are leaving County employ after dedicating over 73 years of their lives to improving the quality
of life in Tompkins County. John Beach first joined the Probation Department in 1969 where he served until
taking on the position of STOP -DWI Coordinator in 1989. John's personal commitment to the STOP -DWI
program saw the public through a transition from a casual tolerance of drinking and driving to our current
state of rigid intolerance backed by an integrated program of support for law enforcement efforts and public
education. Mary Pat Dolan first took over the reigns as Commissioner of Social Services in 1984. During her
tenure she led DSS's transition from a rather bureaucratic approach of providing mandated services to a
culture of examining all aspects of client needs and providing outstanding customer service. While these
transitions were taking place she simultaneously built a very strong network of services by working
cooperatively with county agencies. The end result is that the people of Tompkins County enjoy the services
of one of the most outstanding Department of Social Services in the State. Kathryn Smithers began her career
with the County in 1976. Kathy rose through the ranks of administration serving as interim County
Administrator in 1998. Kathy is best known for her capacity to oversee our budget process, her sense of
humor and as the keeper of our history. Thanks to all three of you for your wonderful service, I wish you the
very best as you move on through life.
2
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Kathy Camilli, Community Health Nurse, Health/Home
Care Division of the Public Health Department �4
Years of Service: 10
Brief Job Summary: As a homecare RN, I make visits to homes of people recently discharged
from hospitals or rehabilitation units. I provide skilled nursing care, such as wound assessment and
dressing changes, assess cardiovascular and respiratory status, nutrition, and safety to maintain them in ,
their home. I provide teaching related to their diagnosis and medical plan of care to the patient and
family. I also do weekly medication set -ups for patients tat need assistance with taking their (
r medications correctly. I also provide high -tech nursing to patients with IV therapy and other medical 'J
equipment. 4
Personal Interests /Hobbies /Family: I am married with two adult children. My daughter is a `J
graduate student and my son is an undergraduate student at the University of Colorado in Denver. My
husband, Bob, and I have owned and operated Gourmet's Delight at the Triphammer Mall for 29 years. i
Come visit us at the Triphammer Mall and enjoy a cup of gourmet coffee and a piece of cheese, or on
our web site at http: Ilrobertives .com /gourmetlindex.html. We travel whenever we can, usually out
west, but also have taken two cruises and look forward to another. I love to shop (some people say I'm 1
addicted to shopping) and enjoy short trips to Atlantic City and Las Vegas.
r Additional Information: I am also a certified CPR instructor and teach CPR for Healthcare i
Providers to the Health Department Employees. 1
Submitted by Katy Prince
r I l
*Please continue submitting profiles, we need more!
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Holiday 1- lelpers
Submitted by Theresa Lyczko, Health Department, for the Employee Wellness Committee
Its not what you may think. Were not signing up to help you with holiday errands and preparations. The
Employee Wellness Committee however did discuss how difficult it can be to maintain a routine of
healthy eating and physical activity during November and December. 50, that's how we thought that we
could help our fellow employees. The goal of the committee is to encourage county employees to eat
healthfully and be physically active. It doesn't have to be all or nothing... here are some suggestions
that the committee has that allow you to en joy the specialties of the season and not overdo it. And keep
in mind not all of them work for everyone; see what would work for you:
• Serve veggie trays instead of cheese and pepperoni. Linnett
• Eat nothing after 8:00 p.m. Jackie
• Never go to a party hungry. It can be too easy to overindulge on sweets. Eat a light
meal before you go. And when you arrive, scope out the buffet table and choose the
food you REALLY want. Kim
• Convince yourself that the candy and cookies are decorations and fruits and vegetables are
the food. Tim
• When shopping at Pyramid Mall, park at Dick's if you want to go to Target. You'll get 5 or 10
minutes of exercise. Michelle
• If holiday activities interrupt your "after work" exercise schedule, keep a pair of
sneakers at your desk and walk during lunch time. Michelle
• If you're finding that the holidays are cutting too much into your exercise schedule,
step back and make exercise the priority. Assess what holiday expectations you can say
"no" to. It will alleviate the holiday stress. Theresa
• Alcohol has a lot of calories especially when mixed with cream or liqueurs. It might
also affect your judgment about what you've eaten and how full you feel. Ted
• Everyone's favorite junk foods are either salty or sweet. Eliminate one or the other at
holiday parties. Sue
• Don't buy cookies, cakes, salty snacks. Out of sight, out of mind (and mouth). Jackie
• Does the cold weather keep you from exercising outdoors? Join the mall walkers for a
brisk walk 3 or 4 mornings a week and stay to do some holiday shopping. Sue
• Serve seltzer water mixed with 100% fruit juice for the kids on your holiday guest
list. Skip the soda. Theresa
• Don't let the weather be an excuse not to go out doors. Learn to dress for the cold
weather. Buying new gear is fun and an incentive to use it. Tim
• Ask for support, give support. Overcome the social pressures to eat "some of
everything." Respect others if they say, "no thanks" to your holiday dessert. Ted
Need some stocking stuffers? The Wellness Committee still has some pedometers. "Hurry, while
supplies last." The cost is $5.00. Contact Theresa Lyczko at the Health Promotion Program at the
Health Department: tvczko @tompkins- co.org.
Best wishes for a happy, healthy holiday season from the Employee Wellness Committee: Jackie Yoder
(personnel); Jim Strehle (airport); Kim Moore (ITS); Michelle Pottorff (legislature); Sue Robinson
(justice); Linnett Warner (solid waste); Barb Davieds (mental health); Ted Schiele (health); Theresa
Lyczko (health)
4
From where we sit........
by David Chase, Pres. CSEA WCU
In the previous issue of the County Corridors, County Administrator Steve Whicher refers to three
"concepts" that must be recognized by the Legislature if they are to entertain the idea of eliminating
or reducing staff salary adjustments as a way to trim the budget.
You can read them for yourselves, however, I would like to comment on the third "concept" as
reported by Mr. Whicher.
He states that, our fringe rates are out of control. The taxpayers {that would be employees also}
simply cannot afford increases in the cost of labor of nearly 16 percent per year ". Given the nature of
the rest of this text, one is left with the notion that the County Legislature believes that the employees
have some ability to control these fringes. That control — if that's what you want to call it — only lies in
the outcome of collective bargaining. The last time I looked, we have a collective bargaining
agreement in place. One that just three short years ago the County was very happy sign.
These kinds of statements issued by the Administration would be better served if quoted statistics like
the 16% per year mentioned above were broken down into recognizable data {i.e. cost of labor =
Wages (a negotiated cost); Social Security Taxes (a mandated cost); Retirement Contributions (a
mandated cost); Health Insurance premiums (a negotiated cost); Worker's Comp. Premiums (a
mandated cost); etc }.
Incidentally, or not, the County Legislature had the opportunity to plan for the resumption Retirement
Fund contributions (a major component of the "mandated" increases affecting the tax rate) and was
advised by their current Chairperson to do so. However, the Legislature chose to use this future
expenditure of money to artificially keep the tax rate lower.
Mr. Whicher mentions the notion of reaching " an acceptable tax rate increase ".
How is this acceptable rate established? Is a 35 cents a day increase acceptable? Is reducing an
employee's promised wage increase by $800+ in order that this same employee can pay a $130 tax
increase acceptable? The math just does not compute here.
It baffles the mind when one realizes that the County Legislature treats our compensation structure as
if it were a gift to the employees. That the wages and benefits are anvthina but a reflection of the
value of the service we provide. To suggest (by proposing reductions) that our worth is something
that is flexible, subject to the political and /or economic mood is demoralizing, demeaning, and
reprehensi ble.
Paying the employees for negotiated wages and benefits is part of the cost of doing business — no
different than having to pay the electric bill. You don't get to cheapen the value of the service just
because you want to pay less.
We see enough of that from the private sector in the form of out -of- country Slave Labor wages.
We do a good job for this County. Our compensation for that work should reflect the respect it
deserves.
Congratulations Sandy Brown
Submitted by Deb Horton, Mental Health Dept.
I am very happy to announce that a member of our Case
Management staff received an award for the excellent service
that she has provided to persons applying to, or receiving
services from Lakeview Mental Health Residential Services.
She received a nicely framed certificate indicating that she
has provided them with Excellent service.
I will add my "two cents" to this acknowledgement to say I
am s0000 grateful to have her working with us and doing the
majority of intakes to CM. She is compassionate,
conscientious, goes the extra mile to assist, and always with a
cheerful attitude!
Thank you very much Sandy, and congratulations on a job
well done!
Highway Highlights...
submitted by Geri Lockwood
The holidays are coming upon us and with that, inevitably living in upstate New York, so is the winter weather. Please
read the following information from the Snow and Ice link on the Highway Department web page (source:
http: / /www. tompkins -co. org/highway/snow.html).
Snow and Ice Maintenance
County crews remove snow and ice from designated State and County highways through plowing, salting, and sanding.
The objective of Snow and Ice Maintenance is to provide the traveling public with the ability to travel on highways at
reasonable and prudent speeds within the limitations imposed by the extremes of weather, and within the resources of the
Highway Department.
Salt and/or abrasives will be applied on roadways during inclement weather, which will or has caused slippery
conditions. Salt will be applied in accordance with the County Policy, "salt use for snow and ice control ". Abrasives
may also be applied to improve vehicular control.
Plowing will begin when the application of salt and/or abrasives are no longer effective due to the accumulation of snow
of approximately 1 /2 ". Plowing will be repeated as necessary.
The Towns of Lansing Groton, Dryden, Caroline, Danby, Ithaca, Newfield, Enfield, and Ulysses all assist in Snow and
Ice Maintenance on County Roads. If you have questions or concerns about the Snow and Ice Maintenance on a County
Road, please call 274 -0300 for information, or the Town Highway Department where you live.
Winter Tips:
• Snowplow equipment and sanders operate at approximately 25 mph.
• Approach snowplow equipment with extreme caution.
• Do not leave snow on the roadway or shoulders of roadway after clearing snow from driveway.
• Do not tailgate plow trucks or sanders, and stay back at least 200 feet.
• Park vehicles off roadway and shoulder so plowing can be conducted safely and effectively. If you park on a
shoulder, park where plowing has cleared the shoulder.
6
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ITS
CLASSIFIEDS December , 04
January 8, 2004
February 12, 2004
For Sale:
1 March 11, 2004
For Sale: two children's 20" bicycles. 1st - black, hand For more information, please call Judy Voorheis @ 274 -5266.
brakes, excellent condition, $30. 2nd - white /purple /pink,
very good condition, $20. Or $40 for both. Can send
pictures via e -mail. 533 -7647 CLASSIFIEDS
FOR SALE: LawnBoy snowblower. 8 HP Briggs & Stratton Classified ads up to 25 words in length are free to County
Engine. 26" cut / 2 stage. Needs paint job & minor welding employees, retirees and their immediate families. Ads may
repair. $175 or best offer. Call Paul 564 -1088 evenings and be for any purpose, however personal ads will not be
weekends. accepted. No County addresses or telephone numbers
may be listed in your ad, however, we do need your full
FREE TO GOOD HOME: 1 1/2 year old female cat, name and County telephone number submitted with the
white with tan and black patches (very good mouser). Also, ad in case there are questions. Submit your ad to County
three kittens (born 9/18/03), two female (calico colors), and Corridors c/o Michelle Pottorff, Tompkins County
one male (butterscotch and white colored). Please call (607) Legislature, Courthouse, Ithaca, NY 14850 via US or
898 -3210 evenings. interdepartmental mail or e-mail to: mpottorff@tompkins-
Wanted: I co.or
NOTE:
WANTED: Do you have one or more phones (corded or If you would like to modify your classified or want to
cordless) that you no longer need? Also, wires that run it again, you must re submit it!
connect the phones to the wall outlets along with the sr
phones would also be appreciated. Adult Protective DEADLINE: 1 TUESDAY OF THE MONTH
Services can use them for their clients. Contact Louise Articles to be considered for the December 24 issue,
Tomei at DSS - 274 -5275. (No cell phones please). must be received by noon on Tuesday, December 2.
Submit articles via e-mail as an attachment or on disk in
Services: any file format that is readable by Word for Windows'95.
Send disk and hard copy to County Corridors c/o Michelle
Pottorff, Tompkins County Legislature, Courthouse,
Tioga Technical - Don't kill your computer! Let me help Ithaca, NY 14850. Please include a contact number in case
with troubleshooting, training, upgrades - whatever it takes questions arise.
to get you and your computer working together again. Call
James Keegan at 273 -7957 evenings or weekends. COUNTY CORRIDORS
Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are
Tense? Stressed? Achy? Therapeutic Massage can put selected by the Editorial Board based on their
relaxation and comfort back into your life. For an
appointment or information call Richard Reed at 753 interest to Tompkins County employees and retirees.
6383. They do not necessarily express the opinions of the
Editorial Board. Material is solicited from current
French Tutor — Call Sarah at 257 -3047. Please leave a employees, retirees and others. The Editorial Board
message.
reserves the right to edit submissions, except in the
Goosa Arts - See our beautiful and affordable traditional instance of copyright materials.
Russian arts: nesting dolls, eggs, jewelry boxes, amber, EDITORIAL BOARD
etc. Alisa Mengel, 277 -2917, hours by appointment, 120 Michelle Pottorff (Editor) TC Legislature
Linn St. Iretta Ellis (Chair) Information Technology Services
Liz Croop Department of Mental Health
Foster Care /Adoption Informational Meetings Katy Prince Health Department
Submitted by EllieArnold,DSS Linnett Warner Solid Waste Division
To anyone who may be considering becoming a foster parent Geri Lockwood Highway
or adoptive parent and wants more information.
WHERE:
Human Services Building, Room 142
1 HAPPY THANKSIVING!!
TO BE HELD FROM NOON TO 1 P.M. ON:
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