HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04 Ccuntv Corridors April2011
Volume 23, Number 1
A Newsletter for Tompkins County Employees and Retirees
http://www.tompkins-co.org/countycorridors
Welcome to Sheriff Ken Lansing
Ken Lansing began service as Tompkins County Sheriff as of January 1st. We welcome Sheriff Lansing to county government.
Sheriff Lansing offers the following message to County employees and retirees, through County Corridors
"I am honored and proud to be the Sheriff of Tompkins County. My first months
have been very busy, and the employees of the department have made this
transition period a smooth one. I knew when I decided to run that the
Department had great people employed within, and that they only needed to be
allowed to do their jobs. After the election I had the privilege to meet with many
county employees both within the Sheriff's office and from other county
departments. We were able to discuss various ideas and concerns they had,
and how we can better serve them. With my ability to conduct these talks before
taking office. I could hit the ground running on January 1st.
"This may sound very strange to those who are looking forward to retirement and
even those that are retired. But I truly feel revitalized now that I am back doing
what I truly love, serving the community. I look forward to working with all the
departments and agencies of Tompkins County to help provide our community with the best services possible. I
want everyone to know that my door is always open and I welcome you anytime to stop by. We all know we face
difficult times ahead, and we must work together to help accomplish our goals."
Sheriff Lansing appointed Derek Osborne as Undersheriff. Osborne most recently served as Captain at the Sheriff's Office.
Undersheriff Osborne also provided his thoughts to County Corridors
"I have been a law enforcement officer for over
16 years. I started with the Police Department
A Change at the Top of the City of Cortland, where I was born and
on the Corridors Team raised. I transferred to the Tompkins County
Sheriff's Office as a Deputy Sheriff in 2001. elt
Welcome to our expert and Since that time, I have been promoted through
hard-working team member the ranks of Investigator, Senior Investigator, t
Geri Lockwood as the new editor and Captain. After his election, Ken asked me
of County Corridors! to be his Undersheriff. _ !A
Geri succeeds former editor "I obtained an Associate's degree in Business
Maureen Reynolds in this Administration from TC3, and my Bachelor's in
position. Community and Human Services from SUNY
Empire State College. In 2007, I was selected by our regional FBI affiliates to
Mo is continuing as a member of attend the prestigious FBI National Academy for law enforcement executives in
the Corridors Team, and Geri will Quantico, VA. The three-month program is obtainable by only 1% of law
continue to also serve as enforcement nationwide. I was recently published in the national December
Classifieds editor. 2010 edition of Law& Order; The Magazine for Law Enforcement Management
for my editorial "It's Not Just a Job," regarding my feelings for and
Please let Geri know if you have responsibility to the profession. I was selected by the regional Rotary Club to
ideas for future issues: 274-0314 participate in their career exchange program. As part of this program, I had
or glockwood @tompkins-co.orq. the opportunity to stay with host families in Taiwan from 03/15-4/14/11 and
had opportunities to visit local police departments and learn about their
criminal justice system."
Welcome to Youth Services Director Amie Hendrix
The Tompkins County Youth Services Department welcomes our new Director, Amie 330
Hendrix!
AN{IO x Ai
Ms. Hendrix holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Niagara University and a =tot
Master's degree in Strategic Leadership from Roberts Wesleyan College. Since 2007,
she has led community-based programming as Community Partnership Director for the
American Lung Association, based in Rochester, and from 2004-2007 was Youth Action
Coordinator at Rochester's Huther-Doyle Memorial Institute. In both of these roles,
Amie worked to help the community identify support systems that were currently in
place, as well as new systems/services that were available to enable a healthier
community for all residents. A life-long Finger Lakes resident and new Tompkins
County homeowner, Amie is invested in supporting her community.
Youth Services Department staff have found her to be energetic, engaging and very
committed to the lives of young people. Welcome Amie!
Sustainability Spotlight
Residential Single Stream Recycling Collection
By Stephanie Egan-Engels, Solid Waste Management Division
In 2010, Tompkins County Solid Waste received proposals from four recycling companies for operation of the county-owned
Recycling and Solid Waste Center (RSWC). A contract has been awarded to FCR, LLC on the basis of overall costs and facility
design, experience in facility operation, and its commitment to waste diversion and maximizing recycling at the RSWC.
In addition to operating the facility, the proposal included a plan to upgrade the RSWC. These upgrades will increase options
available to residents and businesses, including the expansion of the current public drop off area. Facility operations will
continue without disruption.
With Tompkins County's new single stream recycling collection, County residents can now mix paper, glass, metal, and plastic
containers all in one bin, making curbside recycling easier and more convenient.
"Single stream recycling makes it easier for residents to recycle more material and get recycling to the curb,"says Leo Riley,
Recycling Manager at the Solid Waste Management Division. "Single stream also creates the potential for the collection of
additional types of recyclable material in the future."
Look for more information in the future. County buildings will continue to collect paper separate from containers. Tompkins
County Solid Waste looks forward to enhancing recycling programs with additional acceptable materials, as it provides options
tailored to suit businesses, organizations, and residents.
Highway Highlights...
Submitted by Geri Lockwood,Administrative Assistant
Adopt-A-Highway:
With spring now upon us, trash along the roadsides may become more visible than usual. If you live on a County Road that is
currently not "adopted" through the County's Adopt-A-Highway Program and would like information regarding "adoptions",
please contact me directly, at 274-0314, or e-mail me, at glockwood @tompkins-co.org. A full listing of"adopted"County Roads,
a partial listing of available County Roads, and program information is also available on our website, at http://www.tompkins-
co.org/highway/adopt.html.
In 2010, 200 bags of litter, as well as tires and miscellaneous items, were collected along the roadsides by the groups currently
participating in the program. Many of the groups dispose of their collections themselves, and we encourage participants to
recycle whenever possible.
Participants are provided with safety vests, hard hats, flags (to display on the signage during collections), and the orange bags.
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Fire Safety and Prevention begins with you! The National Fire Protection Association reports
t , 961 of ho Ut moke alarm,
homes hatalthough have at east percent one working mes smoke in the alarm nited. Of States the home have aft least deaths one reported s from 2003-2006 only three-quarters, almost of two-tall hirds
of them resulted from fires in homes with either no smoke alarms or non-working smoke alarms.
Please Be Responsible and Do Your Part to Prevent Fires By:
• Installing and maintaining smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside and outside sleeping
areas, and in the basement.
Smoke alarms should be both ionization and photoelectric, OR dual-sensor alarms, which contain
both of these.
• Batteries should be tested every month, and changed at least once a year (note: a good practice
may be to change them at DST and EST time changes).
• Smoke alarms over 10 years old should be replaced. The 10 year lithium battery powered ones
are sealed so they cannot be opened or tampered with. ,
• Keep fire extinguishers in locations where they will be easily accessible. Be sure they are in .-tw ._
workin order, and be sure to know how to use them properly �° ,M.
proper working P P Y �;..
• Practice home fire escape plans with your family, especially children, and once out, stay .�11G
out.
The U.S. Fire Administration is working to reduce the number of people, including children, killed in home fires. Children experience a higher
percentage of fatalities, as they are not able to sense danger the same way adults do, and they have a limited ability to react quickly and
properly in emergency situations, which increases their risk of death and injury in a fire. Escaping from a fire can be difficult for younger
children, as they may lack the motor skills and mental capabilities needed to quickly escape.
a,_
if.,__4„.40:,
...._.Li,:.
Life-Saving Tips for Children and Fire: ''
• Matches, lighters, and other ignitable items should be kept in a secured place out of the
reach of children. Teach children to tell you when they find these items unsecured.
as • Dress children in night-time clothing that meets the Federal flammability standards,
avoiding dressing them in loose-fitting, 100% cotton garments, or over-sized t-shirts.
U j��■ Teach them to get out quickly and call for help from another location, and to not hide from
s1U firefighters.
■ • Show them how to crawl low on the floor, below the smoke, and to stay out once they've gotten out.
• Demonstrate the stop, drop, and roll technique if their clothing is on fire. <.
• Be sure they know what the fire alarm sounds like. :,"
• Mattresses made prior to the 2007 Federal Mattress Flammability /
Standard should be replaced.
• Routinely check children's rooms, under the bed, in closets, in dressers, etc.,for burnt matches or
other evidence they may be playing with fire.
For more information about focus on fire safety, go to:
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/children.shtm
For more tips and fire safety information to distribute to your community, go to:
http://www.usfaparents.goy/
For more information about USFA's Quick Response Media Corps, or to enroll online, go to:
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/subjects/fireprev/qr/index.shtm
Submitted by Geri Lockwood, PIO Team
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Transportation Options Serving Rural Residents
By Cynthia Kloppel, DSS �'
Climbing gasoline prices is one good reason to examine alternatives to driving alone to Ithaca. Four options that readily come
to mind are: riding a TCAT bus, ridesharing, CityVan, and vanpooling. We even have friendly people to help you sort out your
travel choices.
CityVan: CityVan is an affordable rural van pilot project connecting Enfield and Newfield to downtown Ithaca. CityVan also
goes to Cayuga Medical Center and medical offices surrounding CMC. Newfield resident Gloria is one of many satisfied CityVan
riders. "CityVan has helped me out tremendously, and I was able to keep my job in Ithaca when my car broke down." The
adult fare is $3, with discounts for children. To schedule a ride, you need to call Ithaca Dispatch the night you want to travel.
Remember to mention you want to use CityVan. For more information, call Ithaca Dispatch, at 277-7777, or go to
www.cityvan.weebly.com.
For more information on the new rideshare program Zimride(see next article), vanpool, riding TCAT, and to consult about your
transportation situation, call (or Google) Way2Go: 272-2292, 211 Tompkins, or Cynthia Kloppel, Mobility Program Specialist,
274-5022.
Tompkins County Launches Social Network For Ridesharing ► .
By Fernando de Aragon, Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Commission /.4
The Tompkins County Rideshare Coalition is partnering with Zimride to provide a customized social
network for local and regional ridesharing. The Zimride site, located at www.zimride.com/tompkins, is a '4
convenient way to find friends, coworkers or neighbors with whom to share commutes or one-time rides.
Zimride, which can be used with Facebook, empowers people to join together and reduce traffic, parking
difficulties and provide substantial cost-savings for our community. The Tompkins County Rideshare Coalition brings together
Way2Go of Tompkins County Cooperative Extension, Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council, TCAT and Tompkins
County government with Cornell University, Ithaca College and Tompkins Cortland Community College. .
"We are very pleased to offer a program that allows community members to easily find and share rides," says Fernando de
Aragon, Staff Director of the Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council. "This ridesharing program is available to anyone
who lives, works or studies in Tompkins County. Residents from neighboring counties can use the system to find ridesharing
opportunities to jobs and schools in Tompkins County."
Chrisophia Somerfeldt, Program Manager of Way2Go, is equally excited. "With gas prices on the rise, sharing rides (and costs)
is a great way to save money, get more people where they need to go, and have more fun getting there. Zimride is easy to use
and leaves people in charge of their privacy level, preferences and when and with whom to share rides."
Through Zimride's web-based interface, residents can find others with similar commuting patterns or one-time ride needs. As a
social network with optional Facebook integration, Zimride is fun to use and helps establish trust among users. As with
Facebook, Zimriders can view profiles for common networks, interests and friends before deciding to share a ride. Participants
can create profiles that show their favorite in-car music, radio stations and even smoking preferences to ensure an enjoyable
ride. This new transportation alternative is a convenient, affordable and sustainable way to collectively make a difference.
Anyone who lives or travels within Tompkins County can access the free Tompkins County Zimride system at
www.zimride.com/tompkins. This ridesharing partnership marks a significant step in improving county sustainability practices.
Furthermore, ridesharing on daily commutes or on longer, one-time trips will substantially reduce the costs of travel for our
community.
Zimride is the largest online social rideshare community in North America with over 350,000 users. Zimride has implemented
private rideshare communities for over 75 of the nation's leading universities and companies. Zimride embraces ridesharing as a
social activity and integrates with Facebook and Twitter to make it fun and easy for users to share the seats in their car or find a
ride. Zimride empowers individuals to create social, sustainable and convenient transportation.
Please contact Chrisophia Somerfeldt at Way2Go with any questions or suggestions about Zimride Tompkins. Way2Go can be
reached at 607-272-2292 or staff @way2goinfo.org.
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TCAT Bus Passes
A reminder that the County provides TCAT bus passes to County employees for use within Tompkins County, and the pass is
free to you. The pass may be used for commuting to and from work, or for work-related travel, and it may be used only by the
employee to whom it is issued.
The application form is on the employee intranet (see the Forms section, Personnel Department) or via interdepartmental mail
from me.
Also, if you live outside of Tompkins County and ride on an out-of-county bus system such as Tioga Transit, the County will
reimburse $45 of your monthly bus pass. Please call Personnel for details.
Call me at 274-5525 if you have questions.
Submitted by Anna Smith, Personnel
Tobacco Free Tompkins
Has anyone else noticed those"T-Free Zone"stickers all over town? They're on the transit shelter oikae
windows; at the entrances of several businesses throughout town the logo has even been seen on
TCAT buses! Smoke-Free
Tobacco Free Tompkins is a Community Partner of the New York State Tobacco Control Program, and is Area
housed within the Health Promotion Program at the Health Department. The program works to help fight Srmie
tobacco addiction by keeping the air smoke free, supporting those who want to quit, and helping teens "�`
Y p 9 � pp 9 q P� 9
beat the tobacco trap.
One of the main ways to help teens beat the tobacco trap is by reducing youth exposure to tobacco products. T-Free Tompkins
is working with the community to raise awareness around the issue of tobacco advertising at the point of sale.
Every day, our kids are exposed to a lot of tobacco marketing in our convenience stores, pharmacies and grocery stores. Kids
often shop at convenience stores, and the cigarettes are usually displayed in plain view, right behind the cash register. To
protect our kids, we must reduce youth exposure to instore tobacco marketing.
For more information on Tobacco Free Tompkins, visit our website at www.tompkins-co.org/tobaccofree
Submitted by Erin James, Public Health Educator
Don't forget - 25 Year Club Dinner May 19!
The Tompkins County Legislature cordially invites you to join them in honoring this year's inductees into the Tompkins County
25 Year Club. This year's dinner will be held at the Lake Watch Inn on East Shore Drive, Ithaca on May 19, 2011. Below is a
listing of new inductees.
Gerald Surine, Sheriff's Office/Corrections Pat Nowakowski, Information Technology Services
Debra Niemi, Sheriff's Office/Corrections Frank Porter, Mental Health
Roger Griswold, Sheriff's Office/Corrections Suzanne Gaglie, Mental Health
Doreen Schrader, Public Works/Facilities Division Gerard Veninsky, Department of Social Services
David Straight, Public Works/Highway Division Nicholas Dalleva, Department of Social Services
Barbara Eckstrom, Public Works/Solid Waste Division Catherine Covert, Legislature Office
Roxanne Iacovelli, Dept. of Motor Vehicles/County Clerk
Invitations have been mailed to all 25 Year Club members and the new inductees. An invitation was also sent to all County
employees through the internal County email system. If you would like more information, please contact Personnel at
274-5526.
Submitted by Brooke Jobin, Personnel
5
THE ADOPTION AND FOSTER HOMEFINDING UNIT NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Would you be willing to post the flyer below to spread the word about the need for foster, adoptive and respite homes in our community?
Our hope is that by posting this flyer in many locations throughout Tompkins County we can spread the word and/or possibly plant a seed
that will grow in time. We especially need homes in the Ithaca School District and homes that welcome adolescent youth!
Please contact us for more information, to schedule information session, or to obtain additional flyers. Thank you for your efforts on behalf
of children in need!
Debbie McKane, Sr. Caseworker—274-5259
Judy Voorheis, Homefinder—274-5266
DSS, Children's Services
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you he have aallIalent Inamo to meet
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cannot be hone for one reason or
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SHORT-TERM RESPITE CARE
NEEDED FOR TEEN ]
Please call for more
ill7t information:
,Judy barbels. Houneiinding
Tompkins County OSS
(607)274-5266
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Department News
Highway Division
Best wishes to Roger Ganoung, Heavy Equipment Operator, ;r
on his retirement on February 28th, after almost 24 years with the Highway Division.
Board of Elections
Did you know that the Tompkins County Board of Elections is on the social networking site Facebook? You can access the page
through the Board of Elections web site, http://www.votetompkins.com/.
Find upcoming election dates, contacts, and other elections information on the Facebook page.
Youth Services
Community Coalition for Healthy Youth Graduates from National Academy
The Tompkins County Community Coalition for Healthy Youth
(CCHY) graduated on February 8 from the National CADCA Coalition
Academy at a ceremony held during CADCA's 21st Annual National
Leadership Forum in National Harbor, Md. CCHY was one of 134
coalitions from across the U.S. to graduate. 4 •
Representing CCHY at the graduation were Amanda Verba, Youth -
Development Director at TST BOCES and a CCHY board member,
and Kris Bennett, Tompkins County Youth Services Department and _
staff to CCHY. CHE1lOKHF;
r1AnalN
The Community Coalition for Healthy Youth brings together
Tompkins County parents, youth, schools, and community partners
to reduce youth alcohol and substance use and promote healthy
lifestyles. Recent initiatives include a youth-led Above the Influence
media campaign, organizing local unwanted medication disposal Kris Bennett,Janice Johnson,and Amanda Verba(TST BOCES)
events, pharmaceutical abuse awareness campaign in medical,
dental, veterinary offices and pharmacies and surveying Tompkins County middle and high school students to gauge both trends
and the impact of our work. The Coalition and its members provide community presentations for schools, parents and
interested groups what adults can do to help youth make healthy decisions.
The National Coalition Academy combines three weeks of classroom training over the course of a year with distance learning,
web support and ongoing technical assistance from CADCA Institute staff. Combining collaborative group activities and
instruction from top notch trainers, Academy participants learn about the core competencies and essential processes necessary
to establish or maintain a highly effective anti-drug coalition. CCHY completed all three residential training sessions and five
essential planning products that serve as the foundation of its comprehensive plan for community change.
"The Academy graduation ceremony is a way for us to celebrate the commitment, investments and accomplishments of the
coalitions that worked diligently to become more effective community problem solvers through our program," Kareemah
Abdullah, CADCA's Vice President of Training and Youth Programs and Deputy Director of Training and Technical Assistance for
CADCA's National Coalition Institute, said.
We learned at the ceremony that we were one of only eight of of the graduating coalitions that were considered for the 2011
Chairman's Award for outstanding coalition graduating from Academy. We did not win but to be one of eight out of 132 was
pretty cool!
Submitted by Kris Bennett
7
vrioNGCOlkiiiimE
SUGGESTED 2011 TRIPS/EVENTS:
REMEMBER - Trips and/or events are available to all Tompkins County
Employees & Retirees, and their families.
SCHEDULED — Please contact Patty Stamm, at 274-6674, or pstamm @tompkins-co.org, if
you are interested in the following trips/events:
New York City Spring Day Trip— Saturday, May 14`h
Turning Stone Casino /Bingo— Saturday, June l
Hangar Theatre Musical "Ragtime"— Saturday, July loth
Saturday, July 30th
Cooperstown NY / Howe's Caverns
OR
Darien Lake
Hangar Theatre Musical "The Rocky Horror Show"— Saturday, August 27th
New York City Winter Day Trip— Saturday, December aid
POSSIBLE—Please note that there are no dates or other information available
at this time, and if there is not enough response/interest, these
will not be pursued:
The Windmill/ Lunch at a Winery/Hammondsport Shopping
Genessee Village Yuletide
WE NEED YOU!
• Are you interested in assisting with the planning and/or organizing of the trips and events?
• Do you have approximately one (1) hour to devote every couple of months (on average) to
meeting with a great group of people?
• The Vending Committee is in need of additional team members. If you are interested, please
contact Patty Stamm, at pstamm @tompkins-co.org, or Pete Coats, at pcoats @tompkins-co.org.
Website:
Remember to visit our website, on the employee Intranet (click on the link under"Events/News"), or
www.tompkins-co.org/employee only/VendingCommitteeNews.pdf regularly for updated information
on all trips, news, etc.
Please see your Department Representative (names listed on the website) to share other ideas.
ay
TAMFAVI
8
Classified Ads
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A place where your dog feels"at home". ,6, , vacation time. This rustic family cottage is just '/2 mile
north of Taughannock Park. There are two bedrooms, a
Located in North Lansing - beach,boathouse,porches, and kyacks. We rent May, June,
Sandy Strehle,315-497-3467 , - September, and October. Right now, June 5-June 12 is
dogdayzinn(a�yahoo.com available, and several weeks in the fall. If interested,please
http://www.dogdayzinn.com I' f .-, call Alison Rice,at(607)387-5446.
FOR SALE — Mark Master 5/24 snowblower, $150.00. Kripalu Yoga with Nicole
Please call(607)838-3748,evenings.
Sundays,2:00-3:30 p.m.
FOR SALE — 1985 24' Tioga Sunrise Yoga Center, 119 South Cayuga Street, Studio 301;
motor home on Chevrolet chassis. (Corner of Cayuga and Green).
Sleeps 6, A/C, tilt steering wheel, Provides an opportunity to develop strength, increase
cruise control, generator, 70,000 _ . flexibility, improve balance, and center the mind. All
miles, all new tires. Very good -7, 'u levels of yoga experience welcome. For more information,
I email kripaluyogawithni (a
cole mail.com, or call
condition. Asking $7,500.00. Must
sell due to health reasons. Please (973)769-2739.
call(607) 898-5196.
FOR SALE— 1997 Jeep Cherokee Loredo 4X4,240K miles, Power and Performance
2,000 or best offer. Needs a new muffler. Selling as is. For Strength & Conditioning and Fitness
additional details, please call (607) 591-0730, or (607) 765- Look for us on Facebook
5131. Training done by a Certified Strength and Conditioning
FOR SALE—2004 Chevrolet Venture van—LT Entertainer Specialist
Model, V6, extended cab, 4-door, all-wheel drive, 7-8 Sports Performance Training
passenger capacity, silver metallic color,trailer package,roof
racks, third row seating, built-in air compressor. Personal Training—Get healthy and back in shape
Mechanically sound, clean and well-kept, comfortable ride, after the Holidays.
one owner. In great condition all around. XM Satellite radio Private training facility located at 145 Yaple Road,Ithaca.
and On-Star, built-in cell phone available. 18/22 mpg, Most Affordable Rates In The Area.
current mileage 97K. Great vehicle in snow and rain. Ages 12+
Asking$7,500.00. Please call(607)539-6756.
Please call TJ, at (845) 866-3199, or E-mail to
Massaro31(ayahoo.com.
THE CORRIDORS TEAM
Managing Editor
Geri Lockwood, Highway
Editorial Staff
41001 Maureen Reynolds, County Clerk's Office
S Katrina Schickel, COFA
Classifieds Editor-Geri Lockwood
Advising Editor, Page Layout
Marcia Lynch, Public Information
Contributors
• 4i9104
All County Employees and Retirees
Interested in joining the Corridors team?
Contact Geri at
274-0314 or glockwood @tompkins-co.org
9