ဟံၣ်My WebLinkဘၣ်ဃးဒီး1993-02 Peh 1993 �'" �� A Newsletter for Employees and Retirees ,,,_, ` of Tompkins County tim.::)6(1,2_5„-\ii-c- cf6jit ,...„ Remember... THE OLD JAIL The Health pictured here on February 10, 1992 before renovations began. Department Is A h I II 111 1111 Resource { { , 1 I l 11111111 ' i! 1 lilt � ,. By: A Cole, Director of Patient v I►' ' i ) 1 11 Services — Health Dept. =- - "Can I catch tuberculosis from a client ?" '• } Iow can I get tested for TB ?" ,' "„ i `Where can I get written information on AIDS/HIV?" ;t , Questions such as these are floating „ .H o,. around various county departments. The : t answers to these and similar questions are as simple as a phone call to the Health ,, Department, 274 -6601. Please use us as a lib t ikt ,. resource for oral and itten rumor control, presentation of rose lea THE OLD JAIL MADE NEW AGAIN training and TB testing. We even offer This picture was taken on January 11, 1993 after a years worth adult tetanus boosters for a small fee. of renovations had been completed. We are not an employee health clinic. If you are sick, see a physician. However, we R { offer many preventive health services. - . ; . Video tapes on assorted topics are avail- v , a." r , `, able on loan. The bloodborne pathogen in- �: • � _ service tape is being loaned out through y : �;'� ! , Joyce Musson in office. in the County i I I II i 17 Administrator a 11 ` 1 „ R a M Don't let questions or rumors weigh on . (t 1 ! i , your mind. Be assured if someone has a �,, 1`$ communicable disease at your worksite, ;1 i I the Health Department is required by law H ; , ', ■ vestigate the concern and protect and '— '`-" "'' = "-"' 4 girate the contacts. Call the nursing division at 274 -6601 for more information. I All calls will be treated confidentially. ;, t ,b'4 EMPLOYEE COUNCIL CHAIR'S REPORT III By Cheryl Nelson — Public Works present their recommendations. Each meet - Committee representative for a copy.) As stated in last month's report, a series ing ended with an attempt to get consensus I want to thank the employees that at- of open forum sessions were to be held in from the group of the items that should tended the meetings, the Human Services Biggs A to fmd out what employees wanted move forth to the Human Services Commit- Committee for its attention to this matter to make the building more secure. The ses- tee and the Board of Representatives for and seeking help to resolve it through the sions were held on January 13,14,15 and 19; consideration. A seventeen -page report list- Employee Council, and the staff at The two per day to allow employees to fit one of ing the summary of each session, the number Community Dispute Resolution Center for the sessions in on their calendars. of times a particular item was a priority helping facilitate the open forum sessions. Eighty -one persons (20.3% of the total among the eight groups and a listing of all Remember Employee Council meets on Biggs A occupants) attended the open the raw recommendations was submitted to the first Wednesday of each month, 9:00 forums. The employees saw what steps had the Human Services Committee on a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Sadd B Conference been taken to make the building more February 2, 1993. The Human Services Room. Be sure your representative knows of secure since the Schuyler County tragedy on Committee and the Board passed a resolu- any ideas, thoughts, or comments you would October 15, 1992. They were then asked to tion on February 2, 1993 for a security plan like brought up before the Council. for Biggs A. (See your Biggs A Security CHECK YOUR FEDERAL ITHACARE - A EMPLOYEE SAFETY WITHHOLDING FOR 1993 CARING MEMBER COMMITTEE OF THE ITHACA NEWS 0 rel.= — s COMMUNITY J � i tto 'g � , .Aco. ^°' _ B : Louise McEwen, Benefits Manager —, .4 _.2! .7 Y By: Louise McEwen, Chair I've recently received material from Ithacare which may be of interest to some In the January issue of CORRIDORS, employees and retirees alike. Ithacare is the County Administrator's report men - By: Louise McEwen — Benefits Manager offering two new services to our com- tioned formation of an Employee Safety munity — a newly - established speaker's Committee and listed members. At our We have now received a supply of Publi- bureau with experts ready and eager to last meeting, we decided meetings will be cation 919 from the IRS, "Is My Withholding speak to groups in the community on many held on the third Thursday of each month, Correct for 1993 ? ". Many people are fmding topics related to senior issues, and an from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. For now, we will be that because of tax law changes during 1992, Adult Day Care Community. The Adult meeting in the Court House Conference they may not receive a Federal tax refund Day Care program is available at $30 per Room; we may meet in the Conference this year, or if they do, not as much as they day and is designed to give Senior Citizens Room in the Old Jail in future months. If were looking forward to having. If you'd like living with relatives who may both work you have issues you'd like to see put on the to take a second look at your Federal with- during the day an opportunity to enjoy table, please let a representative know or holding, this bulletin provides a good themselves during the day, meet new send me your comments and we'll be glad worksheet for helping you compute your tax friends, and participate in meaningful and to consider them. Or, if you wish to be on to make sure you're having enough withheld enjoyable leisure time. Currently the pro- the agenda, let me know ahead of time and during 1993. Just let us know if you'd like a gram is offered on Tuesdays and advise of your topic of concern so you may copy. We expect our supply of the 1993 Form Thursdays. Scholarship money is available be included on the agenda before it is sent. W-4 in the near future for anyone who needs through the Office for the Aging for those We hope for employee participation. I to change his/her withholding. (Of course, in need. Transportation to Ithacare, lo- believe all members realize we have much don't forget a good alternative to paying cated just a short distance from The Com- work to do in future months, based on the Uncle Sam more is to put aside some monies mons, can be provided by Gadabout for a full agendas at the last two meetings. AD on a before -tax basis into our Deferred small fee. If you feel your Loved one could input is solicited and most welcome! Compensation Program! Many employees benefit from this service, please contact are forgetting this is available to them.) Ithacare for more information at 273 -4080, or write them at 115 South Quarry St., Ithaca. • Personnel NOTES FROM YOUR EMPLOYEE 0 Personals WELLNESS COMMITTEE... CONGRATULATIONS TO... . 'It. - NEW HIRES... 1i Kirsten Pierce has joined Childrens Ser- Unfortunately this column will be short as we've not had another meeting as this issue vices (DSS) as caseworker replacing Kim goes to press. However, we have several things on the agenda for our next meeting and Dickerson who accepted the position as will keep you posted via department mailing. A reminder, however, is due concerning Dickerson in the I cep e the position Unit. reimbursement on fitness club memberships. Many of you have forgotten that no reimbursement towards your membership fee may be made until after expiration date of the current membership. Wellness has voted to continue this program until 7 /1/93 at Although Lorna Sultan has left us (Ser which time we'll take another look at it so we will either reimburse after 6 months of the vices Division of DSS), we welcome aboard membership at $50, or 12 months at $100. You must submit a paid bill showing club's two more students, Mandi Liebling and Lori name, employee's name, dates of membership and amount paid. For example, if your Massicotte for a total of 8 students /interns annual membership started 10/1/92, you may submit for the $50 after 4/1193 by sending (several being from Cornell). the appropriate bill. WELCOME BACK... ATTENTION SUBMISSIONS Patricia Carey began work in November 1992 as Legal Unit Administrator. The following is the schedule for the County Corridors Editorial Board meetings. Sincerest Sympathy... 1 We were sorry to hear that Laurie February 9th Dunham's father passed away. March 9th April 20th August 10th May 18th September 21st June 15th October 19th t TTENTION July 13th November 9th August 10th December 7111 RETIREES The Board meets at 9:30 a.m. and should receive article submissions by the day prior to the meeting to allow for mail and copying of the article. Send us pictures showing how you're en- Articles may be submitted to County Corridors, c/o Purchasing; Judy Tynyk, Weights joying retired life. Include a brief article &Measures; Louise McEwen, Personnel; Iretta Ellis, Airport; Sharon Cooper, Assess - about your travels, and activities. Pictures ment; Joyce Musson, County Administrator's; Marilyn Strassberg, COFA; Bill Chapp, will be returned if name and address are DSS. included on the back of the picture. We welcome articles from all employees and retirees. Send photos and articles to: County Corridors t ---- -- °� c/o Tompkins County Purchasing and Central Services ` _ ti << 125 E. Court St. � M ; Ithaca, NY 14850 " ' °1 1 iks l ; 4 . N *7,0 1 /4. - 1L.: C Vii. , Ai \ • > { YVII It • --- --1'-v•-•.-.=■• ' \ Si Dave Jayne of Buildings and Grounds installs locks in the newly renovated OId Jail. Tompkins County began occupying the OId Jail January 8, 1993. 1 . PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS DUE MARCH 1ST! • By: Marilyn Strassberg — COFA Municipalities in New York State are al- more current information on individual final decision on each individual applica- lowed to provide property tax exemptions to school districts and municipalities. tion. homeowners age 65 and over for taxes levied Completion of an application is necessary New applications must show proof of age by village, town, county and school districts. to receive all appropriate tax reductions. and home ownership and attach a statement This is an income eligible program and Residents of the City of Ithaca and residents of their 1992 income. Those who have municipalities now have the option of setting of the towns in Tompkins County must file received this exemption in previous years a maximum annual income limit of up to their applications by March 1, 1993, to be need only to complete the short -form and $21,300 for participation in the exemption eligible for this exemption. (Residents of the income statement that the Assessment Of- program. villages in Tompkins County have already fice automatically mails to them each year. Tompkins County legislators so far have filed their applications, as applications for After paying full taxes for many years, kept a maximum income limit of $18,600 for village homeowners were due by January 1, this is a way for older residents on fixed Tompkins County taxes. However, other 1993.) The Tompkins County Assessment incomes to remain in their own homes! For municipalities have different limits for their Office at 128 East Buffalo Street (2nd floor) more information or an application, call senior tax exemptions. The Tompkins Coun- in Ithaca has the responsibility of making the either the Assessment Office at 274 -5517 or ty Assessment Office at 274 -5517 can supply the Office for the Aging at 277 -0148. New Outreach Coordinator and Volunteers Serum Visual Im aired Elderl ,., g Y p Y ', • By Marilyn Strassberg and David Stoyell - Office for the Aging UPDATE O N TO M P KI N S David Stoyell is the new Outreach Coordinator of the "Social Integration for the Blind" EMPLOYEE DAYCARE Project, a program aiding visually impaired adults age 55 or older in Tompkins County. CENTER Working out of the Office for the Aging, Mr. Stoyell will arrange for assessment of the extent of an individual's visual impairment and keep in touch on a regular basis with those who are legally blind to help them take advantage of community resources. Mr. Stoyell will also try to match newly identified legally blind individuals with volunteers who can visit By: D. McComb, TEDC Board President regularly and help with tasks such as reading mail, ordering talking books, writing letters or just joining in friendly conversation. If you know of someone in need of these services or would like more information on Enrollment is high. The infant room volunteering (2 -4 hours a week), please contact David Stoyell, Outreach Coordinator or which can have eight babies is full. If any Marilyn Strassberg, Aging Services Specialist at 277 -0148. County employees are expecting and want to use the Daycare Center, it is strongly advised they get on the waiting list as soon as pos- FREE UNCLASSIFIEDS LAS+ S I F I E D S I N C sible. County employees do have a priority �7 �7 a the wait of and the County does help (awith Classified ads up to 25 words in length are free to County employees, retirees and their a portion of County employees fees (about p � Y 15 %). immediate families. Ads may be for any purpose except no personal ads will be accepted. No County addresses or telephone numbers maybe listed in the ads. Use this coupon to County employees are on the Daycare send your ad to Corridors c/o Central Services. PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT LEGIBLY! Board and are actively involved in the management of the Center. If any employee group (example, Employee Council) is interested, I'm sure the Director would be willing to meet with them to give more information on the Daycare Center. 1 J