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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-07 • iii4 Newsletter f r A 0 E d Retirees rea Employees ee an t s o s R :.f z P Y ire.: .JJJ ' 4 . ..4nv of Tompkins Co 0 unt County k : : }:.::::.::. T�1 E S � A y Z T ':M :: : :' JULY 1995 Volume 8 Number 7 DONATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS by Cheryl Nelson, Public Works Administrator In these times when there seems to only be bad news, it is easy for us to become unaware that there are Tots of good things happening - things like miracles! On May 18th of this year, my son Barry, celebrated his #,,, „ . ,, 5th anniversary with his transplanted kidney. A lot of employees, both present and retired, take the time to ask £' me on a regular basis, how he is doing. Our family J support from Tompkins received a lot of su . P County employees P Y ees ,; �,r �� while we were going through the difficult times associated - with Barry's disease, through kidney failure, hemodialysis,� and finally transplantation. ,.::,,,� i , k r ,. Over the years, a lot of you have asked me questions -, , M ' � „,4r: �`'LR about how someone becomes a donor, or what are laws / s' ” and legal issues of organ donation and transplantation. " j • r i Therefore, I felt it appropriate to share the following i-rf, information with you. I hope that you find it informative. ' On behalf of the Nelson family, who has truly been given .-4 a "new lease on life" as the result of a successful kidney transplant, I encourage you to sign a donor card and donate organs for transplantation. Barry enjoys his favorite recreation thanks to a kidney There is no greater gift than the gift of life! transplant in 1990 that restored his quality of life. 1. Nearly 40,000 US patients are now waiting for an organ donation, more than 2,000 new patients are added to the waiting list each month. 2. Organ donors can be newborns or 65 years or older. (Check the back of your driver's license) 3. Vital organs may be recovered and transported thousands of miles to a transport center and still be viable for transplantation. This is due, in part, to advances in preservation techniques. 4. By signing a Uniform Donor Card, an individual shows her/his wish to be a donor. However, at the time of death, the person's next -of -kin still will be asked to sign a consent form for donation. It is important for people who want to be donors to tell family members about this decision so their wishes will be honored at the time of death. Estimates are that 35 percent of potential donors are never used because family members do not give consent. 5. All costs related to donation of organs and tissues are paid by the donor program. Rarely, a family receives a bill by mistake. If this happens, families should contact the hospital or procurement agency immediately. 6. Donor organs and tissues are removed surgically and the donor's body is closed, as in any surgery. There is no deformation of the body and open casket funerals are still possible. 7. Organ and tissue transplants in 1994 included: kidney, pancreas, kidney - pancreas, liver,heart,heart-lung, lung and intestines, skin, bone, cornea, and bone marrow. We make a living by what we get.... we make a life by what we give! Managing Department Budgets by Scott Heyman Last month I used this column to talk about the Fewer than a half dozen County employees have County budget — what local residents have to pay in been laid off without finding new County placements over County taxes, where the rest of County funds come from, the last four difficult years — a record few, if any New York and how we spend our money. State counties can match. This month's column is about department budgets The motor vehicle office and the buildings and — how they differ from each other, how they manage their grounds operation have been hit especially hard in the last money, and what happens when things go well and poorly. couple of years, motor vehicle by decreases in revenues in Next month's column will be about sales tax the County Clerk's office, on which they depended, and revenues, outside mandates on what we do and how we do buildings and grounds by escalating utility costs that make 1 { it, the fund balance, and debt management. up over 40% of all their spending. The County Clerk, the County departments receive nearly all of their Buildings and Grounds Manager, and the Public Works funds from four sources: 1) general revenues (property Commissioner have all worked long and hard with me and taxes, sales taxes, and miscellaneous items like interest with the County Board to react responsibly to the fiscal earnings and penalties on delinquent taxes); 2) fees for problems they faced and to avoid laying off employees to services; 3) state aid; and 4) federal aid. solve difficult problems. It would be hard to exaggerate how different In buildings and grounds in particular, a long list of County departmental budgets are from one another in their imaginative, and difficult, moves and changes have been "mix" of these four kinds of revenue. The budgets for some made the net result of which has been that no employee small departments such as the Board of Representatives has been thrown out of work. Staffing has decreased, and Human Rights are funded nearly 100% by "general about which no one is happy, but not as a result of layoffs. revenues ". The budget of the STOP -DWI department All of us responsible for managing County budgets contains only one kind of funding: fines paid by convicted and all of us who work for County government have drunk drivers. benefitted from the enlightened approach that the County But most departments have a mix of these four Board has taken to fiscal stringency over the past four revenues. years. Where other County Boards have stepped in and All department heads do everything they can to get "taken control" with things like hiring freezes our Board, the maximum amount of state and federal aid to which they when it has had to cut funding, has increased the authority are entitled. When that is not enough to pay for all the department heads have over their own spending. They are things that the County Board and the community want micromanaging much less and spending more time done, they consider direct fees for service; sometimes attending to the rolls they want County government to play these are well accepted by the public since people "get in improving our community. They have moved to permit what they pay for" and sometimes they are not. Lastly departments to carry over unspent funds from one year to departments turn to "the County", by which they mean the next, moving away from the outmoded use it or lose it" general revenues. approach most governments use. Since sales taxes and other miscellaneous County department heads have the ability to work revenues are not in anyone's direct control (we get what we together with their employees, find ways to become more get), any funding increase or decrease from general efficient, and then use their own best judgment on how to revenues affects property taxes which are shown, in every employ those savings. We are very very fortunate to be in opinion poll on the subject, to be the public's least favorite the vanguard of government bodies in the United States tax. that have responded to fiscal difficulty by trusting their For this reason, when the County Board reviews employees more, not less. proposals to increase general revenue (i.e. property tax) This is why layoffs have been able to be minimized funding they always receive the most attention and and why, in many cases, services have been increased generate the most controversy. and improved even as funding has been cut. Every department head is expected to "balance the budget" every year. This means that they cannot DID YOU KNOW overspend general revenues. Whenever this does happen, they have to explain In February, 1996, we will receive 3 paychecks! We why it happened and they have to propose a solution to will be paid February 1 and 15 and 29. Our guess is that whatever problem caused the overrun. you'll not see this again in your lifetime. Start planning now In recent years department heads have had to for this great event. manage their budgets under the most intense imaginable pressure. The cutting edge of that pressure is their And now, a piece of "Netiquette" reluctance to lay off employees. While it is unpleasant to In composing an email message it's best to use mixed reduce funding for anything, reducing funding by throwing case, or if you must choose between all -upper and all -lower a co- worker out of work is an action department heads choose lower case. An entire screen full of upper case text have been avoiding at all costs. Layoffs, or even the very can be hard to read: by convention the all -upper case prospect of them, create fear for every employee and a format is RESERVED FOR PHRASES GIVEN SPECIAL crisis for their families. EMPHASIS, and long passages of all -upper case words are interpreted as the email equivalent of SHOUTING. EMPLOYEES SPEAK OUT ON FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR THE COUNTY by Nancy Zahler, Youth Bureau The Leadership Council is helping the Board of The survey turned out to be an unintended referendum Representatives chart a course for the future of the County. on Walmart: Later this fall, the Board of Representatives will draft a 12 employees felt Walmart should come to Ithaca and 3 vision for what our County could be like in the future. They opposed it will also describe the role county government should play in making that vision a reality. County employees, When asked to circle the 5 elements they considered managers, and residents who use County services who will most important to include in a vision statement: be affected by this planning will have a chance to provide 65% circled A Safe community input to the Board of Representatives. 60% circled Employment Opportunities On June 7, every employee was given the opportunity to 42% circled Educational opportunties for all react to some of the ideas identified by individual board 34% circled Services which promote social and economic members and to give their own opinions. The final results well -being are not yet complete but here are some preliminary 26% circled Environmental integrity. findings: Of the 700+ employees, 96 returned or 14% - . . I. , , responded so far. - . i i t t 1 , 1 rir When asked what other elements they would want to see 4 i ' _ ' w1 included in a vision statement, employees had 72 different t it f t 1 rr tm 1 i ; i ;, ideas. Although we can't print each suggestion due to , ,; / , , " ` ; ,, ! ! limited space, the list that follows gives you a flavor of the diversity of opinions held by employees and the variety in the futures envisioned for the County: Housing and basic goods would be more affordable. - l''' >; i r� Health care, child care, and community care for seniors w would be more available. , Taxes would be lower and the size of government would be smaller. .4 4 k, Recreational spaces and opportunities for youth and . families would be more plentiful and accessible. ilt eirtio ' II, „ ,�° Ma Services and facilities would be more efficient. Fringe benefits for employees would include dental and optical. Labor and Management leaders sign the Partnership Agreement Traffic would be less and parking would be more protecting all employees participating in Partners for Quality. accessible. Standing left to right: Lynn Wafros, Penny Van Shoick, Scott Arts and the environment would be protected and Heyman. improved. Seated: Tony Denmark, Barbara Mink. The county would concentrate Tess on the City and more Next month: What kind of employer should Tompkins County be? on towns. Communication and cooperation among governments You can still have your say. Return your completed survey to the would be better. Leadership Council mail box at the Old Jail. Thanks to those of The County Board would be representative, trusted and you who did respondl planning for the future. WANT TO HELP A FRIEND QUIT SMOKING? by Sue K gore, R.N., Health Department Learn how to give practical advice to encourage a smoker to quit. The Health Department's Health Promotion Program has prepared a free, one hour presentation, OFFERING SMOKING CESSATION ADVICE. The Health Department developed this training course for the Tri-County Tobacco Control Coalition. Methods of delivering a brief non - smoking message, with consideration for the smoker, will be discussed. You will learn what to say when, and how to say it. And you will receive materials that will be helpful in your communications with smokers. You may also decide to become a trainer and offer this presentation to other groups. Remember your school days, when you approached a favorite teacher or friend with a problem, rather than a professional counselor? Are you now the person others turn to because you are trusted, and are a good listener? If so, you could be influential in helping someone to quit smoking. If there is sufficient interest, times and places will be arranged (during the work day). For more information, please contact Louise McEwen at 274 -5526 or Sue Kilgore at 274 -6710. FOSTER PARENT RECOGNITION CASEWORKER OF THE YEAR by Mary Camal, DSS by Maryanne Banks, Director of Services, DSS May was Foster Parent Month and to celebrate that Two DSS caseworkers, Kristen Karwoski and Mark occasion, Tompkins County DSS held a dinner at the Lake Crimmons- Murdock received "caseworker of the year" Watch Inn on May 12 for our Foster parents. Currently we awards on May 12, 1995. The award is given annually to have 80 foster families. There were 125 children placed in caseworkers by Tompkins County foster parents. these homes as of June, 1995. On average, Tompkins Kristen has been working at DSS as a foster care and County foster children remain in care about 1.5 years. preventive caseworker since February, 1994. She grew up The following awards were presented at the dinner: in Annapolis, Maryland, and received her degree in 5 years of service awards Sociology from Cortland State. She returned to our area Bill and Barb Ayers from Maryland to work at DSS as a caseworker. She says Abe and Denise Lee she finds the most rewarding part of her job is "the work Gail Mazourek with the families, the foster families and really being Sara Shenk able to make a difference." Bill and Bonnie Tyler Mark has been with DSS since February, 1990. He Chuck and Betty White began as a caseworker in Adult Protective Services in a 15 years of service awards new position created in 1990 to do adult protective intakes. Ruby Hawk Then he moved to the adoption unit where he has The following foster parents received awards for facilitated adoptions for over 30 children. In addition, he dilligence in working with community agencies on has conducted orientation and training sessions for foster behalf of foster children and their families from New York and adoptive parents. He is well known among his State Department of Social Services: colleagues for his sense of humor. Mark says the adoption Bruce and Mary Burlingame work is very rewarding in the sense that he can help "to Rod and Sue Blomfield complete a family" when he finds a child for potential Xhem and Nancy Shebu adoptive parents. He says the quality of Tompkins Roger and Pat Terwilliger County foster parents and adoptive parents also Al and Debra Walker makes his job rewarding. Mark lives in Nichols, NY with Paul and Mary Weber his wife Marianna. I Gary and Erica Weiss Foster parents presented Kristen with a beautiful Music for the evening was provided by Nick D'Alleva engraved glass desk plaque and Mark with a wall plaque (CPS Investigator), Judge William Barrett, Charlie Shew recognizing him for his "professionalism and and Chris Woitach. compassion in working with families. "DSS is very The following individuals and businesses contributed proud of Kristen and Mark. Congratulations! generously to make the evening a success: Flowerfield Florist Bool's Flower Shop The Flower Basket Ithaca Flowershop ART TAKES A TRIP The Plantation Wegman's Flower Shop by Cheryl Nelson, P.W. Administrator Michaleen's Florist & Garden Shop On Wednesday, June 14th, seven members of the PublicWorks Administrative Resource Team (ART) donned Monetary donations: their reflective orange safety vests and visited three Dryden Family Medicine NYSEG highway field projects. The team felt it was important to Cogentex, Inc. Walters Chevrolet see the various types of projects done in the field by the First National Bank of Groton Ithaca Journal News Public Works staff in order to get a better understanding of Axiohm W.S. Downing the operations, terms and activities that before the trip, they Jim Ray Mobile Homes Blue Light Cab Co., Inc. only heard about in the office. Cayuga Press of Ithaca, Inc. Lee Newhart Insurance The ART members visited a cold bituminous recycling All -Mode Communications, Inc. ALK- Kolor, Inc. project on Falls Road, a retaining wall construction project Dr. Bernard Graham, D.C. Durrani Moving Systems on Podunk Road, and a pavement operation on Turkey Hill Madeline Capuaro- Graham, MSW, CSW Road. The ART Partners were offered the opportunity to First Federal Savings & Loan of Rochester - Ithaca Branch "assist" with the various projects, if they desired. Michelle Drs. Ronald Krantz & Peter Kaufman Eighmey, Account Clerk Typist, seized the opportunity and Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Little & Mickelson got to ride on and steer the paver. (This machine weighs Day & Night Food Stores/ Dean Fowler Oil Co., Inc. about 15 tons!) Emerson Power Transmission The morning's activities wrapped up with a lunch at Guthrie Medical Group - Ithaca Office Chukkers. The ART Partners would like to thank Ward Eastern Artificial Insemination Co -op., Inc. Hungerford, County Highway Manager for acting as our Tompkins County Probation Dept. Employees tour guide. The next stop for ART will be at the Solid Waste In addition to foster parents and DSS staff, the dinner Composting Facility later this month. The team hopes to was attended by representatives of community agencies visit field operations performed by all of the Divisions of the and members of the Board of Representatives. Public Works Department (Airport, Buildings and Grounds, This was the fourth Annual Dinner held by Tompkins Engineering, Highway, Solid Waste and Transit) in order to County to recognize foster parents. become more familiar with the operations they support. HERE'S HOW... CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE for those who care for older & disabled adults by Marilyn Strassberg, COFA Caregiver Coordinator PROGRAM by Kate Halliday, Counselor, F &CS EAP SUMMER /FALL Schedule of Meetings For many people, making the phone call to contact a counselor is a frightening step. The fact that most of us CARING & SHARING tend to wait until we are in desparate straights before we CAREGIVER' GROUP ask for help makes it even more of a challenge. We at the OPEN TO ALL CAREGIVERS Employee Assistance Program of Family & Children's Saturdays 10 - 11:30 Service try our best to make that first call and first meeting Cooperative Extension as simple as possible. During business hours your call will meets once monthly be answered by a staff member who takes your name and August 5, September 9, October 14, November 4 & telephone number, and will give you the next available December 2. appointment which fits your schedule. We are happy to try to accommodate specific requests for counselors, ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT GROUP according to gender for example. It is very helpful for us to OPEN TO THOSE CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH know if you feel an urgent need to be seen immediately - DEMENTIA that way we can respond to people in crisis or who are not Alternate Tuesdays 2 - 4:30 p.m. safe. Office for the Aging Courthouse At your first visit, you'll be greeted by the staff August 1, 15, 29 - September 12, 26 - October 10, 24 - person at our front desk, and invited to sit in the waiting November 7, 21 - December 5, 19. area while you fill out a brief health form. Your counselor will come and meet you there. ELDERCARE SUPPORT CARE In the first session, counselors work to help you OPEN TO EMPLOYED CAREGIVERS feel at ease (or at least less anxious) about our program. Wednesday noon -1 p.m. We begin by explaining that the EAP offers confidential Ithaca College - meets once monthly counseling that our clients can be assured that their September 13, October 11, November 8, December 13. privacy is observed. Nobody, neither family member nor This group is taking a break for the summer. work supervisor, can obtain information that a client is The first meeting of the fall will be on September 13. coming to the EAP unless the client gives written The first meeting of the fall will be on September 13. permission. Schedule subject to changes - call 274 -5482 and ask Different counselors have different styles. All of us for Marilyn Strassberg for confirmation of meetings. work hard to help people recognize how they can get support in difficult times. Often it takes only a few meetings to help a person get back "on track" as she or he learns JJ�. to strengthen skills that already exist, and develop new ways of coping with problems. If someone decides, in consultation with the EAP counselor, that he or she will need more treatment than the 6 sessions supplied free of charge to County employees here, we help the client find GRANDPARENT ALERT appropriate, affordable therapy in the community. Start looking for (or taking) pictures of your grandchildren. The September issue will once again be a There's no mystery to using the EAP, all it takes is time to show them off. This year we would like to ask you one phone call. We have a commitment to serving all to send pictures no larger than 3" x 5 ". Send them to: eligible employees, with respect and support for their Ruth Pond, Purchasing, 125 East Court Street, Ithaca, NY individual and differing backgrounds and needs. 14850. Please do not send irreplaceable photographs - we will do our best to return them but sometimes things get Our number is 273 -1129. Don't be shy about lost. Thanks for your cooperation. Pictures should be here calling. Remember... County employees receive 6 free by FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8. visits and all visits are strictly confidential. DEPARTMENT OF SCANNER RESULTS REDUNDANCY DEPARTMENT In response to last issue's scanner article, over 30 County employees told us they had been overcharged due to scanner programing errors. Keep watching at the SOUTHERN DOS: check -out counter - you could save yourself some WALL RECKON? EP /NOPE money! PERSONNEL PERSONALS LIGHTNING AND THUNDER STORMS CONGRATULATIONS TO: Reprinted from Parlay Intemat'I...submitted by Frank Croteau, Safety & Health Coved. Lucinda Rothschild, COFA, on the birth of a Lightning storms kill more people than any other kind of storm. baby girl July 2. Her name is Megan and mother Such storms occur most often in the summer months. In fact, more and daughter are doing fine. than 2/3rds of lightning deaths occur in June, July and August, when K YOU TO: people are most likely to be outdoors. THANK for the many cards, and Survivors have reported that they could tell lightning was about to expressions the many c all during calls, cards visits its and kinnesd strike in their area during a thunderstorm when static electricity in the and passing, with special appreciation for gifts to air made their skin tingle and their hair stand on end. friendships are If lightning hits something else before striking you, its force is the Ambulance Fund. Your fr treasured. Sincerely, Phi! & Lee iendship lessened. It may not necessarily kill you, but injuries can range from shock and minor burns to broken bones, serious burns, suffocation and heart failure. Nearby lightning that doesn't strike you at all still U NCLASS 1 FI EDS causes shock waves that are powerful enough to crush your lungs. FOR SALE: 2 Bedroom Ranch in Dryden Village. Full Lessening Your Risk of Being Struck by Lightning basement - yard with garden and lawn shed. If a lightning storm looks likely while you're outside or in an isolated Move -in condition. Price negotiable in the $60's. building, follow these tips: Call 844 -9952 or 844 -8719. • Get off high ground and away from tall trees, the openings of caves, rocky overhangs or large boulders. TRIPS - TRIPS - TRIPS • Keep well away from anything made of metal, including a by Leighann Baldwin, Health Dept bicycle or motorcycle. The only exception is your car if you are driving. A car is one of the safest places to be, even if Hershey Park - August 19 and 20 lightning strikes it. Still some seats available. We need to know • In an open area kneel on the ground, preferably on by Friday, July 21. See last issue for details. something dry, since water is a good conductor of electricity. Keep your feet and knees close together and your hands off Atlantic City - September 17 and 18 the ground, bend at the waist and lower your head as close This is an overnight trip and the cost includes to your knees as possible until the danger passes. bus transportation, accommodations at the Taj • If you are a swimming or in a small boat, get to the shore Mahal, $10 coin bonus, buffet dinner, and tickets immediately. If you are in a large boat, go below. The boat to a show. We will be leaving in the early pilot should not touch anything made of metal. morning on Sunday, and returning on Monday • Do not golf, fly a kite or ride a horse during a lightning storm, night. The cost will be $95 per person based on even if no rain is falling. double occupancy. Must be at least 19 years. • At home, unplug your TV and disconnect any wires that may connect to antennas on the roof. In fact, avoid all electrical Buffalo Bills appliances and all parts of your plumbing system. We are anticipating the arrival of tickets to the October 8, 1:OOp.m. game against the NY Next issue: FIRST AID FOR LIGHTNING STRIKES Jets. The cost will be $30 per person and includes bus transportation and a ticket to the game. (Sony, no hotdog) IF AT FIRST YOU DO SUCCEED TRY NOT TO LOOK ASTONISHED Just a reminder - These trips are open to County employees. The employee may bring along immediate family members or a guest. If COUNTY CORRIDORS you have any questions regarding who is eligible Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by the to attend, please drop a note in inter - office mail volunteer editorial board based on their interest to Tompkins County to Leighann at the Health Department. She will employees and retirees. Material is solicited from current employees, get back to you with an explanation. If you are retirees and others. interested in making a reservation for a trip Material for publication is selected by the editorial board which please call Leighann at 274 -6674. reserves the right to edit any submissions. The editorial board is made up of: Bill Chapp, Social Services; Sharon Cooper, The Vending Committee provides funding for Assessment; lretta Ellis, Data Processing; Scott Heyman, County the bus transportation and/or offsets ticket costs Administrator; Louise McEwen, Personnel; Ruth Pond, (Editor), for these trips. Your quarters, dimes and nickels Finance - Purchasing; Marilyn Strassberg, Office for the Aging; and at work for you! Judy Tynyk, (Chair), Weights and Measures. Correspondence may be sent through County inter - office mail to: Thank you to the Vending Committee!! County Corridors, c/o Finance - Purchasing, 125 E. Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850.