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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-04 w OE Naw f a a t era s m Io a a s slattar and or P y R C on" i.1.1.11," 11. .: , 1 1 :1 1.1. : :i. 1.1..!: „ ,:.1i . ; : 1,i.j.; , 1, : i 1;. :i; . : --- : ii , . \ , ! of Tompkins Coun t y c :.....:..:.:.: . .:..... :.,•,:. ::•;E:::::: - Iiiiii!i::iii iiiii:i!: ..i::::) r - 4 / ' 7 111 1, r`, , /—::::::::, .7 o j APRIL 1996 .rr\' Volume 9 Number 4 A SURE SIGN OF SPRING! The sprin * is sprun the grass is riz >< �, ll g9 g absoid , E I woaafter where as DOi�lies is? _ .� u d --- t i Da little h01d are on da win .te a ' � �t�+ �.t A € datl, ? : . ( �,_. 4... , ,, y' 4 Da little win are on (la hoids, , " - - -- . -=-..) + =w , t, • A TYNYK ORIGINAL: .... ` - - L _ ; . State Group Selects County - j f Weights & Measures Director . by Scott Heyman, County Administrator ,. // t. In an action demonstrating outstanding wisdom and good judgment, the New York State Weights and The Department of Weights & Measures is getting the lead Measures Association has elected Tompkins' own Judy (weights) out to test the vehicle scales at the Solid Waste facility. Tynyk as its next President. Meeting in Niagara Falls in March, the group SPRING INTO SHAPE named Tynyk to oversee its 11 standing committees and to by Louise McEwen, for Wellness represent her colleagues from the state's 56 counties and By now, teams are well on their way to competing New York City at meetings of the Northeastern Weights for the first, second and third places in the Spring Into and Measures Association. Tynyk is also a candidate to Shape Program. As Captains were advised on April 3, represent Northeastern at the National Conference on competition is tough this year with 309 participants and 42 Weights and Measures. teams in the running! The Wellness Committee was Tynyk has served as county Director of Weights amazed at the County employees' interest and eagerness and Measures since January 1989. to participate, and we thank you again for that -- without The appointment came as no surprise. Tynyk has you, there would be no program. So have fun during the served as the Association's Secretary for several years, program from April 8 through May 19 and hopefully and has exercised strong leadership by spearheading continue what you've begun so you're ready for the fall attempts to get clarity from the state and national program when it rolls around. governments on ambiguous regulations. In working with Thanks again to Galina Rosenfine of Planning for several hundred local businesses she has been a the logo ... and to Ruth Pond, Purchasing, for the healthy shining example of local government service -- strongly words which appear on the backs of your Tshirts. enforcing important consumer protections, but at the same f S'. We hope you like our new logo and the Tshirts. time helping local vendors to comply with the law. Beyond all this she has served on the editorial board of this outstanding employee newsletter since its inception. IF YOU ALWAYS 00 /// WHAT YOU ALWAYS DID, YOU'LL ALWAYS GET C onjra1u/?a1ioni 9 uc 4 , ... WHAT YOU ALWAYS GOT! Department Head Meeting Minutes 3/13 Aurora reported that as of March 1 Motor Vehicle by Scott Heyman, County Administrator Bureaus must pull the driver's license of persons who fail Present: D Franklin, C Covert, S Heyman, K West, to pay child support. Frank Croteau, Ted Merritt from DSS, A Valenti, D Squires, D Eckstrom, B DeLuca, I Stein, J and Bill Finnerty from IPD are all advising on how to Hanson, K Leinthall, A Cole, W Mobbs, M P Dolan, J address the security risks that this will present. Beach, N Zahler, L Austin, J Steiner, L Stanley, K Drew, L Kathy Leinthall reported that Megan's Law went Shurtleff, T Joseph into effect but is being held up in the courts. Deputy Administrator West gavelled the meeting to Scott reported: order at 3:00 p.m. - The proposed motorcycle policy stalled out in the 1. Tim Joseph, chair of the Board's Budget and Governmental Operations committee who rejected it 1 - 3. Fiscal Policy Committee, was present to discuss the - Bill Benjamin, formerly a Probation Supervisor problem of Board members' sense of lack of control of here, has been appointed Criminal Justice Coordinator. base departmental budgets. Mary Pat and others pointed - The old ethics disclosure form will have to be out that in budget meetings the attention stays on base used this year since the new one was not approved by the budgets and departmental goals and planning only very County Board. briefly, then turns to special requests for lengthy debate. Department Head Meeting - 4/3/96 She said the reason for a sense of lack of control of base Present: D Franklin, C Covert, S Heyman, K West, A budgets may well be the lack of time spent dealing with Valenti, D Squires, D Eckstrom, G Dentes, L Austin, B them. DeLuca, I Stein, A Fitzpatrick, J Hanson, K Leinthall, A Scott agreed and said that the reduction over the Cole, W J Mobbs, M P Dolan, J Beach, J Tynyk, Nancy last decade in the number of Board approvals required for Zahler, Lee Shurtleff, Julie Crowell department heads to move money around among their GUEST: Tim Joseph, Chair, County Board Budget & accounts also may be decreasing Board members' sense Fiscal Policy Committee of familiarity and control. Tim said he felt that he and other Board members 1. Tim said he had asked to come back to often use the review of small items as a means to continue the discussion of last meeting. He said he discussing how to change things that they otherwise thought of three better examples of the kinds of situations cannot change. that lead to a sense, for himself, of not being able to be Several said they thought a solution would be for appropriately effective. Board committees to schedule and conduct more in -depth Tim described the three situations; all were reviews of programs. instances where he believed things were not being 2. BUDGET CALENDAR. All present reviewed managed appropriately, or suspected that they might not with Tim the proposed 1997 budget calendar and the be, and he felt he had not way to be sure. budget committee's work plan for 1996. There was extensive of the issues these examples It was requested that Kathy West send out all of raised. Points made by department heads and Tim the budget information that she provides (rent costs, CDI, included: etc.) at one time rather than as they become available. - Everyone who is in the position of supervising She agreed. someone who has expertise that the supervisor does not Various department heads volunteered to serve on have faces a dilemma: When do I overrule someone who budget committee task forces. knows more than I do? How persistent should I be in 3. REPORTS. Mary Pat updated all on the following through on concerns? At what point am I Leadership Council and said that her phone team is nearly becoming an interfering boss? finished. - Whenever a Board member feels that something Scott and Nancy updated on Board long range is not being handled the way it should be, he or she should planning activities. A draft mission and vision have been feel completely free to ask questions and to continue to completed by Board members. A final draft of County follow up on those questions just as long as needed. The goals will be done in April and all will be publicized for responder's work schedule should be respected, but the comment and discussion. Board member should not feel that extensive followup is David reported that year -end 1995 reports were inappropriate in any sense. distributed on March 5. The County's fiscal position has - It is essential to look at the total context of the continued to be very strong. situation; many times things appear to be mishandled only Nancy reported that the partnership between the because the observer lacks in -depth understanding. County and the local municipalities to increase accessibility - Constituent concems must always be taken very to City Youth Bureau recreation opportunities resulted in seriously and the followup sometimes must take place 1800 more children participating in 1995 vs. 1994. more quickly than staff might wish. Mary Pat reported that a bulletin board of up to - The Board needs to set priorities and make date information on the Human Services Building project expectations clear; chatting among themselves is not has been placed in the lobby of Biggs A and is working well constructive if staff never find out what are their concerns; as a way to keep all employees updated. every concern can't be a top priority. 1 1 Department Head Minutes 4/3/96 continued COUNTY BOARD - Board members sometimes send mixed and/or HAILS EMPLOYEES conflicting messages. by Scott Heyman - When questions originate with constituents it On April 2 acting County Board chair Barbara Mink usually works best to put staff in direct touch with the presented County Administrator Scott Heyman with a constituent, and ask the staff to let the Board member certificate proclaiming April 2 - 8, 1996 Tompkins County know how the questions were answered. Government Week. - The Board should discuss this whole issue at Heyman accepted the certificate on behalf of "all of length -- what are appropriate ways of exerting control? the men and women in County government who are Tim thanked everyone for their comments. He said providing the quality services our community needs." He he felt that the need for the Board to state its priorities was said, "I know how proud our employees are of the work the most important message he had heard. they do to make this an outstanding county, and I'm 2. REVISED FISCAL POLICY. Scott reminded everyone proud that the County Board has, in a warm and that the Fiscal Policy as revised last December requires, heartfelt way, acknowledged their efforts." for the first time, that all changes in fees be reviewed by The proclamation can be viewed in the Department the County Administrator and the Director of Finance, of Administration in the Old Jail, second floor. recommended upon by the department's program committee and by the budget committee, and enacted by the Board of Representatives. See Section 3.09 of the Policy. 3. REPORTS. 4/11(1r% Kathy reported that the Budget Forms Task Force had held two meeting and is looking at changes that everyone agrees are improvements, that make the forms easier to use without decreasing their usefullness. Scott reported that the Task Force on Whether /How to Include Space Costs and Costs of Legal Claims in all County budgets had voted overwhelmingly against including such costs in budgets, at least for now. Irene reported that Tim had chaired the Fiscal Repetitive Motion Injury -- Policy (including rollover) Task Force in a mutual gains An Ounce of Prevention mode. A list was generated and agreed upon of the goals by Scott Heyman, County Administrator of our rollover policy. Next the group will try to come up People who work in factories performing repetitive with ways of achieving all of those goals. tasks often develop "repetitive motion injury". When the Mary Pat reported that the Phones Team, a pilot same hand and wrist movements, for example, are PFQ project in her department, has finished its work and repeated day in and day out the excess strain causes will make a presentation to the Leadership Council on May tendons to swell and press on the main nerve of the hand. 2 at 1:00, location TBA. She invited all department heads. This persistent irritation of the nerve can result in pain, Scott and Julie said they would try to have this videotaped. numbness, and dysfunction not only in the hands and Scott reported that the rewritten ethics code will be wrists but up the forearm and elbow as well. discussed soon by the Governmental Operations and Carpal tunnel syndrome is one repetitive motion Administration Committee and the full County Board. He injury; it often afflicts persons who operate keyboards. It is expects an attempt to delete the section of the existing often preventable through proper hand positioning and code that states, "No employee or public official may make hand exercises. a public statement criticizing the job performance of "Ergonomics" is the study of the relationship another employee or official...." He said he does not intend between the human body and its physical environment. to oppose this effort because he feels the policy offers little Experts in ergonomics can advise on how to organize the protection to anyone because it would be so difficult to workplace and carry out tasks in ways that minimize the prove, but it does expose accused persons to unfair attack. risk of injury. Two department heads suggested that the Board could Frank Croteau, Employee Safety and Health adopt a policy statement that says that personal attacks Coordinator (274 -6704, P Mail frank_croteau) has are uncalled for and should not occur, rather than expertise on preventing repetitive motion injury and has continuing the prohibition in the Ethics Code. access to experts in the field. And, County department Anita announced that Civitas work -study students heads have worked with my office to set up a system that are again available from Cornell this summer for 15% of enables their departments to purchase equipment without their total cost. Her office has information. hassles or delays when it is needed. Contact your department or Frank if you feel that your job is putting you at risk. P \ I _ � qu lit U N� ,✓ PARTNERS FOR QUALITY UPDATE APRIL 8, 1996 by Nancy Zahler, Youth Bureau Ipek Kursat, one of the County's quality consultants to help them work as a team to use the quality problem - solving Q: Is Partners for Quality Making a Difference Yet? steps they would be using over the next five months. The Coordinating Committee also appointed a Guidance Team A: YES! The DSS Phone Team's Project is a great comprised of Maryanne Banks, Director of Services, example of what PARTNERS FOR QUALITY is Penny VanShoick, Case Supervisor and Ann Rider, beginning to accomplish. Senior Case Worker and Jackie Yoder, Director of Administrative Services to help the team define their task Q: SURE... But what do real employees have to say and to provide the support the Team needed to succeed. about PFQ? With the help of team leader Sharon VanEtten and facilitators Sally Ryan and Cheri Bowers these brave "Hey, there is something that can be done (to improve souls embarked on the first cross - functional team within a phone system) and we figured it out ourselves!" large department. Just what did the Phone Team do? "This was different from other committees or projects First, they defined the problem as clearly as possible and because the facilitators helped keep us on track ... we made sure they were only trying to change something that collected hard data rather than using hunches to was within their control. Then the Guidance Team set up pinpoint the problems... and we stayed very focused." some limits to keep them on track. The charge to the Phone Team was: "(Being on the phone team) was very interesting and rewarding even though in the beginning it seemed The project team will develop the most efficient hopeless and some of our co- workers didn't believe and effective process for answering and routing the team would make a difference." incoming phone calls in the services division. "I really learned a lot about how groups work that I can The Guidance Team outlined the following parameters: use for the rest of my life." • The process developed should allow the public and The quotes above were made by members of the DSS other DSS units to reach who they want in Services Phone Team about their first experience with the Partners with as few transfers as possible. for Quality problem - solving process. • The process should reduce the number of The largest department in County government - unnecessary interruptions related to phones. Social Services wants to empower its 250+ employees to • The process should not rely on the main use their knowledge, experience, and problem - solving switchboard for its success and should lessen skills to improve the many services provided to over 14,000 reliance on the switchboard if possible. people in Tompkins County. That is why DSS was • The process needs to be implemented without hiring selected as a pilot department for Partners for Quality. additional staff and the team should keep in mind They began by creating a Coordinating Committee current financial constraints when they propose comprised of equal numbers of managers and employees solutions. appointed by labor leaders. After this unique committee • The process should be ready to implement in five learned to work together, they started applying the months. principles of quality by asking the employees in the Services Division, "Which work processes get in the • The Team should be mindful that if other staff's way of providing quality services to your customers in duties are changed, that this change does not the department and the community ?" Of all the good constitute work out the scope of their current job suggestions offered, many staff said that the current description. methods of answering and routing calls was just not working well enough for them or the people trying to reach them. During their 2 hour meetings every other week, Because this problem was concrete, of interest to the staff shared their knowledge about how the current employees as well as external customers, and was within phone systems works (and doesn't). Then, to find out what the department's control to change, the cross - functional clients, foster parents, staff from outside agencies and DSS PHONE TEAM was created. Team members: Cheri employees experienced when they try to call the Services Hartman, Beth Jolles, Nancy Tee, Andrew Timm, Division, the Team distributed a survey to get data about Donna Whitaker, and Kathy Wilsea and team leader the kinds of problems callers encountered. They got a Sharon VanEtten went through two days of training with great response: Over 170 people told them that: • The phone system was a very important sound recommendations based on hard data to improve means of communication the system. We will publish a summary of the follow -up • Nearly all service providers need to speak results gathered by the Team after the 90 trial period. to a specific individual The DSS Coordinating Committee and the 30% said that routing of calls was a Leadership Council would like to thank all team members • and facilitators for being willing to learn a new process, for problem when the person desired cannot working together as a team across unit boundaries, and for be reached developing an impressive plan which we all hope will make • 22% experienced problems in how phones it possible for the DSS Services Division to provide better were answered- callers got no answer, a quality services more efficiently to the many people who busy signal, had problems with the depend on them each year. answering machine or an uninformed person handled the call CONGRATULATIONS ON A JOB • 32% of the problems were related to not WELL DONE!! returning messages, undelivered messages, not knowing where caseworkers are and incorrect transferring of calls • Callers encountered problems with the answering machine and switchboard While they were waiting for surveys to be returned and analyzed, they got help from Information Services to learn more about what their present telephones could do and tips for using the available features correctly. Once they had data to pinpoint the places in the system where breakdowns occur, they began to brainstorm a variety of possible changes. They had to evaluate them to be sure any proposed solutions fit within their original guidelines. What did the Phone Team recommend? In late March, the Team developed an implementation plan to streamline in- coming calls. They developed a flow chart to show the new method for routing calls which will insure that a person (rather than a machine) answered in- coming calls. They developed procedures make sure that if the person being called wasn't available, �ls COUNTY 1- IEALTI -I DEPT. the call would be picked up by someone who knew that person's schedule and who would be prepared to take a WALK -1N IMMUNIZATION CLINIC message or connect the caller to an answering machine if 274 -6616 they preferred. The Team then talked to the support staff who would be central to the success and secured their 1st Tuesday of the month cooperation. Each single -line phone will be equipped with Tompkins County Library a signal to show if calls are being transferred. The Team is - 63 already arranging to have a few additional multi -line phones installed to ensure staff have the tools they need to work efficiently in the new system. The cost of these 2nd. Tuesday of the tnonth improvements is less than $500.00 and requires no Southside Community Center additional staff. The Team has developed procedures to 10Opm - 3000pm help all of the services staff implement these changes and they will be tracking the results over the next 90 days to find out what works and what needs to be fine tuned to 3rd. Tuesday of the month enable internal and external customers to have efficient Tompkins County Health Dept. and effective phone access to those in the Services 430pm - 630ptn Division. Although the problems caused by lack of easy access to Services Division staff have not yet been solved, those most intimately involved in the system have made What You Should - and Shouldn't - Say When You Send Those E -Mail Messages by Dr. Martha S. Shull, Copyright by Encoders Inc. February 1996, Volume 15, Number 4 Most e-mail users rarely forget to check the spelling in the messages they compose. But, they often neglect to check how their communication will come across to their readers. Even well- meaning individuals write messages that they would never say aloud. To make sure your e-mail doesn't short circuit a business relationship, consider these common sense guidelines: ® Check your messages for grammar idiosyncrasies. @Think about who may read your message. You need Have you fallen into the habit of using the ellipsis instead to consider not only the person the message is for but also of completing your thoughts? Do you get carried away with anyone else who may read it. Consider the possibility that peculiar punctuation- the e-mail symbols many writers use your message will take an unexpected electronic turn and to take the place of words and to indicate thoughts and appear in the wrong mailbox. Do you need to comment feelings? Some symbols may confuse instead of about a third party in your message? Is what you need to communicate. say negative or could it be construed as such? If so, 8 Reread and then reread messages again before you consider using the phone or meeting in person instead. send them. Would you be offended by the tone? If your @Try to picture how your message's receiver will react tone is brusque, the receiver may think that he or she has when reading your message. Would you say to this person done something to offend you. Or suppose you're the type face to face the same thing you're writing? Have you who has trouble telling a joke. Your reader may interpret inadvertently been sarcastic or judgmental? Is the receiver your torte as satirical and as a cover for irritation and someone who's sure to put a negative spin on your exasperation - which it very well might be. message? 0 Do you consistently write more than you need? Are Remember: If you were conversing orally, you might you swamping your readers with too many unrelated and attempt to temper the bluntness in your message or the unnecessary details? Do you give so much information - exasperation you feel with a grin or a teasing tone. But important and unimportant and in no particular order - that that's difficult to do with e-mail, even if you use a smile your poor reader cannot easily conclude what matters and symbol. Why chance creating anxiety or even distrust what doesn't? by sending messages that lack human warmth? Do you clutter people's valuable electronic space with © Avoid starting a message by saying something such non - urgent items that you could fax or send by regular as: "Why didn't you answer me sooner?" Some mail? Do you immediately broadcast every little tidbit you procrastinators may deserve this kind of blunt reminder. come across? Don't assume that those you communicate But you'll do more for the relationship if you open with a with aren't up to speed on the latest news and trends. face - saving statement. Again, they may well think you're patronizing them by Example: "1 wasn't sure if my message got through yesterday, so here it is again." Electronic messages that sending common - knowledge information. begin with "Why didn't you" come across as even more ®Don't let e-mail become a substitute for in- person or directing and authoritative than when you talk on the phone phone conversations. Guard against using e-mail to or in person. converse with your colleagues in the offices next door. ® Ask yourself whether you would be embarrassed if a Unless the message must absolutely be in writing, try member of your family read the message you plan to send. communicating the old fashioned way; face to face. Walk Why risk sending something that has innuendoes or down the hall or to the next building to speak with remarks that would offend anyone. Apply what I call the colleagues. Invite them to lunch. Or use the phone. "Aunt Alma test." If my proper and prissy Aunt Alma Often, a phone conversation takes a fraction of the time would not find the remark amusing or appropriate, I scrap needed to compose a message, send it and wait for an it. You'll probably be better off if you save your funny answer. remarks and jokes to use in a face -to -face conversation And, finally, keep in mind that readers will respond more with an audience you know will be amused. At least then willingly to the writer who remembers the human element you'll have the opportunity to backpedal if you get a in communication. Do you think to add a personal line or negative reaction. two when you know the reader well? Do you remember to say thank you? The message medium may be cutting ® Make sure your message is not too cryptic. Have you edge, but it will never replace the old- fashioned "thank you clearly and concisely said all the reader needs to know? and "please." Or have you withheld just enough of the details so that you Until some clever person programs a courtesy checker, retain control and force the reader to read between the you'll profit from from your own courtesy check. That lines, guess or assume? Keep this in mind: Information means that you must recognize that the tone of what you control is a communication power play that can backfire write should reflect the kinds of messages you expect to very easily. find in your electronic basket. 3 `' SHOTS FOR TOTS Submitted by Karen Bishop, Health Dept. mimiggiumir.kii Are your children or grandchildren fully C� --� immunized? Did you know children need a series of r - F— vaccinations before age two to protect them against 9 different childhood diseases? The Health Dept. has teamed up with the Ithaca Rotary and Dryden Rotary Clubs TRIPS for the "Shots for Tots" campaign. Our collaborative efforts are aimed at increasing public awareness about the importance of immunizations for children, especially ages 0 -2 years. Together we will be celebrating the Week of June 16 - Nascar thge Young Child and National Immunization Week April 21 -27. To kick off the week, we will be participating This day trip includes bus transportation and a with Rotary in the Creative Arts Festival to be held on the ticket to the UAW -GM Teamwork 500 at Pocono. The cost Commons on April 20. In addition, several radio and TV of this trip is $65 per person. spots will be aired this month with spokespeople from both the Health Department and Rotary talking about "Shots for Tots July 12 - 14 Boston Tots." Why all the fuss? In 1995, less than 65% of the children in our community were fully immunized by the time Three day, two night trip includes accommodations they turned 2. How could that be in Tompkins County? at the Days Inn in Danvers for 2 nights, an all day pass for There are many reasons for this including but not limited to the Old Town Trolley on Saturday, room tax, baggage a common belief that "these diseases just don't exist handling and bus transportation. The cost for this trip is anymore so I don't need to have my kids get these shots, $125 per person, based on double occupancy. right ?" Wrong! Childhood diseases like measles, and pertussis are still around. Immunizations are the best way August 178t18- Hershey Park to protect our children and our community. Our goal is to Little League Hall of Fame increase the immunization rate of Tompkins County's 2 year olds to at least 90 %. We need your help to do this. This two day trip includes one night Won't you take a moment and check your children's or accommodations at the Hershey Lodge, all day pass to grandchildren's immunization records. Are they up to Hershey Park, entrance to the Little League Hall of Fame, date? Not sure? Call the Health Dept. at 274 -6616 to and bus transportation. The Hershey Lodge provides a review your children's or grandchildren's records to make shuttle bus that transports guests to and from Hershey sure they are up to date or to make an appointment to get Park on the half hour. This allows families with children to whatever immunizations are necessary. Do you belong to rest and return to the park whenever they want. The cost an organization or community group that would like to join for this trip is $90 for adults (based on double occupancy) our "Shots for Tots" campaign? Contact Karen Bishop at and $20 for children who stay in the room with 2 adults. the Health Dept. At 274-6616 for more information. Remember, we all have a stake in "Shots for Tots" because healthy tots are our future. Our children are September 8 -9 Atlantic City counting on us! This overnight includes accommodations at the Taj Mahal, $10 coin bonus, buffet dinner, ticket to a show, room tax, baggage handling and bus transportation. The cost for this trip is $110 per person, based on double occupancy. Healthy tots As always, these trips are provided for need all Tompkins County employees, their families and friends. their shots. There is no alcohol or smoking allowed on the \ bus. All trips are based on a first come - first served \ basis. ' If you have any questions, or would like to eck tt out. make a reservation, please call Leighann at 274 -6674. (See other side) Cri Captain Bill's Seneca Lake Cruise Friday, August 2nd 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Cost - $20 per adult and $10 for children (ordering from the children's menu) Choices: • Prime Rib • Stuffed Cornish Game Hen • Scallops Sauteed in a Creamy Wine And Mushroom Sauce • Roast Duck with Sweet and Sour Sauce - • Rack of Baby Back Pork Ribs • Tortellini Primavera F J or reJervationo, Jend parnent to P atty &arnrn, eaCth 2 apartment `‘ -.. -''5, 1 *%,., 11111"1111- (---- / 11 __._ iii ,.....,...z. ,,, . __ _ _.._:,..i.k___-_____,.:4.,__..t_ __________-_,:!,, ,.,,,, ...,,„,„-,,,s.. , — .,,-,-. .,,,-,ii_.–m.t.„._-,c.„7,.-3_31.111.... ` . ` . ,,__„,_:,___,: :: _,„:_t____,t1 2 7 „:_,f 7 - ':"7- SIGNS OF SPRING (finally) Like robins, sure signs of spring are kids on bikes Ji Jt J ctc1i and in -line skates. National SAFE KIDS Week May 4 -11 y� provides a reminder to wear a protective helmet while having fun on wheels. In fact, New York State law now FROM HERBIE HEART requires children under 14 to wear a helmet while # If Americans reduced the average amount of riding a bicycle, and while using in -line skates. saturated fat in their diets from the current level of about 12 Safety on wheels also requires: percent of total calories to nine percent, about 100,000 alertness to surrounding conditions first -time coronary events such as heart attacks (costing ..having equipment in good shape some $13 billion in health care) could be prevented by the using equipment correctly year 2005, according to a recent study published in the knowing and obeying rules of the road. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Some of the main sources of saturated fat: ground beef, whole milk, Parents, schools and youth workers are cheese, steaks, roasts, luncheon meats, and desserts. encouraged to get these messages across to youngsters. * The biggest health benefit can be found when A head injury can be devastating, resulting in permanent individuals go from doing nothing to a moderate level of brain damage or death. physical activity (this is the largest segment of our A number of bike safety events are provided for population). Adapted from the Surgeon General's report to youngsters in Tompkins County each spring and summer. These are extremely valuable in providing "hands on" be released in May. experience. Ir May is National High Blood Pressure Month. Anyone can develop a bike safety event! In One in four American adults has high blood pressure, the Tompkins County, PTA's and Service Clubs have provided main cause of stroke, and a major contributor to heart events, often collaborating with bike shops and police disease and kidney failure. Herbie urges you to call the departments. The Health Department can provide "how to" National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to find out how brochures, and refer you to experienced groups for more you can prevent and treat high blood pressure: 1- 800 -575- information. WELL. And, keep in mind a unique Ithaca organization, The Healthy Heart/Health Promotion Program RIBS (Recycle Ithaca Bicycles). Bikes, bike helmets and Tompkins County Health Department bike repairs can be obtained at RIBS in exchange for some hours spent helping out at the RIBS shop - 309 S. Corn LET THE GAMES BEGIN Street. Hours: Saturday 10 -6. by Marilyn Strassberg COFA Videos, information and materials are available The EMPIRE STATE SENIOR GAMES is an from the Healthy Heart/Health Promotion Program at the organized sports and leisure program for New York State Health Department. Please call 274 -6710. residents 50 and older which will be held in Syracuse, NY, from June 6 - 9, 1996. All participants must complete and fi, \ return an entry form by May 15, 1996. Entry forms can be obtained from the Tompkins 6,V County Office for the Aging in the basement of the County office or through Inter - office mail by calling 274-5482. Any NY State resident who is at least 50 years of age or older before June 6, 1996, is eligible to participate. For a $25 registration fee, participants can take part in any of the competitive and recreational events, attend a fantastic social event each evening, and receive a program booklet, results book and commemorative T -shirt. SPRING INTO SHAPE * *CHALLENGE* * CRIME-SAFETY by Aurora Valenti, County Clerk CONCERNS FOR SENIORS The members of COFA Springers (Office for the by Marilyn Strassberg, COFA Aging) have challenged the Cellar Rats (County Clerk) in On Thursday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the race to acquire points! State Trooper Michael O'Connell will speak at the Senior The team with fewer points at the deadline date will Citizen's Center, 213 South Geneva Street on host a dish -to -pass lunch for the other team. Crime /Safety concerns for seniors. The event is co- Both teams are formulating menus to present for sponsored by the Office for the Aging and the Senior preparation by the other team. Citizens Council. Unclassifieds Personnel Personals Wanted: Congratulations to: Electric Kiln, Glass Fusing supplies, Arel, B &G, and Amanda LeMaro on the birth of their Champion Juicer, Washer /Dryer and daughter, Olivia Joy, bom February 23, 1996. Upright Freezer. Call Sally at 273 -2831. For Sale: Melissa Lynch, Mental Health, on the birth of her daughter Motorcross /Dirt Bike Bell Helmet - like new Jordan May, born March 11, 1996. Jordan May is also the $95. Call 844 -3793. granddaughter of John Cooper, B &G and Sharon Apartment for Rent: Cooper, Assessment. 708 N. Cayuga St. on bus line. Three Geri Bochenski, County Clerk's, on the birth of her 1st bedrooms, off street parking for one grandchild, Zachary Jacob, born March 5, 1996. car, private entrance, $650 /mo. Includes heat, water, and sewer. Tenant pays Vickie Wagner, Assessment, on the birth of granddaughter electric and garbage. 1 yr. Lease. Zoe Michelle, born January 7, 1996. Call Ed at 273 -6849 Louise McEwen, Personnel, on the birth of grandson DILBERT'® by Scott Adams Benjamin Robert who arrived April 1, 1996. L'M GOING TO MAKE Welcome to: YOUR GROUP A "SELF- Rita Negri, Auditor in the Finance Department. MANAGED TEAM_`' Bill Benjamin, Criminal Justice Coordinator. Susanne Davis, member, Board of Representatives. ) ... Tim Stephenson, Caseworker, DSS. Allison Rice, County Clinical Nurse, Health Department J.J. Franklin, Data Collector Solid Wast - Jana Tayl or, Case Man ager, Phy sically Handicapped ` .J , I ' Children's Program. lb 'r - Thank You to: ' The Wellness Committee for providing the Tshirts for "Spring Into Shape" and to Chris Brill, Purchasing, for all her hard work to ensure that we got them on time. ALL OF THE VITAL Articles to be considered for the May issue must be received MANAGEMENT TASKS by Monday, May 6, 1996. Send by inter -dept. mail to Ruth THAT I'VE (SEEN DOING Pond, Finance /Purchasing or 125 East Court St., Ithaca, NY WILL NOW I3E SHARED 14850. Fax: 274 -5505. AMONG YOU. Classified ads up to 25 words in length are free to County employees, retirees and their immediate families. Ads may be for any purpose except no personal ads will be accepted. No County addresses or telephone numbers may be listed in these ads. Use this coupon to send your ad to U Corridors Go Finance- Purchasing. Please type or print legibly! Thanks! v U�; , STOP YOUR WORK TRACK - AND GIVE f1E A YOUR COUNTY CORRIDORS STATUS REPORT! TIME. Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by the f volunteer editorial board based on their interest to Tompkins County employees and I I THINK 1 g retirees. Material is solicited from current employees, retirees and others. I'LL KISS k Material for publication is selected by the editorial board which reserves the right L sOtEDUTTS_ to edit any submissions. The editorial board is made up of: Bill Chapp, Social OP _ Services; Sharon Cooper, Assessment; Iretta Ellis, InformationServices; Scott li Heyman, County Administrator; Louise McEwen, Personnel; Ruth Pond, (Editor), D Finance - Purchasing; Marilyn Strassberg, Office for the Aging; and Judy Tynyk, `.:�� - ( Chair), Weights and Measures. • •: ) • p `� Correspondence may be sent through County inter- department mail to: County r S Corridors, Go Finance- Purchasing, 125 East Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850. •