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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-05 R Newsletter la tt ar fo r ?; ":i } } Employees and Retirees A -rti_{ :`?.}� of Tompkins County O .:.:::..::.:::':.::: :.ig.m <<» >:::::>: i[; € `::>::<:. »> MAY 19 Volume 9 Numb er 5 4/a O GIVING CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE by Tim Kessler, Sheriff's Department by Ruth Pond, Finance-Purchasing For the past 17 years Roberta Chiesa,Tompkins Employees Federal Credit Union Manager, has greeted 7 r:,':';'. � ',; 't and served the County's employees. At the end of June '041,04,,'''' ,,F '�`" � she will be taking early retirement so she can spend more f. time with her family which now includes a grandson by the :: µ name of Matthew. M , ' Rita King,who retired from the Health Department ' • !1 and went to work part-time for Roberta said, "that was the It best place to work because I had a great boss who always greeted me with a smile." Rita added, "I found Roberta to be very honest, helpful and considerate to her employees 4 „ as well as to her customers." 1 fi. Roberta said that she would be available to help { ~ ;} out during various extra busy times throughout the year. I ' We will look forward to those times to say Hi once again to you Roberta, but we want to now wish you a happy and 41; healthy retirement. vr,'..1 i, !,','"il ,,. . '111TH ., ,, . .-- .. it el\ ":..ft , 6. li. 4 +`>os J 9 s' The entire Staff and Administration at the : , �� Tompkins County Sheriffs Department would like to thank - '. ' i. ts . Carl Bishop Jr. for the hard work and effort he has 1 displayed as our new cleaning staff. Carl works out of Buildings & Grounds and has really "cleaned this place up." Not only does Carl put an extra effort into his work but he is also an extremely pleasant person to work with. _Alta Ro y Cart%'! OM The Big Fiscal Picture: Surpluses Grow; Dangers Lurk by Scott Heyman County Finance Director David Squires released • his year-end 1995 financial report to the County Board's ' ' Budget and Fiscal Policy Committee on April 23 and it painted the rosiest financial picture that Tompkins County -s has enjoyed in a very long time. The following letter was received from Tom Herdon, Thanks to declining social service caseloads, Microcomputer Specialist. unexpectedly high social service state and federal "Dear Corridors Editorial Board: revenues, strong interest earnings, and a health insurance I look forward to each month's Corridors, finding refund the County's "fund balances" (monies not targeted much of each issue informative and interesting. I read with for any purpose) totaled nearly $9 million. The target set special interest the copyrighted piece by Dr. Martha S. by the County Board is about half of that. Shull which appeared in the April 1996 issue. That's enough money to meet a lot of needs and Unfortunately, while many of the points made by solve a lot of problems. Maybe that will in fact be what is the author were well-founded, I strongly disagree with done with it. For now, though, the County Board is only some of her directives. Specifically, the thrust of most of relieved to see it. The scale of cuts that the state and the questions contained in item number nine and many of federal governments are now debating is more than large the suggestions contained in item number ten seems enough to make $9 million disappear from the County wrong to me. For example. budget very fast. And that statement applies to those who Despite what Dr. Shull writes, not much 'electronic wish to cut LESS, not just to those who wish to cut even space' is taken up by an email message, and hard disk more. storage of email messages is far less expensive than the At the Glen cost of communicating via regular mail or fax. Similarly, when an email message is deleted, 100% of the resources I had an enjoyable time in Watkins Glen on April it consumed are immediately available for re-use--not so 23. Schuyler County's Chamber of Commerce sponsored with paper based communications. a public meeting on the County Administrator form of Because it is cheap and easy to do so, contrary to government. The Schuller County Board has scheduled a Dr. Shull I advocate erring on the side of disseminating vote on a local law establishing such a position. About 100 information to as many persons as might find it useful or people came out in a heavy downpour to ask questions of interesting. Discretion must be exercised, of course;we all me and John Margeson, my counterpart from Allegheny hate junk mail whatever form it takes. Still, in my opinion County. County employees County employees, workgroups, Putting appointed (as opposed to elected) divisions,and departments are far more likely to suffer from administrators in charge of counties, cities, towns and too little communication than from too much. villages is a relatively new practice in the United States. It Dr. Shull is right that, mainly due to the absence of grew out of the "progressive movement" in American vocal and visual cues, one-to-one discussions or policies early in this century and was an attempt, along with negotiations of non-simple issues do work much better civil service reform, to take partisanship out of the daily when held face-to-face or even over the telephone than affairs of government. they do via email—when such interaction can be arranged. As we make our way through an era of However, simple communications of fact and "reinventing"the purposes and procedures of government question/answer sessions are each well-suited to email, it is important to realize that it wasn't that long ago that a and don't require that all parties be accessible to one government job was a reward for faithful party service and another at the same time. This advantage becomes even went to the party regular with the most relatives (more more apparent with group discussions or negotiations, votes for the party). Even today there are many where the drawbacks of using email, while real, compare municipalities and counties where "politics must be favorably to those corresponding to planning for and served"before the needs of the people can be met. There running a meeting (getting everyone in the same place at is absolutely nothing of which the Tompkins County Board the same time, making sure all voices are heard and of Representatives should be more proud, in my opinion, weighed equally, documenting what decisions were made, than its longstanding tradition of keeping inappropriate why, and by whom, and so on). partisanship out of the conduct of County business. Each of these points are debatable, and if the I'm happy to tell you that that tradition is as strong today as article had appeared in a newspaper or general interest it has ever been. magazine, I'd keep my disagreement to myself. However, • since the piece appeared in Corridors and took a prescriptive tone, I am concerned that Corridors' readers Q: What do you get will treat Dr. Shull's admonishments as expressions of if you cross an county policy or'generally acceptable computing practice', elephant with a : neither of which (I've double-checked) they are." Tom Kangaroo? I Note from Corridors Editorial Board: The article Mr. Herden refers to was copyrighted A: Holes all over • • • and permission was granted to Corridors to publish. It was Australia. - - intended as a general interest piece only. DEPARTMENT HEAD MEETING REPORTS. MINUTES, April 24, 1996 Scott reported that the Board's long-range planning process is on-track. A final retreat will be set up in May and will result in a final draft of goals to implement Present: C Nelson, C Covert, D Eckstrom, N Zahler, J the already-developed mission and vision for Tompkins Crowell,G Dentes,J Hanson,J Steiner, I Stein, M P Dolan, County. These will all then be submitted to employees and K Leinthall, J Tynyk, A Cole, A Valenti, J Beach, B the public for review. Benjamin, D Squires, K West, L Austin, S Heyman He reminded everyone: 1) be sure to include the Guest: Geoff Dunn, News Director, Channel 7 reasons WHY money was left over at year-end 1995 when filling in the rollover requests; and 2) be sure to send all job 1. HOW TO GET YOUR INFORMATION INTO performance reviews to Personnel for inclusion in THE LOCAL MEDIA. Julie Crowell, public information employee files, as required by Policy 02-14. coordinator, introduced Geoff Dunn from Channel 7. He He thanked everyone (13 Department heads) who passed out materials that included useful tips. He had filled out his anonymous feedback survey. department emphasized that the style and content of news releases heads are very happy with a number of improvements that and public service announcements needs to vary according were asked for in August 1993, especially with respect to to the communications medium being used. the conduct of these meetings; only a couple of requests 2. RESCHEDULING OF MEETINGS. The group for improvement remain from then which Scott said were rescheduled its next meeting from Wednesday, May 15 to clear and will be addressed. No new requests were Wednesday, May 22. received except for a review of interdepartmental charges 3. EARLY RETIREMENT. The group voted by a (see above). substantial majority to recommend that the County Board Mary Pat reported that a new federal law has been again offer the early retirement incentive program. signed that bars individuals from receiving Supplemental 4. MEETING MANAGEMENT. Scott discussed Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability (S.D.) further with department heads whether it was desirable to payments when the primary disability is drug or alcohol schedule training in meeting management. There was addiction. This will have major impacts on her department consensus that this should be done and should include and others; it will result in a large number of persons now advisory board members who must chair those groups. It appearing for the first time on Home Relief rolls. was suggested that this be divided into introductory and Nancy reported that the DSS phone team has advanced segments for the benefit of those who have completed its work and has scheduled a thorough report on already had some training. its project for the May 2 Leadership Council meeting at 5. SURVEY OF PROCESSES NEEDING 11:00 in the Old Jail Conference Room. IMPROVEMENT. Scott asked department heads to All are welcome to attend what has been described as an discuss and vote on which processes and central support enthusiastic and interesting presentation. services most stood in need of improvement through a Cheryl reported that the Public Works ART team process improvement team such as the Contracts Team. was inviting county employees with interesting jobs to their The group voted: building management (i.e. meetings. She thanked Julie Crowell and Judy Tynyk who cleaning, maintenance, repairs, renovations) (13); upgrade have made presentations this year. employee orientation beyond what Personnel now provides (6); getting an employee hired (6); resolutions (5). - neity orer4p.„. In addition the group asked Scott to ensure that *> "users'training" on how to get what you need from central administrative departments be held at least every three MARK YOUR CALENDAR months and that a checklist for all personnel policies be developed. by Louise McEwen, Personnel Scott said he would make all these things happen. Even though we're running a bit late this year, 6. HOW TO HIRE GOOD STUDENT plans definitely are in the works for the Sixth Annual 25 EMPLOYEES. Scott reported that Anita named the Year Club Dinner. We plan to have the dinner on May 30, following practices which she believes are the reason her beginning with a 5:30 p.m. Social Hour, and we'll be at the department has been so strikingly successful in hiring Ramada Inn-Airport again this year. This event is always productive students employees (mainly through Civitas): fun - we have a wonderful social hour when old and new they interview carefully; they provide an orientation to friends meet, we have a delicious buffet style dinner, and department operations that is just as thorough as with we have a short program to honor those in the Club and permanent employees; they hold students accountable, the new employees being inducted this year. Anyone may even firing those who do not perform; and they find attend: information will be available by the time this issue appropriate tasks for them to do that do not require is published, but if you forget, please call me and I'll sign extensive training. you up. We need to get a final count to the Ramada by 7. NEXT MEETING. It was agreed that the entire May 24. Please pre-register as last year's dinner was agenda (if needed) of the next meeting, on May 22, will delayed as we hurried around and set more tables ... in consist of discussion of interdepartmental charges. Scott addition to that, we ran out of some food items. You can will circulate a survey before then documenting all existing help with the planning by signing up ahead of time. interdepartmental charges. Thanks, and I hope to see many employees and retirees there to join us for this very special and fun evening! „51,..„ \ ��,ft Gardners and Parents: ai 7acIj . ;�1 Beware of Lead Hidden in Soil _._Y` Spring is here and now is the time for planting gardens and playing outside. You can prevent these joyful FROM HERBIE HEART events from causing illness by taking a few simple steps. Physical activity is good for your health. Consider the following facts. Lead is a heavy metal and Benefits include reduced stress, anxiety, and remains where it is deposited in soil, but you cannot see it. depression, increased energy, and enhanced It is detrimental to human health if ingested or inhaled. weight control. Gardeners- remember this when choosing a garden plot. Parents-consider this when your children play outside. c` An inactive lifestyle poses a similar level of Avoid soil with high lead concentration health risk to an individual as the risk Y Soil adjacent to older buildings may have high lead associated with smoking tobacco. content. Leaded paint falls off the building and remains in the soil - up to 6 feet from the house. Do not let children Physical inactivity is a major cause of heart play in bare soil here. Do plant bushes and cover bare soil disease, adult onset diabetes, and some with a thick cover of wood chips. Make sure your children cancers. In addition, it contributes to hyper- only play on grass, thick wood chips, or other similar lead tension and overweight. free playground mulch. Dirt next to heavily trafficked roads and streets is The Healthy Heart/Health Promotion Program suspect. Leaded gasoline was used for many years. Tompkins County Health Department Heavy concentrations are likely to be found in the most trafficked areas. These areas are not appropriate for n gardens or for children's play areas. `/ Soil where a building onte stood should be avoided. Significant soil contamination by lead is likely at old building sites. Keep your garden and your children out of these sites. Test soil for lead I You may want to test your soil for lead. Currently there is no standard for lead in the soil, but any level NIT FOR OMEN greater than 500 ppm is considered elevated and is o.l>.c. considered unsafe for gardening or playing. The following ,./»� �'-��'"' labs will test for lead in the soil for a fee. Call for more IJnenln�Irmm information and for sampling procedures. America's children are in trouble * Buck Environmental Laboratories, Inc. @ 607-753-3403 YOU can help change that on June 1, 1996 * FLI Environmental Services @ 607-565-3500 * JLI Environmental Lab @ 315-253-4433 Every day in America: Avoid vegetables that concentrate lead 15 children are killed by firearms All plants take up lead from the soil along with 2,660 babies are born into poverty water and nutrients. The lead tends to concentrate in a 2,833 students drop out of school plant's leaves and roots. Thus, leafy greens and deep 8,493 children are reported abused or neglected. rooting crops are most susceptible to lead contaminations. Fruit crops present less of a problem because lead does America ranks: not tend to concentrate in fruit. Examples of fruiting crops are: corn, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, squash, 12th among 15 nations in mathematics achievement of tomatoes, beans, peas, and strawberries. While these 13-year olds crops may be safer to grow, it is not advisable to grow any crops in lead contaminated soil. If you do have lead 18th among industrialized countries in the gap between contaminated soil, either move your vegetable garden to rich and poor children a place where the soil is not contaminated or consider container gardening using lead safe soil. 18th worldwide in infant mortality Remember to have your children tested for lead All children, aged 1 and 2, should be tested for 16th worldwide in living standards of our poorest lead at their well child physical. Remind your family doctor children. or pediatrician about this test when your child goes for their physical. Infants and toddlers are especially at risk for lead Call 1-800-663-4032 or write Stand for Children, 1832 poisoning because they like to put their fingers and other Connecticut Ave., NW,Washington D.C. 20009. non food items, eg. Soil, in their mouths. Wash children's E-mail: standinfo @mailback.com hands frequently and especially before eating to minimize the risk of lead poisoning. For more information about lead Convened by the Children's Defense Fund and endorsed by over poisoning prevention call Carol Mohler, 274-6604 or Dawn 1,000 national, state, and local organizations. Czajka at 274-6688. CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH On 4096 the Tompkins County Board of Representatives proclaimed April Child Abuse Prevention Month in Tompkins County. The proclamation says: WHEREAS, all children deserve safety, security, and support from their families and their community, and WHEREAS, the children of this community are our community's future and should have the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential. Therefore we are interested in their safety and security and support, and WHEREAS, all families also need support at one time or another, and some more than others, and especially those families experiencing difficulties and whose children may be a risk need support from their own families, neighbors, and their community, and WHEREAS, the prevention of child abuse and neglect is a community as well as an individual responsibility, NOW THEREFORE, I, Barbara Mink, Vice-Chair of the Tompkins County Board of Representatives, do hereby proclaim the month of April 1996, as CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH IN TOMPKINS COUNTY In honor of this event, I encourage citizens to focus their attention on child abuse prevention, to learn what they can do to help children and strengthen families in our community, and contribute to child abuse prevention in Tompkins County. Staff from DSS participated in several activities to raise awareness and prevent child abuse, including information tables on the Ithaca Commons on Saturdays in April, as well parenting tips in the DSS reception area. Michel Kelly, Case Supervisor at DSS accepted the proclamation from the Board. There are 40 casework staff who work every day to influence the well being of children and families of Tompkins County. Maryanne Banks, Director of Services What do those Child Protective Caseworkers at DSS do??? When there has been a call to the child abuse and Child protective caseworkers work closely with community neglect hot line expressing concern for children's safety, a agencies, schools, medical professional, police, religious common misperception is that CPS caseworkers take organizations, counselors, neighbors, and extended protective custody of these children. families to help families become stronger. Protecting Of all the child protective interventions, protective children is a community effort and strengthening families is custody is least utilized, and considered to be the most most often the best way to protect children. extreme. Out of 788 child protective reports which were Penny VanSchoick, CPS Case Supervisor looked into by DSS CPS staff last year, 55 children were placed in foster care. CHILD PROTECTIVE STAFF How then do child protective workers intervene? First and foremost,they do what is immediately necessary to ensure the safety of children. In extreme cases that might mean taking temporary protective custody. In that case, the action by the Department of Social Services '" always has to be approved by the Family Court, within ae , .■ - very short period of time In cases where a child has to r, leave home, other family members and sometimes even 41C'4 parents'friends or neighbors are considered. We find they ' are often willing to assist. More often caseworkers try to help families keep • their children safe. This might involve installing a chain latch on the front door to keep a three year old from running out into the street. It might be helping parents learn about how to discipline their children without using - -• corporal punishment. It might be talking with a single parent to identify her resources and supports to call upon in times of stress. It might be making phone calls to refer or advocate for parents who want and need a particular 1. Sheila Chase, Michel Kelly, Tammy Pickert service. Whatever the need, each intervention involves 2 Janice Eastman, Dodie Smith, Madelyn Alridge, Peggy Kristoff listening and problem solving with families. 3. Carol Santucci, John Talbot, Linda Buck, Henry Peterson. (11 of the 40) n c--; survey results __.._ „ , -=' , fl�l©° 6 t(nag Totol5Lrveys received.... 330 ..,NNW. (Li k V ? I currently have children in a daycare( Total child care arrangement Yes= 102(31%) No= 228(69%) Yes No Yes No Yes No ? The county should provide financial support or subsidized child care services to its employees 83(85%) 15 168(75%) 55 251(78%) 70 ? The county should offer a'voucher system'to its employees 83(86%) 14 126(61%) 81 209(69%) 95 ? The county should continue to subsidize a daycare facility in the Biggs B building 26(28%) 68 89(45%) HI 115(39%) 179 µ� ? The county should discontinue its subsidy to the daycare facility in the Biggs B building 61(68%) 29 89(46%) 104 150(53%) 133 ? The county should consider other locations for a county subsidized community child core facility 60(61%) 39 N4(70%) 63 20t1(67%) 102 Females 80(82%) 170(81%) 250(81%) Males —_ _— 17 41 58 w O o _ Ages _ O Under 30 21(22%) __ N(6%) 35(11%) C5) - 30-50 72(75%) 152(69%) 224(71%) de3vnedby/om @en Diew Over 50 3(3%) 53(24%) 56(18%) c. CD COUNTY TRIPS Life can be funny What Happened? JUNE 16 When asked whether he We had saved this space for Nascar had graduated in the upper half of you. When we didn't receive your his class, the job applicant article we had to go to print without JULY 12 - 14 eagerly responded, "Sir, I it. graduated in that section of the If you want to try again, we Boston class which makes the upper half will be glad to consider printing what AUGUST 2 possible." you submit. Dinner Cruise It could have been • II r1 1 AUGUST 17 & 18 '4 right here Hershey Park `':1�' `'�i. and here SEPTEMBER 8 - 9 \ste p and here 1 Atlantic City `I Fi � � etc. There is still space available on y �> these trips. Please call Leighann . 2 at 274-6674 for more information "We,the jury,have decided or to make a reservation. to stay out of it." ' 1 CONTRACTS TEAM CUTS PAPERWORK AND TIME! f '` by Nancy Zahler Barbara Mink wrote the following piece for the Departments who handled contracts were surveyeu Ithaca Journal highlighting some of the to see how much time and money it took to improvements made by the Contracts Team. And complete their steps in the chain. The team also now, here's the rest of the story surveyed all their customers and asked for ways to improve the system. The goal was to find a way to When Jackie Kippola the Contracts Coordinator for streamline the process without losing any of the the County volunteered to be the first cross- necessary accountability. functional project under Partners for Quality, all she knew was that there had to be a better way to In February, the Contracts Team unveiled their first process 810 contracts every year. She had heard set of recommendations: the E Z Contract system complaints from departments who were trying to which eliminates dozens of steps and hours of buy equipment or services; members of the Board of routing and checking. The Board of Representatives Representatives weren't fully satisfied with the approved the recommendations and changed the process, and vendors who provide goods and policy to make it more efficient. Now departments services often experienced delays due to a contract can start and complete routine contracts far more process with many steps, many layers of approval simply. For example, the Youth Bureau contracts and many opportunities for a contract to fall off the with youth agencies to provide youth programs. It approval track. She had her own ideas but knew used to take several months before all of the people that everyone who handled contracts had their own involved completed their steps. Now, under the interests and needs and they, too, had a stake in new system, as department head, I can sign a improving the process. contract directly with an agency provided we have the money and the agency is already on-file with the After meeting with trainer Ipek Kursat to review the County. Viola! one completed contract in just about current contract process, together they invited the an hour! people most directly involved in handling lots of contracts to serve on the team. The Contract Team Within a few months, we will follow up with was comprised of: Chris Brill, Brenda Grinnell- departments to see just how much time they Crosby,Jim Kazda, Peter Meskill, Cheryl Nelson, actually are saving with the new streamlined Bob Nicholas,Jim Skaley, and Linnett Warner. process. The time departments save handling After their training on how to use the new contracts can be re-directed into providing other systematic process for improving complicated important public services. processes involving many different departments, the Team was ably facilitated by Iretta Ellis and Joan Jurkowich. Go A '" All of the team members have been diligent and 4 g ea creative. They are to be commended for all of their hard work and for the efficiencies all departments L will now experience in getting contracts approved. Thanks to each and every team member and to {`�;kj �� "., those in departments who provided valuable data to ‘,,'\ ";. help re-structure this important process! Designed by Kathleen Drew I to r. Joan Jurkowich, Cheryl Nelson, Jackie Kippola, Peter Meskill, Linnett Warner, Brenda Grinnell-Crosby and Chris Brill MOTORCYCLE SAFETY TRAINING ' by Cheryl Nelson Atel tar o 3 71 Now that the debate on the use of motorcycles by county +UzL Q�` 1- employees while on county time is over,the Government rr, '----1.1 Operations and Administration Committee (GOA) has Aril directed that motorcycle training be offered (not mandatory) J1 API to those employees that might ride their motorcycle on 4' c� , county time while performing county business. ,�9)-94, ' In order to establish a curriculum for the training, or offer 'i9e g smo torcycle training courses that are already structured, 94 �i information on the number of employees that might ride i , their motorcycle on county business needs to be gathered. it Therefore,if you are an employee that owns a motorcycle " and uses it on county time for county business, please " w AE viii complete the survey below and return it to: Cheryl Nelson, Public Works Administration, 170 Bostwick Rd., Ithaca, NY SPRING INTO SHAPE 14850 or via inter-departmental mail, or call her at 274- 0302 (days) or 898-3214 (evenings). In the next issue of Corridors we will be featuring as many Spring Into Shape teams as we have pictures. Please submit the picture of your team in a group photo Name: with only the name of your team, not individual team member names. Send them to Ruth Pond, Finance- Department: Purchasing by interdepartment mail or to 125 East Court Street, Ithaca, NY 14850. Lighting is very important when Phone#: reproducing photos so please make sure the setting for your photo has proper lighting. We will need your photos (please check the answers to each question that applies by May 31,1996. Thanks! to you) 1. Do you consider yourself a "beginner" or"advanced" County Corridors welcomes motorcycle rider? two new members by Ruth Pond, Finance-Purchasing beginner advanced Lisa Eaton, Finance-Purchasing, and Vickie Wagner, Drafting Technition, have agreed to help with County Corridors using their talents. Lisa has been 2. Would you be interested in receiving motorcycle proofreading for quite some time now, and Vickie has training? just volunteered to help with some original artwork. (Notice (training could result in a 10% deduction in your insurance) the exercise team she drew at the top of this column). We welcome them both and appreciate their willingness to serve. They will receive twice as much yes no money as regular County Corridors Board members receive. 3. If you were to take motorcycle training, do you think it Bonnie Scutt, Finance-Purchasing, found the following bit would be more beneficial to have"hands on"training the of wisdom. motorcycle as opposed to classroom instruction Be Careful i.e.watching videos,discussion, etc.)? Be careful of your thoughts For your thoughts become your words. yes no Be careful of your words For your words become your actions. 4.Would you be willing to take a motorcycle training course Be careful of your actions on your own time if it were to be paid for all or in part? For your actions become your habits. Be careful of your habits yes no For your habits become your character. Thank you for your time. Please return this completed form Be careful of your character to Cheryl Nelson at Public Works Administration, 170 For your character becomes your destiny. Bostwick Rd., Ithaca, NY or via inter-departmental mail. I Author Unknown ■ GG f sl- ��,� � �� Op LONG TERM CARE SERVICES CONSOLIDATE FOR TOMPKINS COUNTY ---- by Liz Norton, Supervisor ' = Long Term Care Services is a newly established - _ - unit located at the Department of Social Services, which IS ELDERHOSTEL FOR YOU? provides a single location for information, referral and case by Marilyn Strassberg,COFA management to all Tompkins County residents with long What is Elderhostel? term care needs. The new unit combines the long term Elderhostel is an educational adventure for older care services which have been offered by the Department adults looking for something different. The later years of Social Services, the Health Department, and the Office should be a time of new beginnings, opportunities and for the Aging. Any Tompkins County resident is eligible for challenges. Elderhostel offers you a way to keep on an assessment to determine their long term care needs expanding your horizons with people who are interested in through this new unit, at no cost. Some of the needs Long the same things you are! Term Care Services can assist with are nursing and adult Elderhostel is a non-profit educational home placement, PRI's, non medical and in home services organization, offers inexpensive, short-term academic and referrals to other community supports. programs hosted by educational institutions around the i t, 1 world. You'll live on college campuses, in conference s 1 centers and environmental study centers and enjoy the t �- cultural and recreational opportunities that go with them. Who is Eligible? P: 14 Individuals 55 years of age and older are eligible. Participants' spouses of any age are welcome. ° Companions of age eligible participants must be at least ¢a 50. �" : i The Basic Program While each program is unique,the typical one includes: "1 ?. 4 dk * 5 or 6 nights, usually starting Sunday afternoon and ending Friday after lunch, or Saturday after breakfast; m * 3 academic courses that meet for 1&1/2 hours each weekday, scheduled so you may take all three; • ) * simple but comfortable dormitory accommodations; * some extracurricular activities Program Charge In the US, the typical charge for a six night left to right:Judy Ryan, Liz Norton, Cheri Hartman, Sally Ryan. program is $340 and for a five-night program it is$320. A limited number of scholarships are set aside for persons of limited means. If you would like more information or an New Tompkins County application, please write to: Logo Needed ELDERHOSTEL by Julie Crowell, Public Information 75 Federal St., If you would like to try your hand at design, The Boston, MA 02110-1941 Public Information Committee is accepting ideas from employees for a new county logo. The logo will be used on International programs are hosted by a wide variety county stationery, ID badges,vehicles etc., to help develop of educational institutions in over 45 countries. These a visual identity of Tompkins County government in the residential programs are usually 2 or 3 weeks long, with community. The county seal, which has been used as a hostelers spending a week at each site. Most international logo, will be gradually phased out except on certain programs include round-trip airfare and cost between documents like resolutions and local laws. $1,710 for a 2-week program in Costa Rica to $4,580 for a Logo designs should be done in black and white, 3-week program in Australia and New Zealand. and easily reproduced. They should be submitted on paper no larger than 8 /2 by 11. The Tompkins County Board of The Office for the Aging has several Elderhostel Representatives will review all of the submissions (which catalogs that can be viewed in the office at 320 N. Tioga include designs from community residents) before making St. in Ithaca. You may also call ELDERHOSTEL at (617) the final selection. 426-8056. Please send your designs through inter-office mail If anyone reading this newsletter has a to Julie Crowell, Public Information, Old Jail, by Friday, HOSTEL(not to be confused with HOSTILE) experience June 7. If you need more information, please call me at and would be willing to share it,please contact Marilyn 274-5554 or send a message by pmail. Logo submissions Strassberg at the Office for the Aging 2745482. will be on display in the Board room at the Courthouse in June. Unclassifieds Personnel Personals For Sale: Welcome to: High rise twin bed, walnut color, mattress Gregory Scott Covert, son of Cathy(Clerk of the Board of only one year old. $100 o/b/o. Call Judy Representatives) and Scott Covert- Gregory was born May 533-7695. 3. Mother and son are home and doing fine. Buick Regal Bodied Stock Car. Never Reid Michael,Grandson of Pam Bush Mental Health. Reid raced. Many extras included. Price was born March 22. negotiable. For more information, please call 277-6462 evenings. FREE COMPOST AVAILABLE Motorcross/Dirt Bike Bell Helmet like new by Louis Sachetti, Compost and Recycling Technician $75. Call 844-3793. The Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division MERRY TILLER Toto Tiller, with sickle has free mulch/compost available at the County's Compost Facility, bar, "three foot", and cultivator Hillview Road, in West Danby. Loading hours are every attachments. Was tuned up by Genes Wednesday from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Machines last year. New plug and points The compost is rich in many nutrients and can be used as and condenser. Also new starting a soil amendment, soil substitute, mulch or fertilizer. Users must assembly. $150. Steve (607)898-3460. provide their own vehicles. For more information and to make arrangements to pick up For Rent: compost, please call the Solid Waste Management office at 273- 3 room apartment, new paint and carpet, 6632 or 173-5700. Cayuga Heights area. Call Hugh at 274- 6541 days or 257-5130 after 6 p.m. Available immediately. The closest anyone ever came to perfection Sarah's Hobbies Need a handmade gift? Many things available was on the job application form. including: afghans (snowflake design and others), beaded key chains, throw pillows, pot holders, barrettes. 2280 Coddington Road.539-7948. Articles to be considered for the JUNE issue must be received (Sarah is Donna, B&G, & Bob, B&G, Deputron's, sister and sister-in-law respectively). by Wednesday, May 29, 1996. Lengthy articles should be on disk. Send by inter-dept. mail to Ruth Pond, Finance/Purchasing or 125 East Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850. SAVE THE DATE Fax: 274-5505. Ali 0 Classified ads up to 25 words in length are free to County employees,retirees and 996 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 T p� p ads. Use this coupon to send your ad to o m Ins o u nt ( m l o ee Corridors c/o Finance-Purchasing. Please type or print legibly! Thanks! 8 GoT Tournament 0 0 ` - COUNTY CORRIDORS `' Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by the volunteer � editorial board based on their interest to Tompkins County employees and retirees.• i They do not necessarily express the opinions of the Editorial Board. Material is 0 i 5. solicited from current employees,retirees and others. :; % % Material for publication is selected by the editorial board which reserves the right to edit any submissions except in the instance of copyright articles. The Editorial Board is made up of: Bill Chapp, Social Services; Sharon Cooper, Assessment; . eot. b 8:30am, Lisa Eaton, (Proofreader), Finance-Purchasing; Iretta Ellis, Information Services; ink Scott Heyman, County Administrator; Louise McEwen, Personnel; Ruth Pond, 1' J 11G1nSDUr GOIT �OUY SO (Editor),Finance-Purchasing;Marilyn Strassberg, Office for the Aging; Judy Tynyk, 0 0 (Chair),Weights and Measures;and Vickie Wagner,(Artist), Drafting Technician. Correspondence may be sent through County inter-department mail to: County Corridors,c/o Finance-Purchasing, 125 East Court St., Ithaca,NY 14850. tir:% ',7:7 i % s % % J %