ဟံၣ်My WebLinkဘၣ်ဃးဒီး1998-10 ' n y` f `; ,T 4 A Newsletter for � � I ii ; • Employees and Retirees ::::...:.: ....... •Im.,00/ ._; ` of Tompkins County , .,; :::::::::::!,.:;,.:,::!!:!.::.::::,.: .. Li _/) . \\1/4 / \ek .... , , i \.....) , ,tt V \ �� OCTOBER 1998 Volume 11 Number 10 United Way Healthy Women Partnership of Tompkins County by Theresa Lyczko, Health Promotion 1998-1999 The Health Department and the Ithaca Breast Alliance by Liz Croop, Mental Health are members of the Healthy Women Partnership - a It's United Way campaign time. County group of local agencies & health care providers employees have been generous over the years - interested in women's health. The program serves we made the Top 76 Contributors list last year eligible women and we're targeting women 50 to 64 years with our contribution of $10,450 - and we are of age. asked once again for our gifts. Members of the partnership support each other's activities and in this case more education about Did you know there are 29 agencies the importance of mammogram screening. locally which receive support from the United Way? Perhaps you have a favorite agency; I like to MAR K YOUR CALENDAR . . picture my contribution buying a Y tankful of gas for the ITHACA BREAST CANCER ALLIANCE �' C ent e r Children's WA L I<AT H 0 N Center bus. How many ways have our lives been touched SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1998 by member agencies? Can we count that high? Join us in the fight against breast cancer! Following are just a few things I learned Our annual walkathon supports education programs and while coordinating last year's campaign: advocacy for people affected by breast cancer in Tompkins County employees are some of the most County and the surrounding area. generous people I have ever worked with. County retirees in 13 states, from New The two -mile walk begins I :00 Pm at the Center Ithaca York to Florida to Oregon to Hawaii sent Pavilion on the Commons. Registration begins at 1 2:30. contributions. What a great bunch! Bring your friends, family, co- workers, and children! Mental Health clients stuffed, addressed, Show that breast cancer is touching all our lives. stamped, and mailed 325 brochures to county retirees . Without their hard, cheerful work, we Rcgistratiou and pledge forms available aftcr.Cabor Day would have been up the proverbial creek without at the Wonur,'s Community Building. yam ett Health Colter. Oasis a paddle. ljrocery, games Books. eyreenstar ciuperatice,l1arket. courts /de Racquet crud .gitncss Club. the V, l f c A. arrd orally otlrcr businesses armrd tong. When I told my husband I had accepted the non- paying, time- consuming job of ITHACA BREAST CANCER ALLIANCE Coordinating our county employee contribution to too W. 5EN ECA STREET . the United Way this year, he asked me why. ITHACA. NEW YORK 14850 (607) 277 And I told him it's one of the most gratifying things I have ever done - because of YOU, my friends, employees of Tompkins County. Tales From the Bush Employee Benefits Day by Dave Bush, Sheriff's Wednesday Well, hello from high above Cayuga's waters. I November 18, 1 998 can't believe that it is already October. I would oil 1 i r' 1 / ; like to thank everyone who sent me birthday 4 r i '/ ;: 1 ' wishes, however someone here at the Sheriffs Human Services Building � S 14� f (( l ip office is up to no good as I have yet to find all First Floor Conference Room `' the presents that were sent to me and I know 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. \ k ' • ,,_ ;�, a there must be a lot of them! Now the good stuff - I was off for three This is an opportunity for employees to .' weeks on vacation with my daughter we obtain information about the variety of traveled to sunny Florida and it was HOT! Did benefits available, and to ask questions of have a great time, but I missed work so we had the experts. The following benefit to return, Ha. programs will be represented: I promise that my weather reports will be sent every day I work now that winter weather will soon be upon us. As I work different hours all the Health Insurance (BCBS, PHP, EHS) time, you will have to keep checking and when the weather gets bad we tend to get very busy so you will have to be patient with me. Flexible Benefits (SIEBA) I have received some definitions that I thought you all might enjoy: CARPERPETUATION - The act, when vacuuming, of running over Deferred Compensation (PEBSCO) a string or a piece of lint at least a dozen times, reaching over to pick it up, examining it, then putting it back on the floor to give the vacuum one more Employee Assistance Program (EAP) chance. DISCONFECT - to sterilize the piece of candy you dropped on the Credit Union (TEFCU) floor by blowing on it, assuming this will somehow remove all the germs. ELBONICS - The actions of two people maneuvering for one Long Term Care Insurance (MELTCA) armrest in a movie theater or airplane. PEPPIER - the waiter in a fancy restaurant whose sole purpose Employee Health & Wellness Benefits seems to be walking around asking diners if they want ground pepper. PHONESIA - the affliction of dialing a phone number and forgetting Mark your calendar. Plan to spend some whom you were calling just as they answer. time talking to the pros about your benefits. Questions can be directed to the From up here on the hill remember that as winter weather begins to make Personnel Department at 274 -5526. itself known, roadways can become very slick, very fast and without warning, take a little extra time and drive carefully. What about your Consumer Reports 8/98 own computer? . The Year 2000 Problem (continued from last month) Social Security Large computer networks aren't the only The Social Security Administration systems at risk of a Year 2000 glitch. If your desktop Windows -based PC was started patching its digit- deficient soft- manufactured before 1995, or if you use ware nearly a decade ago, and almost 90 older database, spreadsheet, or accounting Insurance policies percent of the code for its critical systems software, your system may also be The insurance industry is fragmented, has now been fixed. It is now coordinat- at risk. (None of the computers we've and it is regulated by state commissions— ing with other federal agencies that pro- tested over the past two years has failed not by uniform federal laws. If you have a cess and deliver Social Security payments our Y2K test.) If you own a Macintosh policy that will remain in force into 2000 to ensure that beneficiaries will suffer no computer, there's little to worry about or beyond, you run the risk that the corn- Y2K disruptions. That work should be —all are Y2K compliant. completed this ear. If you're unsure about your computer com puter in which your policy information is P year. readiness for 2000, a program stored might cancel your coverage or What you can do. If you plan to apply offered online by the National Software refuse a claim on the assumption that the for Social Security benefits within the Testing Labs (www.nstl.com /downloads/ policy had lapsed a century ago. next five years, contact the administration P cY P ►Y g y2000.exe) can help. It will test your What you can do. Call your state's in- soon (800 772 -1213; ura; wLssa.gov) and re- computer clock's ability to advance to surance commissioner and request a status quest a copy of your Personal Earnings the year 2000 and handle leap years report on your insurer's readiness to cope and Benefits Statement, Form SSA -7004. properly. To check on potential problems with the Y2K bug. Ask your insurance It will list your annual earnings and what in software you use, contact the software's agent for written confirmation that your you and your employers have paid over publisher to see if the version you rely policies are active. And keep on file a copy the years in Social Security taxes. It will on is Y2K compliant. Some offer simple of your policies, detailing coverage, pre- also provide an estimate of the future patches you can download for free miums paid, and waivers. benefits you can expect to receive. m from the web. t o , "'r r her polished nails on the counter and he got even more nervous. AF A' j ' r^ a She charged her purchases and never said anything to !' 2.,,:. ! the clerk about his missing the lampshades AND SHE KNEW he �� i had not charged her for them. I stood there torn between telling =-. ;1 ,.,I vi a�de gp icgc ied this nervous young man that he made a mistake and letting this t. woman "get away" with her unpaid lampshades. ___4/A . de I did nothing and I now feel very guilty about it. What should I have done? ( y e CT�'�tGwyra - Shameful Sarah ,, • Dear Sarah, Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda..... we do this to ourselves all the time. You didn't know what to do, which is true for most of us, much of the time. The error that occurred was not your responsibility. Here's a different take on all of this: Dear Danielle, My 12 year -old daughter is giving me a rough time - Maybe there was a one -day special on shades & lamps because she thinks she would like to go live with her father. I being priced as a unit (what a novel idea) am quite sure that would not be acceptable because of his living - Maybe when the store matches sales with inventory, conditions, lack of character, etc. He has been in jail for DWI, they will realize that clerks need more training in the and was physically and mentally mean when I was with him. I pricing of store merchandise (exactly what goes with have tried very hard never to degrade him in my daughter's what.... Lids go with plastic bins, pots, casserole presence. Any ideas what I can do about this? dishes, but not lamps) Tearing my Hair Out - If what she did was intentional, then this was just Dear Tearing, another day in the life of someone who is less than Many thoughts come to mind. I was 12 when I realized honest. It will catch up with her. that my father wasn't "quite right ". Until then I thought my - This was a learning experience for the clerk. He'll be mom was mean because she didn't treat him as nice as I thought a better clerk the next time. she should. He was my "daddy ". But, he was an alcoholic. And the revelation that made me see him in this different light came If you still feel compelled to do something about this event, send crashing down at that age. Everything I thought I felt for him the store a copy of this article. tumed to anger. It took a long time to resolve. Your daughter's safety is primary. And, if in your ******************* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** opinion, she is too young to make this kind of decision, then you Dear Danielle, need to take the pressure off. As the custodial parent and I work in one of the County's newest buildings, which guardian, you must decide what decisions she can make and houses several departments. One department is much larger than which one's she's too young to make. You may say that living the rest of us. Members of the larger department tend to think with her dad is not a decision that she gets to make at age 12. the building is solely for their use and they not only ignore those The subject can come up again when she is, perhaps 14, or some of us from the smaller departments, but are often down right other age you feel appropriate. rude (i.e.: not holding the elevator door, employee entrance No matter what happens, she will soon come to learn on door, etc...). How do you suggest this be handled to strengthen her own who her father is. You and other guidance people can the cohesiveness among all County workers? impress upon her that her dad has this illness, this character flaw, — Sick & Tired and that it's HIS personal issue, and not anything she, nor you, Dear S & T, can "fix ". I think you are making assumptions that may not be It's a delicate matter, as daughters typically base their real. If one department is very large, say roughly 190 employees, judgment of men on their fathers. However, here is where you I'm fairly certain they don't even know all of their fellow have FULL control. The fact that you do not degrade him in employees, much less someone who's NOT part of their your daughter's presence is very important. He's not ALL men, department. If you work for a smaller department, then it is he is ONE man, and he's her "daddy ". more likely that you know who THEY are much more readily that they know who YOU are. I really doubt that it's a ******************* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** departmental territory issue. I would guess it to be a courtesy Dear Danielle, issue, which is non - territorial. I was recently at a very nice shopping center and was The cohesiveness starts with one person. Act the way in line to check out. Ahead of me was a rather haughty, well- you believe others should act. The trend will follow. Pick up the dressed woman with a cart full of clothing and household items. incidental piece of scrap paper in the hall, hold the door open, When it was her turn to check out, she informed the young man smile and say good moming, be pleasant. This behavior can be waiting on her that she was in a terrible hurry. I had not seen JUST as addictive as grumpy behavior. this young man at this store before and my first impression was Most people do snap out of the "sick & tired" that he was new. syndrome. The fact that you wrote this note tells me that you're Nervously, he started to ring up her purchases while she ready to do that. Smile, laugh, and be pleasant ALL the time..... watched like a hawk. Among her selections were 2 lamps with People will notice & reciprocate. lampshades. Each piece was marked separately. She watched ******************* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** as he rang up the lamps and just put the lampshades in the bag c� pp// /� / c not realizing they were marked separately. She started to drum Beni c�ue3lionJ to 2 anieUe % Kul , fond, .inane 4 Flu season is coming: — __ f U Counterattack with a Flu Shot! by Jared Jones RN Employee Health #3: Last year, I got the flu immediately after my flu shot. What happened? It takes your body at Last year, more than 150 employees got flu shots to least 2 weeks to develop immunity to the 3 protect themselves during the flu season. That was a 50% major flu strains present in the flu vaccine. increase in participation over the previous year. Employee And, the flu shot can't protect you against Health wants to build on that record with two separate every flu virus, only the 3 most common strategies for this year: strains. You may have contracted a flu virus that was not included in the vaccine or been 1. Provide better employee access by offering more infected with a strain contained in the vaccine clinics at more locations and times. To find out before you were fully immunized. about the flu clinic nearest you, consult the flu clinic schedule below. Employee Health's flu shot campaign provides employees 2. Dispel common misconceptions about flu shots. with inexpensive, (relatively) painless, and convenient People will be able to make a decision about protection against the flu. But flu shots can't replace regular whether to get a flu shot or not based on reliable and daily self -care: eating well, exercising regularly, getting information. Here are three of the most frequently plenty of sleep and managing stress are still the best ways asked questions about flu immunization: to take care of yourself! Employees pay only $4.00 or half the cost of the flu shot. The Wellness Committee #1: Can you get the flu from a flu shot? Since pays the balance. Vaccines against pneumonia will also be the flu vaccine is made from viruses that have available for employees but must be arranged in advance. already been killed, you can't get the flu from Cost to employees for pneumonia vaccines will be your flu shot. $8.00. If you have any questions or concerns or want to #2: I had a flu shot last year. Do I need one this arrange a pneumonia shot in advance, please call the year? You need a flu shot each year because Employee Health nurse, Jared Jones, at 274 -6681 or e- the viruses change from year to year. mail him at jjones @tompkins - co.org . Flu Clinics for County Employees -1998 Airport /Fire and October 7 12 -1 Training Room Disaster Human Services October 13 11 -1 4 Floor Conference Building #1 Room Solid Waste October 13 1:30 -2:30 Conference Room Mental Health October 15 11 -1 6 Floor Conference Room Library October 16 11 -1 Sherman Peer Room Downtown #1: October 20 11 -1 Old Jail Conference Old Jail Room Downtown #2: October 20 3 -5 Board of Reps Court House Conference Room Downtown #3: October 22 11 -1 Planning Conference Planning Dept Room (Basement) Highway/ October 22 3 -4 Training Room Engineering Health October 28 11 -1 Rice Room Human Services October 29 11 -1 4 Floor Conference Building #2 Room A "Thumb's Up" Idea by Diane Bradac, Personnel Dear Colleagues, it October 16 will be my last day as a Tompkins County r ; • employee. I will be retuming to my independent ., ! organizational consulting and training business. i i It has been a great pleasure working with you for these ` _+ past two years. As a departing thought, I would like to share a poem with you that Bara Hotchkiss recently shared with me. It describes one of the reasons I have enjoyed getting to know and work with you. ' : . t otio , I look forward to seeing you around the County. You provide many valuable services to our "customers," and your qualities are appreciated. t Sincerely, This time last year, as we debated holiday gifts for our 6 and 8 Jerry Feist year -old children, my family came up with a fun, unusual, yet practical gift idea. We created a "Take Apart" package. We requested old phones, radios, clocks, stereos and any small ' appliances from friends that they had planned to re -cycle or To Be Of Use throw away. Then we purchased canvas tool belts, gloves, By Marge Piercy screwdrivers, pliers, and safety goggles at a local hardware store. The people I love best I washed off the appliances, cut off the electrical cords jump into work head first and removed any batteries or dangerous parts (use your own without dallying in the shallows judgement, you know your young ones best). An old table in our and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight. basement, covered with a padded tablecloth, became the They seem to become natives of that element, demolition zone! We arranged the appliances and tools on the the black sleek heads of seals table complete with a big bow. Over the next few months, they "took apart" for hours, exploring and discovering how appliances bouncing like half submerged balls. and tools work item by item. As an additional resource, there are several books on "how things work" at the library. It was a fun I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart, who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience, gift and a wonderful way to beat the winter blues. who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward, who do what has to be done, again and again. I want to be with people who submerge in the task, who go into the fields to harvest and work in a row and pass the bags along, who are not parlor generals and field deserters but move in a common rhythm §_ - ` when the food must come in or the fire be put out. The work of the world is common as mud. 4. Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust. �' But the thing worth doing well done" has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident. , Greek amphoras for wine or oil, -. Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums but you know they were made to be used The pitcher cries out for water to carry .. and a person for work that is real. .� `. Unclassifieds The Personal Touch For Sale: Congratulations: 1985 Cadillac Fleetwood, RWD, Asking $1,000. Call 387 -5288 after 6 p.m. to Karen Rose, Health Department, on her ./ I A N:\ marriage to Kevin Johnson, Saturday, August 29. Two Snow Tires. Used one season. Size: P195 75R14 $50. 564 -9334. Services: You are invited to attend... Tynyk Originals - Wearing apparel for the discerning woman from your pattern and Tompkins County Office for the Aging's material. Also J Tees - embroidered designs on Public Hearing your Tee or Sweatshirt. Call Judy evenings or followed by a presentation and discussion on Social Security weekends at 564 -9244. with special guest Congressman Maurice Hinchey FREE RABIES CLINICS October 20, 21 and 22 Monday, October 19 at 10 a.m. Call Frank Chase 274 - 6688 Human Services Building for details. Ground Floor Auditorium 320 West State Street HELP ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Please join us to give comment on our proposed 1999 plan. Copies of the plan will be available in our office at 320 North Tioga Street on October 12. If you have any questions, please call the Office for ("` ', the Aging 274 -5482. • Articles to be considered for the November 5 issue must be It's hard for us to believe that people are not received by noon, Monday, October 19. Lengthy articles should interested in the Nov. 7 -8 Reading Outlet be on disk. Send by interdepartmental mail to Ruth Pond, Finance, shopping trip! or 125 East Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850. Fax: 274 -5558. UNCLASSIFIEDS 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, however we do need the full name of the person submitting the ad. Use If people don't sign up VERY soon, that trip will this coupon to send your ad via interdepartmental mail to Ruth Pond, County have to be cancelled! Corridors c/o Finance, or 125 East Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850. Please type or print legibly! Thanks! Money for that trip must be paid by October 22. 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. They do not necessarily express the opinions of the Editorial Board. Material is 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, Sheriff's; Liz Croop, Mental Health; Lisa Eaton, (Proofreader), Finance - Purchasing; Iretta Ellis, Information Services; Ruth Pond, (Editor), Finance; Michelle Pottorff, Bd. Of Call Pete Coats 274 6688 or Representatives; Judy Tynyk, (Chair), Weights and Measures; and Vickie Wagner, (Artist), Drafting Technician. Lynda Rose 274 -6674 and Correspondence may be sent through County inter- department mail to: County Corridors, c/o Finance - Purchasing, 125 East Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850. sign -up today!