ဟံၣ်My WebLinkဘၣ်ဃးဒီး1999-08 - Ct . ' ,01, - [ ....\\I A Newsletter for Employees and Retirees �,. of Tompkins ; County j Ilan 7 ,, A 7 i ,,, : ...., ,, ei-, � a AUGUST 1999 � � Volume 12 Number 8 ii : The )SE )AY$ of August Chocolate Peanut Butter Frogs ,� M submitted by Chris Brill, Finance; c^ 0 " �� E.] ? r from "Oreo with a Twist" • P - . 2 ounces semisweet chocolate - 4 e 2 Tablespoons butter or margarine 12 OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies 3 Tablespoons creamy peanut butter 24 PLANTERS Mini - pretzels Twists • 24 candy- coated chocolate or peanut butter '%. '''9 candies ` a ° 0 Heat chocolate and butter in small ' saucepan over low heat, stirring until melted and IP §( smooth; set aside. w- 0 Spread bottom of each cookie with 1 • teaspoon peanut butter; dip bottom into melted �" chocolate mixture. Quickly press 2 pretzel twists on chocolate for frog legs with wide part of pretzels =k� : facing outward. Place, pretzel side down, on .,. ,jf,,, , waxed- paper -lined baking sheet. ' , p si: 4 k. \n , ,-.. 0 Attach candies for eyes using remaining '' chocolate mixture or, if desired, additional peanut picture by Katy Prince, Health Dept butter. Let stand until chocolate sets. Any port in a storm or a hot day. Makes 12 cookie frogs. DEFERRED COMPENSATION When was the last time you reviewed your PEBSCO account? Suzanne Slimbaugh will be available to discuss deferred compensation on September 29 and 30, 1999. If you are currently enrolled she will be prepared to discuss your account status. If you are not currently enrolled, you may wish to consider this method of accumulating some extra money to supplement your retirement income. WHEN WHAT TIME WHERE Wednesday 9:00 am to 10:30 am Mental Health Board Room. September 29 12:00 to 3:00 pm Human Services Bldg, #328 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm Public Works Conf. Room Thursday 8:30 am to 10:30 am Old Jail Conference Room September 30 11:00 to 12:30 noon Biggs Bldg. B, Rice Conf. Room 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Sheriffs Dept. Training Room County Administrator's Report Board of Reps by Rick Erb How many times have we WHAT'S NEWS all said that we wished we F �` could help a co- worker who , ' is facing a difficult time in by Wendy Skinner, Public Information Coordinator i • t his /her life? Here is a way that you can. For several The actions of the Board of Representatives affect , . # years, the County has almost every County employee, directly or indirectly. ? administered an Employee What are they up to? Here are a few hot topics. ..7: ' Emergency Pool to assist " j those who have exhausted JAIL EXPANSION — YES or NO all of their fringe time, but are dealing with personal The consultants who were hired to help the County illness or the need to care study the Public Safety Building have been asked to for a member of their narrow down the options. This month, the consult - immediate family. It works ants will present plans and estimated costs for: through the voluntary donation of discretionary fringe time (i.e. vacation and compensatory time) by County • doing nothing to the facility: employees. The time is then converted to a cash value • addressing only the most immediate needs and is available for others to use, following an application • expanding the building in stages process. Currently, the pool of hours is very low and needs • expanding the building all at once to be built back up. If you are interested in donating any amount of your accumulated time, contact Jackie Yoder in Besides confirming that the jail population is likely the Personnel Office for more information. to continue to grow in the future, the jail study has A short column for this month, as I am leaving for also pointed out problems with the administrative and a few days respite from budgetary matters. Yes, I will now road patrol side of the building. be one of the multitudes driving around coastal Maine with New York plates. SURFING THE NET FOR ... YOUR HOUSE? / ' Z1 The City is poised to do it, and the County may fol- � !". low suit: put assessment records for all residents on `��' the Internet. County officials have already agreed that k IIIIIII,IIIII,I„i � owners' names, and any information about exemp- � V �N_��, (� tions —such as disability or senior citizen — would .!! ;` �� not be included. The question is whether residents object for reasons of privacy. The complete info is available to the public, or course, at the Assessment I would like to thank the State Legislature for working office. The Board delayed a decision on posting the diligently to get their budget out before the end of summer. records until it gets a sense of public sentiment. Now if we can meet their rigorous schedule, we can all look HOW TO SPEND THAT TOBACCO MONEY forward to a completed County budget some time next April. So far, key Reps have agreed that they disagree on Enjoy what is left of summer and remember: "Only the truly mediocre are always at their best." the best use of the tobacco settlement funds. The bud- get committee tossed it around at several meetings. 1 Some members think most of the money should go 1 toward health- related programs; some think it should 1 be considered general revenue, to be used for many �` ."),. different purposes. How much might the County re- ceive? Almost $1 million in 2000, increasing to $1.5 :"" 7 A t t a c k ! ! ! million in 2002, to almost $2 million by 2018. Do you have a favorite snack? Well, now is your chance TEENS IN GOVERNMENT to share your ideas. Please send your favorite snack ideas Teenagers in a GIAC program will participate in interdepartmental mail to Ruth Pond, Finance or County government through a special committee of (rpond @tompkins- co.org). the Board or Reps, and on May 1, 2000, they'll spend See cover page for an idea submitted by Chris Brill, Finance. the day with the County Administrator and other staff. As for your daughter, I believe that you should wait until she is older to make this decision. At this point, she is CZ" Iu/f e t 0 looking up to her older brothers decisions and weighing them against her parents feelings. e 1 agree with Danielle that "hop- scotching back and forth" would only cause problems between you and your 1:2)9w/ntwe L children. If you allowed this, the children would always have the option of 'moving back' when mom or dad does something that they don't like. -- Dan xxx+ xx+# xxxxxxxxx+++#+## xx x## +++ x # # + # + + # #x # #x # # #x ++xx + # # # + + # # ++ Dear Dan & Danielle, Dear Dan & Danielle, I don't know if you two are parents, but here is a Maybe you can resolve a running argument my question that may be answered differently by a father and hubby and I have. I say the first one to take his /her shoes a mother. off shouldn't have to run outside for the paper. How about My husband and I split up and got divorced about it? 5 years ago. Since then, my three children (2 boys and a -- Thanks from Thomasina and Thomas girl) have lived with me. This year, my 10 year -old son has decided that he wants to live with his dad for the school Dear Toms, year. We live quite a ways apart and I would not be able to There can be no golden rule on this... but I tend to see him (my son) for the whole year. Of course, for the last agree that the shoeless person shouldn't be getting the 5 years my ex- husband has only seen our children during paper UNLESS the shoeless person isn't doing anything the summers. I have told my son that the decision is his. except waiting for the paper to be brought in. My ex- husband told my son that he is more than welcome — Danielle to go live with him. Dear Thomasina and Thomas, My question is what to do about the other two I can only imagine the foot race inside the house to children? The oldest (a 12 year -old boy) has said that he prove the quickest shoe removal..! Before it gets to this wants to stay with me. But our daughter, who is 9, has point, I have an alternative that should please the both of asked us (mom and dad) to make the decision. you. Due to the fact that most daily newspapers come What do I do? Do I make the decision? Do I let either early in the morning or in the late afternoon, I would their dad make the decision? Do I let the kids make the suggest taking a walk together in the evening. This would decision? Most importantly, should I be letting them live not only solve the footware race & paper issue but would with their dad and his new wife? also provide some quality time to enjoy the wonderful Undecided Tompkins County weather. Dear Undecided, — Dan There is a lot of pressure on your kids when they think this is a decision that they get to make. They are Dear Danielle, likely to dwell on it. If your daughter has asked you to It seems that more and more "stuff' is filling my make the decision, you should. She probably doesn't want brain, with the phone ringing off the hook and the powers anyone's feelings to be hurt if she picks one parent over that be changing rules and procedures all the time. Once the other. She probably just wants everyone to be happy. and awhile I forget to do something for my job. This comes Suggestion? Keep her with you at least until she reaches back to haunt me and proves embarrassing. Do you have teenage. Then talk about it again. any "tricks" to help my memory? I do not believe that kids should have the privilege — Swamped from Slaterville of riveting back and forth. It's not good for anyone. I think Dear Swamped, that they should get to make the who do I live with" Do not rely on your memory when you can rely on decision only once. And be allowed to return to their home sticky notes. When given a task, or even the mention of an if it doesn't work out. Then that's it. No hop- scotching impending task, write it down on a sticky note. On a back and forth as it works out for the moment. weekly basis, make a to -do list. Update it daily, and add Living with Dad and his new wife is only an issue your special tasks from your sticky notes to the list, or stick if she is reluctant to be step -mom. The role of step -mom them on your computer so that you don't forget them. is a big one. You both need each other's help on this and Then relax. Removing thoughts from the head and putting must work as a parenting team. I suggest you talk to her them on paper can work wonders for that overwhelmed about this. It will show your kids that you're receptive to "what am I forgetting" feeling..... not to mention the feeling her role in their lives and that you're primary concern is of relief that comes from throwing away the note because their happiness and welfare. the task is completed. This works at home and at the Danielle office. Dear Undecided, This is a very difficult decision. Not only for you but for your children as well. Putting court ordered custody Send questions to Danielle / Dan issues aside, I think that you, your ex- husband and his new wife should sit down and discuss the pros and cons of this c/o Ruth Pond, Finance difficult decision. 1999 TOMPKINS COUNTY GOLF TOURNAMENT FRIDAY SEPT. 10th, REGISTRATION 8:15, TEE -OFF @, 9:00 a.m. (fringe time to be used) �.� c c Location: r ��••� r r r ri . T j M ANSBURt G.OLF COURSE _lIt HALSEY STREET, T U ANSBU G 4 Person Team, Captain and Crew Shot Gun Start Cost: $36.00 per person, includes 1 greens fee, 18 Holes, 1 cart rental, Steak or Chicken Dinner Pay in Advance by September 3rd Team Format: - Must have at least 2 County Employees on the 4 person team - Team can include employees from various departments Please return this form with check(s) of 4 x $36 = $144 per team to: Jackie Kippola @ County Administration by SEPTEMBER 3RD. (check payable to Trumansburg Golf Course) Yes, I'm interested. Steak /Chicken (circle one) Name My Department 1. 2. 3. Team Mate's Name Team Mate's Name Team Mate's Name Steak /Chicken (circle one) Steak /Chicken (circle one) Steak /Chicken (circle one) • Health Update Theresa Albert (Youth Bureau); Highway /Engineering: WINK program is up and "walking" Michelle Eighmey (Highway /Public Works); Betty Watkins P 9 P 9 (Engineering); Solid Waste: Lynn Leopold; DMV: Bea County employees respond enthusiastically! Valent; Sheriff /Jail: Lynn Watros; Airport: Roxan Noble by Jared Jones RN, Employee Health (Airport); Chris Strizack (Fire and Disaster); Biggs B: Kathy Taves, Holly Gump, Julie Wrench, Linda Jones, Nii. _ �3 Jared Jones, Brenda Grinnell- Crosby, Ellen Brazauskas ! !F_. ' „�__ , (Health); Biggs A: Barb O'Brien (Buildings and Grounds); " Mental Health: Deb Horton, Pam Bush, Beth Midura, .� _ 1 t j Barbara Davieds; Human Rights: Gen Smith; Assigned Council: Doreen Lauper; Library: Shelly Garvey, WINK, Employee Health's new walking program for County Rosemarie Rice, Tammy Drake, Sandy Gilcott. employees, has already enrolled almost 80 employees in How to qualify for prizes: One mile walked counts its first two months! So far, 15 different departments are for 1 point. There are prizes available at 10, 30, 75, and represented. Employees have earned qualifying points by 150 miles walked. Fill out your WINK log form (part of the walking both near and far; excursions on local streets, in registration packet), make a copy of the form and send it canyons in the Southwestern US, near the St. Lawrence to Employee Health via interoffice mail. Please don't send River, in regional parks or on the Finger Lakes Trail have the original blue sheet, you'll need it to document your all been documented by the first group of qualifiers. WINK walking trips. walkers also represent a wide range of ages, interests and If you have any questions about WINK, please contact fitness levels, further demonstrating walking's widespread Employee Health or your local WINK coordinator. appeal. The WINK program encourages all employees to Reused Recipes include regular exercise as part of their daily lifestyle submitted by Linnett Warner, S.W., from 'Trash to Treasures" wherever they are. Walking is great exercise: it's easy on , - , your body, almost anyone can do it and, besides a sturdy , 3., f „ • pair of shoes, it doesn't require any special equipment. A '. _ ' , regular walking program also significantly improves your 18 v •,,\ I \ � ` `,; ; ' health by enhancing your cardiovascular fitness, promoting ,,,'\ ', healthy weight management, and managing stress. Join - - - i,�s 1∎ f ' % the WINK program and start to reap the benefits of this i'y c '." F- t, ^ . . -4,0 .. 4% , ' , s • simple, easily accessible form of activity. ''s- . ,' t # y . ` % t .e _%: �� , 4 ` air And don't forget the incentive prizes! 15 employees � ;� \ \` •- S ,i _ � , r r ;' '. 'till ' have already qualified at the first prize level of 10 miles and , t ,, , 0 I v ,„,, t + 04o' • have received water bottles decorated with WINK's snazzy ` �4' t e':' •r logo. Additional prizes are offered for 30, 75 and 150 miles , 'fir # of walking. These WINK mileage goals are surprisingly reachable: Only 3 miles of walking a week brings you to the Recycled items needed: large shoebox, can for utensil first prize level in less than a month. Prizes for the higher caddy and a white wire hanger. You will also need: desired levels of walking include: an insulated "6- pack" lunch bag, fabrics, desired colors of ribbon, hammer, nail, wire cutters, an excellent book on healthy snacking and a stylish pliers and adhesive. briefcase. Thanks to Vickie Wagner of Assessment for creating the engaging artwork that appears on all the 1. Set your shoebox on the wrong side of the material and incentive prizes. trace the bottom, each of the sides and the ends. How to join the WINK walking program: Since 2. Cut out material and turn over raw edges either with WINK continues year round, you can join anytime. adhesive or on a sewing machine. Contact your local WINK coordinator (see list below) or 3. With a material adhesive, spray adhesive or hot glue, Employee Health (274 -6681 or jjones @tompkins- co.org or apply glue to the outer edge of each material piece and Room 226 at the Health Department) for an easy -to -fill -out place on the inside of the shoe box. registration form.WINK coordinators by location are: 4. Repeat steps 1, 2 & 3 for the outside of the box. Court House: Michelle Pottorff (Board of Representatives); 5. Cut ribbon and decorate the box any way you want to. Jan Cramer (District Attorney); Joline Hendrix (County You can use wide ribbon and go all the way around the Clerk); Marge Dean (Office for the Aging) Old Jail: Diane box like a gift and then attach smaller ribbon for a bow. Bradac (Personnel); Sue Robinson (Administration /Public I used small ribbon and a button on each end. Information/Attorney); Chris B r i I I 6. For utensil holder, measure fabric around the can adding ( Finance /Purchasing /Comptroller); Old Court House: '/2 inch and apply glue to wrong side of fabric and place Dariele Drake (Planning /MPO); County Annex: Kim around the can. Spencer (Board of Elections); Kim Moore (ITS); Norma 7. Cut ribbon and decorate the can any way you want to. Jayne (Assessment); Human Services Building: Dennis 8. You can add a handle by taking a hammer and nail to Fairchild, Rita Leubner, Betty Streeter, Dawn Lawrence, punch a small hole in each side of the can next to the Lisa Lorer, Tricia Eth, Mary Rounds, Debbie Ossit, Phyllis top edge. Cut the hanger to desired length for the Brault, Janis Avery, Susan Harami, Henry Peterson, Chris handle. Thread one end of wire through each hole. Root, Liz Norton, Shelia Chace, Gina Newlin, Marleta Bend ends of wire to secure. Anderson, Holly Stevenson (DSS); Greg Lake (Probation); 9. Fill for the picnic. Unclassifieds The Personal Touch For Sale: Thank you: Kennedy Legacy Commemorative Coins - best offer; Acoustic Guitar $159; 30 gal. aquarium & to „/�� ea/me �� z equipment - $37. Call Rob after 8:00 p.m. 546 -6342. an cS ie� Q.lrc i6d at die _Oe 'gain Mobile Home on lot in Shelter Valley Park in t e” t. C twaa a trine me wici Newfield; 12 x 72; well maintained; $7500. Call � Bill at 273 -7303. uKlim et rte liaise e �" twenty Kenmore electric dryer. Heavy duty /soft heat �a "� ��ccyy�� $150. Portable crib $20. Call 844 - 5354. r coo/ Wing at de @74% 20a/xtrimenta For Rent: .// / ./ � G4/ Cottage on Cayuga Lake: 1 /2 mile from park; (l�GLG Cf%e y?Qli e m /G enai 0 letwve evititt atie beautiful setting; great fishing and swimming. �c�p Rent by day or week. Call Alison, 387 -5446. e� � • ' � . ( rice v 6/ Services: Zart Computer Services - for all of your computer " / » needs: consulting, computers and accessories. to a/ of you who con /ridufed to my /<e/z /,or ,Lie n2. Wedding Pon c / ia n Wddi Photography Dunn Rite. High quality wag. � / cua:s a succe33. /'Co aoeman, 2S matte albums. Videography. Affordably priced. CONGRATULATIONS TO: Call 594 -3387 until 8:00 p.m. Larry Bentley, B &G, and Trudy McAdams, on their marriage July 7 Tynyk Originals suggests that you order your 10 and the birth of their daughter, Alicia Lynn. Christmas stockings, tree skirts, aprons, door /wall panels and gifts now and avoid the seasonal Nalani McKenna, DSS, whose daughter Clea graduated from rush. Call 564 -9244 evenings or weekends. Trumansburg High School. Therapeutic Massage - in your home, my home or at my Cortland office. For rates or appointment, Toini Pulver, DSS, whose son, James graduated from Candor, call Richard Reed, LMT. 844 -5509. High School. PUZZLER r't Liz Markiewicz, DSS, on the adoption of her son John. Acupuncture and hypnosis therapies, among Articles to be considered for the September 23 issue must be others, are being used more and more as received by Tuesday, September 7. Lengthy articles must be on treatments for a host of problems including disk. Send by interdepartmental mail to Ruth Pond, Finance, or weight Toss, smoking cessation, etc. Why 125 East Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850. Fax: 274 -5505. doesn't our health insurance pay for it? Most insurance plans will only pay for UNCLASSIFIEDS services or supplies that are determined to be Classified ads up to 25 words in length are free to County employees, retirees medically necessary. This means they are and their immediate families. Ads may be for any purpose except no personal ads medically appropriate for the diagnosis given, not will be accepted. No County addresses or telephone numbers may be listed primarily for convenience of the patient or his /her in these ads, however we do need the full name of the person submitting the ad. family, and are in accordance with standards of Use this coupon to send your ad via interdepartmental mail to Ruth Pond, County Corridors c/o Finance, or 125 East Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850. good medical practice. The fact that a physician Please type or print legibly! Thanks! may prescribe or recommend a service does not, in itself, make the services medically necessary. The decision about medical necessity is made by the insurance carrier. Most insurance plans exclude coverage for specific procedures such as cosmetic surgery, experimental and investigative services because COUNTY CORRIDORS they do not meet the test of medical necessity. At Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by the this point in time acupuncture, hypnosis and most volunteer editorial board based on their interest to Tompkins County employees and other alternative therapies are excluded from retirees. They do not necessarily express the opinions of the Editorial Board. coverage. Material is solicited from current employees, retirees and others. Material for publication is selected by the editorial board which reserves Chiropractic care was once an excluded the right to edit any submissions except in the instance of copyright articles. The service. However, State insurance laws were Editorial Board is made up of: Bill Chapp, Social Services; Sharon Cooper, Sheriffs; modified in 1998 and now chiropractic services are Liz Croop, Mental Health; Iretta Ellis, Information Services; Ruth Pond, (Editor), covered under the master medical portion Of Finance; Michelle Pottorff, Bd. Of Representatives; Katy Prince, Health; Judy Tynyk, (Chair), Weights and Measures; and Vickie Wagner, (Artist), Assessment. BCBS and as an office visit under PHP. In all Correspondence may be sent through County inter - department mail to: cases the chiropractic services must be deemed County Corridors, do Finance -, 125 East Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850. medically necessary.