ဟံၣ်My WebLinkဘၣ်ဃးဒီး2002-04 Fi Newsletter for *Ctia)1]AcLr Employees and Retirees of Tompkins County t t ..) - V April 2002 Volume 15 Number 4 Judy Miller Retires From Sheriff's Department (after 32 years, 22 days) ! Pictured surrounded by her family at her retirement party, Judy is awarded rabbit ears from adopted daughter, Carol McCray, and daughter Amy Miller, Tompkins County Mental Health. Judy tells us she started work with Sheriff Howard, down on Court Street, when the whole department was in one building. Employed in the Civil Office as an account /permit clerk, she has "gone through" three sheriffs and four under - sheriffs, and experienced the move to Warren Road about sixteen years ago. Congratulations, Judy! sl►,� VW '� . <ti A ' (1 • ''''' - 1416: .i 11 . J . ';''''1 i ::- I :f -1 ' , -':- *'- giri i ail ` A r 1. y, AM. -, °3t ..$, , . , . i *: i .,...„ S i.. .,. for a challenging year, but the addition of the third has put REPORT the Board in a very difficult position. a t FROM As you may recall, last year all departments and agencies were asked to prepare a three -year plan to address what THE COUNTY were perceived as temporary budget difficulties. At that • time we were trying to address the persistent reliance on ADMINISTRATOR I the fund balance to fund ongoing programs and maintain a relatively low tax rate. This year we predict that less than By Stephen Whicher � $1,000,000 of fund balance will be available compared to approximately $5,000,000 of fund balance employed last Last month I thought I would be writing about my evening year. in jail. It was quite an experience but that will have to wait. The second source of our difficulties stems from the cost With the recent budget events, I think I should concentrate to maintain programs and the cost of planned capital on dispelling as much anxiety as I can. But before I get into programs. The increased program costs are primarily due all that, congratulations are in order for the Assessment to salary increases and amount to approximately Department and Information Technology Services for their $1,000,000. The capital programs are largely unavoidable, deployment of the Assessment data on the web. Through including the proposed upgrade to the emergency this application, the Assessment Department will be the first communications system. However, the capital programs county department to provide access to their database via are an area that the board will spend a great deal of time the Internet. This is not only an outstanding service for and energy realigning. their customers, it will allow the department to be more efficient and provide some enterprise funding. The project The third source is the most unexpected and difficult to took a lot of patience and persistence over approximately address. This source is both the reductions in State aid due three years to move from concept to reality. Nice work. to the 9/11 disaster and tax law changes as well as the large Now for the more stressful information, as you have read gap in Medicaid funding. The apparent gap in Medicaid in the paper, heard on the radio, or have been informed by funding is particularly troublesome because it will amount your department, the county is facing some difficult times. to nearly $1,500,000 this year. Depending on the assumptions one selects, the estimated So what does all this mean? The problem cannot be shortfall for 2003 could be as high as $6,000,000. Translated minimized, but we have been through difficult times before. to the tax rate, this would be equivalent to a 30 percent tax Last year we faced challenges and the departments, agencies rate increase which is unacceptably large. While these and Board did an outstanding job addressing each issue. figures are alarming, they are difficult for the Board to This year will be more difficult, however, we are very early translate into impacts on programs or capital projects. To in a long process. Please have patience and do your best to assist the Board, I have asked all departments and agencies not allow the stresses of the budget to interfere with your to provide me with scenarios for 2002 that reflect a 10% life or your work. reduction in local share funding followed by an additional 10% for 2003. While this is a serious and challenging process, it is important for everyone to remember that the DSS FOSTER PARENT scenarios are scenarios, not decisions. Only the Board has 1 the authority to make budget decisions and this process will MEETINGS take time. In addition, the Board has stated that they will make every effort to preserve jobs and programs. Where: Beverly Livesay Conference Room Most of the questions I have heard to date relate to how the When: May 9, 2002 budget got so far out of balance. There is no single answer. Time: Noon to 1 p.m. rather a confluence of circumstances. I find is easiest to think of the problem as arising from three general sources, For more information, please call Judy Voorheis all relatively equal: reliance on the fund balance; ongoing at 274 -5266 or Tim Stephensen at 274 -5615. costs of programs and capital projects; and the shortfall of State and Federal aid. Any two of which would have made Highway Highlights... E x _ ' by Geri Lockwood, Highway ` , � ' n Fri , ) i � t + .. ) �2 We would like to send our condolences to the family of a t. Earl Terwilliger, who passed away on Friday, March 15th. ,..• ! Earl was a retiree of the Highway Department with more g than 30 years in before his retirement several years ago. -.. i ' P� ' Bob "Jr." Maine retired two and one -half years ago, after , ,,'"!./ 1 • st .t.,... ' ' : ail more than 20 years with the Highway Department. Since I ". 1 I r = rr then, he has taken a "part- time" position as a motor coach ,,; ' i s C r N . ., bus driver. Bob has even driven the bus for some of the � ,; .�f� Vending Committee trips. The following is an article. describing one of his recent trips in his "after retirement" life: "After I retired in 1999, I took a job driving charter motor 4 . . i coach with a local company. On one of my recent trips, I LS S . took a group of Senior Citizens from Tioga County to Beck's f Grove, a small dinner theater, in Blossvale, NY. They put on nice shows, often with a holiday theme to them. On the �, day this group went, the theme was Irish, for St. Patrick's �� Day. �4,-1 �. �� - . � We started off with a delicious lunch buffet that included �" ._ ' Irish foods like corned beef and cabbage and Irish stew, r`.�; ►'',,,, i along with many other items, some of which were not Irish. ` '. The dessert bar was outstanding, and was left open for the ' ..fir" Intermission. (With this kind of trip, it's hard to keep the weight off!) After the buffet, a Theater Group put on an Irish Spring Show. There were many songs, including sing -a -longs and A blast from the past Irish jokes. After Intermission (and more desserts!), the show continued as a scene set in an Irish Pub, with more skits, jokes, and sons. The even had an Elvis '��" g Y im 1� rsonator �.•� r sing "Danny Boy" and some other Irish songs that Elvis `` ., , “, recorded. . :kt ,,, 1 ' A trip to Beck's Grove is a nice short trip with good food ,� and entertainment for all. It would be an idea for the , .' = .., � Vending Committee to set up for one of their trips. For ,, information on Beck's Grove, please check out their web �� , site at www.becksgrove.com. i h -, P.S. Everyone got an Irish hat to wear, and I'm including a picture of my dog, Angel, with mine.” ' Thank you, Bob, for sharing part of your "after retirement" ' *° • -e - 1 life with us. We look forward to possibly being chauffeured ° :. by you on one of the upcoming Vending Committee trips. Do any of these gentlemen look familiar? 3 Tompkins County Training & Development This page will provide updates and information about professional development opportunities, computer classes, workshops, and conferences. For questions, suggestions, requests, or to register for classes, please contact: Diane Bradac, dbradac @tompkins- co.org, 274 -5590 or Naomi Arndt, narndt @tompkins- co.org, 274 -5591 Thoughts to Ponder: Lessons Learned from Geese Light is the task where many share the toil. e _ Homer -,,. c E 4- Geese fly in V- formation because they can fly better and ` 'tti k ,it faster together than alone. It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a V formation, the ero c4-=‘41- c" whole flock adds at Least 74% greater flying range than S.44_ if each bird flew on its own. The responsibility of being w the lead bird is rotated so no goose is overextended.." Cooperation has a similar effect on people. We reach e e . lr, - our goals quicker and more efficiently when we exchange ideas, combine efforts, get a little boost from each other and share the workload. Our "Excelling as a Supery isor/Leader" series continues during April and May with the following courses: "The Challenges of Supervisory Communication" "Individual and Self Development" featuring Joan Hebert, Training & Consulting featuring Joanne Conley, Conley Consulting Wednesday, April 24, 2002, 9 -4 pm Tuesday, May 21, 2002,1 -4 pm In managing a diverse and changing environment, Organizations need the kind of people who have potential! supervisors are continually faced with situations that require People are needed who will continue to learn as they gain unique communication skills. The session not only reviews experience, who are willing to improve their personal the basks, but the more advanced communication skills effectiveness, assume greater responsibilities and take needed to coach and develop employees, work with individual initiative for self improvement. The valuable employee is not personality styles, function within diverse organizations, and complacent and welcomes change. This workshop is designed resolve and mediate conflict. Different communication styles to help an individual develop confidence needed for personal and the strengths and weaknesses of each style will be and professional growth. discussed. • Where Are You Going • Learn the "basics" of verbal and non - verbal • Rules for Success 1 communication • Getting Rid of Fear • How your ability to communicate influences others • The Power of Positive Thinking • To be aware of individual personality styles and how they • Turn Passivity into Assertiveness affect our relationships • Taking the Risks to Get You Where • Learn the steps and techniques to provide effective • You Want to Be feedback • Mapping Out Your Goals • Awareness of the issues involved with cultural diversity in • Receiving Feedback i the workplace • Identifying Areas Where Improvement is Needed 1 • Identify the various conflict resolution styles and learn ho„ • Changing the Tape 1 to mediate conflict 4 WOWING, ' Healthy Heart Worksite Program T4nnPK�NS COUNTY Wilk' Health Promotion Program HEALTH WORM? - Tompkins County Health Department R ,,r, N o s Your Partner fora HealchyCommunity NOM Counting on spring... and Imagine Action! Let your imagination run... or walk, or dance or bike! This spring the Employee Wellness Committee, the Health Promotion Program at the Health Department, and the Health Planning Council are urging county employees to "Imagine Action... Your Way." Imagine Action is a spring activity program that helps participants track their level of physical activity (PA). There's almost no end to the health benefits of regular physical activity, and all physical activity counts! Walking, dancing, digging or dusting — it's easier than you might think to count PA as part of your day. Imagine Action... Your Way helps make physical activity count for you. Using the Physical Activity Counts (PAC) scoresheet you'll see how everyday routines can add up to give you the physical activity you need to be your best — for you and those who count on you. Do it on your own, with a buddy, or set up a team challenge! Welcome the season, and have fun! To get started or for more information visit Tompkins County Wellness on the web at www.tompkins- co.org /wellness /. Or call Terri at 274 - 6710. Are you experiencing: STRESS ON THE JOB? PERSONAL FINANCE PROBLEMS? PERSONAL ISSUES? STRESS? FAMILY PROBLEMS? RELATIONSHIP ISSUES? OR... ANY LIFE CHALLENGE BIG OR SMALL? Remember to use your EAP (Employee Assistance Program) Help is only a phone call away. What is EAP? The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a service that your employer has purchased for you and your eligible family members with County health insurance. It is a confidential service staffed with counseling professionals from Family and Children's Service of Ithaca. EAP can assist you with any concern you may have. EAP can provide you with: • Assessment and consultation for a variety of issues, including depression and anxiety. We even provide money management counseling, eldercare assessment, and adoption consultation. • Referral to qualified resources • Crisis service Making an Appointment is Easy! When you call (607) 273 -7494 or 1- 800 - 834 -1239 say, "I would like to use my EAP." After a brief telephone interview with a counselor to assess your needs, an appointment will be scheduled for you. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evening hours are available Monday through Thursday. There is an answering service available during hours that Family and Children's Service is closed. Where is EAP? EAP is offered at both Family and Children's Service of Ithaca locations: 204 North Cayuga Street and 521 West Seneca Street. You will be given directions when your appointment is scheduled. If you have any questions about EAP, please contact your County Benefits Manager, Jackie Yoder, at 274 -5528 or Karen Fritz, EAP Contract Manager, at Family and Children's Service of Ithaca at 273 -7494. 5 Pharmacy Benefit Services Achons Speak Louder Than Words Save Your Life - Get Screened for Cancer Did you know that over eighty percent of cancer cases are preventable? You can greatly reduce your risk of many common cancers by making some simple lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking, eating a healthy diet, and limiting exposure to the sun's harmful rays by wearing sunscreen. The cure rate for cancer is greatly increased by early detection. Periodic complete health examinations, screening tests and self - examinations could save your life! The following Adult Cancer Detection Guidelines were developed by the National Foundation for Cancer Research and provide you with a general schedule for cancer checkups. Please keep in mind that your doctor may ask you to be screened differently based on your age, family medical history, lifestyle, and occupation. Cancer Detection Guidelines Age Females Males 18-20 One time - Complete physical exam One time — Complete physical Exam Monthly - Skin self -exam Monthly — Skin self -exam Yearly — Pap smear Yearly — Testis self -exam 20 - 40 Monthly — Skin self -exam, Breast self -exam Monthly — Skin self -exam, Testis self -exam Yearly — Pelvic exam, Pap smear Every 5 Years — Complete physical exam Every 5 Years — Complete physical exam 40 - 5O Monthly — Skin self -exam, Breast self -exam Monthly - Skin self -exam, Testis self -exam Yearly — Pelvic exam, Pap smear, Rectal exam, Yearly - Rectal exam, Stool Blood test Stool Blood test Every 3 Years — Complete physical exam Every 1 -2 Years — Mammogram Every 3 Years — Complete physical exam 50 -65 Monthly — Skin self -exam, Breast self -exam Monthly - Skin self -exam, Testis self -exam Yearly — Pelvic exam, Pap smear, Rectal exam, Yearly - Rectal exam, Stool Blood test, Prostate Stool Blood test, Mammogram Specific Antigen Test Every 2 Years — Complete physical exam Every 2 Years — Complete physical exam Every 3 -5 Years — Colon/ Rectal Exam Every 3 -5 Years — Colon/ Rectal Exam 65+ Monthly - Skin self -exam, Breast self -exam Monthly - Skin self -exam, Testis self -exam Yearly — Pelvic exam, Pap smear, Rectal exam, Yearly - Rectal exam, Stool Blood test, Prostate Stool Blood test, Mammogram, Complete Specific Antigen Test, Complete physical exam physical exam Every 3 -5 Years — Colon/ Rectal Exam Every 3 -5 Years — Colon/ Rectal Exam The complete physical exam will allow your doctor to check for cancers of the skin, thyroid, mouth, lymph nodes, ovaries or testis, and for some other diseases other than cancer. If you have any questions about any of the tests mentioned above, or have any questions about cancer detection, contact your physician or the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org or 1-800 - ACS -2345. For tips on choosing the right sunscreen or tips on how to successfully stop smoking, contact your local pharmacist. References: National Foundation for Cancer Research: http: / /www.nfcr.org/ American Cancer Society: http: / /www.cancer.org 4/02 -EHS clinical 6 Ci' re 7 rnw d d TWELFTH ANNUAL TOMPKINS COUNTY 25 -YEAR CLUB DINNER The Tompkins County Board of Representatives cordially invites you to join them in honoring this year's inductees into the Tompkins County 25 -Year Club at a dinner to be held at the Clarion University Hotel, 1 Sheraton Drive, Ithaca, New York on May 16, 2002. There will be a social hour from 5:30 until 6:30 and a banquet dinner at 6:30 p.m. Reservations, including payment of $15.00 per person, must be received by May 1, 2002. There is no charge to 25 -Year Club members and their guest. This year's new inductees John M. Andersson Health Dept. Richard R. Jackson Highway Michael E. Carlisle Airport Terry A. Royce Social Services Anthony B. DeLuca Mental Health Mark Scorelle Mental Health Mark R. Dresser Sheriff's Dept. Thomas A. Weber Jr. Social Services Anita M. Fitzpatrick Personnel Ernestine Wright Social Services I will attend the 25 -Year Club Dinner on Thursday, May 16, 2002 Number Attending: Amount Enclosed: Name: Contact Number: Department: Name of Guest: Please make checks payable to TOMPKINS COUNTY and send to Tompkins County Personnel Department, 125 East Court Street Ithaca, New York 14850. 7 CLASSIFIEDS ( Thank You: George Totman, Board of Representatives Member, would like to thank County employees for the flowers For Sale: he received following his recent surgery. For sale: 1993 Pontiac LeMans, 72,000 original miles, Congratulations: automatic, am/fm cassette. Many new parts and several extra tires included. Good condition. Asking $1,500. Call To John (Highway) and Betsy Lampman, on the birth 532-4092. of their son, Peter Jeffrey, on February 22, 2002. For sale: Snow Blower, Troy Built, 8 HP; 4 years old; CLASSIFIEDS $800. Call Steve at 756 -7995. Classified ads up to 25 words in length are free to County employees, retirees and their immediate families. Ads may ( be for any purpose, however personal ads will not be accepted. S ervices: No County addresses or telephone numbers may be listed in your ad, however, we do need your full name and County Tioga Technical - Don't kill your computer! Let me help telephone number submitted with the ad in case there are with troubleshooting, training, upgrades - whatever it takes questions. Submit your ad to County Corridors c/o Michelle Pottorff, Board of Representatives, Courthouse, Ithaca, NY to get you and your computer working together again. Call 14850 via U5 or interdepartmental mail or e to: James Keegan at 273 - 7957 evenings or weekends. mpottorff@tompkins co.org Tynyk Originals will be at the 1" Arts and Crafts Market NOTE: sponsored by Chapter #275, O.E.S. April 20th from 9 a.m. If you would like to modify your classified or want to to 3 p.m. at the Masonic Temple, Main Street, Newfield. run it again, you must re submit it! Custom gifts and home decor items are still available by calling 564 -9244 evenings or weekends. If I can't make it, DEADLINE: 1 TUESDAY OF THE MONTH you don't need it!! Articles to be considered for the May 30th issue, must be received by noon on Tuesday. May 7 Tense? Stressed? Achy? Therapeutic Massage can put Submit articles via e as an attachment or on relaxation and comfort back into your life. For an disk in any file format that is readable by Word appointment or information call Richard Reed at 753 -6383. for Windows '95. Send disk and hard copy to County Corridors c/o Michelle Pottorff, Board Kinetic Performance — specializing in Motorsports of Representatives, Courthouse, Ithaca, NY 14850. engines, carburetion and general racing fabrication. Call Please include a contact number in case questions Dayton Umholtz at 277 -6462 evenings or weekends. arise. French Tutor — Call Sarah at 257 -3047. Please leave a COUNTY CORRIDORS message. Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by the 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, Tips that have nothing to do retirees and others. The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit p g submissions, except in the instance of copyright materials. with work: EDITORIAL BOARD Submitted by Katy Prince, Health Dept. Michelle Pottorff (Editor) Board of Representatives Iretta Ellis (Chair) Information Technology Services When you are going on vacation take some return Bill Chapp Department of Social Services address labels that you use on envelopes. Then when Liz Croon Department of Mental Katy Prince Health Department t you need to fill out forms for camping and such you Vickie Wagner (Artist) Department of Assessment can place an address label on it and not have to fill Geri Lockwood Highway out your name and address. Quick and Easy! Tammy VanOrman Assessment Donna Deputron (Distribution Coordinator) Facilities 8