ဟံၣ်My WebLinkဘၣ်ဃးဒီး2002-12 CC U 1%-rY A Newsletter for Employees n tl 1?eti rees COLLIIDOLS tit Turn nkins Culmty December, 2002 Volume 15 Number 12 GO°dIle 1°°1111111 sue aver �s 9 u��C °Itid°fs born ED Good y C) . r , . ,..-..,-.7. ,.: ,.. „ - ' ... c. 3 \i 'f $ ' . ,447. A .. .,, .. . ,, „,. , 04eij i - ---::— --1 - -"■--w... 4 7j.,,;_—__\ --,•...,. — . _,— r r r r jL '. .c1/4f :). :' ' (k 0 :' ( ff 1 Ring in '.' 1 11 Don't forget the address: http:Ilwww.tompki ns- co.orgicou ntycorridors REPORT Happy Holidays nmm J from the THE COUNTY Corridors ADMINISTRATOR Editorial Board!! By Stephen Whicher ay We would like to remind all employees and retirees that This has been quite the year. As an organization, we this is the last paper copy have gone through an incredibly difficult transition to of County Corridors that a new world where resources are scarce and times will be distributed other are challenging. than those requested by retirees. We hope you will We have made this transition rather smoothly and visit us online. Please managed to preserve the integrity of most programs. continue to send in However, we can not lose sight of the real cost to all of us not only in seeing many of our fellow workers articles! move on to retirement or other positions, but also to everyone who had to endure the anxiety of this year's POPCORN SNOWMEN particularly arduous budget process. Thank you all for Yield: 6 servings your courage, understanding and dedication. To those of you who are moving on, either to retirement or to 4 tb Unsalted butter new positions, your many years of service have 4 c Mini marshmallows enabled Tompkins County to earn a well - deserved 9 c Popped popcorn reputation for being leaders in nearly every field of 1/2 c Milk service; thank you, I wish you the best in life. Gumdrops, cinnamon candies; -fruit leather, jelly beans, In the coming year, the general consensus is that we - licorice, pretzels, for need to spend more of our time concentrating on garnish. program support and development rather that on In a large saucepan, melt the butter budget review. Recently, on Administration's budget over low heat. Add the marshmallows and process review survey, a department head summed it cook, stirring often, until melted and up quite well: Most of us take GREAT pride in syrupy, about 5 minutes. Place the Tompkins County as a place where doing the right popped popcorn in a large lightly thing and pride in public service is valued above most greased shallow pan. Pour the syrup over else. We often talk about "how much better" it is here the popcorn, tossing to coat evenly. as compared with other counties where Neanderthal While still warm, form 6 balls about thinking and partisan conflict pollutes public 5" in diameter from the coated popcorn processes. It will be important this year to ensure that for the bottom sections, giving the our pride in our service does not ebb and our support balls flat bases so the snowmen will for the Board is focused on our program goals and stand. Form 6 balls about 3 -1/2" in achievements. The budget process and concerns will diameter for the middle sections. Then still be there, but they do not need to be our entire form 6 balls about 2" in diameter for focus. I am confident that through all your efforts, the top sections. Stir in the Tompkins County will continue to innovate and lead confectioners' sugar and milk together the way for county governments. until smooth. Use the icing to stack three popcorn balls of decreasing sizes into a snowman, then attach candies to May you and your families experience all the decorate. (Gumdrops for hats, fruit joy of the holiday season. leather for scarves, etc.) 2 Bridging the gaps..... STOP -DWI News by Geri Lockwood and John Lampman, Highway Division By John Beach, STOP -DWI Coordinator Have you taken a drive on North Triphammer Road lately? If On December 17 the New York State Senate is slated to you have, you've probably noticed how nice and smooth it is. pass legislation that would crack down on drunk drivers The reconstruction project, from Cherry Road to Rt. 34B, was by reducing the state's legal limit to be charged with DWI completed near the end of October. to .08 BAC, and separate measures that would put in place stronger criminal penalties against repeat drunk The bridge at the Asbury Road intersection was replaced as part drivers and drivers with very high blood alcohol levels. of the project. You might also notice that the flashing caution The Bill scheduled to be passed by the Senate is the light at this intersection has been removed. With the same Bill passed earlier this year by the State Assembly. reconstruction, sight distance was extended, making this light Governor Pataki has stated that he would sign the Bill into unnecessary (saving taxpayer dollars from the utility and law and that it would most likely take effect mid -year maintenance expenses for the light). 2003. Drainage ditches were moved away from the road and roadside What would a lower BAC level mean to all of us? slopes were flattened. These changes were designed to both • According to the National Highway Traffic Safety improve drainage, thereby extending pavement life, and to make Administration, an average 170 -pound man must the road safer for errant vehicles. Storm sewers were installed in have four drinks in one hour on an empty stomach areas where terrain was adverse or the impact on properties to reach a .08 percent blood alcohol concentration would be severe. (BAC) level. A 137 -pound woman would reach .08 BAC after about three drinks in an hour on an empty The road was closed to thru traffic for the duration of the project. stomach - a level that exceeds what is commonly Hopefully you will feel it was worth the wait and inconvenience accepted as social drinking. of the detours when you drive across the nice, smooth new pavement. • Regardless of how much alcohol it takes to get to this level, at .08 BAC any driver is a dangerous The project was contracted to Economy Paving, from Cortland, threat on the road. The .08 BAC level is the point at and was overseen by John Lampman, Associate Civil Engineer which the fatal crash risk significantly increases and from the Highway Department. virtually everyone is seriously impaired, affecting all of the basic critical driving skills including: braking, (before cloture) steering, lane changing, judgment and response - -. time. • Remember, there is really no such thing as - -'° - -- "average ". The impacts of alcohol on each of us °� ,s vary, and will not only depend on the amount we have had to drink in a certain time period, but will also be determined by other factors such as: our body size and type; the amount of rest we may or — may not have had; how well we have eaten recently; our physical condition (do we have a cold, ;P . M , etc); whether we are taking any medications; have = +_: we been under a lot of stress. It is estimated that if every state passed a .08 BAC law, about 500 lives would be saved each year. Currently a thirty -four states and the District of Columbia have a .08 . t . _ BAC law; if passed and signed, New York would become •. the thirty -fifth state with the lowered BAC. P " . • i P. During this wonderful Holiday Season, when planning gatherings may with colleagues, family or friends, please also plan for a safe return r + , . 4. home, both for yourself and others. First and foremost, if you are • going to be drinking — DON'T DRIVE! have someone be chosen y I as the designated driver; use public transportation; stay j 1 overnight.....do anything other than get behind the wheel of a car Y'''om A after you've been drinking. You will be safer and so will everyone (after picture) else. 3 CLASSIFIEDS 1 Best Wishes: I Best Wishes and congratulations to Shary For Sale: 1 Zifchock and Carol Boles on their retirement For sale: Lifestyler 1000 Exercise Bike. Call Judy at 347- from the Board of Elections. Best wishes to 6791. Leave message. Tai Musson on her recent marriage and relocation to Albany. For sale: Electric stove, good condition $45. TIRES; 2 all /weather, 215/70R15, like new $40, 205175R15 $25, 4 M/S 225/75R15 mounted rims (from S10 Blazer) $40 ea. 2/$75,4/$145. Contact Ken Thompson at 607 -898 -9992. CLASSIFIEDS For sale: Electric and manual wheelchairs, and other various Classified ads up to 25 words in length are free to County handicap /disability equipment. For more information call employees, retirees and their immediate families. Ads may be 607- 659 -4180. for any purpose, however personal ads will not be accepted. No County addresses or telephone numbers may be listed in For sale: 95 Camaro Z28 T -Tops, Maroon, mint condition your ad, however, we do need your full name and County 350 6 speed, only 38,000 miles. $8,950. Call anytime and telephone number submitted with the ad in case there are leave a message - 607- 273 -6241. questions. Submit your ad to County Corridors c/o Michelle Pottorff, Board of Representatives, Courthouse, Ithaca, NY 14850 via US or interdepartmental mail or e-mail to: I Services: mpottorff@tompkins -co. org Tioga Technical - Don't kill your computer! Let me help with l NOTE: I f troubleshooting, training, upgrades - whatever it takes to get you would like to modify your classified or want to run it again, you must re- submit it! you and your computer working together again. Call James Keegan at 273 -7957 evenings or weekends. DEADLINE: 1 TUESDAY OF THE MONTH Articles to be considered for the January 23r issue, must be Tense? Stressed? Achy? Th Massage can put received by noon on Tuesday, January 7 Submit articles via relaxation and comfort back into your life. For an e-mail as an attachment or on disk in any file format that is appointment or information call Richard Reed at 753 -6383. readable by Word for Windows '95. Send disk and hard copy to County Corridors c/o Michelle Pottorff, Board of Representatives, Courthouse, Ithaca, NY 14850. Please include Kinetic Performance — Custom racing carburetors parts, and a contact number in case questions arise. racing fabrication. Call Dayton or Margo Umholtz at 277- 6462 evenings /weekends or email COUNTY CORRIDORS KineticPerformance@thedirtforum .com. Visit our website at Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by 222.KineticPerformance.net the Editorial Board based on their interest to Tompkins County employees and retirees. They do not necessarily express the French Tutor — Call Sarah at 257 -3047. Please leave a opinions of the Editorial Board. Material is solicited from message. current employees, retirees and others. The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit submissions, except in the instance of copyright materials. Goosa Arts - See our beautiful and affordable traditional EDITORIAL BOARD Russian arts: nesting dolls, eggs, jewelry boxes, amber, etc. Michelle Pottorff (Editor) Board of Representatives Alisa Mengel, 277 -2917, hours by appointment, 120 Linn St. Iretta Ellis (Chair) Information Technology Services Liz Croop Department of Mental Health I Welcome: Katy Prince Health Department Vickie Wagner (Artist) Department of Assessment Geri Lockwood Highway To Steve DeWitt, Democratic Elections Tammy VanOrman Assessment Commissioner, who will begin employment on January Donna Deputron (Distribution Coordinator) Facilities 2, 2003. 4