HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09 CC A Newsletter for ti Tompkins County Employees and Retirees rri o rs September Volume 18, Number er 3 3 Teamwork Leads to Victory! Two Perspectives on the Great County -City Dragon Boat Challenge On the drizzly afternoon of July 15th, Tompkins County employees banded together for their first -ever Dragon Boat Race, emerging victorious over the City of Ithaca. )nrr, 0 Here are stories from two of the hardy souls who took part! The Great "Committee of the Whole" Team By Karen Fuller A bolt of lightning, clap of thunder, pouring rain - oh no, the weather is not What a da ByJovan Gro good for a day on the water. Fortunately, the dragon gods looked favorably upon us and opened the clouds for a perfect day for dragon -boat racing! We had a blast-- and beat out the City of Ithaca Team, City Soul, by half a boat length! Yea! The County's Chair of the Legislature, Tim Joseph, had challenged the City of Ithaca to a race; they accepted the challenge. Now what??? Fellow Ithaca Beer provided the winner - take -all case of a variety of Legislator, Kathy Luz Herrera, aided by Anita Fitzpatrick, Personnel tasty Ithaca Beer (and Ithaca sodas), with which we happily Commissioner, began scouting the vast employee pool to find a crew, and drowned our thirst. And Shane Seger of Common Council, on what a diverse crew we had! The employees who volunteered represented behalf of the City of Ithaca, presented Tim Joseph, our team y departments - Administration, Airport, County Attorney, Youth v ices, Highway, Department of Social Services, Mental Health, Planning, captain, with the legendary "Ithaca Dragons are Gorgeous" Dragon, which wit reside at the County until ?? next year, or ITCTC, Sheriffs Department, Office for the Aging, Information Technology our next match up. Services, and the Legislature. Our crew ranged in age from 22 to 69, and had never practiced a stroke together, yet was victorious when the We were gracious in defeat to the AFCU team (they actually County /City race was over. practiced!!), CU @ the finish line, finishing about half a boat length behind, while improving our overall time with each race. "Oh no, we have to race again ? ?? What did you say ???" Seems whoever won that heat was called upon to race the winner of the other community Several County paddlers were drafted on the spot, and we all team heat. Another mad dash to scramble the team occurred; especially took on the mission of team building on a deadline. It worked! since we lost members due to previous commitments and their work ethic Our sponsors, whether financial, motivational, or logistical, (scheduled to work and had to leave). At that point we grabbed other County made our participation possible. employees to complete our crew. Although we improved our time by two seconds, and the youngsters from Alternatives Federal Credit Union were It wouldn't surprise me if there was interest in forming a victorious that time around, we didn't care - we were all just having fun. County team for next year, because I know that many of us were "bitten by the dragon boat racing bug" this weekend! One thing is for certain, when you get bit by the dragon -boat bug it is infectious - I cannot wait for next year when we have fun, meet our fellow County employees, and continue having a good - hearted competition with the City employees. INSIDE THIS ISSUE A Note from the County Administrator Pg. 2 Blood Drive A Success Pg. 2 .m f,; County Adopts NIMS Standard .Pg. 3 . . 'v � x All Emergencies Are Local Pg. 3 - , , "` %. ' ,y� ' Highway Highlights Pg.4 � F •ate = A Great Time at the CSEA Picnic Pg. 5 ; �� ^ DSS First -Ever Poetry Slam Pg. 6 P . .1 I n I; • Employee Spotlights Pg. 7 � i Register Now for New York City Trip Pg. 7 " + Department News Pg. 9 , Tips From Weights & Measures Pg. 9 .- e _ �• Funny Bones Pg. I0 Classified Ads Pg. -2 - A Note from the County Administrator: ff • Hard Work By Many Pays Off Thanks to the efforts of many throughout County government, the ., .` horizon in Tompkins County is about to change. Over the next ) . ",. ": several months you may notice several communications towers sprout — up over the landscape. Over ten years ago Jack Miller, then Fire " w Coordinator for Tompkins County, brought forward a project to replace our emergency communications system to better serve the Tompkins ' County community. Now through the tenacity of former legislator Barbara Blanchard and the expertise of Lee Shurtleff and Greg Potter, the system is about to become reality.` , At first, the system will provide a highly reliable emergency response Legislator Leslyn McKean Clairborne helps break ground for the communications system, which will provide a backbone for voice and Public Safety Communications System. mobile data. Once the emergency responders are established on the system, many other users will be brought on board. When fully developed, all municipalities and educational institutions will be able to rely on a communications system that will not fail under even the worst circumstances.. Tompkins County Employees The first signs of this system will be quite visible on South Hill. With Making a Difference the cooperation of Ithaca College, which provided the site in exchange By Cheryl Nelson and Jackie Kippola for an improved transmission site, a new tower will rise near the current Ithaca College tower site. Cornell University also has On August 10th, the annual Tompkins County employee blood drive was provided a site for the system and is considering additional support. held in the Borg Warner Room in the Tompkins County Library. The The Statewide Wireless System (SWN) is in the final stages of a goal for the day was to collect at least 45 pints. At the end of the d partnership agreement that will offset a substantial portion of the cost 52 pints of blood had been collected from County employees, City of the project. Additional revenues will be realized through private Ithaca employees, and individuals that walked in to donate. These 52 sector use of the structures. When complete, future development and pints will be used to help up to 156 individuals in need of blood or blood maintenance of the system should be financially self - supporting. products. Since the target amount was exceeded, the Red Cross considered it a bonus day! The Legislature should be praised for supporting the development of this system and the Emergency Response Center, despite extremely The annual employee blood drive is always scheduled in August since it difficult budget years. I would also like to thank the rest of the project the summer the need for blood s the highest but the donations are team, and the numerous others who all contributed greatly over the lowest. Schools and colleges that are sites of regular drives are closed. years, for their perseverance and expertise. The project team Also, many people are on vacation, so they may not be available to included: Legislator Dick Booth, Lee Shurtleff, David Squires, Greg donate in the summer. People being more mobile and active in the Potter, Jonathan Wood, Mikel Sakarjian (now with SWN), Jackie summer also drives up accidents which taxes the blood supply as well. Kippola, Joan Jurkowitz , Katie Borgella and Jack Crance. Well done! A huge thank you goes to the donors, canteen volunteers, and We hope we will never be faced with a situation that will push the registration volunteers. A special thank you to the County employees system to its limits, but you should feel very secure that this system that serve as contacts in their respective buildings and work to enlist the will be ready to protect us, no matter the circumstances donors and volunteers. Several of the building contacts have served in r this role for many years and it is great to know that we can count on I cannot close without a very heartfelt congratulation to Lisa Holmes them each year. It is very rewarding to see the end result of all of the who is our new Director of the County Office for the Aging. Lisa has hard work and to know that we have done something together that will already demonstrated her leadership qualities as the interim director, help so many. and I am very confident that she will do an outstanding job, following the path set by former Director Irene Stein. If you donated or volunteered for this event, we hope that you will do it again next year. If you have never donated, we hope that you consider I wish you the very best, Lisa. doing so at this annual event or at another blood drive location. -Steve Whicher Thanks again for all of your help in making this a success. • County Adopts NIMS Standard • By Lee Shurtieff, Director of Emergency Response All Emergencies Are Local: On August 15, the County Legislature formally established the Case In Point National Interagency Incident Management System (NIMS) as the County standard for incident management in times of emergency. On the 26th and 27th of June, the region was impacted by a "NIMS" standardizes procedures for managing personnel, series of storms and heavy rainfall. Over an extended period, communications, facilities and resources to improve the County's Tompkins County and surrounding areas received several inches response to incidences involving multiple agencies and disciplines. - of rain, resulting in extensive flooding and runoff. Within four hours time, predictions by the National Weather Service changed The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks (9-11 Commission) had from a threat of swollen streams and tributaries, to a strong recommended that such national standard be adoptd in the wake of probability of record flooding, even to exceed the effects of the response to the World Trade Center and Pentagon incidences, Hurricane Agnes in 1972! Emergency personnel and public and President Bush, in Homeland Security Directive -5, directed the works staff, previously looking forward to the July 4h weekend, development of such a system. It is anticipated that use of a common were thrust into the rapid implementation of a variety of system by all agencies from the federal level, downward, will improve emergency plans, responses, and operations. W rnings were our abilities to prepare for, mitigate, respond to and recover from disseminated to a number of agencies, and County Dispatch domestic incidents, regardless of size, cause, or complexity. monitored the changing conditions. The National Incident Management System is very similar to the With a little good fortune (for us), the heaviest rains shifted traditional Incident Command System (ICS) long used by Tompkins eastward by just a few miles, enough so that serious damages County and New York State responders. A key difference, or addition, were limited to the Caroline, Danby, Dryden, and Groton areas. includes its expansion to a wider defined response community, that Most of our highway and fire departments in the County not only includes the "traditional" fire, emergency medical services responded to a series of service calls, and preventive measures (EMS) and law eiforcement personnel, but also such disciplines as (opening blocked culverts, pumping basements, diverting run-off, public works, public health, hospitals, local govemment employees closing roadways) were performed throughout the evening of and officials involved in multi- agency coordination, as well as skilled Tuesday, June 26. As the evening wore on, conditions support personnel from business, utilities, and human needs worsened in the Town of Caroline, and numerous roads were • organizations. closed. Highway and emergency crews were dispatched to numerous locations to reroute traffic, open up clogged ditches A standardized, progressive training program was established at the and pipes, and check on the welfare of residents in the federal and state levels and is now required for all governments. vulnerable areas. Anticipating the need for additional resources, Eligibility for scores of federally based grants (virtually anything that County staff from Emergency Response and the Highway • local government could apply for) is tied now to compliance with the Division moved to the Slaterville Fire Station, where a town provisions of NIMS, including adoption and practice of the standard, command post had been established. In short order, the and just as critically, the incorporation of NIMS into training programs situation was assessed with Town officials, and equipment and and exercises. personnel were deployed to assist in the troubled areas. The current flurry of training activity might lead one to believe that (continued on Page 4) NIMS compliance is yet another "one - shot" project intended to meet some federal mandate. In truth, NIMS is a long -term integration activity that will permanently reflect in our basic training programs and daily operations. What is this writer's personal opinion, now that I've given you the overview? As with any program that is shipped to us from up yonder, ' 7'413r there is a certain amount of over -kill, over - reach, and over - training that well forever be forced to do with little or no financial support from the mandating entities. That said, providing all our departments and responders with a basic understanding of how incident command works, establishing a common language, and just plain training and working together across departmental and municipal boundaries will 9 9 P P ultimately ensure an improved and more efficient response to the • : , emergencies that require use of many people and many resources. See the article at the right for some real, recent and local examples! • Flooding in Broome County - 4 - MCA All Emergencies Are Local Highway Highlights... (continued from Page 3) By Geri Lockwood • Over the next six days, equipment and manpower from nearly every 2006 Summer Floods: County fire department was rotated through a variety of assignments in The floods that have occurred in the County over Broome County, while others assembled crews and stood by, ready to the summer have interrupted the summer road respond with minimal notice. Additionally, local ambulances provided project schedule, causing delays to much of the backup to Cortland and Tioga Counties, and Ithaca Fire Department responded with City -owned boats to assist in rescue operations in schedule. The crews have spent many hours Owego. Sheriff Meskill and several deputies assisted with law working to repair the flood damages. Old 76 Road, enforcement efforts in Delaware County, where over 80% of the roads in the Town of Caroline, was closed from June 27 had been washed away. Numerous volunteers also responded with until August 10' h , to replace road crossing pipes agencies including the local Chapter of the American Red Cross. that were washed out. Banks Road Bridge, also in the Town of Caroline, was closed indefinitely on Back at home, the extent of damage became more apparent, and the July County requested that the Govemor's Declaration be extended to Tompkins in hopes that a subsequent, pending Presidential Declaration FEMA and SEMO have an office set up in the would make local municipalities eligible for federal and state disaster Public Works Facility, working closely with assistance. By Sunday, the DOER was assigned a FEMA assessment municipalities in Tompkins County to assist with team who worked with Director Shurtleff over the next two days. A joint federal /state team reviewed damages and concluded that Tompkins the reimbursement requests for the flood damage County's recovery costs, just for roads, bridges, and public repairs. improvements, would exceed $ 2 million. The County was added to the t, list of declared areas at the end of the week, and FEMA Public As always, please use extreme caution when Assistance Teams were assigned to work with local officials in traveling through work zones, and adhere to work developing and processing numerous project - funding requests. zone speed limits. Thank you for helping to keep Although the processes will no doubt take many months to complete, our workers safe! local municipalities will recover badly needed funds, as will our neighbors whose damage is into the hundreds of millions of dollars. • Although we were fortunate to, by and large, escape the brunt of the Department of Social Services waters, those few stressful days confirmed a lot of the assumptions that Foster Care /Adoption we have built into our emergency preparedness plans and operations. Information Meetings Among them: that when the storm hits, we're on our own, just like the Submitted by Ellie Arnold people in Broome, Delaware, Tioga, and other counties were for the first few hours, if not days. We rely heavily on our public safety and public works crews to expand upon their normal duties and capabilities to To anyone who may be considering becoming effectuate the rescues, open emergency routes, and ensure the safety a foster parent or adoptive parent and wants of our residents and visitors until the waters (or any other threat) more information, Tompkins County subsides. We know now that state and federal assistance will eventually Department of Social Services will hold arrive and will help us recover, despite the bad reviews we all read and informational meetings at the Human Services heard about in last year's hurricane disasters. We can also rely on a Building, Room 142, 320 W. State St., Ithaca, network of mutual aid partners who will come here with people, NY on September 14, and October 12, 2006. equipment, and apparatus at a moment's request, and there's no doubt in my mind, that had that storm shifted this way, they'd have been here, (These informational meetings are held every rather than the other way around. 2nd Thursday of the month.) Tompkins County has a special need for foster families in Lots of lessons have been reamed. Storms happen, floods happen, fires the Ithaca City School District and for families happen. No matter how much training we have, and no matter how well who will foster teenagers. we can comply with federal procedures, we're still going to be limited by the people, facilities, and equipment we hold locally when the dangers Also, our Fall Foster /Adoption Certification/ are at their worst. It is in our best interest, if not imperative, that we Approval Class is beginning on September 12, recognize this and, as a community, continue to identify our 2006. This s a 33 -hour, 11 -week program to vulnerabilities and further develop the resources we need to protect prepare you to foster or adopt. them, not just in the day -to -day "expected" events, but also for the quick and catastrophic. County Govemment is key to this effort, and as an entire entity must be fully engaged and available when the "unthinkable" Please call 274 -5266 for more information. • occurs- our citizens (the taxpayers) are depending on that! - Lee Shurttefi OCSEat toed MOO ARCM, AR°CJD A Good Time (albeit wet) By David Chase, President CSEA Local 855 CSEA Tompkins County Local 855 held its fourth annual Employee Appreciation Day at Stewart Park on Saturday, August 19 Nearly 500 CSEA represented employees and their families from various townships, school districts, and municipalities registered to participate in this ..-: year's festivities. A majority of them showed up `� a . even though it rained — sometimes heavily — most of t w the day. For the second straight year, Hope's Way catering service put on a bountiful spread of BBQ chicken, - steamed clams, hotdogs, hamburgers, salads, deserts, '`` and cold beverages. Needless to say, no one left un e children were treated to Fire Truck and Carousel rides and despite the inclement weather, a good time Picnic Prize Winners: was had by all. Many thanks to Pam, Chantalise, Scott, Chris, Millie Viscotha - Groton Elementary School (CD Player) Judith, Fran, and all those who had a hand in making Cami Fellows - CSEA White Collar Unit ($25 Gift Card) this a successful day. Heather Clark - Groton Central School (MP -3 Player) Paulette Fisher - CSEA White Collar Unit (Hollywood Video Gift Cert.) Geri Lockwood - CSEA White Collar Unit (Applebees Gift Cert.) Susan Bowman - CSEA White Collar Unit (Taughannock Farms Inn Gift Certificate) Gary Heffron, Sr. - Newfield Central School (Hillendale Golf Cert.) ' > `" Teresa Davis - TC -3 (DVD Player) ' w, 1 4 ' Bea Valent - CSEA White Collar Unit (Barnes & Noble Gift Cert.) Erma Peterson - CSEA White Collar Unit (Gas Card) Jo Heliseva - CSEA White Collar Unit (Hollywood Video Gift Cert.) Danielle Conte - CSEA White Collar Unit (Boatyard Grill Gift Cert.) Robert Smith - Groton Central School (Lucatelli's Gift Cert.) „.4:,.. ,, .-,.. , '441111 1 .. Mishelle Hyer - CSEA White Collar Unit (Trumansburg Golf Cert.) 1 Shirley Kane - CSEA White Collar Unit (Bed Bath & Beyond Gift Cert.) Sandy Abbey- CSEA White Collar Unit (Chili's Gift Cert.) ' Hollis Oltz, Jr.- City of Ithaca (BBQ Grill) VI -_ ' Sue Wrolstad - CSEA White Collar Unit (Pier 1 Imports Gift Cert.) f > ri Eleanor Spink - CSEA White Collar Unit (15° LCD Flat Screen TV) 9 Poetry Slam a Success! By Maryanne Banks, DSS Ever been to a poetry slam? Some staff at DSS had never been to one until they decided to host the "Poetry Slam to Beat All Slams" Friday night, April 28th. This was a fundraiser for Independent Living Services for young people in foster care, or formerly in foster care. The event was at Beverly J. Martin School, and it was a huge success! There * x F were two competitions for poetry by adults and poetry by t§` young people. _v= Congratulations to poets Sakivah Dees, Brittany Clark, Marihug Cedeno, Andy Doyle, Melissa Oliver, Callie Griffen and DSS's own Nick D'Alleva. Nick performed his original poem, "Bongo Man ", complete with sunglasses to set the tone! Thanks to judges Don Pharaoh, Priscilla Walker, George Eisman and Deana Bodner (DSS Planner), who had the difficult task of judging among the excellent poems and poets. Funds raised will allow DSS to provide young people with more exposure to life opportunities and skills, more • involvement with adults in our community, and more recognition for youth's achievements. Over 18 local businesses and agencies contributed, including Guilt Free Touring, Eastern Mountain Spots, McNeil Music, Wegmans, Gimme Coffee, Greenstar, Barnes �� and Noble, Ithaca Bakery, Autumn Leaves, Fall Creek and Cinemopolis Theatres, Ithaca Books, BJM, Rotaract, King David's, and Fontana's. Entertainment was by Mbusi and the GIAC Steppers. Michelle Berry, Tompkins County's Poet Laureate, was advisor to the Slam. Special thanks to DSS staff Bernice Yarosh, Marion Boratynski, Jennifer Browne, Jessica Schifilliti, Donna Scott, John Talbot, Krissy Hendley, and Carol Purcell. Along with young people in the Life Skills Program, they hosted three fundraisers this year - a silent auction; a book sale; and (in collaboration with the William George Agency, Therapeutic After School Program and Youth Advocates Program) our first poetry slam! Everyone had a great time listening to the poetry and the music, and there were lots of good snacks, raffles, and 1111 prizes. Never been to a poetry slam? Try it! ,. -7- Employee Spotlight • James Niemi is a Deputy Sheriff with the --` Sheriff's Office and has worked there for 30 4! plus years. He has held various positions °� tEIr FEf3t'4� there - Kg, civil, road patrol, and now .!i t f t l { 9 ,-. ryryryry��((' i , , i , 7 r ' t ' ff courthouse security. The best -liked part of his n. :: -4r ' A k , �,b s job is helping people. His least liked part of A r his job is dealing with small children who r � t!� have been hurt. Outside interests are hunting, 9 ' , ''. ° - -- riding motorcycle, four - wheelers, and I i ' . 4e spending time with family. If he ran the world, I the first thing he would do is to "stop all m fighting htin in the world." Sharon Cooper is a secretary in the Records Unit of the Sheriffs 1 Office and has worked there for almost nine years. Prior to that, - she worked in the Assessment Department for ten years. About her duties, she says, "There are only two of us who work in - records unit who handle approximately 14,000 reports a year. We PP Y P Y process all arrests (both adult and juvenile) for all agencies "" ".,?* involved, including photos and fingerprints. We do background V { checks for employment, adoptions, military, etc., and process all 14, traffic tickets. I handle paper work tickets, bills and paperwork for ` , " . t the boat patrol for end-of-year state reporting purposes. p N • "Monthly, I run five reports for the administration staff on number of complaints, tickets, arrests, individual deputies, and number of Sharon Cooper (continued) accidents. Yearly, I handle sending out the applications to the school districts for the free, week -long NYS Sheriff's Association Outside interests: "I love to go gambling - they call Summer Camp and process those applications, making all me the slot queen, and NASCAR - go Jeff Gordon! I arrangements. Quarterly, I do the juvenile transport report, which have been to two NASCAR races already this year - is submitted to DSS for reimbursement from NYS. I handle the Las Vegas and Bristol, and have plans to go to two processing of solicitation /peddlers permit applications when we more. Watching it on TV just isn't the same, you get them. Weekly, I pay the bills for the Sheriff's Office. In have to smell the fumes, rubber, and hear the noise. addition to all of this, we have phones to answer and a window to I am also into dirt tracking - my son has a dirt cover. So, as you can see this really stretches two people." racecar - so racing is in our family. In fact I used to drive a dirt racecar back in my younger years. I also The best part of her job? "I like that I'm busy and that most of the like to read and to spend time with my family. time administration has enough confidence in me that they aren't (continued on Page 8) standing over me, breathing down my neck. It allows me to perform my job at a much higher level. Aso, everyone pretty The Votes Are In.... much gets along, so we can joke, which relieves tension. Law enforcement is a very stressful job, both out on the road and Here are the results of the second vote inside four walls. I always wanted to be a lawyer, so I guess this is on what you'd like to name this the closest I will ever get to it." newsletter! Her least -liked part of her job: "To see the number of child abuse, County Corridors 3 sex abuse, and domestic violence cases - that is a very difficult thing to deal with. It is also hard to deal with accidents that County Chit Chat 2 • involve people I know when they are fatalities, which has Tompkins Tattler 1 happened. It is also hard when people on the outside hear things Keeping in touch 1 and expect that I can tell them things. My answer is always 'sorry County Community 1 not allowed to divulge that information'." -8- Employee Spotlight, continued... Sharon Cooper (continued from Page 7) From the Vending Committee... If she ran the world, the First thing Sharon would do is pull all New York City Winter Day Trip service men out of Iraq and other foreign countries. She says, When: Saturday, December 9th
'The US needs to start taking care of their own - we have so Cost: $30.00/pp many homeless people and people with no health insurance, elderly who barely have enough food to eat. It's about time We will leave from the Tompkins County Highway someone woke up and said enough is enough. I could probably Department Facility on Bostwick Road at 7:00 A.M. sharp, get on a soapbox here - oil prices - stop selling our oil to other with an expected arrival in Nev, York City around noon. countries and start thinking about the US." You will be let off at Radio City Music Hall (50th St. and Ave. of the Americas) or Macy's (34th St. and 7th Ave.). You're on your own to explore the vast and exciting city and enjoy your own interests. Departure will be from Radio City Music Hall at 8:00 P.M., arriving back in Ithaca around midnight. Minimum of 40 people needed to make this trip possible. Call now for reservations (Patty Stamm at 274 -6674, or Pete Coates at 2746688) or for additional information. Marcia Lynch joined the County July 10th as Public Information Officer. Something to think about... Marcia has collaborated with County officials and staff on many Please remember to use your vending machines. • projects over the years, during her past service as Volunteer Coordinator and Director of Development at the Ithaca Fire The commissions from these machines help to subsidize our Department; as coordinator of the year -long Ithaca Centennial trips and activities. In addition, the Vending Committee celebration; and when she began her professional career as a provides funding for memorials, appliance purchases, as well reporter, newscaster, and news director at radio station WTKO as $5.00 per employee per year used for parties, picnics, etc. in Ithaca. Commissions have decreased over the past several months. If you have suggestions, please forward them to a Vending Marcia says, "I am greatly enjoying my return to local Committee Member from your Department. Don't have one? government service and serving the people of Tompkins County Why not join? It's a great group of employees! Meetings are in this position. It is rewarding to work with the great people in held once every two or three months, for about an hour. For county government from the inside, after working with them more information, please contact Patty Stamm at 274-6674. from the outside for so many years." As Public Information Office Marcia is responsible for developing programs to both convey information to the public and I look forward to working with each of you. I am also about what's going on in county government and to incorporate enjoying the beginning of my service as a member of the input from the public into those operations. Some of the most 'Corridors' team." visible aspects of her job are the "Legislature Highlights" that come out after each meeting of the County Legislature and the Much of Marcia's life outside of work revolves around her other news releases that are distributed to the media and family and family of animals - a ten - year -old Labrador- setter- posted on the front page of the county's web site. golden retriever dog named Chester (whom she calls "my special needs little boy ") and seven kitties. None of these "One of the first things I've done - and will continue to do - is to animals were planned. She and her animals live in a more consult with those throughout the county's departments to than 150 - year -old plank house in the Town of Lansing, which determine how we can best work together to publicize all the she obtained for nothing about 15 years ago, moved, and good things that are happening here," Marcia says. "I want this renovated. "There's still much to do on the house," she ID office to be a worthwhile resource for all of county government, notes. "The challenge is finding the time to do it!" 9 - • Department News Probation Personnel Susan Jones, Senior Probation Officer, retired August VEBA claim forms and Flexible Benefit Claim forms 31, with 26 years of county employment. are now on the web under Personnel Forms. If you have questions, please call Personnel at 274 -5526. Susan was originally hired by DSS, worked for many years at Mental Health, and became a probation officer Save the Date!!!! 1 .' 6 : in 1990. She has been assigned to regular probation r service, DWI specialized cases, Drug Court cases, and Employee Benefits Day and Open Enrollment most recently served as the Coordinator at the Day Thursday, November 16'h I. Reporting Center. 9:30 AM — 2:00 PM Beverly Livesay Conference Room Our best wishes to Susan, while she enjoys Human Services Building her retirement and her darting baby grandson. Vendors include Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, NMHC Rx (National Laurel Rockhill was recently promoted to Medical Health Card), Tompkins County Federal Administrative Assistant. Credit Union, Employee Assistance Program, SIEBA and more!! Laurel manages a large caseload of court- ordered restitution cases and assists probation officers with collection issues. In addition, she is busy chasing after Illk active four- year -old and attending her teenage Sneaker Recycling I daughter's many after - school activities. Congratulations to Laurel. ALL METAL including eyelets __ Board of Elections } must be removed! _ The Board of Elections is looking for civic - minded citizens who also might be interested in making a little (Shoelaces OK) extra money. It is best to find a way to reuse sneakers in good condition, The Board needs people to work as Election for example... Inspectors and Machine Technicians. Training is provided for both positions. Give them to a sister or brother; • Put them in a yard sale; or Call the Board of Elections (274 -5522) for more Take them to the Salvation Army. information, or visit their website: Bring sneakers to the Tompkins County Recycling www.votetompkins.com. and Solid Waste Drop -Off Center, 122 Commercial Avenue, Monday through Saturday, Facilities Division from 7:00 AM — 3:30 PM. Welcome to Steve Christoffersen, the new •ssistant Director of Facilities! Ideas for Farm Markets and Gas Pumps Aft • Submitted by Don Ellis, Weights and Measures (Thanks to Brad Parker of Franklin County for these tips!) Brainteasers... We all enjoy roadside and farmer's markets this time of year. We offer these reminders about the correct The dates and topics for the fall Brainteasers series are labeling and selling methods for these products. as follows: All commodity items in packages, unless they are to be consumed on premises, must be marked with the - Friday September 22nd (note: different date than on identity, origin, and quantity. This translates to flyer) Emergency Preparedness 1-4pm TC3 Tioga stating what it is, who made it, where it's from, and Place (Corner of Seneca & Tioga St. -Old M &T the weight or volume. Packaged cakes, pies, fudge, Building) etc. would require this labeling. - Thursday, October 5th Re -Cycle and Re-Use Whether packaged or not, all meat, poultry, fish, and 1 -4pm Tompkins County Recycling Center bread must be sold by weight. The exceptions are shell fish & rolls, which can be sold by count. - Fridays October 27th & Nov. 3rd Customer Service (2 parts with National Credentialing preparation) 9am- Most fruits and vegetables can be sold by volume or Noon TC3 Tioga Place count, instead of weight. Examples would be a pint of berries, a peck of apples, a dozen ears of corn, a - Thursday December 7th Mail Merge gam -Noon TC3 head of cabbage, a bunch of asparagus, or five Tioga Place. pounds of tomatoes. To register, contact Heather Stewart at 274 -5557 or If you are a vendor, the Office of Weights and hstewart@tompkins ..o.org • Measures will be happy to assist you with regulatory requirements. It is the vendor's responsibility to apply all weights and measures regulations. As the cost of gas continues to increase, Weights 45Thl and Measures will continue to monitor the pump F1JNNY BONES accuracy, octane quality, and proper price posting. Remember that your vehicle's gas tank is not an Her husband had been slipping in and out of a accurate measuring device. The capacity listed in pp g your manual is just an.estimate. Fuel tanks also coma for several months, yet she stayed ly his expand and contract with temperature changes. If bedside every single day. When he carne to, he you have questions about a particular pump, contact motioned for her to come nearer. our department. Paying attention to octane ratings is one way to save money. Use the octane closest to As she sat by him, he said, "You know what? You the one recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. have been with me all through the bad times. The engine does not get a "treat" by processing a When I got fired, you were there to support me. higher octane then is needed. The automatic shut - off When my business fell, you were there. When I hose nozzle is designed to prevent spills and over got shot, you were by my side. When we Lost the filling. Speeds closer to 50 m.p.h. save significant house, you gave me support. When my health amounts of fuel. Additional savings can be achieved started failing, you were still by side. by proper tire inflation, removing excess weight, g° y y m y avoiding excessive idling, closing the windows while driving, and using air conditioning sparingly. If you "When I think about it now, I think you bring me have a vehicle purchase coming up, take a tip from bad luck." auto racing. A lighter vehicle with a lower, smaller • profile will be more fuel -efficient. -11 - Classifieds ,Ads I •or Sale: Handmade oak 12 -gun cabinet with locking glass front double doors, 2 storage drawers. Price $ 750.00. Phone Ron at 564- For Sale: 1985 Honda Shadow 700 Tricycle, $3,900 9482 after 7:30 pm. Contact Mitchell Gray, Sr. at 387 -6988. For Sale: One djimbe (African hand drum), e xcellent condition, carrying �� Dog Dayz Inn � �' g case included: $350.00. Call Lucia at 351 -0221 = A place where your For Sale: 1988 Jayco Class C motor home - 44,000 dog feels a t home" miles; sleeps 6; runs great; excellent condition; Located in North Lansing asking $8500 or best offer; call 838-3021 evenings. Sandy Strehle y For Sale: 1996 Ford Windstar Mini-Van. 7 . .. 315-497-3467 passenger, air, cruise, CD, cassette, AM -FM, power locks and windows, 85,000 miles. Excellent dogdayzinn @yahoo.com condition, very well - maintained. $5,000 or best www.dogdayzinn.com offer. Call 564-0565. Wanted to Buy: Outdoor wicker furniture. For Sale: 1950's style vanity with mirror -$100; Maple Desk - in Preferably honey - color, but will consider other good condition - $80; and Cedar Chest - needs a new foot - $50 or colors. Love seat, cushioned chairs, coffee table, side best offer. Call Ron at 272 -1037. table, and/or planter. Call Terri at 607 - 272 -8687. Available now: In print since 1992, ,the updated 2006 edition of Short Term Rental: Fully furnished, 2 bedroom ` the Mapless Map of Tompkins County (a narrative guide to county apartment or 3 bedroom house available in Watkins ads and locations) is now available. Contact Jim Rolfe at Glen, Nov 1 - April 30. Call for details: Marsha 607- mes.rolfe(a,us.army.mil for prices if interested in buying a copy of 368 -9066, evenings only, please. the book; copies are also available at Mayers in Ithaca. For Sale: Solid Oak Curio Cabinet - 25w x 14d x Wanted: Old Sunfish sailboat or similar small boat for a project 76h - Recessed Dome light, 8 adjustable glass (sails not needed) - 607- 532 -8975 (nights). Shelves, plate glass mirror back. $400 or best offer. 607- 589 -6041 (night). For Sale: 2000 Kawasaki Bayou 300 - all time 4X4 - like new - less than 50 hours ridden - (no place to ride in our area) - $2,499.00. 2002 Kawasaki Bayou 225 $1,499.00. Two full -face helmets. Call 1 753 -6674 after 5:00 PM, and ask for Donna or Jim. For Sale: 2004 Toro "42" riding mower. Used for 2 mowing seasons. Asking $700 or best offer. Contact Ron Schoneman (607) 272 -1037. For Sale: We have 2 full -face helmets to sell. One is a size XL and - 1 �, the other is a L. Call Jim or Donna at 753 -6674. For Sale: Three young male short-hair Guinea Pigs, $5.00 each. Make great first -time pets. Call Jane Daum at 607 - 535 -4139 after 1 : 5:30 p.m., or email at jdaum(a,chek.com for more information. For Sale: Bay's Bike: $30; 15" tires off Pontiac Sunfire (like new): $30 for the pair; two wood case antique radios: $25 each. .I 41 . anted to buy: Antique Bar and Bar Stools. ° .. ' Call 607 -532 -4138 after 6:OOpm or email lillyswordsna,yahoo.com .ft 011140' - 12- Classifieds Ads, continued... -- - - - -- BOB'S CU$TOM CLUBS For Sale: Twin bed (trundle). Pulls out into full, wood head -foot ,. 404 Caswell Road boards. Clean comforter, bedspread, sheet sets - $300 or best offer. 1 Freeville, NY 13068 Call 607 -589 -6041 (night). 607- 844-3760 • custom Z II Clubs • cusbmt runs¢ • 1P�YIQU��� ®®y d • `K RMIY For Sale: 92 Dodge Spirit, 150K, $1200. Currently driven every day. New gas tank, fuel lines and brake lines. CD /AM/FM, good tires, regular maintenance. Clean inside. Some rust & dents outside. Good, dependable first car for student. Contact tllinde(a�hotmail.com or 533- 7647. For Sale: 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera. 121,000 miles. In good shape. Hardly any rust. Just passed inspection. Recent battery, gas line, brakes. Asking $1000. Call 277-3107 after 6 PM. r 4110k Shared Living Quarters: Looking for a quiet and clean individual XS" 4=h1lit to share living quarters with. 2 Bedroom Apartment near Cornell University, $500 /month includes all utilities and parking. Call (607) 341-0123. - �> K.M.K. Custom Construction - Building & Remodeling Specialists New construction, additions, renovations, landscaping, =` ° roofing, and much more. Call (607) 341 -0123. Forward classified ads to Maureen Reynolds at the Office For Sale: Mahogany Futon w/ Black Cushion. Good Condition! of County Clerk, mrevnoldsfatomnkins -co.orr $75 or best offer. Call (607) 341 -0123. For Sale: Wooden wine rack. Holds 60 Bottles! New! $75 or best offer. Call (607) 341 -0123. Corridors is printed on 30% recycled paper. NIC'S KIDS FUNCARE - Licensed Home Daycare. Trained First THE CoURn c. s TEAM Aid/CPR/MAT (medicine administering). Groton schools. Call Managing Editor Nicole at (607) 898 -5976. Linnett Short, SW Management Division Editorial Staff For Sale: Ab (Abdominal) Scissor by Jake. It is already assembled Geri Lockwood, Highway and has only been used one time. For details call (607) 272 -8243. Sara Stark, DSS — — Maureen Reynolds, Clerk For Sale: 1972 Porsche 914, $7,500. Call: 607- 387- 9731(any time). Debra Patterson, DSS Edie Spaulding, DSS Katrina Schickel, COFA Classifieds Editor - Maureen Reynolds, Clerk a> Multicultural Editor - Open Advising Editor, Page Layout Marcia Lynch, Public Information Contributors All County Employees and Retirees