HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03 CO A Newsletter for 11 Tompkins County Employees and Retirees - March 2009 r r' t) rs Volume 21, Number 1 http: / /www.tom pkins- co.org /countycorridors Spring Clean Your Exercise Routine By Theresa Lyczko, Health Department It was 10. F this early March morning. Thoughts of gardening or taking a 6 summer hike on the Finger Lakes Trail didn't surface when I looked at the "Spring" into Healthy wraw thermometer outside the kitchen window. But there is a hopeful sign - the days are getting longer and warmer days can't be far behind. And I want to Spring presents the perfect opportunity be ready to enjoy what the spring and summer weather has to offer. to begin a walking exercise program and \ � enjoy the fresh spring air at the same time. "We all know we should exercise," a friend said recently, "but who does ?" This is something I keep saying that I would I know many people who are committed to an exercise routine. But I have like to resume (something I used to enjoy), to admit a routine can become tiresome. Afew raindrops or snowflakes are but haven't done for several years. enough to derail your best intentions. And setting aside time for physical activity because you "should" or because you want to be "healthy" often In January 2008, after months of trying, my daughter finally convinced me doesn't do it. to join Weight Watchers (losing weight is also something I knew I needed to do, but not something I was really interested in putting any effort into.) Think about setting a goal. What are some of your favorite spring and Keeping in the back of my mind the Employee Wellness Committee's summer activities? Do you often wish that you had the stamina or energy reimbursement program for weight management (they also have one for to do them better? Maybe it's taking a longer bike ride with your children or fitness membership or activity programs - reimbursement applications grandchildren. You may want to be a more vigorous volleyball player and are available on the intranet), I continued attending the meetings and was be competitive with your brother at the annual family picnic. Walking 3 miles pleasantly surprised how easy the program really was for me to follow, instead of the usual 1 mile on your favorite trail could be your goal. There without the "effort" that I was dreading, and how well it actually worked for may be gardening or house projects that would be easier to do and would me. reduce the risk of injury if you were more physically fit. Well, I didn't get back into walking until later in the spring last year, but Keep your goal in mind when you're reluctant to go on your scheduled one year and more than 110 pounds lighter, I am really looking forward to walk or lift your hand weights. Set a time and stick to it. Decide how you'll getting out there this spring! I continued my walks on a treadmill over the increase the time you spend on physical activity and types of activity you'll winter, but nothing beats a walk outside, especially with my neighborhood do to achieve your goal. Tell friends and family of your plan and enlist their friends. Not only are we getting in great exercise with a goal of a healthier support. lifestyle, it also gives us a chance to visit with each other, and they are a wonderful support group! Why don't you give it a try? One of your goals may be to be able to wear your favorite summer dress or pair of shorts again this year. Increased physical activity will help and so will Submitted by Geri Lockwood, Highway reducing the number of calories you consume. That was proved in a study funded by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ( NHLBI) and pub- lished in the New England Journal of Medicine on February 26, 2009. "Heart healthy diets that reduce caloric intake - regardless of differing portions of INSIDE THIS ISSUE fat, protein or carbohydrate - can help overweight and obese adults achieve Notes From the County Administrator: 2 and maintain weight loss," NHLBI said. On average, participants lost 13 The Airport's "Green" Master Plan 3 pounds at 6 months and maintained a 9 pound loss over 2 years. Reducing TCCOG Health Benefits Study Continues 4 calories is easier than you may think even if you're not part of a contrdled EPP Vendor Fair - Save the Date 4 study. Controlling portion sizes is the first step. 25 Year Club Dinner 6 United Way City County Competition 7 Cultural Competency Training 7 VP Employee Spotlights 8 ■ 1 i Highway Highlights 9 , Department News 10 1 :::::, - ) Kudos Korner 10 Family Assessment Response: Another Road to Safety 10 Classified Ads 12 Continued on page 2 -2- Notes From the County Administrator: Thanks For the Help This Winter! As spring finally arrives, I'd like to recognize some of our own who are The work done by our Home Health Aides and our colleagues in the called upon to go above and beyond when winter hits. human service agencies who help the homebound elderly is especially important in the winter, when their clients are even more isolated and The men and women of our County Highway Department did a great job dependent on our visits. keeping our roads clear and safe during a very difficult winter. A com- munity like ours, where a hilly terrain can make snow and ice especially And anyone who has passed a Sheriffs Deputy assisting a stranded treacherous, depends on the people who drive our snowplows and keep motorist in the middle of a howling blizzard knows that the always difficult them running. Fortunately, we have great people in our Highway Divi- work of our law enforcement professionals is even more difficult in winter. sion who work long hours and in incredibly difficult conditions to make things better for the rest of us. To all of them, and many more of our County team who help us and our community get through the winter, thank you. You did a great job. Our Facilities crews were often waking up as some of us were going to bed, making sure our parking lots and sidewalks were plowed before we .l - Joe Mareane got to work, and that our heating systems were operating. Other County employees stepped up this winter, too, including those f" who helped process a record number of HEAP applications, ensuring that people of modest means would get through the winter with heat and lights. By all accounts, our employees did that crucial job in good cheer and with absolute dedication to the people they were serving. v ( (I/ • i) AF\ V Exercise Continued From Page 1 Here are a few examples: Solid Waste Staffers Vie • 4 slices of 14" pepperoni pizza (cut in 12 slices) = 920 calories, for Weight Loss Prize but 2 slices of 14" pepperoni pizza (cut in 12 slices = 460 calories Inspired by the weight loss TV show 'The Biggest • 40 tortilla chips = 400 calories, choose to eat only, Loser, some Solid Waste employees have started 10 tortilla chips = 100 calories their own weight loss contest. The contest runs for • Large 4 oz. bagel, plain (usual size of bagel) = 320 calories 10 weeks with weekly check 1.5 oz. bagel, plain = 120 calories Contact the Health Promotion Program for a copy of "Portion Distortion" that Participants check their weight at home and follow a calculation to come up with their weekly percent illustrates more examples of portion sizes: of weight loss. By using the percent of weight loss even the smallest participant has a chance to win. An incentive may help you to achieve your physical activity or weight man- agement goal. Join a fitness facility, participate in an organized fitness class, A weekly email is sent with the week's biggest loser, join Weight Watchers and you can receive a reimbursement from the Tomp- health tips and recipes. Each participant donated kins County Employee Wellness Committee. Join or participate fora con- $10 each and the biggest loser at the end of the 10 tinuous 6 month or 12 month period. Atter completion of that period, submit weeks will receive the pot. Next time we may come your proof of payment with the reimbursement form and you'll receive a up with an alternative incentive. reimbursement of $100 for a 6 month or $200 for a12 month membership or participation. Send the form and proof of payment to Theresa Lyczko at There are seven participants and we have collec- the Health Department. Reimbursement forms can be downloaded from the tively lost about 17 percent of our weight. County website. Go to the employee intranet and click on "forms ". Submitted by Jackie Maloney, Solid Waste -3- The Airport's "Green" Master Plan By Bob Nicholas, Airport With the demolition of the 1940s -era hangar /office complex in 2008, the transformation of the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport is almost complete. Over the past sixteen years we have replaced the old terminal building, 11 general aviation facility, and private aircraft hangars. We have expanded the CFR building three times, rebcated the parallel taxiway to meet new safety ' 1;;'111 standards, and reconfigured the runway to comply with another safety w ir .� mandate. 4r • 111110 With all our basic infrastructure needs taken care of, the airport is about to ,, 111 embark on a ground- breaking initiative that seems certain to attract a lot of ,11111 I 1 L attention on the national airport scene - a "green" Master Plan. Master plans are not new, of course. Airports have been doing them for decades. The essential master plan requires a qualified planning consultant to do a current airport inventory, to then calculate what needs the airport will have over the next 20 years, and then develop various options to meet those needs. The process involves detailed assessments of how these options are likely to impact the environment and how those impacts can be mitigated. Finally, the consultant comes up with a plan to finance the development. In the normal course of events most of that financing comes That's the first hurdle. Beyond that, once we have identified these initiatives from federal and state grants that are generated from taxes on fuel and to drastically reduce our carbon footprint, we need to find ways to finance airline tickets. those infrastructure and equipment changes. Even though most of our infrastructure needs appear to have been met, Converting existing buildings to become more environmentally friendly the FAA still wants to know what our capital development plans are for the is much more difficult than building from scratch. Part of our challenge is next 20 years and how the airport plans on spending its federal "entitlement" executing that conversion while the buildings are being used and doing so grants, even if it's just for eligible equipment purchases and overhauling the in a cost-effective manner. Since the fuel in our gasoline and diesel tanks is existing runway, taxiways,and ramps. co- mingled with our tenants' fuel, the tenants have to agree to be part of the solution. And of course, because we have a symbiotic relationship with our As we deal with and observe what's happening in the world, it is impos- tenants, the entire project has to be a cooperative effort. sible to ignore the dire warnings about climate change. As I read industry magazines, particularly articles about European airports, I note how many All this will be done in an environment where green initiatives are cropping are pursuing remedies with as much urgency as they can muster. After up almost daily with many of them yet to be tested for the long haul. reading about one initiative after another, I began putting the articles in a folder to discuss with the airport's engineering consultant (C &S Companies C &S Companies are always striving for excellence and make it a point to of Syracuse). From those discussions C &S came up with the idea for a be on the cutting -edge of new sustainability ideas. As part of an effort to get green master plan. This new vision for a master plan will attempt to inte- community buy -in, they approached the Cornell community, making contact grate green and sustainable principles and ideas into the development plan with two professors with expertise in the field. This has resulted in having for the airport in the long term. That could include finding opportunities to our green master plan become part of two separate class projects. We change the way we manage some of our operations, looking at the materi- have even discussed some wonderfully new carbon - neutral initiatives with a als and products we use at the airport, and even how we generate energy prize- winning airport in Europe. to run our facilities. The technologies and strategies to become greener are numerous, and we are excited about finding the right solutions to apply to So we begin this project with some trepidation, but with much excitement our airport. and confidence that this is the right thing to do. We are hopeful we will not only exceed the county's own plan for reducing carbon emissions but set an Because the idea of a green master plan is new, and because we will be example for other airports in the United States to follow. asking the FAA to pay for it, there will be some hard negotiating ahead of us. The FAA traditionally pays for all the basic components of a master plan, but this one is going places the FAA has never been before. The selling job may be at a level many steps above those we usually deal with, but given the new administration's public commitment towards improving the environ- ment, we are hoping to find a receptive ear. -4- Sustainability Spotlight: Tompkins County Solid Waste Division "Going Green" By Kat McCarthy, Solid Waste company, Cayuga Compost, the team was able to implement a program that features weekly organic waste pick -up in large, covered bins. "Now, instead After receiving a ReBusiness Partners waste assessment in February of throwing away paper towels, waxed soda cups, and meat scraps, we of 2006, a team of employees at Tompkins County Solid Waste Division are composting them," says Margo Umholtz. "This program really has been formed to identify additional opportunities for practicing the 4Rs (Reduce, successful as a result of the high level of interest and participation from Fa- Reuse, Recycle and Rebuy) in the office. Since its inception, the group has cilities staff and the educational efforts from our Green Team." Currently, the overcome numerous challenges and achieved multiple successes. Some of group is benchmarking program results, and anticipates a 75 -85% waste di- the team's accomplishments include distributing recycling bins throughout version rate as a result of the new program. This will not only reduce waste, the building, reducing paper towel waste in the bathrooms, providing onsite but will also reduce the cost associated with the current dumpster service. composting education, and focusing on scrap paper reuse. - Recognizing that there was additional room for improvement, the team be- gan to look at options to further reduce waste. This resulted in the purchase of "hanging basket" trash cans that are significantly smaller than the current I • recycling bin which it hangs off the side of, and includes a lid. (See photo.) .. 1 - g Through this pilot, the team distrib- lF uted the bins throughout the office, Mae explaining that the smaller bins could help reduce waste by encourag- .. '� • j� ° 0 t _ - - ` ing staff to think before they throw From Left to Right, Linnett Short, Kat McCarthy and Nicole Stumpf all from Solid � Waste Division, Barb O'Brian, Facilities, Lisa Jehu, Purchasing, Cheryl Nelson, Public something away. While exchanging 9 Y 9 9 Works, Sharon Reagin, Comptrollers. tr _ new bins for old trash cans was ° _ easy, convincing staff that these new smaller bins were just as effective, The Solid Waste Green Team meets regularly to discuss current projects, was a bit more challenging. share feedback from coworkers throughout the office, and brainstorm ideas -- — ii, 3" for further reducing waste, maximizing recycling, and buying green. The IX__, Ati The team solicited and listened to current Green Team is headed -up by Margo Umholtz, the office's Waste feedback, answered questions, and Reduction Representative, with support from Ceil Grier, Kat McCarthy, Leo worked towards developing an ef- Riley, and Stephanie Egan. fective program that met the office's .,.. needs. "With a larger recycling bin and a small, lidded trash can, more paper is making it into the recycling bin," says Leo Riley, "The Facilities Divi Date • sion cleaners also like it because it helps keep food waste out of our offices _ Save the and saves them time." • Epp Velid Fair is n ot The • just another pay dcommit After focusing on trash cans inside the building, the Green Team wanted to I October 22 EPP) s ub a understand what waste remained. By conducting some research, the team Save the date a Pre Ven ferred Procureme loves. ? • realized that most items produced were organic waste, including some food, Environmental) n EPP dor F air for al o e det ails p paper towels, and compostable plastics. Working with Facilities Staff, includ- i tee is and lo cation TBD • Stay tuned form .... ..e ing Ba O'Brien, Ida Besemer, and Ed Teeter, as well as a local composting Ttme _ I t \ ti.. TCCOG Health Benefits Study Continues The Tompkins County Council of Governments continues to work on a plan Information sessions for union leadership, retirees and employees will to form a health benefits consortium that will provide employees and retirees begin in April and continue through the late spring. If you'd like to learn with health benefits that are the same as, or better than now, but at a lower more about this shared services initiative, you can go to the home page of cost to taxpayers. Savings will be produced by pooling the business of all the County's web side at: www.tompkins - co.org ; click on "Shared local governments within the County. Services Health Benefits Study." -5- THE P'CTZZLE By Jackie Kippola R E C Y C R Y B X I B S C H U Y L T G C E Y R E T S A W S U O D R A Z A H R Y L C T A T I M R E P U C I N A G R O L O L Y E R R E T S P M U D C O E E S C A S I C A S C O P M O S E N I N N N D U M S F L N I T O F I NT R A S T G R E E M D E P R E M E A S C A Y U K O N O N D E N O R G S R I A C G K I P T O O R S B A A C E I K I W T N X O M A P A U L I N M L O A R G N I I I C O T N E M N O R I V N E M A R M T S G T R R M I K D E B S T E L E O R S O R E E U S E R E M E C U D E R E E O T E L T I P P P N G R E D U Y L S P P E E C O P C A S E L L A Q U U A W A M N N Y E E F G N I PP I T A Y A T [ 0 1 E C M O N R E O C H E H M U N G E C N C E O R G N I P M U D L A G E L L I R K R F E E M E V A L A I C R E M M O C S T What Do I Do With This Stuff? Solid Waste CASELLA NINE TO SIX COMMERCIAL AVE ORGANIC COMPOSTING RECYCLE DUMPSTER RECYCLETOMPKINS.ORG GREEN REDUCE ENVIRONMENT PERMIT HAULER REUSE HAZARDOUS WASTE TIPPING FEE ILLEGAL DUMPING WASTE LANDFILL BONUS WORD: NAME OF COUNTY WHERE THE TRASH GOES If you have comments or suggestions for future puzzles, contact Editor Maureen Reynolds at mrevnolds a(�tompkins- co.org or 274-5431. "3: 9 re nrited NINETEENTH ANNUAL TOMPKINS COUNTY 25 -YEAR CLUB DINNER The Tompkins County Legislature cordially invites you to join them in honoring this year's induct- ees into the Tompkins County 25 -Year Club. This year's dinner will be held at the Lake Watch Inn 1636 E. Shore Drive, Ithaca on May 28th, 2009. There will be a social hour from 5:30 until 6:30 and a banquet dinner at 6:30 p.m. Please return the RSVP with your entree selection including payment of $15.00 per person, by May 1, 2009. There is no charge for 25 -Year Club members and their guest. This year's new inductees Frances Armstrong - Comptroller Richard Baker - Highway Division Mitzi Banner - Department of Social Services Patricia Buechel - Probation Dale Gregrow - Highway Division Daniel Kramer - Mental Health Department Michelle Pottorff - Legislature William VanDeMark - Highway Division Lauri Wallenbeck - Department of Social Services will attend the 25 - Year Club Dinner on Thursday May 28, 2009 Entree Selections Chicken Florentine Baked Scallops Three -meat Lasagna Vegetarian entree available upon request Name Name of Guest Please make checks payable to TOMPKINS COUNTY and send to Tompkins County Personnel Department 125 East Court Street Ithaca, NY 14850 -7- LIVE UNITED U Results are in! City- County United Way Competition Other County winners are: United Way of Tompkins County has announced the results of last fall's City- Comptroller's Office - 28.6% increase in participation County United Way Competition. United Way is recognizing those County Youth Services - 14.3% increase in participation and City departments who had the greatest increases in the number of staff members contributing during the 2008 United Way campaign. The winners from the City are: GIAC - 38.6% increase in participation Ann Colt, United Way's Director of Campaign and Community Relations Controller's Office - 20% increase in participation reports that the winner is: Building Department - 10% increase in participation Tompkins County Administration with a 72.8% increase in participation. Ann says, "A very special thank you to all the winners and donors for their generosity throughout the City and County Departments. We will now work on planning the breakfast celebration!" Winners receive a "thank you" breakfast from the United Way. Last spring, this training was conducted as a pilot with 24 division and department heads in an abbreviated format. Feedback from that session Cultural Competency Training was good, with attendees saying they came away feeling challenged to p y g think about things in a new way and with a new way to approach their work. By Kit Kephart, DSS In November, the training "Leadership in a Culturally Competent Organiza- tion" was conducted for department heads. The training will eventually Tompkins County continued its cultural education in February. TFC (Training incorporate talking circles, designed to allow participants to deepen their For Change) Associates, provided the one -day workshop, "Leading In A dialogue and understanding with respect to issues of diversity and inclusion. Culturally Competent Organization" on February 9 and 10 to 45 Tompkins Looking ahead, the County plans to make this training available to as many County employees. Kirby Edmonds and Laura Branca trained each group, employees as possible. asking participants to learn in a multifaceted environment. Participants indi- cated that they had the opportunity both to examine their own values and to TFC Associates is a local training get to know others' thoughts and ideas, while engaging with the group. agency with more than 25 years' expe- f""1 rience. Kirby and Laura are committed `-�,f `� The purpose of the training is to provide a comprehensive, sustained staff l to this kind of training and approach it �� development process for increasing inclusion and cultural competency for ' efri from an empowering perspective. ' �, all employees. This training is geared to support recruitment and retention r` efforts, as well as to build and maintain an inclusive climate and culture Tompkins County is such a rich and a °� within departments and among county employees. unique area which offers so much to its ((`) residents. This training offers employ - �', ees the opportunity to explore that richness. -8- Employee Spotlights Andrew Bonavia Andrew Bonavia is an Assistant DistrictAttorney in What do you like least about your job? the District Attorney's Office, a position he has held Andy McElwee's visually exhausting ties, not finding a parking space, and J" r for five years. the words "SOLD OUT" on the soda machine downstairs. I` Andrew responded to the following questions from What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? ! - 't.a County Corridors Why the qualifier "Outside of work ?" You were afraid I'd list "work" as my favorite thing to do? Haha! I like hanging out with Andy McElwee when What do you do here (your job duties)? he's not wearing a tie and playing guitar. (I play the guitar. Not the tie -less I assist DistrictAttorney Gwen Wilkinson in many Andy.) ways, such as drinking her Diet Cokes. I also supply my co- workers with more than their recommended (or desired) daily allowance of sarcasm and If you ran the world, what is the first thing you would do? dancing, the latter probably due to the Diet Cokes. I also prosecute crimes. Ice my knees. Even though I run a lot, the world is nearly 25,000 miles in circumference. I'd be tired. After that, I'd require people, including myself, What do you like best about your job? to live in the moment a few hours each day. My favorite 70's red - orange colored chair in my office, legal brainstorming with my co- workers to put a case together, and the thrill of the chase for a parking space each morning. Brenda Jones What do you like best about your job? Brenda Jones is the Civil Account and Permit Clerk in the Tompkins County p The challenge it brings. You can never say it's Sheriff's Office. She has worked for the County for more than 18 years, — y a dull place to work. -r, starting out in Personnel, then holding the position of Keyboard Specialist in the Department of Social Services (Child Protective Services), Health De- �• ° What do you like least about your job? partment, Probation and Special Services, before joining the Sheriff's Office. - _ - The long hours. Brenda responded to the following questions from County Corridors: - ' What is your favorite thing to do outside of What do you do here (your job duties)? work? I process and serve Civil papers, Orders of Protection, income and property Spend time with family and friends. executions, and pistol permits. I also do the purchasing for the Sheriff's Office and coordinate trainings for employees. Missy Cooper Missy Cooper is Administrative Assistant in the Records Department of What do you like least about your job? Tompkins County Mental Health. In 18 years with the County, she has Filing. It's never - ending in our office! served in the positions of keyboard specialist, account clerk- typist, senior clerk and secretary before entering her current position. What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? Racing, snowmobiling, spending time with my friends and family. Missy answered the following questions from County If you ran the world, what is the first thing you would do? Lower gas prices forever! What do you do here (your job duties)? I supervise the Medical Records Department. - Missy adds, "I enjoy working for Tompkins County. It is very family- oriented • - k and has made for a strong future for me and my family."
What do you like best about your job? The daily input on the computer. 1 -9- Employee Spotlights —IOU ! l Karen Fuller What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? a i " My favorite thing to do is primitive rendezvous, reenactments of the period 4l >' Karen Fuller is Deputy Clerk for the County between 1640 A.D. and 1840 A.D., or roughly during the heyday of the -- -- - „... , -�� Legislature North American fur trade. Basically, very e of vacation, ,_ Y it is a ry different type It , �a with black powder rifles, tomahawks, knives, etc. We have period tents, r �t .`� ti Karen responded to the following questions equipment dress in period clothing, n and go about the day seeing many of -1 from C ounty Corridors: the same folks each year. When we change from our "normal" clothing, all What do you do here (your job duties)? aspects of our lives outside of camp disappear. Individuals from all walks of s life participate in the camps. �� Taking minutes of Committee and Legislature meetings, performing research as requested. My children not only enjoy this form of camping, but have learned a great What do you like best about your job? deal of history at the same time. For anyone interested in seeing what this The ability to have first -hand knowledge of some of the many discussions, is like, there is going to be a Northeastern Primitive Rendezvous taking regulations, and /or funding streams (or lack thereof) that will ultimately place July 11 -18 in Newark Valley (Bement Billings Farm). There will be make a difference to all the residents of the County as well as all of New black powder shoots, hawk and knife throws, demonstrations in brain tan - York State. ning, lacksmiths, and much more. What do you like least about your job? If you ran the world, what is the first thing you would do? No windows where I sit! Try to find a way to ensure everyone had shelter, food, and necessary medi- cal assistance. H tow ay Hf ' <. . Submitted by John Lampman, Associate Civil Engineer Bridges Reopened The School Street The Banks Road Bridge, in the Town of Caroline, was reopened on (McLean Road) Wednesday, December 3, 2008, with a ribbon - cutting ceremony attended Bridge, in the Hamlet by community members and several County and Town highway employees. \ a of McLean, was After remarks from County Legislator, Frank Proto, and Town Supervisor, - ` "? - reopened on Monday, Don Barber, the ribbon was cut by surrounding property co- owner, Debra • i t - r � , _ ..•'"'A`' - .. November 24, 2008, Halpern. Immediately following was the ceremonial first vehicle, a Town of / with a ribbon - cutting Caroline Highway single -axle truck with plow, driven by employee, Lenny ceremony attended Whittaker. by several community members, County staff, ' and a second -grade - class from Cassavant School. Following greetings from Planning and Public Works Commis- , ; ,, �' , ° 4 ' ' ,, i � fi " f 4 i ~ sioner, Ed Marx, retired Public Works Commissioner, William Mobbs, who . oversaw the project at its inception in 1997, opened the ceremony with ii remarks on improvements provided with the new bridge - The ribbon was cut by McLean 1st Assistant Fire Chief, Kristie Rice, followed ,;: -- - =- by the ceremonial first vehicles: Cassavant School Crossing Guard, Margie : — - -- _ `.' -4 ' - Albern, driving George Totman's (former Legislator) "McLean " - licensed _ - . _0 Cadillac, and a McLean Fire Truck, driven by Fire Chief, Mike Totman. Fol ,. _ _ - ' .; , 4., lowing the ceremony, the McLean Women's Auxiliary provided refreshments " —.,v „ .. ? -- , - at the Fire Hall. -10- Department News County Clerk Office for the Aging Appointment, Records Officer Congratulations to planner Danielle County Clerk Aurora R. Valenti announces the appointment of Shanovah Conte on the birth of her baby girl, Moodie as Tompkins County Records Officer, effective January 1, 2009. Addison Dec 29th. Shanovah resides in Ithaca with her six - year -old son, Dyshawn. She was formerly employed by our county Personnel Department, EMS -911, Board of Elections, and Department of Social Services. Solid Waste Division Congratulations to Paul Cowles for the marriage of his daughter,Emily Cowles, to Jacob Ehrgott on Saturday, February 7. Probation Department Congratulations to Erma Peterson on the birth of her new grandchild, Brian Albert, born on Friday, March 6. He weighed 7 Ib. 10 oz. and was 20 inches long. Kudos Korner... Kim Moore Honored as "Officer of the Month" Shanovah Moodie Recognized Kim Moore of Information Technology Services, was honored by the as Dedicated Mentor Ithaca Kiwanis Club in February as the Frank G. Hammer Officer of the Records Management Officer Shanovah Moodie was recognized by Month. Kim was recognized for her ongoing technical support to benefit the County Legislature at its January 20th meeting, as Legislature Chair public safety— including valuable assistance related to investigation of Mike Koplinka -Loehr proclaimed January as Mentoring Month in Tomp- the recent death of Deborah Rumsey. kins County. Shanovah was honored for her service in mentoring local District Attorney Gwen Wilkinson praises Moore's contributions: youth through The Learning Web. "The importance of being a mentor is more than words can express," "21st century criminal investigations in Tompkins County require the Shanovah says. "To know that you can give back, just by lending a support and skill of the county ITS office, and never has the importance helping hand to someone who is in need of guidance or encourage - of their contribution been more evident than in the Rumsey homicide ment, is immense. The most satisfying reward of being a mentor is investigation. Kim Moore worked tirelessly, and very late, to get the to see the person you nurtured grow and achieve his or her goals. command center up and running. As all of us in law enforcement well Mentoring is essential because there are so many young people who understand, the speedy establishment of a lead desk to organize need someone to assist them in their beliefs and aspirations for what information in a central location is invaluable. Thanks to Ms. Moore's they can achieve. It is the little things that we all do to help one another dedication the lead desk was operational quickly and, thanks to her that make a difference in our communities, which will in turn affect this skill, it is operating smoothly and efficiently. Our thanks for a job well world." done. It's an honor and privilege to work with Kim Moore." Congratulations, Kim! Thank you, Shanovah, for your service! -11- : FUNNY Bo1N , 41fr\ rfhea Li(-ter Nde oc rfPx, $( sot) How do you know you've met a good tax accountant? He has a loophole named after him. A visitor from Holland was chatting with his American friend and was jokingly explaining about the red, white and blue in the Netherlands flag. "Our flag symbolizes our taxes," he said. "We get red when we talk about them, white when we get our tax bill, and blue after we pay them." "That's the same with us," the American said, "only we see stars, too." Family Assessment Response: Another Road to Safety By Karen K Smith, Child Protective Services After many months of careful preparation, on January 1, 2009 Tompkins Tompkins is one of six counties participating in this New York pilot project, County's Child Protective Services (CPS) began handling reports of pos- along with Chautauqua, Erie, Onondaga, Orange, and Westchester; we are sible child abuse or neglect in a new way: the department now selects one also participating in the state evaluation of the project. In addition, the proj- of two methods to use in responding to accepted reports. Higher -risk cases ect is receiving support from the American Humane Association, the New are still handled with a traditional investigation, and the new, alternative York State Office of Children and Family Services, the Casey Foundation, approach is a "Family Assessment Response" (often abbreviated FAR). and several local groups, agencies, and vdunteers, including the Family This change evolved to develop increased flexibility and effectiveness in Life Development Center at Cornell University. responding to families with complex needs. While the Family Assessment Response program has only been in place for With a Family Assessment Response, after the children's safety has been a brief time, initial responses from both caseworkers doing FAR and families evaluated and the family has chosen to participate in this program, the receiving this response have been mostly positive, along with the growing caseworker then teams with the family to help identify family strengths, pains that might be expected when implementing such a major systemic concerns, and needs. The family leads this partnership process to best change. It is important to bear in mind that Child Protective Services will still support their family's stabilization. Family Assessment Response does not be responding to child abuse and maltreatment reports with an investiga- require the caseworker to make a formal decision whether child abuse or tion whenever that response is called for, and that child safety is always the neglect occurred, and authorized persons who may legally inquire if a family primary concern of Child Protective Services, in both a family assessment is listed in the State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment will and a traditional investigative response. not receive the family's name. Staff Providing Traditional Staff Providing Family While both tracks focus on ensuring child safety and well -being and both Investigations Assessment Response promote permanency within the family whenever possible, Family As- sessment Response is non - accusatory and supportive, with the focus on SUPERVISORS SUPERVISORS engaging parents to voluntarily participate in services and supports. Some Amy Chaffee Jennifer Browne of the underlying assumptions with this approach are that family members Todd Husick Amy Chaffee themselves are the best experts on their family, and that a less adversarial Christine Manning approach will foster greater family change. The hope is also that with this SENIOR CASEWORKERS less confrontational approach, DSS is more likely to be viewed by the Sandra Aloi SENIOR CASEWORKERS family as a helping entity in the future should issues arise that create risk to Cindy Jacobson Madi Alridge children. Beth Jolles Marion Boratynski Dody Olsson -Hine Jennifer Dankert Over 20 states have been providing this new response to CPS reports for Erin Peterson Suzanne Hillman several years. Results in the 11 states that have implemented this change Rick Reed Gina Newlin statewide (variously known as differential response, dual response, alterna Coral-lee Uettwiller Thomas Partigianoni tive response, and multiple track) have been positive, showing measur Debra Patterson able improvements in many areas, and a positive reaction from families, caseworkers, and community representatives. PROJECT ASSISTANT Karen Smith -12— ' Classified Ads IP 11)1 J II r T Dog Dayz Inn f , I 1 v E IN1 D s i I A place where your dog feels "at home ". - - r ; Located in North Lansing — ;' i- Sandy Strehle, 315 - 497 - 3467 "> .. 4_ ,' d dogdayzinn @yahoo.com F ' .\° Trip Penults http: / /www.dogdayzinn.com 4Vurbtr [arl°titoTts r To :, NYC Trip genet 33 Hangar Theatre 88 Six Flags bcrieri Lake 5b FOR SALE - 1995 31' Challenger 5th -wheel camper. 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Please call (607) 277 3436. - WE NEED YOU • Do you hags or interest in the arents planner by the Vending Committee? • C?o you have time to commit to meeting with a great t coup of people for an hour or two once every two to three months? • Please c onsider joining the team. as we o ne larking Rapresentotiaes from THE CORRIDORS TEAM several departnts. Managing Editor ,� Maureen Reynolds, County Clerk's Office Editorial Staff Answers to Puzzle on Page 5 Geri Lockwood, Highway F - Linnett Short, SW Management Division N E C A. A• € 41 G f R A Z Ail 4 Katrina Schickel, COFA - \t 1C — - Classifieds Editor - Geri Lockwood Multicultural Editor Shanovah Moodie, Records Advising Editor, Page Layout 1 Marcia Lynch, Public Information Contributors Co lF All County tact M aure Employees and Retirees I? T Interested in jo the Corridors team? at 274 -5431 or mreynolds @tompkins- co.org r B d. t= t a a i a l• E E s= J; h I- P P i T E Q A A I C E M M O C