ГлавнаяMy WebLinkО нас1997-03 1 El Newsletter for arri ' 1 Employees and Retirees of Tompkins Count ! V 4 �,^ i , , ; '�_,�„, ,, r-� 1 ',1--- moo . , J ' iliilit . ....... . . , 1 ... ‘ ' 7 ,_ 1...j MARCH 1997 Volume 10 Number 3 ' 97 BRINGS CHANGES IV i> ! ' i • * - : , - , Affill!. 1 . ,. . 1 4 - _ -- New consolidated bus system takes on a new look - TCAT New DSS building in progress . R' r a pe r ! • .�, 1, er z H 1 I — - -f • X . r 1. .M'.y .,T, -. r 1 i ,i ' �' K'`+l ��:� . e 1 I • r{r. 7 • "- 4A .4 — . n. IE 1 -., 4 ,r i i +T+ T • i.1 .. a s id ' . •• 1�. y * ,� ' 1±:,`�sn. i+ 4� w " . magi', 1 1 74, ' -•"' .( No longer the OCTOPUS! This area needs a new name. Metal Detector now at Courthouse entrance Please send your suggestions to Ruth Pond, Finance Dept. or mail to 125 East Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850 Pictures by lretta Ellis, information Services COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S COLUMN COUNTY STUDIES SPACE by Scott Heyman NEEDS OF THE LIBRARY The View from Albany A Tompkins County Committee is studying the current and future space needs of the Tompkins County I just returned Public Library. The Library Improvement Committee, from the New York �/ / chaired by County Board Representative Nancy Schuler, State Association of 1 / is looking at ways to relieve congestion in the library and Counties' ( NYSAC) �J accommodate the strategic plans of the library. annual lobbying a The library building, which opened in 1969, is � session at the state A unable to accommodate the growing user demands and capital. increased circulation of library materials. The shelving is Your County \ filled to capacity, and seating has been sacrificed to make and mine is being way for new electronic information workstations, as well as treated as a genuine Ax t 0, ' ti. additional shelving. The library's circulation reached an all - hero by its brother ,..�y; , x time high in 1996, with 747,000 items loaned to library and sister counties ,�' r users. Library card holders have also reached record around the state ,. f numbers, with 39,000 registered borrowers now using the because of its v,`� library. O successful lawsuit _3=a, ; The Library Board of Trustees requested a ' against t h e �; =``�%� feasibility study of the library building in 1995, after Commission of �- _ y� community surveys and strategic planning initiatives Corrections. If you �� indicated that the building was a major barrier to reaching missed it in the the eight strategic directions of the library. newspaper Tompkins ) The feasibility study, conducted by Aaron Cohen will be paid $100,000 0),0 and Associates, was presented to the County Board of in compensation for Representatives, who funded the study, and the Library state -ready prisoners ✓ Board of Trustees in August of 1996. The preliminary who languished in our study indicated that the library needed to double its square facility on Warren footage to meet the projected needs to the year 2016. Road beyond the 10 days the courts will allow. Currently the library has 33,000 sq. ft. Another 7,000 sq. Many counties have seen jail costs soar as a result ft. in the building is leased by the Finger Lakes Library of the state's practice of leaving its prisoners in local jails. System. This practice can be expensive when it adds to costs for The Cohen report outlined several options along food and medicine. but it becomes extremely costly when with related construction costs. Not all of the options would overcrowding forces a county to board its prisoners in achieve the optimum space recommended and several neighboring jails, as Tompkins has had to do. have been rejected, either due to cost or failure to meet the I heard some good discussion about welfare program needs of the library. reform; good in the sense that the members of the The Library Improvement Committee is studying Assembly and the Senate I listened to got into the meat of the data collected in the Cohen report, developing a list of the difficult issues that must be addressed by the state this priorities for library services, and requesting further costs spring. The best part was when county officials provided estimates and preliminary design proposals. The information to members of the legislature about the painful Committee expects to invite members of the public to effects of state mandates and funding cuts, some of which comment on various options once they are received and our legislators did not know about. before a recommendation is made to the County Board of Finally, I participated as a member of the NYSAC Representatives. That process will take place over the standing committee on state /local and employee relations. next twelve months. We recommended NYSAC support for a number of local Members of the Committee are County Board of initiatives, most notably legislation that would provide a Representatives Nancy Schuler, Chair; Stuart Stein, more level playing field for counties that are sued. Dooley Kiefer, Library Director Janet Steiner, Library I asked the several personnel commissioners on Trustee Carl Gor zig; Chief County Engineer James Kazda the committee if the "band scoring" that the State and Project Manager Jeanne Boodley. Department of Civil Service authorized about a year ago for civil service tests is having the desired result of increasing the pool of candidates who can be appointed to vacant positions; they said that it is. Any employee or elected official who has an issue either with respect to state /local arena or employee relations that you would like raised with your state association. please let me know. Tompkins County Spring Training Opportunities More training opportunities will be announced as they are scheduled. Specific departmental training can be arranged upon request. (DSS employees should register through Wendy Lutz at 274 -5334 or Marleta Anderson at 274 -5637) _ Computer Training through TC3 at the (( � 7 .--- � Ithaca Extension Center: �� `, * /) Managing Electronic Files Pamela Teeter Qy Monday 1:00- 4:OOpm 3/10 Your electronic files can quickly get out of control. Learn how gal �� to keep order so you can find what you need when you need it. l � Introduction to Excel Bob Yavits I Tuesdays 8:30- 11:30am 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/15 ICIF � � c-J Q� Spreadsheets offer much needed flexibility and time savings in today's offices. This course will teach you the basics needed to Some News from Training: take advantage of spreadsheets. • Stress Management and Time Management were offered Introduction to Power Point Pamela Teeter this last month with major response. We will once again Mondays 9:00 12:OODm 3/31, 4/7, 4/14 offer them Fall, 1998. Increase the power of your presentations with Power Point. Learn to combine text images and backgrounds to effectively • The Health Department, Information Services, and communicate a message (slides, handouts, notes and outlines). Assessment have expressed interest in getting PFQ Prerequisite: Completion of Windows 3.1 or equivalent. training. This will be starting soon. Introduction to Windows 3.1 Bob Edgecomb • The County Board adopted their vision, mission, and Fridays 9:00 12:OOpm *4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25 goals in January. A copy will be in the Common Learn how to navigate your desktop, name files, and use Directory and on the County's WW W page. menus, accessories, and help. ( *Rescheduled dates) • Thank you to those who already completed the computer Introduction to Word Bob Yavits inventory and training survey. This information will help Tuesdays 8:30 11:30am *4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13 determine future training programs and resources. If you This course is designed for those who have no prior have not completed the survey, please do. knowledge of computers. ( *Rescheduled dates) • We are beginning to collect information for a County Introduction to Access Pamela Teeter employee professional development library. If you have Mondays 9:00 12:00pm 4/28, 5/5, 5/12, 5/19 any books, videos, audio tapes, CD - ROMs, or other Do you find yourself performing repetitive computer entry materials that could be listed, please contact Jerry Feist or tasks, or having to keep track of large amounts of Diane Bradac at 274 - 5590. information? Learn the basic concepts of database design, queries, forms and reports. Prerequisite: Completion of Windows 3.1 or equivalent. 44 I \. 1.1 N � Intermediate Excel Pamela Teeter Wednesdays 9:00 12:00pm 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21 Ilrrn I 4410 Want to learn how to create complex formulas and graphs? S) Sort and find information? Use the Microsoft Function P Wizard? Take this course. Intermediate Word Pamela Teeter Thursdays 1:00- 4:00um 5 /1, 5 /8, 5 /15, 5/22 Would you like to learn how to merge informati in documents for large mailings? Create tables or templates? Headers and footers? Use columns, templates, graphs, and drawing? If so, this course will help you increase your productivity. Please register with Diane Bradac in Personnel at 274 -5590 or via e-mail at dianeb @mail.co.tompkins.ny.us County Training for March - April, 1997 Please contact Jerry Feist or Diane Bradac for more details and registration information. Phone 274 -5590 E -mail Dianeb @mail.co.tompkins.ny.us E -mail jfeist @owasco.co.tompkins.ny.us Time Management Jerry Feist, Ph.D. Has the expression "time flies" taken on new meaning? Does it seem like you need 36 hours in every day? Recognize what control you have or don't have, get help prioritizing tasks, learn time saving techniques and re -gain control. Tu 3/11/97 Time: 8:30 am to 12:00 pm Old Jail Conference Room Problem Solving & Decision Making Jerry Feist, Ph.D. David Boyd We make decisions and solve problems all the time, and rarely give it a second thought. But sometimes the process is not so easy. This workshop will examine the fundamental elements of individual and group problem - solving and decision - making. Those who attend will learn a number of tools to help them make better decisions and solve problems more effectively. W 3/12/97 Time: 8:30 am to 12:00 pm Transit Center Giving and Receiving Feedback Jerry Feist, Ph.D. You've heard a loudspeaker system give feedback to a speaker who's too close to the microphone. It's immediate and non-judgemental, and the speaker usually knows how to correct the situation. Too bad it's not as simple to give and/or receive interpersonal feedback. This workshop will provide guidelines to improve your ability to give and receive feedback effectively. Tu 3/18/97 Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Old Jail Conference Room Civil Service Training Anita Fitzpatrick Jerry Feist, Ph.D. This training provides an overview of the civil service system from both the supervisory and employee perspective. Civil Service processes such as recruitment, hiring, exams, eligible lists, role of the supervisor and retention will be discussed. Time will be allotted for questions and answers. W 3/19/97 Time: 9:30 am to 12:00 pm DSS Conference Room Civil Rights & Responsibilities Lauren Austin, J.D. Jerry Feist, Ph.D. Do you wonder what "sexual harassment" really means? Do you know how it relates to other forms of discrimination? This session will provide an overview of civil rights and responsibilities and provide a forum for discussion. W 3/26/97 & Th 4/10/97 Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Old Jail Conference Room Dealing with Conflicts Jerry Feist, Ph.D. Most people view conflict as something negative, and avoid it at all costs. In reality, conflict is inevitable, and good can (and often does) result. This workshop will highlight the positive aspects of conflict and help participants learn a number of ways to manage conflict constructively. Tu 4/1/97 Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Old Jail Conference Room Public Speaking, Never be Fearful Again Frederick H. Antil, Ph.D. Give a speech? Lead a meeting for 15+ people? If the thought gives you chills, this workshop is for you. The secrets of successful public speaking will be reviewed and we will help you ... never be fearful again. W 4/16/97 Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Transit Center A RETIREE WITH A CREATIVE HOBBY Dear Tompkins County Corridors, What a great idea... that of spreading the word about hobbies that past and present County employees - y have... which is a good way to stress that . ,4 k ph ; everyone should have a hobby because hobbies can help maintain good health by �. t ; ., � a VI -a relieving stress. , fir m ' ,t .N My enclosed picture is of a group Vi#0 , . ` 1 - of old bottles that 1 found in Ithaca - some � i z A r found when the new sewer plant was 4 9 . , , 3 , - 1 ' „ a % put in 13 years ago. fi ;': � w ' A -,,p i y .. r ' I have a goal to put on an exhibit , ` �U of old bottles from Ithaca and call it c � ' f Ithaca's Past In Glass. There are bottles "° which were used for many kinds of foods, .' • beverages, medicines, and Win, '• 0:A, �. '' .�; . inks...containers used during Ithaca's yesteryear. Sincerely, Margery & Robert Clauson Mesa, AZ (Winters only) Safety on Wheels Antilock Brakes /Air Bag Safety by Frank Croteau, Health & Safety Coordinator ,t-twsir _lit,_., Do you know how antilock brakes work? If not, see your supervisor _, ry ■ who can direct you to your safety officer where you can watch a film that ' _ _ covers the differences of regular brakes and antilock brakes. Most of the 4. „ ® newer county vehicles have antilock brakes. You can also get an information paper from your safety officer on Bikers and in -line skaters get Air Bag Safety. The question of how safe air bags are has come up many your helmets ready and check your times over the past several months. This information paper is well written equipment! It's almost time to enjoy the and gives information on airbags. Please ask your safety officer for a copy outdoors again on your wheels. to look at For peace of mind, reinforce your Health and Safety issues are all of our responsibilities... head with an approved helmet. Bicycle please think safety at all times. helmets prevent or reduce the chance of brain injury by absorbing crash energy in an impact. Did you know that 75% of all bicycle fatalities and serious injuries involve brain damage? Children under 14 are now required by law to wear a helmet while .INI,.. Tic — riding a bicycle, and while using in -line °,� skates. Adults should wear helmets as � m -..0 well, to set a good example for children i 1 and to protect themselves. ” i Videos and informational materials about safety on wheels, are available from the Healthy Heart/Health 411 wi• Promotion Program at the Health Department: 274 -6710. Unclassifieds Personnel Personals For Sale: Sympathy to: Sliding Glass Bathtub Doors; Garbage Pat Nowakowski, Finance, on the loss of her dad and her Disposal never installed. Call 277 -7351. mother -in -law. Our thoughts are with you. Sandac Coal Stove with 1 /2 ton coal. HAPPENING TODAY! Make offer. Call after 6 p.m. 564 -3394. Annual meeting of the Tompkins Employees Federal Credit Union will be held March 13 at 5:30 p.m. in the City of Ithaca Large dog crate - perfect for training; Vita Common Council Chambers, 3rd floor, 108 E. Green Street. Spa Hot Tub - seating for five; 7000 BTU Air Refreshments Conditioner. All items less than one year old. Prizes Call 564 -7773. 1997 Board Member Nominations For Rent: One Bedroom Apt. available June 1. Large yard, parking, pets O.K., full kitchen and COMING UP living room, close to stores and Cornell - $400 +. // a oiS rin Tharch // 20 Call 277-3562. � irJt d Three Bedroom Ranch, quiet country � t� setting, Enfield schools, lg. kitchen, all rooms c J� Q / �] ,,//�� freshly painted - $685 +. Call Joe, 387 -4953. ,,Dac�Ci Savin _June Uie A Q 3 Life is a test It is only a test. If it had been an actual life, Thanks to an anonymous donor for the following: You would have received Further instructions on Where to go and what to do: Pain is inevitable but Misery is optional Looking Ahead to April Alcohol Awareness Month Articles to be considered for the April 10 issue must be received by Building Safety Week noon, Wednesday, March 19, 1997. Lengthy articles should be Cancer Control Month on disk. Send by interdepartmental mail to Ruth Pond, Finance, or Child Abuse Prevention Month 125 East Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850. Fax: 274 -5505. Humor Month UNCLASSIFIEDS Minority Cancer Awareness Week Classified ads up to 25 words in length are free to County employees, retirees and their immediate families. Ads may be for any purpose except no personal ads Occupational Therapy Month will be accepted. No County addresses or telephone numbers may be listed in Organ & Tissue Donor Awareness Week these ads. Use this coupon to send your ad via interdepartmental mail to Ruth Preschool Immunization Week Pond, County Corridors c/o Finance, or 125 East Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850. Youth Sports Injury Please type or print legibly! Thanks! Sports Eye Safety Month Walk American - March of Dimes World Health Day YMCA Healthy Kids Day COUNTY CORRIDORS Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by the volunteer editorial board based on their interest to Tompkins County employees and retirees. They do not necessarily express the opinions of the Editorial Board. Material is solicited from current employees, retirees and others. Material for publication is selected by the editorial board which reserves the right to edit any submissions except in the instance of copyright articles. The Editorial Board is made up of: Bill Chapp, Social Services; Sharon Cooper, Assessment; Lisa Eaton, (Proofreader), Finance- Purchasing; Iretta Ellis, Information Services; Scott Heyman, County Administrator; Louise McEwen, Personnel; Ruth Pond, (Editor), Finance- Purchasing; Judy Tynyk, (Chair), Weights and Measures; and Vickie Wagner, (Artist), Drafting Technician. Correspondence may be sent through County inter - department mail to: County Send us a caption! Corridors, c/o Finance - Purchasing, 125 East Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850.