ГлавнаяMy WebLinkО нас1997-09 Vi �, ;, ,\ . V A Newsletter for Employees and Retirees . , ■,...: 1 • IIIIM 'c/' of Tompkins County , w 7 1N ' � f I I 7 :..i./ .:,.•::.!::::, :::„:.:: I. • ' i i fi 7 . i Liw , l \ i \ \ .---`'' ‘. 1 ' \ r .__ // fA � l \ y �l\ SEPTEMBER 1997 Volume 10 Number 12 RECYCLER FOR THE BIRDS NO NEED TO STAND IN LINE by Liz Croop, Mental Health "Let's see, what do / recycle? Hmmmmmmm. All the normal stuff the City of Cortland picks up and then the other ulleti things like newspaper rubber bands which end up holding my music in a folder for choir. I have made nifty bird 1 feeders from gallon milk jugs, and GET THIS - have out squirreled my squirrels with empty two- ' soda containers! Their feet slip off the bottles. e A V that although we County ' ove rk to see urora you alenti , the Tompkins County DMV will be pleased to process your +,,. a 2:= license /registration renewals via inter- , departmental mail if you will provide a copy of - - your photo driver's license. All other pertinent - - w documentation, including accurate fees, should also be included. n. X- 3:ro' r 4i '% . This service is for employees only f . r .1 w `d" � 4.-- e d Grocery store cashiers enthusiastically put my groceries + ` s �'\' `�j. ;;•, fit 1 in the same old bags which get taken back for refilling or I walk e to the store with my cart and they load my groceries directly into it, unbagged. run my adding machine tape through twice, front and „_ back; invoices are copied onto the back of vouchers for office ,. , BOARD OF records and the back of misprinted paper is re -used for 'inhouse' - - • ■ ' ' . reports. The following Board members appeared in the All those AOL disks we get in the mail - erased and re- Dryden Bicentennial Parade as follows: used for important stuff over here at Mental Health. Top L to R - Michael Lane, Dooley Kiefer, Deborah And last (and perhaps least), I have two, count 'em, two Grantham (Town of Dryden Councilwoman). calendars with daily tear -off sheets which I use for phone Bottom L to R: George Totman, Barbara Blanchard, Nancy Schuler. messages. County Administrator's Report Personnel Pointers by Scott Heyman by Jackie Yoder, Benefits Manager The United Way of Tompkins County is organizing its fund raising campaign for 1998 and Liz SHOULD YOU BUY LONG TERM Croop in the Mental Health Department has agreed to chair this year's campaign for County employees and CARE INSURANCE? retirees. Thanks very much, Long term care insurance is a policy you buy Liz, for your willingness to pitch to help pay some of the costs of long term care, in and volunteer for this iapc typically home health care or nursing home care. worthwhile task. IP This is something most of us don't think about until United Way funds more .� we are faced with making a major decision about one than 100 health and service / of our parents or an elderly relative. Planning for programs in our county, your own future health options can: building knowledge and skills - maximize your independence increasing self- sufficiency, ,, - increase your choices about care promoting health and healing, ' -protect your assets and strengthening families. -avoid depending only on family and friends • Many direct service _ On October 8 and 9, Suzanne Aigen, from the delivery employees of W4 Aigen Agency, will conduct information meetings for Tompkins County work directly all County Employees and Retirees about long term with area United Way agencies to assist persons in need. care insurance available through MELTCA (Municipal I suspect that is the reason the number and percentage Employees Long -Term Care Administrators). A I of County employees who contribute to United Way are meeting schedule will be published in a future issue high. Please contact Liz if you are willing to of County Corridors. Plan to attend. work as a volunteer solicitor (with department head ok), and please be responsive when you 6 hear from the solicitor in your building this fall. In 1829, Governor of New York Martin DEFENSIVE DRIVING VanBuren wrote this to the president: by Frank Croteau, Health & Safety Coordinator There recently were _t , - _ several days of Defensive 1111 • � ' • • Driving taught to county ' ° employees. In all, 118 county I 1 employees were trained this 0 '-M 1' year. As a followup to that training and a constant a + 11 1 ► g— --...1 I I _ reminder to employees about Defensive Driving, articles 40 -7 iiiv4 will occasionally appear in County Corridors. Defensive Driving is required every three years for those employees "The canal system of this country is being who routinely drive their own vehicle or a county vehicle threatened by the spread of a new form of during work hours. It is too easy to forget about proper transportation known as `railroads.' As you may well techniques to protect yourself. Hopefully, these articles know, railroad carriages are pulled at the enormous will remind you about what Defensive Driving is all about speed of 15 miles per hour by engines, which, in and give you some pointers on drively safely. addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, WHAT IS DEFENSIVE DRIVING? roar and snort their way through the countryside. The Almighty certainly never intended that people Defensive driving saves lives. should travel at such a breakneck speed." Defensive driving saves time. from The American Legion Magazine, Aug. '97 Defensive driving saves money 5 CHARACTERISTICS OF A Is your life moving too fast? DEFENSIVE DRIVER Remember to take time to smell the roses. Knowledgeable Alert Foresighted J Uses Good Judgment In the book of lice's questions, Develops Skills the answers are not in the back.. Tompkins County Training & Development This section provides you with updates and information about in- service education and workshops, Partners for Quality, and helpful hints for your professional development. The Fall `97 Computer Class Schedule is out. The time to register is NOW! As of today, 54 employees have registered and no classes are full. All classes are offered through TC3 and are held at the Extension Center in Center Ithaca. The instructors request that you bring a formatted disk with you to each class. It's important to register right away as we may cancel classes if enrollment has not reached minimums. Classes offered this Fall are: Introduction to Windows 3.1 Introduction to File Maker Pro Creating Brochures with Page Maker Introduction to Windows 95 Managing Electronic Files Introduction to Access * Introduction to Word * Intermediate Word Intermediate Access Introduction to Excel Intermediate Excel Introduction to Power Point * Schedule change: Introduction to Word class dates are now 9/29,10/6, (not 10/13), 10/20 and 10/27 * Schedule change: Introduction to Access class dates are now 10/7, 10/14,10/21, and 10 /28 DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE AND SITUATIONS with Kirby Edmonds, Training for Change October 10` 9:00 am -noon, Sadd A Conference Room and again on October 17"', 9:00 am -noon, Old Jail Conference Room This workshop will help participants develop insight, skills and strategies for dealing with complaints and other difficult interpersonal interactions, both with the public and with co- workers. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to: o � P 1. Assess where they have some control /influence. �t c Cry 2. Identify ways to use their control or influence to ° � ' 4 �r achieve results that are consistent with organizational ^' l and personal goals. ' ` _ - -- , . ,: 1, ... 3. Use communication tools that help establish clear 0 ~ ..,� expectations. 4. Achieve a centered attitude that facilitates using l the above information and skills effectively. cut here r i --- --- - - ---- Training & Development Registration (DSS employees should register with Wendy or Marleta. Probation employees register with Mitch.) Your Name: Work Phone: Department: Program Name: r � Program Date(s): Program Time: Program Location: Today's Date: Your Signature: Department Head's Signature: Please return to Diane Bradac, Personnel WELLNESS COMMITTEE UPDATE Library Benefit by Theresa Lyczko, Health Promotion Program The Tompkins County Employee Wellness Committee reimburses employees who maintain health To support the Tompkins County Public Library, Fibers club memberships: $50 for 6 months and Fantasy and Micky Roof, Designer Goldsmith, will and $100 for 12 months. Employees join forces on September 21, 1997, for a benefit showing should submit an invoice for a paid of their fall collections of clothing, accessories, and membership from the previous 6 jewelry. Proceeds from the benefit will support the months or 12 months. Library's Fall Sunday openings. The event takes place Employees who attend 8 weeks at Moakley House, Cornell University, and includes of a Weight Watchers program will be aftemoon refreshments and a drawing for designer items reimbursed $50. Participants must from both shops. Tickets for the event are priced at $30 submit proof of attendance - - signature of the program for individuals and $50 for two persons. Information leader after the 8 weeks are completed. about the event is available by calling Fibers and Fantasy Employees with Blue Cross /Shield coverage who at 266 -0529 or Micky Roof, Designer Goldsmith, at 257 - visit their primary care physician for a well visit (check- 4666. up) may also receive reimbursement to cover a portion of • ' Mi� the costs of the visit. Employees under 50 years will be reimbursed $50 for the visit if there has been no I 4 1 diagnosis, that is if you come away with a "clean bill of, , ate - health." Employees over 50 years, will receive a $25 reimbursement (if there has been no diagnosis) from the Wellness Committee. (Under the Blue Cross plan, check -ups may not be attributed to the deductible if there // is no diagnosis. The plan provides a cost deduction for from thv Archive.... employees 50 years and older who go to their doctor for a check -up. PHP subscribers are required to pay a $10 Sigrid Kerr, Health Department, sent this picture co- payment for a well visit.) for our archive section. It is of the 1975 Tompkins Requests and invoices for reimbursements County Board of Representatives. Harry A. Kerr, (now should be submitted to: Theresa Lyczko, Health deceased) Chairman, is Sigrid's father -in -law. Promotion Program - Health Department. If you have any questions, please call Theresa at 274 -6710. top Paying Rent! Be a Homeowner! Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services is offering Homebuyer Education A . '', Courses that will teach you: L ` The home buying process, step by step, „„, ‘-rA _ -How to assess and enhance your credit worthiness ” -How to budget your finances and what types of e mortgages are available, v -How to work with a Realtor, a Mortgage Lender, and r .•.. w, a an Attorney, = • -How to make purchase offers, proceed with closing,` _ ! • and what are the insurance issues, •qopot elP ;�. -Steps to make home oenership goals reality. T • INHS is holding 2 Homebuyers Classes and 3 { Homebuyers Orientations this fall: 6 Week Session: Tuesday nights, Sept. 30 - Nov. 4 from 44* • 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at INHS. CaII 277 -4500 to register; 4 Hour Seminar: Saturday, Sept. 27, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., at BOCES. CaII BOCES to register, 257 - 1561; Back row L - R: Jim Miller, H. Haight, J. Kidney, H. One Hour Orientations: Wednesday, October 8, and Dates, R. Watros, C. Holden, H. Kerr, Chairman; B. Thursday, November 13 from 12 Noon - 1 p.m. at INNS. Robey, S. MacNeil, D. Culligan, R. Webster, J. Clynes, Call 277 - 4500 to register. R. Morse, R. Williamson, County Atty. Call Sue Perlgut or Ann DiPetta at 277 - 4500 with Front row: L - R: Kay Dimmock, B. Livesay, member; any questions. Phylis Howell, Clerk; S. Babcock, L. Benson, member. Is it time for my flu shot again? by Karen Bishop, RN; Tompkins County Health Dept. With fall approaching, it's time to think about preventing illnesses like the flu. Flu or influenza is a vaccine preventable disease. Yet many people still believe that the flu shot will give them the flu. This just isn't true. The flu vaccine is made up of three killed -virus strains believed to circulate in the United States in the upcoming winter. The vaccine is made from highly purified, egg -grown viruses that have been made noninfectious or inactivated. Therefore, you can't the flu from the flu shot. It takes your body about 2 weeks to develop enough antibodies to these flu virus strains to fight off infection. If you were exposed to someone with the flu within those first 2 weeks after getting a flu shot, it is possible you could get the flu since you would not have enough circulating antibodies in your system to ward off the flu yet. What's in the flu shot? This years flu vaccine will include the A/Johannesburg /82/96, QIN ), A/Nanchang /933/95, and B /Harbin /07/94 virus strains. / got a flu shot last year, why should / get one this year? Although this year's flu vaccine may contain one or more of the same virus strains administered in previous years, annual vaccination with current vaccine is necessary because your immunity declines in the year following vaccination. You would not be protected from the flu this year without getting the shot. Who should get a flu shot? ` �� • Anyone 65 years or older • Residents of nursing homes and other chronic -care facilities that house persons of any age who have chronic medical conditions • Adults and children who have chronic disorders of the lungs or heart, kidney disease, - • anemia, or diabetes • Adults and children who are less able to fight infections because of infection with HIV, 7. jr .:iuk.... treatment with long term steroid medication, or cancer treatment with radiation or , :� chemotherapy ,/ • Household members of anyone with any of the above conditions �1 1 • Health care workers including hospital, nursing home, and long term care • Providers of home care to persons at high risk The Tompkins County Health Department and Senior Citizens Council are sponsoring flu clinics throughout the county in October and November. Here's a listing of the first few clinics: • October 6 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Boynton Middle School cafeteria • October 8 9:00 - Noon Danby Federated Church • October 10 9:00 - Noon Senior Citizens Center • November 6 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. St. John's Episcopal Church We will be billing Medicare Part B again this year for those who have this coverage. To expedite the billing process, clerical staff will be data entering your Medicare Part B information onto laptop computers at clinic. This will enable us to electronically bill Medicare Part B. We need your help to successfully do this. Be prepared. Bring your Medicare Part B card with you to clinic. If you do not have Medicare Part B, you will need to pay $8. For county employees who are eligible, you must identify yourself as a county employee at clinic and pay $4 for the flu shot. The County Wellness Committee has agreed to pay for half of the cost per employee. Should you have any questions about the flu, flu vaccine, or flu clinics, please call the Prevention Team at the Health Department at 274 -6616. SCHOOLS ARE - DRIVE OPEN! CAREFULLY! Unclassifieds Personnel Personals For Sale: Congratulations to: Sophie Stark, Secretary in the Sheriffs Department who Rough cut air dried lumber: oak $1.25 will be retiring in October after many faithful years of service to bdf.; 1x8 hemlock $.40. Call 594 -3387 from 6 -9 the department and to the County. You'll be missed Sophie! p.m. ..-7-,---- Oversized plaid sofa and matching r '_,.. ' � . - , chair. Good condition $125. 257 - 7332. - � ~ ...,,� _. _ . -- ---r , ; Super Nintendo w/2 control pads and I" --' 10 games. Asking $150. CaII Nancy or Ed ;� 273 -3325. II. 1 , ll is Surdiac coal stove approx. '/z ton coal free. Works good. Also, Sears Lifestyler !� _ ± . Treadmill used approx. 15 -20 hrs, excellent - I condition, best offer. 564 -3394. l X- Country Skis: Fisher step 190 and` 205 waxless, normark metal edges 200 waxable,� all 75mm bindings. Bauer Hockey Skates, men's 9, like new. Call Sue 272 -1099. For Rent: Cottage - weekend or week Work continues on Human Services Building for end of year move -in. September /October. 1 /2 mile N. Of Taughannock Park - great for fishing, retreat, reunions. Call 387 -5446 eves. Articles to be considered for the October 9 issue must be received by September 29, 1997. Lengthy articles should be on disk. Send by interdepartmental mail to Ruth Pond, Finance, Wanted: or 125 East Court St., 2nd floor, Ithaca, NY 14850. Fold -up ping pong table. Call Tom UNCLASSIFIEDS 257 -2792. 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 will be accepted. No County addresses or telephone numbers may be listed in Trade: these ads, however we do need the full name of the person submitting the ad. Use this coupon to send your ad via interdepartmental mail to Ruth Pond, County Corridors cJo Finance, or 125 East Court St., 2nd floor, Ithaca, NY 14850. . 18 foot Aluminum Canoe in good Please type or print legibly! Thanks! condition for a 12 to 15 foot good canoe. Call 273 -4392 and leave a message. Sunday Hours at the Library by Gay Huddle, Volunteer Coord. The Tompkins County Public Library is pleased and excited to offer Sunday hours of 1 to 5 p.m. each Sunday through December 14, COUNTY CORRIDORS 1997. Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by the volunteer As special events are being planned for editorial board based on their interest to Tompkins County employees and retirees. Some of the Sundays, I would like to invite They do not necessarily express the opinions of the Editorial Board. Material is Y solicited from current employees, retirees and others. anyone interested in volunteering to help with Material for publication is selected by the editorial board which reserves the right these activities, to please give me a call at the to edit any submissions except in the instance of copyright articles. The Editorial Library, 272 -4557 ext. 234. We anticipate a Board is made up of: Bill Chapp, Social Services; Sharon Cooper, Assessment; Lisa Eaton, (Proofreader), Finance - Purchasing; Iretta Ellis, Information Services; need for volunteers to serve as "greeters", serve Scott Heyman, County Administrator; Louise McEwen, Personnel; Ruth Pond, refreshments, assist authors with book signing (Editor), Finance; Michelle Pottorff, Bd. Of Reps.; Judy Tynyk, (Chair), Weights and sessions, etc. Measures; and Vickie Wagner, (Artist), Drafting Technician, Assessment. Correspondence may be sent through County inter - department mail to: County So... remember to come and enjoy the Corridors, c/o Finance, 125 East Court St., 2nd floor, Ithaca, NY 14850. Library on a Sunday afternoon.