ГлавнаяMy WebLinkО нас1999-04 f ....„........ .......... ::::..„..„... ..................................... ................„. 7 A ......... ...„..... ,.,.,:::,:„.„.,, ,.::::::„.„:::::::: Newsletter r o a d Retirees Employees an R o fTompkins Co County .:::::.:::::...:.:...:.. Ar: April 1999 Volume 12 Number 4 BCBS and CMC Increasing Communication Reach Agreement by Jan Houlihan, Training Coordinator by Jackie Yoder, Benefits Manager � ��� .4 � � Y g � . .? 0_ . ood news for BlueCross ; , y r BlueShield subscribers. ` ` o`, k F 4 vz 24:: Effective March 1, 1999 f '',,,,,,,..,t,'" ., < e�5,. , .�•'� C ayuga M edical Center is ";�f. t " a member hospital with BCBS of Central New . 0 York. This means for any services you receive at Cayuga Medical Center as of 3/1/99, BCBS will make payment directly ' r to the hospital, and the hospital will accept the BCBS allowance as payment in full. Current and former team members include: I to r: Arel LeMaro, Ed. Teeter, Amos Malone, Donna Whitaker, Sandy Gilcott, Mike Broadhead, Barb O'Brien, Carl Subscribers who owe a balance bill for Bishop, Larry Bentley, Tom Cannon. (Missing from picture: Janet Steiner and inpatient services received at Cayuga Geoffrey Morse). Medical Center prior to March 1, 1999 are encouraged to contact the hospital's billing Recently, the members of a PFQ team at the Tompkins County Public office. The hospital has agreed to work Library were feted with a luncheon. The efforts of the team as a whole, and with patients to arrange payment plans or of its individual members, were recognized. The team is made up of library otherwise resolve balance billing issues. staff and Buildings and Grounds employees. They have been meeting for nearly two years. The mission of the team is to open the dialogue between Library ge � ® �c 9 Staff and Buildings and Grounds employees. An increase in a% • communication has lead to improvements throughout the library. Team member Geoffrey Morse cited some specific changes the team has made. t The time between when a maintenance request is made and when it is 4 n carried out has decreased since the team began its work. Also, more library .k f staff are using the maintenance fogs, further improving the service they .. receive from Buildings and Grounds. y� The team truly understands the value of working together to solve problems. Geoff says that all team members have worked hard to improve things. The team overcame initial hesitancy and skepticism to become an effective unit with a single focus. They are all dedicated to making the t( ils \ Library a better place to work and learn. Library Director Janet Steiner has commented, "What our team does best is work cooperatively on issues 111 ''' N, . ' 411114-- ' . )! I ' . raised by both the library staff and the B &G staff. We have come to ♦ ?may , ti ` . r •1 A, z AS, ., understand each other better through this process, which makes problem / '''brifttie3410.tk"(-. l - i solving a little easier, a little faster and a lot more fun." y�► Instead of sitting back and resting on their laurels, the team MI continues to meet on a monthly basis. These meetings insure the communications between library staff and Buildings and Grounds remain strong. S' !' The next time you see a team member, thank them for a job well 11111 ry done. County Administrator's Report by Rick Erb You will note a new 0` feature in this month's Corridors that allows the opportunity to ask questions about county government and receive • a straight answer. That's a great idea and we look forward to hearing your questions on County policies and procedures. PUZZLERS Of course it could be a long wait for the right questions to be asked, Have you ever wondered so I conducted an interview with myself to Why only the Sheriff can close the roads? get to what I think inquiring minds really want to know. Who the County's Freedom of Information officer is? Q: So Rick, Scott always had a cute caricature of himself accompanying this column. What's the matter, ain't you What happens if you are selected to serve on a jury? { i got a sense of humor? Do you have questions regarding County policies, A: C'mon. I heard that Scott's caricature retired when he practices or benefits? Is it uncomfortable or inappropriate did. During my first few weeks here people told me that I to ask a co-worker or supervisor? Chances are if you kinda looked like Scott. Maybe there was a concern that it don't know the answer, your co-workers don't either. would only create confusion. This is how conspiracy theories start, you know. (Did he really retire? Is this the We are encouraging employees to submit questions on any ultimate double- dipping? How many of you have ever seen topic. Not much is off limits although this column is us in the same room ?) 1 realize I must have a few features intended to be informative. You can express unhappiness that lend themselves to caricature, and believe me, it or frustration about issues, but personal attacks against wouldn't be the first time the print media had a little fun with others are not acceptable. me. Please submit questions to Jackie Yoder, c/o of the Personnel Department, or by email to Q: I've been pretty occupied with my income taxes and jyoder @einstein.co.tompkins.ny.us. You may submit everything and somehow missed the 1999 NCAA Hockey Championship Game. Did you hear who won? questions anonymously if you choose. All signed questions and inquiries will be treated confidentially. A: Why yes, that would be the University of Maine Black Now the answers to our first Puzzlers. Bears who beat UNH 3 -2. Q: Any new County initiatives on the horizon? Road closings: The Sheriff (for County roads) and the Chief of Police (City A: Yes, and I'm a little surprised you didn't think of this on of Ithaca) are the only legal entities authorized to close your own. These gorges around here are nothing but deep public streets and roads. This generally only occurs during weather or other emergencies. holes in the ground. They're dangerous as hell! We've got to start filling them in before someone gets hurt. Jackie Freedom of Information: Kippola, our Risk Manager, supports me completely on this The County Administrator is the County's Freedom of and Planning Commissioner Jim Hanson has the permits Information Officer. The Freedom of Information Law in his pocket already. Let the dump trucks roll, Ward. became effective January 1, 1978. Q: Well, you've been here six months. How have you Jury Duty: found Tompkins County? Any County employee who is scheduled for jury duty during their normal working hours will be paid as if they had A: I turned right at Cortland. worked. For any portion of one's normal working day not spent on jury duty, an employee is expected to perform his Don't you feel better informed already? Look for more or her regular County work. normal column fodder next month. "'> �' 7 �' We aren't rich by any means, and we really don't want to • t �� '' fight with his mother over this but what alternatives do we have? a / / — Step -mom in despair . \ ) .‘: -:;.1/ ye-n ! Dear Step -mom, l (t eJ l e Communication is critical. Does your stepson �. L- ytner Ent WANT to come and live with you? Does his mom WANT . him to come and live with you? Does the divorce decree ` give the legal authority to relocate stepson? 9 9 Y your P Keep in mind that if you only communicate once a \ week, and you happen to get bad news on the day that you call, it will begin to shade things differently than they are on Dear Danielle, a day -to -day basis. Your imagination can play wild tricks Help — there goes my childhood! I've watched with on you. dismay all week as my childhood home is being torn down. I'm panicky with the feeling that I'm losing something It is not uncommon for grades to decline the 2n irreplaceable. Someone should know that my mother marking period because the work is getting progressively cooked in that kitchen! And, oh, the wonderful games the harder. A suspension from school is not a big deal unless six of us played around the dining room table! Is there it happens on a regular basis. Twelve year -old boys are anything I can do to feel better? dealing with a lot of "stuff'. One false comment can prompt -- Trying to Hold On an outburst... whether in school or not. Not handing in homework assignments is not good, no matter what else is Dear Holding On, happening. This should be addressed, or math will happen Let go of the idea that you need the structure to all over again in summer school. preserve the past. As I read your letter, I pictured your mom cooking in the kitchen, and I pictured the six of you The fact that his mom "threatens" him with living playing games around the dining room table. I've never with his father is ineffective. Either she means it or she seen your house and don't know you or your family. doesn't, and saying it once is all that's necessary. What does "straighten up" mean? Too vague for the threat to be Memories are in your head. The dwelling you lived valid. Your stepson knows this. in is (was) just sticks and mortar. Memories go on forever. Every time you tell the story, you're sharing the memory. I suggest you get the communications open. Offer It will never die. the opportunity for him to come and live with his dad. But don't make it sound like he can play hopscotch between **************•******************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** the two residences. He must be willing to give you a year to see if things will work out (or whatever time frame you Dear Danielle, think). Above all else, keep talking, be patient, and try not I am the stepmother of a 12 year -old boy. During to let your imagination run wild. With the small bit of the school year my husband doesn't get to see his son at information you gave me, he sounds like a fairly typical pre - all, because he (the son) lives out West with his mother. teen boy. My stepson's mother isn't much on discipline and my stepson has been in some trouble with school. He lets Good luck. Let me know what happens. his grades slip, and he gets into fights. Recently, he was suspended from school for a day because he was fighting *********************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** in school. His mother placed all of the blame on the other kid that was fighting also. His grades dropped from all A's Dear Danielle, and B's in the first quarter to one A, two D's, and B's & C's. This morning, on the television, I heard that there His mother placed the blame from this on the teachers for has been a recall on a product that I own. It is a carbon not calling her and telling her that he was falling behind on monoxide detector and I don't even remember where I got his homework. (He didn't hand in 22 assignments in math it. On the news they said that the alarm works, but in 10 weeks.) And his mother keeps telling him that if he probably too late to do any good. What do I do? doesn't straighten up, he is going to have to go live with his father. — Still Breathing My husband talks to his son every Sunday on the phone, but he realizes that words don't mean much when Dear Breathing, you are 1,800 miles away. He tries to tell his son the right Call your local fire department. They are probably things to do, but all his son will say is "yup." We are familiar with the recall notice and can give you guidance on worried. We would like for my stepson to come live with what to do next. us, but we aren't sure how to go about it. So many thoughts are running through our heads. Should we *********************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** contact a lawyer here in New York? Do we have to go Send questions to Danielle c/o Ruth Pond, Finance or through the legal system in the county my stepson lives in? email to rpond @einstein.co.tompkins.ny.us. 97g/ ro 7nritcd c'E- NINTH ANNUAL TOMPKINS COUNTY 25 -YEAR CLUB DINNER The Tompkins County Board of Representatives cordially invites you to join them in honoring this year's inductees into the Tompkins County 25 -Year Club at a dinner to be held at the Ramada Inn, 2310 North Triphammer Road Ithaca, New York on May 27, 1999. There will be a social hour from 5:30 until 6:30 and a buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m. Reservations, including payment of $24.50 per person, must be received by May 17, 1999. There is no charge to 25 -Year Club members and their guest. 1 will attend the 25 -Year Club Dinner on Thursday, May 27, 1999. Number Attending: Amount Enclosed: Name: Contact Number: Department: Name of Guest: Please make checks payable to TOMPKINS COUNTY and send to Tompkins County Personnel Department, 125 East Court Street Ithaca, New York 14850. ANNOUNCING! SOMETHING NEW! WOW! CHECK IT OUT! Tompkins County will soon be unveiling a re- designed Home Page. It will make its appearance on Wednesday, 4/21/99 at http: / /www.co.tompkins.ny.us. The new page and re- organized employee /services directories have been completed by members of the County Web Site Project Team. This will NOT be the final version. We would like your feedback on these changes and on improving the site in the future as this is a work in progress. Please give us your thoughts, suggestions and questions by: 1. Filling out this paper survey OR completing the electronic version (button on new home page) 2. Contacting any member of the Team (call 274-5590 for team membership list) 3. Sending an e -mail message to the Team (button on new home page) We would appreciate all surveys, questions and comments by Wed., 5/5/99. Thank you. ********************* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** PUBLIC WEB SITE SURVEY HOW DID YOU REACH OUR WEB SITE? ❑ Link from another site Which site ❑ Search Engine Which search engine? ❑ I saw the URL in print media Where did you see it? ❑ Other? DID YOU EASILY FIND THE INFORMATION FOR WHICH YOU WERE LOOKING? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Partly (explain please) HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO FIND WHAT YOU WERE LOOKING FOR? WAS THERE A LOGICAL PATH TO THE TYPE OF INFORMATION THAT YOU SEEK? WHICH PART OF OUR SITE WAS MOST USEFUL TO YOU? ❑ Information about public services ❑ Information about Tompkins County ❑ Links to tourism sites ❑ Links to business development sites ❑ Employee- related information ❑ Civil Service Employment information ❑ Downloadable or interactive forms ❑ Reports on government/advisory board actions ❑ General department/program information ❑ E -mail capability ❑ Direct provision of services (e.g., downloadable maps, meeting agendas, etc.) ❑ Other (please specify) HOW OFTEN DO YOU ACCESS THE TOMPKINS COUNTY WEB SITE? ❑ Daily ❑ Weekly ❑ Bi- Weekly ❑ Monthly ❑ Quarterly ❑ Semi - Annually ❑ Annually ❑ First time DO YOU USE THE TOMPKINS COUNTY WEB PAGES TO ACCOMPLISH WORK GOALS? ❑ Yes ❑ No ARE THERE ANY FEATURES OR INFORMATION THAT YOU THINK SHOULD BE ADDED TO OUR WEB SITE? WHY? ARE THERE ANY FEATURES OR INFORMATION THAT YOU THINK SHOULD BE DROPPED FROM THIS SITE? WHY? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE APPEARANCE OF THIS SITE? WHAT FEATURES WOULD MAKE THIS SITE EASIER FOR YOU TO USE? ON A SCALE OF ONE TO TEN (1 being the worst B and 10 being the best ®) PLEASE GIVE AN OVERALL RATING OF THE TOMPKINS COUNTY WEB SITE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ❑ Place a check mark here if you are a County Employee or are affiliated with Tompkins County Government. Please send completed surveys by 5/5/99 to Diane Bradac through County interdepartmental mail or send it to: Diane Bradac, Personnel, 125 East Court Street, Ithaca New York 14850 THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT. WE APPRECIATE IT. Health Department to offer • Smoking Cessation Classes, -,-L_ by Rosalie Fontana, RN BUS ' ° TRIPS ' "°""" 1 believe it was Mark Twain who said, " It's easy to quit smoking. June 1 2 530 each I've done it dozens of times." V Because it is so difficult to stop smoking, there are methods from A to Z to help smokers succeed, ��( j a 1 N G O � from acupuncture to Zyban. ( 14. wIMo\ Some people would like to quit �� * o ' ' by joining a smoking cessation — O J 1 I! c I lass but until now smokers who lived and worked in I Tompkins County had to travel to Cortland or Elmira to find such a group. Now, there's good news. Tompkins County Turning Stone Casino /Bingo & Vernon Downs Health Department plans to offer a smoking cessation Includes choice of $28 Casino or Bingo Package program here in Ithaca. at Turning Stone and Club House admission, Buffet dinner and Program at Vernon Downs. Over $50 total value The program, Freedom From Smoking, was developed package. by the American Lung Association and it has a long, successful track record. Jared Jones and Rosalie Bus leaves at 9:30 a.m. and returns at midnight. Fontana, both RN's at the Health Department will be co- facilitators. The program will be open both to county employees and to residents of Tompkins County. For county employees, the fee for the eight week program will August 14 550 each be $25 which covers the cost of materials. Full fee for county residents is $50, but there is a sliding fee scale, so 45,0 that cost won't be a barrier to taking the classes. By --- 4_ 6 1. contrast, the cost of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for / � 8 weeks is about $168. Y One worry that shouldn't stop anyone from trying to quit is t~ - the fear of not being able to succeed. It is important to realize that most ex- smokers tried to quit four or five times Baseball - Old Timers Day Yankee Stadium before they finally made it. At the very least, every attempt Playing the Twins. Price includes game ticket & bus. is a learning experience which helps to move you one step closer to your goal. Limited number of seats. To help you decide if you are ready to quit now and if this is the best method for you, there will be a free orientation December 4 530 each meeting at the Human Services building on Wednesday, May 5 at 5:30 PM. To reserve a space at this session or for other information about quitting, call Jared Jones at the ii Health Department at 274 -6681. '1 111 �� 11 11 1111 11 1111 111 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1111111 11 1111 111 Let us know if you are interested 1111 j j j j jj j 11 1111 111 1111 1111111 11 1111 111 in the following Bus Trips: New York City day trip Your choice of what to do! 3 day trip to Boston Go shopping; go to the theater; go to a game; see the or Empire State Building; the Statue of Liberty, Radio City Music Hall, stroll down 5th avenue, ride the subway Cooperstown / Howe Caverns or (one day) For more information or to reserve a space call: Pete- 274 -6688 or Patty- 274 -6674. Pete Coats - 274 -6688 or Patty Stamm 274 -6674. Unclassifieds The Personal Touch For Sale: Thank you: CD - Rom + Modem: Unused. Artec 44X IDE CD �- �CC�� -Rom and Shark PCI. C%dritriairt (To- rrum, xet Data /fax/voice /spkrph /modem. All in original package $800 for both. Call Jo @ 273 - 9886. C? wad i tand 2aic ,.o4c y ouwx Itooe,awi Dryer - Kenmore, Soft -Heat, Heavy Duty. Like dweidairty me fx ;e/te)ni to yet tawntr to i( new $60. Call Carmen 277 - 9435. t o y a c c e a c f m o n t f . (?) mean o a kt to me to know Services: cagee a ageda /ada Mice a �A ce to, you Zart Computer Services - for all of your computer elate. needs: consulting, computers and accessories. �' 266 -7492. cvnna 2e &atx&n, Step Into Spring:: Welcome: by Mimi Hardy, Countywide Coordinator The Tompkins County Comptroller's Office welcomes Donna Shaw as our new Senior Citizens Council Auditor. is sponsoring a Spring p g P g Congratulations to: Walking Program. There is a series of ; 1!, Liz Croop, Mental Health, on her promotion to weekly walks at area Administrative Assistant. parks and trails throughout April and ), Articles to be considered for the May 20 issue must be received by May. All walks begin at `_`; noon, Monday, May 3. Lengthy articles must be on disk. Send by 1:30 p.m. on alternate interdepartmental mail to Ruth Pond, Finance, or 125 East Court Tuesdays and Thursdays. The remaining St., Ithaca, NY 14850. Fax: 274 -5505. walks include: UNCLASSIFIEDS Classified ads up to 25 words in length are free to County employees, retirees April 27 - East Hill Walkway 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 May 6 -T hannock Falls State Park in these ads, however we do need the full name of the person submitting the ad. y Taughannock Use this coupon to send your ad via interdepartmental mail to Ruth Pond, County Corridors c/o Finance, or 125 East Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850. Please type or print legibly! Thanks! May 11 - Giles Street Wildflower Walk May 18 - Dryden Lake Trail For schedules, directions to the walks and car pooling information call the Senior Center at 273 -1511. COUNTY CORRIDORS On May 27 we will hold our 5th Articles and opinion pieces for County Corridors are selected by the volunteer annual Senior Walk for Fitness at 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 Stewart Park from 8:30a.m. to 12:30. solicited from current employees, retirees and others. This is a non- competitive walk for seniors 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 60 and older to promote good health. Board is made up of: Bill Chapp, Social Services; Sharon Cooper, Sheriffs; Liz There will be door prizes, blood pressure Croop, Mental Health; Lisa Eaton, (Proofreader), Finance - Purchasing; Iretta Ellis, Information Services; Ruth Pond, (Editor), Finance; Michelle Pottorff, Bd. Of checks, information tables and a trophy Representatives; Katy Prince, Health; Judy Tynyk, (Chair), Weights and Measures; awarded to the group bringing the most and Vickie Wagner, (Artist), Drafting Technician. Correspondence may be sent through County inter - department mail to: County walkers. There is a $1 registration fee the Corridors, c/o Finance- Purchasing, 125 East Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850. day of the walk.