主页My WebLink关于currentCounty Corridors A Newsletter for Tompkins County Employees and Retirees http:// www. tompkins- co.org /countycorridors OCTOBER 2011 Volume 23, Number 3 Mourning the Loss of Commissioner Bob De Luca Chair Martha Robertson said it best at the beginning of the October 18th Legislature meeting: "We have lost one of our family." All of us across county government are mourning the loss of our long -time Mental Health Commissioner, Bob De Luca, who died October 16 after bravely battling health challenges over the past year. "In spite of failing health, Bob's dedication to his job, his clients, his staff, and his community never faltered," noted County Administrator Joe Mareane shortly after Bob's passing. "As recently as two weeks ago, he represented his department at its legislative budget review —using his time to remind all of us of the importance of our programs in the lives of so many, and of his pride in living in a community that embraced quality mental health care. Bob De Luca at the 2010 Community Mental Health recognition celebration "What Bob didn't talk about was the important role he has played in ensuring that people in need received the highest quality of care. Often we talk about how Tompkins County is a better, more humane and compassionate place to live than other locations. Bob was one of the reasons why. He was a very special person. He never let us forget about the people we are here to serve. He made a difference." Bob De Luca joined county government as Deputy Commissioner of Mental Health in 2001, became Interim Commissioner in 2004, and was appointed Commissioner in 2005. At the Legislature meeting, many legislators expressed fond and moving remembrances of Bob, recognizing him as an amazing, kind man, who superbly managed a complex organization with grace and caring —a special individual who, in addition to his service with the County, was a talented writer, performer, and musician. Chair Robertson described Bob as "an inspiration," who devoted his life to helping people in need, and who over the past year "fought on and refused to stop serving." Legislator Nathan Shinagawa said, "He lived a beautiful life, and he will be missed." Last month, the local mental health community recognized Bob for the enormous contributions he has made to the quality of mental health care. The award thanked him for his ongoing dedication and leadership —for adding and enhancing services, building new collaborations to share resources, providing increased training and support for human services professionals, and the infrastructure to efficiently maximize services, and validating the work and accomplishments of service recipients, service providers, leaders, and many others in the community. Bob, we will miss you. Our fond thoughts and condolences are with Bob's county family at Mental Health, about whom he cared so deeply. Old Courthouse Renovations Completed The exterior renovations to the Old Courthouse at121 East Court Street were carried out from April through August. Coordinated by Bob O'Loughlin of County Facilities, the project was done through contract with C & D Waterproofing Corp. We had record spring rainfalls, a heat wave, and an earthquake, but the work was essentially finished before we got rained on by Hurricane Irene. The photo shows workers installing the wooden millwork trim on the southwest bell tower, which faces DeWitt Park.* Part of the DeWitt Park Historic District, this stucco building was constructed in 1854 on the site of a previous wooden courthouse. It is the oldest Gothic Revival courthouse in New York State. The historic marker out front got a new coat of paint, too. Thanks for that project go to Dwight Mengel (Department of Social Services) and his Boy Scout troop. We often mention the historic marker when giving directions to the Old Courthouse. * Where were you when the earthquake struck 8/23? The contractors were trying to install the bell tower railings. Submitted by Kathy Wilsea, Planning Help Our Neighbors Through the United Way A reminder that our annual United Way campaign is now underway. "For 90 years, United Way has offered us a way to help our neighbors through not - for - profit agencies in or outside Tompkins County that we find most deserving," notes County Administrator Joe Mareane. "Your gift, large or small, as a part of United Way's 2012 fund campaign, will make a meaningful difference in people's lives in our community— helping our most vulnerable and meeting needs that are beyond the capacity of government alone to address." You may choose to target your contribution to a specific agency or agencies, but many support the United Way's Community Care Fund. This fund concentrates resources in seven critical areas: Basic Needs, Child Care /Early Learning, Crisis Services, Financial Stability /Building Self- Sufficiency, Health /Environment, Seniors, and Youth. However you give, every penny of your contribution goes to support direct services— nothing is retained for administrative costs. Heather Buck, from Personnel, is leading Tompkins County's United Way effort this year. Please call Heather at 274 -5529 or e- mail her at hbucktompkins-co.ora if you have questions, and return your completed pledge card to her at Personnel. "I know that with the economy being the way it is right now, everyone's paychecks are stretched,' Heather says, "but I encourage you to take a minute and think if your life has ever crossed paths with a service that the United Way helps fund and how it made you feel to know that the service was available to you. As a county, let's open our hearts, change lives, and LIVE UNITED!" 2 A Time to Be Prepared! September was National Preparedness Month, and with this year being the tenth anniversary of 9/11, the theme was: 'A Time to Remember, A Time to Prepare." You and your family should prepare and plan for emergencies be able to be self - reliant for three (3) days without utilities and electricity, water, or access to supermarkets or local services (such as police, fire, or rescue). FEMA recommends the following three (3) important steps: 1. Get an emergency supply kit. A kit should include bottled water, non-perishable food, a manual can opener, baby food and formula, if necessary, battery- operated radios and flashlights, extra batteries, a first aid kit, and blankets. Remember to take into consideration medications and food restrictions for yourself and family members. 2. Make a plan for what to do in an emergency. 3. Be informed about emergencies that could happen in your community and identify sources of information in your community that will be helpful before, during, and after an emergency. 4. Make a plan for your pet(s) and animals, including food, water, and medications, etc. Since preparedness is a shared responsibility and takes a whole community, this year's focus is turning awareness into action by encouraging individuals and communities nationwide to make an emergency preparedness plan. Please go to www.Ready.gov for further information and events. Source: http: / /community.fema.gov. Submitted by Geri Lockwood, Highway Tompkins County Public Information Officer Team 3 Sustainability Spotlight: Solid Waste Management Division Recycling Update By Stephanie Egan - Engels, Solid Waste Earlier this year, the County changed to single stream curbside recycling collection. It is now easier for residents to recycle with single stream curbside recycling collection. If you are a County resident, through the release of the new Recycling Guidelines in August, you may be finding that you can also recycle more materials. For an electronic copy of these Recycling Guidelines, please visit our website, www. recycletom pki ns.org. New Items Accepted for Recycling Common new items that can be recycled, including from the office or office break room, include: • Plastics marked #1 through #7, such as: o Ice cube trays o Cups o Dish drainers o Microwave lunch trays o Tupperware® o Cupcake, cookie, & carry out containers o Hard Hats • Small rigid plastics, such as: o 5- gallon buckets (Small rigid plastics collected must be no larger o Small plastic toys than a 5- gallon bucket.) Recycling in the Future Look for more changes to recycling in Tompkins County in the future! Pertussis Update By Karen Bishop, RN, BS, Health Department /' For more information, contact: Solid Waste Management Division www. recycletompki ns.org 273 -6632 Have you or a family member had a persistent cough? Been tested for pertussis? You should know that we have had several cases of pertussis or whooping cough reported in Tompkins County residents. What is pertussis? Pertussis, more commonly known as Whooping Cough or the 100 -day cough, is a highly contagious bacterial infection affecting your respiratory tract. Pertussis may begin with cold -like symptoms or a dry cough that progresses to episodes of severe coughing followed by a crowing or high pitched whoop. The coughing can be worse at night and does not respond to over the counter cough syrups. Medical attention is needed to diagnose and treat pertussis. Who gets pertussis? Pertussis can occur at any age. Children who are too young to be fully vaccinated and those who have not yet completed the primary vaccination series are at highest risk for severe illness. What does the health department do in response to reported cases? The health department is responsible for investigating reported cases including interviewing the reporting physician, the case or case's parent, and case contacts and providing education regarding the disease, how it is transmitted person to person, treatment and vaccination. These public health efforts minimize disease impact to our community. What can you do to protect yourself and your family? Get the facts and get vaccinated! Routine pertussis vaccination starts in children as young as 2 months. Children should have received a total of 5 doses of pertussis vaccine prior to entering kindergarten. Protection from pertussis vaccine wanes over time which is why a one time dose of "Tdap" (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine is recommended for children (as young as 7 years) and for adults. New parents should receive Tdap 4 vaccine before bringing their newborn home from the hospital. Grandparents, too! Tdap vaccine can be given to breastfeeding mothers. Where can you get Tdap vaccine? Tdap vaccine is readily available at your doctor's office or at the health department. Call the Tompkins County Health Department at 274 -6616 to make an appointment. For more information, visit www.cdc.qov /Dertussis. Take the Stress out of Driving With summer now over, kids are back in school and extra- curricular activities are in full swing. It's one more thing to add to our regular workday commute. But getting you, and everybody else, where they need to go doesn't have to mean added stress. Way2Go, a program of Cornell Cooperative Extension, has you covered. Whether you are trying to arrange carpooling between parents for Cross Country practice or thinking about forming a vanpool for you and your coworkers, there are programs and services out there to make your life just a little bit easier. Way2Go is a transportation education program whose goal is to provide resources to the community to promote sustainable and equitable transportation to Tompkins County residents. For parents who are constantly on the go, know that you are not alone. Dividetheridecom helps parents to set up carpooling schedules with other parents at their child's school or activity group. You invite other parents to participate, so you always know the people in your group. Divide the Ride makes a schedule, and sends out e-mail and text message reminders to parents when it's their turn to drive. With gas prices still hovering close to $4.00 a gallon, you may be thinking that now is the time to give ridesharing a try. Zimridecom /Tompkins is an on -line rideshare matching website that makes it easier to find someone with whom to share that commute to work, find a ride to run some errands or get to that concert you've been thinking about. Ridesharing once a week has been shown to save drivers over $50.00 a month or more. Zimride.com/Tompkins is open to the public, and is for any ride that starts or ends in Tompkins County. If you find yourself with five or more people who are interested in commuting, VPSI vanpooiingwould be happy to help you set up an even more affordable way of getting to work. Vanpools are ready to roll and can accommodate between 5 -15 riders. The more people in your vanpool, the less expensive it is for you! For more information about VPSI, contact Way2Go or visit vpsi.org. If you live on or near a TCATbus route, you might be able to give up driving to work altogether. And if you live in Enfield or Newfield, you have the ability to take CityVan, which picks you up at your door and takes you to your destination for only $3.00 per ride. If you use either of these options to get to work, but need a car during the day to run an errand or two, there are 15 Ithaca Carshare vehicles located throughout the city for use by reservation. Take charge of your transportation, and you can relax, save money and still get where you need to go. 4‘, For a list of transportation programs and services call 2-1-1 or visit their website at 211 Tompkins.org. For more information about Vanpooling or ridesharing, or help considering your options, visit Way2Golnfo, org or call 272- 2292. Submitted by Cynthia Kloppel, Mobility Program, DSS 5 Department News Airport Welcome to Brandon Karius, Airport Operations /Fire Fighter Trainee. Board of Elections Congratulations to Laura Norman, Senior Clerk, on the birth of her son, William August Norman, born August 2nd, weighing 9 pounds 12 ounces. Mom and baby are doing fine. Highway Congratulations to Jeff Lucas, Equipment Service Manager, on the birth of his daughter, Macie Charlotte Lucas, born August 16th, weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces. Mom and baby are both doing fine. Planning Congratulations to Tom Knipe, Senior Planner, on the birth of his daughter, Eleanor Maeve Anne Knipe, born July 23rd. Mom and baby are doing great. Kudos Korner Deputy County Clerk Lauded by Bar Association Tompkins County Deputy Clerk Maureen Reynolds was honored at the Annual Dinner of the Tompkins County Bar Association in recognition and appreciation of her outstanding service to the legal community. Maureen has supervised and completed the digitization of County Clerk records, facilitating easy accessibility. Approximately 100 members of the legal community were present at the Annual Dinner. All of us here at the County Clerk's Office know that Maureen most assuredly deserves that "atta- girl," for her efforts (past, present and future) on behalf of all the residents of Tompkins County. Submitted by Aurora R. Valenti Tompkins County Clerk HALLOWEEN IS ALMOST HERO Again this year, the Halloween contest this year being highlighted in County Corridors will have two categories — individual and group. The prizes, sponsored by the Vending Committee, will be: $20 for the group winner and $10 for the individual category winner. E -mail your pictures to Geri Lockwood dlockwood(crtompkins- co.org . by November 15th 6 ••v E N DS REMEMBER - Trips and /or events are available to all Tompkins County Employees & Retirees, and their families. SCHEDULED — Please contact Patty Stamm, at 274 -6674, or pstammtompkins-co.org, if you are interested in the following trips /events: New York Ci Winter Da Tri , — Saturda December 3rd POSSIBLE — Please note that there are no dates or other information available at this time, and if there is not enough response /interest, these will not be pursued: The Windmill / Lunch at a Winery / Hammondsport Shopping Genessee Villa ' e Yuletide WE NEED YOU! ➢ Are you interested in assisting with the planning and /or organizing of the trips and events? ➢ Do you have approximately one (1) hour to devote every couple of months (on average) to meeting with a great group of people? ➢ The Vending Committee is in need of additional team members. If you are interested, please contact Patty Stamm, at pstamm@tompkins- co.org, or Pete Coats, at pcoats@tompkins- co.org. Website: Remember to visit our website, on the employee Intranet (click on the link under "Events /News "), or www.tompkins- co.orq /employee only /VendingCommitteeNews.pdf regularly for updated information on all trips, news, etc. Please see your Department Representative (names listed on the website) to share other ideas. Are you interested in becominga foster or adoptive parent? The Department of Social Services is always in need of new foster and adoptive families, and for families who can provide short -term respite care. We are holding an informational meeting on foster and adoptive parenting on Monday, November 14th from 6 -7 p.m. at the Human Services Building. Please come to find out more information about providing a safe, nurturing home for a child in need. If you have questions, or are interested but cannot attend, please call 274 -5266 to speak with the Homefinding Staff. Submitted by David Weiner, DSS 7 Classified Ads Dog Dayz Inn A place where your dog feels "at Located in North Lansing Sandy Strehle, 315- 497 -3467 do.gdayzinn((ayahoo.com http: / /www.dogdayzinn corn WANTED — Scooter /moped. Please call (607) 339 -1634, or e -mail sonya.hicks(agmail com. FOR SALE — 1985 24' Tioga motor home on Chevrolet chassis. Sleeps 6, A/C, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, generator, 70,000 miles, all new tires. Very good condition. Asking $7,500.00. Must sell due to health reasons. Please call (607) 898 -5196. FOR SALE — 1988 Coachmen Class A fully self- contained motor home in good condition. Sleeps 6, 5KW generator, A/C About 44,000 miles. Asking $4,000 (negotiable). Please call (607) 227 -1949 any time. FOR SALE — 2008 Dodge Avenger, power windows, power locks, cruise control, A/C, 70,000+ miles. Asking $12,000. Please call (607) 898 -5976 evenings only. Kripalu Yoga with Nicole Sundays, 2:00 -3:30 p.m. Sunrise Yoga Center, 119 South Cayuga Street, Studio 301; (Corner of Cayuga and Green). Provides an opportunity to develop strength, increase flexibility, improve balance, and center the mind All levels of yoga experience welcome. For more information, e -mail kripaluyogawithnicole @gmail com, or call (973) 769- 2739. Power and Performance Strength & Conditioning and Fitness Look for us on Facebook Training done by a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Sports Performance Training Personal Training — Get healthy and back in shape after the Holidays. Private training facility located at 145 Yaple Road, Ithaca. Most Affordable Rates In The Area. Ages 12+ Please call TJ, at (845) 866 -3199, or e -mail to Massaro31 @yahoo.com. THE CeEEIDCI?S TEAM Managing Editor Geri Lockwood, Highway Editorial Staff Maureen Reynolds, County Clerk's Office Katrina Schickel, COFA Classifieds Editor - Geri Lockwood Advising Editor, Page Layout Marcia Lynch, Public Information Contributors All County Employees and Retirees Interested in joining the Corridors team? Contact Geri at 274 -0314 or glockwood @tompkins - co.org 8