a newsletter published by kent county levy court for its...

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December 2013

A Newsletter Published by Kent County Levy Court for its Employees December 2013

Employee of the Month: Shervina Y. Miller The Kent County department heads have selected SHERVINA Y. MILLER from the Department of

Public Safety as the December 2013 Employee of the Month. Shevy has been a Kent County employee since 1996 and serves as Paramedic II in the Division of Emergency Medical Services. Her primary duties include treating pa-tients using advanced emergency care procedures and insuring the high quality deliv-ery of life support techniques. In addition, she was recently designated as the Field Training Officer for her shift responsible for orienting and evaluating new hires, pre-cepting Delaware Tech paramedic students, and conducting continuing education training. Shevy is praised by supervisors for her technical consistency and excellent patient skills. The EMS Division

has received numerous positive comments from patients about the high quality care she provides.

According to Public Safety Director COLIN FAULKNER, “Shevy is a leader in the department. Her lengthy experience in the field and atten-tion to details results in successful patient outcomes. She has an uncanny calming presence in very tense situations. Concerned family members, especially children, tend to follow her firm, but soft spoken directives on scene. All of these skills make her a great paramedic and well deserving of this recognition.” Congratulations Shevy on a job well done!

Veterans welcome “Huey” helicopter By Kia Evans, Public Information Officer

An early Christmas gift arrived on November 18, not by sleigh pulled by 9 reindeer but an 18-wheel flatbed truck escorted by Delaware State Police. Down Levy Court Lane the hulking craft came to the cheers of 40 Vietnam veterans welcoming it home. Showing its age, but well preserved this UH-1 Iro-quois “Huey” helicopter will one day soon occupy a place of honor amongst the monuments in Kent County Veterans Memorial Park.

After its 200-mile trip from Norfolk, Virginia and before heading to nearby Leipsic for restoration work, the veterans in attendance paid homage to the 57 foot long by 8 foot wide vessel with a sacred “smudging” ceremony conducted by Vietnam War army veteran Terry “Dream Wanderer” Sammons. The ancient rite utilizes the burn-ing of dried herbs to cleanse and ward off negative spir-its/energy. (Continued on Next Page)

INSIDE 8 - Birthdays 12 - Calendar

10 - Employee Council 10 - EMS/9-1-1 Stats 7 - From The Stacks

4 - On The Move 16 - Q’s & A’s 9 - Tech Talk 14 - Work Life!

Kent Connections is published for the em-ployees and retirees of Kent County Levy Court using Microsoft Publisher® & Micro-soft PowerPoint®. Comments, suggestions and story ideas should be addressed to: Kent County Personnel Office, 555 Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901, or given to Allan Kujala, Cathleen McLean, Yvonne Messina, or Margo Mangiamele-Orlando. Or call the Personnel Office at (302) 744-2310.

December 2013

(Continued from Page 1)

Kent County Chapter 850, Vietnam Vet-erans of America president Joe Startt, reminded the crowd of the relevancy of the work a Huey handled during the war. “This helicopter served as a lifesaver for Vietnam veterans. It was instrumental in bring-ing in supplies, bringing in re-enforcement, as well as, evacuating the wounded for transport to medical aid stations,” said Startt. According to Paul Davis, President of the state Vietnam Veterans of America Council, dis-cussion concerning the acquisition of a Huey Helicopter for the Kent County site began in 2010. He is credited by many as being the driv-

ing and persistent force behind ensuring the ar-rival and future display of the Huey helicopter – an enduring symbol of the southeast Asia con-flict, in the park located next to the Kent County Administrative Complex. After restoration is completed by John Carey, the helicopter will be permanently dis-played in its final resting spot. A spot where its history, the history of those who flew aboard it, and the history of our Nation, can be reflected upon and always remembered.

Veterans Park is future home of Huey

December 2013

11 vie for Kent County Employee of the Year By Allan Kujala, Personnel Director

What a great way to kick off the holiday sea-son, winning the coveted “Employee of the Year” award at the annual Employee Holiday Social on December 14. Each Employee of the Month will be recognized, but the winner will be cheered by his/her co-workers and receive a plaque com-memorating the selection as well as a check for $500. This year’s contenders from February through December 2013 are: ROBERT L. WATTS (Public Safety/Emergency Communications); LORI A. CALOWAY (Finance-Accounting); VIN-CENT V. PARSONS (Public Works/Wastewater Facilities); KRISTINA M. RINKENBERG (Community Services/Libraries); KENNETH P. BONOVICH (Administration-Information Tech-nology); DANIELLE N. LAMBORN (Planning Ser-vices/Geographic Information Systems); STE-VEN A. MULLINS (Public Works/Wastewater Facilities); NICOLE L. VAUTARD (Public Safety/Emergency Management); TERESA L. CARTER (Finance-Accounting); Deputy Sheriff CHRIS-TIAN G. WHITE (Sheriff’s Office); and SHERV-INA Y. MILLER (Public Safety/Emergency Medi-cal Services). The January 2013 Employee of the Month, Marvin Parker, left the County’s employ in September.

Each of the Employees of the Month are selected by the County Department Heads and the Employee Council is charged with choosing the Employee of the Year. The Employee of the Year for 2012 is MARY HAZELWOOD, Network Specialist in the Department of Administration-Information Tech-nology Office. The annual Employee Holiday Social is sponsored by the Employee Council and will be held on Saturday, December 14, at the Dover Elks Club on Salisbury Road from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. featuring a buffet dinner, door prizes, live music, and the announcement of the Employee of the Year 2013. Employees have to reserve their tickets by December 5. Annual service awards will be presented at the free Employee Holiday Luncheon on Wednesday, December 18 in Room 220 of the Administrative Complex from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Santa Claus

IN NEXT MONTH’S ISSUE > Who is the 2013 Employee of the Year? > Who will be recognized for Perfect Attendance in 2013? > Who received 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, & 30 year service awards? > Dental plan maximum resets for new calendar year

Robbie Watts Lori Caloway Vince Parsons Kristi Rinkenberg Ken Bonovich

Danielle Lamborn Steve Mullins Nicole Vautard Teresa Carter Chris White Shevy Miller

December 2013

New Hires

ERIC L. CAREY Custodian Grade 3 Department of Public Works Facilities Management Division 11/05/2013

DERRICK B. FOUNTAIN Custodian

Grade 3 Department of Public Works

Facilities Management Division 11/05/2013

Reinstatement

JUSTIN R. PIPPIN Dispatcher II Grade 9 Department of Public Safety Emergency Communications Division 11/12/2013

Resignation

MICHAEL QUILLEN Custodian

Grade 3 Department of Public Works

Facilities Management Division 11/07/2013

Promotion

MARK BARTLETT Maintenance Worker I, Grade 5 from Custodian, Grade 3 Department of Public Works Wastewater Facilities Division 11/17/2013

Milestones

SCOTT BUNDEK 20 years

Administrative Officer Department of Public Safety

Emergency Communications Division 11/15/1993

Kent County staff on the Move... Milestones continued

DIANA GOLT 15 years Assistant Director Department of Public Works Engineering Division 11/02/1998

CYNDI LAIRD 10 years

Funds Analyst Department of Community Services

Libraries Division 11/03/2003

SCOTT McMILLON 10 years Paramedic II Department of Public Safety Emergency Medical Services Division 11/16/2003

TERESA CARTER 10 years

Accountant I Department of Finance

Accounting section 11/17/2003

Wanna put smiles on the faces of little children in need on Christmas Day? Then join Employee Council by participating in the Salvation Army’s “Angel Tree” program. Request a present card from PATTY ORONA in the Deeds Office. Each card has the gender, age and suggested gift requested by a child in need within our community. Once the gift in purchased, attach the bottom portion of the card to the unwrapped gift and take it to the Personnel Office. The donated gifts will be delivered to the Salvation Army on December 14.

s

be an “Angel” this holiday season t

December 2013

By Kia Evans, Public Information Officer

Paramedics are observant by nature. When they arrive on a scene, they canvass the situation and use their years of experience to make assess-ments. In recent years, Kent County emergency

responders have noticed some desperate need in our area. That realization led members of the De-partment of Public Safety to focus on the most vital need – food. Out of that effort, the “Pack the Paramedic Truck” campaign was conceived with a before Thanksgiving timeframe. A modest goal of 300 lbs. of food for the Delaware Food Bank was established, but ex-ceeded well before the first day concluded. By the end of the second and final day, a small group of paramedics and County staff had col-lected over 3,388 lbs, equivalent to 1½ tons. “This food drive was a resounding suc-

cess. People were unbelievably generous,” said Deputy Chief CINDY GRYGO. “Redner’s Ware-house Market in west Dover was easy to work with and many shoppers delivered full baskets of food to us.” Created as a means to allow Department

of Public Safety staff to give back to the community, the two-day event featured hands on help from DAVID ABRAMSON, RICH ALLEN, BRUCE CHILLAS, JENNIFER GRAHAM, CINDY GRYGO, DAVID GRYGO, MIKE MESSICK, MEGAN MOER-MAN, RICK SCHLAUCH, JOHN TINGER, and NICOLE VAUTARD. Kent County employees also sent over donations and those were coor-dinated by MARI FABRES at the Kent County Wastewater Treatment Plant, HILARY WELLIVER at the Kent County Library, and GALE

MAAS and EVELYN JOPP at the Kent County Administrative Complex. “We organized this event to do some-thing for the community that was positive, yet went beyond our normal scope of 9-1-1 calls and our time critical emergency duties,” Grygo said. With plans for next year’s “Pack the Para-medic Truck” food drive already underway, the 2014 campaign will undoubtedly seek to exceed the 3,000 lb. benchmark. “I very much look for-ward to next year,” Grygo said. “I hope to make this an annual event—next year’s goal is 3,500 lbs!”

Paramedic truck gets stuffed with food just before Thanksgiving

Deputy Chief Cindy Grygo (left) and Cap-tain John Tinger hand out “Pack the Para-medic Truck” shop-ping lists to patrons entering Redner’s Market on November 17 & 18. Bags and bags of food (right) were stored at the Emergency Ser-vices Building until Food Bank delivery.

December 2013

Name: SHERVINA MILLER Job: Paramedic II Years with the County: 17 years, 9 months Education: Attended KGH Paramedic Training Center in 1991 My role as a County employee: To provide exemplary care to the citizens of Kent County What keeps my job interesting: The peo-ple I encounter while performing my job What gives me a sense of accom-plishment on the job: To feel you made a difference at the end of your shift. Professional advice I would like to offer to other County employees: Treat everyone with the same respect and patience you feel you deserve. After work I enjoy: Spending time with my family Favorite new movie: Love Affair with War-ren Beatty (1994) Favorite old movie: A Christmas Carol Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy – N.C.I.S. Favorite sport: Softball Favorite music: Music from the 70’s Favorite Kent County restaurant: Restau-rant 55 Favorite Kent County event: Amish Bike Tour Three people (living or dead) I’d invite

to dinner: My great great grandmother, Steve Jobs and Wynton Marsalis I’m most proud of: my daughter Pet peeve: People who don’t yield to emer-gency vehicles If I’ve learned one thing in life, it’s: Don’t take anyone or anything for granted. Life goals and values important to me:

Equality and Respect Characteristics and values impor-tant to me: Equality and Respect Who has had the most impact on my life: My mother Personal goals I have accomplished or would like to accomplish: Would have liked to have become a pediatrician If I could have been in any profes-sion of my choosing, I would have

been a: Pediatrician If I could have two wishes, they would be: To win the Lottery and to win the Lottery…again You’d be surprised to learn that I: Wanted to be a pediatrician The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done is: Unfortunately, stood too close to DAWN SHANE while she was operating a defi-brillator…ouch! ***3472*** ***9701*** **6586***

Employee Of the Month—INSIGHT

Personal leave accrual does not carry over By Allan Kujala, Personnel Director

As provided in the Personnel Ordinance, per-sonal leave availability readjusts with the beginning of the new calendar year. Unused personal leave time does not carry over from year to year. All classified employees

will be credited with three personal days on January 1, 2014 to be used during the year. Personal leave days are deducted from accrued sick leave, but are not counted as an absence for perfect attendance purposes. Employees hired during 2014 will receive pro-rated hours.

Exempt employees including department heads, Assistant Directors, and professional staff receive five personal days per calendar year and will be credited with the days like the classified employees. Exempt employees are ineligible for overtime, so receive more personal time. Under the Personnel Ordinance, the use of personal days must be requested from the De-partment Head at least 48 hours in advance and may be used for “undisclosed” reasons. Employees unsure if all personal leave has been used should contact the Payroll Coordi-nator for their department or call Payroll Admin-istrator CATHLEEN “Cat” McLEAN at 744-2387 or stop by the Personnel Office.

December 2013

Fairy tales are not just for children. Adults will enjoy these novelizations of familiar stories. Wicked: The Life and Times of the

Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, is the inspiration for the Broadway musical of the same title and the tale of Elfaba, Oz’s Wicked Witch, before she met her nemesis, Dorothy Gale.

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman adapts trickster tales of Anansi the Spider. Fat Charlie Nancy’s normal life ends the moment his father drops dead on a Florida karaoke stage. Charlie didn’t know his dad was a god and he never knew he had a brother. Now brother Spider’s on his doorstep, and Fat Charlie’s life has just become more interesting and a lot more dangerous. Reawakened by Odette Beane is in-

spired by the popular television series, Once Upon a Time. Emma Swan’s life has been anything but a fairy tale. She’s been on her own since she was abandoned as a baby – that is, until the night when Henry, a 10-year-old boy, shows up on her doorstep. He’s the son Emma gave up for adop-

tion, and his surprise visit turns her life upside down. When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James. Miss Linnet Berry Thrynne is a Beauty betrothed to a Beast. Piers Yelverton, Earl of Marchant, lives in a castle in Wales where, it is rumored, his bad tem-per flays everyone he meets. It is also rumored that a wound has left the earl immune to the charms of any woman. Linnet is not just any

FROM THE STACKS By Hilary Welliver, County Librarian

Stylized fairy tales not for the young woman. The Book of Lost Things by John

Connolly is the story of David, who mourns the death of his mother with only books for company. Those books, however, have begun to whisper to him in the darkness. Angry and alone, David takes ref-uge in his imagination and soon finds that reality and fantasy have

begun to meld. While his family falls apart around him, David is propelled into a world populated by heroes and monsters and ruled by a faded king who keeps his secrets in a mysteri-ous book, The Book of Lost Things. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier. Lovely Sorcha is the sev-enth child and only daughter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. Be-reft of a mother, she is comforted by her six brothers who love and protect her; she is the light of their lives. But Sorcha’s joy is shattered when an evil enchantress binds her brothers with a terrible spell, a spell which only Sorcha can lift --- by staying silent. If she speaks before she completes her quest, she loses her brothers forever. Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth is a rein-

vention of Rapunzel woven to-gether with the scandalous life of Charlotte-Rose de la Force, a woman banished from the court of Versailles after a series of scandal-ous love affairs. Enchantment by Orson Scott Card transforms the timeless

story of Sleeping Beauty into an original fantasy brimming with romance and adventure. Einstein once said: “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales!”

December 2013

DECEMBER 02 Chris Austin, Public Works/WWF 04 Albert Biddle, Planning Services/Planning 07 Rob Pierce, Public Works/Engineering 07 Ben Byler, Administration-IT 09 Mark Bartlett, Public Works/WWF 12 Eugene Tucker, Public Safety/Emer. Comm. 12 Steve Mullins, Public Works/WWF 13 Doug Poore, Public Safety/EMS 17 Richard Morris, Public Works/WWF 18 Dick MacDonald, Public Works/Facilities Mgt 18 David Abramson, Public Safety/EMS 18 Susan Willson, Finance-Assessment 21 Nancy Glenn, Planning Services/Insp. &Enf. 22 E. Steven Zlock, Public Works/WWF 22 Christina Beachy, Finance-Tax 22 Zachary Lawson, Public Works/Engineering 25 Annette Whitby, Public Safety/Emer. Comm. 25 Richard Schlauch, Public Safety/EMS 26 Kevin Curtis, Administration-IT 26 Robert Skripko, Public Works/Engineering 28 Colby Harrington, Public Works/WWF 29 Mary Hazelwood, Administration-IT 29 Scott McMillon, Public Safety/EMS 29 Dirk Yoder, Public Safety/EMS 30 Jonathan Cole, Public Works/WWF 31 Nancy Thompson, Wills Office

January 02 Ana Iturriaga, Public Works/Facilities Mgmt. 03 Crystal Yerkes, Deeds Office 03 Devin DuPree, Public Works/WWF

KENT COUNTY BIRTHDAYS

By Sgt. Rick Schlauch, Paramedic III

Starting a heart can be a thrill, but to do it suc-cessfully one needs to be property trained. Now, 11 more Kent County employees have learned the latest CPR techniques as recommended by the American Heart Association. The A,B.C. (Airway, Breathing, Chest Compressions) sequence has changed to C,A.B (Chest Compressions, Airway, Breathing) except for newborns. This change was due to statistics showing the needed emphasis on chest compres-sions and to push hard and fast.

04 Mark Jacobs, Planning Services/Planning 04 Harold Venable, Public Works/WWF 05 Bruce Timmons, Chief Deputy Sheriff 06 Betty Lou McKenna, Recorder of Deeds 07 Alex Argo, Public Works/WWF 07 Shannon Morris, Planning Services/I&E 09 Kenneth Eckard, Public Works/WWF 10 James Gerardi, Public Works/WWF 11 Lori Caloway, Finance-Accounting 15 Mike Ward, Planning Services/GIS 17 Allan Angel, Levy Court Commissioner 18 Debbie Cline, Deeds Office 18 Denise Cayz, Community Services/Libraries 18 Jason Berry, Planning Services/Planning 18 Sabrina Fite, Planning Services/GIS 20 Colin Faulkner, Public Safety Director 20 Harold Brode, Register of Wills 20 Edward Semans, Public Safety/Emer. Comm. 21 Allison Friday, Public Safety/EMS 21 Jim Waddington, Administration-Econ. Dev 22 Brian Hall, Public Works/Engineering 22 Kathy Skinner, Sheriff’s Office 23 Kristopher Spalding, Comm. Srvs/Parks&Rec 25 John Naylor, Public Safety/EMS 27 Chuck Hurd, Public Safety/EMS 27 Hans Medlarz, Public Works Director 28 Leslie Persans, Planning Services/I&E 29 John Witzke, Public Safety/EMS 30 John Foley, Deputy Sheriff 30 Frances Moore, Deputy Clerk of Peace 30 Kathy Phinney, Administration 31 Dexter Kollie, Planning Services/I&E

The following Employees attended the November 14 class: MIKE BERRY, GEORGE De-BENEDICTIS, DEVIN DuPREE, DEXTER KOLLIE, RICHARD MOSLEY, LESLIE PERSANS, JACK SCHULTIES, SCOTT VAUTARD, JESSE WAL-LACE, and MIKE WEYANT. The class was taught by Paramedics RALPH NEIL, LISA SCHLAUCH and RICHARD SCHLAUCH. Seats are still available for the class which will be held on Monday, December 16, 2013 at the Department of Public Safety from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. If you are not certified, ask your Department Head if you can attend.

Staff learns to save a life with CPR/AED

December 2013

By Ken Bonovich, Computer Support Technician I

The next “new” thing is wearable technology, and currently at the head of that pack, and al-

ready available are the Smartwatches. A Smartwatch is a wearable computing device. In early designs, they had limited func-tionality with only the ability to be a calculator and store small notes, but currently, they are able to do anything a smartphone can do which begs the question, will the Smartwatch make the smartphone obsolete? The short answer, no. Modern Smartwatches have the ability to show GPS navigation, perform calculations, show text messages, display contacts and phone calls, tweets, play music and even take photos. There are also specialized Smartwatches which can perform biometric calculations such as calo-ries burned, act as a pedometer, track sleep pat-terns and in future development is a process which could track accurate caloric intake. Some of these Fitness based Smartwatches can also be called smartlets (smart bracelet). Some experts have said that the Smart-watch is going to make the smartphone screen obsolete. By moving notifications, alerts, and alarms onto your wrist, the need to pull out your phone could become a thing of the past. Along with the screen, the camera has been moved to your arm as well, so taking pictures could be as simple as pointing your wrist. The other benefit of not having to take your phone out is security. A massive increase in cell phone theft makes an interesting backdrop for these trends. Wearing a Smartwatch instead of taking out a phone will make you far safer in that regard. Unless an attacker wants to cut off your hand,

Next new thing? Wearable tech! stripping you of your watch is problematic, and they’ll need to pick your pocket or grab your purse to get to your phone. You could also hard pair the devices, making the phone useless with-out the watch and therefore pointless to steal. You will want to make several considera-tions when deciding what Smartwatch is best for you. Currently there are only a handful modern of Smartwatches in the market, smartlets (smart bracelets) are easier to find, but do not have as big a feature base. The Samsung galaxy Gear, Pebble Smartwatch, Sony MN2SW, and Mo-torola MOTOACTV are the current front-runners for Smartwatches. The most exciting and antici-pated smartphones coming out soon are the Ap-ple iWatch, Google Gem, Qualcomm Toq Smart-watch, and the Sony Smartwatch 2, all of whom are expected to release either before the end of the year, or early next year. I look forward to the future of wearable technology, and with current trends running down the road of the Smartwatch, I am very ex-cited. **8583** **6101**

Give to charity the United Way! By Margo Mangiamele-Orlando, Personnel Technician I

Kent County’s annual campaign for United Way ends this month. Last year County e m - p loyees cont r ibu ted

$5,202. Pledge forms were distributed on No-vember 8 and need to be

returned to the Personnel Office before December 20 for pay-

roll deduction. Cash donations need to be sub-mitted by December 31. United Way of Delaware is one of the most efficient charities in the country with mini-mal administrative costs. It also offers you the ability to specify what charitable organization(s) receives your donation. A one dollar per week donation adds up to over $50.00 for the year. It is an easy, rather painless way to donate without much of a financial burden. Payroll deductions begin January 3, 2014.

December 2013

By Beverly Hay, Employee Council Secretary

Holiday Social: Saturday, December 14, 2013, 6:00 pm – 10:00 p.m. at the Dover Elks Lodge. Buffet, Live Music, Door Prizes and FUN! FUN! AND MORE FUN!!! See PATTY ORONA (744-2314) in the Recorder of Deeds office for tickets by Thursday, December 5. Everybody must have a ticket. Employee tickets are free, $25.00 for Guests and Appointed Board/Commission members, and $15.00 for Retirees from active service. A big THANK YOU goes out to ELLEN MITCHELL for preparing the delicious subs last month. Also thank you to JOHN ZISTL and SHEILA ROSS for helping with the sub prepara-tion. 72 subs were made! Thanks to all who supported this event. December events: December 2 – 18. Be on the look out for some fabulous raffles going on, including an iPad and 2 chances to win $250 cash. The win-ners will be drawn at the Employee luncheon!!! Good luck to everyone who plays. December 18 – FREE! Employee Holi-day Luncheon from 11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m. in the Administrative Complex Conference Room. Door prizes, raffles, and presentation of service awards. December 23 – FREE! Just to show our appreciation for all you do, come enjoy cookies & hot chocolate from 2 – 3 pm in the Administrative Complex kitchen. Got an idea? Share it with your Em-ployee Council: President TRUDENA HORSEY, Vice-President DANIELLE LAMBORN, Secretary BEVERLY HAY; Treasurer YVONNE MESSINA; or members MARTI STANSBURY, PATTY ORONA, and DAVID WHITNEY.

Monthly statistics from Kent County Department of Public Safety

2013 OCT SEPT ‘13 YTD

9-1-1 calls 6,711 7,461 74,110

# calls by Cell Phone 5,523 5,586 54,177

Ambulance incidents 2,027 2,032 19,518

Paramedic incidents 1,035 1,025 9,996

# Patients to hospital 588 574 5,652

Fire incidents 458 474 4,878

# Patient DOA 23 12 173

# Patient refuses care 43 44 394

# Patient release/BLS 61 75 718

# Response cancelled 254 248 2,464

Kent Co. Employee Obsessions Take a minute to visit the display case on the first floor of the Kent County Administrative Complex featuring a little bit of nature—including actual flora and fauna along with imitation birds and other items to simulate what you might find in a Kent County forest as conceived by the talented BONNIE VOSHELL from the Planning Division. Got an interesting hobby or like to collect limited edition baubles? Contact the Personnel Office at 744-2310.

HOW TO BE EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT ORIENTATION—e. Regularly review/solicit input on performance and make ongoing adjustments to improve individual and organizational performance. ADAPTABILITY/FLEXIBILITY—a. Easily jug-gle a large number of assignments and activi-ties; b. Encourage and instruct others about the benefits of change... G.A.U.G.E.—Kent Co.’s performance assessment tool

December 2013

Number|Hunt

Welcome to Levy Court! Name: ERIC L. CAREY

Job: Custodian Date Hired: November 5, 2013 Education: High School What I like most about my new job: Knowing I work for the county I was born in Greatest accomplishment: Put-ting out my first fire with the Dover

Fire Department. Future goals: To retire with the County I’m most relaxed and happy when I’m doing this: Watching sports Family: Father: Carleton Carey Jr., Mother: Donna Carey, Brother: Matt Carey Favorite TV show: ESPN Favorite sport: Baseball Favorite meal: Pizza Favorite music: Anything Favorite saying or slogan: Work hard, play hard Who has had the most impact on my life: Brother Matt Carey A dream I have is to: Own season tickets to the Patriots If I won a million dollars I would: Buy my parents something nice, and for myself. The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done is: Been to Fenway Park and Gillette Sta-dium Three words that describe me: Friendly, Loyal, Respectful

Welcome to Levy Court! Name: DERRICK B. FOUNTAIN

Job: Custodian Date Hired: November 5, 2013 Education: High School Diploma What I like most about my new job: I like night time hours Greatest accomplishment: Completing High School Greatest challenge or obstacle:

Finding a full time job Future goals: Finish college Person/event that most inspired me in my career: myself If I had it to do over, I would have done this differently: Take others positive advice I’m most relaxed and happy when I’m doing this: At home with my family Most recent movie enjoyed: Scary Movie Favorite TV show: Family Guy Favorite sport: Football Favorite meal: Steak Favorite music: Gospel, Rap and R & B A dream I have is to: Own my own business If I won a million dollars I would: Help my family The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done is: Roller Coaster Three words that describe me: Honest, Dependable and Loyal

Congratulations o Congratulations to WILSON “Barney” BRANHAM (Maintenance Mechanic III) and his wife Beth Zane upon their marriage on October 26, 2013. It was a Halloween themed wedding in the back yard of their home with he dressed as Franken-stein and she as the Bride of Frankenstein. All of their guests joined in the fun and dressed in cos-tumes as well. Best wishes to the happy couple.

Stay informed and earn the chance to win a free movie ticket compliments of Employee Council by reading Kent Connections every month. Look for the last four digits of your Social Security number some-where in the current newsletter and be the first or second to contact the Personnel Office at 744-2310. JAMES NEWTON in the Engineering Division and RICHARD ALLEN in the EMS Division were the first to spot their numbers and win last month. It’s easy to win—just read your Employee newsletter every month! **3854** **8873**

December 2013

INSIGHT INTO THAT OTHER DEPT/DIV/OFFICE

Emergency Management Division

Mission: to serve as the lead agency in the County for the coordination of emergency pre-paredness, training, response, recovery and mitigation, if necessary, as a result of adverse weather, natural or manmade disasters. Location: Emergency Services Building Department: Public Safety Levy Court Committee Chair: Commis-sioner TERRY PEPPER Department Head: COLIN FAULKNER Division Manager: Vacant. Chief Faulkner oversees the day-to-day operations # of Positions: 2 (1 is vacant) Major Tasks: Serve as coordination center for inter-agency communication and response dur-ing large scale events; Develop plans for re-sponding to all hazard emergencies such as toxic spills, nuclear incidents, terrorist attacks, major weather related disasters, etc.; Participate in drills with emergency response services to insure plans are effective; etc. Busiest Time: When a natural disaster or ca-tastrophe occurs or is forecasted such as a hurri-cane, flood or snowstorm—which requires the Emergency Operations Center to open. Budgeted Income: $191,300/yr. Where’s it come from: Emergency Manage-ment Planning Grant, LEPC State grant Budgeted Expenses: $323,100/yr. Where’s it goes: Personnel, indirect costs, utilities, equipment maintenance, travel, insur-ance, office supplies, legal/contract services, etc. Interesting Fact: Multi-jurisdictional drills ranging from table-tops to full scale are con-ducted on various scenarios such as active shooters, terrorism activity, hurricanes, train derailments, etc. **9470** **6670** **0226**

MARK YOUR CALENDAR December 2 - 18, 2013 - I-Pad Air Raffle. Sponsored by Employee Council. December 5, 2013 - Blood Pressure Checks at the Wastewater Treatment Plant 2:00 -4:00 p.m. December 6, 2013 - Deadline for turning in Cake Mixes for Salvation Army Food Baskets. December 9, 2013 - Operation North Pole from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m., Administrative Complex December 11, 2013 - Blood Pressure Checks at County Library at 9:00 and at the Ad-ministrative Complex, Room 213, 9:30-11:30 a.m. December 11, 2013 - L&W Insurance rep-resentative available to answer health insurance questions from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Administrative Complex, Room 213. December 14, 2013 - Employee Holiday Social at the Dover Elks Club from 6:00-10:00 p.m. Tickets have to be reserved with Employee Council by December 5, 2013. December 16, 2013 - Deadline to turn in gifts for Salvation Army. (Angel Tree) December 16, 2013 - CPR class at Public Safety Building from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. December 18, 2013 - Employee Holiday Luncheon in Administrative Complex, Room 220 at 11:30 a.m. Catered by Georgia House. Free. December 23, 2013 - Free Cookies and Hot Chocolate from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. in Complex kitchen. Sponsored by Employee Council. December 25 & 26, 2013 - Christmas Holidays. County Offices closed. January 1, 2014 - New Year’s Day holiday. County Offices Closed. January 18, 2014 - Annual Levy Court Re-treat, 8:00 - 3:00 p.m., Complex Room 220. January 20, 2014 - Martin Luther King’s Birthday. County Offices closed.

December 2013

By Leslie Persans, Inspections & Enforcement Division Manager

No hammers or saws were heard, but plenty of building techniques were discussed at the Adminis-trative Complex in late Oc-tober, as Kent County hosted a two-day training conference for more than 65 code professionals, ar-chitects, and engineers from Delaware, Maryland,

and Virginia. Course attendees learned about Interna-tional Building Code/2012 Non Structural Provi-sions on the first day, while curriculum focused on International Residential Code/2012 Funda-mentals of Building Provisions on the second day. The sessions featured current Interna-tional Code Council training offered through the joint efforts of the Lower Delaware and Mary-land Building Officials Association and the Dela-ware Building Officials Association. Kent County

is well represented in these organizations with Permits Coordinator MARC St. JEAN currently serving as president of the Delaware association and Inspections Administrator SCOTT TANNER serving as president of the Lower Delaware group. County staff members, including DALE JONES, AMY MINNER, LESLIE PERSANS, MARC St. JEAN, GINA SCHULTIES, MARTI STANS-BURY, and SCOTT TANNER, worked together to coordinate the event such as parking, check in, breakfast, lunch, training sessions, payment and various last minute challenges. Permit Techni-cian VANESSA AUSTIN created the informa-tional signage. A highlight of the training workshops was the International Code Council presenter, Mike Perrone, Code Official for the Borough of West Chester, Pennsylvania, who received acco-lades for his presentation style and knowledge of the codes. Due to the positive feedback, plans are already in the works for another two day train-ing session in March 2014.

Carnival debuts Dec. 31 By Hilary Welliver, County Librarian The 2013 Winter Carnival theme is “Once Upon a Time.” Winter Carnival is the Friends of Kent County Public Library’s annual New Year’s Eve fund raiser. The family-friendly celebration takes place from 9 a.m. to noon on December 31 and features performances by the Juggling Hoff-mans, the Rehoboth Children’s Theatre, and award-winning actress Mary Ann Jung, who will portray Queen Elizabeth (as she does for the Maryland Renaissance Faire). The Carnival includes activity, craft, and game booths as well as costumed characters rov-ing the crowd, a fire truck to sound its siren and flash its lights at noon, as well as a countdown to a balloon drop at noon. Tickets ($5/person) go on sale December 2; no tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the event. Last year’s event drew more than 350 participants.

County hosts Building Official training

December 2013

It can be tough these days working for the government—any government! Many of the people we serve are rallying against the pensions, benefits, and pay of public servants. It can be demoralizing, but it doesn’t have to be! Be proud of the work you do and high quality service you provide. Our citizens may not always realize it, but we are saving lives, protecting the envi-ronment, making this a better place to live, or facilitating those that do. Share the pride of serving Kent County each work day...

I started work with Kent County in March 2002 and my words can not express how much the County means to me. I have been through so much in the last 4 years. As most people know I had cervi-cal cancer and came very close to dying. In the last 3 years I have been dealing with the ef-fects from the treatment of my disease. I wanted to let every-one know how I feel about Kent

County and the people who work here. It has been an honor and privilege to be able to be a part of the family here during my years here, I have been part of Employee Council, Safe Summer Day, many picnics, Christmas par-ties and gatherings. Kent County has by far the best medical benefits I have ever seen. With all the surgeries and tests, I have never had an issue with our in-surance. I would like to thank the Commissioners, Dept Heads and their assistants for their under-standing, and working with me through all my medical issues. Kent County is truly a unique and one of a kind place to work. Thank you so very much for all that you do, not just for me but for all of us here at Kent County. As for my co-workers if it was not for you, I would not have my job right now. I have never seen a more caring bunch of people who have gone

out of their way to give me what ever I need. I am not just referring to time which so many of you have donated to me, and I could not thank you so very much. I am referring to the support, the cards the hugs and concern for me. It is hard enough to go through the kind of torment I have had to endure in the last few years but knowing that I have had co-workers pushing me to fight for my life has made this fight a little easier. Knowing that I don’t have to worry if I will lose my job on top of everything else gives me a chance to focus on getting better easier. I really love working here and working with a great bunch of co-workers. Through the years of working for the County I have learned so much. I feel I make a difference in people’s lives, and they make a differ-ence in mine. I have always felt I was a people per-son and knowing that I have the ability to help people makes my job that much more fun. — LORI SHORT, Planning Technician I

Bragging Rights Share your family photos, stories, & more

Vautard’s son completes boot camp Building Code Inspector II SCOTT VAUTARD and Emergency Management Secretary NICOLE VAU-TARD are very proud of their son, Logan Timson, who has recently completed all of his requirements and is now a United States Navy Sailor. He graduated from Navy Boot camp on November 22, 2013, where he scored 4.91 out of 5—the highest in his division. He will be stationed at Lackland Air Force Base for his A School (Job School). Logan will be training to be a Master of Arms in the Navy. Their youngest son, Colton Vautard, who is a freshman at Caesar Rodney High School earned a solo in the Jazz Band and will perform sometime in the Spring of 2014.

Fisher’s very proud of grandson Kent County retirees Bob and Janet Fisher are very proud of their grandson, Andrew P. Fisher, a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Andrew is currently stationed in Afghanistan.

December 2013

By Margo Mangiamele-Orlando, Personnel Technician I

It is said that beauty is in the eye of the be-holder, but in reality it is the eye of the photog-rapher. Want proof? Visit the first floor hallway of the Kent County Administrative Complex for a photographic tour of Historic Dover captured through the camera lens of Deputy Sheriff JACK FOLEY. The beautiful 10 inch by 16 inch framed and matted pic-tures include Dover City Hall, the Delaware Supreme Court build-ing, the new Kent County Court-house taken at night to capture lights from within, the old re-

cently renovated Legislative Hall on The Green, and the Kent County Administrative Complex with the fountain illuminated with a pink glow to promote breast cancer awareness. A photo-graph of the current Legislative Hall is abso-lutely beautiful with a blanket of fresh snow fall. Perhaps the most impressive photo is of the Delaware Law Enforcement Memorial which due to the lighting is absolutely breath taking. Jack’s work is absolutely wonderful. He manages to capture the true essence of each of his subjects. His wildlife photos are amazing. A lot of his animal photographs are taken at Bom-

bay Hook Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna and at his cabin in West Virginia. He even has a photo of a fox yawning. In addition, he travels to Get-tysburg, Pennsylvania and Manassas, Virginia to photograph Civil War re-enactors dressed in military clothing from that era. Jack is also fond of air shows, especially at the Dover Air Force Base. One of his favorite photographs captures a

fighter jet emerging out of the sonic boom cloud. If you look closely, you can even see the pilot sitting in the cockpit. His photo of the Police Memorial is a favorite among many law enforcement officers and police agencies. Visit any Do-

ver law office or Judge’s chamber, and you are likely to see Jack’s work. Other venues include Pip-pin’s funeral home in Camden and the Governor’s Café in Dover. One of his photos of Legislative Hall was even featured in a Delaware bro-chure, and another was published in a local bank’s calendar. Jack is extremely talented.

I'm speaking from personal experience. Jack took photos at my parents 50th Wedding Anni-versary Party and the candid shots he took were priceless. We all will be holding our breath with anticipation to see more of his work displayed in our lovely building.

Employee’s photos adorn Complex hallway

Old Delaware State House in Dover

New Kent County courthouse

Kent County Administrative Complex

December 2013

Q. About six months ago, I received a hand written note from a customer thanking me for my efforts on their behalf. I gave it to my De-partment Head and she said she would send it to you for my personnel file and inclusion in the “High Praise” section of the employee newslet-ter. It was never printed. Why not?

A. We have lots of great employees here at Kent County and that means they receive lots of thank you notes. We try to include these short comments of high praise in the newsletter whenever there is room. Some employees receive multiple notes, some departments receive many and some receive few—it depends on the customer interaction required. Your question provides an opportunity to clear out some of the back log. I hope yours is amongst the following:

High Praise n

Give a Gold Star to JASON BERRY, Planner II in the Planning Division, for providing excellent service to a customer involved in the variance process. The individ-ual sought out the department head to express appreciation for Jason’s helpfulness. Outstanding!! Kudos to SHIRLEY THOMS, As-sessor I in the Department of Finance, for a let-ter of praise from a customer which said “I feel she went above and beyond… to say thank you didn’t seem like enough. I hope that somehow this letter will bring recognition to her for a job very well done.” High Five to DIANE RAGER, Deputy Register of Wills, for a Constituent Comment Card that read “Awesome! Very helpful and patient in explaining the processes” Thank you AMY MINNER, Permit Technician III in the Inspections & Enforcement Division for a written statement from a customer praising her “friendliness” and “willingness to help” He was also very impressed my her subject knowl-edge. Exceeding expectations!!

High Praise for RUBY FARMER, Tax Clerk III, for her assistance to a disabled veteran who called to inquire about possible tax relief. He was so impressed by her willingness to help, he felt compelled to let some one know. Sweet! Give Gold Stars to BARNEY BRANHAM, RICK MOSLEY, and JESSE WALLACE, Maintenance Mechanics in the Wastewater Facilities Division for their “professional and pleasant” response to a possible sewer issue according to a customer

residing in Royal Grant subdivi-sion. Another satisfied customer! High Praises All Around to NANCY GLENN, JOHN SCHULTIES, and SCOTT VAUTARD, in the Inspec-tions & Enforcement Division for “being helpful and understanding” according to a home owner in an emergency mortgage settlement situation. Way to go! A Collective High Five to WAYNE McCARTY and MIKE RIGBY and his Parks crew from the Pharsalia Homeowners Association, for their “prompt response” and “suburb

job” when the group was notified about an ero-sion problem along the adjacent Brecknock Park trail. Awesome! Thank you to DOUG POORE, Field Supervisor in the Emergency Medical Services Division, for an exceptional presentation on teen suicide at the recent Delaware Emergency Nurses Associa-tion conference, where he earned praise from the Christiana Care Chief of Neurointerventional Ra-diology. Impressive!! Kudos to DARIN JONES and FRED STRAUSS, Parks Workers in the Division of Parks & Recrea-tion, for a hand written card thanking them for “the great job” they do to keep Big Oak Park “so nice for all who use it.” You’re Great!!

A. We have so many more...High Praise to All!

&

‘Tis the Season for High Praises...Fa La La La

Q A The purpose of Q & A is to educate and encourage work related discourse among staff about County policies, work practices, and employee issues. It is not intended to promote unproductive gossip or speculation about the author of a question. Unless otherwise noted, all questions contained herein have been crafted by Personnel Office staff and may or may not reflect actual ques-tions asked. -Personnel Director

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