HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugustCITY OF SEBASTIAN NEWSLETTER
MESSAGES FROM.•
-Mayor Louise Cartwright
When John Ellis of the Lion's Club asked me
if the City wanted to have a float in the 4th of July
parade, and if City Council wanted to ride together,
I thought it was a good idea, and said I would ask.
Mr. Frame & Wendy took it from there and you
know the rest.
Well, a good idea turned into a great event.
Thanks so very much for working so hard from
concept to creation. Everyone pulled together and it
was a time of pride and fellowship for us all. I am
very grateful and so proud that we were able to ride
together as a team. Next year will be even better...
The Olympic Torch Stop at Riverview Park
was a special moment for me personally and as
Mayor, it was an honor that I cannot describe. I want
to thank the Public Works Department and applaud
them for the outstanding work they did in preparing
the park (and the City) for the event. I also want to
thank the Police Department for all their hard work
and cooperation with event organizers. Gold Medal
Performances!
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
-Tom Frame, Citv Manager
Ditto on the comments from Mayor
Cartwright, with the exception of my participation!
From my perspective as an observer, you performed
exceptionally well from the Police Department, to
Public Works employees, to the gang in City Hall. A
special thanks is due to Jerry Converse for the
outstanding miniature version of City Hall.
AUGUST, 1996
Coming soon: a Strategic Plan for the City of
Sebastian. In a cooperative effort with the Indian
River Community College, the citizens of Sebastian
and employees of Sebastian, we are about to develop
a Strategic Plan which will result in giving guidance
and direction for us so that we are all working
towards common goals of the community.
Unfortunately, not all of us will get the opportunity
to participate, but I will attempt to insure that there
will be proper representation of both labor and
management. I have advocated a strong participation
of citizens to guarantee their buy -in as stakeholders of
the City. I know that we can all work together to
make this plan a success.
-Wendy Vl&nann. Human Resources Director
Thanks go to all of you that took the time to
respond to our survey regarding the newsletter. We
had twenty-one responses. The overwhelming
majority read the newsletter every month and found
the articles clear and concise. Respondents did have
some comments on how to improve the newsletter,
and we will be implementing some of these in the
upcoming months. Requests have been made for
more pictures of events, etc. Unfortunately, pictures
do not come out well, so while it's a good suggestion,
we cannot implement that suggestion. Great ideas
were: Swap Shop Section, articles for sale or trade
by employees; articles on former employees; articles
on our many volunteers - both paid and unpaid; and
union events. We will be implementing some of the
suggestions in our upcoming newsletters as well as
having Departmental articles on projects they are, or
will be, working on. Thanks for helping us make our
Newsletter better!
City of Sebastian Employee Newsletter
INSIDE CITY LIMITS
Birthdays
08/04 William Grimmich, P/D Police Investigator
08/09 Raymond Halloran, Councilmember
08/09 Kathryn O'Halloran, C/C City Clerk
08/12 Timothy Zelinski, P/D Police Officer
08/13 Michael Beyer, P/D Police Sergeant
08/15 Ann Brack, C/D Temp. Clerical Asst. II
08/16 Kip Kelso, P/W Cemetery Sexton
08/19 Deborah Conway, P/D Crossing Guard
08/21 Jan King, C/D Zoning Technician
08/21 Margie Poole, F/D Account Clerk III
08/23 Brian Grzesiak, P/W Maint. Worker I
08/28 Jackie Dean, P/D Communications Tech.
08/28 Gerry Kubes, C/D Administrative Secretary
08/29 Edward Brambrick, G/C Ranger
08/30 Dave Nisbet, P/W Parks Maint. Worker If
Lonaevity
Em lloovees with 10 or more Years of service:
08/17/83 Cliff Jamison, P/W R&D Maint. Worker III
08/02/85 Mike Whitney, P/W R&D Maint. Worker II
08/12/86 Ellie Horvath, P/W Garage Clerical II
Employees with 5-9 years of service:
08/24/89 Ruth Mills, G/C Cashier
08/31/89 Linda Galley, C/C Clerical II
08/16/90 Debbie Curry, P/D Clerical II
08/05/91 Doris Lee, H/R Human Resource Tech.
WANTED: Employees who have items to swap or
sell. Submit a brief "ad" to be put in the newsletter.
Please put your name and your HOME phone, along
with the article and asking price.
AMCELLANEOUS EMPLOYEE NEWS!
Bucky Gerber was in a car accident on Sunday,
August 21. He is in the Sebastian Medical Center
and did not sustain any major injuries The employees
are taking up a donation for him and should you wish
to contribute, your contact is listed below: Kathy
Brauer, Police Department; Kevin Schueberg, Public
Works; Doris Lee, City Hall and Golf Course.
Our sympathy goes out to Joel Hanford, Finance
Director, on the death of his step -mother.
Our condolences to Tim Smith and Family on the
recent death of his father-in-law.
Congratulations to Margie Poole on her recent
promotion. She was selected from a group of
qualified applicants and is now an Account Clerk III.
Kudos to Joel Haniford and Janet Isman of the
Finance Department. They have successfully met the
Board's Certification requirements as an expert
government financial manager, and have been granted
the designation of Certified Government Financial
Manager (CGFM).
Kudos to the Finance Department on setting a
speed record on processing the pay checks for July
12. Due to Hurricane Bertha, the checks were
delivered earlier than usual and direct deposits were
made in record time.
Rob Skok, Engineering Project Coordinator, was
on vacation and ended up in the hospital for 4 days.
It seems he had an allergic reaction to a wasp sting.
He called to say he was back in town on Thursday,
July 18, 1996.
Congratulations to Chuck Geisz. He was selected
as Employee of the Second Quarter. Chuck is a
Building Inspector II for the Community
Development Department and has been employed by
the City since November 20, 1992. He has taken it
upon himself to accept more responsibility in plans
examination and has offered his experience as a
teacher to his co-workers. He is really a team player!
A group of employees have completed the Fred
Pryor Seminar on McroSoft Office. This was a one -
day seminar and employees came back with ideas to
increase efficiency.
All C.W.A. employees who have a balance of
comp. hours earned must take the time off by
September 28th, or they will be paid for any unused
comp hours on the books as of that payperiod. Last
year there was a flurry of time -off requests for days in
September. Please contact your supervisor now to
schedule any time off before September 15.
Ken Schmitt is once again the C.W.A. Union
representative. If you have any questions or need to
contact him, his mail address is in care of Community
Development.
Neither rain, nor sleet, nor hot humid days have
stopped Captain George Shum... As of 08/25/86 he
has been a school crossing guard for 10 years.
City of Sebastian Employee Newsletter
Congratulations to Dave Puscher on his recent
marriage. Best Wishes to the happy couple.
Hey! Guess What! We have just received
information from Ruth Mills at the Golf Course that
The Seasonal Holiday Party scheduled for December
14, 1996 has a new menu. We will now be serving
Chicken Cordon Bleu, Roast Beef; Garden Salad
w/ house dressing, scalloped potatoes, medley of
vegetables w/cheese sauce, coffee, rolls and butter,
and a dessert table. More information next month.
On Friday, August 2, 1996, the City will sponsor a
blood drive at the Council Chamber parking lot from
noon to 4 p.m. Your department has a list of times to
choose from and will schedule an appointment should
you wish to donate blood. This is also open to family
members and friends, so spread the news. If this is a
success, we will try to arrange a regular schedule for
the mobile to park at a City facility.
We had a successful turn out for the CPR class.
Thanks to all the employees in supporting CPR.
Welcome Aboard!
Dennis "Randy" White is the new Chief of
Police. He will be starting on July 29, 1996. He has
been the Chief of Police in Madison Florida for 2
years and has over 20 years of experience as a law
enforcement administrator, most of which is with the
Jacksonville Sheriffs Office. He retired from there as
Director of Police Services.
William Baysura will be filling in for Darin
Chmura as the Temporary Apprentice Golf
Professional.
Alan Craig Spence -Thomas has been selected
as a laborer working for Public Works, Road &
Drainage Division. He will start on July 29, 1996.
The Summer Youth Program funded by the
Private Industry Council, which began July 1, 1996.
The City has 9 young adults learning on-the-job skills
at the following locations: Sam, Trimonty, and
Terrance are working at the Golf Course; Tunicia is
working in Community Development; Latoryia is
working in Finance; Josh is working in Parks',
Phaedra is working in Building Maintenance; and
LeShawn and Billy are working in the Police
Department.
Benefit News - If ya didn't know, ya do now!
The City is offering Direct Deposit to your
Checking or Savings Account. Human Resources has
the form for you to fill out if you would like to
participate in Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit is a
program in which your pay is automatically deposited
into your account which will make your payday
hassle free. Whether you are on vacation, sick, or
traveling out of town, your pay will automatically be
deposited and available for your use. This is a free
benefit to you.
Indian River National Bank (IRNB) is the City's
banking facility. Did you know that as a City of
Sebastian employee, you will receive free checking if
you have a checking account with them? If you
currently have an account with IRNB, but are
receiving charges, please stop in and show a
Customer Service Representative your Employee I.D.
card and they will set your account up for free
checking.
We received Discount Coupons for Anheuser -
Bush Theme Parks. The coupon is worth $5.00 off
admission to Sea World, Bush Gardens, and
Adventure Island. They are valid through June 30,
1997.
VSP- what does it stand for - Vision Service Plan.
All full-time City of Sebastian employees are eligible
to use this benefit. This benefit includes vision exam,
lenses, and frames, or contact lenses. To apply for a
"Request Postcard" form, please contact Human
Resources prior to making a doctor's appointment.
Fill in the form and mail it to VSP. VSP will send
back an up-to-date list of doctors in your area from
the plan to choose from and a personalized Benefit
Form valid for 60 days. Schedule your appointment
and bring your Benefit Form when you go to the
doctor. Youll pay your deductible(s) at that time, as
well as any additional expenses for cosmetic items
you have chosen. Frequency of benefits are: vision
exam every 12 months, lenses every 12 months only
if needed, and frames every 24 months only if needed.
If you have any questions, please contract Human
Resources at 388-8240.
"The easiest part of being a mother is giving birth.
The hardest part is showing up for it each day."
- Erma Bombeck
City of Sebastian Employee Newsletter
TOO DARN HOT!
HEAT CRAMPS SYMPTOMS: Painful muscle
cramping that affects legs or abdominal muscles;
heavy sweating. WHAT TO DO: Have victim sit
quietly in a cool place. Stretch cramping muscle. If
victim is not vomiting, give sips of clear juice or cool,
lightly salted water. Give victim 1/2 glass of liquid
every 15 minutes for one hour. Stop fluids if
vomiting occurs.
HEAT EXHAUSTION SYMPTOMS: Pale and
clammy skin; heavy sweating; weakness; dizziness;
headache; nausea; and possible muscle cramps,
vomiting, and fainting. WHAT TO DO: Have victim
lie down in a cool place. Raise feet 8" to 12".
Loosen clothing. If victim is not vomiting, offer
liquids (see above). Stop fluids if vomiting occurs.
Place cool, wet cloths on victim's forehead and body,
and use a fan. If symptoms are severe, or last longer
than 30 to 60 minutes, get prompt medical attention.
HEATSTROKE ("SUNSTROKE") SYMPTOMS:
Extremely high body temperature (105°F+); red, hot,
dry skin; sweat may be seen on some victims who
have been exercising; rapid, strong pulse; possible
unconsciousness or confusion. WHAT TO DO:
CALL 911. Undress victim and put him or her into a
tub of cold (not iced) water. Or, spray victim with a
hose, or sponge skin with cool water. Fan victim.
Do not over chill (stop above treatment when body
temp is lowered to 102° — or when mental status
improves). Dry victim off after body temperature is
lowered; do not give victim alcoholic or caffeinated
beverages (they interfere with temperature
regulation). ■
-Source: National Safety Council
Important Dates
4 08/02/96 Blood Drive - City Hall -Noon to 4 p.m.
$ 08/09/96 Friday, Pay Day
$ 08/23/96 Friday, Pay Day
Retirement
When your child gets their first job out of high
school or college, encourage them to start an IRA -
even though they think they can't afford it. If they
start an IRA at age 22 and contribute $2,000 a year
for 10 years, they will outpace those who start an
IRA at age 32 and contribute for the rest of their
careers.
-Source: Financial Literacy Center,
Kalamazoo, MI
"Personality, says the Rev. George Hall, is how the
world sees you; character is how you see the world."
GOLDEN NUGGET
In 1909 there was a mutual fund established in
England called the "Scottish Investment Trust." The
primary purpose of the fund was to invest in an
emerging market country called "The United States of
America".
"Even the darkest hour of your life is only 60 minutes
long."
-Unknown
25/25 diet
W A daily diet that derives no more than 25% of its
calories from fat, and one that contains at least 25
grams of fiber, may be the secret to preventing or
postponing heart disease.
- Source: Ernst L. Wynder, A�D, Division of
Epidemiology, American Health Foundation, NY
GREED vs. AMBITION
"Greed hopes for something for nothing. Greed
hopes for more than its share. Greed hopes for
something at the expense of others... Ambition says,
I only want something at the service of others, not at
the expense of others."'
- Tim Rohn, The Art of Exceptional Living.
City of Sebastian Employee Newsletter