Inside this issue ... Montgomery County exec County, Md. explains health challenges care reform in FDA ruling King County. on imported Wash. drugs. See See page 2. page 2. Vol. 37 No. 22 • November 28, 2005 “The wisdom to know and New York the courage to defend the NACo now county may accepting regulate public interest” applications for ‘hotspot’ 5 Star grants. security. National Association of Counties • Washington, D.C. www.naco.org • www.countynews.org See page 2. See page 4. Budget reconciliation bill squeaks by in House

BY JEFF ARNOLD The limits on long-term care eligibil- DEPUTY LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR ity for those with substantial home The House-passed budget recon- equity were increased from $500,000 ciliation bill would slice nearly $50 to $750,000. In Food Stamps, the billion from the defi cit by the end of House restored categorical eligibility the decade by curbing benefi t pro- for some TANF non-cash assistance grams such as Medicaid, food stamps recipients based on the poverty and student loan subsidies. Republi- level. cans said reining in such programs, However, the deep cuts in foster whose costs spiral upward each year care, child support enforcement ($4.9 automatically, is the fi rst step to re- billion) and the TANF reauthorization storing fi scal discipline. remained in the bill. Since these pro- Of interest to counties, Medicaid visions are not part of the Senate bill, nominal co-payments will remain the same for non-mandatory populations. ■ See BUDGET on page 5 Te lecom rewrite breaks faith with earlier version

BY JEFF ARNOLD The new draft “breaks faith with Photo by Dan Miller DEPUTY LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR those deal points” about county of- Cook County, Ill. Board President and NACo Past President John Stroger (l) chats with (l-r) Tom Joseph, National As- You can call it a “bait ’n switch.” fi cials’ willingness to negotiate a sociation of County Human Services Administrators consultant; Angelo Kyle, NACo immediate past president; and Eric The draft rewrite of the telecommuni- streamlined nationwide franchising Coleman, NACo fi rst vice president. Stroger received the Distinguished Service Award for County Elected Offi cials, as cations law of 1996 — BITS II — the process, said Montgomery County, did Bill Kennedy, president of the Montana Association of Counties and Yellowstone County, Mont. commissioner. subject of a hearing on Capitol Hill Md. Councilmember Marilyn Prais- Nov.9 —bore little resemblance to an ner in her testimony before U.S. earlier version — BITS I — which had House Subcommittee on Telecom- Katrina gives NACo fall been negotiated for months by a cadre munications and the Internet. of state and local government repre- “This is an inappropriate federal sentatives, bi-partisan Hill staffers and and private industry intrusion into our conference new perspective telecommunications industry reps. streets and sidewalks,” she added. BITS II is at odds with NACo’s Local governments’ “deal points” BY DAN MILLER Speakers a poverty of relationships. Children policy on video franchising and could in any new telecommunications law STAFF WRITER Dr. Bruce Perry kicked off the today, he said, have fewer emotional, potentially create havoc with local include: The wrath of Hurricane Katrina not Opening General Session with his social and cognitive interactions, governments’ ability to appropriately only provided a new venue for NACo’s speech covering the neurological im- resulting in a poverty of social and manage the local rights-of-way. ■ See TELECOM on page 2 2005 Health, Human Services and portance of relationships and social emotional opportunities. Workforce Development conference, interactions for infants and young According to Perry, a lack of but it also provided a new perspective. children. Perry, a senior fellow at social interaction reduces youth’s Quik Takes Moved from New Orleans to the City the ChildTrauma Academy, claimed capacity for future social learning, and County of San Francisco, the that the number of high-risk kids is and when the social fabric frays it increases the rates of violence and CCountiesounties withwith HighestHighest conference included a spotlight ses- increasing with each generation. sion by Harris County, Texas Judge “We live in a child-illiterate suicide. PPeerccentent ChangeChange Robert Eckels on the health and human society,” he said. “We have lost For the county offi cials in atten- Collier County, Fla. 10.7 % iinn WeeklyWeekly WageWage services implications of Katrina relief. our effi cient mechanisms for trans- dance, Perry stressed that getting kids ((1st1st QuarterQuarter 2005)2005) Cumberland County, Va. 9.3 % Hudson County, N.J. 9.0 % In addition to learning about Katrina’s generational passage of child-rearing out of a bad situation as young as Henrico County, Va. 8.4 % repercussions, conference participants beliefs and practices.” possible was vital. In fact, spending Rock Island County, Ill. 7.7 % learned about the health, human ser- Perry lamented the lack of quality more money to help young children vices and workforce spheres through relationships and increase in mate- Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics speakers and workshops. rialism in today’s youth, calling it ■ See CONFERENCE on page 5 2 County News, November 28, 2005 King County reforms health care Wetland restoration

BY DAN MILLER claims, saving grants now available STAFF WRITER money for both Facing the prospect of his county’s the county and BY ERIK JOHNSTON • local or tribal governments annual health care costs doubling to the consumer. COMMUNITY SERVICES ASSISTANT (e.g., boards of county commission- $300 million by 2012, King County To address the NACo and the Five Star Res- ers, departments of planning, envi- Executive Ron Sims recognized that supply side of toration Challenge Grant Program ronment or parks and recreation) cutting benefi ts and shifting costs to health care, Sims project partners are currently ac- • universities and local coopera- workers would not fi x the problem. joined with health cepting applications for the 2006 tive extension districts Using the guiding principle that care providers, grants. The Five Star Program pro- • schools or youth organizations normal market forces do not operate business leaders, vides modest fi nancial assistance (e.g., state or local youth conserva- in health care, Sims launched the King economists and on a competitive basis to support tion corps, county job training pro- County Health Reform Initiative, others to create community-based wetland, ripar- grams) which he discussed with workshop the Puget Sound ian and coastal habitat restoration • local businesses or corpora- participants at NACo’s Health, Hu- Health Alliance. projects that build diverse part- tions man Services and Workforce Devel- The alliance is a nerships and foster local natural • conservation organizations or opment conference. The goal of the collaborative ef- resource stewardship through local citizens groups reform to reduce waste, curb costs fort involving the education, outreach and training • state and federal resource man- and improve health outcomes. region’s employ- activities. Project sites can be pub- agement agencies, and The initiative is two-pronged, Photo by Dan Miller ers, providers, lic lands, such as parks, streams and • foundations or other funders. with the Healthy Incentives program King County, Wash. Executive Ron Sims describes his health plans and school campuses, or private lands, Begun in 1997, the Five Star Res- addressing the demand side of the county’s efforts to curb rising health care costs. patients to change such as corporate facilities. toration Challenge Grant Program is issue and the newly-created Puget the current market In 2005, 53 projects, out of a partnership between NACo, the Sound Health Alliance addressing expenses by taking steps to better conditions by decreasing system approximately 220 submitted, re- National Fish and Wildlife Founda- the supply side. their own health. Participants who fragmentation and fostering higher ceived grants averaging $10,000. tion, the Wildlife Habitat Council The Healthy Incentives program complete a wellness assessment will performance. Examples of entities that received and made possible with support from is at the core of the reform initia- receive a lowering of their monthly The Alliance aims to measure, funding and assistance through the the U.S. Environmental Protection tive. The program gives incentives expenses while employees who com- report, reward and improve health Five Star Program include: county Agency. The deadline for applica- for employees and their spouses or plete the assessment and follow their care in the region by creating and city governments, nonprofi ts, tions is March 10, 2006. domestic partners to take ownership individual action plans will receive a regional data and reporting local cooperative extension dis- of their own health. the greatest discount. system using uniform performance tricts, schools and school districts For more information on the Participants in the voluntary pro- The county hopes that healthier measures of quality, rewarding high- and local environmental groups. Five Star Restoration Challenge gram can reduce their out-of-pocket lifestyles will lessen catastrophic performing health care professionals, The stars in “Five Star” repre- Grant Program, how to apply, and among other strategies. sent the diverse group of partners, examples of past Five Star projects, Participating organizations in- funders and participants who offer visit www.naco.org/techassistance clude King County, Starbucks Cof- the cash and in-kind services nec- and click on “water quality,” or fee Company, Boeing, Aetna and the essary to complete the restoration contact Erik Johnston at 202/942- Md. County to appeal FDA State of Washington. project including: 4246 or [email protected]. ruling on Canadian drugs

BY ALLISON MALL The county has been fi ghting the Praisner testifi es on behalf of NACo, others EDITORIAL ASSISTANT rising cost of prescription drugs for Montgomery County, Md.’s years — in 2003 the County Council ■ TELECOM from page 1 discriminate among service provid- principles of net neutrality,” said continuing battle with the FDA has passed resolutions to explore allow- ers nor limit the consumer’s access Paul Mitchell, general manager of escalated now that the FDA recently ing county employees to purchase • Universal service, E-911, local to those services. Microsoft TV. denied the county’s formal request cheaper prescription drugs from emergency alerts and the nation’s Michael Willner, chief executive House Energy and Commerce for a waiver to import prescription Canada, and in December 2004, homeland security in an IP era must offi cer of Insight Cable, represent- Chairman Joe Barton, (R-Texas), drugs from Canada. Montgomery County implemented be preserved. ing the National Cable and Telecom- said the proposed changes on net- County Executive Douglas M. Montgomery Rx in a joint effort with • State and local governments’ munications Association, blasted work neutrality were occasioned by Duncan announced that he will ap- NACo to reduce the cost of prescrip- property rights and authority for the nationwide franchise concept concerns of content providers such peal the FDA’s ruling. This decision tion drugs for citizens.The card is free managing the nation’s rights-of- contained in BITS II, which would as Hollywood-based fi rms. “If we is the latest in the county’s fi ght to and available to all county residents way must be kept whole. Private, replace the current system of local didn’t make some sort of a change, save residents and county employees and more than 280,000 cards have for-profi t, and quasi-permanent oc- franchises under which the cable TV the content providers would be sus- money on prescription drugs by im- been distributed so far, saving resi- cupancy of the most valuable real sector operates. ceptible to Internet viruses, and the porting them from Canada, which the dents more than $1 million. But, the estate held by government must be “I am concerned that Congress content providers wouldn’t provide county cannot do without a waiver county believes residents would be fairly compensated — both through is becoming dangerously close to us with content,” Barton said. from the FDA. able to save even more money if they social obligations to the community wearing black-and-white striped The Chairman of the Subcommit- Duncan made the formal request were permitted to import prescription served and in rental fees. shirts ... as referees of this game of tee, Fred Upton (R-Mich.) said the for importation of prescription drugs drugs from Canada. • Local governments must have competition between the Bells and committee was anxious to move the from Canada on Oct. 10, and asked David Weaver, a spokesman for the right to provide broadband trans- cable companies,” he declared. legislation quickly, but made clear Maryland’s Attorney General to as- Duncan, said there is a provision un- port and communications services to Not unsurprisingly, top offi cials that any action would come after sist in making sure the request was der the Medicare Prescription Drug themselves and to their constituents from Alcatel North America, SBC Thanksgiving at the earliest. not dismissed outright. Improvement and Modernization to further important community in- Communications and Verizon Wire- Praisner, who chairs NACo’s In a press release, Duncan said Act (MMA) which would allow terests. less praised the new draft, which Telecommunications and Technol- he “[was] disappointed, but not sur- the FDA to grant a waiver, and as • The local telephone company would favor Bell fi rms such as SBC ogy Steering Committee, testifi ed prised, that the Bush Administration a result Duncan is planning to fi le franchise should be comparable to and Verizon more than the previ- on behalf of NACo, the National would deny hard-working people ac- an appeal. the terms and conditions applied to ous draft released in September. League of Cities, the U.S. Conference cess to cheaper prescription medica- The FDA maintains its position their cable competitors. A witness from Microsoft focused of Mayors, the National Association tions. It is fundamentally unfair that that importing drugs from Canada is • Consumers need choice of his criticism on network neutrality. of Telecommunications Offi cers and people living in Canada pay a fraction illegal because of the agencies’ lack broadband providers with guaran- Entities that provide subscribers Advisors, and TelecommUnity , a lo- of what Americans pay for the same of control over the safety and quality teed network neutrality. The owner with information derived from the cal government telecom advocacy prescription medications.” of the drugs. of the broadband pipe should never Internet “should adhere to the core group. County News, November 28, 2005 3 NACo Board member William Sturtevant dies Nov. 7 William Sturtevant, 58, a mem- of Need Board, and vice-chair of meetings, where he served for and whim. I wouldn’t have survived ber of NACo’s Board of Directors New Hampshire Public Television’s many years, this December and in that trip without him! He truly was a since 2000 and the Health Steering Board of Directors. future years.” pleasure to work with and he will be Committee since 1996, died Nov. 7 “Bill Sturtevant was a friend of Jennifer Wilson, associate legis- sorely missed by me as well as the in Boston. He had been the Rocking- mine and a friend of NACo’s who lative director and the NACo staff Health Steering Committee.” ham County, Mass. Nursing Home will be sorely missed by all who knew liaison for the Health Steering Com- The eldest of four children, Stur- Administrator since 1979. him in his county, in his state and mittee, said, “Bill Sturtevant was tevant leaves behind one brother, Sturtevant was born Dec. 21, throughout the country,” said NACo wonderful to work with and very Daniel Sturtevant of Epping; two 1946, in Haverhill, Mass., son Executive Director Larry Naake. supportive as I struggled through my sisters, Anne Greaney of Groveland, of the late Harold F. and Arleen President-elect Colleen Land- early days as a NACo employee. He Mass., and Lisa Soiett of Strafford; M. (Murphy) Sturtevant. He was kamer, NACo staff members Tom was very committed to his work and six nieces and nephews; and two raised in Groveland, Mass., and was Goodman and Kaye Braaten, and a strong voice on my committee and grandnieces and grandnephews. a 1963 graduate of Pentucket High Naake happened to be in New Hamp- in my leadership on behalf of long In lieu of fl owers, memorial School in West Newbury, Mass. He shire and meeting in the Rocking- term care issues. donations may be made to the Wil- served in the U.S. Air Force during ham County Nursing Home that Bill “My fi rst state association meeting liam F. Sturtevant Memorial Fund, the Vietnam War, and in 1973, he William Sturtevant was the administrator of the day after happened to be in New Hampshire c/o Rockingham County Nursing graduated from the University of he passed away, Naake added. early in my NACo days, and Bill took Home, 117 North Road, Brent- Massachusetts-Boston before join- of New Hampshire Association of “I can tell you that he was re- care of me, jumping at my every need wood 03833. ing Rockingham County Nursing Counties. spected and loved by the staff in Home. He also served as president of the the nursing home, his colleagues in Sturtevant was active on many New Hampshire Nursing Home Ad- Rockingham County, and county of- boards. In addition to serving on ministrators, chairman of the board fi cials throughout his state. NACo’s Board of Directors and of New Hampshire Nursing Home “We at NACo will particularly Federal court weighs Health Steering Committee, he Administrators Board of Examin- miss this kind, gentle and dedicated was on the executive committee ers, New Hampshire Certifi cate man at our Board of Directors in on VoIP, E-911 BY JEFF ARNOLD VoIP providers were not required to DEPUTY LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR interconnect with public safety call A federal appeals court ruled centers — the FCC, in May 2005, Nov. 15 that voice over Internet adopted rules that respond to the protocol (VoIP) telephone compa- threat that such misunderstandings nies must comply with a May 2005 pose to public safety. BY BILL HANSELL his leadership, FCC order barring new phone ser- The FCC adopted rules requir- NACO PRESIDENT NACo is an effec- vice unless the fi rms also can offer ing providers of interconnected VoIP The Thanksgiving season is tive and strong or- best way I have to describe those technology to pinpoint the locations services to supply 911 emergency one of my favorites. I think it may ganization in our of you I have met. of callers who dial 911. calling capabilities to their custom- be a holiday somewhat unique to nation’s capital. I am thankful for what we NACo, along with a unifi ed pub- ers as a mandatory feature of the our country, where we set aside a When you are are able to accomplish working lic safety community, supported the service by Nov. 28. day to be thankful. When we stop in Washington together. Even in the few months FCC’s order to require VoIP provid- “Interconnected” VoIP services to think about it, I think most of us Bill Hansell D.C., please stop I have served as president, we have ers to link to public safety “answer- are VoIP services that allow a user can come up with a sizable list of NACo President by and visit your accomplished several things to- ing points” (PSAPs). generally to receive calls from and things for which to be thankful. I headquarters. gether. The U.S. Circuit Court of Ap- make calls to the traditional tele- know I can, especially within the I am thankful for the state as- Our legislative agenda con- peals for the District of Columbia phone network. NACo family. sociations and their staff. One of tinues to move forward; we are rejected an effort by Nuvio, an Under the FCC rules, intercon- I am thankful for the great my priorities as a NACo offi cer has working on the Katrina relief on Overland Park, Kan. based Internet nected VoIP providers must: group of individuals who been to visit state association conven- several fronts including raising phone company, to halt enforcement • deliver all 911 calls to the local make up the NACo Executive tions. As I write this, I have been to tens of thousands of dollars; the of the FCC’s emergency dialing re- emergency call center Committee. We come from dif- an even dozen since taking offi ce in meth initiative continues to have quirement. • deliver the customer’s call ferent parts of the country, with Hawaii. Including my previous years, a major impact; we have a place The appeal court’s decision was back number and location informa- different backgrounds and experi- I have been privileged to speak at 28 at the table in the congressional made on procedural grounds. Nuvio tion where the emergency call center ences. But one thing we certainly state association meetings, with four deliberations on issues important had challenged the FCC’s original is capable of receiving it and have in common is serving the best more on the docket before the end to counties; and our membership order. They argued that the company • inform their customers of the interests of the nation’s counties. of 2005. There is not a dud among continues to climb, having already would suffer the “irreparable dam- capabilities and limitations of their Colleen, Eric, Don and Angelo are the group! met the goal for this year. age,” and that required the court to VoIP 911 service. wonderful people, and I am very It has been wonderful to see Lastly, I am thankful for stop government action. NACo supports the FCC May thankful to be able to serve with both the unique and different as- the honor you have given me Although the Senate Commerce order. this tremendously talented group pects of each. They are all strong, to serve you this year as NACo Committee earlier this month unani- The FCC announced on Sept. 27 of individuals. with dedicated staff, serving county president. It is a position I take mously passed a bill, S. 1063, that that it would not require Internet I am thankful for the NACo governments in their states. A huge very seriously, and it is my addresses whether VoIP providers telephone companies to discon- staff. Most of you will never get reason NACo is strong on the national desire that in all I do, I might must support E-911, the measure nect customers who have failed to know all of these hard-working level is the strength of the state as- make a contribution to help you does not appear to be on a fast to acknowledge limitations in the people. It is a pleasure for me when sociations. in your service to the citizens of track in the House. The legislation emergency 911 dialing capabilities I have the opportunity to spend I am thankful for the many your county. I want to help you would waive the E-911 requirement of Internet telephony. some time at our headquarters on elected offi cials I have had to op- make a difference in the lives of on VoIP providers for up to four Demonstrating fl exibility after 440 First Street, to spend time with portunity to meet. What a privilege the people you serve. Working years. The appeals court’s refusal imposing a hard-line requirement our staff. The support they provide it has been to spend time with so together, I think we are doing to intervene could pressure Congress that providers of VoIP obtain replies for all of us is exceptional. Larry many folks from all over this great just that, and for this I am very to act sooner rather than later. from all customers by Sept. 28, the Naake, our executive director, land. Wherever I have gone, I have thankful. After two well-publicized inci- FCC said no customer cut-offs will is very capable, and desirous to always met high-quality individuals dents where people tried to call 911 be required of companies with 90 continue to make NACo the strong who are serving their constituents in Have a wonderful on their VoIP phones to get emer- percent compliance. They did leave and solid organization it is. Under their counties. “Public servant” is the Holiday Season. gency help — only to fi nd that the in place the Nov. 28 full compliance calls could not go through because requirement. 4 County News, November 28, 2005 Westchester County, N.Y. plans PRO FILES security for Internet hotspots BY DAN MILLER prevent unauthorized access to pri- Some networks made themselves In Service... STAFF WRITER vate information. In addition, the easy targets by failing to change the As the number of wireless Internet business must conspicuously post network’s default name to something “hotspots” continues to swell, West- a sign warning users of the dangers unique. chester County, N.Y. is taking action of Wi-Fi use. “Protecting your computer in- Jack to make sure that business owners and “Wi-Fi is a wonderful technology, volves little to no cost,” said Nor- consumers protect themselves from ex- no one is trying to prohibit it,” said man Jacknis, Westchester County’s Hernandez posing their personal information. Andrew Newman, Spano’s senior chief information offi cer. “Setting County Executive Andy Spano has assistant. “The idea here is to do up a Wi-Fi network with basic se- proposed a new law, purported to be it at the front end – by putting in curity takes just a few minutes and NACo Senior Graphic Designer the fi rst of its kind in county govern- some minimum security safeguards there are available free or low-cost ment, to protect the public from crimes you can thwart potential hackers. personal fi rewalls to stop intruders such as identity theft. This is not a silver bullet, but we from gaining access to your personal “People don’t realize how easily think if businesses do this you could computer.” Number of years working in NACo: 4 and a half years their personal information can be sto- prevent people from accessing your As part of the legislation, the Occupation: Senior Graphic Designer len,” Spano said. “All it takes is one systems.” county plans to provide ongoing In an effort to demonstrate how public education, outlining steps Education: Some formal education, lots of experience and a bit of unsecured wireless network. Your luck credit card number, social security easily personal information can fall residents should take to protect number, bank account information into the wrong hands, a team from themselves. Three people (living or dead) I’d invite to dinner: Neil Gaiman, Jon – it’s all vulnerable if a business that the county’s Information Technology “It is very much a local issue,” Stewart and Howard Dean. collects that information hasn’t taken Department performed a survey of Newman said. “We anticipate that A dream I have is to: Return to Europe or Japan to live and open an the proper steps to protect it.” vulnerable networks around down- more and more governments are artsy café / dessert bar. The proposed legislation would town White Plains. The team found going to take notice of this.” You’d be surprised to learn that I: Was a religious program specialist require commercial businesses pro- 248 wireless hot spots within a half After fi ne-tuning the legislation, in the Navy (if you knew me, you’d be very surprised) and bartended viding public wireless Internet (or hour. Of that number, nearly half Newman hopes to bring the legisla- and managed nightclub security in Japan for several years. Wi-Fi) access to install a fi rewall to lacked any visible security. tion to the table early next year. The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done is: It sounds lame ... leaving everything behind in Japan to follow my wife to the last place on earth I expected to end up in: Maryland. All the crazy stuff I did when I was younger seems trivial when I consider the risk I took. Water quality linked to land use My favorite way to relax is: Killing bad guys on my computer, sketching or cooking. BY ABIGAIL FRIEDMAN information system (GIS) tools and as the primary reason water resources I’m most proud of: My wife. I know it sounds cliché, but through PROGRAM DIRECTOR models to understand how different were addressed in land use plans. a harrowing divorce and coping with a system that doesn’t do much To better serve county offi cials’ land use decisions may maintain, Federal regulations, citizen con- to help single mothers (much less foreigners), she pulled through improve or negatively impact water cern and fl ooding issues were also — working full-time, fi nishing her degree and fi nding a job that technical assistance needs in the quality. reasons that ranked high. More than respected her for her abilities and did not profi le her by her accent. areas of water quality protection You gotta respect that. and land use planning and manage- Eighty-six percent of the respon- half of the respondents said their ment, NACo conducted an informal dents have county land-use plans in counties used zoning to address wa- Every morning I read: My e-mail and online news from CNN and survey of members or the Environ- place. Floodplain management and ter resources issues, and fl oodplain the BBC. ment, Energy and Land Use Steering septic system management were the and subdivision codes and ordinances My favorite meal is:Unagi-don (grilled sweet eel on rice), calamari Committee, the National Association primary water resource issues ad- were used by more than 75 percent. fritas or any Spanish tapas and mojitos! of County Planners, past Five Star dressed in land use plans, followed There were a wide range of rea- My pet peeve is: Hypocrisy, ignorance and self righteousness Grant recipients and others. Even by wetlands protection, watershed sons why respondents said it was — people who live their lives without ever desiring to experience though the survey results are not management and stormwater man- the world beyond their backyard but think they know what the world statistically signifi cant, the infor- agement. State regulations were cited ■ See WATER on page 5 needs. mation does provide a snapshot of My motto is: “Practice what you preach.” perspectives on the issues. The last book I read was: I’m working on Imajica by Clive Barker Out of 245 surveys e-mailed, and Guns, Germs and Steel, by Jared Diamond. It’s really weird 44 people responded, for a rate of switching from book to book. 18 percent. Nearly all respondents “The wisdom to know and the courage to defend the public interest” My favorite movie is: Bladerunner, directed by Ridley Scott. were elected or appointed offi cials with about the same number of President: Bill Hansell • Publisher: Larry Naake My favorite music is: Industrial, trance, goth and ’80s new-wave. Public Affairs Director: Tom Goodman • Executive Editor: Beverly Anne Schlotterbeck county elected offi cials (16) and Staff Writer: Dan Miller My favorite president is: Bill Clinton or David Hasselhoff. county planners (14). Slightly more Graphic Artist: Jack Hernandez • Editorial Assistant: Allison Mall than half of all of the respondents Advertising Staff: Allison Mall: Job Market/Classifi eds representative were from counties with populations Beverly Schlotterbeck: national accounts representative County News invites under 150,000 that are growing at a rate of one percent to fi ve percent (202) 393-6226 • FAX (202) 393-2630 Letters to the per year. Of the 31 respondents who Published biweekly except August by: National Association of Counties Research Foundation, Inc. 440 First Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001 identifi ed their counties, the most (202) 393-6226 • FAX (202) 393-2630 were from the West (13) and the E-mail: [email protected] • Online address: www.countynews.org Editor fewest were from the Southwest (2) The appearance of paid advertisements in Coun ty News in no way implies support or endorse ment by the National As- If you have a com pli ment, with close to equal representation so ci a tion of Counties for any of the products, services or messages advertised. Pe ri od i cals post age paid at Wash ing ton complaint or differ ent point of from the Midwest, Southeast and D.C. and other offi ces. Mail subscriptions are $100 per year for non-mem bers. $60 per year for non-members pur chas ing mul ti ple cop ies. view, let us know. East coast regions. Ed u ca tion al in sti tu tion rate, $50 per year. Member county sup ple men tal sub scrip tions are $20 each. Send pay ment with Please in clude a phone num ber with your letter. Mail, fax or Most of the respondents (84 per- order and address chang es to NACo, 440 First St. N.W., Wash ing ton, D.C. 20001. cent) stated that land use decisions POSTMASTER: send address changes to Coun ty News, 440 First St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001 e-mail to: County News, NACo, 440 First St., N.W., Washing ton, DC (USPS 704-620) • (ISSN: 0744-9798) 20001-2080; (202) 393-2630; [email protected]. are linked to water resources protec- © National Association of Counties Research Foundation, Inc. tion, and 70 percent use geographic County News, November 28, 2005 5 Speakers address childhood development, Katrina relief efforts

■ CONFERENCE from page 1 creating the community that is vital He also mentioned that the trauma to neurological development. experienced by Hurricane Katrina would be cost-effective if it helped “People, not programs, change victims would have a multi-genera- prevent future problems. people,” Perry said. “Our job is to tional effect. Perry said any program that fi gure out how to create opportu- Later that day, Harris County decreases physical, social and emo- nities that express the best in our Judge Robert Eckels spoke at a spot- tional isolation would be effective in species.” light session on his county’s response to Hurricane Katrina. Working under the slogan of “Leadership is doing what is right,” Eckels helped coor- Diverse laws make water dinate a multiple-agency response to the disaster. quality diffi cult issue to address “I’m big on coordinating, not re- inventing the wheel,” he said about ■ WATER from page 4 These responses refl ect the diver- his efforts. sity of county authorities, state laws In its response, the county diffi cult to address water resource and geography across the country. opened up Reliant Park (renamed issues in their land use plan, and Meanwhile, concerns about Reliant City for the purposes of Photos by Dan Miller those reasons listed below were unplanned or unmanaged growth sheltering evacuees) and provided Bill Perry (l), senior fellow at the ChildTrauma Academy, spoke at the confer- cited more than once: were raised by just over half of the approximately 25,000 beds as well ence’s opening general session. Perry spoke about the importance of relationships • The municipalities within the respondents, who said both elected as blankets and other supplies. Com- and social interactions for young children. Laura Birkmeyer (r), director of county control land use. county offi cials and citizens were plete with its own zip code, the site the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children, led a workshop on how • Citizens do not want any very concerned. Similarly, both to organize collaborative teams to come to the aid of children who have been regulations. elected county offi cials (48 percent) ■ See CONFERENCE on page 7 endangered by drug use around them. • Issues covered by state and fed- and citizens (44 percent) perceived eral laws and regulations or natural the term “smart growth” somewhat resource districts cover all of the positively in terms of land use. issues. When asked “How often do you • Water quantity is more of an use the term ‘smart growth’ when dis- issue than water quality. cussing land use issues?” the highest • Water quality is not an issue; ranked response was “rarely” at 34 and percent followed closely by “at least • The comprehensive plan is out once a week,” with 30 percent, and of date. “once or twice a month,” with 23 percent. The lowest ranked response was a tie between “every day” and County Input “never,” at 7 percent. For more information about the Needed! survey results, please contact Abi- Please share your county’s gail Friedman at 202/942-4225 or experiences, needs, success [email protected]. To learn about stories and lessons learned on NACo’s water resources and land tools and techniques, (such as use programs, visit www.naco.org/ GIS) to link land use and water techassistance. resources issues. Contact Abi- (Erik Johnston, community ser- gail Friedman at 202/942-4225 vices assistant, compiled the survey or [email protected]. data cited in this article.)

House leaders face Senate negotiations ■ BUDGET from page 1 drawn out talks with the Senate, which passed a much more modest deliberations in the conference com- plan earlier this month. Negotiators mittee will be diffi cult. Some other face diffi cult negotiations over arctic cuts in the bill include $796 million drilling, Medicaid and student loans, from food stamp programs and $14.3 among other issues. billion from student loans. It is too early to know whether Leadership was forced to make the two houses can work out their concessions in the Medicaid and differences before they adjourn in Food Stamps cuts to secure moder- December. The budget reconcilia- ate Republican votes. The budget tion bill is not mandatory, but the plan squeaked through early in the Congress felt it was necessary to morning Nov. 18 after a week-long meet the rising costs of Katrina and search by Speaker Dennis Hastert the confl ict in Iraq. (R-Ill.) and Acting Majority Leader The victory on the defi cit-control Roy Blunt, (R-Mo.) for votes from bill came hours after an embarrass- reluctant moderates uneasy with ing and rare defeat on a $602 billion the bill. spending bill for education, health care House leaders now face possibly and job training programs this year. 6 County News, November 28, 2005 County News, November 28, 2005 7 Conference workshops focus on drug-endangered children, youth leadership

■ CONFERENCE from page 5 warming, health care and land use. “Counties must be next,” Sims Sims said that while the issues may said. “We can’t avoid this challenge also provided numerous medical seem unrelated, they all serve as parts and we must step up to the plate. I en- services. of a larger puzzle. courage all of you to consider Kyoto- According to Eckels, the county’s According to Sims, better land- level emissions for your counties.” Citizen Corps volunteers were critical use planning will give way to better to providing an adequate response. transportation options, such as adding Workshops Eckels also said that management bike lanes. Drug endangered children (DEC) style was important to addressing Better transportation options give are those who have suffered physical large-scale disasters. Top-down way to several health benefi ts. For or psychological harm resulting from management is not appropriate, he instance, if citizens are able to walk exposure to illegal drugs, to people said. A localized bottom-up style will or ride bikes, this will lead to better under the infl uence of drugs or to the help address needs on the site. health. Additionally, walkability will dangerous chemical environments Additionally, he said that since di- allow for a better sense of community created by drug production. Laura sasters take many forms, the proper in neighborhoods and less time in the Birkmeyer, director of the National response infrastructure must be in car will mean that parents can spend Alliance for Drug Endangered Chil- place before it takes place. Leaders more time with their families. dren, spoke to workshop participants should have an end-game strategy Sims also discussed Seattle Mayor about strategies for accommodating Photos by Dan Miller from the beginning. Greg Nickels’ call for the nation’s the children’s needs. NACo President Bill Hansell (center) speaks with Dona Ana County Commis- King County Executive Ron Sims cities to voluntarily bring their emis- Birkmeyer said the fi rst step to sioner D. Kent Evans (right) and his wife Anna Mae Evans (left) following the addressed conference attendees on at sions to the levels established by the assisting DEC is to recognize them conference’s awards luncheon. a breakfast general session on Satur- Kyoto Protocol. Sims urged counties as crime victims. After that, multi- day, discussing the issues of global to follow suit. agency cooperation is needed to response to the narcotics scene, a risk teach how to maintain healthy rela- properly care for them. DEC teams assessment by a social worker and tionships and encourage youth par- should include law enforcement, a medical evaluation and placement ticipation. By demonstrating a variety county attorneys and prosecutors, of the child. of interactive games with the par- Award Winners child protective services, medical Conference attendees attend- ticipants, workshop leaders showed Workforce Development Award for Excellence and mental health services, building ing the “Preparing Our Youth For how the model developed academic, Anne Arundel County, Md. – and fi re code enforcement, court the Future” workshop experienced creative and social skills. Anne Arundel People Acquiring Skills for Success (PASS) systems and court-appointed special an interactive session conducted, advocates. in part, by youth volunteers from Awards Distinguished Service Award for County Elected Offi cials These teams must work together to Sacramento County. The workshop Several individuals and coun- • John H. Stroger, Jr. – Cook County, Ill. form an alliance for each community presented a model for youth develop- ties walked away from the confer- • Bill Kennedy – Yellowstone County, Mont. and standardize practices for every ment designed to mold young people ence with awards (see sidebar for child rescued from a drug environ- into economically self-suffi cient con- a full list). Two individuals won Joe Cooney Award: ment. Birkmeyer stressed that all tributors to the community who can the Distinguished Service Award Excellence in Workforce Development drug environments posed risks for maintain healthy familial and social for County Elected Offi cials. John Kevin Bulifant – Washtenaw County, Mich. children. relationships. Stroger, president of the Cook County “All drugs can endanger chil- While Sacramento established Board of Commissioners and former Directors Award for Individual Achievement in a County dren, it’s not only meth,” Birkmeyer a free camp based on the model, NACo president, and Bill Kennedy, Dannetta Graves – Montgomery County, Ohio said. Marilyn McGinnis, program manager Yellowstone County commissioner Debra Zanders-Willis, assis- for the Oakwood Park Neighborhood and president of the Montana As- Innovation in Human Services Award tant deputy director of San Diego Multiservice Center, said that it could sociation of Counties, won awards • Biotechnology Workforce Network – San Mateo County, Calif. County Child Welfare Services, be applied to a variety of settings and for their exemplary performance • Retention, Expansion, Attraction Program (REAP) for Regional joined Birkmeyer by presenting San situations. in the promotion and continuous Employers – Montgomery County, Ohio Diego’s model for DEC. The model, The model aims to instill feelings improvement of county workforce established in 2003, involves a joint of emotional and physical safety, development programs.

Cook County, Ill. Board President John Stroger (second from left) and Yellowstone County, Mont. Commissioner Bill Kennedy (third from left) won the Distinguished Service Award for County Dannetta Graves, director of job and family services for Montgomery County, Ohio, won the NACHSA Elected Offi cials. Pictured are: NACo President Bill Hansell, Stroger, Kennedy and Orrin Bailey, Directors Award for Individual Achievement in a County. Pictured are: NASCHA President Robert chief executive offi cer, Six County Employment Alliance. Suver, NACo President-elect Colleen Landkamer, Graves and NACo President Bill Hansell. 8 County News, November 28, 2005

NEEWSWS FRROMOM TTHEHE NAATIONTION'S COOUNTIESUNTIES

unreasonably low and put unneces- will be fully operational as a 70-bed not come up with a good enough The Department of Human sary restrictions on fi xtures. hospital by the end of November. plan. Services and Family Services Net- Assistant County Attorney Eliza- Hurricane Katrina leveled Chal- work, led by Commissioner Loren beth Blair told Tampa Bay Online mette Medical Center, a 200-bed hos- MICHIGAN Tusa, took second place by raising that the amended regulations would pital and parish offi cials are skeptical KEWEENAW COUNTY of- $6,666. Altogether the Jackson require the dealerships have timers as to whether it will reopen. fi cials plan to create an educational County employees raised $29,713 ARIZONA installed on the light poles so they area at the site of a bat closure in for Jackson County, Miss. • GRAHAM COUNTY is vy- can be turned off by 9 p.m. MARYLAND Seneca Mine Number Three. The winning team captured ing for the attention of the state of In a decision closely watched The closure lets bats enter the mine two extra days of paid leave for its Arizona. • PALM BEACH COUNTY by disability groups and educators to hibernate but prevents people from members. A coalition of county offi cials Commissioner Burt Aaronson is urg- across the country, the U.S. Supreme getting in, according to the Associated “It wasn’t about the time off,” traveled to Phoenix to make a pre- ing his colleagues to push the state Court ruled that the MONTGOM- Press. While the structure is hard to said Jan Fransen, Jackson County sentation to the Arizona Offi ce of of Florida and the Florida Power and ERY COUNTY school system did miss, there is no obvious reason for coordinator, in a report in The Tourism. The trip, which has been Light Co. to bury power lines, despite not need to prove the adequacy of its existence to passers-by. Jackson County Pilot. “It was in the works for more than a year, high cost estimates. its instructional plans for special The educational area would ex- more about helping those people in aimed to make the state more aware Aaronson supports burying the education students. Rather, the plain the closure in addition to the Jackson County, Miss. I was really of what the county has to offer and to lines due to two straight years of court said, the burden of proof falls area’s mining history. The county overwhelmed by the teamwork and let it know that state tourism dollars power outages and the prospect of on the parents to prove that an in- has requested that Louisiana-Pacifi c camaraderie shown in this event. I have been spent wisely. more hurricane damage, according structional plan does not meet the donate fi ve areas around the site for thought we would raise $5,000 but Part of the presentation, accord- to the Sun Sentinel. Last year, Aar- needs of their child. the construction of an access road, we blew that away.” ing to the Eastern Arizona Courier, onson said, the cost was estimated Parents who were displeased with educational kiosk and picnic area. included a section showing off how at $52 billion. the school system’s education plan NEW JERSEY tourists in Graham County could Furthermore, Aaronson predicted for their son brought the case. They MINNESOTA The SOMERSET COUNTY, embrace the statewide theme of that the county’s economy would removed their child from the public There were no roadblocks in the N.J. Board of Freeholders will give up “Seize the Day.” suffer if the lines weren’t buried school system and enrolled him in way for the JACKSON COUNTY to fi ve county employees permission “We took that concept and showed because people would move away a private school. They were seek- Highway Department in raising to take a two-week paid leave of ab- the [department] how tourists can or not migrate to the area. ing reimbursement of the private $10,340 for the victims of Hur- sence to volunteer with the American have that experience in Graham “There is no doubt if the state school’s tuition from the county, and ricane Katrina in Jackson County, Red Cross in the ongoing relief effort County,” Bill Civish, Graham County does not bury the power lines, the in the course of the case argued it was Miss. The Minnesota county ad- following Hurricane Katrina. Visitor and Tourism Council Chair- state will suffer,” Aaronson said. “We up to the Montgomery County public opted its Mississippi namesake and “Many more volunteers are man, said. “For example, they can must bury power lines for the future schools to defend its instructional set off on a countywide fundraising needed over the next several months go birding in the day and enjoy our of Florida.” plan for their son. challenge. Five teams, each headed to assist with recovery in the Gulf mineral baths in the evening.” A federal law guarantees disabled by a county commissioner, com- Coast region,” Freeholder Director KANSAS students an education tailored to peted over a month to raise the most Rick Fontana said. “We’d like to • With help from suspects like RENO COUNTY has spent their individual needs and gives money. Commissioner Craig Rubis give interested county employees these, how could you go wrong? A so much time successfully fi ght- families a right to a formal hearing led the Highway Department team the opportunity to work with the three-month long investigation by ing meth, that crack cocaine has if they believe school offi cials have to victory. Red Cross as disaster volunteers on MARICOPA COUNTY Sheriff’s seen a resurgence, according to a short-term basis.” deputies and U.S. Secret Service Howard Shipley, head of the Reno Employees must apply to the agents has so far resulted in 10 ar- County/Hutchinson Drug Enforce- county administrator to be approved rests and the seizure of $56,000 in ment Unit. for the special leave. Any participat- counterfeit money, according to Local drug investigators claim ing employee must be willing to com- Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Ar- that the manpower and resources plete the Red Cross disaster training paio. invested in the fi ght against meth program on his or her own time prior Deputies seized computers, print- has allowed crack dealers to sell to being sent to the Gulf Coast. ers, a cutting table, ink, paper, as well large amounts of crack. as fi rearms, several luxury cars, and “I had a coke dealer tell me once NEW YORK narcotics such as methamphetamine, that they loved meth labs, because it • DUTCHESS COUNTY law- ecstasy, steroids and marijuana. They created a windfall for other drugs,” makers have tapped the county’s also collected counterfeit money in Shipley told The Hutchinson News. fund reserves to fuel the county’s various stages of production. One Reno County Sheriff Randy Hen- fl eet and buildings for the remainder suspect owned a daycare center. derson said the Drug Enforcement of the year, according to the online Several other suspects worked at a Unit hadn’t seen his many cocaine publication, DailyFreeman.com. Wal-Mart. cases since the early to mid-1990s. Members of the county Legis- Among those arrested: a woman lature voted to take $268,000 from who sent a printer for repair that was LOUISIANA Photo courtesy of Peoria County, Ill. contingency accounts to pay for jammed with counterfeit bills. The Federal Emergency Manage- ILLINOIS gasoline for the county’s automobiles ment Agency and ST. BERNARD It takes a generous spirit to enter a contest where the “Biggest Loser” and for fuel and electricity costs. Of FLORIDA PARISH offi cials have set up a will get all the attention. But that’s exactly what happened in PEORIA that amount, $75,000 will be used • Offi cials in PASCO COUNTY temporary hospital in the parking COUNTY as four courthouse leaders competed to raise the most money to purchase fuel for the county’s au- may change an eight-month-old or- lot of a Wal-Mart in Chalmette. for the local United Way campaign. tomobile fl eet, $38,00 will be used dinance pertaining to car dealerships Parish and medical leaders hope County Administrator Patrick Urich, Circuit Clerk Robert Spears, Super- for gasoline for the Department of after a local engineer complained that the hospital will help bring people visor of Assessments Director Dave Ryan, and IT Services Director Russell Public Works, $75,000 will be used parking lot lighting standards are back and provide assistance for those Haupert diligently encouraged employees to donate to the campaign in an for fuel oil, and $80,000 will be spent too diffi cult to meet. who are trying to recover in the heav- effort to top last year’s total of $14,781. on electric bills. The ordinance, adopted in March, ily damaged area, according to Knight What they didn’t know until the end the campaign was that whoever regulated car, truck, motorcycle and Ridder Newspapers. raised the least amount would fi nd himself dressed in a clown suit work- • It ain’t over until the fat lady recreational vehicle dealerships in The facility is made of 26 separate ing at a desk on the roof of the courthouse sally port during the lunch hour sings, and it only takes one vote response to complaints about noise, buildings that take up an area half the — which is why Circuit Clerk Robert Spears, despite a valiant effort, is to win. In the case of a WAYNE lighting and lack of landscaping. size of a football fi eld. According to pictured here showing off magic tricks to some young county citizens who COUNTY Township supervisor, According to the engineer, the old Doug Garman, spokesman for the came to watch the show. Escaping lunch hour on the roof was the winner, ordinance’s limits on lighting were Army Corps of Engineers, the site Dave Ryan, supervisor of assessments director. ■ See NEWS on page 13 County News, November 28, 2005 9

FOOCUSCUS ON ACCHIEVEMENTHIEVEMENT ‘‘ThTh e MMecklenburgers’:ecklenburgers’: CountyCounty ShowShow MakesMakes Prime-TimePrime-Time ViewingViewing Thousands of viewers across the next spring. Diehl said the episodes (Focus on Achievement highlights Charlotte-Mecklenburg County area cost about $30,000 each. He works on NACo Achievement Award Winners. tune in Sunday evenings to their PBS marketing the series and developing To learn more about other winners, the affi liate, WTVI, and watch the latest additional funding sources to offset program or how to submit your county antics of “The Mecklenburgers” — a the costs of production. program for an award visit the NACo zany cast of family characters and an The Mecklenburgers is “admittedly Web site at www.naco.org/awards or even zanier TV crew charged with an ambitious undertaking,” Diehl said, contact Jackie Byers, research direc- producing a show about a fi ctional yet “It’s lots of fun, so different, so tor at [email protected] or 202/942- family in Mecklenburg County and unique, that it’s worth doing.” 4285.) how county programs and services affect the family’s everyday lives. The show, now in its second sea- NNACACO ON TTHEHE MOOVEVE son, has proven to be a hit — doubling the viewership for its time slot in the fi rst season, and winning four Telly IN THE NEWS awards this year in a national compe- Photo courtesy of Mecklenburg County, N.C. • A story in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune mentioned NACo. The tition that honors outstanding local, Nov. 8 article entitled “County to update cable law” addressed a lo- Brady Lewis (played by Robert D. Raiford) is visited by the ghost of holidays regional, and cable TV commercials past, present and future (played by Roger Kortekaas) in a take-off from the cal law that would allow competition among cable providers. Deputy and programs, as well as video and Dickens classic holiday show. This episode of “The Mecklenburgers” empha- Legislative Director Jeff Arnold was quoted in the story. fi lm productions. sizes the spirit of giving to the less fortunate and highlights County programs The Mecklenburgers even has its that assist the disadvantaged. NACO OFFICERS AND COUNTY OFFICIALS ownW eb site, www.themecklenburgers • President Bill Hansell took part in his home state’s 100th state .org, where you can order a just-re- association meeting this month. The Association of Oregon counties leased CD of the show’s theme and or mental health,” explains Danny tribulations about doing that is what meeting took place in Lane County (Eugene) Nov. 15–18. He also gave other tunes, all created by Mecklen- Diehl, director of public service and sets the theme, Diehl said. The show’s a speech on what NACo can do for counties at the Kansas Association burg County employees or preview information for the county and the characters include the Mecklenburg of Counties Annual Conference and Exhibition in Shawnee County upcoming episodes. show’s godfather. In the pipeline are family – a mom, dad and two kids (Topeka) Nov. 20–22. Jointly produced by the county and shows that deal with aging and foster — plus the production and manage- • President-elect Colleen Landkamer traveled to the County WTVI, The Mecklenburgers tackles care issues, Diehl says. ment crew, whose characters provide Commissioners of Pennsylvania’s annual conference in Dauphin County topics from “neat things to do in the Its ensemble cast, struggles each fodder for subplots throughout the (Hershey) Nov. 20–22 and discussed the benefi ts of NACo membership county’s parks and recreation centers episode to decide: what do we do a season. with county offi cials. Landkamer also attended the National Association to more hard-hitting shows about HIV story about this week? Their trials and The cast is drawn from local of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges Annual Conference in celebrities and actors. A former Washington, D.C., Nov. 13–15. There, she joined university offi cials Charlotte anchorwoman plays Trish in a panel entitled “A Conversation on Engagement.” The panel held IInn ServiceService toto CCountiesounties Mecklenburger, the show’s purported a conversation with approximately 300 university leaders on ways star and diva to boot, and a popular to strengthen partnering and collaborating with state and land grant Accela, Inc. local radio talk show host plays the universities. Corporate Member show’s resident curmudgeon. • First Vice President Eric Coleman spoke at the opening general So how did The Mecklenburgers session of the Kentucky Association of Counties annual meeting in come to Channel 14? Diehl explained Location/HQ: Dublin, Calif. Louisville/Jefferson County Nov. 15–17. He provided an update of that like many local government pub- NACo’s services. Primary Business: Government lic information offi ces, his offi ce pro- Software Solutions duced shows about county programs NACO STAFF CEO: Dr. Robert P. Lee and services for its government cable • Paul Beddoe, associate legislative director, represented WIR and channel in traditional talk show for- Name of NACo Representative: NACo at the 98th Annual Winter Conference of Colorado Counties, Inc. mats or “fake” news magazines. DeAnne Simon; 925/560-6577, ext. 129; [email protected]. in El Paso County (Colorado Springs), Nov 28–30. “Everyone does these,” Diehl Why we joined NACo: Accela provides government enterprise • Jacqueline Byers, director of research, participated in a “Think- says, “but no one watches them.” software solutions to hundreds of cities and counties across the ers Session” on Local Property Tax and its Role in State and Local Unlike many local governments, U.S. Our partnership with NACo provides access, opportunity and Finances at George Washington University’s Institute for Public Policy though, his county had a PBS affi li- information about the concerns facing county organizations. NACo Nov. 21. ate in its back pocket. The county, it provides an effective forum to communicate with counties, allow- • Erik Johnston, community services assistant, attended the Kansas turns out, owns the building and the ing Accela to deliver solutions that better meet the unique needs of Association of Counties Annual Conference and Exhibition in Shaw- equipment, and provides funding to these agencies. nee County (Topeka) Nov. 20–22 with President Hansell and Andrew the station, Diehl said. It wasn’t too What we can do for counties: Accela is a leading provider of govern- Goldschmidt, director of membership and marketing. Johnston discussed much of a stretch for him to come ment enterprise management solutions for state and local agencies. the recently announced availability of Five Star Restoration Grants and to the conclusion that “Instead of Our products allow agencies to reduce workload, increase effi ciencies presented an overview of the program to the Kansas County Highway doing fi ve or six shows that nobody and provide citizens and businesses with easier, more convenient Association. watches, let’s do one show that they access to governmental services. • Jacqueline Byers, director of research, attended the National Tax will watch.” Association’s Annual Conference in Miami-Dade County, Fla. Nov. Accela Automation™ is an enterprise application that provides Diehl approached WTVI about 16–19. government agencies with a complete solution to automate workfl ow, co-producing and airing a show that • Dalen Harris, associate legislative director, traveled to Maricopa forms management, activity tracking, cashiering and other important both entertains and shows Mecklen- County, Ariz. for the International Association of Emergency Manag- daily tasks. burg residents how their tax dollars ers Annual Conference Nov 12–17. During the conference, he spoke Today, Accela provides software solutions that serve more than 500 are spent. WTVI agreed and the at their Government Affairs Committee Meeting and attended various jurisdictions, including more than 100 counties. Visit www.accela.com fi rst season of The Mecklenburgers workshops and general sessions. or call 888/7-ACCELA (888/722-2352) to learn more about Accela. — seven episodes in all — hit the Contact: Laura Myers, marketing manager; 925/560-6577, ext. 133; airwaves. (On the Move is compiled by Dan Miller, staff writer, and Allison [email protected]. This year, the cast and crew is Mall, editorial assistant.) fi lming 10 new episodes for airing 10 County News, November 28, 2005 Mold exposure leads to ‘Katrina cough’ in hurricane-stricken states

BY JUSTIN CARMODY catastrophic scenarios never played symptoms related to Katrina Cough COMMUNITY SERVICES ASSISTANT out, other culprits spread across the are more likely to develop infections Physicians across the Louisiana parishes and counties and affected in the lungs and other chronic or po- and Mississippi coasts believe a new the indoor air quality of buildings, tentially critical health problems. Belknap County, N.H. condition they have dubbed “Katrina schools and homes: dust and mold. According to the Centers The seal of Belknap County, N.H. Cough,” is related to the exposure One concern over mold is the for Disease Control (CDC), these • was commissioned in the latter part of mold and dust in the aftermath structural damage it can cause to a individuals, particularly children, of 1976, the year of the nation’s bi- of Hurricane Katrina. With county building or home. However, the more with pre-existing health conditions centennial, and adopted in February of residents returning to flood-rav- immediate concern is the health and should avoid contact with damaged 1977. Designed and executed by Norman aged homes, buildings and schools, safety of individuals exposed to it. In indoor environments in which they M. Dexter of Nashua, who donated his services particularly those from counties in a recent Los Angeles Times article, may be exposed to mold and dust. to Belknap County, the seal includes several symbols important to the and around New Orleans, there has “Katrina Cough Floats Around,” They also should not get involved in county and its history. been a notable increase in the num- Dr. Kevin Jordan, director of medi- the cleanup process in any capacity. ber of respiratory illnesses, coughs, cal affairs at Touro Infi rmary and Among healthy individuals, Katrina • Depicted on the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest body of sore throats and congestion. The Memorial Medical Center in New Cough can usually be treated with fresh water in the northeast (which touches the shores of just about antagonist behind these increased Orleans, said that doctors in the city antihistamines or nasal sprays, or, every town and city in the county) is the old paddle wheeler, Mount ailments? Mold. have observed at least a 25 percent in the case of a bacterial infec- Washington. The Mount graced the Big Lake until 1939, when it was Molds are forms of fungi found increase in incidences of congestion, tion, with antibiotics. For more destroyed by fi re. Yet, to this day it continues to serve as a symbol of the inside and outside, all year round. coughing, sinus headaches and sore information, see the CDC Guide- grace, dignity and unique New England character for which the people Its growth is fostered in dark, humid throats since Katrina swept through lines at www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/ and the area are known throughout the country. environments. Mold spores are likely the city. workers.asp. • It could be said that the Mount stands for the commerce the lake has to grow where there is high humid- Dr. Dennis Casey, an ear, nose The CDC recommends that provided for our people, going back to the fi shing days of the Indians; ity or an existing moisture problem and throat specialist in New Orleans, people who are taking part in home for the many recreation and leisure time activities the county has offered indoors, like water damage from also said doctors in some hospitals cleanup or demolition projects, its many visitors from throughout the world; and for the great creativ- fl ooding. Molds are usually visible have reported “Katrina cough” is be- whether it be residents or recovery ity with which the people of Belknap County have used these natural and accompanied by a recognizable coming a prevalent health concern. workers, should wear protective eye- resources to their ultimate advantage and prosperity. moldy or musty odor. Often, mold Exposure to high levels of mold can wear, a HEPA-fi ltered half-face res- • The rising sun — a symbol of hope and renewal as well as the bless- may not be visible as it may be grow- cause allergic reactions, respiratory pirator mask, and long sleeves when ings of a patient, graceful providence — is shown bursting forth over ing under or behind water damaged illnesses and trigger asthma attacks. coming in contact with mold. Mount Belknap, which lies just east of the center in the county. The materials like wallpaper, cabinetry Those with underlying health condi- A number of organizations such mountain is named for Dr. Jeremy Belknap, noted historian, clergyman, or carpeting. tions, such as allergies, asthma, other as the Environmental Protection and naturalist, after whom the county was named in 1840. breathing conditions and compro- Agency and the CDC along with Soon after Hurricane Katrina hit • Dr. Belknap wrote the fi rst history of New Hampshire, pastored the the Gulf Coast, health offi cials were mised immune systems are more state and county health departments First Congregational Church at Dover from 1766 to1786 and founded concerned about potential typhoid or sensitive to mold exposure. are trying to get the word out about the Massachusetts Historical Society in 1794. cholera epidemics due to water con- Such individuals who are more taking the proper safety precautions • Originally part of Strafford County, the county of Belknap was formed tamination. Although these possibly sensitive to mold and who develop in the cleanup process and which by a legislative act in December 1840. individuals should avoid contact with any flood-damaged indoor environment. Such guidelines on the health effects of mold exposure and mold NACo’s Grants Clearinghouse cleanup apply to all scenarios where mold is found — not only to victims of hurricanes. You may reference the Make the Money EPA’s mold information Web site, www.epa.gov/mold or the CDC’s in- formation on personal safety while Come to You removing mold at www.bt.cdc.gov/ NACo has been doing all the work for you and you may not disasters/workers.asp. have even known it. The Grants Clearinghouse is one of the many County offi cials can implement services NACo offers to its members. It is a list of grants complied a mold-strategy for their county and by the Research Department, and is available on the NACo Web network with other members of site, www.naco.org. the indoor air quality community The listings are updated weekly and include the deadline, a through programs like NACo’s In- description of the grant and a link to the application. Only grants door Air Quality Program. that are relevant to county needs are included. If your county is currently ad- Best of all, you don’t have to go looking for the grants; the grants dressing mold problems and would can come to you! Members can sign-up to receive an weekly e-mail like to share its lessons learned with of all the grants posted that week or sign-up to other counties, please contact Justin only receive e-mails when grants are posted Carmody, [email protected] or in an area of interest to them. 202/942.4279. Stop searching for grant money If your county has any ques- and let NACo do it for you! Visit tions on where to fi nd additional www.naco.org, click on the Grants resources on mold, how to address Clearinghouse link, and sign-up to an immediate mold problem, or receive email notifi cations of grants. would like to be included in the Then conduct business as usual and electronic County Indoor Air let the information come to you. Quality Coordinator’s Network, please contact Carmody or visit It’s that easy. www.naco.org/techassistance. County News, November 28, 2005 11

REESEARCHSEARCH NEEWSWS Uppdatedate oonn GGangang GGrowthrowth As many residents of suburban but the largest number of suspected Crime Commission reports nearly gang activity is tied to drug dealing gang members. By using surveillance counties know, gangs are grow- gang members, 77, was arrested in 1,800 gang members in Wake County, and the drug of choice outside of the videos, the police were able to match ing. They are growing in areas that North Carolina, more than any other with similar numbers in Mecklenburg cities is meth. several of these participants to their never had gang activity before. What targeted state. County and more than 1,600 reported Prince William, Stafford and gang database. spurred this growth? Well, it depends The growth in the Hispanic popula- in Durham County. Fairfax counties in Virginia, as well Fairfax County, Va. officials on whom you ask. tion in the Research Triangle has helped According to the David Nahmias, as Montgomery, and Prince George’s estimate there are more than 100 Most of the growth has been in gangs to expand. Many displaced and U.S. attorney for North Georgia, counties in Maryland have all moved gangs in their county, with nearly Hispanic gangs and many experts disaffected teens trying to cope with a “as we gain population, particularly in the last few years to establish every ethnic group participating. believe it has been increased by the new lifestyle in a new society meet up when we see illegal immigration anti-gang task forces and strategies However, the Latino-based gangs high level of illegal immigration. with gang members from other states increase, we’re also seeing gang to stem the growth of these violent are considered the fastest growing Many law enforcement offi cials who are looking for opportunities. activity increase with that.” A chief Hispanic gangs. and have aggressive programs tar- are reluctant to mention this new trend Some offi cials in North Carolina deputy in Polk County, in north- Montgomery County, facing geting new recruits in middle and because teens and young people from admit that the problem has crept up west Georgia, said that his county rapidly escalating gang growth and high schools. all ethnic groups have been known to on them, with recent documentation of 40,000 has hybrid gangs that activity, had created a database of Gang members often go after join gangs and commit crimes. There showing nine Hispanic gangs in include whites and Hispanics who pictures and names of suspected new young immigrants who have are Asian gangs and white suprema- Durham County public schools and are involved in “everything from the members of local gangs. Offi cials little parental supervision because cist gangs and many established black four gangs in Wake County public importation of methamphetamine to in the county estimate there are both parents work and live near gangs, all of whom contribute to the schools. prostitution, even murder.” between 20 – 25 active gangs that poverty level. These young people growth in activity Most local law enforcement of- Nahmias states that the growth include more than 500 members. are usually easy targets because they The FBI reports making 582 fi cials are unaware of just how per- of meth, exploding in rural areas all In recent violence at a local high are trying to belong and the gang can arrests of gang members in mid- vasive the problem is, but statistics across the country, has contributed to school and shopping mall, all 12 summer 2005, targeting violent im- from Wake County, where Hispanics gang growth in his region. He says the people arrested were believed to be ■ See RESEARCH on page 13 migrant gangs. These arrests indicate total about 5.5 percent of the popu- that gang activity is spreading across lation and account for 46 percent of the country, moving into the South the 2002 drug traffi cking arrests, tell and the Midwest. the story. FIINANCIALNANCIAL SEERVICESRVICES NEEWSWS In the past, most gang activity A recent state survey of law en- was centered in large urban centers, forcement offi cials by the Governor’s NACo Cost Containment/Cost Word Search Recovery Program Top 10 Counties and States (Ed Note: NACo partnered with way to avoid hiring the wrong people economy more than $375 billion an- Dallas County, Texas to conduct a into your organization. Employers nually in the form of absenteeism, for Turkey Production public bid process to select providers spend an average of $4,000 on a diminished productivity, health care that offered services to save counties new hire, but few bother to verify expenses, workplace violence, so- money, reduce risk or liabilities and that the information an applicant has cial services costs and criminal help collect monies owed. Over the provided is actually true. activity. That fi gure is greater than next several months we will highlight Given that one out of every the annual budgets of many indus- some of these services.) three job applications and two out trialized countries. of every three resumes contain inac- Question: Name three inexpen- curacies that could affect the hiring Employee hotline sive things you can do to avoid hiring process this is a pretty big gamble. Employees are frequently not problem employees and identify hu- Additionally, employers can be comfortable reporting workplace ha- man resources problems before they considered liable for the actions rassment, discrimination or wrongful become disasters. of their employees if they knew or acts directly to their supervisors or Answer: should have known that person was management. Not having a way for 1. Conduct pre-employment likely to undertake conduct harmful employees to let the right people background checks. to other individuals. know when bad things are hap- 2. Utilize employee drug testing pening in the workplace leaves the services. Employee drug employer vulnerable to potentially 3. Implement an employee hot- testing services enormous losses. line service. Substance abuse is the number one Most of these cases can be Human resources problems are cause of just about everything bad prevented if the proper member a something that every employer that happens in the workplace. Em- of management is made aware of would do just about anything to ployees who abuse alcohol or drugs the situation. Additionally, many avoid. They are complicated, divert are twice as likely to be late for work, major insurance companies offer resources away from core tasks and three times more likely to miss work discounts on employment practices can end up being very costly. Al- altogether, four times more likely to liability insurance to employers that ARKANSAS IOWA SAMPSON though it’s impossible to completely injure themselves or others at work, have a hotline. AUGUSTA KANDIYUHI SOUTH CAROLINA eliminate these problems, it is pos- and fi ve times more likely to fi le a Employee Relations Network of- BENTON MINNESOTA STEARNS sible to avoid many of them with a workers’ compensation claim than fers all three of these services at dis- CALIFORNIA MISSOURI SWIFT few simple preventative steps. workers who are non-abusers. counted prices through NACo’s Cost CARROLL NORTH CAROLINA VIRGINIA DUPLIN PENNSYLVANIA WAYNE According to the National Containment/Cost Recovery Pro- INDIANA ROCKINGHAM Pre-employment Institute for Drug Abuse, alcohol gram. For more information on the background check abuse, the use of illegal drugs and program, contact Nancy Irish at 202/ Source: www.eatturkey.com/consumer/raising/raise.html, 2004 This is the single most effective prescription drug abuse cost the U.S. 661-8824 or [email protected]. 12 County News, November 28, 2005 County News, November 28, 2005 13 Spokane County, Wash. commissioner seeks ban on phosphates

■ NEWS from page 8 PENNSYLVANIA TENNESSEE with binders intended to provide in the river. Between 7 percent and In response to citizen demand, An old landfi ll could cost SUL- information in a quick and easy-to- 10 percent of the phosphorous pro- Don Colvin, the fat lady has sung NORTHAMPTON COUNTY LIVAN COUNTY hundreds of fi nd manner. For large projects, the duced by septic tanks comes from and the one-vote margin bested by will offer electronics recycling thousands of dollars because of board will hold work sessions for dishwashing detergent. 21. next year. environmental damage, according planners to provide an overview According to the Seattle Post- Savannah Supervisor Don Colvin, Stacy Schlaner, grants administra- to WJHL-TV. of the proposal’s scope and special Intelligencer, Mielke said, “We’re who ran as an independent and led by tor for the county’s Department of Offi cials fear that the 60-acre issues. to the point that the technology (in 10 votes on election night, fi nished Community and Economic Develop- landfi ll, which handled local waste “In past months we’ve had a sewage-treatment plants) will get us 95 with a 22-vote lead after absentee ment, told Recycling Today that the from 1980 to 1994, is contaminating lot of big projects and they tend percent there. We have to really start ballots were counted, according to county hopes to have the program the soil in Blountville. The landfi ll is at times to be confusing,” Franklin to challenge ourselves to how we can unoffi cial results from the Wayne running by April 2006. The county privately owned. County Planner Frank Fiori told the come up with that last 5 percent.” County Board of Elections. is currently trying to fi nd a location When the landfi ll was in use, there Times. “We want to make it more The county does not have the He defeated his opponent, 260- within the county to conduct the col- was no law that required landfi lls to understandable.” authority to enact a countywide ban 238. Colvin, in offi ce for 46 years, lection program. have liners between the garbage and on phosphates in detergents and fertil- is the longest-serving supervisor on The county’s program would allow the soil and there was no requirement WASHINGTON izers, but Mielke is encouraging state the county board, according to the residents to dispose of cell phones, to have a system to collect leaked SPOKANE COUNTY Commis- and municipality offi cials to explore Finger Lake Times Online and may microwaves, televisions and other fl uids. sioner Todd Mielke is leading an ef- the benefi ts of the ban. be the longest-serving elected offi cial electronics for a fee. The charges The Department of Environment fort to improve the Spokane River’s in the state. He lost this year’s Repub- would range from 75 cents per pound and Conservation claims that state water quality by banning phosphates (News From the Nation’s Coun- lican caucus but decided to remain in for batteries to fi ve dollars for televi- offi cials have been studying the situa- in dishwasher detergents and lawn ties was compiled by Dan Miller, the race as an independent. sions and photocopy machines. tion, and local wells and springs have fertilizers. staff writer. Allison Mall, editorial At age 78, he waged a door-to- not proven contaminated. The state’s Department of Ecol- assistant, and Beverly Schlotterbeck, door campaign. SOUTH DAKOTA ogy said local sewage-treatment executive editor, also contributed. If He now enters his 24th term in Unless hunters increase the VIRGINIA plants couldn’t be re-licensed, ex- you have news from your county for offi ce. amount of deer they bag within the A spike in large development panded or built because of the high News From, please contact Miller at next two months, LAWRENCE projects near Smith Mountain Lake level of phosphorus already present [email protected].) OKLAHOMA COUNTY may declare a second- has caused FRANKLIN COUNTY On Dec. 13, 22 counties across ary deer season. Commissioner supervisors to change how they the state, including CLEVELAND, Terry Weisenberg said the county evaluate rezoning and special-use GRADY and MCCLAIN, will ask could order an emergency declara- permit requests, according to The their voters to approve adding an tion to extend hunting time. Roanoke Times. extra 50-cent fee to cell phone The county wants to allow more The Board of Supervisors has bills, according to the The Norman hunting time because of the number of recently witnessed an increased ■ State Department Transcript. deer encroaching into towns, accord- number of requests for 100-acre- Helps Citizens Apply The money generated by the ex- ing to the Associated Press. Offi cials plus projects, including a 476-acre for Passports tra fees will be used to upgrade the plan to wait until this season’s deer proposal that would include retail The State Department Web current enhanced 911 systems. The harvest is complete early next year stores, housing and open space. site has a search feature on its money will help emergency respond- before taking action. In response to the surge in in- Web site that allows users to fi nd ers locate where the calls originate Deer have been roaming the streets terest, planning staff members brief the nearest location to apply for a as well as which responding units in local towns and eating vegetation, the supervisors on the projects and passport. The search engine also to send out. according to the county. the planners provide the board features additional search criteria that can narrow the results to sites that have photos available on site, photos available nearby as well as handicap access. Use the feature at http://iafdb.travel.state.gov. Fairfax County sponsors gang prevention summit ■ Site Offers Tips For Saving Energy Clean air fi lters can improve ■ RESEARCH from page 11 Wood County, Ohio has created a paint it over with white paint. Two gas mileage by as much as 10 gang prevention program that empha- rival gangs are often involved in vio- percent and properly infl ated provide that feeling. According to sizes the risk factors that cause young lent activities that draw the attention and aligned tires will improve a press release from the Boys and people to join gangs. A major part of of the task force. Offi cials say they gas mileage by 3 percent. Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, their program is directed at educating identifi ed the growing problem as These are just a few of the gangs are in every high school in parents to recognize the signs of gang early as 1997 and took steps to curb energy-saving facts available Fairfax County. infl uence in their children. it. By creating the Gainesville-Hall at the Partnerships for Home Fairfax, facing the same prob- Richland County, S.C. created a County Gang Task Force, they were Energy Efficiency Web site lem as many others, is establishing Gang Task Force that has been recog- able to stem the growth through pre- (www.energysavers.gov). Visit the site for more helpful tips and to programs to combat the gangs. It nized nationally. The county sheriff vention, enforcement and education, learn more about energy-effi cient products. has established a County Council believed that community awareness but they readily admit they still have on Gang Prevention that sponsored of the growth of gang activity in the a problem. ■ SAMHSA Web Site Offers Online Substance a summit to discuss prevention, county was the fi rst step to preven- Task force offi cials estimate there Abuse Treatment Locator intervention and suppression in tion. He had educated citizens of are currently about 25 gangs in the The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administra- February 2005. the county and gathered gang intel- area, with fi ve prominent gangs. tion has developed an online When schools opened in the ligence that he uses to combat the Membership in the gangs in the locator for substance abuse fall of 2005, violence prevention further growth of gangs. county is about 90 percent Latino treatment centers. Visitors can specialists debuted a new series of Wake County, N.C. conducted and members refl ect the same char- fi nd nearby facilities simply by gang prevention programs aimed at two public forums on gangs this acteristics as others throughout the clicking on their state, enter- seventh and eighth graders through- month in an effort to raise the aware- South. By using a database of 400 ing a city and clicking “con- out the system. These programs are ness of this new and growing problem documented gang members, tattoos, tinue.” To use the tool, visit included as part of the mandatory in their area. and photos of gang graffi ti, they have http://dasis3.samhsa.gov. health curriculum. Experts say that Hall County, Ga. has created a been able to keep track of the activity the middle school years are the per- Gang Task Force and has targeted in their area. (Web Watch is compiled by Dan Miller, staff writer. If you have fect time for this education of at-risk among other things, gang graffi ti. an item you would like to see featured, please e-mail it to him at students as they start becoming more Whenever the county law enforce- (Research News is written by Jac- [email protected].) independent. ment offi cials see gang graffi ti, they queline Byers, director of research.) 14 County News, November 28, 2005

AFFFILIATEFILIATE SPPOTLIGHTOTLIGHT National Association of County Human Services Administrators The National Association of Steering Committee, where some steering committee later in the week late-breaking federal legislative and of directors that has approximately County Human Services Adminis- of its members serve in leadership in their own set of meetings. regulatory developments. 25 members and an executive trators (NACHSA) represents the positions. This participation helps Most recently, NACHSA has NACHSA also has an awards committee. The board of directors broad spectrum of social services NACHSA have a voice in the de- been actively involved in opposing program. The awards are presented includes county human services agencies throughout the country. velopment of national policy in numerous cuts that have been pro- annually at NACo’s Health, Human professionals, association direc- Because of the varied roles that social services. posed to social services cuts as part Services and Workforce Conference tors and county elected offi cials counties play in social services, NACHSA members also have of the budget reconciliation process. in November. and is appointed by the NACHSA NACHSA membership includes been involved in a number of NACHSA wrote a letter of opposi- There are three award categories: president. agencies that provide public assis- NACo task forces and initiatives. tion to the House of Representatives The Elizabeth Prebich Award for NACHSA meets prior to NACo’s tance, child care, child protective Most recently, they have been in- similar to the NACo letter. Distinguished Leadership in Coun- Legislative, Annual and Health, services, adult protective services volved in President Bill Hansell’s NACHSA publishes a newsletter, ty Human Services; the Director’s Human Services and Workforce and everything in between. methamphetamine initiative, with The Networker, three times a year. Award for Individual Achievement Conference. Its annual meeting Many are umbrella agencies a NACHSA member sitting on the Each issue has a general theme and in a county; and the Innovation in and election of offi cers occurs at that include workforce develop- task force. Additionally, NACHSA feature columns such as the Pres- Human Services Award. the Health, Human Services and ment, some also provide health was very instrumental in develop- ident’s Message, the Washington NACHSA membership is open Workforce Conference. Addition- and mental health services, while ing the survey on the effect that Watch and information on NACo’s to county human services agen- ally, the Executive Committee meets others also serve as Area Agencies meth has on children. conferences. Some of the issues cies from NACo member counties, via conference call as necessary. on Aging. In many counties, the NACHSA members helped de- that have been covered recently in- elected county offi cials, state asso- For additional information on human services departments are velop the questions, answered the clude the methamphetamine crisis, ciations of county human services joining NACHSA, please go to the in charge of providing shelter and survey and also provided additional responding to disasters, protecting professionals, county community Web site, www.nachsa.org, or call emergency assistance to victims information to NACo staff to help elders from fi nancial abuse, refi nanc- partner agencies and corporate indi- Tom Joseph, NACHSA consultant, of disasters, and often are also in prepare congressional testimony. ing foster care and interviews with vidual business that support human at 202/898-1444. charge of evacuations. NACHSA president Dianne Ed- administration and congressional services programs. Calendar year Staffed by Marilina Sanz, wards also presented testimony staff on welfare reform. dues are based on county population (Affi liate Spotlight was written by NACo’s associate director for hu- for the record. The Networker is mailed to more or membership category. Marilina Sanz,NACo staff liaison for man services and education, and NACHSA takes advantage that than 900 county human services offi - NACHSA is governed by a board NACHSA.) Tom Joseph, NACHSA consultant, NACo provides to help advocate cials. It is also posted on the NACH- the affi liate has had a long relation- in Washington, D.C. in several SA Web site at www.nachsa.org. The ship with NACo and has great ap- ways. Last year its leadership went Web site provides policy updates, NOOTICESTICES preciation for the opportunities its to Washington, D.C. a day before information on upcoming confer- affi liation provides. NACo’s legislative conference ences and meetings, information NACHSA members are active to have a series of congressional on membership and resource links ■ Nominations members in several NACo steer- meetings on welfare and child to NACo and other organizations. • Nomination forms for the 2006 National Wetlands Awards Program ing committees, particularly the welfare. Additionally, some of its Additionally, NACHSA members are now available. The National Wetlands Awards Program honors individu- Human Services and Education leaders joined the leadership of the receive periodic e-mail updates on als from across the country who have demonstrated extraordinary effort, innovation and excellence through programs or projects at the regional, state or local level. Program co-sponsors include the Environmental Law Institute, U.S. THHEE HH.R..R. DOOCTORCTOR IS IN Environmental Protection Agency, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Federal Highway Administration. The deadline for submitting nominations is Dec.15. Thanksgiving Go to www2.eli.org/nwa/nwaprogram.htm to access the nomination form. For more information or questions, please e-mail [email protected], or contact Jared Thompson at 202/939-3247. A most wonderful time of the year some “Thanksgiving resolutions” occurs in late November. Thanksgiv- and avoid the New Year’s rush. Re- ■ Papers ing is an HR Doctor favorite because solve not to take things for granted, • The American Public University System is accepting papers on the it is centered on the opportunity to but rather to fi nd new ways to help at following topic: “Managing Evacuation: Ripple Effects of Terrorism and step back and view our own lives the offi ce and in community leader- Natural Disasters” for its 2006 summit. at work and at home with a sense ship through charitable giving and The summit, to be held May 3–4, 2006 at the National Conservation of perspective. volunteering. Training Center in Jefferson County (Shepardstown), W.Va., will focus on It’s a great time for an employer The HR Doctor has a lot to be the logistics, politics and consequences of large-scale evacuations. to help members of the staff appreci- thankful for, including the chance It will address the many issues facing outlying cities and counties as they ate all that they have in the form of to share information on proactive prepare to receive evacuees and will bring together disaster management, home- jobs, which are generally steady and human resources with each of you land security, criminal justice and emergency management professionals. The deadline for papers is Jan.15, 2006. Paper topics could include: career-oriented, and include many regularly. I bet if you stop for just PHIL ROSENBERG • roles of local community emergency response teams, non-governmental fringe benefi ts including retirement, THE HR DOCTOR a few seconds and think about it, organizations and others health care, time off, educational you also have a lot to be thankful • evacuation of “at-risk” and incarcerated populations and others support and much more. this holiday time, nor that about one for in your own work life and per- • healthcare trauma center preparations and long-term care Thanksgiving is an excellent in three persons receives help from sonal life. • transportation network management overload, including loss of electronic time to do more than simply eat a such an organization. “There but for Take the time to do that — and signaling and communications tremendous meal with family and fortune,” could be any one of us. save a slice of pumpkin pie for me. • outbound and inbound logistics, and friends and maybe watch football. This holiday is also a time to Best wishes. • pet and livestock evacuation. It is a time to ask, “what am I do- praise and recognize how much Proposals should be one page and include a title, abstract and contact ing to make things easier and more easier our own life at work is made Sincerely, information. Send to Bob Jaffi n at bjaffi [email protected] (304/724-3723). enjoyable for my colleagues at by having colleagues who work (Notices is compiled by Allison Mall, editorial assistant. If you have an work or those in need in the com- hard to help you as a county gov- item for Notices, you can e-mail it to her at [email protected] or fax 202/393- munity?” It is not coincidental that ernment leader and care about your The HR Doctor 2630.) United Way campaigns occur during success. Not a bad time to make www.hrdr.net County News, November 28, 2005 15

JOOBB MAARKETRKET / CLLASSIFIEDSASSIFIEDS

■ BUDGET/FINANCE DIRECTOR ■ CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Economic Development efforts to the 4th Floor Personnel, 205 W. Central, located in the Wichita Metropolitan Area — LAKE COUNTY, OHIO — TULSA AREA WORKFORCE community partners in a meaningful El Dorado, KS 67042. Current salary and is one of the fastest growing counties Salary: $65,000 – $75,000 INVESTMENT BOARD, INC. — manner. for the position is $54,880 to $73,807. in the state of Kansas with a population The Lake County Commissioners are TULSA, OKLA. • Proven ability to plan, implement, Butler County is an equal opportunity of 62,000. The county is seeking a highly accepting resumes from qualifi ed candi- Salary: $85,000 – $115,000, DOQ. manage, maintain and market successful employer. For additional information, motivated individual to interact with the dates for the position of budget/fi nance Tulsa Area Workforce Investment workforce and economic development please contact 316/322-4300. local development and brokerage com- director. This position is unclassifi ed and Board, Inc. (dba. Workforce Tulsa), a plans; experience with workforce devel- munity along with local businesses in serves at the pleasure of the Board of non-profi t corporation, is responsible opment quality principles and improve- ■ COUNTY ATTORNEY — promoting economic development and Commissioners. for implementation of workforce strat- ment techniques desirable. ARCHULETA COUNTY, COLO. creating an awareness of the growth po- Responsibilities of the position egies, implementing comprehensive Interested applicants should submit Salary: $75,000 –$105,000, DOE. tential of the county. Three to fi ve years include preparing, planning, directing workforce systems and supporting resumes to www.cityoftulsa.org/jobs, Beautiful Archuleta County, Colo. is of experience in economic development, and coordinating fi nancial activities; economic development for the local File Code: Chief Executive Offi cer. seeking a County Attorney. The county along with sales and packaging experi- formulating and administering the workforce area, which includes Tulsa, Resumes will be accepted through Dec. seat is located in Pagosa Springs — a ence is required. A four-year degree in county revenue and operating budgets. Creek, Osage and Pawnee counties. 23. An Equal Opportunity Employer. paradise of spas/resorts, specialty shops, business administration/management, Responsibilities also include participat- Workforce Tulsa is seeking qualifi ed golfi ng, fi shing, hunting, and skiing, and public administration or other related ing in audits of various departments and applicants to fi ll the position of Board ■ COUNTY APPRAISER — a relaxed, friendly lifestyle. degree is required and a graduate degree agencies, participate in and formulate Chief Executive Offi cer. The Board CEO BUTLER COUNTY, KAN. The County Attorney assists the is encouraged. recommendations for the issuance of acts as chief administrator responsible Salary: $54,880 – $73,807 Board of County Commissioners with all To apply, applicants must submit a notes and bonds for fi nancing of county for the coordination and management Butler County, Kan. is currently legal and regulatory matters impacting current resume with references and a projects, prepares fi nancial statements of all Workforce Tulsa activities, ensur- taking applications for the position the county in multiple functions includ- completed job application which can ei- and reports, oversees payment of bills ing compliance with regulatory agencies of County Appraiser. Butler County ing, but not limited to: road and bridge, ther be obtained from the county’s Web including self-insured healthcare plans and grant requirements, and planning, is located in the Wichita Metropolitan solid waste, planning/community site (www.bucoks.com) or by calling the and supervises, plans, and coordinates organizing and coordinating the City of Area and is one of the fastest growing development, veterans affairs, nutri- county’s personnel offi ce at 316/322- activities of subordinate personnel. Ex- Tulsa’s Workforce and Economic De- counties in the state of Kansas with tion, senior programs, transportation, 4300. A current job description and ben- perience in state and local government velopment efforts to ensure appropriate a population of 62,000. A four-year social services, public safety, human efi ts information is available from the and governmental accounting preferred. partnerships between workforce devel- degree in business, public administra- resources, fi nance, fl eet, maintenance, same offi ce. Applications for employ- Ability to communicate effectively with opment and attraction of new businesses tion or like fi eld is preferred. Applicant weed and pest control, Extension Ser- ment will be taken at the county’s per- elected offi cials and department heads to the City of Tulsa. must have (1) a general license from vices, engineering, airport and general sonnel offi ce until fi lled at the following a must. Successful applicants will meet the the Kansas Real Estate Appraisal Board administration. addresses: Butler County Courthouse, Qualifi cations for this position are a following requirements: (KREAB), or (2) a CAE or RES designa- Successful applicants must have a 4th Floor Personnel, 205 W. Central, bachelor’s degree in business adminis- • Bachelor’s degree in business, hu- tion from the International Association law degree with admission to the state El Dorado, KS 67042. Current salary tration, public administration, fi nance man resources, public administration, of Assessing Offi cers (IAAO), or (3) bar, 2–5 years of similar public sector for the position is $49,777 to $66,945. or related discipline or equivalent with economics, or a related fi eld; master’s a RMA designation from the state of law practice experience and the ability to Butler County is an equal opportunity three (3) to fi ve (5) years of fi nancing degree preferred. Kansas. In addition, the appraiser must handle a variety of complex projects. employer. For additional information and budgeting experience with govern- • Minimum of fi ve (5) years related have passed the eligibility examination Interested applicants should apply by please call 316/322-4300. mental accounting. Must have working executive managerial experience; with administered by the Property Valuation sending their resumes by Dec. 5 to K.L. experience with data base systems and extensive knowledge in the areas of Division (PVD) of the Kansas Depart- Ross, Human Resources Department, ■ SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR — application software. Send letter with workforce development, economic ment of Revenue. Archuleta County, P.O. Box 1507, Pa- ARCHULETA COUNTY, COLO. salary requirements and resume by and business development, and grant To apply, applicants must submit a gosa Springs, CO 81147. 970/264-8306 Salary: $42,000 – $59,000, DOE. Dec. 7 to William A. Margalis, Lake program management within govern- current resume with references and a (fax). Send e-mails to kross@archuletac Beautiful Archuleta County, Colo. County Commissioners, 105 Main St., ing board environments. completed job application which can ei- ounty.org. Archuleta County is an Equal is seeking a Solid Waste Director. The Painesville, Ohio 44077. 440/350-5855 • Strong public relations and com- ther be obtained from the county’s Web Opportunity Employer county seat is located in Pagosa Springs (fax), [email protected]. munication skills to articulate activi- site (www.bucoks.com) or by calling the — a paradise of spas/resorts, specialty EOE. ties of Workforce Tulsa and the city’s county’s personnel offi ce at 316/322- ■ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT shops, golfi ng, fi shing, hunting, and ski- 4300. A current job description and DIRECTOR — ing, and a relaxed, friendly lifestyle. benefi ts information is available from BUTLER COUNTY, KAN. The Solid Waste Director directs, the same offi ce. Applications for em- Salary: $49,777 – $66,945 manages, and supervises the main- ployment will be taken at county’s per- Butler County is currently taking ap- tenance and operation of the county sonnel offi ce until fi lled at the following plications for the position of Economic landfi ll, transfer station, and recycling addresses: Butler County Courthouse, Development Director. Butler County is operations. He or she also monitors the daily operations of the facilities, public utilization, and revenue collec- tions. Successful applicants must have training/education equivalent to a high school diploma as well as training in equipment operation, supervisory skills, and management, 3–5 years experience ONLINE in landfi ll operations, and at least 5 Visit us at www.countynews.org years experience in a related fi eld or in the performance of similar duties and responsibilities to include supervisory Get the News on Your Desktop! and administrative experience. Headline Update: Interested applicants should apply Every two weeks, we’ll e-mail a short synopsis of the top stories in by sending their resumes by Dec. 5 to: County News. Pick your news, click the link and read the story. K.L. Ross, Human Resources Department, Archuleta County, P.O. Web Site Update: Box 1507, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147. Every two weeks, we’ll e-mail the main page from 970-264-8306 (fax). Send e-mails to www.countynews.org. If you don’t always remember to visit the Web [email protected]. Archu- site, why not let us bring the Web site to you? leta County is an Equal Opportunity PDF Delivery: Employer. Every two weeks, we’ll send you the entire County News, every page, every picture, in a convenient PDF fi le. Save each issue on disk and (If you would like information about read them when you fi nd time. advertising your job openings in County To sign up for any of these services, go to www.countynews.org/ Online_Form.cfm, fi ll out the form, and answer a few questions. News and County News Online, please There is no charge for this service. contact Allison Mall at 200/942-4256 or [email protected].) 16 County News, November 28, 2005

n 2006, the National Association of Counties (NACo) will recognize Iand promote volunteer programs through the Acts of Caring Awards, a national ceremony honoring community-based, county government initiatives that provide a legacy for the future of our country.

The Acts of Caring is part of Counties Serve America, a long-term project of the National Association of Counties in partnership with Freddie Mac. It is designed to raise public understanding and awareness about county government.

What is an Act of Caring? The Legacy Award for Excellence Announcement of Awards An “act of caring” is a community service provided and Innovation All Acts of Caring honorees will be recognized at by a county-sponsored volunteer program that The top award, the Legacy Award for Excellence a national ceremony that will be held on Capitol enhances or preserves the quality of life. and Innovation, will be presented to the program Hill in Washington, D.C. during National County that most fully embodies the spirit of volunteerism Government Week in April 2006. Additionally, they Who is Eligible to Participate? by addressing a unique need. This program sets will be recognized in County News, on the NACo Web site and in all national media releases and Any county government that is a member of itself apart by providing unparalleled service in its promotions. NACo with an active program that meets the community. The Legacy Award winner is selected following criteria is eligible to participate in the Acts from all the entries submitted in the contest. of Caring Awards. A county program that won an How to Apply Acts of Caring Award in the past three years is not Cash Awards Applicants should submit two copies of the eligible for an award in 2006. Cash awards will be presented to the volunteer completed application accompanied by an programs that receive the Youth Service Award and application form. Each should be typed, double- Eligible Programs Must: the Legacy Award for Excellence and Innovation. spaced and 12-point font or larger. Completed applications should not exceed 1,000 words or Exist at least one calendar year prior to the The Youth Service Award winner will receive • six typewritten pages (excluding the application application date $1,000; the Legacy Award winner will receive form). All seven questions on the application form Enlist community participation on a volunteer $1,500. • should be answered. Please note that no application basis materials will be returned. Supplementary materials Include the participation of the county (offi cials • Population Categories will not be considered in judging. and/or staff) in a signifi cant and ongoing role Awards may be presented in each of three Serve as a model program and be replicable • population categories to ensure that large and small For More Information, contact • Demonstrate measurable outcomes that benefi t communities and urban and rural areas all receive the the community Tom Goodman, recognition they deserve. NACo Public Affairs Director, at [email protected] Acts of Caring Awards Category Population Up to 18 programs will be recognized and deemed 1 500,000 and above or 202/942-4222. examples of outstanding Acts of Caring. Based 2 100,000 - 500,000 on county size, as many as three programs will be 3 100,000 and below recognized in each of six categories, including: Community Improvement; Criminal Justice/Emergency Application Deadline Management; Elderly Services; Health/Social Services; The deadline for the 2006 program is Jan. 27, 2006. Libraries; and Programs for Children & Youth. No applications will be accepted or considered after this date. Faxed or e-mailed copies will not be The types of programs that can be included in accepted. Community Improvement are arts & culture, historic preservation, housing, environmental programs, Acknowledgment of Receipt services to help animals, civic education, and recreation and parks. To ensure receipt, please include a stamped, self- addressed envelope with each submission. The Youth Service Award Program Judging The Youth Service Award is presented to the program that best identifi es a critical need in the Winners will be selected by an independent panel youth community and addresses it, in part, by of judges. These individuals will determine award engaging young people in service. recipients based on the quality of the application, program category and population category.