Courthouse‘round the Fall 2020 Vol. 31, #4 Wood County Employees square Bowling Green, Ohio www.woodcountyohio.gov/employee

BOARD OF ELECTIONS ADJUSTS FOR COVID usy season is here for the early. This year the Atrium is being people participating in the 2020 Wood County Board of utilized to assist with physical election process. B Elections. distancing requirements to ensure Managing Election Day requires Throughout the year staff stay very the safety of voters and staff. crisis management and media busy maintaining 92,257 registered The office also reported mailing relations. When the polls close, voters; processing candidate 19,192 absentee ballots in early tabulation occurs which consists petitions and verifying their October, with mailing to continue of public reporting on the web, qualifications; administering the throughout the month. A larger state reporting, and the unofficial elections; preparing voting units drop box was purchased to count. The official count includes with color touch screen voting; provide adequate space for the the provisional process, as well as coordinating absentee ballots by returned ballots. It is located all properly postmarked ballots mail; and conducting the early in- outside of the main entrance received through the mail during person voting process. The office to the Courthouse. Voters may the 10 days after November 3. also retains campaign finance and also confirm that their absentee The office also maintains a website other public records including ballot was received with a “Track that provides filed candidate lists current information, reference My Ballot” tool on the Board’s and issues, early voting hours, the material, and historical data. With website. “Track My Ballot” tool and real all this activity, it makes for one Election Day is November 3. Polls time election results for Wood busy office this time of year. will be open from 6:30 a.m. to County. All normal voting options will be 7:30 p.m. The office has a Board of two available in Wood County for the There are 95 precincts voting Republicans and two Democrats, November General Election of at 29 polling locations in Wood directors with one Democrat and 2020. County. With so many locations, one Republican, full-time staff, and Early voting started on October 6 there will be a precinct election a current temporary staff of eight. and runs through November 2. It official manager, precinct greeters, With the tremendous amount of is estimated that between 15,000 technical rovers, and supplemental work going into an election, please to 20,000 early voters will vote staffing totaling more than 460 remember to get out and vote. Every vote counts. PREMIUM HOLIDAY ANNOUNCED FOR NOVEMBER Members of the Employee Health Benefits Plan will notice a little more take home pay in November. The Commissioners, the Trustees of the Plan, have approved another “premium holiday” for the employee premium in the month of November 2020. The employee portion of the monthly premium (maximum of $97.68 single/$253.96 family) will be waived for the first and second pay of the month (applicable taxes will be applied as the premiums are generally collected on a pre-tax basis; spousal and COBRA premiums will still be collected). BIRTHS RETIREMENTS Annual Insurance Jeremy Robbins and Angie Oler Terry Hamman, retired after 30 Meetings (CSEA) had a baby girl, Tessa years of service as a Highway This year’s annual insurance Leigh, weighing 2 lbs. 15 oz. and Worker at the Engineer’s Office. meetings will look a little measuring 15 ¼ inches long on July Joni Bretz, retired on September different due to the current 3, 2020. 25, 2020, after 46 years of service. pandemic. Instead of Kyle and Alisha Chamberlain (JFS) Joni served as Chief Probation in-person meetings, the had a baby boy, Baren Charles on Officer for Adult Probation. She presentation will be presented plans to spend her time with July 7, 2019. Baren weighed 8 lbs through a virtual format for 15 oz. and was 20 inches long. family, friends and her two dogs. viewing from the employee Matthew and Marisa Reynolds website. (Sheriff’s Office) had a baby boy, Mitchell Jon Reynolds on July 28, KUDOS We still encourage employees 2020. He weighed 8.5 lbs and was to be engaged consumers! 20 1/2 inches long. The Wood County Community Health Center has been The presentation offers tips on Charlene and John Klepacz named a quality leader by the (Sheriff’s Office) had a baby boy, how to utilize the benefits in a Paxton John Klepacz on August 11, Health Resources and Service more cost effective manner to 2020. He was 7 lbs 2 oz. Administration known as HRSA. save money for yourself and This means that we are in the Taylor and Brandon Bohn (Justice the Plan and is approximately Center) had a baby boy, Evan Bohn top 20% of all health centers for one-hour in length. on August 13, 2020. Evan weighed overall clinical performance. The 8 lbs, 12 oz. Center was also recertified for the The Summary Plan Description Tiffany and Adam Henry (Sheriff’s third year in a row by the National and employee signoffs will be Office) had a baby boy, Lincoln Committee for Quality Assurance forthcoming prior to the Open Julian Henry on August 16, 2020. as a level 3 Patient Centered Election period that runs from He weighed 8 lbs 6 oz. and was 20 Medical Home. This means that we November 15 to December 15. ¾ inches long. use a team approach to care for Josh and Kendra Wise (Health our patients. Department) had a baby girl, ‘ROUND THE Aislyn Annabelle on September 21, Don’t forget the Center also 2020. Aislyn weighed 8 lbs 4 oz. provides access to the Rx Savings COURTHOUSE and 20 1/2 inches long. Program. See how you can save money on your prescriptions by SQUARE WEDDINGS transferring your primary care to published quarterly for employees Kyra Smith (Clerk of Courts) the Center. of Wood County Government married Jordan Toland on August NEWSLETTER 14, 2020. COMMITTEE MEMBERS Doug Caldwell (Buildings and Ronald Dicus, Court Security Grounds) married Amanda Janese Diem, Commissioners Columber on September 12, 2020. Hillary Powell, Board of DD Ronda Downard, Juvenile Court Shredding Event to Benefit JFS Jodi Quintero, Child Support Childrens Services Geneen Wise, Probate Court On Saturday, November 14 from 9 a.m. to Noon, County residents can have their personal paper items shredded, up to a five bag limit. The Comments and suggestions are event is taking place in the Job and Family Services Employee Parking Lot. always welcome. All they ask is you provide a gift card or cash donation. Donations will Email: be given to children who are involved with Wood County Job and Family [email protected] Services to make their Holiday a little brighter!! The next newsletter meeting Employees may also drop off donations of new toys or gift cards in the is scheduled for December 3 Atrium November 9 through December 7. All donations will benefit at 2:45 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. familes served. Do you have or think you might have COVID-19? Have you been around someone who has the virus? • If you have or think you might have COVID-19, you should isolate, whether or not you have symptoms. Isolation is used to separate infected individuals from people who are not infected. • If you might have been exposed to COVID-19, you should stay home. This is called quarantine. For additional information and additional scenarios of when you can end quarantine visit coronavirus.gov.

WHO NEEDS TO ISOLATE: WHO NEEDS TO QUARANTINE: • People who have symptoms of COVID-19 and are People who have been in close contact with able to recover at home someone who has COVID-19. • People who have no symptoms (are asymptomatic) • Even if you test negative for COVID-19 or feel but have tested positive for infection healthy, you should stay home (quarantine) Steps to Take: since symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after • Stay home except to get medical care exposure to the virus • Monitor your symptoms What counts as close contact? • Stay in a separate room from other household • You were within 6 feet of someone who has members, if possible COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more • Use a separate bathroom, if possible • You provided care at home to someone who is • Avoid contact with other household members sick with COVID-19 • Don’t share personal items, like cups, towels, and • You had direct physical contact with the person utensils (hugged or kissed them) • Wear a mask when around other people • You shared eating or drinking utensils When can you be around others? • They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got • At least 10 days since symptoms first appearedAND respiratory droplets on you • At least 24 hours with no fever without fever- Steps to Take: reducing medication AND • Stay home for 14 days after your last contact • Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving with a person who has COVID-19 (Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or • Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of months after recovery and need not delay the end breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19 of isolation​) • If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19 Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, When can you be around others? making it hard to tell the difference between them. • Anyone who has been around a person with Diagnostic testing can help determine if you are sick COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days after the with the flu or COVID-19. Contact your healthcare last exposure to that person. provider if you have questions about your symptoms. • If you remain in close contact with that person, your 14 days keeps resetting. MANAGING POLITICAL ANXIETY KEPRO, the Wood County Employee EAP Provider Political conflict and change are normal features of life, but in times of heightened tension and polarization, they can cause widespread anxiety. The more closely a person’s political stances are tied to their core values and beliefs, the more they may worry about the consequences of elections and other political changes. When “your side” loses, it can feel like the world is going off track in terrible and permanent ways. You can feel personally threatened in ways that trigger deep and uncomfortable emotions. Compounding the emotional effect of political polarization is the constant access to the news through smartphones and other technology, often amplified by social media. It can feel like there’s no escape from jarring and disturbing headlines. This year in particular, political anxiety is being added to baseline levels of worry that are already elevated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. For many people, it can be a toxic emotional combination. How can you manage your anxiety in times of political conflict and change while also remaining engaged in positive ways? Stay informed, but set boundaries Be mindful of your surroundings, Seek help. on your news intake. too, when you express your If stress feels overwhelming and political views If you find the news to be . anxiety, sadness, anger, or other emotionally upsetting, set limits It's generally not appropriate to emotions make it hard to cope with on how much you take in -- Set debate political differences at work your daily routine, seek help. Some aside a short block of time in the or to force a political conversation emotional challenges are too big to morning or early evening to catch on a coworker. Even when you tackle by yourself. up on political developments. have an interested listener, be A trusted friend may be able to Limit your exposure to political aware of who else is within range help as a sounding board and exchanges on social media. to hear your conversation and who sympathetic ear. Or you might Be respectful in conversations might be offended or upset by your benefit from reaching out to the about politics. views. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) People may sometimes attach evil Political discussions among family to learn with short-term strategies motives or negative attributes members or friends with different for coping with anxiety. to those who disagree with their views can also become emotional. The EAP is a confidential, free positions. Given how difficult it is to change a program designed to assist in the person's views, consider whether early identification and resolution • Accept that people have it's worth risking important of problems associated with different opinions—based relationships to have those employees impaired by personal on their life experience, their conversations. It may be better to concerns. understanding of the world, focus on shared interests. The EAP is available 24 hours a and their values. If a conversation about politics day and provides an emergency • Be open to listening to and becomes heated and unproductive hotline in addition to emergency learning from the views of at work or socially, politely step intervention and counseling. If needed, a one-on-one confidential others. away from it or change the subject. appointment with a counselor is • A good way to hear another Resist the temptation to get in the scheduled. last word. person and to be heard is to Employees and their dependents share the life stories that lie can receive up to five free sessions behind their (and your) views for assessment and counseling. and opinions. Look for the Referrals for on-going assistance areas where you agree and the are made, if needed. experiences you have shared, 1.800.607.1522 and build from that. Most Notable “On The Job” Experience: The whole 44 years! Upclose & First off, the equipment that was being used when I first hired in was typical 1970s office equipment-typewriter (most of them were electric, PERSONAL so we were using the latest technology) and carbon paper. Copy machines (millennials and younger—that’s a Multi-Function Machine) were just starting to be widely used. Prior to copy machines, when a court order was filed, we had to type the whole entire document into a large journal book, word for word. It was great being able to copy the court order on the copy machine and then place that copy into a loose leaf book for preserving the record. Paper jacket files were generated as each new case was created; every document that was filed by the court/parties/attorneys of record had to be then filed in the case jacket along with being noted in three different docket books. We evolved in the late 1980s to a word processing software (Fortune) and we really did not find any benefit for this process. Cindy Hofner In the early 1990s, the Clerk’s Office went totally computerized with our first case management system—the county actually sent a selected Clerk of Courts few persons from several offices to take computer classes at BGSU—I Position/ Years Employed: was one of the “lucky” ones. Deputy Clerk of Courts (1976- Due to the concern that all information would be lost in the computer, 1993 serving under Clerk Floyd E. we continued to file all the documents in the case files plus docket LeGalley, Earl L. Rife, Betty J. Haas everything in three different docket books along with in the computer. and Rebecca E. Bhaer); Chief Deputy Talk about being always behind! Clerk of Courts (1993-2008); Clerk of Courts (2009 - present) After a few months…… the comfort level came to the clerk’s office that Date of Birth/Place of Birth: computers were here to stay and we were able to move away from the July 24th/Wood County, Ohio manual docketing on the docket books and just input the information Family Status: Two adult children into the software. and two “granddogs” From that point moving forward the Clerk’s office continued to First Job: Summer assistant at the advance using technology, the creation of a network for the courts Wood County Clerk of Courts, 1974, and appropriate offices; Dynabuttons, upgrading case management processed first microfilm of cases for systems; document imaging system; redaction software, workflows and the office that summer. e-filing in 2019. Something That Describes You Best: Terminology has also changed in the clerk’s office— “greenies” (fake Dedicated, honest & caring docket sheets—waiting for the judges to return docket books back to Favorite Thing You Watch on TV or clerk’s office so information can be updated—they were actually white Movie: “It’s a Wonderful Life” in color); “pinkies” (divorce forms that are required to be filled out for My Oddest or Oldest Habit: State of Ohio—these were pink in color and had to be the same pink I don’t like to be late for a meeting, that the State of Ohio authorized); “bar sheets” and “white cards”. lunch or an event! Today, processes are indicated by the name of the vender “mailing Best Vacation: Cruise to Alaska with solution”—NeoPost; “scanning solution”- OnBase and everyone in the my husband Who Would You Like to BE In clerk’s office understands the language. Another Life: Me! Along the way, I have worked with a lot of good people (in the Clerk How Do You Spend Your Spare of Courts office, the courthouse and the public) and I will always have Time: Family time as much as I can fond memories (and some bad ones) of these relationships. get; working on things that need done around the house WOOD COUNTY EMPLOYEES UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN The e-Pledge forms for this year’s United Way Campaign have been sent to employee email accounts. If you do not have County email or prefer to use the paper pledge form, you can download the form from the employee website. Pledge forms are due back to the Commissioners’ Office by November 6.

WELLNESS PROGRAM REMINDERS For those employees completing the 2020 wellness programs, make note that December 18 is the last day to complete a wellness screening for the 2020 plan year. This quarter’s challenge options include Stretch and Flex or Kick the Can. Information was also shared about a challenge offering through OSU Extension that started mid-October. With the cancellation of the in-person annual insurance meetings, employees can receive event credit for completing one of the on-line OSU Extension Programs or KEPRO on-line seminars. For a list of eligible events, visit the wellness page on the employee website. Also, as previously communicated, the Fitness Program for July to December 2020 has been suspended. Balancing Work and Homeschooling Children NEW KEPRO, the Wood County Employee EAP Provider Many working parents are doing their best to keep their children on EMPLOYEES track academically while also keeping up with work assignments. While ADULT PROBATION Ryan N. Wolaver 9/14/20 today’s technology makes it possible; it’s not easy. Here are some steps you can take to make this extremely difficult situation more manageable. ENGINEER - HIGHWAY GARAGE Troy Bowers 9/21/20 • Give yourself a break. As a working parent, you’re used to the delicate give and take between your work responsibilities and HEALTH DEPARTMENT parenting duties. COVID-19 is taking that complicated balance to Ashleigh Konopka 8/24/20 a whole new level. Be generous with yourself when you make a Benjamin Robison 9/02/20 mistake or something falls through the cracks. Remember, this is an Merrilee Ewing-Beckley 9/09/20 unprecedented situation, and it will not last forever. JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES • Communicate with your employer. Supervisors understand that this Austin Biddle 9/14/20 situation is challenging for working parents. Still, just because you Leah Brooks 9/14/20 may be able to work from home, you can’t assume that means there Chrissa Hobbs 9/14/20 will be flexibility in your day. Therefore, it is important to know what NORTHWESTERN WATER & SEWER your supervisor expects from you as you work remotely. For example, DISTRICT are you supposed to be at your laptop or available by phone during Steven Watkins 7/20/20 set hours, or can you make your own schedule? Have project Bandon Daniels 7/27/20 deadlines been extended given the circumstances, or is it business as Jason Clark 7/31/20 usual? Josh Bundy 7/31/20 Daniel Clark 7/31/20 • Communicate with your child’s teachers. Since they are the experts on your child’s education, keeping the lines of communication open RECORDER’S OFFICE is important. How much work homeschooling requires of you will Andrew Johnson 7/30/20 largely depend on your child’s school. In some districts, teachers are SHERIFF’S OFFICE emailing daily assignments, while others are hosting online classes. Brea D. Hamlin 7/28/20 Some are doing very little. If your child’s school is continuing to Byron M. Wurth 8/31/20 provide support, ask the teachers to estimate how long assignments should take to complete. If classes are being held online, find out COUNTY EMAIL ADDRESSES what platform is being used and if there is a user guide to assist BEGIN TRANSITION TO parents. @WOODCOUNTYOHIO.GOV • Call in reinforcement if needed. Some parents have partnered with IT staff have been working on neighbors to share homeschooling responsibilities. Others have hired swapping the @co.wood.oh.us a tutor or babysitter to help with the children, while the parents email addresses in favor of the work. Some have family members in the area that are helping share @woodcountyohio.gov addresses. the load. At the end of the day, you are just one person and can only do so much. While the @co.wood.oh.us address will continue to work for up to a EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM year, employees are encouraged The EAP has resources available to help you cope with balancing work to notify their contacts of their and homeschooling children, in addition to other curves life throws your updated email address using way. KEPRO is also offering virtual visits during the pandemic. @woodcountyohio.gov. Call KEPRO at 1.800.607.1522 or visit their website for additional County web pages will also be information: www.eaphelplink.com • Company Code: WEBEAP migrating to woodcountyohio.gov in the coming months. Newsletter Committee’s Holiday Helping Hands Did You Know... The annual collection of hats, gloves, and mittens will Wood County employees can enroll take place in the Alvin L. Perkins Atrium during the month of November. in AFLAC coverage. To learn more Employees may drop the donations anytime during the month. Items contact Charles Polizano. collected will be distributed to those in need this holiday season. P. 419.409.1336 E. [email protected] THE VOICE OF ETHICS from the Ohio Ethics Commission ... Should I? Use of Public Time and Equipment Many public employees and officials pursue private outside Find the following words: work, consulting, and part-time jobs. Confidentiality Integrity While these pursuits are not necessarily prohibited, it’s Conflict Honesty important that public time and equipment not be used for outside Nepotism Rights business ventures. Duty Judgement For example, if your agency has provided you with equipment such as Character Bias a laptop or a cell phone to carry out public duties from home during Rules Moral the pandemic, they cannot be used for private business or consulting Justice work. Have questions on ethics? Visit www.ethics.ohio.gov.

C Z Y C E B C J T X T Z Z Q J A O V V O F U H U D A E E T I G V N I Y N I Q A N Z A A L E V N I F N N F N U R U S S C Z H A V R I X Z L T F A K K H L O J V R S D B L I E S C C Z F N C C I N J E I R C G U T D X E K B G E U C N A S T R R E W S U J H P D M V T S X F I G R T O U T O G O R O I R W W T Q Y C S S T E R D U A A N N R Y Y M T N I M A U G T T L L H Z Y C I V S E L T L K Y Q I Y H D X C A M N M Y D E T B B T C J E E X Z T L Z N N S K K W Y

Calendar of Events Tired of singing “Happy Birthday” while washing NOVEMBER your hands... 3 Election Day The Los Angeles Times suggests 6 United Way Campaign Ends trying a chorus from one of these hits 11 Offices Closed - Veterans Day instead. Each take about 20 seconds 26 Offices Closed - Thanksgiving Holiday to sing while you scrub. 27 Non 24-Hour Offices Closed (Landfill & Auto Title also open) • Prince, “Raspberry Beret” DECEMBER • Dolly Parton, “Jolene” 25 Offices Closed - Christmas Holiday • Toto, “Africa” JANUARY • Fleetwood Mac, “Landslide” • Culture Club, “Karma Chameleon” 1 Offices Closed - New Year’s Day Holiday • Natasha Bedingfield, “Unwritten” 18 Offices Closed - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday