Employee of the Month: Shervina Y. Miller the Kent County Department Heads Have Selected SHERVINA Y

Page December 2013

A Newsletter Published by Kent County Levy Court for its Employees December 2013 Employee of the Month: Shervina Y. Miller The Kent County department heads have selected SHERVINA Y. MILLER from the Department of Public Safety as the December 2013 Employee of the Month. Shevy has been a Kent County employee since 1996 and serves as Paramedic II in the Division of Emergency Medical Services. Her primary duties include treating patients using advanced emergency care procedures and insuring the high quality delivery of life support techniques. In addition, she was recently designated as the Field Training Officer for her shift responsible for orienting and evaluating new hires, pre- cepting Delaware Tech paramedic students, and conducting continuing education training.

Shevy is praised by supervisors for her technical consistency and excellent patient skills. The EMS Division INSIDE has received numerous positive comments from patients about the high 8 - Birthdays quality care she provides. 12 - Calendar According to Public Safety Director COLIN FAULKNER, “Shevy is 10 - Employee Council a leader in the department. Her lengthy experience in the field and atten- 10 - EMS/9-1-1 Stats tion to details results in successful patient outcomes. She has an uncanny 7 - From The Stacks calming presence in very tense situations. Concerned family members, 4 - On The Move especially children, tend to follow her firm, but soft spoken directives on 16 - Q’s & A’s scene. All of these skills make her a great paramedic and well deserving 9 - Tech Talk of this recognition.” 14 - Work Life! Congratulations Shevy on a job well done! Veterans welcome “Huey” helicopter By Kia Evans, Public Information Officer An early Christmas gift arrived on November 18, not by sleigh pulled by 9 reindeer but an 18-wheel flatbed truck escorted by Delaware State Police. Down Levy Court Lane the hulking craft came to the cheers of 40 Vietnam veterans welcoming it home. Showing its age, but well preserved this UH-1 Iro- quois “Huey” helicopter will one day soon occupy a place of honor amongst the monuments in Kent County Veterans Memorial Park. Kent Connections is published for the em- After its 200-mile trip from Norfolk, Virginia and ployees and retirees of Kent County Levy before heading to nearby Leipsic for restoration work, the Court using Microsoft Publisher® & Micro- veterans in attendance paid homage to the 57 foot long soft PowerPoint®. Comments, suggestions by 8 foot wide vessel with a sacred “smudging” ceremony and story ideas should be addressed to: conducted by Vietnam War army veteran Terry “Dream Kent County Personnel Office, 555 Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901, or given to Allan Kujala, Wanderer” Sammons. The ancient rite utilizes the burn- Cathleen McLean, Yvonne Messina, or Margo ing of dried herbs to cleanse and ward off negative spir- Mangiamele-Orlando. Or call the Personnel its/energy. Office at (302) 744-2310. (Continued on Next Page)

Page 2 December 2013 Veterans Park is future home of Huey (Continued from Page 1) ing and persistent force behind ensuring the ar- Kent County Chapter 850, Vietnam Vet- rival and future display of the Huey helicopter – erans of America president Joe Startt, reminded an enduring symbol of the southeast Asia con- the crowd of the relevancy of the work a Huey flict, in the park located next to the Kent County handled during the war. Administrative Complex. “This helicopter served as a lifesaver for After restoration is completed by John Vietnam veterans. It was instrumental in bring- Carey, the helicopter will be permanently dis- ing in supplies, bringing in re-enforcement, as played in its final resting spot. A spot where its well as, evacuating the wounded for transport to history, the history of those who flew aboard it, medical aid stations,” said Startt. and the history of our Nation, can be reflected According to Paul Davis, President of the upon and always remembered. state Vietnam Veterans of America Council, dis- cussion concerning the acquisition of a Huey Helicopter for the Kent County site began in 2010. He is credited by many as being the driv-

Page 3 December 2013

Santa Claus Robbie Watts Lori Caloway Vince Parsons Kristi Rinkenberg Ken Bonovich

Danielle Lamborn Steve Mullins Nicole Vautard Teresa Carter Chris White Shevy Miller 11 vie for Kent County Employee of the Year By Allan Kujala, Personnel Director Each of the Employees of the Month are selected by the County Department Heads and hat a great way to kick off the holiday sea- W the Employee Council is charged with choosing son, winning the coveted “Employee of the Year” the Employee of the Year. award at the annual Employee Holiday Social on The Employee of the Year for 2012 is December 14. Each Employee of the Month will MARY HAZELWOOD, Network Specialist in the be recognized, but the winner will be cheered Department of Administration-Information Tech- by his/her co-workers and receive a plaque com- nology Office. memorating the selection as well as a check for The annual Employee Holiday Social is $500. sponsored by the Employee Council and will be This year’s contenders from February held on Saturday, December 14, at the Dover through December 2013 are: ROBERT L. WATTS Elks Club on Salisbury Road from 6:00 p.m. to (Public Safety/Emergency Communications); 10:00 p.m. featuring a buffet dinner, door LORI A. CALOWAY (Finance-Accounting); VIN- prizes, live music, and the announcement of the CENT V. PARSONS (Public Works/Wastewater Employee of the Year 2013. Employees have to Facilities); KRISTINA M. RINKENBERG reserve their tickets by December 5. (Community Services/Libraries); KENNETH P. Annual service awards will be presented BONOVICH (Administration-Information Tech- at the free Employee Holiday Luncheon on nology); DANIELLE N. LAMBORN (Planning Ser- Wednesday, December 18 in Room 220 of the vices/Geographic Information Systems); STE- Administrative Complex from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 VEN A. MULLINS (Public Works/Wastewater p.m. Facilities); NICOLE L. VAUTARD (Public Safety/ Emergency Management); TERESA L. CARTER (Finance-Accounting); Deputy Sheriff CHRIS- IN NEXT MONTH’S ISSUE TIAN G. WHITE (Sheriff’s Office); and SHERV- > Who is the 2013 Employee of the Year? INA Y. MILLER (Public Safety/Emergency Medi- > Who will be recognized for Perfect Attendance in 2013? cal Services). The January 2013 Employee of the > Who received 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, & 30 year service awards? Month, Marvin Parker, left the County’s employ > Dental plan maximum resets for new calendar year in September.

Page 4 December 2013 s Kent County staff on the Move... New Hires Milestones continued

ERIC L. CAREY DIANA GOLT Custodian 15 years Grade 3 Assistant Director Department of Public Works Department of Public Works Facilities Management Division Engineering Division 11/05/2013 11/02/1998

DERRICK B. FOUNTAIN CYNDI LAIRD Custodian 10 years Grade 3 Funds Analyst Department of Public Works Department of Community Services Facilities Management Division Libraries Division 11/05/2013 11/03/2003

Reinstatement SCOTT McMILLON

JUSTIN R. PIPPIN 10 years Dispatcher II Paramedic II Grade 9 Department of Public Safety Department of Public Safety Emergency Medical Services Division Emergency Communications Division 11/16/2003 11/12/2013 TERESA CARTER Resignation 10 years Accountant I MICHAEL QUILLEN Department of Finance Custodian Accounting section Grade 3 11/17/2003 Department of Public Works Facilities Management Division 11/07/2013 be an “Angel” this Promotion holiday season t MARK BARTLETT Maintenance Worker I, Grade 5 anna put smiles on the faces of little children from Custodian, Grade 3 W Department of Public Works in need on Christmas Day? Then join Employee Wastewater Facilities Division Council by participating in the Salvation Army’s 11/17/2013 “Angel Tree” program. Request a present card from PATTY Milestones ORONA in the Deeds Office. Each card has the gender, age and suggested gift requested by a SCOTT BUNDEK child in need within our community. 20 years Once the gift in purchased, attach the Administrative Officer bottom portion of the card to the unwrapped gift Department of Public Safety and take it to the Personnel Office. The donated Emergency Communications Division gifts will be delivered to the Salvation Army on 11/15/1993 December 14.

Page 5 December 2013 Paramedic truck gets stuffed with food just before Thanksgiving By Kia Evans, Public Information Officer cess. People were unbelievably generous,” said Deputy Chief CINDY GRYGO. “Redner’s Ware- aramedics are observant by nature. When they P house Market in west Dover was easy to work arrive on a scene, they canvass the situation and with and many shoppers delivered full baskets of use their years of experience to make assess- food to us.” ments. In recent years, Kent County emergency Created as a means to allow Department of Public Safety staff to give back to the community, the two-day event featured hands on help from DAVID ABRAMSON, RICH ALLEN, BRUCE CHILLAS, JENNIFER GRAHAM, CINDY GRYGO, DAVID GRYGO, MIKE MESSICK, MEGAN MOER- MAN, RICK SCHLAUCH, JOHN TINGER, and NICOLE VAUTARD. Kent County employees also sent over donations and those were coor- dinated by MARI FABRES at the Kent County Wastewater Treatment Plant, HILARY WELLIVER at the Kent County Library, and GALE

Deputy Chief Cindy Grygo (left) and Cap- tain John Tinger hand out “Pack the Para- medic Truck” shop- ping lists to patrons entering Redner’s Market on November 17 & 18. Bags and bags of food (right) were stored at the Emergency Ser- vices Building until Food Bank delivery. responders have noticed some desperate need in MAAS and EVELYN JOPP at the Kent County our area. Administrative Complex. That realization led members of the De- “We organized this event to do some- partment of Public Safety to focus on the most thing for the community that was positive, yet vital need – food. Out of that effort, the “Pack went beyond our normal scope of 9-1-1 calls the Paramedic Truck” campaign was conceived and our time critical emergency duties,” Grygo with a before Thanksgiving timeframe. said. A modest goal of 300 lbs. of food for the With plans for next year’s “Pack the Para- Delaware Food Bank was established, but ex- medic Truck” food drive already underway, the ceeded well before the first day concluded. By 2014 campaign will undoubtedly seek to exceed the end of the second and final day, a small the 3,000 lb. benchmark. “I very much look for- group of paramedics and County staff had col- ward to next year,” Grygo said. “I hope to make lected over 3,388 lbs, equivalent to 1½ tons. this an annual event—next year’s goal is 3,500 “This food drive was a resounding suc- lbs!”

Page 6 December 2013 Employee Of the Month—INSIGHT Name: SHERVINA MILLER to dinner: My great great grandmother, Steve Job: Paramedic II Jobs and Wynton Marsalis Years with the County: 17 years, 9 months I’m most proud of: my daughter Education: Attended KGH Paramedic Training Pet peeve: People who don’t yield to emer- Center in 1991 gency vehicles My role as a County employee: To provide If I’ve learned one thing in life, it’s: Don’t exemplary care to the citizens of Kent County take anyone or anything for granted. What keeps my job interesting: The peo- Life goals and values important to me: ple I encounter while performing my job Equality and Respect What gives me a sense of accom- Characteristics and values impor- plishment on the job: To feel you tant to me: Equality and Respect made a difference at the end of your shift. Who has had the most impact on Professional advice I would like to my life: My mother offer to other County employees: Personal goals I have accomplished Treat everyone with the same respect and or would like to accomplish: Would patience you feel you deserve. have liked to have become a pediatrician After work I enjoy: Spending time with If I could have been in any profes- my family sion of my choosing, I would have Favorite new movie: Love Affair with War- been a: Pediatrician ren Beatty (1994) If I could have two wishes, they would Favorite old movie: A Christmas Carol be: To win the Lottery and to win the Lottery… Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy – N.C.I.S. again Favorite sport: Softball You’d be surprised to learn that I: Wanted Favorite music: Music from the 70’s to be a pediatrician Favorite Kent County restaurant: Restau- The most adventurous thing I’ve ever rant 55 done is: Unfortunately, stood too close to Favorite Kent County event: Amish Bike DAWN SHANE while she was operating a defi- Tour brillator…ouch! Three people (living or dead) I’d invite ***3472*** ***9701*** **6586*** Personal leave accrual does not carry over By Allan Kujala, Personnel Director Exempt employees including department heads, Assistant Directors, and professional staff s provided in the Personnel Ordinance, per- A receive five personal days per calendar year and sonal leave availability readjusts will be credited with the days like the classified with the beginning of the new employees. Exempt employees are ineligible for calendar year. Unused personal overtime, so receive more personal time. leave time does not carry over Under the Personnel Ordinance, the use from year to year. of personal days must be requested from the De- All classified employees partment Head at least 48 hours in advance and will be credited with three personal days on may be used for “undisclosed” reasons. January 1, 2014 to be used during the year. Employees unsure if all personal leave Personal leave days are deducted from accrued has been used should contact the Payroll Coordi- sick leave, but are not counted as an absence for nator for their department or call Payroll Admin- perfect attendance purposes. Employees hired istrator CATHLEEN “Cat” McLEAN at 744-2387 during 2014 will receive pro-rated hours. or stop by the Personnel Office.

Page 7 December 2013 FROM THE STACKS By Hilary Welliver, County Librarian Stylized fairy tales not for the young woman. Fairy tales are not just for children. Adults will The Book of Lost Things by John enjoy these novelizations of familiar stories. Connolly is the story of David, who Wicked: The Life and Times of the mourns the death of his mother Wicked Witch of the West with only books for company. by Gregory Maguire, is the Those books, however, have begun inspiration for the Broadway to whisper to him in the darkness. musical of the same title and Angry and alone, David takes ref- the tale of Elfaba, Oz’s uge in his imagination and soon Wicked Witch, before she met finds that reality and fantasy have her nemesis, Dorothy Gale. begun to meld. While his family falls apart Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman adapts around him, David is propelled into a world trickster tales of Anansi the Spider. populated by heroes and monsters and ruled by Fat Charlie Nancy’s normal life a faded king who keeps his secrets in a mysteri- ends the moment his father drops ous book, The Book of Lost Things. dead on a Florida karaoke stage. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Charlie didn’t know his dad was a Marillier. Lovely Sorcha is the sev- god and he never knew he had a enth child and only daughter of brother. Now brother Spider’s on Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. Be- his doorstep, and Fat Charlie’s life reft of a mother, she is comforted has just become more interesting and a lot more by her six brothers who love and dangerous. protect her; she is the light of their Reawakened by Odette Beane is in- lives. But Sorcha’s joy is shattered spired by the popular television when an evil enchantress binds her series, Once Upon a Time. Emma brothers with a terrible spell, a Swan’s life has been anything but spell which only Sorcha can lift --- by staying a fairy tale. She’s been on her silent. If she speaks before she completes her own since she was abandoned as a quest, she loses her brothers forever. baby – that is, until the night Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth is a rein- when Henry, a 10-year-old boy, vention of Rapunzel woven to- shows up on her doorstep. He’s gether with the scandalous life of the son Emma gave up for adop- Charlotte-Rose de la Force, a tion, and his surprise visit turns her life upside woman banished from the court of down. Versailles after a series of scandal- When Beauty Tamed the Beast by ous love affairs. Eloisa James. Miss Linnet Berry Enchantment by Orson Thrynne is a Beauty betrothed to a Scott Card transforms the timeless Beast. Piers Yelverton, Earl of story of Sleeping Beauty into an original fantasy Marchant, lives in a castle in Wales brimming with romance and adventure. where, it is rumored, his bad tem- Einstein once said: “If you want your per flays everyone he meets. It is children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. also rumored that a wound has left If you want them to be more intelligent, read the earl immune to the charms of them more fairy tales!” any woman. Linnet is not just any

Page 8 December 2013 Staff learns to save a life with CPR/AED By Sgt. Rick Schlauch, Paramedic III The following Employees attended the November 14 class: MIKE BERRY, GEORGE De- tarting a heart can be a thrill, but to do it suc- S BENEDICTIS, DEVIN DuPREE, DEXTER KOLLIE, cessfully one needs to be property trained. Now, RICHARD MOSLEY, LESLIE PERSANS, JACK 11 more Kent County employees have learned SCHULTIES, SCOTT VAUTARD, JESSE WAL- the latest CPR techniques as recommended by LACE, and MIKE WEYANT. the American Heart Association. The class was taught by Paramedics The A,B.C. (Airway, Breathing, Chest RALPH NEIL, LISA SCHLAUCH and RICHARD Compressions) sequence has changed to C,A.B SCHLAUCH. Seats are still available for the class (Chest Compressions, Airway, Breathing) except which will be held on Monday, December 16, for newborns. This change was due to statistics 2013 at the Department of Public Safety from showing the needed emphasis on chest compres- 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. If you are not certified, sions and to push hard and fast. ask your Department Head if you can attend. KENT COUNTY BIRTHDAYS 04 Mark Jacobs, Planning Services/Planning DECEMBER 04 Harold Venable, Public Works/WWF 02 Chris Austin, Public Works/WWF 05 Bruce Timmons, Chief Deputy Sheriff 04 Albert Biddle, Planning Services/Planning 06 Betty Lou McKenna, Recorder of Deeds 07 Rob Pierce, Public Works/Engineering 07 Alex Argo, Public Works/WWF 07 Ben Byler, Administration-IT 07 Shannon Morris, Planning Services/I&E 09 Mark Bartlett, Public Works/WWF 09 Kenneth Eckard, Public Works/WWF 12 Eugene Tucker, Public Safety/Emer. Comm. 10 James Gerardi, Public Works/WWF 12 Steve Mullins, Public Works/WWF 11 Lori Caloway, Finance-Accounting 13 Doug Poore, Public Safety/EMS 15 Mike Ward, Planning Services/GIS 17 Richard Morris, Public Works/WWF 17 Allan Angel, Levy Court Commissioner 18 Dick MacDonald, Public Works/Facilities Mgt 18 Debbie Cline, Deeds Office 18 David Abramson, Public Safety/EMS 18 Denise Cayz, Community Services/Libraries 18 Susan Willson, Finance-Assessment 18 Jason Berry, Planning Services/Planning 21 Nancy Glenn, Planning Services/Insp. &Enf. 18 Sabrina Fite, Planning Services/GIS 22 E. Steven Zlock, Public Works/WWF 20 Colin Faulkner, Public Safety Director 22 Christina Beachy, Finance-Tax 20 Harold Brode, Register of Wills 22 Zachary Lawson, Public Works/Engineering 20 Edward Semans, Public Safety/Emer. Comm. 25 Annette Whitby, Public Safety/Emer. Comm. 21 Allison Friday, Public Safety/EMS 25 Richard Schlauch, Public Safety/EMS 21 Jim Waddington, Administration-Econ. Dev 26 Kevin Curtis, Administration-IT 22 Brian Hall, Public Works/Engineering 26 Robert Skripko, Public Works/Engineering 22 Kathy Skinner, Sheriff’s Office 28 Colby Harrington, Public Works/WWF 23 Kristopher Spalding, Comm. Srvs/Parks&Rec 29 Mary Hazelwood, Administration-IT 25 John Naylor, Public Safety/EMS 29 Scott McMillon, Public Safety/EMS 27 Chuck Hurd, Public Safety/EMS 29 Dirk Yoder, Public Safety/EMS 27 Hans Medlarz, Public Works Director 30 Jonathan Cole, Public Works/WWF 28 Leslie Persans, Planning Services/I&E 31 Nancy Thompson, Wills Office 29 John Witzke, Public Safety/EMS January 30 John Foley, Deputy Sheriff 02 Ana Iturriaga, Public Works/Facilities Mgmt. 30 Frances Moore, Deputy Clerk of Peace 03 Crystal Yerkes, Deeds Office 30 Kathy Phinney, Administration 03 Devin DuPree, Public Works/WWF 31 Dexter Kollie, Planning Services/I&E

Page 9 December 2013 Next new thing? Wearable tech! By Ken Bonovich, Computer Support Technician I stripping you of your watch is problematic, and they’ll need to pick your pocket or grab your he next “new” thing is wearable technology, T purse to get to your phone. You could also hard and currently at the head of that pack, and al- pair the devices, making the phone useless without the watch and therefore pointless to steal. You will want to make several considera- tions when deciding what Smartwatch is best for you. Currently there are only a handful modern of Smartwatches in the market, smartlets (smart bracelets) are easier to find, but do not have as big a feature base. The Samsung galaxy Gear, Pebble Smartwatch, Sony MN2SW, and Mo- torola MOTOACTV are the current front-runners for Smartwatches. The most exciting and antici- ready available are the Smartwatches. pated smartphones coming out soon are the Ap- A Smartwatch is a wearable computing ple iWatch, Google Gem, Qualcomm Toq Smart- device. In early designs, they had limited func- watch, and the Sony Smartwatch 2, all of whom tionality with only the ability to be a calculator are expected to release either before the end of and store small notes, but currently, they are the year, or early next year. able to do anything a smartphone can do which I look forward to the future of wearable begs the question, will the Smartwatch make the technology, and with current trends running smartphone obsolete? The short answer, no. down the road of the Smartwatch, I am very ex- Modern Smartwatches have the ability to cited. **8583** **6101** show GPS navigation, perform calculations, show text messages, display contacts and phone calls, tweets, play music and even take photos. Give to charity the United Way! There are also specialized Smartwatches which By Margo Mangiamele-Orlando, Personnel Technician I can perform biometric calculations such as calo- ries burned, act as a pedometer, track sleep pat- Kent County’s annual campaign for United Way terns and in future development is a process ends this month. Last year County which could track accurate caloric intake. Some e m - ployees contributed of these Fitness based Smartwatches can also be $5,202. Pledge forms called smartlets (smart bracelet). were distributed on No- Some experts have said that the Smart- vember 8 and need to be watch is going to make the smartphone screen returned to the Personnel obsolete. By moving notifications, alerts, and Office before December 20 for pay- alarms onto your wrist, the need to pull out your roll deduction. Cash donations need to be sub- phone could become a thing of the past. Along mitted by December 31. with the screen, the camera has been moved to United Way of Delaware is one of the your arm as well, so taking pictures could be as most efficient charities in the country with mini- simple as pointing your wrist. The other benefit mal administrative costs. It also offers you the of not having to take your phone out is security. ability to specify what charitable organization(s) A massive increase in cell phone theft receives your donation. A one dollar per week makes an interesting backdrop for these trends. donation adds up to over $50.00 for the year. It Wearing a Smartwatch instead of taking out a is an easy, rather painless way to donate without phone will make you far safer in that regard. much of a financial burden. Payroll deductions Unless an attacker wants to cut off your hand, begin January 3, 2014.

Page 10 December 2013

HOW TO BE EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENT ORIENTATION—e. Regularly review/solicit input on performance and make ongoing adjustments to improve individual and organizational performance. ADAPTABILITY/FLEXIBILITY—a. Easily jug- By Beverly Hay, Employee Council Secretary gle a large number of assignments and activi- Holiday Social: Saturday, December 14, ties; b. Encourage and instruct others about the benefits of change... 2013, 6:00 pm – 10:00 p.m. at the Dover Elks G.A.U.G.E.—Kent Co.’s performance assessment tool Lodge. Buffet, Live Music, Door Prizes and FUN! FUN! AND MORE FUN!!! See PATTY ORONA (744-2314) in the Recorder of Deeds office for tickets by Thursday, Kent Co. Employee Obsessions December 5. Everybody must have a ticket. Take a minute to visit the display case on the first Employee tickets are free, $25.00 for Guests and floor of the Kent County Administrative Complex Appointed Board/Commission members, and featuring a little bit of nature—including actual $15.00 for Retirees from active service. flora and fauna along with imitation birds and A big THANK YOU goes out to ELLEN other items to simulate what you might find in a MITCHELL for preparing the delicious subs last Kent County forest as conceived by the talented month. Also thank you to JOHN ZISTL and BONNIE VOSHELL from the Planning Division. SHEILA ROSS for helping with the sub prepara- Got an interesting hobby or like to collect tion. 72 subs were made! Thanks to all who limited edition baubles? Contact the Personnel supported this event. Office at 744-2310. December events: December 2 – 18. Be on the look out for some fabulous raffles going on, including an iPad and 2 chances to win $250 cash. The win- ners will be drawn at the Employee luncheon!!! Good luck to everyone who plays. December 18 – FREE! Employee Holi- day Luncheon from 11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m. in the Administrative Complex Conference Room. Door prizes, raffles, and presentation of service Monthly statistics from Kent County Department of Public Safety awards. December 23 – FREE! Just to show 2013 OCT SEPT ‘13 YTD our appreciation for all you do, come enjoy 9-1-1 calls 6,711 7,461 74,110 cookies & hot chocolate from 2 – 3 pm in the # calls by Cell Phone 5,523 5,586 54,177 Administrative Complex kitchen. Got an idea? Share it with your Em- Fire incidents 458 474 4,878 ployee Council: President TRUDENA HORSEY, Ambulance incidents 2,027 2,032 19,518 Vice-President DANIELLE LAMBORN, Secretary Paramedic incidents 1,035 1,025 9,996 BEVERLY HAY; Treasurer YVONNE MESSINA; or members MARTI STANSBURY, PATTY ORONA, # Patients to hospital 588 574 5,652 and DAVID WHITNEY. # Patient DOA 23 12 173 # Patient refuses care 43 44 394 # Patient release/BLS 61 75 718 # Response cancelled 254 248 2,464

Page 11 December 2013 Welcome to Welcome to Levy Court! Levy Court! Name: ERIC L. CAREY Name: DERRICK B. FOUNTAIN Job: Custodian Job: Custodian Date Hired: November 5, 2013 Date Hired: November 5, 2013 Education: High School Education: High School Diploma What I like most about my What I like most about my new job: Knowing I work for the new job: I like night time hours county I was born in Greatest accomplishment: Greatest accomplishment: Put- Completing High School ting out my first fire with the Dover Greatest challenge or obstacle: Fire Department. Finding a full time job Future goals: To retire with the County Future goals: Finish college I’m most relaxed and happy when I’m Person/event that most inspired me in doing this: Watching sports my career: myself Family: Father: Carleton Carey Jr., Mother: If I had it to do over, I would have done Donna Carey, Brother: Matt Carey this differently: Take others positive advice Favorite TV show: ESPN I’m most relaxed and happy when I’m Favorite sport: Baseball doing this: At home with my family Favorite meal: Pizza Most recent movie enjoyed: Scary Movie Favorite music: Anything Favorite TV show: Family Guy Favorite saying or slogan: Work hard, play Favorite sport: Football hard Favorite meal: Steak Who has had the most impact on my life: Favorite music: Gospel, Rap and R & B Brother Matt Carey A dream I have is to: Own my own business A dream I have is to: Own season tickets to If I won a million dollars I would: Help the Patriots my family If I won a million dollars I would: Buy The most adventurous thing I’ve ever my parents something nice, and for myself. done is: Roller Coaster The most adventurous thing I’ve ever Three words that describe me: Honest, done is: Been to Fenway Park and Gillette Sta- Dependable and Loyal dium Three words that describe me: Friendly, Number|Hunt Loyal, Respectful Stay informed and earn the chance to win a free Congratulations o movie ticket compliments of Employee Council by Congratulations to WILSON “Barney” BRANHAM reading Kent Connections every month. Look for the (Maintenance Mechanic III) and his wife Beth last four digits of your Social Security number some- Zane upon their marriage on October 26, 2013. where in the current newsletter and be the first or second to contact the Personnel Office at 744-2310. It was a Halloween themed wedding in the back JAMES NEWTON in the Engineering Division and yard of their home with he dressed as Franken- RICHARD ALLEN in the EMS Division were the first stein and she as the Bride of Frankenstein. All of to spot their numbers and win last month. their guests joined in the fun and dressed in cos- It’s easy to win—just read your Employee tumes as well. Best wishes to the happy couple. newsletter every month! **3854** **8873**

Page 12 December 2013 MARK YOUR CALENDAR December 2 - 18, 2013 - I-Pad Air Raffle. Sponsored by Employee Council. December 5, 2013 - Blood Pressure Checks INSIGHT INTO THAT OTHER DEPT/DIV/OFFICE at the Wastewater Treatment Plant 2:00 -4:00 Emergency Management p.m. December 6, 2013 - Deadline for turning in Division Cake Mixes for Salvation Army Food Baskets. Mission: to serve as the lead agency in the December 9, 2013 - Operation North Pole County for the coordination of emergency pre- from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m., Administrative Complex paredness, training, response, recovery and December 11, 2013 - Blood Pressure mitigation, if necessary, as a result of adverse Checks at County Library at 9:00 and at the Ad- weather, natural or manmade disasters. ministrative Complex, Room 213, 9:30-11:30 Location: Emergency Services Building a.m. Department: Public Safety Levy Court Committee Chair: Commis- December 11, 2013 - L&W Insurance rep- sioner TERRY PEPPER resentative available to answer health insurance Department Head: COLIN FAULKNER questions from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Administrative Division Manager: Vacant. Chief Faulkner Complex, Room 213. oversees the day-to-day operations December 14, 2013 - Employee Holiday # of Positions: 2 (1 is vacant) Social at the Dover Elks Club from 6:00-10:00 Major Tasks: Serve as coordination center for p.m. Tickets have to be reserved with Employee inter-agency communication and response dur- Council by December 5, 2013. ing large scale events; Develop plans for re- December 16, 2013 - Deadline to turn in sponding to all hazard emergencies such as gifts for Salvation Army. (Angel Tree) toxic spills, nuclear incidents, terrorist attacks, December 16, 2013 - CPR class at Public major weather related disasters, etc.; Participate Safety Building from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in drills with emergency response services to insure plans are effective; etc. December 18, 2013 - Employee Holiday Busiest Time: When a natural disaster or ca- Luncheon in Administrative Complex, Room 220 tastrophe occurs or is forecasted such as a hurri- at 11:30 a.m. Catered by Georgia House. Free. cane, flood or snowstorm—which requires the December 23, 2013 - Free Cookies and Hot Emergency Operations Center to open. Chocolate from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. in Complex Budgeted Income: $191,300/yr. kitchen. Sponsored by Employee Council. Where’s it come from: Emergency Manage- December 25 & 26, 2013 - Christmas ment Planning Grant, LEPC State grant Holidays. County Offices closed. Budgeted Expenses: $323,100/yr. New Year’s Day holiday. Where’s it goes: Personnel, indirect costs, January 1, 2014 - utilities, equipment maintenance, travel, insur- County Offices Closed. ance, office supplies, legal/contract services, etc. January 18, 2014 - Annual Levy Court Re- Interesting Fact: Multi-jurisdictional drills treat, 8:00 - 3:00 p.m., Complex Room 220. ranging from table-tops to full scale are con- January 20, 2014 - Martin Luther King’s ducted on various scenarios such as active Birthday. County Offices closed. shooters, terrorism activity, hurricanes, train derailments, etc. **9470** **6670** **0226**

Page 13 December 2013 County hosts Building Official training By Leslie Persans, Inspections & Enforcement Division Manager is well represented in these organizations with Permits Coordinator MARC St. JEAN currently o hammers or saws were heard, but plenty of N serving as president of the Delaware association building techniques were and Inspections Administrator SCOTT TANNER discussed at the Adminis- serving as president of the Lower Delaware trative Complex in late Oc- group. tober, as Kent County County staff members, including DALE hosted a two-day training JONES, AMY MINNER, LESLIE PERSANS, MARC conference for more than St. JEAN, GINA SCHULTIES, MARTI STANS- 65 code professionals, ar- BURY, and SCOTT TANNER, worked together to chitects, and engineers coordinate the event such as parking, check in, from Delaware, Maryland, breakfast, lunch, training sessions, payment and and Virginia. various last minute challenges. Permit Techni- Course attendees learned about Interna- cian VANESSA AUSTIN created the informa- tional Building Code/2012 Non Structural Provi- tional signage. sions on the first day, while curriculum focused A highlight of the training workshops on International Residential Code/2012 Funda- was the International Code Council presenter, mentals of Building Provisions on the second Mike Perrone, Code Official for the Borough of day. West Chester, Pennsylvania, who received acco- The sessions featured current Interna- lades for his presentation style and knowledge of tional Code Council training offered through the the codes. joint efforts of the Lower Delaware and Mary- Due to the positive feedback, plans are land Building Officials Association and the Dela- already in the works for another two day train- ware Building Officials Association. Kent County ing session in March 2014. Carnival debuts Dec. 31 By Hilary Welliver, County Librarian The 2013 Winter Carnival theme is “Once Upon a Time.” Winter Carnival is the Friends of Kent County Public Library’s annual New Year’s Eve fund raiser. The family-friendly celebration takes place from 9 a.m. to noon on December 31 and features performances by the Juggling Hoff- mans, the Rehoboth Children’s Theatre, and award-winning actress Mary Ann Jung, who will portray Queen Elizabeth (as she does for the Maryland Renaissance Faire). The Carnival includes activity, craft, and game booths as well as costumed characters rov- ing the crowd, a fire truck to sound its siren and flash its lights at noon, as well as a countdown to a balloon drop at noon. Tickets ($5/person) go on sale December 2; no tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the event. Last year’s event drew more than 350 participants.

Page 14 December 2013 out of their way to give me what ever I need. I am not just referring to time which so many of you have donated to me, and I could not thank you so very much. I am referring to the support, the cards the hugs and concern for me. It is hard enough to go through the kind of torment I have had to endure in the last few years but knowing that I have had co-workers pushing me to fight for It can be tough these days working for the government—any my life has made this fight a little easier. Knowing government! Many of the people we serve are rallying against the pensions, benefits, and pay of public servants. It can be that I don’t have to worry if I will lose my job on demoralizing, but it doesn’t have to be! Be proud of the work top of everything else gives me a chance to focus you do and high quality service you provide. Our citizens may on getting better easier. I really love working here not always realize it, but we are saving lives, protecting the envi- and working with a great bunch of co-workers. ronment, making this a better place to live, or facilitating those Through the years of working for the that do. Share the pride of serving Kent County each work day... County I have learned so much. I feel I make a I started work with Kent County in March 2002 difference in people’s lives, and they make a differ- and my words can not express ence in mine. I have always felt I was a people per- how much the County means to son and knowing that I have the ability to help me. I have been through so people makes my job that much more fun. much in the last 4 years. As — LORI SHORT, Planning Technician I most people know I had cervi- cal cancer and came very close Bragging to dying. In the last 3 years I have been dealing with the ef- Rights fects from the treatment of my Share your family disease. I wanted to let every- photos, stories, & more one know how I feel about Kent County and the people who work here. Vautard’s son completes boot camp It has been an honor and privilege to be Building Code Inspector II SCOTT VAUTARD and able to be a part of the family here during my Emergency Management Secretary NICOLE VAU- years here, I have been part of Employee Council, TARD are very proud of their son, Logan Timson, Safe Summer Day, many picnics, Christmas par- who has recently completed all of his requirements ties and gatherings. and is now a United States Navy Sailor. He Kent County has by far the best medical graduated from Navy Boot camp on November 22, benefits I have ever seen. With all the surgeries 2013, where he scored 4.91 out of 5—the highest and tests, I have never had an issue with our in- in his division. He will be stationed at Lackland surance. Air Force Base for his A School (Job School). I would like to thank the Commissioners, Logan will be training to be a Master of Arms in Dept Heads and their assistants for their under- the Navy. Their youngest son, Colton Vautard, standing, and working with me through all my who is a freshman at Caesar Rodney High School medical issues. Kent County is truly a unique and earned a solo in the Jazz Band and will perform one of a kind place to work. sometime in the Spring of 2014. Thank you so very much for all that you do, not just for me but for all of us here at Kent Fisher’s very proud of grandson County. Kent County retirees Bob and Janet Fisher are very As for my co-workers if it was not for you, proud of their grandson, Andrew P. Fisher, a 1st I would not have my job right now. I have never Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Andrew is currently seen a more caring bunch of people who have gone stationed in Afghanistan.

Page 15 December 2013 Employee’s photos adorn Complex hallway By Margo Mangiamele-Orlando, Personnel Technician I bay Hook Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna and at his cabin in West Virginia. He even has a photo t is said that beauty is in the eye of the be- I of a fox yawning. In addition, he travels to Get- holder, but in reality it is the eye of the photog- tysburg, Pennsylvania and Manassas, Virginia to rapher. Want proof? Visit the first floor hallway photograph Civil War re-enactors dressed in of the Kent County Administrative Complex for a military clothing from that era. Jack is also fond photographic tour of Historic Dover captured of air shows, especially at the Dover Air Force through the camera lens of Deputy Sheriff JACK Base. One of his favorite photographs captures a FOLEY. fighter jet emerging out The beautiful 10 inch by of the sonic boom 16 inch framed and matted pic- cloud. If you look tures include Dover City Hall, the closely, you can even Delaware Supreme Court build- see the pilot sitting in ing, the new Kent County Court- the cockpit. house taken at night to capture His photo of the lights from within, the old re- Police Memorial is a favorite among many law enforcement New Kent County courthouse officers and police agencies. Visit any Do- ver law office or Judge’s chamber, and you are likely to see Jack’s work. Other venues include Pip- pin’s funeral home in Camden and the Governor’s Café in Dover. One of his photos of Legislative Hall was even featured in a Delaware bro- chure, and another was published in a local bank’s calendar. Jack is extremely talented.

Old Delaware State House in Dover cently renovated Legislative Hall on The Green, and the Kent County Administrative Complex with the fountain illuminated with a pink glow to promote breast cancer awareness. A photograph of the current Legislative Hall is absolutely beautiful with a blanket of fresh snow fall. Kent County Administrative Complex Perhaps the most impressive photo is of the Delaware Law Enforcement Memorial which I'm speaking from personal experience. Jack due to the lighting is absolutely breath taking. took photos at my parents 50th Wedding Anni- Jack’s work is absolutely wonderful. He versary Party and the candid shots he took were manages to capture the true essence of each of priceless. We all will be holding our breath with his subjects. His wildlife photos are amazing. A anticipation to see more of his work displayed in lot of his animal photographs are taken at Bom- our lovely building.

Page 16 December 2013 ‘Tis the Season for High Praises...Fa La La La High Praise for RUBY Q. About six months ago, I received a hand FARMER, Tax Clerk III, written note from a customer thanking me for for her assistance to a my efforts on their behalf. I gave it to my De- disabled veteran who partment Head and she said she would send it called to inquire about to you for my personnel file and inclusion in the possible tax relief. He “High Praise” section of the employee newslet- was so impressed by ter. It was never printed. Why not? her willingness to help, he felt compelled to let We have lots of great employees here at Kent A. some one know. Sweet! County and that means they receive lots of thank Give Gold Stars to BARNEY BRANHAM, RICK you notes. We try to include these short comments MOSLEY, and JESSE WALLACE, Maintenance of high praise in the newsletter whenever there is Mechanics in the Wastewater Facilities Division room. Some employees receive multiple notes, for their “professional and pleasant” response to some departments receive many and some receive a possible sewer issue according to a customer few—it depends on the customer residing in Royal Grant subdivi- interaction required. Your question sion. Another satisfied customer! provides an opportunity to clear High Praises All Around to NANCY out some of the back log. I hope GLENN, JOHN SCHULTIES, and yours is amongst the following: & SCOTT VAUTARD, in the Inspec- Q The purpose of Q & A isA to educate tions & Enforcement Division for n High Praise and encourage work related discourse “being helpful and understanding” Give a Gold Star to JASON among staff about County policies, according to a home owner in an BERRY, Planner II in the Planning work practices, and employee issues. It emergency mortgage settlement Division, for providing excellent is not intended to promote unproductive gossip or speculation about the author situation. Way to go! service to a customer involved in A Collective High Five to WAYNE the variance process. The individ- of a question. Unless otherwise noted, all questions contained herein have McCARTY and MIKE RIGBY and ual sought out the department been crafted by Personnel Office staff his Parks crew from the Pharsalia head to express appreciation for and may or may not reflect actual ques- Homeowners Association, for their Jason’s helpfulness. Outstanding!! tions asked. -Personnel Director “prompt response” and “suburb Kudos to SHIRLEY THOMS, As- job” when the group was notified about an ero- sessor I in the Department of Finance, for a let- sion problem along the adjacent Brecknock Park ter of praise from a customer which said “I feel trail. Awesome! she went above and beyond… to say thank you Thank you to DOUG POORE, Field Supervisor didn’t seem like enough. I hope that somehow this in the Emergency Medical Services Division, for letter will bring recognition to her for a job very an exceptional presentation on teen suicide at well done.” the recent Delaware Emergency Nurses Associa- High Five to DIANE RAGER, Deputy Register of tion conference, where he earned praise from the Wills, for a Constituent Comment Card that read Christiana Care Chief of Neurointerventional Ra- “Awesome! Very helpful and patient in explaining diology. Impressive!! the processes” Kudos to DARIN JONES and FRED STRAUSS, Thank you AMY MINNER, Permit Technician Parks Workers in the Division of Parks & Recrea- III in the Inspections & Enforcement Division for tion, for a hand written card thanking them for a written statement from a customer praising “the great job” they do to keep Big Oak Park “so her “friendliness” and “willingness to help” He nice for all who use it.” You’re Great!! was also very impressed my her subject knowledge. Exceeding expectations!! A. We have so many more...High Praise to All!