Levy Court Shows Thanks with Picnic
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Page Kent Connections June 2007 A Newsletter Published by Kent County Levy Court for its Employees June 2007 Employee Levy Court of the Month shows thanks Michael Berry The Kent County Employee Council has selected MI- with picnic CHAEL “Mike” T. BERRY from the Department of By Allan Kujala, Personnel Director Public Works as the June 2007 Employee of the Month. The sincere appreciation and high regard Levy Mike, a Kent County employee since July Court Commissioners 2002, is a Maintenance Mechanic II in the Division of hold for each employee is Wastewater Facilities responsible for maintaining and demonstrated in a num- servicing the wastewater collection system, repairs ber of ways throughout and preventative maintenance of various sewer the year by competitive pumping stations, and is also available to help out salary and benefits, indi- with treatment plant maintenance projects. vidual recognition, em- According to supervisors, Mike is a very dedi- ployee service awards, cated employee who is always willing to lend a help- employee Christmas ing hand. No matter what time of the day, how diffi- luncheon and the annual cult, or how tedious the job may be, Mike is always Employee Appreciation Picnic scheduled for Wednes- there to assist with the task. He frequently goes the day, June 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the park extra mile to get the job done even if this means can- area located north of the Administrative Complex celing personal activities after work hours to help building. The rain date is Thursday, June 21. meet County deadlines. The County employee-only event is organ- Mike is regularly praised for his willingness ized by the Employee Council and features free hot- to take on any new mission with diligence. In fact, dogs, hamburgers, fried chicken, with potato salad, he is currently studying to be a Fire Extinguisher baked beans, fruit and dessert. Iced tea, lemonade Safety Inspector for the County. and bottled water will also be provided. Co-workers Congratulations Mike on a job well done! serve as “Grill Masters” (or Mistresses) to help with the cooking, and volunteers are being sought to help COMING NEXT MONTH: set up beforehand and clean up afterwards. > What’s now effective with the new FY08 budget? This year’s event harkens the return of the > How did the County do at Leg. Hall this year? dunking booth, where employees can attempt to > Who can receive a Kent County medal? dunk their favorite or least favorite co-worker, super- IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE: visor, or even a Commissioner. Cost is $1.00 for three 16 - A’s to Your Q’s 4 - Mark Your Calendar baseballs, or $2.00 for three attempts with a basket- 4 - Birthdays 4 - On The Move ball. Funds collected will benefit the annual Em- 6 - From The Stacks 6 - Recipe of the Month ployee Holiday Dinner/Dance. Kent Connections is published for the employees and retirees of Kent The picnic is always a popular activity for County Levy Court using Microsoft Publisher® & Microsoft Power- employees, but County business continues to operate Point®. Comments, suggestions and story ideas should be addressed as staff members work in shifts to cover offices. to: Kent County Personnel Office, 555 Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901, If you would like to volunteer to flip ham- or given to Allan Kujala, Sophie Dear, Cathleen McLean, or Carissa McLoughlin. Or, call the Personnel Office at 744-2310. burgers, please call any Employee Council member. Page 2 Kent Connections June 2007 Welcome to EOM Levy Court! INSIGHT Name: ADAM S. BRADFORD Name: MICHAEL BERRY Job: WWF Plant Operator I Job: Maintenance Mechanic II Date hired: April 30, 2007 Years with the County: Al- Education: High school graduate; most 5 attending Del Tech Education: Chincoteague High, Chincoteague, VA What I like most about my new What I like most about my job: Something dif- job: The opportunity to learn the ferent every day process of wastewater treatment What I’d most like to change: Nothing Greatest accomplishment: My Family: Wife, Susan; daughter, Tammy; two grand- family and the completion of six sons, Mike and Brandon years of military service After work I enjoy: Relaxing, riding my motorcy- Greatest challenge: Receiving a cle college degree Favorite old movie: M*A*S*H Future goals: To own my own home Favorite TV show: Two and a Half Men Person/event that most inspired me in my Favorite TV show as a child: MASH career: Jerry Williams (Department head at the Del Favorite sports: Baseball, golf, football Tech Environmental Center) Favorite meal: Steak, seafood If I had it to do over, I would have done this Favorite music: All but Rap differently: Listen to my mother Favorite Kent County restaurants: Roadhouse, I’m most relaxed and happy when I’m doing Lone Star this: Hangin’ with my family and in-laws Favorite Kent County event: Dover Downs race Family: 12-year-old daughter, Miranda; 2-year-old People (living or dead) I’d invite to dinner: son, Brendon; girlfriend, Jennifer Amell My parents, and Elvis Presley for my wife Most recent movie enjoyed: Saw III I’m most proud of: How I live my life. Favorite TV show: LOST Pet peeve: Road rage Favorite sport: Football Motto: Be honest and straightforward Favorite meal: Pizza If I’ve learned one thing in life, it’s: Enjoy life Favorite music: 70’s era Rock Who has had the most impact on my life: Favorite saying or slogan: Git ‘r’ done Grandparents Who has had the greatest impact on my life: A dream I have is to: Retire and play golf Family If I won a million dollars, I would: Retire and A dream I have is: Home ownership play golf If I won a million dollars I would: Travel You’d be surprised to learn that I: Was in the The most adventurous things I’ve ever done Merchant Marine is: Bungie jumping The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done Three words that describe me: Passionate, is: Join the volunteer fire service – 23 years with the dedicated, motivated **1703** Frederica Volunteer Fire Company! Three words that describe me: Short, honest, 2007 GRADUATION ACCOLADES straightforward **6334** Jessica Bloodsworth, daughter of BOB BLOODSWORTH, graduating in top 7% of her class In Memoriam from Lake Forest High School on June 1st. She will at- tend Delaware Tech in the fall majoring in Photo Com- JOHN F. “JACK” NAVERT, a County retiree, passed munication. away on May 21, 2007. Jack was a Code Enforce- Brian Salgado, grandson of KAY BROWN, will ment Officer for 11 years, retiring in 2000. (Continued on Page 6) Page 3 Kent Connections June 2007 Higher dental/ Students “mock” lower health costs deducted in June Levy Court on By Allan Kujala, Personnel Director With Open Enrollment pretty much completed, all zoning decisions By Bret Scott, Public Information Officer the desired changes to dependent health care, Levy Court Commissioners welcomed 14 area high dental coverage, supple- school juniors last month for mental life insurance, etc. Kent County’s annual Youth will become effective July in Government Day. During 1, but since health and the annual event, the stu- dental insurance premi- dents get a comprehensive ums are charged one perspective of the work the month in advance, the bill comes due in June. Levy Court performs on a Employees retaining current levels of de- daily basis. The students are part of the Girls State pendent health care coverage will see premium re- and Boys State Delegation. ductions due to the new 6.6% premium reduction Students spent the morning participating in a offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware this mock Levy Court meeting where they were chal- fiscal year. Those employees with dental coverage for lenged in real life scenarios including land use and dependents, however, will see a $5 per month in- zoning ordinances. crease. The monthly premium for dependent dental This year’s group approved a rezoning to insurance coverage increased from $26 to $31, de- convert a Brownfield to a skate board park, and re- ducted in two equal $15.50 payments each month. jected a proposed rezoning to accommodate a huge Premiums for additional supplemental life planned unit development near Hartly containing a insurance or AFLAC coverages will be deducted be- computer company’s East Coast headquarters and ginning in July. Internal Revenue Service rules only employee housing. permit changes to medical/dental and AFLAC during Commissioners ALLAN F. ANGEL, P. open enrollment, except for qualifying events. Con- BROOKS BANTA, HAROLD K. BRODE, and BRADLEY tributions to the 457 deferred compensation plan can S. EABY were on hand to coach the students on the begin or be adjusted at any time. dais and provide input into the working of the Levy The new monthly rates for dependent health Court, while County Administrator MIKE PETIT de insurance are effective July 1, 2007, but deducted MANGE served as presiding officer. Kent County staff from pay beginning June 1 as illustrated below. including HARRY VANSANT, MARY ELLEN GRAY, For more information about County benefits, ALLAN KUJALA, MIKE WARD, KELLY CRUMPLEY, contact the Personnel Office at 744-2310. BRENT MOLLOHAN, LORETTA WOOTTEN, and JER- FY08 DEPENDENT RATES SPOUSE CHILD(REN) FAMILY EMY SHEPPARD assisted with both the preparation and execution of this year’s event. PREFERRED (PPO) $289.48 $133.61 $400.81 The students also traveled to Dover Downs for an inside peek at what the County’s Public Safety HMO HIGH (HMO) $248.15 $104.86 $350.50 staff does during NASCAR races. The day closed out with a mock wedding HMO LOW (HMO) $215.09 $81.86 $310.26 ceremony performed by Clerk of the Peace LORETTA WOOTTEN between two of the students and even MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT $109.13 featured a traditional wedding cake.