“YOUR SOURCE FOR EMPLOYEE INFORMATION” Volume 9,Issue3 May/June 2012 2012 May/June Collin County Connection When we ended in late April, 33,433.19 33,433.19 April, in late ended When we andswimming. Pilates bicycling, jogging, dancing, gardening, ofphysical eral forms from sev- select could Team members Care Services. and Health Service Extension AgriLife by sponsored is The program . across miles 800 the walking of challenge the meet could if they see and foreightweeks miles pool their to ofeight teams Texas in across trek their began and friends, family employees, ofcounty comprised were which 4, these teams, On March AcrossTexas. year’s Walk that participatedinthis ported bythe23teams Paso andthetotalmilesre- between Texarkana and El That’s about21roundtrips 33,433.19 miles. They walked ‘TheWalk’ —acrossTexas Aid HealthFirst Mental Dr. noon session. short course to passasmuch basicinformation aspossible to employees ina single, after- ontheprog based two-daycourse intensive, more ple whomay be undergoing sometype of mental course is anintroduction for employees on ho behavorialcountyemployeeson health educationat LifePathSystems in McKinney.The Ron TAYLOR

talks with Jason LANE during a4-hour short course in early May for activity, including

w to best dealwith —and get help for —peo- , BEAUCHAMP (2,414.66 miles); ChrisWINDSOR’s Soles Valarie MILLER’s Sweet were: challenge the that met teams Other HELLER Melba MOYNIHAN CIA Angelica RODRIGUEZ McKinney Office Tax withteamcaptain the were miles 3,074.65 them,with behind Right . MARQUEZ OWENS ALLEN , MARQUEZ captain captain of consisted team The miles. 4,404.6 logged Care Services,who Health membersfrom of employeesandfamily Minimum Security Mountain Climbers(1,716) was the was the mostmiles the walked that The team challenge. 800-mile the teams met Twenty teams. by the logged were miles distress or crisis. Dr. Taylor also teaches a ram Mental HealththeAid.FirstHe tailors , Debbie LARA Debbie , Angie ALLEN , and comprised comprised Walkamolies Holy Tatum ALLEN Soles Sistersfrom the Kim NEAL Sardae ROBERTS Tina BEAVERS Katherin CHARRON , , and and Glenda Glenda Stephanie , , Lorraine , Jessie Betty GAR- Enrique (Continued on page 2) . , Dondi ,

News

County Clerk lauded for innovative software use In late March, the County Clerk’s office received the 2011 Municipal Code Corporation Innovation Excellence Award for the creative use of the Laserfiche system for storing and archiving records used in Collin County by the Clerk’s Genealogy Cor- ner. From left, Caren SKIPWORTH, Russell HADDOCK of MCCI, Tonya KELLOGG, Stacey KEMP, Paul ROSALES and Vicki TOLER . Skipworth also recognized her staff for supporting the project which started with a searchable digital data- base of historical marriage licenses.

(Continued from page 1) Vicky MINTER’s WECNDUIT (1,649.02) Bala PALANISWAMY’s Moon Walkers (1,573.21) Tonya KELLOGG’s County Clerk Innovators (1,545.21) Tracy CARR’s Sisters with Blisters (1,536.78) Matthew HAWKINS’ Elect (1,516.85) Christie HIX’s Great Divide (1,350.79) Monica LOVE’s Fire Hose (1,315.37) Delia MASON’s Texas Troopers (1,234.63) Jennifer SNAILUM’s Walkin’ for Rita #1 (1,207.25) Laura ULFSPARRE’s Walkin’ for Rita #2 (1,191.5) Courtney WILKERSON’s Texas Heat (1,175.84) Danny DAVIS’ Go Fetch (1,154.94) Bonnie BOW- ERS’ TC (1,136) Sharon ADAMS’ Jail Walkers (1,125) Julie MONGE’s Huff and Puff (1,014.20) Kathy BOUNDS’ Walk this Weigh (852.64) Walk Across Texas is a physical activity program that can be started online at any time by individuals or Some of the Holy Walkamolies team, from left: Captain Angie teams. Contact Carrie BRAZEAL with the Extension ALLEN, Lorraine MARQUEZ and Sardae ROBERTS. Service at Ext. 4231 for details.

Page 2 COLLIN COUNTY CONNECTION

News

Special Appointment State District Judge Ray WHE- LESS was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry in May to the Paren- tal Rights Advisory Panel.

The Panel has been directed by the Legislature to address the desirability of potential legisla- tion to clarify a parent’s rights to possession and access to the parent’s child in the absence of a current or pending court or- der for possession or access to the child.

Crime Victims’ Week The Panel will also address whether a new criminal offense Collin County District Attorney Greg WILLIS and the Collin County Commissioners should be established for de- Court issued a joint proclamation marking Collin County's participation in the National priving a parent of possession Crime Victims' Rights Week (April 22 - 28, 2012). First established in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan, its purpose is to increase awareness of victims’ rights, honor crime vic- or access to the parent’s child tims, and aid those who advocate on their behalf. Pictured above (l-r), Commissioners in the absence of a current or Duncan WEBB and Joe JAYNES, County Judge Keith SELF, the District Attorney, and pending court order. Commissioners Cheryl WILLIAMS and Matt SHAHEEN. Teen Court scholarships awarded to volunteer ‘attorneys’ Collin County’s Teen Court awarded scholarships in April to eight area seniors, totaling $6,300, for their work with the program as teen attor- neys. Pictured above are (l- r): Blake OWENS (West Point), Felix WANGMANG (St. Louis College of Phar- macy), Ruan MEINTJES (Patrick Henry College), Lawrence LIU (Princeton or Stanford), Marcus STROUD (Princeton), Lindsey ZARA (), Megan PARRY (Univ. of Arkansas); not pictured Garrett McMILLAN (Baylor), and Nicholas KEYWORK (Michigan State). Blake OWENS waived his scholar- ship money, since he is at- tending West Point, and re- Junior League of Plano, Lawyers Association, County BAXTER, County Clerk Sta- quested it be distributed David McCALL, Philips and Administrator Bill BILYEU, cey KEMP, and County Com- among the other winners. Epperson, Keith GORE, Hud- The Shepherd Law Firm, missioners Matt SHAHEEN, Donations for the scholar- son O'Leary, Bob DAVIS, Rosenthal and Wadas, Cheryl WILLIAMS, Joe ships were provided by Brian K. CUNNINGHAM, Sheryl ADAMS, County JAYNES, and Duncan Banowsky and Levine, The The Collin County Defense Court at Law Judge Lance WEBB.

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 3 Page 3

Recognition

Jeff MAY and Caren SKIPWORTH; plus, the project im- A year of hard work plementation team of Jessica LIKNESS, Jessi WEST- MORELAND, Jessica GRIFFITH, Kristy LITTRELL DUTY, Tyler Technologies presented an excellence award to Collin Rhonda WATKINS, Misti BILDERBACK, Shannon County in mid-May for its efficiency in implementing the ROBERTSON, Lanette SAETRE, Mike MALACK, Joe FI- Odyssey program over the last year. The makers of Odys- ERRO, Bryan YATES, Robyn WINANS, Tracie TIDWELL, sey recognized county officials Stacey KEMP, Andrea Mike ENGLISH, Mike JENKINS, Jerry HIGGINS, Sgt. THOMPSON, Greg WILLIS, Terry BOX, Paul RALEEH, William PURSER, Sgt. Chris GANN and Tonya SMITH.

Never giving up Julie GONZALES re- ceived the Becky Sirmans Award from the Govern- mental Collectors Asso- ciation of Texas at their annual conference in San Marcos in May. The award is for getting the job done in spite of seemingly insurmount- able obstacles. Julie is the program coordinator 25 years service for the County Clerk’s Pam DUGGER (above) of the Treasury Depart- Court Collections office at ment received her 25-year service pin in mid- the University Drive May from Stacey KEMP, who described Pam as Courts Facility. an asset to the Treasury Department.

Page 4 COLLIN COUNTY CONNECTION

Recognition Recent Graduate

District Clerk An- drea THOMPSON was thrilled to add Amanda PER- MENTER’s (left) name as the inau- gural entry on the District Clerk Col- lege Graduates Plaque which will hang in the District Clerk’s office. Amanda received her Associates De- 20 years service gree in Business Tim NOLAN (above, left) of Information Technol- Management in May. ogy, received his 20-year service pin from IT Di- rector Caren SKIPWORTH.

They’re certified The Collin County District Clerk’s Office underwent three days of passport recertification training so they can continue to meet the rising demand to process passport applications in our county. All clerks attending the training passed their exit exam with flying colors -- and got the certificates to prove it.

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 3 Page 5

Recognition

do.” Kathy is the lead post-conviction attorney on the quad- 15 years service ruple murder in McKinney in 2004, is board certified in Crimi- Paul ANFOSSO is the Chief Fel- nal Appellate Law, and is the co-author of a widely used law ony Prosecutor for the 199th and book on expunctions and non-disclosures. 366th District Courts. Paul gradu- ated with honors from the Univer- sity of Texas, taught high school history, then went on to graduate from South Texas College of Law in Houston. Paul finds great value in service, and that’s a big reason why he loves his job. 10 years service District Attorney Greg WILLIS (right) with Kathy DECKER after she received her 10-year service pin. Kathy is an ap- pellate attorney who graduated from Baylor’s Honors Pro- gram in English and Chemistry, and earned her law degree from the University of Texas. In her own words, she “loves her job, and has a lot of joy and excitement about what I

New attorneys in DA’s Office sity School of Law in April 2011. Matthew HAMILTON was born and raised in Collin County and is ready to con- tinue his prosecutorial career with the Collin County District Attorney’s Office. Matthew received his BBA in account- ing from the University of Iowa in 2005. He received his MBA and JD from Creigh- ton University. While at Creighton, Matthew won the Creighton Moot Court compe- tition. After law school, he worked as an Assistant District Attorney for Grayson County. Ashley RITTENMEYER has Abby NETTLES stands with 1st Assistant District Attorney begun her prosecutorial ca- John SCHOMBERGER (left) and District Attorney Greg WILLIS. Abby, who joined the office in February, attended reer with the Collin County Texas Christian University and then Baylor Law School, District Attorney’s Office. where she graduated in May 2010. After spending a year and Ashley grew up in Plano and a half with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, has lived in the Dallas area Abby is enjoying the transition to this county as well as being for most of her life. She at- closer to her fiancé and family. tended undergraduate school Rachel TRAN is extremely at SMU where she earned a excited and proud to be work- Bachelor’s degree in both ing for the Collin County Dis- Business Administration and trict Attorney in her new role Liberal Arts. She then at- as an Assistant Criminal Dis- trict Attorney. She was practi- tended law school at the SMU Dedman School of Law, where cally born and raised in the she served as both a student attorney and chief of the SMU Metroplex and is a graduate of Criminal Justice Clinic. She graduated cum laude in May . In 2008, 2011. Rachel graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and earned her law degree from Baylor Univer-

Recognition

10 years service Stephanie STRICKLAND is an investigator with the Collin County District Attorney’s office. Before she became a certified peace officer, Stephanie worked in the DA’s office as a secretary. She loves her job because it puts a premium on her organiza- tion skills and on finding peo- ple

5 years service Constable Paul ELKINS presents Emmanuel GRIFFIN with his 5-year service pin.

15 years service District Clerk Andrea THOMPSON awards Tina CHANDLER 5 years service her pin in late March for 15 years’ service with the District Jarod SAYE (r.) received his 5-year service pin from Deten- Clerk’s Office. tion Superintendent Lynn HADNOT.

THE COLLIN COUNTY CONNECTION is published six times a year for county employees by the Public Information Office, with a lot of technical assistance from the good people in Informa- tion Technology’s GIS Department. Please submit your articles, anniversaries, announcements, classified ads, good deeds and kudos in plain text email to: [email protected]. The deadline to submit material for the July/August edi- tion is Friday, July 13, 2012.

Programs

Records Dept. Scanning mountains of files to create paperless archives

he ebb and flow of transform- an old computer system that dates back or flood; some literally become the offi- ing paper documents into to the 1980’s and uploads it into a new cial record in digital form. T searchable, digital images is integrated file system. never ending but, far Ms. Anderson, who will re- from the public view, the tire in June after nine years County’s Records staff with the county (and a few keeps chugging along in years with Dallas County their offices on McDonald before that), said that her Street. group’s work in her span has gone from 39,000 As a group, the seven- scanned documents with person staff scans about limited access and search 42,000 pages of docu- capabilities for employees ments and images a to more than 3 million re- month, or about 6,000 cords available at more pages each. At the same than 500 county desktop time, about 3,500-plus computers. storage boxes packed with old receipts, ledgers, t is often a thank- notes and minutes are less but necessary packed off to the shred- job,” she says of der. “I her staff, “And it takes dedi- (l-r) Cindy WEBB, Leilani JUDD, and Hope ROBINSON cated people with high qual- These folks are the caretak- stand in front of the Records Department’s “shredder” room, ity standards to get it done ers of information collected where boxes of documents await destruction. right.” on behalf of Collin County Here are a few examples of residents for the past 165 the record section’s duties: years. It is painstakingly tedious and important, as clerks jump from county The department is a service and support group for all county departments for receipts from the 1990’s to election rolls ♦ Current accounts payable check from the 1880’s and then on to District every type of record created in the course of business. runs are scanned by the Auditor’s Attorney files from a quarter century staff, and stored electronically for ago. the Budget Office, Auditor, and Beyond storing paper records, they also County Commissioners Court to Methodically, a page at a time, workers handle all original microfilm for county review before the checks are put in remove staples and paperclips, tape departments, administer the electronic the mail. document management system, over- small slips of receipts onto paper and ♦ They support County Clerk’s Gene- see shredding services, and coordinate break down file folders for scanning and alogy Corner by storing marriage the authorized destruction of records. indexing. And as if once is not enough, licenses and school census records Most importantly, the department staff they then check to make sure every that have been scanned and cata- keeps track of the very specific – and page is readable before marking the logued for online searching. original for destruction – or sending it complicated – rules and laws about how ♦ Maintaining the District Clerk’s his- back to its storage box. long a record must be kept. torical scanned case files from 1847-1999, so that the clerks can ach document has its own time- “At times, I’m sure our staff can be find a case file from their desktop stamp for how long it must be overwhelmed at the sheer volume to be rather than having to go search kept on file, and specific guide- done,” says Record Manager Margaret E through a box in the basement. lines for how and when it must be de- ANDERSON, “but they always pull to- ♦ Converting older Justice of the gether and get the job done on time stroyed. Peace records to scanned images to and within budget.” match up with the 131,000 docu- In some cases, the records can never ments currently scanned and avail- be destroyed, such as District Court At another end of the small suite of of- able to the four offices; thus, avoid- cases. In others, the retention schedule fices, another group converts images ing having to scroll through old mi- and index information (metadata) from might only require a few years. Some are scanned as a backup in case of fire (Continued on page 9)

Page 8 COLLIN COUNTY CONNECTION

People Before & After

Several Juvenile Probation Department employees pose before – and after -- participating in the Warrior Dash on April 21 in Roanoke with staff from Mckinney ISD and other friends and family members. They were: Josh McBROOM, Rodney ALEXANDER, Anne SIBLEY, Pam HUFFMAN and Danielle ALDRIDGE. The dash is a challenge-filled day of fun and mud, for those who dare.

(Continued from page 8)

crofilm copies, and then print them off and ship them back to the of- fices.

In short, their work can reduce re- sponse time to retrieve records from a day of searching to seconds. And, as we said before, with 165 years of records to sort through, the department’s scan- ning project still has plenty to do.

The earliest scanned document on file is an 1847 District Court case where Al- fred Black sued several men for cutting down trees on his land. The most re- cent are copies of the checks approved for payment in the latest Commission- ers Court. A snapshot of the County’s filing fee collection for Aug. 15, 1935, where total fees he department also recently for deeds and marriage licenses at the County Clerk’s office came to a whopping completed scanning Justice of $28.00. By the way, fees for filing deeds and leases ranged from 75 cents to T the Peace Inquest records that $1.50. A marriage license was $1.75. ranged from the 1950’s through the mid-1970’s. They’ve since moved on to while also assisting the Development scanning historical certified election Services staff to add new septic permit books from 1880’s, and historical documents to their database each County Clerk marks and brand books, week.

Programs

Environmental Effort Illegal dumpsites cut in half through cooperative program

oing into months don’t appear to generate as In January, a resident spotted two peo- the third many dumpsites, he says. ple throwing trash out of their pickup year of truck, wrote down their license plate G So far, the Environmental Enforcement operations, Dep- number and called police. Two Public program has saved taxpayers more uty Sheriff Lee Works employees spotted a passenger than $450,000 in clean-up and labor HOWE and his throw trash into a creek near State costs. The biggest result, however, has counterparts in Highway 78 in February. A Farmersville been the decline of more than 900 ille- the Public Works police officer pulled over the truck min- gal dump sites in rural Collin County. department have utes later. Previous years, these numbered up- made some im- wards of 2,000 or more. helicopter pilot flying over a pressive gains when it comes to clean- remote area spotted a large ing up illegal dump sites along rural dump on private land that wasn’t county roads, fields and creek beds: “The bottom line is, in a single year’s A visible from the road, and called it in. 29,000-plus pounds of refuse cleaned time, we’ve cut the number of illegal up, and more than 800 investigations. dumps in half,” says Jon KLEINHEK- In many cases, the trash leads straight And then there are the citations and SEL, Public Works director. “I think that back to the owners. charges that follow, the bite that comes Lee getting out and about, and the pub- from dumping trash on roadways and in lic education programs we’ve employed A letter jacket with a student’s name creek beds. Since 2010, Deputy Howe on recycling and solid waste disposal and school was found at one dump site, has issued more than the result of someone 140 warning citations, cleaning out their parent’s 176 Justice of the Peace garage. Not only did the citations, many of litterer have to go back which result in violators and pick up the trash, he paying clean-up costs was also charged with ille- as part of their court gal dumping. case or cleaning up the In early February, three mess themselves. separate piles of household Meanwhile, probation- trash and debris were ers from the Commu- found at three different nity Services and Cor- sites throughout the rections Department county, each with paper- are recruited to pitch in work identifying the person on clean-up projects, at the same address. saving thousands of When day laborers who dollars in labor and were allegedly responsible freeing up the Public for the dumping couldn’t Works staff to spend be found, three cases were more time improving filed against the home- and repairing roads owner where the trash instead of picking up originated. trash. Deputy Howe spends a lot really have made a difference. of time driving the county’s back roads, “We’re into our third year now, and I’d a lot of time on the phone, and a lot of “Thanks to everyone’s efforts in this, we like to believe this effort is having a big time sorting through trash to track saved almost a half-million dollars since impact on the problem,” Deputy Howe down violators. the program began,” he adds. says, pausing to answer his phone to “There is no end to what people will take a resident’s complaint. “In many lowly but surely, word appears to throw away,” he says. “And it almost ways, it has – with an occasional spike be getting around that a midnight always leads me directly to them.” here and there.” S trash run on a rural road could be costly. And, on occasion, Deputy Howe To report illegal dumping, please call Spring and summer brings garage our 24-hour hotline at 972-547-5350. clean-outs and home remodeling pro- gets some help from residents – and jects where refuse ends up on roadsides even some violators themselves – to and in creek beds, while fall and winter combat the litter.

Milestones

High school grads from the Collin County family ...

Tiffany PENNINGTON, Randy AGAN (McKinney daughter of Janet PEN- PD) and Liz AGAN NINGTON (County (CSCD) are proud to an- Clerk) is graduating from nounce the graduation of Frisco High School. Tif- their son Marshall fany played on the vol- Stewart AGAN from leyball and teams at McKinney High School. Frisco High, and plans to Marshall will be attending attend Collin County Hardin-Simmons Univer- Community College after sity in the Fall where he high school and earn a will major in Business degree in accounting. Administration and minor in Criminal Justice Ad- ministration. He will also be playing football for the Hardin-Simmons Cowboys.

Shelby McCRAW is the Jessie OWENS will gradu- graduating salutatorian ate from Tom Bean High from Crandall High School in June as a Texas School. Shelby is the Scholar and a member of daughter of Capt. Terry the National Honor Society. McCRAW (Sheriff’s Of- Jessie has enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and will be leav- fice). She has been a ing for training later in member of the National June. She is the daughter Honor Society for three of Dondi and Angie AL- years and currently LEN (Health Care Ser- serves as president. She vices). As you close one is a member of Student chapter in your life, a new one opens with hope and Council, Nu Alpha Theta, promise. and Fellowship of Chris- tian Athletes. Shelby

lettered four years on the softball team and received multiple Justin Heath WILSON, MVP and District Honors as their pitcher. She also served as son of Valerie MILLER the school mascot her sophomore year. Shelby’s goal is to (Collin County DA’s office) become a pediatrician. She will attend UTD to major in and Rodney WILSON Chemistry. (Public Works) will Gradu- ate from Van Alstyne High School in June. Justin plans on attending Grayson County College in the fall and will be applying for an internship with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden program.

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 3 Page 11

Announcements/Classifieds

EMBROIDERY, ETC: For New Arrivals all your embroidery, ap- pliqué, rhinestone and screen print needs for Saydee Lynn GIDNEY, born your business, sports Feb. 14, 2012 at 10:38 a.m.; 6 team/group, booster pounds, 8.8 Ounces and 18 1/2 group, church group, inches long. Her parents are etc., please give me a Matt and Ashley GIDNEY call at 903-821-3664. (Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1). You may also visit my website www.the-stitch- witch.com for samples and ideas.

GET MOVING: Medi Moves Fitness Studio, located at 717 S. For Sale / Services Greenville #122 in Allen offers group exercise classes in FURNITURE: Antique rocker, Zumba©, Pilates, Tai Chi, Yoga, Brazilian Rhythms, Latin $15.00; Very large antique trunk, Grooves, Capoeira and more. We also offer Personal Training $25.; Solid wood high school shop and Nutrition guidance. Collin County employees get 10% off cabinet $100. Contents not in- the cost of class passes. Check our website at cluded. Measures 8’x6’x2’ and very heavy. Call Pam at 214-908-9219, www.medimoves.com or call 972-908-3500 for more infor- or email [email protected]. mation. No membership required.

REALTOR: Dynamic Realty Group. Looking to sell, buy, or

lease a property? We can help. Call Sheila SHAW (972) 527- 2922 or email [email protected]. Make Dy- namic Realty Group your real estate solution for all your resi- dential real estate needs. MOTORCYCLE: 2008 Yamaha V-Star 1100, the bike only has 6,000 miles, and I am the original owner. It also has Cobra exhaust on it. Asking $6,000. Call me at 469-667-9204 or e-mail me at ken- [email protected].

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS: I'm down-sizing and no longer have room for: Like-new Solid Oak entertainment center, was $675 new, now $200; 2 Sansui 5-ay speakers in beautiful walnut cabinets, sound wonderful, just no room for them, new $425, now$200; 2 fused Polk Audio large bookshelf 3- way speakers, very well taken care of, new $475, now $275; Kenwood turntable in mint condition with brand new $150 magnetic cartridge. New $250, now $100; Kenwood double cassette play/record pro deck with many bells and whistles, Serving Quality Cuisines new $250, now $100; Kenwood 6-CD Cassette-style Player, American / Tex-Mex / Italian plays but no longer changes from one CD to another, new

$375, now $100; Old school 27-in. color TV, works great, $50; Beautiful Banjo, like new condition, comes with picks 972-548-7968 and hard case, $275. Will consider trades or best offers. Call Ext. 3663, or 972-548-3663. DINE –IN TAKE-OUT DELIVERY WANTED: Looking for running and non-running riding mow- OPEN 7:30 A.M. – 3 P.M... MON-FRI ers. Call 214-726-2226. LOWER LEVEL BLOOMDALE COURTHOUSE 2100 BLOOMDALE ROAD, McKINNEY, TEXAS

Page 12 COLLIN COUNTY CONNECTION