ManateE-zineFor Employees by Employees March 2011

Public Works Helps to Save CranesBY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTEarlier this year the Hawks Youth Counsel sent a letter to Public Works requesting assistance in protecting sandhill cranes on the road ways near their school, Buffalo Creek Middle School. On February 18, 2011, members of our Traffic Operations team met the students and facility members on site in front of the school and installed two advisory signs. The students were very excited and felt their experience with their government was positive. Our traffic team repre-sented us well and enjoyed the experience.

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Your Benefits websiteDon’t forget to access www.ManateeY-

ourChoice.com for the monthly

calendar.

Each month a new calendar is posted with

all the programs and services being offered that month…such as,

Group Fitness Schedule, Qualifying

Questions of the Week, Diabetes Workshops,

Tobacco Courses, Nutri-tion and Weight Loss

Classes, Special Programs and more.

Employee Health BenefitsQuestion of the Week 1 - Qualifying Lab Work?BY CHRISTRINE FRITZ, EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFITSNOTE: It may not be your year to complete Qualifying Lab Work. To determine which qualifying events you need to complete this year refer to the “Step by Step Guide to Quali-fying Events” enclosed in your Qualifying Events Envelope or at www.ManateeYour-

Choice.com

Question 1: Can I get Qualifying Labs done in my Physician’s Office? > NO. A special process is needed in order for the lab work results to be com-bined properlywith the Blueprint for Wellness Health

Questionnaire. Therefore, only trained Desig-nated sites can conduct the Lab Work.

> Designated Lab Draw Sites include: Work-site, Pinnacle Medical Group, Quest Patient Service Centers or IMM. Refer to www.ManateeYourChoice.com for details or click here.

The last Work Site Lab Draw for this qualify-ing event period is July 15.

Question 2: Can I get other Lab Work done at the same time as my qualifying labs?

> YES. Additional labs can be drawn at a Quest Patient Service Center (or Pinnacle if your Physician is within the Pinnacle Medical Group), but not at a worksite lab draw station.

> If your Physician needs additional labs you will need a lab slip from your physician.

Question 3: Are the lab results sent to my Doctor?

> NO. Results are not sent to your doctor. You must access your results online and submit to your physician during your Wellness Profile Exam.

Question 4: Will the Results be mailed to my home?

> NO. The report will only be available online and will not be mailed to you. > Your results will be available at www.ManateeYourChoice.com once both the lab draw and online blueprint health question-naire are complete.

> If your results are not posted in time for your Wellness Exam call 748-4501 x6412 for a copy of your results.

Question 5: What do I do if I forgot my user name and password to access my results?

> Under the Re-turning Participant Box, select “Forgot Password”. Leave user name blank. Complete the Regis-tration Key Manatee. Use 12 digit ID# from participant’s Insurance Card. Complete participant’s date of birth. Once you answer the secret question you will be shown the user name and prompted to reset the password. When complete, the Returning Participant box will re-appear - now login with your user name and new password.

> Call 1-866-908-9440 (Quest Customer Service) if locked out of system or for further assistance.

“YourChoice” Qualifying Events deadline is August 31, 2011.

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Power Speakers of MCGThe What, Why and How of Toastmasters

A TOASTMASTERS REPORTWhat is Toastmasters? Why should I join? How do I join? Find out here!Looking to improve your speaking and leadership skills? Ignite your career? Win that job interview?

You’ve come to the right place. Since 1924, more than 4 million people around the world have benefited from membership in Toastmasters. Through our member clubs, people can improve their

communication and leadership skills, and find the courage to change. Today Toastmasters is a world leader and now has more than 260,000 members around the globe. Before joining, you may be curious to learn a little more about the what, why and how of this organization. Here are some answers to get you started.

What is Toastmasters? A Toastmasters meeting is a learn-by-doing workshop in which participants hone their speaking and leadership skills in a friendly atmosphere. A typical group has 20 to 40 members who meet weekly, biweekly or monthly. The average meeting lasts 60 – 90 minutes.

There is no instructor in a Toastmasters meeting. Instead, members evaluate one another’s presentations. This friendly feed-back process is a key part of the program’s success. Meeting participants also give im-promptu talks on assigned topics, conduct meetings and also develop skills related to timekeeping, grammar and parliamentary procedure.

Members learn communication skills by working in the Competent Communication manual, a series of 10 self-paced speaking assignments designed to instill a basic founda-tion in public speaking.

Members also learn leadership skills by taking

Toastmasters Meeting Dates

4/8-Public Works 26th Avenue Conf Rm B

4/15-Cty Admin Bldg. Osprey Room 4th fl.

4/22-Cty Admin Bldg Osprey Room 4th fl.

4/29-Public Works 26th Avenue Conf Rm B

on various meeting roles and working in the Competent Leadership manual. In our learn-by-doing approach, we don’t lecture our members about leadership skills; we give them responsibilities and mentoring to help. Then we ask them to lead.

Why should I join? The Toastmasters International program offers many benefits that help people in all walks of life. You will:

Increase your self-confidenceBe a better speakerBe a better leaderCommunicate more effectivelyBe a better listenerImprove your presentation skillsIgnite your careerHone your skills of persuasionReach your professional and personal goals

The Toastmasters International program offers many terrific features. It is:

InexpensiveInteractiveConvenientFriendlySupportive

Membership is affordable – a great value that can change your life without costing your life’s savings. It costs only:

$20 (New member fee)$27 (Dues every six months, plus club expens-es. Some clubs may charge a little more than the $27 to account for items such as meeting space and basic club supplies.)

More than 4 million people have discovered the benefits of this proven learning formula. What are you waiting for?

How do I join? Joining your local club is as easy as 1-2-3!

Step 1: Visit Power Speak-ers Of Manatee County Govern-ment.

Learn about Toastmas-ters by visiting us on the

i-Net!

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1. What does your job entail? Why is it important? As a Development Review Specialist, I assist in the processing of public hearing-related Land Development Applications. My job involves assisting in the preparation of staff reports and slide presentations. I assist dur-ing public hearings, including impromptu information gathering resulting from ques-tions from consultants, Commissioners, staff and the general public.

My job also includes assisting various county staff and the public with research and spe-cial projects. My research includes gather-ing information regarding particular sites or subjects, surrounding area details, previous approvals, detailed discussions, stipulations of approval and other pertinent information.

I am in-volved with organizing and gather-ing infor-mation to display on the “Smart-board” at weekly development review meet-ings; creating maps in ArcGIS which contain location and site plans associated with proj-ects under discussion. These meetings consist a team comprised of multiple reviewing agen-cies that work together to analyze projects and streamline development review.

Visits are free and you may return as often as you like. Power Speakers of Manatee County Government hold their meetings every Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. with alternating meeting locations betwen Public Works and the County Administration Building.

Step 2: At the meeting, ask the vice president mem-bership for a membership application and fill it out.

Step 3: Give your application and dues to the vice president membership at the club.

Once you are voted in by the existing mem-bership, the club officer will send your appli-cation and fees to Toastmasters’ World Head-quarters.

Your New Member Kit should arrive in the mail in about two weeks.

It’s as easy as that!

Once you join, ask for a mentor if you aren’t assigned one, to help you settle in and get

through your first speaking and meeting roles.

Speaking assignments vary and your first will be an “Ice Breaker” – a four- to six-minute speech to

introduce yourself to the group. As you grow in confidence, your as-signments will grow with you.

Make sure to have your meeting roles evaluated so you can work toward earning

your Competent Leader award.

Whenever you stand up and speak, you re-ceive encouraging, helpful feedback on how it went and how you can improve next time. This proven method will help you build your confidence and skills quickly and affordably! We want your member experience to be re-warding – make sure to take advantage of all that Toastmasters has to offer.

If you have any questions contact Power Speakers of MCG President, Stephanie More-land at 941 748 4501 x3880.

Employee of the MonthSusan Angersoll

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2. What is the most interesting part of your job?I think it is amazing to see a development progress from beginning to end. It is reward-ing to see the end result of everyone’s hard work.

3. What is the strangest thing that has happened on the job? I, being the city girl that I am, enjoy going

on site visits which is always an adven-ture. One time we were driving down a country road and I saw something resembling a large “fuzzy looking cow”. We turned around to investigate. Come to find out, it was a bison - yes in Florida. I have also come in close

proximity to a llama. Beware, don’t ever stand too close to one of these guys,

they will spit on you.

4. Where are you from? I was born in Pennsylvania. I moved to Bradenton in 1979 with my family.

5. What are your hobbies? My hobbies include boating, cooking, spend-ing time with my family and participating in County Zumba classes.

6. Did you attend college? Where? What did you study? I attended State College of Florida (fka Mana-tee Community College) - right here in Manatee County.

7. If you were stranded on an island and could have 3 items, what would they be and why? If I were stranded on an island I would like to have my husband Eric, whom I love dearly, to pro-tect me; a fishing pole for food; and an unlimited supply of water.

8. What did you want to be when you were a kid? When I was a kid, I liked to pretend that I was a nurse.

9. Do you have any pets? I have a very sweet kitty named “Tina Girl”, and 3 crazy birds named Roxy (Sun Conure), Cooper (Quaker) and Baby (Cockatoo).

10. What’s your favorite song at the moment?There are a number of great songs out today, but, I still love the “Good Old Rock-N-

Kudos CornerTo view the kudos information, click on the link which will take you to the PDF file on the iNet.

February 2

Planning DepartmentKathy ManningKristin Donahue

Building DepartmentCindi BlakeTom CookC.J. Dupree

Public SafetyErik LoganKara WilsonJoshua FieldsLinda BrownMatt SmithPaulina Lampbert

February 9

Natural ResourcesJoel ChristianDorothy Rainey

Property ManagementBruce Wickens

BuildingBruce MayoSteve TetlakCindi BlakeVickie Newby

Public SafetyCarol Miers

Parks & RecreationDinorah DifonzoDennis BushMike BakerMary Dewey

UtilitiesWilliam ElmoreTom SimpsonEthan EnglishJamey AltmanRyan JohnsonTravis Berlin

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Florida Women in GovernmentBake Sale nets $300 for HOPE Family ServicesAfter a successful bake sale on March 9, Florida Women in Government’s (FWG) Greater Manatee President, Lynn Pierce presented a $300 check to HOPE Family Services Executive Director, Laurel Lynch.

It is the mission of HOPE Family Services to promote safety, strength and well-being for those affected by domestic violence in Mana-tee County. HOPE’s vision is to create social change which will build a community where everyone has skills to solve conflicts in a non-threatening, non-violent manner which will bring an end to domestic violence.

Upcoming Meetings & EventsMark your calendars for these dates:

April 13- Pre-Business meetingMay 18- Annual Business LuncheonJune 8- Annual Installation /Supervisor Appreciation luncheon

Other nuggets of information:

• Deadline to turn in Lari Ann Harris Scholar-ship applications is April 15, 2011. Please contact Donna Stevens, Scholarship Chair 941-749-3045 with any questions or concerns.

• The Yes We “Can” campaign is still active!When Women in Government meet on the second Wednesday of each month they collect non-perishable canned food items, which are delivered to Meals on Wheels.

Questions about Florida Women in

Government?E-mail President, Lynn Pierce of the

Information Technology

Department

Mike HooeyJohn Tison

February 16

Public WorksMichael HilleshiemShiela MaysCassandra Alston

Public SafetyJimmie HamrickAaron White

Property ManagementTim Funk

February 23

Building & Development ServicesRob Wenzel

UtilitiesScott WoodDavid LoveKirk LusbyJason RinehartJerry BrowerMark Coarsey

Community ServicesVicki Winney Manche

Public WorksCody BentleyKyle PurvisJerry Robledo

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problems such as digging, excessive barking, chewing and hyperactivity. As for the em-ployees, exercise helps with anxiety, depres-sion, patience and the ability to think clearly. Kerekanich states “the employees leave stress free. We have 5 or 6 dogs at a time and they are all regularly walked. We keep track of how often each dog is walked so each gets the same opportunities. The dogs LOVE it and our em-ployees are getting their exercise in too. Our dogs are calm and laid back and it’s as if they are right at home.”

Animal Services – Downtown is open Mon-day – Friday from 10am-4pm. If you’d like to walk a dog on your break it’s a simple process. Just sign in, show your ID and see who needs walkin! Animal Services is offering several adoption specials right now including Cats in Pairs (2 cats for 1), 55 for $55 (If you’re 55 or older you can adopt for $55), Build A Family (Buy one dog or cat and get an additional for only $20).

In addition to the specials above, Lucky Dogs, a restaurant located at 1207 3rd Avenue West in downtown Bradenton is offering their own discount.

If you adopt a dog-or cat- you will get a free hot dog or ice cream from Lucky Dogs.

If you pay a visit to the downtown adoption center you will be able to receive a coupon for $1 off on a hotdog from the restaurant.

For more information on the health benefits of walking or how to start your own exercise pro-gram contact The YourChoice Fitness Center at 941.748.4501 x3979.

• FWG’s next Keep Manatee Beautiful Clean Up will be on April 16, 2011.

What’s in it for you? -FREE Great American Clean Up T-Shirt -FREE bottled water and orange juice -A nice morning, cool breeze and a greater appeciation for why we do what we do.

People & Pooches – A Positive Combo for Manatee County!BY NATALIE JOHNSON, EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFITSAs many of you know Animal Services recent-ly opened a location in downtown Bradenton at 1002 B Manatee Ave W. What many of you might NOT know is the new location has been a tremendous benefit for the dogs as well as the Manatee County employees. Employees working downtown now get the opportunity to walk the dogs on their breaks and lunch-time. Kathie Kerekanich of Animal Services states, “I’m aghast! These people are so won-derful! We have employees from all over Manatee County walking our dogs throughout the day. I can’t say enough about the people. We have police officers, court employees, postal workers and employees of all kinds walking our dogs”.

Exercise is an important factor in a dog’s life. According to the ASPCA, walking a dog regu-larly helps maintain a dog’s health. Regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease and other illnesses and helps maintain a healthy weight. A dog that walks daily will be less susceptible to disease, depression and will live longer. SOUND FAMILAR??

Manatee County employees are not only walking the dogs but walking themselves! As a Wellness Professional, I know that regular exercise helps increase energy levels, improve sleep, increase your level of engage-ment at work, control weight, decrease stress and drastically decrease your risk for all cardiovascular diseases. The dog walking is also helping with behavior! Dogs that walk regularly have less of the common behavior

Ben6 month old, male,

Pit Bull Terrier

Hank9 month old, male,

German Shepard Mix

Want to adopt a furry friend?

View the online adoption center

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Locks of Love Charity DriveBY STACEY STINTON, PUBLIC WORKSOn March 4, Infinity Hair Salon in Palmetto, held a charity fundraiser kickoff for Locks of Love.

Seven Manatee County enployees participated by donating their hair: Elaine Apostol, Sta-cey Stinton and Janice Haas all from Public Works, Terri Simon and Karen McLeod from Neighborhood Services and Patricia Cantrall from Property Management.

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organi-zation that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We

meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

The fundraiser isn’t quite over, so if anyone else would like to donate hair, please call Stacey Stinton x7463 for salon information.

Also, we still have to pack and ship the hair, so any donations of money and/or postage stamps would be greatly appreciated.

Above & Right: Elaine Apostol and

Stacey Stinton before and after the

big chop.

Below: Terri Simon after the cut.

Above : Karen McLeod giving her

locks.

Right: Janice Haas before donating.

The Final WordKeep It Local FloridaFor this month’s Final Word column, I want to share with you a recent editorial from the presidents of the Florida Association of Counties, Florida League of Cities and Florida School Boards Association. These three organizations recently launched www.keepitlocalflorida.org, a website dedicated to the importance of local govern-ment and protecting home rule. The movement urges state lawmakers to recog-nize that government closest to the people works best, and to preserve the home rule authority of Florida counties, cities and school districts.

BY ILENE LIEBERMAN, JOY COOPER AND CANDACE LANKFORD

We live in a big state.

The roughly 790-mile drive from Pensacola to the Florida Keys can take a staggering 14 hours to complete. All told, our great state includes 67 counties and more than 400 cities, spread across Florida’s more than 54,000 square miles.

When it’s all said and done, our communities -- everything from small towns to big cities -- are home to nearly 19 million residents. But sometimes, what’s right for Miami isn’t right for Pensacola. What works in Fort Myers may not always be the best fit for Fort Lauderdale. And what makes sense in Tallahassee might not make sense for Tampa.

Recently, state lawmakers began talking tough about getting rid of burdensome regulations. They’re talking about making government simpler and more accessible to the people -- and that’s good news. But the bad news is that, at the same time, many Tallahassee politicians are talking about taking power away from local towns and taxpayers.

Case in point: Some state lawmakers are proposing another “sounds too good to be

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true” tax measure that would further compli-cate Florida’s already convoluted tax system. The proposal, which would ultimately shift the tax burden onto residential homeowners,

would drop the non-homestead property tax cap from 10 percent to 3 percent. Unfortunately, the move would put government in the position of picking economic winners and losers.

For example, imagine that you wanted to open a dry cleaning shop in your hometown. You have the time and the resources, but you learn that a competing dry cleaner with property of equal value is paying only one-third the prop-erty taxes that you would have to pay. He’s not a better businessperson, and he doesn’t have a smarter accountant. The only reason your taxes are so much higher is because your competitor has been in business for years and is benefiting from a tax system that unfairly burdens new or growing businesses.

At least three things can be said with certain-ty about Florida’s property tax assessment system. First, it is complicated to the point of being incomprehensible. Second, there are inequities that provide some people with more tax relief than others -- even if they own property of identical value. Third, the current legislative proposals regarding non-home-stead property tax valuation would only make this problem worse.

These days, it seems we are often reminded that government closest to the people governs best. That is why Florida’s towns and taxpay-ers do not need an inflexible, one-size-fits-all approach. Tallahassee politicians should not be dictating how local communities run their budgets because local voters elect mayors, commissioners and school board members to make decisions that are best for their commu-nities.

A heavy-handed, top-down approach just doesn’t work in a state as big and as diverse as Florida. Most of the time, the best ideas start at the grassroots -- and that’s where the best decisions are made, too. Whether it’s Panama

City or West Palm Beach, it’s the diverse mosaic of communities that make Florida great.

If you agree or would like to learn more about issues like this one, please take a moment to visit www.KeepItLocalFlorida.org, a new resource dedicated to empowering Florida’s many towns and taxpayers.

We’re proud to represent you, and we’re proud to represent hundreds of hometowns across our great state. Let’s keep it local, Florida!

Ilene Lieberman, a Broward County commissioner, is president of the Florida Association of Counties. Joy Cooper, the mayor of Hallandale Beach, is president is the Florida League of Cities. Candace Lankford, a Volusia County School Board member, is president of the Florida School Boards Association.