Bexar County Connection
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BEXAR COUNTY CONNECTION JULY 2012 Bexar County Connection News, events, and information for Bexar County employees Gerard Rickhoff Raises Over $22,000 for the Battered Women’s Shelter Bexar County Clerk, Gerard ―Gerry‖ Rickhoff, has now raised almost $22,000 in donations for the Battered Women and Children‘s Shelter of Bexar County by conducting marriage ceremonies. In return for performing the marriage ceremony, the couple is asked to make a $20.00 donation to the Shelter, but some couples have chosen to donate even more. This is a fitting tribute from those beginning their families to remind them that domestic violence of any kind is unacceptable and completely contrary to the vows of commitment they are making to each other. The donations are being collected for the express purpose of bettering the lives of the residents of the Shelter. By the agreement with Marta Palaez, President/CEO of Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc. which operates the Shelter, these donations so far have been used to buy new appliances and to host a Fall Festival where each child ABOVE: County Clerk Gerry Rickhoff was provided a costume and allowed to play games at the booths operated by sits in front of stacks of marriage licenses See “Marriage” continued on page 3 Benefits Spotlight: Retirement Information is a “Click Away” You can monitor your retirement contributions, view timely account information, update your address, get retirement estimates, and have access to retirement planning resources by going to the TCDRS website at www.tcdrs.org. Registration is fast and easy by clicking on the ―REGISTER NOW‖ button toward the middle of the page and following the simple steps to create your user ID and password. After you create your user ID and password, you will receive an activation email. Click on the link in the email to complete your registration. (NOTE: You may need to turn off your browser‘s pop-up blocker to receive the email.). If you do not activate your account within 24 hours, the link will expire and you must re-register with the website. After you register, you can then login to your account using the ―SIGN IN TO YOUR ACCOUNT‖ box located on the upper right side of the page. What’s Inside This Issue HealthWorks Fireworks Safety Q & A with John Ortega AgriLife Youth Camps Employee Training Calendar Bank of America at Work Techi-Tips Employee Service Anniversaries Announcements See “TCDRS” continued on page 6 Independence Day 2 3 4 5 7 7 7 8 8 VOLUME SIX—ISSUE SEVEN Holiday Wednesday, July 4, 2012 Bexar County Connection is produced monthly by Bexar County Human Resources. Send us your news and events information via e-mail at CountyConnection@bexar.org or via fax at (210) 335-2558. PAGE 1 BEXAR COUNTY CONNECTION JULY 2012 Love Your Arteries! July is UV Safety Month Protect Your Eyes from UV Radiation Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage the eyes, effecting both the cornea and the lens. Long-term exposure to UV radiation can lead to cataracts, skin cancer around the eyelids, and other eye disorders. Daily exposure to UV radiation, including the sun reflecting off of pavement, water, and other surfaces, that can burn the front surface of the eye, similar to a sunburn on the skin. Although most Americans are aware that UV rays can damage their eyes, only 65% wear sunglasses and only 39% make sure their children wear sunglasses for protection (American Optometric Association). The cumulative effects of spending long hours in the sun without adequate eye protection can increase the likelihood of developing: Cataracts: clouding of the eye‘s lens that can blur vision. Photokeratitis: temporary but painful burn to the cornea caused by a day at the beach without sunglasses; reflections off of water or concrete; or exposure to tanning beds. Pterygium: abnormal but usually non-cancerous growth in the corner of the eye that can grow over the cornea, blocking vision, and requiring surgery to be removed. Skin cancer around the eyelids: basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer to affect the eyelids. Lesions usually occur on the lower lid, but can occur anywhere on the eyelids, un the corners of the eye, under the eyebrows. The best protection against UV rays is a combination of sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats and, UV-blocking contact lenses for people who require vision correction. For more information, see: www.nei.nih.gov www.preventblindness.org VOLUME SIX—ISSUE SEVEN Got high triglycerides (a bad form of cholesterol)? The culprit is likely overeating or eating too much sugar, saturated fat, or refined carbohydrate, such as white bread. You can naturally lower your triglycerides by making the following simple food swaps. They'll help you get your triglycerides under control and help you maintain a healthy weight. THIS: Egg-white omelet with spinach, onions, peppers (or any vegetables you like) NOT: Cheese omelet THIS: 100-percent whole grain cereals, like shredded wheat, Total, Kashi, or oatmeal; fat-free milk; and one tablespoon of chopped almonds NOT: Sugar-frosted, honey-dipped, or chocolate cereal THIS: Flavored seltzers, diet sodas, fat-free milk or low-fat soymilk, tea NOT: Soda or fruit drinks THIS: One handful of unsalted nuts with a cup of tea, fat-free milk, or water NOT: Cookies and milk THIS: Ten Soy Crisps crackers or carrots with two to three tablespoons hummus NOT: Potato chips THIS: 1/2 cup fat-free frozen yogurt with one teaspoon chopped walnuts NOT: Ice cream Help lower your unhealthy cholesterol numbers the natural way by eating the right foods and making the right choices. For more tips on healthy lifestyles, please see: www.deeroaks.com Deer Oaks Offers Monthly Chats Participate in a live, online chat with a Deer Oaks counselor at www.deeroaks.com. Chats are held from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. and 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. every third Wednesday of the month. Frustration Tolerance July 18th Examine the effects of poor frustration tolerance Learn the keys to understanding and controlling your emotions PAGE 2 BEXAR COUNTY CONNECTION JULY 2012 “Marriage” continued from page 1 personnel from the Shelter. In the month of April, the Shelter used the funds to pay the entire grocery bill for the month. Mr. Rickhoff realized that the state‘s interest in marriage is one of property rights and guardianship. He tried to get the statute changed to include county clerks in the statutory list of persons authorized to perform a marriage. Although it would be new to Texas, other states and all across Europe, the statutes allow their clerks to perform marriages. For example, an Internet search of state marriage laws resulted in nine states including Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Florida, Pennsylvania, and California that authorize one of the followfrom left to right: Margaret Roque, Teresa Campos, Sylvia Lopez, ing officials to perform a civil marriage ceremony: ABOVE Aurora Alvarado, Elizabeth Perez, Jeannette Santibanez, Lilah Gonzalez, county clerk, clerk of the circuit court, clerk of court, and Daniel Velez. Seated: Gerald “Gerry” Rickhoff. or city clerk. In the mean time, Mr. Rickhoff became a licensed ordained minister in June 2011 and thereby authorized to perform marriage ceremonies in Texas. Given that Mr. Rickhoff has raised $22,000 over the past year, it is estimated the annual revenue that could be generated by the clerks in the Marriage License section of the Bexar County Clerk‘s Office could approach $90,000. Tips for a Safe and Fun Fourth of July Summer means picnics, barbecues, parades, and fireworks displays, especially around the 4th of July. Summer also means an increase in injuries from backyard grills, bonfires, and fireworks. For example, bottle rockets can reach speeds up to 200 miles per hour and are susceptible to ricochet which means they can end up traveling in any direction. If they land on combustible materials or dry brush a fire can start very quickly. Sparklers can reach temperatures up to 1800°F. The National Safety Council advises that the best way to safely enjoy this 4th of July is to watch a public fireworks display conducted by professionals. If you decide to use fireworks, be sure to follow these important safety tips: Never allow young children to handle fireworks. Older children should use fireworks only under close adult supervision. Light fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from onlookers, houses, and flammable materials. Light one device at a time; maintain a safe distance after lighting. Do not allow any running or horseplay while fireworks are being used. Never ignite devices in a container. Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks; douse and soak them with water and discard them safely. Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire. The County Judge has issued an airborne fireworks and fire ban. Please make sure to check the local news and Bexar County news releases for updates. For more information on firework safety, see: www.nsc.org. For more information on fireworks and burn bans, see: www.bexar.org. VOLUME SIX—ISSUE SEVEN PAGE 3 BEXAR COUNTY CONNECTION JULY 2012 Q & A with John Ortega John Ortega was hired as a Fire Investigator (now a Deputy Fire Marshal) for Bexar County in November 2007. John has over thirteen years experience in law enforcement, with more than five years of experience in fire, arson, and explosives investigation. In his position with the Fire Marshal‘s Office, he has built strong partnerships with the Sheriff‘s Office; San Antonio Police Department; District Attorney‘s Office; Texas Rangers; Texas Department of Public Safety; State Attorney General‘s Office; State Fire Marshal‘s Office; Federal Bureau of ABOVE: John Ortega, Deputy Fire Marshal Investigation (FBI); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF); US Marshal‘s Service; and all area volunteer and municipal fire departments, area Emergency Service Districts, as well as the San Antonio Fire Department and San Antonio Office of Emergency Management and surrounding counties. He has coordinated and participated in the response to various critical incidents in Bexar County, including wildfires, explosive related call-outs and bomb threats, hazardous-materials incidents, multi-casualty incidents, and fatal fires. John graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from St. Mary‘s University in 2007 and is working toward a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Sul Ross State University. He started in public safety as a volunteer firefighter/EMT while in high school and continued until graduating from St. Mary‘s University in 2007. As a Deputy Fire Marshal, what is your favorite part of what is sure to be a challenging job? ―I really enjoy my work as an investigator with the Fire Marshal‘s Office. I am responsible for the investigation of all significant fire and explosion incidents which occur in unincorporated Bexar County. If a fire or explosion is criminal in nature, the investigation shifts from processing the scene to identifying, locating, and arresting the suspect, and then supporting the prosecution. Really, our case work can be described as two separate but equally important investigations - the scene investigation and the follow-up investigation.‖ ―Investigating a fire and explosion scene requires a great deal of technical knowledge - everything from firefighting tactics, building construction, to fire science, and basic thermodynamics. The follow-up investigation requires knowledge of human behavior, an understanding of criminal laws, and what some would call ‗good old fashioned police work‘, talking to witnesses, surveillance, developing leads, and identifying and ultimately arresting the arsonist. From the moment the fire department is dispatched, I get to stay with the case from start to finish. Arson is a devastating crime, especially when someone is injured or killed; I enjoy the challenge and solemn obligation of bringing those responsible to justice. I enjoy the task of connecting the dots and putting the pieces of the puzzle together to bring a case to a successful resolution.‖ Tell us about a program the Fire Marshal’s Office established to improve a process or procedure. ―Several years ago, the Investigations Division began using a federally supported bomb/arson database called the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS) to manage our cases and generate case reports. This has allowed Fire Marshal‘s Office to become part of a national system used by other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to track arson and explosives offenders, and to uncover patterns among arsons and bombings in order to identify offenders across state lines and throughout multiple jurisdictions. Arsonists and criminal bombers are oftentimes classified as serial offenders, meaning that they may perpetrate crimes at various times and locations throughout their criminal career. With this system, bomb and arson investigators from across the country provide each other with information in a secure environment to analyze and identify serial offenders “Ortega” continued on page 5 VOLUME SIX—ISSUE SEVEN PAGE 4 BEXAR COUNTY CONNECTION JULY 2012 “Ortega” continued from page 4 in order to keep communities safe.‖ What are your goals for the future of the Fire Marshal’s Office? ―With continued population growth in the unincorporated parts of the county, fire hazards in general and arson and related offenses in specific, are sure to increase in the coming years. My goal is for the Fire Marshal‘s Office to continue to implement progressive measures and strategies in order to effectively minimize the threat posed by fire and explosions to the citizens of Bexar County.‖ What professional accomplishment(s) are you most proud of? ―Several years ago, I was the lead investigator in a joint Fire Marshal and ATF investigation involving suspects placing multiple improvised explosive devices targeting a family in a residential subdivision in Bexar County. Although only one of these devices functioned, causing significant fire damage, the offenders placed several families in serious danger. By working together with the ATF, Sheriff‘s Office, San Antonio Police Department Bomb Squad, the District Attorney‘s Office, and the United States Attorney‘s Office, we were able to successfully identify, arrest, and prosecute the suspects before they were able to injure or kill anyone.‖ ―In July 2010, I was one of several Investigators sworn in as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal. Since then, I have served on a part-time basis with the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in order to apprehend arson fugitives and other violent offenders. This task force is comprised of extremely dedicated criminal investigators from various state, and local agencies, as well as the U.S. Marshals Service, who are dedicated to tracking down some of the most violent fugitives in the area. I am extremely honored and humbled to be a part of this group.‖ What is something we don’t know about you (hobbies, interests, activities)? ―As a kid, I couldn‘t decide if I wanted to be a firefighter or a police officer when I grew up. Working as a Deputy Fire Marshal, I feel I have the best of both worlds. During my off time I enjoy spending time with my family, writing, fishing, studying history, and shooting.‖ Is there a message you would like to impart to County employees? ―I think that if I had to get one message across to folks, it would be that each of us is responsible for our own personal safety and the safety of our families. We all need to be up to the challenge of protecting our loved ones and keeping them safe - whether from a fire emergency or from falling victim to a crime. Everyone should develop their own personal safety plan that fits the needs of their family. This should include a fire escape plan, having first-aid training, being prepared for natural or other disasters, and maintaining situational awareness at all times. If you are aware of who and what is around you then you are already ahead of the curve in staying safe, whether you are in a fire or any other type of emergency situation.‖ AgriLife Events for July Youth Range Camp, July 23rd—July 24th AgriLife will provide hands-on experience with rangeland and natural resources. Campers will participate in field activities, lectures, and leadership/team-building activities. The curriculum appeals to students with a wide array of interests including, rangeland management, range plant identification, conservation, ecology, animal science, and wildlife. The camp will meet at the Helotes Activity Center and later take a field trip to the Helotes Ranch both days. Admission is $60; space is limited to the first 25 paid, complete registrations. Deadline to register: July 16, 2012. Youth Water Summer Camp, July 31st—August 2nd AgriLife is hosting its first summer water camp for children entering the 3rd-6th grades. Your child will be playing water detective, creating his or her own sports drinks, making edible aquifers, doing experiments with water, and learning the importance of clean water. Registration is $35. For registration information for both camps, please go to www.bexar-tx.tamu.edu. VOLUME SIX—ISSUE SEVEN PAGE 5 BEXAR COUNTY CONNECTION JULY 2012 See “TCDRS” from page 1 If you forget your PASSWORD or USER ID just click on the ―Forgot Password or User ID?‖ at the bottom of the SIGN IN box, and follow the three steps to create a new password. You will be sent an activation email to confirm your new password. Click on the link in the email to password change. When you first login to your account, the website displays an account summary that shows your current information. You can review your personal information and address and update it through the website by clicking on ―My Personal Information‖ to the left of the page. You can monitor your retirement deposits and interest earned with ACCOUNT ACTIVITY. If you want a change the page view, click on ―Switch to table view.‖ You can review your retirement life cycle in the BENEFIT MILESTONES. By hovering over the check mark and the question mark (?) additional information is provided. You can switch to list view by clicking ―Switch to list view‖ to the right of Benefit Milestones. You can also review your Designated Beneficiaries by scrolling down on the web page. To change your designation, please complete a Beneficiary Designation form (TCDRS-06) and mail or fax to TCDRS immediately (address and fax number are at the bottom of the form). Later this year, you will be able to update your Beneficiary information through the web site. View, download, or print retirement information, on the left side of the web page under ―View/Download‖ including: Your Personal Plan Summary – showing latest information about your retirement plan that Bexar County offers to you. Your Account Summary – provides a printable account summary of your account showing your account balance and retirement service time. Your annual Account Statement – provides information on matching rate and retirement eligibility requirements; personal information; beneficiaries and birth dates; account balances and service time; and monthly benefit estimates. See News & Alerts – Latest retirement information of important dates, mailings & form updates. Forms – All TCDRS forms needed to manage your account. Planning & Guidance – general information about our retirement savings, estate planning, taxes, and life change events that effect your retirement. Member Services – if you cannot find your answer on the website or do not wish to use the website, call 1800-823-7782 member services or contact Wayne O. Hoffman, Retirement Manager, at 335-2495 or email him at whoffman@bexar.org. For more information, see: www.tcdrs.org Sick Leave Pool About to lose vacation hours or sick leave hours? Please consider donating them to the Sick Leave Pool. Ask your department administrator for instructions, check out the Intranet for forms, or just stop by the HR office on the first floor of the parking garage. Contributing to the Sick Leave Pool can help a fellow employee during a period of incapacitation or recovery from a catastrophic illness or injury. On October 1, 2012, vacation leave balances will be rolled back to 240 hours. Consider donating those hours or a minimum 8 hours of vacation or sick leave to this program. VOLUME SIX—ISSUE SEVEN PAGE 6 BEXAR COUNTY CONNECTION JULY 2012 Employee Training Calendar - June 2012 Date Course/Class Time Location Wednesday, July 11 Level 2— Excel 2010 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. 232 Iowa Street Thursday, July 12 Level 1—Word 2010 9:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m. 232 Iowa Street Thursday, July 12 Assertiveness Training (Deer Oaks) 12:15 p.m.—1:15 p.m. 211 South Flores Friday, July 20 Adult CPR (American Red Cross) 9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. 211 South Flores Tuesday, July 24 Windows 7 Tour 9:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. 232 Iowa Street Wednesday, July 25 Sexual Harassment Awareness (HR) 9:00 a.m.—12:30 p.m. 211 South Flores Thursday, July 26 Coping with Stress of Being a Supervisor (Deer Oaks) 12:15 p.m.—1:15 p.m. 211 South Flores Friday, July 27 Level 1—Publisher 2010 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. 232 Iowa Street Tuesday, July 31 Interviewing Skills (Winslow Consulting) 8:30 a.m.—4:00 p.m. 211 South Flores Check the Information Technology Training Calendar on the County Intranet for more technology training events. Course dates and times are valid as of the date of publication and subject to change. All classes are available for County employees. Employees should have their supervisor’s permission to enroll and attend a class. Register for HR-sponsored training events and courses at HRTraining@bexar.org. Register for Information Technology courses (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) at ISTrainingRequest@bexar.org. For Your Information: The Employee Home Loan Program from Bank of America We can all agree that two important things in life are staying on track with your finances—and achieving your goals. Bank of America is pleased to offer Bank of America at Work® and Employee Home Loan programs. The Bank of America at Work® employee benefit program provides convenient, reliable, and secure solutions—including interactive, state-of-theart support and financial tools—to help you manage your money. As a qualified employee, you‘ll receive through the Home Loan Services: A $300 Visa®Reward Card you can use anywhere Visa is accepted Competitive rates and fees The option to start your application online Personal service from a dedicated team of mortgage professionals For more information, please go to www.bankatwork.bankofamerica.com/homeloans. Techi-Tips: Technology Made Simple Windows 7 Desktop Magnifier Press the Windows Key and the Plus Key to zoom in or Windows Key and the Minus Key to zoom out. You can zoom anywhere on the desktop and you can even configure your magnifier. You can choose to invert colors, follow the mouse pointer, follow the keyboard focus, or the text insertion point. Looking for more Techi-Tips? Contact the BCIT Help Desk at 335-0222 for assistance. VOLUME SIX—ISSUE SEVEN PAGE 7 BEXAR COUNTY CONNECTION SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES July 2012 FIVE YEARS District Attorney's Office District Attorney's Office District Clerk District Clerk Information Technology Information Technology Information Technology Judicial Services Judicial Services Juvenile Detention Juvenile Detention Juvenile Probation Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Office Tax Assessor-Collector Tax Assessor-Collector Alysha T. Bissell Zachary C. Edwards Nikki J. Garcia Samuel O. Falkenberg Debbie Jo V. Morantes Dori L. Weaver Eric D. Koehler Alexis N. Quiroz Jamie L. Pomykal Brandolyn L. Hunter Tommy J. Zuniga Katherine C. Karshis Aerin M. Statton Alejandro E. Garcia Arnold P. Gonzales Brent D. Bible Glenn P. Smith Joseph L. Martinez Juanita M. Page Kristina M. Wolf Rafael Berumen Robert E. Fikac Rowland B. Ramos Steven A. Colon Gabriel Almanza Suzanna Perez TEN YEARS Budget & Grants District Attorney's Office Information Technology Information Technology Public Works JULY 2012 TWENTY YEARS County Clerk County Clerk District Attorney's Office Facilities Management Public Works Public Works Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Office Leticia G. Silva Sylvia C. Lopez Ruben J. Segovia Gerald Flores Liborio G. Rivera Luis R. Dominguez Antonio C. Perez Bryan T. Higby John L. Mahon TWENTY FIVE YEARS Sheriff's Office Sandra L. Mallow THIRTY YEARS Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Office Sheriff's Office Dennis C. Miranda Michael R. Flowers Nathan K. Coleman Paul R. Flores Tips for Better Sleep Not getting enough sleep can lead to health problems. Most adults need at least eight hours of sleep a night. Follow these simple tips for a good night‘s sleep: Avoid caffeine, nicotine, beer, and alcohol four to six hours before bedtime. Don‘t nap later than 3:00 p.m. Hank Reyes Daryl E. Harris Alexander Martinez Phillip T. Rico Michael T. Hansen Don‘t eat large meals within two hours of bedtime. Wind down starting thirty minutes before bedtime by doing something relaxing. Wendell R. Tomlin Stacey A. Gaytan Elizabeth H. Wong-Villalobos Kimberly S. Gillespie Sara M. Alonza Carolyn L. Presses Darren B. Echols Elizabeth A. Davis H. Geno Brabham Felipe Elias Mario Nava Herlinda J. Tober Lisa M. Garza HR Announcements: FIFTEEN YEARS Constable-Precinct 2 County Auditor County Clerk District Attorney's Office District Attorney's Office Judicial Services Juvenile Probation Juvenile Probation Juvenile Probation Public Works Public Works Tax Assessor-Collector Tax Assessor-Collector Don’t forget! You can check your timekeeping, benefits information, vacation, and sick leave in your ESS account. VOLUME SIX—ISSUE SEVEN Want to be notified when HR schedules training? Please send an email to HRTraining@bexar.org to get updates and announcements about upcoming training events from HR. We can send updates to your County email or to a personal email address. Have a request for training topics? Please email HRTraining@bexar.org and let us know what you would like to see on the training calendar. For general inquiries to Human Resources, please update your email contact to HR@bexar.org. HR no longer uses HRCentral@bexar.org. PAGE 8
