HCG Connection November 2013.pdf

8/14/2019 HCG Connection November 2013.pdf

1/11

I N S I D E

T H I S I S S U E :

ExecutiveSummary

1

PEHP 2

Employee of the

Month3

Sustainability Office 4

Sick Leave Bank &

Tech Tips5

Diet for Diabetes 6

Cultural Literacy

Fair8

Human Trafficking 9

Tis the Season to

Volunteer10

Milestones 11

N E W S L E T T E R B YN D F O R T H E

E M P L O Y E E S O FH R F O R D C O U N T Y

G O V E R N M E N T

HCG CONNECTIONN O V E M B E R 2 0 1 3V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 1 1

Last year, I announced the top priorities for my administration durinthe remainder of my term as county executive. As I enter my final yeain office, I would like to provide an update to you all on where these

projects and programs stand.

The final year program of priorities includes improvements ieducation, public works, public safety, property acquisition, land useassistance to community agencies, information technology, and the

county workforce.

Related to public safety, the county recently broke ground for a new

Emergency Operations Center. This facility will be completed in the faof 2014, and will house the recently-created Department of EmergencServices. The department and the new facility will ensure that thcounty continues to provide the highest level of service to the citizens

and visitors of Harford County, as well as to provide support to the volunteer fire and emergency

medical services system.

Regarding transportation, the county and the state are making progress on Route 22 intersectionimprovements at Paradise Road, Beards Hill Road, and Old Post Road. These are on track fo

completion in 2014.

Some other initiatives that we have completed include: capital project commencement for publischools and Harford Community College, a feasibility report on the formation of a Water and Sewe

Authority with the countys three municipalities, and changes to the County-managed pensiosystem to make the system more stable.

For county government operations, the elimination of the outdated mainframe and the adoption oan Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is currently underway. Related to this is thimplementation of EnerGov software which will assist multiple county agencies with tracking andmanaging critical government data related to business licensing, land management, permitting

processes, and code enforcement issues. Both projects are on pace to be completed in 2014.

County government will continue to work in partnership with the County Council, allied agenciesbusiness leaders, and community organizations to complete these priorities and position Harfor

County to maintain the quality of life of our citizens.

Of course, none of these projects or the many accomplishments that we have made would be

possible without the hard work of the countys dedicated employees. During my time in office, wehave worked together to improve services and provide the amenities that our citizens expect, whilestreamlining government operations and remaining fiscally responsible. I am proud of what w

have accomplished so far, and our work will continue right up through my last day in office.

To view the full presentation on the final one year program status update, visit my page on the

Harford County Government website at www.harfordcountymd.gov/executive .

David R. Craig,

Harford County Executive

Executive Summary: Update on Final Term Priorities

David R. CraigHarford County Executive
http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/executivehttp://www.harfordcountymd.gov/executivehttp://www.harfordcountymd.gov/executive


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H C G C O N N E C T I O N

Department of Human Resources Update

PEHP (Post Employment Health Plan)

Use or Lose Annual Leavesubmitted by Beth Griffith

Employees who have annual leave in excess of 320 hours at the end of thecalendar year will have the value of those hours deposited into a PremiumReimbursement Account with Nationwide. If the amount of your excessannual leave is $250.00 or less, the County will hold those funds until theamount to be deposited exceeds $250.00. For those employees who arealready enrolled in the Universal Account or the Premium ReimbursementAccount, the funds will be deposited into your existing account using yourcurrent investment selections. If this is the first time you will have funds

deposited to either account, the Department of Human Resources will bescheduling sessions with Nationwide to discuss your investment options andprocess your enrollment documentation.

If you havent already done so, you may access Nationwide at www.NRSFORU.comto sign up for an online account. If you have any difficulty with the Nationwidewebsite, you should contact their Customer Service line at 1-877-677-3678.
http://www.nrsforu.com/http://www.nrsforu.com/http://www.nrsforu.com/


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October Employees of the Month submitted by Sherrie Johnson

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David Kahl and Mark Johnson NamedHarford County Employees of the

Month for October 2 13

Facilities and Operations employees praised for creative thinking

Harford County Department of Administration employees David Kahl

and Mark Johnson have been named the Harford County Employees of the

Month for October 2013. Both men work in Facilities and Operations with the

Department of Administration.

The two men were recognized for their creative and helpful skills. The

Havre de Grace Branch of the Harford County Public Library system had a

huge tree that was damaged by Hurricane Sandy. There was a big pile of

mulch once it was removed. Kahl and Johnson created a flower bed out of the

mulch pile.

We are thrilled with the creation. The flowers are lovely and add a

wonderful touch to the front lawn. We are so appreciative of their work, saidIrmgarde Brown, Branch Manager with Harford County Public Library.

Brown nominated the two men for the award. She credits them with

thinking outside the box in a lovely manner. The library was also fortunate to

find someone to water the flowers each day.


David Kahl, Mark Johnson, and County Executive David


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P A G E 4


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Sick Leave Bank Update November 2 13As of October 18, 2013 the following balances were on hand at the SLB.

Hours carried over ........................................................................... 9,887.85

Hours paid out year to date ............................................................ 1,661.59Hours returned from users (accrued leave) ..................................... 184.00Hours from new members .................................................................. 497.00Current Balance .............................................................................. 8, 907.26Full time members as of 10-1-2013....................................................... 686Part time members as of 10-1-2013 ....................................................... 43Total number of members 2013 ............................................................. 729Number of employees assisted in 2013 ..................................................... 6Terminated/Retired/Deceased Employees .............................................. 25

Tech Tipssubmitted by the Office of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Microsoft Excel 2010

Open Multiple Worksheets with One Double-Click

Sometimes you work on two or more separate worksheets at

the same time, each in a separate window, and you know

you'll want to work on the same set of worksheets again

tomorrow. So, before you shut down Excel, go to the View

menu and click Save Workspace near the right side of theRibbon. In the Save Workspace dialog, enter a name and

location for your saved view settings, and a Saved

Workspace icon gets created in the location you choose,

perhaps on your desktop. When you want to open the same

set of worksheets, simply double-click the Saved Workspace

icon.


6/11

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Diet for DiabetesDiabetes is a chronic disease in which the body is unable to produce enough insulin or cannot properly use the

insulin it does produce. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, is released into the blood stream when the

blood glucose level rises (after a meal). Insulin allows glucose to move into cells where it can be used for energy

production. Glucose is a carbohydrate and is the body's main fuel.

When the body is unable to produce enough insulin or use the insulin it does produce, cells cannot use glucose for

the energy they need. When this happens the blood glucose level will become high.

Diabetes is divided into two main categories:

Type I Diabetes:little or no insulin is produced. Onset is generally in childhood.

Type II Diabetes:insulin is produced, but the body cannot use it properly. Onset is generally in adulthood.

Meal planning involves selecting the right foods to eat, eating the right number of calories, and scheduling meals

properly. This is especially important for the patient who needs to lose weight. Since diabetes is directly related to

how well the body uses food, meal planning is an important tool for all diabetes patients, both type I and type II.

Good meal planning enables the diabetic patient to do the following:

Better control the amount of glucose in the blood.

Improve the body's ability to use insulin (the timing of meals and the amount of food eaten at each meal affect

the way the body uses insulin).

Control weight by monitoring the number of calories consumed.

Feel better and improve overall health through more nutritious meals and eating habits.

The meal plan for diabetes should help achieve the following three goals of nutritional management:

Improve blood glucose and lipid levels (triglyceride level and cholesterol level).

Achieve consistency in day to day food intake for those with type I diabetes, and weight management for those

with type II diabetes.

Provide adequate nutrition for all stages of life and coexisting conditions.

Submitted by Tamara SimmonsInformation from www.vitaminsdiary.com


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Target Nutritional Goals for Diabetes

Calories:Sufficient to achieve and maintain a reasonable weight.

Carbohydrate: May be up to 55-60% of the total calories (carbohydrates provide 4 calories per gram of

carbohydrate). Emphasis should be placed on unrefined carbohydrate sources (whole grains) with fiber. Modest

amount of sucrose and other refined sugars may be acceptable contingent on metabolic control (blood sugar levels)

and appropriate body weight.

Protein: In most people, the usual intake of protein is double the amount normally necessary. The exact ideal

percentage of total calories that should be derived from protein is unknown. The usual intake in protein is 12-20% of

the total calories (protein provides 4 calories per gram of protein). The recommended dietary allowance is 0.8 grams

of protein per kilogram of body weight. Excess protein intake can put a strain on the kidneys, and the long-standing

diabetic kidney may already have some decreased function.

Fat: Ideally, less than 30% of the total calories should come from fat (fat supplies 9

calories per gram of fat). This may need to be individualized since 30% may be

unachievable for some individuals.

Cholesterol:Less than 300 mg per day.

Sodium:Not to exceed 3000 mg per day.

Alcohol:Should only be recommended by your physician.

Vitamins and Minerals:No evidence to suggest that diabetes alters the requirement of

vitamins or minerals.

Power for Diabetics

Physicians in Europe have been using benfotiamine, a fat-soluble form of thiamine (vitamin B1), to treat diabetes

complications for the past decade with great success. According to researchers at Case Western Reserve in

Cleveland, Ohio, benfotiamine blocks three of the major culprits responsible for blood vessel damage in patients with

elevated blood sugar levels. As a result, it helps prevent retinopathy, neuropathy, and other complications of

diabetes. Benfotiamine is found in small quantities in garlic, shallots, leeks, and onions, though you'd have to eat an

awful lot of these vegetables to obtain therapeutic doses.

http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/diets/diabetes.html

Diabetes (continued)
http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/diets/diabetes.htmlhttp://www.vitaminsdiary.com/diets/diabetes.htmlhttp://www.vitaminsdiary.com/diets/diabetes.html


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11/11

Congratulations to Scott Kearby,DPW-Construction Management, onthe birth of his first grandson, Jack

Aiden Kearby,

born October9th weighing 7

lbs. 14 oz.

David R. CraigHarford County ExecutivePreserving Harfords past;

Promoting Harfords future

Published by

Harford CountyDepartment of Human ResourcesDeborah Duvall Acting Director

Sharon BallwegEditor & Graphic Design

Department of Human Resources

410-638-3019

[email protected]

Sherrie JohnsonContributor

Office of the County Executive

410-638-3420

[email protected]

Rebecca Macek - Contributor

Department of Community Services

410-638-3389

[email protected]

Erin Ferriter-Contributor

Sustainability Office

410-638-4707

[email protected]

Joan IngoldContributor

Information and Communication Technology

410-638-1231

[email protected]

Is there someone in your

workplace who goesabove and beyond forHarford County?

Why notnominate

this individual asEmployee of the Month?

What a great way to recognize yourco-workers for their contribution to

Harford County.

For details contact

Sharon Ballweg at

[email protected]

or call 410-638-3019

Milestones

We would like to include your milestone in the next HCG Connection.Please submit information by the

15th of the month to [email protected].

Digital photos are accepted.

P A G E 1 1V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 1 1

Congratulations to Jaidyn Harris,daughter of Karen Harris, DILP,Animal Control,who is ast ra ight A

student atA b e r d e e nMiddle Schooland recentlyreceived a purple/black belt in

martial arts.

Congratulations to Jenn Phelps,

Dept. of Emergency Services

and Sandy

G o u l d ,Community

Services on

the birth of

their son

and grandson, respectively.

Tanner John (TJ) Phelps was

born on September 23,

weighing 6lbs. 3.8 oz.

Congratulations to Mary

C h a n c e , D i r e c t o r o f

Administration

and ShawnKrout, DES, on

birth of their

granddaughter

and daughter,

r e s p e c t i v e l y .

Livvy Grace Krout was born

November 6th, weighing 8lbs.

8ozs.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

Documents

HCG Connection November 2013.pdf