A NEWSLETTER BY AND FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF HARFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT

V O L U M E 7 ,

HCG CONNECTION
I S S U E 6 J U L Y 2 0 1 3

Executive Summary: Are you up for the Challenge?

Harford County is embarking on another challenge to save resources and dollars and we need your help. In June the Energy and Resource Management Policy was revised to establish energy and fuel reduction goals to increase energy and resource efficiency by: Reducing per square foot electricity usage in County Government owned buildings 3% per year, resulting in a 15% reduction by 2018 from the 2012 baseline as defined in the Energy and Resource Management Plan; and, Reducing on-road fuel usage in County Government owned vehicles 4% per year, resulting in a 20% reduction by 2018 from the 2012 baseline as defined in the Energy and Resource Management Plan.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Executive Summary HR Update Employee of the Month

2
David R. Craig Harford County Executive

These reduction goals have the potential to save the County $750,000 or the equivalent of 4,670,599 kilowatt hours and 84,516 gallons of fuel. To accomplish these ambitious yet achievable goals, everyone has an important role to play. To get everyone involved, the Sustainability Office and Green Team created the Green Office Challenge. The Green Office Challenge is a friendly competition between offices designed to help employees take an active role in creating a greener and more sustainable workplace. It is divided into four levels or Leaves; each Leaf identifies new ideas and challenges for an office to become greener. The Green Office Challenge lasts 18-weeks kicking off July 1st and ending November 1st. There are four target dates to mark on your calendar. Upon completion of the 4th Leaf, each participant will receive a reusable water bottle. 1. August 9th - Target Date for completing the Leaf 1 Challenge & receiving your official Green Office Challenge Poster 2. September 6th - Target Date for completing the Leaf 2 Challenge & earning a chance to win Breakfast for your office 3. October 4th - Target Date for completing the Leaf 3 Challenge & earning a chance to win a Snack Break for your office 4. November 1st - Target Date for completing the Leaf 4 Challenge & earning a chance to win Lunch for your office In addition, we are working with the Maryland Energy Administration for a grant to implement fuel and energy efficiency projects. The Sustainability Office will partner with departments and divisions to identify and implement energy and resource efficiency projects and initiatives as well as to develop an Energy and Resource Management Plan. If you have any questions about the Green Office Challenge , please e-mail Sustainability Coordinator Erin Ferriter (eferriter@harfordcountymd.gov ) or visit the Sustainability Offices webpage (www.harfordcountymd.gov/Green/). Cordially,

UV Safety Upper Chesapeake Health & Volunteer Harford Sustainability Office

Mind Your Health

Tech Tips

Milestones & BJs

David R. Craig, Harford County Executive

VOLUME

7,

ISSUE

PAGE

Department of Human Resources Update

YOUR IDENTIFICATION BADGE submitted by Angie Lawson

As an employee of Harford County Government, you are issued an ID (Identification Badge) on your first day. This identification is instrumental in identifying who you are and in what department you work. Per the Employee Identification Badge Policy Number 08-20-19, you must have your ID displayed on your person while at work and while on company business.
Scott T. Gibson, Human Resources Director

Should your ID be lost or damaged it is your responsibility to contact The Department of Human Resources (HR) to obtain a new copy. Additionally, if at any point during your employment you change departments, please contact HR within thirty (30) days of the transfer to obtain an updated ID. Refer to the policy for additional details. How does your picture look? If your picture is outdated, contact Angie Lawson at 410-638-3302 or arlawson@harfordcountymd.gov to schedule a few minutes and have your photo retaken.

Department of Human Resources 112 Hays Street Bel Air, MD 21014 410-638-3101 410-879-3564(f)

HCG

CONNECTION

VOLUME

7,

ISSUE

PAGE

June Employee of the Month

submitted by Ben Lloyd

Cheryl Landreth Named Employee of the Month for June

(Bel Air, MD) - - Harford County Executive David R. Craig has announced that Cheryl Landreth of the Office of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been named Employee of the Month for June 2013. Mrs. Landreth was chosen for her work in support of the Treasury Department with the Property Tax Billing and Collection System.

Wanda Bhola and County Executive Craig

Mrs. Landreth was nominated by Rachel Holmes, Anne Gessner, and Kathy Stryjewski of the Treasury Department. In L-R, Ted Pibil, Cheryl Landreth, and Mary Chance. their nomination, the three Treasury employees stated, The upgrade to the Property Tax Billing and Collection System would not have happened without Cheryl Landreths dedication and countless hours working on the implementation of the system. Cheryl first began working with outside contractors in 2010 to upgrade the system from mainframe based to web based without having any familiarity with the tax system. Many months later, Cheryl has mastered the intricacies of the tax billing and receivable system. The Treasury employees added, To say the system has been and continues to be a challenge may be an understatement; however Cheryl has been up to the task and beyond. She has worked late nights in the office, and at home in the evening and on weekends and holidays. Upon receiving the award, Mrs. Landreth said, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Treasury staff through the reengineering of the tax system. They have been patient and understanding throughout this challenging process. We have worked side-by-side to remove errors and implement changes to reduce processing time for many system features. Commenting on the selection of Cheryl Landreth as Employee of the Month for June, Director of Administration Mary Chance said, Cheryls work ethic exemplifies the work of the entire ICT staff. Without Cheryls can-do attitude and dedication to this essential component of the Treasury system, the completion of this project would have been far more difficult to achieve.
Preserving Harfords past; promoting Harfords future

HCG

CONNECTION

VOLUME

7,

ISSUE

PAGE

Submitted by Tamara Simmons

HCG

CONNECTION

VOLUME

7,

ISSUE

PAGE

Blood Pressure Screening, Free When: Thursday, July 11, 11 am2 pm Where: Harford Mall (near the center of the mall) Cardiovascular Screening When: Wednesday, July 10, 8 am4 pm, Where: Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Description: Registration is required by calling 1-800-515-0044 Hearing Screening, Free When: Wednesday, July 10, 11 am2 pm, Where: Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, Maryland Room Description: Registration is required by calling 1-800-515-0044

Volunteer Harford Has One Time Event Volunteering Opportunities Available

Submitted by Emily Naughton

Interested in Volunteering but dont want a lengthy commitment? Dont want to commit to a set schedule for a period of time? Then the Harford County Department of Community Services Volunteer Harford has the answer for you! Volunteer Harford receives many requests throughout the year seeking volunteers for single events such as festivals, cultural events, affairs, expos and more. Many of these events are held for one day or a few days so volunteers dont have a long commitment. Plus, these events are fun and rewarding with many offering their volunteers something extra! Those interested in volunteering can pick from one event or several during the year. You can volunteer for a festival in the spring and add an expo in the fall or choose to help with a cultural event later on if you find you have the time. For more information, contact Volunteer Harford at 410-638-3389 or email volunteer@volunteerharford.org. To check out a current listing of volunteer opportunities of those that have chosen to publicize their events or needs, visit www.volunteerharford.org. Connecting people and enriching lives welcome to Volunteer Harford!

HCG

CONNECTION

VOLUME

7,

ISSUE.7

PAGE

HCG

CONNECTION

VOLUME

7,

ISSUE

PAGE

MIND YOUR HEALTH

submitted by Tamara Simmons

Over the past few weeks several eating healthy cooking demonstrations were held. Many delicious recipes were sampled. However, we realize that not every employee was able to attend so have decided to publish some of the delicious recipes. We hope that you will find them as yummy as those who were in attendance. All recipes are low in calories, filled with flavor, and deliver a highly nutritious content. Enjoy! Be on the lookout for additional recipes in the August edition of the HCG Connection. Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie 1 cup frozen strawberries 3/4 cup milk 3/4 cup fresh pineapple 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon wheat germ Place all ingredients in a blender add puree until smooth.
Apple Chicken Salad 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts Kosher salt Black pepper 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 4 scallions, thinly sliced 2 Granny Smith apples, diced 1/3 cup roasted peanuts, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Grill or roast in oven. Set aside to cool. Combine lime juice, vinegar, and sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Add the scallions and apples and toss. Dice the chicken and add to the apple mixture along with the apples, mint, and basil. Sprinkle with pepper to taste. Toss and serve over salad greens.

HCG

CONNECTION

VOLUME

7,

ISSUE

PAGE

HCG

CONNECTION

VOLUME

7,

ISSUE

PAGE

Milestones

NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO RENEW OR JOIN!!! To process your BJs membership we will need: A completed membership Application/Renewal form which can be sent to you through interoffice mail or you can stop by the Department of Human Resources between the hours of 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Your payment of $40 which gives you 15 month membership. Payment can be made in the form of personal check or credit card. Checks should be made payable to B.J.s Cash is not accepted. Once the paperwork and payment has been received in the Department of Human Resources, it will be forwarded to B.J.s for processing. Please keep the gold page for your records and use as your temporary membership pass until you receive your membership card. Normal processing time is 30 days. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Tamara Simmons at 410-638-4871 or email her @
tdsimmons@harfordcountymd.gov.

Is there someone in your workplace who goes above and beyond for Harford County?

Why not nominate this individual as Employee of the Month?

What a great way to recognize your co-workers for their contribution to Harford County. For details contact Sharon Ballweg at
saballweg@harfordcountymd.gov

Congratulations to Kara Angelo, DES, and Mike Selvage on their marriage that took place on June 2nd in Cape May, NJ.

or call 410-638-3019

Congratulations to Chris and Christy Abrams, both employees of DES, on the birth of their son, Hunter Lee Abrams, on June 7th.

Sharon BallwegEditor & Graphic Design Department of Human Resources 410-638-3019 saballweg@harfordcountymd.gov Robert B. Thomas, Jr. Contributor Office of the County Executive 410-638-3258 rbthomas@harfordcountymd.gov

Congratulations to Angie Lawson of Human Resources and her husband, Jason, who welcomed twin boys, Wyatt (L) and Jase (R), on April 10. Both boys join their 5 year old sister Ava.

David R. Craig, Harford County Executive

Preserving Harfords past; Promoting Harfords future

Rebecca Macek - Contributor Department of Community Services 410-638-3389 ramacek@harfordcountymd.gov Erin Ferriter-Contributor Sustainability Office 410-638-4707 eferriter@harfordcountymd.gov Joan Ingold Contributor Information and Communication Technology 410-638-1231 jsingold@harfordcountymd.gov

We would like to include your milestone in the next HCG Connection. Please submit information by the 15th of the month to saballweg@harfordcountymd.gov . Digital photos are accepted.

Published by
Harford County Department of Human Resources Scott T. Gibson, Director

HCG

CONNECTION