A NEWSLETTER BY AND FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF HARFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT

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Executive Summary: Update on Final Term Priorities

Last year, I announced the top priorities for my administration during the remainder of my term as county executive. As I enter my final year in 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 in education, public works, public safety, property acquisition, land use, assistance 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 fall of 2014, and will house the recently-created Department of Emergency Services. The department and the new facility will ensure that the county 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.
David R. Craig Harford County Executive

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Executive Summary PEHP Employee of the Month

Sustainability Office

Sick Leave Bank & Tech Tips

Regarding transportation, the county and the state are making progress on Route 22 intersection improvements at Paradise Road, Beards Hill Road, and Old Post Road. These are on track for completion in 2014. Some other initiatives that we have completed include: capital project commencement for public schools and Harford Community College, a feasibility report on the formation of a Water and Sewer Authority with the countys three municipalities, and changes to the County-managed pension system to make the system more stable. For county government operations, the elimination of the outdated mainframe and the adoption of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is currently underway. Related to this is the implementation of EnerGov software which will assist multiple county agencies with tracking and managing 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 agencies, business leaders, and community organizations to complete these priorities and position Harford 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, we have worked together to improve services and provide the amenities that our citizens expect, while streamlining government operations and remaining fiscally responsible. I am proud of what we 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.

Diet for Diabetes

Cultural Literacy Fair

Human Trafficking Tis the Season to Volunteer Milestones

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David R. Craig, Harford County Executive

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Department of Human Resources Update

PEHP (Post Employment Health Plan) Use or Lose Annual Leave

submitted by Beth Griffith

Employees who have annual leave in excess of 320 hours at the end of the calendar year will have the value of those hours deposited into a Premium Reimbursement Account with Nationwide. If the amount of your excess annual leave is $250.00 or less, the County will hold those funds until the amount to be deposited exceeds $250.00. For those employees who are already enrolled in the Universal Account or the Premium Reimbursement Account, the funds will be deposited into your existing account using your current investment selections. If this is the first time you will have funds deposited to either account, the Department of Human Resources will be scheduling sessions with Nationwide to discuss your investment options and process your enrollment documentation. If you havent already done so, you may access Nationwide at www.NRSFORU.com to sign up for an online account. If you have any difficulty with the Nationwide website, you should contact their Customer Service line at 1-877-677-3678.

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October Employees of the Month

submitted by Sherrie Johnson

David Kahl and Mark Johnson Named Harford County Employees of the Month for October 2013

David Kahl, Mark Johnson, and County Executive David

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, said Irmgarde 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.

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Sick Leave Bank Update November 2013

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

Tech Tips
submitted 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 the Ribbon. 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.

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Submitted by Tamara Simmons Information from www.vitaminsdiary.com

Diet for Diabetes Diabetes 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.

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Diabetes (continued)

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

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Milestones
Congratulations to Scott Kearby, DPW-Construction Management, on the birth of his first grandson, Jack Aiden Kearby, born October 9th weighing 7 lbs. 14 oz. 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 Chance, Director of Administration and Shawn Krout, DES, on birth of their granddaughter and daughter, respectively. Livvy Grace Krout was born November 6th, weighing 8lbs. 8ozs.

Congratulations to Jaidyn Harris, daughter of Karen Harris, DILP, Animal Control, who is a straight A studen t at Aberdeen Middle School and recently received a purple/black belt in martial arts.

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.

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

Sharon BallwegEditor & Graphic Design Department of Human Resources 410-638-3019 saballweg@harfordcountymd.gov

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

David R. Craig, Harford County Executive

Preserving Harfords past; Promoting Harfords future

Sherrie Johnson Contributor Office of the County Executive 410-638-3420 sajohnson@harfordcountymd.gov 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

or call 410-638-3019

Published by
Harford County Department of Human Resources Deborah Duvall, Acting Director

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