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November 2015 • ORANGE SPIEL 1
Orange
vol 45 • issue 11 • NoveMBeR 2015 O r a n g e C O u n t y e m p l O y e e n e w s l e t t e r
November 17 - December 14. For the past seven years, Jon,
his wife Brandy and their two children have carefully watched the toy aisles at various retailers and devised a strategy to buy the most popular toys on sale all year long. Since 2007, these secret Santas have donated approximately 5,658 toys to various holiday toy drives, with 3,747 going to the Holiday Heroes initiative.
“My wife and I had great child-hoods,” Weiss said. “We have so many fond memories of the ex-citement of Christmas morning when we were growing up.”
Jon said those early childhood experiences and having children inspired the couple to give back to their community.
In 2014, supporters of the Holiday Heroes Toy Drive exceeded goal expectations by
All year, Community, Envi-ronmental and Development Services Department Director Jon Weiss and his family make it a point to follow the toy sales and holiday specials in anticipation of an important initiative that brings together the participation of so many Orange County employees.
Weiss has dedicated countless hours to the Holiday Heroes Toy Drive, a special tradition that cares for some of Orange County’s most precious citizens and helps put smiles on the faces of children who may not otherwise receive a single gift during the season. This annual Orange County tradition began in 2011 and is one of Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs’ signature holiday initiatives, col-lecting more than 12,000 toys since its inception. The 2015 Holiday Heroes Toy Drive runs
collecting 4,655 toys. The toys were collected and sorted by the Communication Division and donated to Orange County Neighborhood Centers for Families, Orange County Public Schools’ homeless program, Wraparound Orange, the Community Food and Outreach Center, Toys for Tots and the American Red Cross.
The Holiday Heroes Toy Drive wrapped up in mid-December with local families selecting toys with Mayor Jacobs at the West Orange Neighborhood Center for Families in Winter Garden. At the annual toy shopping event, local families are able to select their toys of choice for their children.
Hundreds of other Orange County employees also joined last year’s Toy Drive. In fact, Orange County Parks and Recreation was the division that collected the most items with 1,650 toys and gift cards.
“My heart was touched by our Orange County employees who collected so many toys for our neighbors in need,” Mayor Ja-cobs said. “By working together, the generous hearts of our em-ployees, citizens and communi-ty truly made a difference in the lives of so many Orange County citizens.”
Department Director by Day Secret Santa by Night
Welcome to the Orange Spiel. To continue our strong work culture, HR has embraced the “Culture by Design” philosophy. One of the key pillars of this movement is care…to care about our community, our fellow coworkers, and our families. To bring the principle of “caring” to life, I encourage all employees to participate in this year’s toy drive – a great way to give back and put our care into action. See our feature story or visit the Holiday Heroes Toy Drive page.
I would also like to remind employees that our mission is to serve the community and each other. Be sure to read the story about one of our very own guardian angels, from the Information Systems & Services Department.
Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving, and with my thanks for making Orange County a great place to live, work and raise a family.
Mayor Teresa Jacobs
Jon Weiss and his family at the Orange County Regional History Center in 2014 for the County’s signature Holiday at Heritage Square event.
Nancy McKinnon, an administrative assistant in the County Administrator’s Office, makes several special toy purchases during the season because she knows some families can only afford the basic necessities for their families. McKinnon wants all children in Orange County to open a special present on Christmas morning.
Nancy McKinnon
Neighborhood Preservation and Revitalization Division’s Carla McClendon purchases at least two toys that she thinks her grandchildren would enjoy for the Toy Drive. McClendon enjoys participating in the Toy Drive
because she knows there are times when parents can’t afford to buy presents for their children. She wants all Orange County citizens to experience joy and holiday spirit during the season of giving.
Carla McClendon
Continued on page 6
• Park Policies• Guardian Angel• Open Enrollment Reminders
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners recently unveiled roadway sign tributes to fallen hometown heroes Orange County Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Scott Pine and Windermere Police Officer Robert German. In 2014, both beloved officers tragically lost their lives to senseless acts of violence while in the line of duty.
Deputy Scott Pine Memorial Roadway is located on S. Apopka Vineland Road and Officer Robert German Memorial Roadway is located south of Conroy-Windermere Road. Their names are also engraved on the Law Enforcement Memorial Monument in the courtyard of the Orange County Courthouse and on Tallahassee’s Law Enforcement Memorial. Their names will soon be added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington.
Photos from the ceremonies for Deputy Pine and Officer German are available on Flickr.
2 ORANGE SPIEL • November 2015
A R O U N D T h e C O U N T y
Orange County in Top 20 of Best Companies for Working Families
The Orlando Sentinel’s
Top 100 Companies
for Working Families
designation recognizes
Central Florida’s top
companies for their
commitment to family-
and work-life balance.
Orange County has 6,547
full-time employees and
930 part-time employees
ranging from correctional
officers to chemists,
serving approximately 1.2
million residents.
“We strive for a
workplace culture that
builds camaraderie and
an environment where
coworkers feel that they
are part of a family while
at work,” said Director of
Human Resources
Ricardo Daye.
Employees are focused
on changing lives for
the better throughout
our community. This
year represents the
16th annual United
Way Employee Giving
campaign. Orange County
has grown to be the fifth
largest donor to the Heart
of Florida United Way, with
employees donating an
astonishing $2.7 million
dollars over the past five
years — an average of
$450,000 per year.
Orange County is proud to be ranked No. 16 in the Top 100 Companies for working families.
Friends, family and colleagues of fallen Windermere Police Officer Robert German gathered for the unveiling of a memorial roadway sign in his honor.
Hometown Heroes Deputy Pine and Officer German
November 2015 • ORANGE SPIEL 3
Automated Garbage & Recycling Collection Coming Soon to Orange County
The new automated collection program will provide residents with a more convenient, efficient and environmentally friendly way to collect and dispose of their garbage and recycling.
Under this program, homeowners will use County-issued, 95-gallon roll carts that will be delivered to each residence between October and December. The green-lid cart is for garbage and the blue-lid cart is for recycling. Residents should store the carts and not use them until the day automated collection begins on January 1, 2016. Also under this program, garbage, recycling and yard waste will each be picked up once per week. Door hangers will be delivered to homes with the new schedules in December.
For more information and to stay up to date on the new automated curbside collection program, please visit www.ocfl.net/GreenClean2016,
call the Solid Waste Hotline at 407-836-6601, or send an email to [email protected].
On August 13, the Orange County Convention Center soft-opened the Sunburst Terrace, a “signature room” providing both indoor and outdoor meeting space; and the Tangerine Ballroom, a 48,961-square-foot room featuring state-of-the art LED lighting and technology.
Convention Center Opens Sunburst Terrace and Tangerine Ballroom
4 ORANGE SPIEL • November 2015
oNThe Women’s Executive
Council (WEC) recently named Orange County Communications Manager Ann Marie Varga as a Women of Achievement in Public Service.
Ann Marie is a seasoned communication strategist and advisor with 30 years of experience in all aspects of public relations, media relations, community relations, advertising, marketing and branding. Since being appointed by Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs in December 2013, she has led the overall planning, coordination, organization and direction of the communication strategies and public information activities for Orange County Government. She leads the activities of a team of more than 25 professional and technical staff engaged in County public information, community relations, marketing, web-page development, graphic design and branding, video production, and internal and external communications.
“I do what I love and love what I do,” said Ann Marie. “Recognition is unnecessary, but greatly appreciated. And it’s most meaningful when it comes from my own team.”
Since joining Orange County, she implemented changes to improve media
coverage, enhance issues management, ensure knowledge management and information sharing, enhance internal communication as well as fine-tune event production and implementation. She significantly increased proactive communication outreach with the launch of an online Newsroom as well as the use of social media to connect to targeted audience segments.
“Ann Marie is a true mentor, having mentored countless public relations professionals,” said Public Information Officer Doreen Overstreet, who secretly nominated Ann Marie for the award. “She lives by the duck motto — ‘Be calm, cool and collected on the outside, but paddle like mad underwater.’ It’s fitting and symbolic for a communications professional. She has numerous rubber ducks around her office and gives
Leading The Way
ClockthE
‘Ducktastic’ awards to staff members who routinely walk the talk.”
The Women’s Executive Council was formed in 1972 to involve the executive and professional women working in the downtown Orlando area with the Downtown Orlando Partnership (formerly the Orlando Central Business District or OCBD). The organization’s first annual Women’s Achievement Awards was held in 1972 and continues today to honor outstanding women in various categories, including Communications/Media and the coveted Woman of the Year Award. WEC expanded the program in 1987 to include the awarding of college scholarships to deserving women.
(Left to right) Scott Varga, Ann Marie Varga and Doreen Overstreet.
oFF thEClock Guardian Advocate Truly a Guardian Angel
November 2015 • ORANGE SPIEL 5
Cynthia Sterchele works as an Enterprise IT Manager for Orange County’s Information Systems & Services. Cynthia is currently assigned to oversee a technology project for Public Safety. Her teams provide support to some of the largest County departments, including Corrections, Fire Rescue, Health Services and Integrated Criminal Justice.
Over the years, Cynthia has always had a soft heart for animals — especially dogs. Currently, she has six dogs of her own and is actively affiliated with a local animal-rescue organization. A few years ago, Cynthia branched from rescuing animals to liberating humans. In 2012, the Honorable Chief Judge Belvin Perry issued an Order that named Cynthia Sterchele as Guardian Advocate for two mentally incapacitated adult women.
The guardianship started with a simple phone call. Cynthia suspected the two ladies were not being properly cared for by their familial caretakers. After placing a call to a justice partner in Court Administration, an investigation began. After the allegations were
substantiated by the police and Department of Children and Families, the two women needed a safe place to go. Cynthia opened her home, and thought it would be a short-term situation. Four years have passed, and the women still live with Cynthia’s family.
In talking to Cynthia, she never envisioned her life would have taken such a drastic turn of events.
“It’s been a very humbling experience — especially when they call me ‘mom’ in public because they’re older than I am,”
explained Cynthia. “All in all, when bad things happen to others, we may choose to look away, or choose to act.”
Cynthia chose the latter. Over the course of time,
she has learned there may be a cost in doing the right thing.
“It has been difficult — physically, mentally and financially,” said Cynthia.
The world could use more people like Cynthia. This Guardian Advocate is a truly a Guardian Angel.
Holiday Traditions Made Eco-Friendly
10 Participate in the Annual Christmas
Bird Count. Contact your local Audubon Chapter.
9 Set your holiday party aglow with
LED lighting.
8Avoid excess.
7Give a gift to help end world hunger via Heifer
International (heifer.org).
6Decorate re-usable gift boxes with repurposed
or used materials.
4Create heirloom decorations from
renewable materials.
3Start a new tradition; plant a tree.
2Mimic the Pilgrims; eat fresh in-season
locally-grown fruits and vegetables.
1Feast on free-range raised turkey or go
vegan with Tofurky.
TOP
Cynthia (center), Naomi (right) and Jannette (left) enjoying quality time together.
Do you have an inspiring on- or off-the-clock story
to share with our readers? Email: [email protected]
S e R V I C e A W A R D S & P R O M O T I O N SB e N e F I T S & W e L L N e S S
6 ORANGE SPIEL • November 2015
The Orange County team gears up to head for the start line in downtown Orlando.
A Few Open Enrollment RemindersOpen Enrollment Deadline for Proof of Dependent Eligibility. Are you adding dependents who were not previously covered or making changes to a dependent’s name, birth date or relationship? Submit proof of their eligibility by November 6. Please send your required documentation to the nearest HR Service Center Location.
Open a Health Savings Account (HSA). Do you need to open an HSA? A link to the JP Morgan Chase website is available on the open-enrollment page of the County intranet. You must have an open, active HSA by November 6.
Submit Proof of Medical Underwriting. Did you increase life insurance for
yourself, your spouse or your child(ren)? Did you reduce the wait time for your Short Term Disability? If so, you must submit documentation by November 6.
For more information about Open Enrollment requirements or questions concerning benefits, contact an HR Service Center near you.
Be a Holiday Hero This year, Orange County employee volunteers are needed to implement the myriad details of the Holiday Heroes Toy Drive, which benefits local families in need. With hundreds of toys coming in weekly during the height of the toy drive, counting and sorting the toys is one of the biggest needs. Approval from departmental supervisors is required. To join, please contact Kasey Brinkley at [email protected].
About the Holiday Heroes Toy Drive In keeping with Orange County’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors philosophy, employees are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys for infants, children and teens when the toy drive begins. For more information, visit Orange County’s website, www.ocfl.net/holidayheroes.
Suggested Toys BasketballsSoccer ballsModel carsTrucksSporting equipmentCraft kits Junior board gamesDollsBarbie setsLegos Tonka toysAction figures and setsSkateboardsHelmetsTea sets
Continued from page 1
November 2015 • ORANGE SPIEL 7
S e R V I C e A W A R D S & P R O M O T I O N Ssep
temb
er Promotions
ADMINIStRAtIVE SERVICES Sheena Ferguson Manager, Business Development
Cynthia Rice Support Specialist
Johana Collazo Inventory Specialist
Almeda Lugo Operations Technician
COMMUNItY, ENVIRONMENtAL & DEVELOPMENt SERVICES Gregory Lewis Senior Permit Analyst
Bradley Campbell Assistant Manager, Code Enforcement
Allan Marshall Assistant to Director, CEDS
Kirsten England Recreation Community Center Supervisor
CONVENtION CENtER Krista Barber Transportation Supervisor
CORRECtIONS La Terria Lampkin Non-Certified Corrections Officer
Lori McKinley Non-Certified Corrections Officer
Latisha Isom Non-Certified Corrections Officer
Kjym Harris Non-Certified Corrections Officer
Melissa Nunez Non-Certified Corrections Officer
Derron Callwood Correctional Release Specialist
Doris Wright Community Corrections Officer
Emmanuelle Rene Community Corrections Officer
Beverly Buie Community Corrections Officer
COURt ADMINIStRAtION Ryan Desmond Data Base Administrator
FAMILY SERVICES Maria Deoto Teacher
Teri Watts Teacher
Sunitha Koorathota Head Start Field Operations Supervisor
April Collins Teacher
Krystal Stanley Residential Service Supervisor
FIRE RESCUE Kimberly Stewart-Horan Division Chief Communications
Brenda Paz Ortega Fire Plans Examiner I
Verna Watson Fire Plans Examiner I
Jeffrey Coiro Fire /Plans Examiner I
OFFICE OF thE MAYOR Nicole Bell Administrative Aide to the Mayor/BCC
UtILItIES Brandon Cruz Field Specialist I
Mark Leard Field Specialist I
Jerry Mustain Senior Utilities Maintence Coordinator
Joseph Stalcup Utilities Section Manager
Charles Griffin Business Unit Financial Advisor
Andrea Osinski Procurement Coordinator
Novem
ber service A
ward
s
The Orange Spiel is a monthly newsletter for Orange County employees. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Orange County Government. For more information or to submit an article for consideration, send to: Orange Spiel Editor, Human Resources Division, 450 E. South St. or email [email protected]. We reserve the right to edit submissions for length and clarity.
EDITORS Kelly Finkelstein
Lisa Damerst
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lisa Damerst
CONTRIBUTORS Pamela Baumbach
Terri Bernhardt Laura Lord
Mandy Kimmer Tracy Newsome
Nancy Rodlun Nadia Vanderhoof
PHOTOGRAPHERS Judi Kerr
Mandy Kimmer RF Photography
ADMINISTRATIVE ADVISORS Ricardo Daye
Ann Marie Vargas t A F F
5 YearsCommunity, Environmental & Development Services Joe Gasparini
Convention Center Manuel B. Coello Geraldo Peace
Corrections William Geiermann Shantay Smith
Family Services Ashley Gay Antwan Nelson Araceli Torres
Health Services Kayla Crawford
Office of Accountability Sabrina Grays Brian Taylor Patrick Peters
Public Works Daniel Marlette Roxanne Young
Utilities Steven Lehosit Ellen Bass-Russi Myron Taylor Michael Smith
10 YearsAdministrative Services Tony Persaud
Community, Environmental & Development Services Scott Lloyd
Convention Center Fredric Velez
Corrections Patrick Boyd Adsudalah Brooks Julio A. Cartagena Bobby McDonald Deron Parson Marilyn Paul-Wright Tevelie Pierrette Rebecca Rodriguez
County Attorney Roberta Alfonso
Family Services Rambhawatie Lal Maria McCoy
Public Works Stephen Ricci
Utilities Jairo Castro Toni Jarrett
15 YearsAdministrative Services Marlenis Curi James Middleton Scott WilburnCommunity, Environmental & Development Services Eric Brooks Magdalena Rivera Martha Worland
Convention Center Carla Bell Johnson
Corrections Karen White
Family Services Violet Roofe
Health Services Erika Neal
Fire Rescue Ralph J. Astarita Troy Damon Broadaway Brian Kevin Fornoles Steven D. Parkes John E. Perez Eric M. Siena John Thomas Sitnik William Steele Jr. Yasir A. Uddin
Health Services Erika Neal
Office of Accountability Kelly Finkelstein Lila I. McHenry Karen Peters Frederick M. Winterkamp
Public Works Elibimael Rosario20 YearsCommunity, Environmental & Development Services Ilka Bundy Ashley Devore
Corrections Richard Interrante, Jr.
Fire Rescue Lisa Mills Peter Zell
25 YearsAdministrative Services Valerie Marrow
Corrections Shanqueta Ashley Odetta Daniels Evelyn Fredrick William Porter, Jr.
Public Works Andre Price30 YearsAdministrative Services Mark Tompkins
Community, Environmental & Development Services Lisa O’Neil
Corrections Isidro Iglesias Michael Benzer
Public Works Ruby Rozier
Utilities Darryl Lattimore Carmen Ross35 YearsCommunity, Environmental & Development Services David Linck
21United Way 5K Fun Run Walk Benefitting Heart of Florida
United Way: Be a Hero. Come dressed as your favorite superhero. Bounce house for kids. For more information, call 407-254-9790 or visit the County’s United Way page 5K information tab. West Orange Trail Chapin Station. 501 Crown Point Cross Road, Winter Garden.
14 Simple Tips to Create your Florida-
Friendly™ Landscape: Learn how to have a Florida-Friendly™ Landscape using right-plant, right-place designs, with tips to improve your use of irrigation, fertilizer and pesticides. Free. Register at http://gardenflorida.eventbrite.com. For a complete list of classes, contact UF/IFAS Extension Orange County Horticulture Classes at 407-254-9200.
1Watering is limited to one Day a Week beginning
Nov. 1 – March 13: When the time changes so do the watering days. For more ways to conserve water, visit http://www.occonservewater.net/.
21Tibet Butler Preserve’s Free Eco Saturday Program: Insects Play: The volunteer
organization Actors Reaching Out will visit the Preserve to sing songs and do a live theatrical performance of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar!” Make a fun craft to take home; suitable for all ages and limited to 50 participants. 11 a.m. – noon. For more information, call 407-876-6696, visit www.OrangeCountyParks.net or email [email protected].
21Cottage Foods Showcase and Sale: Free. Celebrate safe,
local foods this Thanksgiving and support these new entrepreneurs. All of the vendors in the UF IFAS Orange County Cottage Food Showcase and Sale are Safe Staff-trained and understand the rules of the cottage food business. For more information, call 407-254-9200 or visit http://orange.ifas.ufl.edu.
november Calendar
26&27
6-9 Discounted Flu Shots: Orange County BCC
employees, agency employees and family members at least two years of age. Cost is only $5. Court House, 425 North Orange Ave., Orlando. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m, Nov. 6 and Supervisor of Elections, 119 W. Kaley Ave., Orlando. 9 a.m. – 11 a.m, Nov. 9 Jury Assembly Room. For more information, email [email protected].
6 Color Away Your Stress: Life got you stressed? Turn off your phone, unplug
your computer and join us for an hour of stress-relieving fun with
a little old fashion coloring. Bring your United Way donation of $5
and we provide the coloring book, crayons and coloring pencils. IOC 1,
11 a.m. – 2 p.m., [email protected]. RSVP by calling 407-836-2915.
11Veterans Day: Take a moment to pay tribute to all of the brave men and women who serve or served in the U.S. Armed Forces and put their lives on the line for our country’s freedom.
7 Mayor’s Family Fun Day at Blanchard Park: Enjoy free
activities for the family: entertainment, games, rides, food trucks, Weird Science by Orlando Science Center, crafts by Disney and the Bright house TV Lounge. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
14 Orange County Recycles Day: Join in the festivities as Orange
County celebrates the national day of recycling! Orange County Landfill, 12100 Young Pine Road, Orlando. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Call 407-836-6601, www.ocfl.net/OCRecyclesDay or email [email protected].
28Lake Nona Farmers Market: Features fresh local produce, baked goods, artisan gifts,
handmade crafts and more. A percentage of proceeds will benefit Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge. Crescent Park, 8374 Upper Perse Circle, Orlando. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
