THE LOOP In This Issue - 2 Birthdays - Rowan County Intranet, NC
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Issue 78 | April 2021
THE LOOP
from the County Manager’s O ce
In This Issue
2
Birthdays
3
Employee Spotlight
4
Employee Spotlight
5
TechTalk
6
Vaccine Information
7
Volunteer Spotlight
8
Rowan Originals
Wellness News
9
Voices from the Past
ffi
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
1 Misty Parrish 14 Chase Hammond 25 Jared Hinson
Lindsey Thomason Robert Johnsen
2 Tyler Bare Constance Wilhoit
Janella Hannold 15 Savannah Daniel
Cynthia Hoell Lindsay Paulo 26 Rebecca Bost
Summer Surratt Carlos Walker Kyle Grill
Terri Morgan
3 Ryan Hager 16 Robert Cowan Linda Patterson
Thomas Lowman Chip Main Sally Rogers
Sarah Mcneill Kathryn Troyer
Jocelyn Miller 17 Jacob Hernandez Miriam Wentz
Anne Morgan Kelly Parker
Emily Shepherd Rita Peters 27 Henry Buck
Adam Moore
4 Je ery Boyd 18 Aaron Church Lisa Robinson
Matthew Farmer Tomesia Courtney Mark Villarreal
Billie Culp 28 Nemiah Clowers
5 Peggy Hudson Lisa Holshouser Ginger Hopper
Rodney Newton Madison Liesman Mary Lowe
Justan Mounts
6 Patricia Donaldson Esther Prouse 29 Patricia Austin
James Garris Jessica Calleja
Melissa Mills 19 Tonya Barber Micah Ennis
Carla Whaley Megan Cress Steven Hopkins
Alesha Woods Pasquale Stellute
Leah Wyrick 30 Connie Deaver
20 Alison Bost Ashley Joyner
7 Jennifer Hubbard Darrell Nichols Jeremy Thomason
Ericka Nesbitt
21 Kenneth Miller
8 Jailene Valdovinos Brittany Misher
Lacie Rummage Shauna Wale
9 Jenna Cranford 22 Alisha Cowan
Doris Shives Jan Harwood
Elaine Howle
10 Olivia Benfield Mary Sloop BIRTHDAY CREDIT
William Heglar Jacob Ward
Teresa Sharpless All full-time and part-time
23 Annie Bates employees are eligible for
11 Jerry Kepley Ti any Bradley
Ruth Sides a $25 credit to be redeemed
12 Lineta Bostian
Allison Bradley 24 Teresa Crosby
during their birthday
Jennifer Wilson Susan Doyle month. LEARN MORE
Barbara Heim
13 Carolyn Barger Wanda Parks
Colleen Hunt
Kelly Steele
THE LOOP | ISSUE 78 | APRIL 2021 2
ff
ff
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
NAME Adrian Rollans
TIME OF SERVICE 23 years
DEPARTMENT Information Technology - GIS Division
TITLE GIS Analyst
FAVORITE ACTIVITIES / Travel to new places, camping/outdoors, fishing, hiking, and
HOBBIES / THINGS sailing.
FAVORITE FOOD Lasagna, anything Mexican, anything with caramel in it,
cheesecake, and co ee
FAVORITE MOVIE/TV SHOW Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; Ozark
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT I am a proud father of two young adults, Aaron and Anna.
YOURSELF Both are in college at this time and I miss them o en.
I have always been a bit of a problem-solver, which helps me in
my job working with maps and databases.
When I'm not doing that, I enjoy working on old houses.
I love to travel, attend music shows, and spend time with my
family and friends.
I also love to visit the mountains and hunt for treasures (which for
me are old machines and equipment).
I still want to visit New Mexico and Wyoming, so I am planning
that soon. Stay tuned.
THE LOOP | ISSUE 78 | APRIL 2021 3
ff
ft
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
NAME April Edmonds
TIME OF SERVICE Started as a part-time Nature Assistant in 2008, but became the
full-time Animal Keeper in 2019.
DEPARTMENT Animal Services - Rowan Wild/Nature Center
TITLE Animal Keeper
FAVORITE ACTIVITIES / Everyone who knows me knows I love bunnies; my kitten, Winnie;
HOBBIES / THINGS and working with our bobcat, Bud. I really enjoy spending time
with my oldest sister, Karyn, visiting St. Augustine and Disney
World (all of Florida, really) with my boyfriend Taylor, learning
new things and new languages, filling my bird feeders, taking
long walks, doing my makeup, listening to wind chimes, and
watching true crime documentaries. I was also a musician before
this career and I really enjoy playing the violin, but I really want to
learn the accordion soon!
FAVORITE FOOD I’m a strict vegan, and I love finding plant-based dishes from all
over the world, but I particularly love Indian food.
FAVORITE MOVIE/TV SHOW TV: The Simpsons. Film: The Shawshank Redemption.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT I would consider myself a very outgoing and energetic person. I
YOURSELF really like motivating my teammates and doing what I can to
make everyone’s day a little better, and I like to make people
laugh.
I’ve enjoyed being in the zookeeping career field because not only
is it rewarding, but it’s just a really cool job to have and no two
days are alike.
I guess the last thing I want to mention is that I am ocean-
obsessed and my happiest times are spent on a beach or out in
the water.
THE LOOP | ISSUE 78 | APRIL 2021 4
TECH TALK
Tips and tricks worth sharing
CSS PORTAL
Diane Byrne, IT Business Analyst
For the past six months, Rowan County Building The new Citizen Self Service (CSS) portal went live
Inspections, Environmental Health, and Planning to the public in February, replacing the previous
and Development have been working with Rowan Citizen Access Portal tool. Customers can use the
County IT to extend services to citizens and CSS portal to:
streamline the permitting, inspections, and • search permits
planning process in Rowan County. Some of the • request inspections
challenges faced included: • apply for permits
• search inspections for status
• excessive manual process
• no citizen access to services a er hours In the future, we hope to o er enhancements
• long wait times at service desks such as:
• online permit applications
• social distancing during COVID-19
• ability to upload attachments/plans to
• call volumes
applications
• workflow automation
A er weighing out options, sta chose EnerGov
• reduction of processing time
Permitting Module and Citizen Self Service (CSS),
• GIS mapping and search function
a so ware designed to streamline planning and
permitting processes while also increasing
Thanks to these departments for working
transparency. This tool o ers 24/7/365 service
diligently to become more e icient and e ective
and mobile capabilities while saving citizens time
in serving Rowan County citizens.
and money.
THE LOOP | ISSUE 78 | APRIL 2021 5
ft
ft
ff
ff
ft
ff
ff
ff
VACCINE INFORMATION
ELIGIBILITY
The Rowan County Health Department is excited to share that all Rowan County employees are now
eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as of March 31.
All adults (16+ for Pfizer, 18+ for Moderna, and 18+ for Johnson & Johnson) will be eligible beginning April
7 for jobs that do not fall into those essential frontline sta ; for example, family members not in essential
occupations who are otherwise healthy and do not have one of the higher risk factors for poor COVID-19
outcomes.
SIDE EFFECTS
Like with other vaccines, it is normal to have a sore arm, fever, chills, headache and/or feel fatigue a er
getting vaccinated. Side e ects are temporary. All of these are signs your body is building protection
against COVID-19.
VACCINATION SITES IN ROWAN COUNTY
ROWAN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT NOVANT HEALTH
Phone: 980-432-1800 Phone: 855-648-2248
Website: www.rowancountync.gov/COVIDvaccine Website: www.getvaccinated.org
*Call, go online, or use QR code for an appointment; *By appointment only. Please call your primary
appointments open on Mondays at 10 AM provider to schedule an appointment.
VA MEDICAL CENTER
1601 Brenner Avenue, Salisbury
Phone: 704-638-9000
WALGREENS
Website: www.walgreens.com/findcare/services
THE MEDICINE SHOPPE
1357 W Innes Street, Salisbury 1505 E Innes Street, Salisbury
Phone: 704-637-6120 Phone: 704-637-6864
Website: medicineshoppesalisbury.com
1906 W Innes Street, Salisbury
MOOSE PHARMACY Phone: 704-636-7479
1408 W Innes Street, Salisbury
Phone: 704-636-6340 705 Jake Alexander Boulevard, Salisbury
Website: moosepharmacy.com Phone: 704-630-0738
THE LOOP | ISSUE 78 | APRIL 2021 6
ff
ff
ft
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
In 2018, Income Maintenance Caseworker II a voice in court,” McCrary said. “The most
MICHELLE MCCRARY received an email from the rewarding thing is to provide foster care children
NC Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) program that with a voice. It doesn’t always guarantee what
prompted her to take a few moments to visit their outcomes may be in their case. But, they can at
website and learn about the program and what least be heard,” she continued.
they do. Having a heart for children and her
community, McCrary made an application to GALs stay in contact with the child’s Social Worker
become a GAL. She was contacted by the local and placements and can also reach out to their
director, Laura Bodenheimer, in Davidson County, teachers, care providers, coaches, and medical
where she resides. Bodenheimer explained more professionals. This allows GALs to advocate for
about the program and within a few weeks, education, health, or personal needs. “I would
McCrary was taking an online course to complete encourage anyone who has some extra time and
her GAL certification. A er successful completion wants to volunteer to look into serving as a
of the course, she was sworn in as a GAL for Guardian Ad Litem. It is not always rainbows and
Davidson County. sunshine, but helping a child who has been
abused or neglected have a voice and be heard is
Throughout North Carolina, the GAL Program worth it,” McCrary said. The program is in great
seeks to serve the best interests of thousands of need of volunteers as the number of foster care
children who find themselves the subjects of court cases continue to rise.
cases by assigning them Guardian ad Litem
volunteers. The program exists in every county When speaking about child victim advocacy in
throughout the state, and with the help of more court, the question sometimes arises, “Why use
than 5,300 volunteers, they serve more than volunteers?” GAL volunteers provide an
18,000 children a year. independent, unbiased voice for abused and
neglected children. Because they are unpaid, but
A GAL advocate is a trained community volunteer focus on the child’s best interests, their position in
who is appointed, along with a GAL attorney, by a court is unique. The model of co-appointing
district court judge to investigate and determine volunteers and attorneys to speak for abused and
the needs of abused and neglected children neglected children in court provides strong,
petitioned into the court system by the competent advocacy for the children who need it.
Department of Social Services. Their role is
mandated by North Carolina General Statute Learn more about how you can become involved
7B-601. in the Guardian Ad Litem program.
“GAL is, in a sense, the eyes and ears for the court.
We listen to gather information and observe the
children we serve. We make sure the children have
THE LOOP | ISSUE 78 | APRIL 2021 7
ftROWAN ORIGINALS
Congratulations to JUSTAN MOUNTS and CYNTHIA GOODSON on their recent
certification from the National Association of County Veteran Service O icers
Certification. As of Friday, March 12, 2021, every member of the Rowan County
Veterans Services O ice is nationally accredited. This includes training in
preparation, submission, and representation of claims with the Department of
Veterans A airs (DVA) as well as how to advocate on behalf of veterans and
eligible family members to receive the benefits they have rightfully earned.
MID-CAROLINA REGIONAL AIRPORT STAFF hosted BSA Girl Troop 5171 on
Saturday, March 6, 2021. The group came to earn their Aviation Merit Badge,
which requires scouts to visit an airport and learn about at least three career
opportunities in aviation. Scouts learned about aircra , the dynamics of flight,
and aviation careers during their visit. A er the presentation, the group went
on a walking tour of the airport to learn how facilities are used and how
runways are numbered.
WELLNESS NEWS
FITBIT PROGRAM
Rowan County is teaming up again with Fitbit to o er discounts on select Fitbit devices to employees
enrolled in the County health insurance program (including those who purchased a device last year).
Eligible employees will receive a $55.00 subsidy toward the purchase of a device. They will also be able
to participate in healthy challenges throughout the year for chances to win wellness prizes. Interested
employees may visit the Rowan County Fitbit Store to shop for a device.
Eligible employees will have until June 11, 2021 to purchase one device. Please note that the $55
subsidy is already reflected in the stated price on the Fitbit Store website.
For further information, please review the Getting Started Guide, the Device Comparison Sheet, the Data
Sharing and Privacy Notice, and Frequently Asked Questions by visiting the Fitbit Program webpage on
the Intranet. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact Aldrea Speight in Human
Resources by email or by phone at 704-216-8163.
THE LOOP | ISSUE 78 | APRIL 2021 8
ff
ff
ft
ff
ft
ffVOICES FROM THE PAST
SHERRI JEFFERIES worked for Rowan Public Library for 36 years before
retiring on April 29, 2016. Je eries started out in the Technical Services
Division of the library typing cards for the card catalog. She knew early on that
she wanted to become a supervisor and eventually worked her way up to
Library Associate III/Circulation Services Supervisor.
“My favorite memory was having my wedding in the library and walking down
the staircase,” Je eries recalled. “And of course, the send-o I received when I
retired was amazing,” she continued.
“I always appreciated how Sherri kept her cool, even when things were not
going as planned,” said Beverly Gaston, long-time Technical Services sta
member. “She was always a team player,” Gaston continued.
Je eries is staying busy during her retirement, so much so that she wonders how she ever had time to
work. She enjoys spending time with family and especially her grandchildren. She also enjoys her car club
more than ever. Her favorite car to cruise in is her red 1972 Pontiac Grand Ville convertible. “I always enjoy
the cruise-ins, but I like winning trophies at car shows the most. And fellowship with other car enthusiasts
is always top-notch,” she said.
Since retiring, Je eries has started Snazzi Accessories, which specializes in sunglasses, scarves, jewelry,
and more. She continues to serve the
community as Vice-Chair of the Davie
County Health and Human Services
Board and as an Election Judge.
“Several things have been checked o
my bucket list,” she said, “and I look
forward to checking o a few more!”
The next item on her bucket list is a
trip to the US Virgin Islands.
“Life is so short and nothing is
promised, so I’m loving retirement
and grateful to the good Lord for
allowing me to enjoy it,” she said.
“To anyone looking to retire soon,
don’t let it pass you by. Have a
plan, and work at it. Enjoy life!”
Do you have a “voice from the past” you’d like to nominate? Send to loop@rowancountync.gov.
THE LOOP | ISSUE 78 | APRIL 2021 9
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ff
ffYou can also read
