CITY OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS JANUARY 2011

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH 2

CREDIT CARDS AND YOUR CREDIT SCORE 3

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS 4-5

NASTRIKE 6-7

SYMPATHY 8

SCAM ALERT 8

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Barry Levy, Media Producer Public Information Office

December 2010 Employee of the Month

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Employee of the Month

Staff is proud to present Mr. Barry Levy as the employee of the month for December. Barry started with the City in 2004 and currently works as a Media Producer in our Public Information Office. He is a dedicated employee and a valuable asset to this organization.

Darron Leiker, City Manager

Barry joined the City of Wichita Falls Public Information Office in August 2004 after a lengthy career in television as a photojournalist and documentary producer, covering such events as the Oklahoma City bombing, the Presidential campaign of George H.W. Bush and numerous other news events. His skills in producing quality documentaries earned him two Emmy awards in 1991 and several Emmy nominations since then. Bringing this talent to the City of Wichita Falls, Barry produced the historic preservation special, “Wichita Falls: The Future of Our Past” and several other award-winning promotional spots airing on Channel 11 and YouTube, highlighting City activities and events, employment opportunities, and the great work our City employees do every day. Most recently, Barry completed an audio version of the Landmark Commission’s “Touring Wichita Falls History” brochure, which can be downloaded from the City website or is available on CD. Barry is always ready with a video or still camera at City events to capture the activity and get that information out to the public. He maintains the City website, assists with live broadcast productions of City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission meetings, and writes numerous press releases and special proclamations for City-related activities. He routinely works with not only various City departments, but also with

Sheppard Air Force Base, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, United Way, and various other entities on special projects and events, always representing the City well. Many people have commented on his willingness to help and his always cheerful and positive attitude! Barry has been married to Tina for 23 years; together for 28 years. They have two children: Amy (11) and John (9). Barry is a Cajun at heart and is known to be an excellent cook and food connoisseur who loves entertaining; he enjoys camping and traveling with his family, photography, writing, and practical jokes. Barry’s always-cheerful attitude, his willingness to help, and his dedication to his job and to the organization, make him a valuable asset for the City of Wichita Falls and its citizens. He is a great example of customer service and work ethic and is very deserving of “Employee of the Month” recognition.

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Credit Cards and your Credit Score

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It’s vitally important that you protect your credit score. Your credit score is the number that helps lenders predict how likely you are to make your credit payments on time. The higher your score, for instance, the better your chances of receiving a car loan, and at a good interest rate. Scores range from 300-850; most people score in the 600s and 700s. Consumers are entitled to one free credit report per year from each credit reporting agency (Equifax, Experion and TransUnion). The website www.annualcreditreport.com is a convenient way to get your credit reports from those three agencies. Each score is based on information in your credit report. How you use your credit cards affects your credit score. Use a credit card wisely and you can reap benefits like cash back, bonus points and airline miles, not to mention better credit scores. Use it unwisely and you could end up with a poor credit score, and under a mountain of debt.

The No. 1 Rule: Pay off your balance every month.

Make your payments by the date -- and time -- they're due. Late fees are usually around $30 and can run higher. Late payments can also trigger an interest rate increase. Because late and missed payments lower your credit score, the interest rate can go up on your other credit cards and for future loans, as well.

Limit the number of cards you have. Experts recommend having two to six cards. Applying for lots of cards can hurt your credit score. Conversely, closing several credit cards at once will trigger a decrease in your score.

Read the fine print. Know the interest rate you will be charged, when your payment is due, and your credit limit.

Negotiate. If your credit score is 700 or above, you may be able to get a lower interest rate or get the company to drop a late fee.

Don't exceed 30% of your credit limit on each card. Credit bureaus don't care if you pay off your balance each month. They're interested in how much of your available credit you use. If it's excessive, your credit score will drop.

e e cummings (1894-1962)

I’m living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart.

February Birthdays

February 1 Rachel Russell, Library Alma Anguiano, Nursing Johnny Garcia, Police Raymond Perry, Jr., Police Daniel Moore, Sanitation Ronnie Weaver, Landfill John Lerner, Engineering* James Hendon, Transportation* February 2 Leslie Bowles, Building Maint. Christina Flores, Police Marky Wise, Police Toni Worthy, Police Bobby Whiteley, Park Maint.* February 3 Davis Powell, Engineering Billy Castle, Fire* Curtis Sandell, Fire* February 4 Cheryl Elliott, City Manager’s Office Danette Sheehan, Police William Johnson, Police Bill Dixon, MPEC February 5 Katrina Everett, CVB Tommy Johnson, Sanitation*

February 6 Floyd McPherson, Police Brice Pesterfield, Fire February 7 The Boy Scouts of America incorporated, 1910 Matthew Bailey, Police David Byers, Fire Jimmy Young, Fire Adam Benham, Central Services Jerry Geisert, Fire* David Stockwell, Wastewater* February 8 Kevin Folmar, Police February 9 Greg Oliver, Fire Mark Englishbee, Fire Wade Looney, Central Services Becky Chapman, Health Insurance February 10 Holly Burns, Nursing Clinton Halloway, Police Jacie Whitaker, Police Robert Woodruff, Police Steven Halloway, Water Pur. Linda Summers, MPEC* Richard Walden, Fire* Richard Ledbetter, Building Insp.* David Navarro, Sanitation*

February 11 Rusty Park, Wastewater David Wagner, Transfer Station Lydia Ozuna, City Clerk February 12 President Lincoln’s birthday Claudie Aderholt, Lot Mowing William Norris, Central Services Lonnie Beavers, Sanitation Kris Howcroft, Legal Marupong Duangkam, Exhibit Hall February 13 Carol Mitchell, Police Thomas Newell, Water Pur. James Seigler, Wastewater Floyd Tuttle, Fire* February 14 Valentine’s Day Yvette Eipper, WIC Jessica Liptow, Police Joseph Snyder, Jr., Police Christopher Short, Fire Curtis Pope, Planning Cody Edwards, Water Pur. Mateo Rubio, Sanitation Valentin Sigala, Sanitation* February 15 Donald Miller, Police Shawn Garcia, Utilities Admin. Jesse Stice, Landfill Pat O’Brien, Util. Collection* Virgil Duffy, Fire* Michael Rivers, Sanitation*

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Employees & Retirees February 16 Jo Hammond, Finance Justin Berardi, Fire Daniel Aviles, Street Maint. February 17 Robert Wagner, Police* Terri Witherspoon, Health* James King, Water Distribution* February 18 Rebecca Morrison, Library Gail Newell, Lab Water Pollution Rosalio Garcia, Wastewater* February 19 Michael Simmons, Police Robin Venegas, Police Derek Bachman, Fire James Ritchie, Fire Johnny Chavez, Wastewater William Carlton, Fire* February 20 Scott Ezzell, Building Maint. Jim Dockery, Finance Garry Capron, Utility Collection Margarita Hughes, Utility Collection Deanna Tofte, Police Barbara Clements, Health* Melvin Joyner, Police*

February 27 Russell Bettinger, Utility Collection Paul Swift, Park Maint. February 28 Alejandro Villanueva, Park Maint. Sharon Hill, Municipal Airport David Durdaller, Transportation

February 21 Robert Scroggins, Fire* February 22 President Washington’s birthday Ford Swanson, Utility Collection Harold McClure, COPS Hiring Recovery John Montoya, Police Louis Perez III, Street Maint. Linda Wilbur, Human Res.* February 23 Kevin Scholl, Fire Joe Leonard, Sanitation* February 24 Carl Uline, Building Maint.

February 25 Dallas Cowboys fired Tom Landry after 29-year career, 1989

David Gibson, HOME Admin. Patti Robinson, Traffic John Marshall, Landfill Jesus Carrasco, Street Carlos Garcia, Street* February 26 Kathy Holtzen, Police Mark Snyder, Transfer Station Stacy Brantley, Street Maint. Vernon Fields, Police*

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* = Our Retired Employees

Black History Month

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In the infield you can see the judges Taking money that is being pooled There are lots of winks and nods and nudges Just so every bike can meet the rules

Here we go, ain’t it thrillin’ Though your nose gets a chillin’ We’ll frolic and play Our own special way Riding in the Nastrike race again!

Tires squeal, are you listenin’? On the track, foreheads glistenin’ A beautiful sight We’re in for a fight Riding in the Nastrike race again!

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Later on we'll conspire As we fix all our tires To beat the ‘Elite’ Wow, what a feat! – Riding in the Nastrike race again!

All around are people cheering And it’s not for our steering It simply because We helped Santa Claus Riding in the Nastrike race again!

In the kitchen you can see the bosses Serving up the burgers and the chips They holler at us all to hold our hosses! As we ‘forget’ to leave them any tips

Poem by Linda Merrill

T H E R O U N D A B O U T A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E C I T Y O F W I C H I T A F A L L S

Tammy Guerra, Managing Editor Linda Merrill, Editor Laura Drury, Writer

Mike Byrne & Joe Garison, Printers

Sympathy Our thoughts and prayers go out to our friends

and co-workers who have lost loved ones.

Mike Middlesworth, Jr., Wastewater Michael P. Middlesworth, Father

Danny Croxson, Nursing James Croxson, Father

Molly Tammen, Water Dist. Irene Effie Hibbs, Aunt

Phishing and Vishing and Smishing - Oh My! Everyone has heard of PHISHING scams by now. This is where a fraudster sends you a fake e-mail that looks like it came from your bank or credit card company. They tell you they need to update your information or there is a problem with your account. You are to click on a link in the e-

mail and fill out the information. Once you’ve done so, the fraudster has everything he needs to open an account with your name.

Now there is VISHING, voice and phishing. This is where the fraudster calls you on your cell phone and tells you there is a problem with your account or they need to update some information. Thinking this is legitimate you give them the information and they scam you.

Add the next logical step for a fraudster and you have SMISHING, SMS (short message service or text) and phishing. Smishing is the same as phishing except it is using a text message on your phone telling you to log on to a certain website or call a certain phone number to straighten out the problem, update or reactivate your account.

To protect yourself from these scams, don’t respond to unsolicited text message or phone calls. If you are concerned about the text or phone call, contact the bank or credit card company with a phone number you know is correct and ask.

Treat your cell phone the same as your computer. Don’t download anything unless you know it is from a trusted source. Cell phones, especially smart phones, can get viruses too. Source: www.fbi.gov, www.ic3.gov.

Laura Drury, Deputy Police Chief

Ryan Piper, Police Alfred Wiley, Grandfather Manuel Borrego, Police Geneva Kruse, Grandmother