▶ Investigate home-stead fraud

▶ Maintain and up-date parcel maps

▶ Track and update ownership and ad-dress changes for property transfers

▶ Review sales and permit data

▶ Perform public speaking/educationand outreach events

▶ Work in conjunction with EmergencyManagement and others in the dam-age assessment process during stormevents

What was your goal for your first year in office?

This has been a year of evaluating office operations and personnel with fresh eyes. I challenged staff to help me gain maximum understanding of current processes so we could identify oppor-tunities and act upon them wherever possible. They have responded in an amazing way. A few of our improve-ment projects included:

▶ streamlining permit processing

▶ creating website enhancements

▶ refining flood zone data

▶ partnering with BTS in a 3D modelingpilot program

▶ introducing new analytical tools thatimprove both valuation and otherdepartmental operations

How has the office changed in the past year from the public’s point of view?

We focused a bigger spotlight on a situa-

To view past issues of The Pen, visitwww.pinellascounty.org/hr/publications.htm.

December 2017 • Vo l . 45 No.12

INSIDEAsk HR / Get Your Flu Shot Now ... 3

Class & Comp Study Update ... 3

Tribute: Rafael Ufret-Ortiz ... 4

EAC Election Winners ... 4

Congratulations CPM Grads ... 5

EMS Receives AHA Award ... 5

Upcoming Classes ... 6

Tech Training Lab - Self Service ... 6

Promotions / KNOW Tobacco ... 7

Service Anniversaries ... 8

Retirements ... 9

County Office Recycling Changes ... 9

Welcome Aboard! ... 10

Deadline for Sandbag Disposal ... 10

Holiday LIghts / Record Keeper ... 11

Pets of the Month ... 11

Green Pinellas / Consumer Corner ... 12

EXTRA ... 13 & 14

Click on the topic to go directly to the page.

Continued on page 2.

The Property Appraiser’s Office: Equipped to Address Homeowner’s Needs

It’s been about a year since Mike Twitty became Pinellas County’s Property Appraiser. He brings with him a fresh per-spective and a wealth of knowledge and experience. The Pen staff asked him what some of the challenges have been, what he’s learned, and what key issues may be coming up.

What has your first year as a newly elected Property Appraiser been like?

It has been incredibly interesting and engaging. I thoroughly enjoy trying to improve our office‘s ser-vices to our citizens and the many other governmental entities that we interact with on a daily basis. I would like to thank my predecessor, the Honorable Pam Dubov, not only for her many years of service, but also for humbly handing off an incredible staff to work with on a daily basis. I believe this made the transition as seamless as possible as we navigated through our first assessment roll (and hurricane) together. I am continually impressed by staff members who excel at what they do and are eager to take on a new challenge.

So what actually happens at the Property Appraiser’s Office (PAO)?

Many departments work in conjunc-tion to accomplish the following and more:

▶ Annually value and issue Noticesof Proposed Property Taxes (TRIMNotices) for every parcel of realestate and tangible personal prop-erty (450,000+) in the County

▶ Certify the property assessment rollto the FL DOR, 57 Taxing Authori-ties and the Tax Collector

▶ Provide exceptional customer ser-vice to our citizens in person, overthe phone and via our website

▶ Administer the many exemptionsand various assessed value caps

tion that causes financial stress to many new homeowners. Too often, those who purchase property from a longtime homesteaded owner assume their property taxes will be similar to those of the prior owner. However, this is not the case and their property taxes have the potential to double, triple—even quadruple! This is due to the required statutory removal of the prior owner’s Save-Our-Homes cap and a reset of the property’s assessed value to market value.

I felt it was extremely important to create a “Best in Class” Tax Estimator, available on our website, to allow buyers (and their lenders) to more accurately estimate their property taxes in the tax year following their purchase. (See examples on page 2.)

We have received strong positive feedback from buyers, lenders, and sales profession-als since rolling this estimator out in August. Please let your family and friends that may be buying know about it.

Contributed by the Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s Office

Mike Twitty Property Appraiser

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BLOOD DRIVE

Mark Your Calendars

Public Works22211 US Hwy. 19 N.Building 1, ClearwaterJanuary 25, 201812:00 - 5:00

Utilities Building14 S. Fort Harrison Ave. ClearwaterJanuary 25, 20188:30 - 1:30

Logan Lab1620 Ridge RoadLargoJanuary 9, 201810:00 - 12:00

Downtown ClearwaterCourthouse315 Court St., west lotJanuary 10, 201811:00 - 4:00

You can schedule an appointment at

www.oneblooddonor.org.

What legislative changes have you noted that could most help homeowners?

I recognized that the existing two tax year window for a homeowner to port their Save-Our-Homes cap benefit isn’t working as well as originally intended. Most property owners perceive the portability eligibility timeframe as two years from the date of sale, but it is actually two tax years. Someone selling in any month during 2017 must own and occupy a new homestead eligible residence before January 1, 2019 (the second January 1).

Events such as late year sales, new construction delays and short-term financial setbacks have caused many of our residents to lose their port eligibility. I worked with local legislatures to introduce a bill in both the State House and Senate to increase the timeframe to three tax years (ef-fectively creating a 2 to 3 year eligibility window). The bill is currently making its way through the committee pro-cess toward a floor vote and will hopefully make it to the November 2018 general election ballot as a Constitutional Amendment.

What does 2018 hold for you and your office?

Plenty of challenges lie ahead for our office and Pinellas County in the upcoming year (flood insurance, 3rd Home-stead, and more), and we are well equipped to address them.

Any other thoughts?

It has been a true pleasure for me getting to know and working alongside Appointing Authority leaders, Commis-sioners, fellow Constitutional Officers and staff throughout the County this year. I look forward to continuing high qual-ity working relationships and would like to wish everyone a very happy, healthy and safe holiday season!

Examples of the PAO Tax Estimator which helps new homeowners more accurately determine estimates of their property taxes.

Property Appraiser, continued from page 1.

Only 16 Days Left to Complete Your Biometric Screening and Health SurveyGetting an annual screening and bloodwork provides many valuable health benefits. Plus you save $500 on your health insurance premium in 2018 if you complete the screening and survey by December 31, 2017.

→ Learn how to complete the necessary steps.

→ View a list of convenience care clinics where you can get a biometric screening done.

→ Find out what your biometric numbers mean.

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Get Your Flu Shot NowFlu season is upon us. While seasonal influenza (flu) viruses can be detected year-round in the United States, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter. The exact timing and duration of flu seasons can vary, but influenza activity often begins to increase in October. While flu activity in Pinellas County is currently mild, the CDC and the Florida Department of Health anticipate an increase.

“Estimates are that between 15% and 40% of the U.S. population will develop illness from influenza every year. An average of about 36,000 people in the U.S. die from influenza, and 114,000 per year have to be admitted to the hospital as a result of the infection.” (Centers for Disease Control)

Anyone can get the flu but there are some who are more likely to develop complications, such as the very young, the very old, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.

The best way to prevent influenza is to get a flu shot. Getting the shot is important not only to protect you but also your family, friends, coworkers and others with whom you come into contact, such as our citizens.

If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, please make plans to do so now. Call your doctor or visit one of the many convenience care clinics in the area (links below). The vaccine is covered at 100% for those enrolled in the Pinellas County medical plan. Be sure to bring your UHC medical ID card and a photo ID with you.

▶ Watch the Two-Minute Tuesday video What YouGotta Know About Flu and You for moreinformation.

▶ Convenience Care Clinics at Walgreens and CVS

▶ Walmart Pharmacies

▶ Publix Pharmacies

Class & Comp Study UpdateThe Evergreen Solutions consultants are currently conducting the benchmark salary survey.

This involves reaching out to targeted public employ-ers in order to collect information about their pay levels and pay practices.

The data being collected includes the following:

▶ The respondent’s classification title for each of thebenchmark jobs

▶ The number of incumbents in each classification

▶ The salary range minimum, midpoint, andmaximum

▶ The actual average salary

▶ Certification pay amounts

So far, the Evergreen team has received salary data from 18 of the targeted public employers and they’re expecting to provide some preliminary results on the County’s overall market position by the end of this month.

Use It or Lose It!For those who have not used their Personal Day or Float-ing Holidays, the last day to use them is December 23.

If a Personal Day is taken immediately before or after a recognized holiday, it must be scheduled and approved in advance.

The PenA monthly publication by the

Pinellas County Human Resources DepartmentEDITOR: Mary L. Sault

Would you like to put something in the Pen?Let us know by the first of the month.

And be sure to include photos!employee.communications@pinellascounty.org

(727) 464-5098

We’ve received a number of inquiries about the last day employees can use their Floating Holidays and Personal Days this year.

Whichever holidays you observe, we wish you happiness and good health. Happy Holidays!

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TributeRafael Ufret-Ortiz

As many have already learned, Pinellas County employee Rafael Ufret-Ortiz, 63, passed away on November 27 while on the job. Fellow employees were stunned and grieved by the sudden passing of a great coworker and friend.

Rafael was a Senior Spray Techni-cian with Mosquito Control and Vegetation Manage-ment at the time of his death. According to the Tampa Bay Newspapers, Rafael

“loved to cook, listen to music and share stories with friends.” He’d “considered retiring but loved his job too much.” (Read the story.)

Rafael leaves his wife, their son, as well as many brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Arrangements were by Memorial Park Funeral Home and an online tribute wall and his obituary may be viewed there.

From Glen-Paul Edson and everyone at Mosquito Control and Vegetation Management

Rafeal Ufret-Ortiz started his career with Pinellas County in Mosquito Control and Vegetation Management in 2002. He worked his way up to Senior Spray Technician working for

both Mosquito Control and Vegetation Management dur-ing his 15 years of service.

He was well loved and re-spected by both his coworkers and supervisors. He came to work every day with a positive attitude, always

smiling and keeping his peers in laugh-ter. He was well liked by the citizens he helped, con-stantly receiv-ing compli-ments on his knowledge and professionalism. He was the first to volunteer any time help was needed, whether it was fogging early mornings or filling in for his coworkers who were off.

He was looked up to by the newer Spray Techs as someone to emulate who was great at his profession. He would act as a mentor to co-workers, helping train them in the job, but also being there for them as a friend.

You could not find a more positive uplifting employee and friend. Quick with a smile and a joke to brighten your day, he truly loved working for Pinellas County and helping its citi-zens. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten by his work family and friends at Mosquito Control and Vegetation Management.

Employees’ Advisory Council Election WinnersEach year, half of the Employees’ Advisory Council Representatives’ seats are up for election for a two-year term. This year’s voting period was from November 27th to December 8th. The majority of ballots were submitted on the first day. A reminder was sent to employees during the second week which spurred additional voting. Notifi-cations were also sent to supervisors to encourage their employees to partici-pate. A total of 64% of eligible voters participated in the election – thank you to all who voted!

Congratulations to the winners:

Five candidates ran unopposed

BCC Group 1: Mario Rugghia

BCC Group 2: Randy Rose

BCC Group 6: Doris McHugh

Property Appraiser’s Office: Jackie Warr

Supervisor of Elections: Linda Cahill

Winners of those seats for which there were multiple candidates

BCC Group 8: Clare McGrane

Clerk North: Ashley Skubal

EAC Representatives are elected to two-year terms by their fellow employees and meet monthly to address impor-tant workplace issues, such as:

▶ Serving in an advisory capacity to thePinellas County Personnel Board andthe Director of Human Resourcesconcerning personnel matters,policies, rules, and regulations affect-ing employees.

▶ Developing and recommendingideas related to working conditions,morale, public image, efficiency,employee safety and employeebenefit programs

▶ Appointing two members of thePersonnel Board

Visit www.pinellascounty.org/hr/eac to learn more about the EAC, or contact Lisa Arispe, EAC Chair, at 464-4862 or by email at larispe@pinellascounty.org.

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Congratulations Pinellas County CPM Grads

In alpha order: John Boscarino, Bob Boyd, Kellie DiGennaro, Greg Duque, Catherine Eichner, Jessica Jones, Brian Lawton, Daniel Magelnicki, Nancy McKibben, Lynda Morrill, Shannon Ransom, Shay Unrue, Renea Vincent, Mladen Zdjelar

Not pictured in these photos: Karin Case, Dennis Dimovski, Pamela Frazier, Jennifer Gundel, Isaiah Jackson, Nicole Johnson, Penelope Koungras, James McGill, Jason Ohman

Tax Collector CPM Grads, L-R: Doug Katez, Geoff Giaquinto, Keisha Freeman Fulcher, Tara Broadus, Amber Bradley, Dakesia Campbell, and Mark Gundel

BTS CPM Grads, August 24 Ceremony, L-R: Mladen Zdjelar, Jeff Rohrs (Interim BTS Director), Lynda Morrill, Dana Zordan, Scott Davis, Doug Peat (Director BTS Finance and Administration)

The Florida Certified Public Manager (CPM) program honored 351 new graduates this past summer and 34 of them were from Pinellas County Government.

The CPM program is a nationally-recognized leadership development program, currently delivered in 38 states. The purpose is to develop more effective public manag-ers, thereby improving services to all Florida taxpayers.

It is administered by the Florida Center for Public Management at The Florida State University, which is part of the Askew School of Public Administration and Policy. Graduates have completed a rigorous two-year program, including 32 days of training, plus required projects and exams.

Pinellas EMS Receives American Heart Association AwardFrom Dec. 7 press release, Pinellas County Marketing & Communications

The Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services system was recognized by the American Heart Association for its dedication to succesfully treating patients suffering severe heart attacks.

The Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Plus Award honors the collective work of the whole county EMS system, including all provider agencies, for implementing life-saving practices that treat poten-tially deadly heart attacks.

Pinellas is among only 11 Gold Plus award recipients in Florida this year out of more than 270 licensed EMS provid-ers. The award was presented during the Pinellas County EMS Advisory Council Meeting December 7th.

“Pinellas County is dedicated to ensuring public health, safe-ty and welfare for our entire community,” said Jim Fogarty, director of Pinellas County Safety and Emergency Services.

“We are pleased to be recognized along with our partners by the American Heart Association for our dedication to providing life-saving care for heart attack patients.”

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Upcoming Training ClassesSome classes fill up quickly so request enrollment early

through OPUS Learning Management (OLM).

PLEASE NOTE: The 2018 Consortium Training Catalog is under construction with an anticipated publication of March 2018. In the meantime, please view the 3-month calendar or contact us at training@pinellascounty.org or 464-3796 with questions.

Tech BiTsTechnology Training Lab Self ServiceA Kick in the Attitude: A New Attitude Series Part I

1/24/18, 4 hours

Sam Glenn, motivational keynote speaker, says, “Humor is the gateway to a better attitude. If you just lighten up—even a little—it can do wonders for your attitude.”

How would you like to enjoy learning while you are laughing? Participants who attend will learn how the four key principles (Lighten Up, Keep Your Perspective, Reject Negativity, and Practice) can lead you to a happier and more positive work environment – and life. Take back your enthusiasm, focus, sense of humor, and resilience. Discover how life gets better when we get better.

A Kick in the Attitude is Part One of the three-part series, A New Attitude. The classes are individual classes. Taking all three is recommended, but not required. Part Two is Who Put A Lizard in My Lasagna? Part Three is When Change Happens, Adjust Your Sail.

Powerful Public Speaking Skills

1/23/18 and 1/30/18, 6 hours

As part of your job, do you need to present data, explain plans, provide support, train others, or generate enthusi-asm for your projects and ideas?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, then you’ll need good presentation skills. In some situations, you need to share information, and in others, you need to defend your position.

Sometimes you know the subject matter thoroughly, but other times the material is unfamiliar and you need to stretch your limits.

Join us in this interactive and participatory workshop to build your presentation skills. During day one, you will have a much better understanding of how to prepare pre-sentations, and you’ll know how to deliver them effectively. On day two, you will deliver a presentation with a group and receive peer feedback on how to get even better.

Project Management

1/25/18, 3.5 hours

Have you been asked to manage a project, or do you have tasks that could be made easier with some manage-ment insights? This seminar will help you to envision, plan, implement and evaluate a major project. These skills can also be used to successfully manage your regular work-load.

▶ Have only an hour or a half-hour to spare forULearnIT online learning?

▶ Want to grow your professional development intechnology, but can’t from your desk or worksite?

▶ Beginning in December, the Technology TrainingLab (Annex 138) will be available during specifichours for you to use.

▶ The Lab is located on the first floor at 400 S. FortHarrison Avenue in Clearwater.

▶ For assistance logging in or navigating ULearnIT,please arrive one-half hour early.

▶ BYOE (Bring Your Own Earbuds).

Questions? Call (727) 464-3796.

Lab Hours (Annex Room 138)

December 15 9-11 a.m.January 8 9-11 a.m.

More hours to be announced.

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PromotionsPromotions listed are for November 2017.

Board of County Commissioners

County AdministrationBrian Lowack ...............................Intergovmtl Liaison

Management & BudgetAubrey Phillips ..................................Dept Admin Mgr

Parks & Conservation ResourcesJason Miller ................................................ Park Rngr 1

Public WorksMichael Baker ............................................... Craftwkr1 Gregory Watson ...........................................Craftwkr 1

Real Estate ManagementMitchell Gryboski ...........................Electronics Spec Sr

Regional 911Summer Anderson .......... Public Safety Telecomm 2Heather Dame ................. Public Safety Telecomm 2

UtilitiesGerald DeCaro ..........................................Meter Rdr SrChristina Goodrich ......................................Sect Mgr 1

Clerk of the Circuit Court

Jodi Fox ................................................. Crt Rec Spec SrAnna Klement .....................................................Crt ClkCassandre Moreau ..................................... Insp Gen 2

Tax Collector's OfficeFrankie Blasewitz ...................................... Tax Tech Sr David McCraney ........................................ Tax Tech Sr

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Risks from SmokingSmoking can damage every part of your body

Smoking Can Damage Every Part of Your Body

www.smokefree.gov

T O B A C C O

KNOW

Find what you need on the HR website quickly and easily

with the A to Z Index. Access the link on the blue menu bar from any Human Resources web page. New index items are added fre-quently. Let us know if you have items to add.

Find it Fast: HR from A to Z

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15 YEARS Osvaldo Arvelo ................................Tax Collector’s OfficeRobert Boyd ..................................................Public WorksKatherine Dempsey .......................Tax Collector’s OfficeLynn Smith.....................................................Public WorksArline Smitke ............................Clerk of the Circuit Court

10 YEARSCarl Erickson ..................... Safety & Emergency Services

5 YEARSSteven Alston................... Business Technology ServicesJames Beaty ..............................Clerk of the Circuit CourtJoanna Clark .............................Clerk of the Circuit Court Leena Delli Paoli ......................Clerk of the Circuit Court Alexis Haley .................................................... Solid WasteMichael Jones ............. Parks & Conservation Resources Brian Lowack ............................... County AdministrationBeth Ordeman ........................................Human ServicesRalph Reid ................................. Management & BudgetTricia Smayda ...........................Clerk of the Circuit Court

3 YEARSDavid Deranzio .............................................Public WorksRobert Jones III .............................................Public WorksRomonda Knights-Holloway ..Safety & Emerg. ServicesCody Loy ...................................Clerk of the Circuit CourtCarmen Perez ...........................Clerk of the Circuit CourtCynthia Rodgers ............... Safety & Emergency ServicesRobert Rubin .................................................Public WorksRobert Thomas ........................Clerk of the Circuit Court William Thomas .............. Business Technology ServicesJennifer Trusivich .....................Clerk of the Circuit CourtJason Warr ............................................ Building Services

SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES

30 YEARS

Unavailable for Photo30 Years Carrie Holmes, Real Estate Management

25 Years Sharon Biach, Utilities, Willie Rose, Public Works

20 Years Robert Driemel, Utilities, Linda Fisher, Forward Pinellas, John Mokrzycki, Real Estate Management

20 YEARS

35 YEARS

James SandersUtilities

Jeffrey Morris, Parks & Conservation Resources, Sandra Knoebel, Forward Pinellas

Wonda HumbertClerk of the Circuit Court

Keith HollonParks & Conservation Resources

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RetiRements

OveR 30 YeaRs 28 YeaRs

REPCO’s January 8 meeting will begin at 11:30 at Applebee’s Restaurant, located at 5110 East Bay Drive. A representative from Pinellas County Consumer Protection will provide a presentation on “Help with Your Consumer Issue.” If you have questions, contact Rudy Garcia at (813) 855-3466 or rdgarcia@verizon.net.

You don’t have to be a Pinellas County retiree to attend. Current employees and family members are also welcome.

REPCO News

Retirees Unavailable for Photo

32 Years Dale Goring, Fiscal Records Specialist, Clerk of the Circuit Court

County Office Recycling: What’s Changing in 2018?Background

The County’s garbage service providers also offer recycling collection. Therefore, beginning in January 2018 these providers will also service the recycling containers at County buildings.

Not Changing … How you recycle!

Continue to fill your deskside and copy room paper recycling bins and your breakroom/common area container recycling bins. The janitorial service will still transfer these recyclables to the exterior containers to be collected by the contractor.

Changing … What you recycle!

Flattened cardboard can now be recycled, as well as mixed paper, aluminum, glass and metal containers.

• Clearwater buildings – keep cardboard separate

• All other buildings – co-mingle cardboard with other recyclables

What to Recycle?Catherine EichnerSolid Waste464-7518

Need Service or a Pick-Up?Holly ConnerReal Estate Management463-3218

CONTACTS

Need document destruction (shredding) services?• Handle through Clerk of Courts Records Management

Julie DiRienzoAccounting & Finance TechnicianParks & Conservation Resources

David GilleyField Inspector 1

Utilities

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Board of County Commissioners

Animal ServicesToni Hornsby .........................Veterinary Medical Asst

Building ServicesScott Drees .................................................. Bldg Insp 1

Convention & Visitors BureauJustin Leiser ........................................... CVB Sales Rep

Public WorksRalph Gomez ..............................................Spray TechCraig Harvey ......................................................Maint 1Richard Skaggs ..................................................Maint 2

Solid WasteShelby Lewis ..............................Solid Waste Prog Asst

UtilitiesRachel Blank .......................... Wtr Qual Mgmt Spec 1Henry Case ...................................... Elec/Mech Tech 1Mathew Dombrowski ..........................Util Maint WkrGiovanni Febres Gonzalez.......................Meter Rdr 1Philip Iacolino ....................................... Cust Svcs SpecRichard Rozzi .................................. Elec/Mech Tech 1Wendy Tifft ............................. Wtr Qual Mgmt Spec 1Albin Vaznelis .................................... Util Maint Wkr 2Maria Vega .............................................Spec Proj AsstKyle Wagner ..............................................Meter Rdr 1

Welcome Aboard!

Business Technology ServicesDarek Tarczynski ..................................Info Tech Spec

New employees listed are for November 2017.

Clerk of the Circuit CourtLacey Frost ................................................... Rec Spec 1

Supervisor of ElectionsAlexandra Pena-Rosado ............ Voter Outreach Mgr

Joshua Miller ........................................ Executive Aide

Human ResourcesJane Grannis .................................................. HR Coord

Commissioner's Office

New Employee Orientation photo 1, Nov. 13

New Employee Orientation photo 2, Nov. 13

Deadline for Free Disposal of Used Sandbags NearsFrom Dec. 13 press release, Pinellas County Marketing & Communications

After distributing more than 445,400 sandbags in preparation for Hur-ricane Irma, Pinellas County Solid Waste is asking residents to dispose of sandbags that have come in contact with floodwaters at the Solid Waste Disposal Facility, free of charge,

by 6 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2018. Sandbags must be separated from other waste. After Jan. 6, the standard disposal rate of $37.50 per ton will apply.

The sand brought to Solid Waste will be stockpiled, tested and analyzed. All non-contaminated sand will be re-covered and reused for future county projects and/or sandbag issuance.

For sandbags that have not come in contact with floodwaters, residents are encouraged to keep the sandbags and store them for reuse. The sand can be spread on lawns or used in landscape beds. When residents dispose of empty sandbags, they are asked to place them in their garbage for disposal and not in the recycling bin.

Residents are asked to not dispose of full sandbags or sand with their regular curbside trash or yard debris. Sand does not burn and will not convert to energy in the County’s Waste-to-Energy Facility. Sand is also abrasive and will damage equipment used to grind yard debris into mulch.

The Pinellas County Solid Waste Dis-posal Facility is located at 3095 114th Ave. N., in St. Petersburg. For more information, please call Pinellas County Solid Waste at (727) 464-7500.

▶ Sandbags will be accepted for free at Pinellas County Solid Waste Dis-posal Facility through Jan. 6, 2018

▶ After Jan. 6, standard disposal rate of $37.50 per ton will apply

▶ Residents are encouraged to reuse sandbags and sand not in contact with floodwaters

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Pets of the Month

Adopt one or both of these beauties, fully vaccinated, spayed, microchipped and more from Pinellas County Animal Services at 12450 Ulmerton Road in Largo. View more adoptables at www.pinellascounty.org/animalservices/ Adoption_Center.htm.

THE RECORD KEEPER

All of us at Records Management would like to take a moment to offer our best wishes to you for a very blessed holiday season and a prosperous new year.

We look forward to working with you in 2018!

Holiday Wishes

JackieJackie arrived stray, but she’s on Santa’s “nice list.” What did Jackie ask for? You guessed it! A new forever home. Looking for a new pal to Rock around the Christmas Tree with you? Jackie is mild mannered and ready to move

on up in this world. She’s just 43 pounds, seems very housebroken, and is excited about companion-ship. Bring this fair-haired lady home for the holidays.

GracieGracie arrived stray with a seri-ous injury to her right front leg. The med team met the challenge and Gracie is a new lady. What Gracie lost in her leg she more than makes up for in sweetness. Gracie comes to say hi when you arrive and rubs her face on your feet asking for affection. She snuggles like no other – purrrfect for this time of year!

Contributed by Pinellas County Animal Services

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Lights in the GardensThe Holiday Lights are on every evening from 5:30 to 9:30, now through Sunday, Dec. 31. And this year there are Theme Nights!

Mondays: Paws Nights - Bring your four-legged friends decked out in holiday duds.

Tuesdays: Tripod Tuesdays - Photographers are invited to capture the lights and share best photos.

Wednesdays: Wacky Wednesdays - Go dressed up in your wackiest holiday apparel, take lighthearted selfies and share on social media.

Would you like to volunteer? Volunteers can choose one or more shifts that run nightly from 5 to 9:15 p.m. Volunteers can be entertainers, greeters and gift cart attendants.

For more information, contact the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation at flbgfoundation@gmail.com, or call (727) 582-2247.

The Florida Botanical Gardens are located at 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

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There’s still time to finish your last minute holiday shopping. For many people, shop-ping online is faster and easier. Before you shop with the click of a mouse, here are a few tips to keep you safe while online.

1. Don’t open unsolicited emails or click on unfamiliar links. It could be a phishing scheme where you’re directed to fraudulent websites that often look real, in an attempt to steal your personal and financial information.

2. Be sure to use secure networks. It’s convenient to shop while sipping a cup of joe at your local coffee shop. But keep in mind Wi-Fi networks use public airwaves. With a little know-how, public Wi-Fi can be hacked, allowing someone to steal your passwords, contacts and payment information.

3. As the saying goes, “if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.” The same goes for online deals. Beware of extremely low prices or websites offering that hard-to- find items. It could be a scam.

Practice safe online shopping this holiday season and throughout the New Year. For more online shopping tips or to file a complaint, contact Pinellas County Consumer Protection at (727) 464-6200 or visit www.pinellascounty.org/consumer/tips.htm.

Consumer Corner

Connie Consumer

Create Sustainable SolutionsVision • Innovation • Collaboration

Practice Safe Online Shopping

For more Solutions for Your Life, click image.

33 million Christmas trees are purchased every year in North America

Not sure what to do with your Christmas tree after the holidays?

Check out Solid Waste’s Christmas Tree Recycling Guide.

Happy Holidays

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Employee and family news including kudos, weddings, births, graduations, memorials, and classified ads. Send your news to employee.communications@pinellascounty.org or call 464-5098.

Gone but not ForgottenThe Pen is saddened to report the passing of the following former employee:

Mike Hughes, 48, passed away Saturday, December 9th surrounded by his friends and family. Mike worked for Pinellas County Government from 1997 to 2011 in Busi-ness Technology Services. He went to work for the Sheriff’s IT Department from 2011 through 2016.

Mike’s “Celebration of Life” service will be on Saturday, December 16. The viewing will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by the remembrance service at 1 p.m. The attire will be comfortable-casual such as shorts, t-shirts, and sandals (which is what Mike wanted and will be wearing). If any-one would like to speak during the service, please bring your memories and stories to share!

The service will be held at Lewis Mohn Funeral Home, 9700 Seminole Blvd. in Seminole. Visit the funeral home website for more information and to view the obituary.

Congratulations to Alicia Battle (Safety and Emergency Services, Ambulance Billing and Financial Services Division) who married the love of her life, Terry Scott, on October 12, 2017.

Introducing ...Welcome Blake Vieno (pictured at left with his big sister, Sydney), born on September 29, 2017 to Michael, Jennifer, and big sister Sydney; who is a new grandson to Sandra Knoebel, Forward Pinellas (MPO). Blake weighed 6 pounds, 15 ources, and was 20 inches long.

Sandra also welcomes a brand new great-granddaughter, Lilyana, born to Jasmin and Eliam. Lilyana was born November 14, 2017 and weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces and was 19 inches long.

Classified AdsFREE to a good home: Chloey and Zoey, two sweet girls, need a home together. Good with chil-dren. They get along well with small dogs; They have only been around small dogs so far. The cats are around 5 years old and have been together since originally adopted. Chloe is the grey girl, super affectionate and sweet, will love on you for hours if you let her. Zoey is the white cat with grey tail. She is more indepen-dent and takes some time to come around. If in-terested please call or text Josh at (727) 485-6158 or Victoria at (201) 492-8387

Retiree obituaries on next page.

FOR SALE - dining set; excellent condition; 45" x 45" glass top table, 4 chairs & 3 bar stools. Dk green wrought iron bases & light green cushions; $200 OBO. Also, 2 wall mirrors, wood frames; approx, 48" x 36"; $40 ea OBO. Call (727) 460-7151

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Gone but not ForgottenThe Pen is saddened to report the passing of the following retirees:

Carmelita “Lee” Thompson, 86, passed away November 7. She retired from Pinellas County in 1994. She worked in Animal Services. Arrange-ments were with Reese Funeral Home in Seminole.

John Buckminster, 76, passed away October 15. He retired from the Supervisor of Elections Office as a Computer Support Technician in June 2010.

William Deese, 85, passed away November 6. He re-tired from Pinellas County in 1995. Survivors include two daughters, five grandchildren and two great-grand- children.

Mary Lynn Dunham, 60, passed away November 16. She retired from the Clerk’s Office in 2010. View her memorial page online.

Castor Fraga, Jr., 83, passed away November 21. He retired from Pinellas County in 1994 as a Building Inspector. Curlew Hills Memory Gardens is handling arrangements. His obituary may be found on their website. A service will be held on December 27 beginning at 2 p.m.

Richard Sametz, 85, passed away in October. Arrange-ments were with Curlew Hills Memory Gardens.

Lloyd Thomas, 88, passed away September 20. He retired from Pinellas County in 2003 as Engineering Director. Read his obituary in the Times Herald.

31st Annual Christmas Bike Drive Breaks RecordOnce again, Pinellas County employees gave generously and raised over $11,000 for needy families in our community. With the money, 126 new bicycles will be given to families identified by Human Services.

Photos courtesy of Pinellas County Marketing & Communications