management program. Through the program, Back to Nature leases 20 acres at Eagles Roost, a 232 acre con-servation land, for a nominal fee. In return, the organiza-tion hosts an education cen-ter where citizens can view and learn about wildlife.

“Back to Nature is a valu-able community asset and offers wildlife rehabilita-tion and education to our citizens,” said Lori Cunniff, Community, Environmental and Development Services Department Deputy Direc-tor. “Having Back to Nature at the Eagles Roost Green PLACE property brings additional visitors to the site where they can see and enjoy learning about wildlife, take a hike to the lakeside observation pier, and enjoy our conservation lands.”

The event hosted 35 ex-hibitors that assisted Back to Nature in teaching the importance of protecting our natural resources.

Greetings,

Welcome to the Orange Spiel! In this issue, we feature a few impor-tant health topics. Orange County, in conjunction with Women’s Center for Radiology, is offering free mammograms. Be sure to check out the schedule on page 3. Karen Jones from the Building Division is currently fighting the cancer battle and receiving great support from her fellow team members. Learn more about her inspirational story on page 3.

During our mid-July Budget Work Sessions, the Board approved our 2015 “Benefit Plan Design and Wellness Initiative.” The County will offer a $200 incentive for employees who complete an an-nual physical or biometric screening by December 31, 2014 and are enrolled in the Cigna health plan. Click here or read the Benefits and Wellness page for complete details about how you can focus on your health and reap the rewards.

Also in this edition is information about my 2014 Health Summit, taking place on Saturday, August 9 at the Renaissance Senior Center. This community initiative will focus on key areas to help us stay healthy and strong.

Keep up the great work and thanks for all that you do!

Mayor Teresa Jacobs

InsIde:

August 2014 • ORANGE SPIEL 1

· Kicks 4 Guns · Annual Physicals· Wall of Fame

Orange

vol 44 • issue 8 • AuGusT 2014 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

Highlights of the day included wildlife classes, na-ture hikes, appearances of a bald eagle from the Audubon Society and other wildlife from area attractions, a tree give away by the Orange County Cooperative Exten-sion, stage shows, balloon animals, and face painting. Thirty-seven Orange County staff members and nine fam-ily members helped to stage and work the event.

“Our family has used Back to Nature’s services for in-jured animals in the past and wanted to give back to the organization,” said Orange County Environmental Pro-tection Division employee Vanessa Cruz. “I hope to in-still the value of giving in my girls, and so for us volunteer-ing is a family affair.”

The event also marks the opening of another Green PLACE property for Orange County citizens. Green PLACE is an Orange County public land acquisition and

The recent grand opening of the Back to Nature Wild-life Refuge and Education Center raised $15,000 to care for and rehabilitate in-jured and orphaned wildlife, a service Back to Nature has been providing for 25 years.

More than 1,000 citizens, including many Orange County employees, joined the festivities that began with Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Commissioner Jen-nifer Thompson cutting the ribbon to the organization’s new home at Eagles Roost, an Orange County Green PLACE property near Lake Nona. State Representative Tom Goodson also attended the opening ceremony.

“We are so excited to give Back to Nature a permanent home,” Mayor Jacobs said during her remarks at the event. “Orange County rec-ognizes the need to preserve land for future generations and habitat for wildlife. It is vital to invest in nature.”

Back to Nature Gets a New Home

Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge Grand Opening brings the community together.

2 ORANGE SPIEL • August 2014

A R O U N D T h e C O U N T y

NEW LOOK FOR SAFETY SIGNSDivision safety signs

remind and encourage safety in the work place. Signs include: Keep Safe, Don’t Get Injured, and No Injuries in __ Days. Facilities

Management employees took creative initiative and created new safety signs for each of their locations. Some of the signs were funny, some serious, but

they all remind employees to be safe at work and at home. Hopefully, the examples shown below will inspire others to create their own reminder signs.

To schedule safety classes for your department or division, contact Risk Management at 407-836-9640.

Governor Rick Scott awarded 179 Florida veterans with the Governor’s Veterans Service Award for their military service to Florida and the nation in July`. Mayor Jacobs joined the occasion to celebrate Orange County Veterans Services employees as each received this prestigious award.

“We must take every opportunity possible to thank our heroes for their service. The Governor’s Veterans Service Award is just one way Floridians honor our veterans for their courage and sacrifice to the nation,” Governor Scott said.

The ceremony was held at the headquarters of the 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry in Orlando.

Left to Right: Florida National Guard Major General Emmett Titshaw, Veterans Counselors Jose Rosa and Robert Day, Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Governor Rick Scott, Veterans Counselors Albert Diaz and Karl Behrendt, and Florida Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Director Mike Prendergast.

Veterans Services Staff Honored by Governor Scott & Mayor Jacobs

Now in its 15th year, the Kicks 4 Guns event invites citizens to turn in their weapons —no questions asked—in exchange for sneakers or a $50 gift card. The event has grown to 15 locations around Central Florida, involving law enforcement agencies in six counties, including the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Kicks 4 Guns will take place Thursday, August 14 from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Citizens can drop off pistols, shot

guns, BB guns, semi-automatics, rifles, and other weapons at four locations in Orange County. They include:n VFW, 519 South Central Avenue, Apopkan Carl Black Chevy, 11500 East Colonial Drive, Orlandon Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 West Colonial Drive, Orlandon Taft Community Center, 9450 South Orange Avenue, Taft

Organizers ask participants to be

sure their weapons are unloaded, stored in a plastic bag, and left inside the car so a deputy can remove it. Last year, more than 1,000 guns were taken off the streets. For more information contact Crimeline at 407-423-8477.

Kicks 4 Guns Collection Event

August 2014 • ORANGE SPIEL 3

More than 10 million Americans are living with cancer and demonstrate the ever-increasing possibility of living beyond the disease. Karen Jones, Orange County Deputy Chief Plumbing Inspector, is a breast cancer survivor who continually inspires, motivates, and encourages others to live their stories in grander ways.

Karen is one of three female inspectors working in the Building Safety Division. She has passed the State of Florida exams to become a licensed plans examiner and family dwelling inspector. Karen is a shining example of faith, encouragement, and support.

“It’s about focusing on the fight, not the fright,” Karen says.

Free mammograms are being scheduled during the months of August and September for any County employee that is enrolled in the Wellness for Life benefit plan through Cigna. Contact debra.hodge@ocfl.net or call 407-836-5498 for more information.

Fight Like a Girl!

The Division of Building Safety’s plumbing section shaved their heads in support of Breast Cancer survivor Karen Jones. Left to Right: Greg Roe, James Mark O’Hara, John Miles, Karen Jones, Larry Lawrence, Steve DelCastillo, and Chris Krenn

Left to right: Aneta Duhigg, Karen Jones, and Yolanda Triplett.

No medical prescription is required for Orange County female employees or female spouses/domestic partners 40 years

of age and over who have not had a screening mammogram within the past 365 days. If you are under 40 years of age a

medical prescription will be required.

For those covered by Cigna, this service is provided at no cost to you and your insurance will be billed. For those insured by other carriers,

there may be a co-pay for this service based on your coverage.

Mobile MaMMOgraMs

Appointments are required. Contact the Women’s Center for radiology to schedule your mobile

mammogram. If you are unable to keep your appointment, kindly call the Women’s Center for radiology to cancel. This will ensure others

can obtain prompt appointments.

Call 407-841-0822 and press “2” to obtain an appointment time.

any questions call Debra at 407-836-5498 or email debra.hodge@ocfl.net. All forms are available at www.wcrorlando.com.

Be sure to schedule a mobile mammogram screening.

Women’s Center for Radiology is offering mammograms at several Orange County

Government facilities.

August 20, 2014 Public Works 4200 s. John Young Pkwy

September 5, 2014 County Administration 201 s. rosalind avenue

September 11, 2014 Convention Center 9800 International Drive West Hall D dock slips

September 12, 2014 Barnett Park 4801 W. Colonial Drive

October 3, 2014 OC Fire & Rescue 6590 amory Court

November 7, 2014 Family Services 2100 E. Michigan street

4 ORANGE SPIEL • August 2014

oNClockThE

injured, or too young for adoption. These animals receive several weeks of care in their temporary home, and once they receive the green light from clinic staff, they return for adoption.

Laurie has fostered 192 animals in the two years she has been with the shelter. The vast majority Laurie has cared for have recovered from their ailments

Animal Services Clinic Assistant Laurie Sepulveda is a hero to animals both on and off the clock. During work hours, she spends her time prepping animals for sterilization surgeries, dispensing medication to the sick or injured shelter pets, releasing adopted animals, and dealing with critical situations as they arise. Her hands are always full as the clinic provides care for the hundreds of animals taken in by the shelter.

Caring for the animals is not something that ends at 5 p.m. Laurie often takes her work home with her in the form of fostering. Animal Services has an active foster care program where citizens can bring home animals that are sick,

and gone on to find loving, forever homes. Without Laurie, these animals would not have received the much-needed TLC a home setting can provide.

Laurie has recently been promoted to the Animal Services Enforcement Team where she’ll serve as a field officer. Her love for the animals spills over into all she does.

Animal Services is always looking for new foster parents to join the team. The shelter also has a need for supplies such as wet pet food and cat litter. For more information, please visit www.ocnetpets.com.

Fostering Hope for homeless Pets BY DIANE SUMMERS, ANIMAL SERVICES

August 2014 • ORANGE SPIEL 5

oFF ThEClockActs Of Service

Every summer, Laura Lord, environmental specialist with the County’s Environmental Protection Division, coordinates a service and cultural immersion experience to Costa Rica as a volunteer advisor for Golden Key Honour Society at the University of Central Florida. Laura recruits nationwide volunteers and has led nearly 100 college students on this journey.Laura and the students

make a tremendous impact on the lives of local kids by volunteering at an impoverished Costa Rican elementary school. Laura hosts local supply drives and secures corporate and nonprofit partners to bring suitcases full of school supplies, medicine, hygiene products, clothing, and more. One of her goals is to teach children proper hand washing techniques and the importance of good overall hygiene. The groups are helping reduce hygiene-related illnesses, a serious cause of death in Costa Rica. Each year Laura and the group go to other areas of Costa Rica and reach a different group of people to make a bigger impact. This opportunity

TOP

provides students with out-of-classroom exposure to cultures, language, environments, ideas, and traditions. “This trip is a humbling experience for all who participate. We genuinely feel how much

the children appreciate what we are doing,” Laura says.In addition to the service

work in schools, Laura and her groups volunteered at a sea turtle rescue center and participated in a hands-on release of 23 baby sea turtles. At nightfall they patrolled the beaches alongside armed guards, collecting

sea turtle eggs to deliver to an artificial hatchery in order to protect them from poachers. Participants also volunteered at an animal wildlife sanctuary to nurse baby toucans, monkeys, sloths, and a variety of

other exotic animals. Volunteers immersed themselves in Costa Rican culture through home stays where they participated in activities such as cooking and dancing. Laura is currently

organizing a sixth annual service trip, which is scheduled to depart this month. Laura pours her heart and soul into this initiative and is passionate about changing the lives of all involved.

Do you have an inspiring on or off the clock story to share with our readers?

Email: Kelly.McMann@ocfl.net

BY NANCY RODLUN, ENVIRONMENtAL PROtECtION DIVISION

Laura assists with the care of an injured sloth at a Costa Rican animal rescue and rehabilitation facility.

Protect your kids from the most frequent kinds of school-related injuries by following these practical tips:

10Plan a walking route to school or

the bus stop.

9Have your child walk to and from school with

a sibling, friend, or neighbor. Teach your child never to talk to strangers.

8Teach your kids to obey all traffic signals.

7Deliver and pick up children as close

to the school as possible.

6Make sure kids wear helmets when

biking to school.

5 Teach children to

arrive at the bus stop early and stay out of the street.

4 Give your child some strategies for coping

with bullies.

3 Check the playground equipment at your

child’s school.

2Be sure that your child knows his or her home

phone number and address.

1Avoid drawstrings around the neck of

jackets and sweatshirts.

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BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS

Copyright © 2014, The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. To access this article in its entirety, visit www.rd.com/advice/parenting/back-to-school-safety-tips/.

6 ORANGE SPIEL • August 2014

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

Complete an Annual Physical by December 31, 2014 and Receive a $200 IncentiveAll employees who complete an annual physical with a primary care physician and/or biometric screening by December 31, 2014 will be eligible to receive a $200 incentive through payroll. This will be deposited into your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) in April of 2015.

u Be on the lookout for a letter in your home mailbox from Cigna that outlines details explaining what is needed to receive the $200 incentive.

u Frequently Asked Ques-tions are available on the County’s Intranet, Human Resources folder in the 2015 Benefit Information folder.Employees covered under Cigna (through the County), complete Steps 1 or 2 and 3.For employees not covered under Cigna (through the County), complete Steps 2 and 3.

Step 1: Schedule an annual physical and lab work with your doctor. Physicals are free through your health insurance.

Step 2: Biometric screening dates and locations are avail-able at County buildings and departments. To schedule an appointment please go to www.yourhealthfair.com. The online scheduling tool is accepting appointments for the month of August. Other dates will become available in the upcoming weeks.

Step 3: Once you have your biometric numbers from your physician, log into the health and wellness center homepage where you can take the Health Assessment.

Need more information? Email benefits@ocfl.net or call Cigna’s 24 hour, seven-day-a week hotline at 1-800-244-6224.

Orange County’s Wall of Fame honors employees for their professional achieve-ments and noble contributions to the community. It fea-tures employees who show tremendous work ethic and un-wavering dedication to our mission of serving Orange County citizens.

This month we honor Orange County Corrections (OCCD) Captain Malik Muhammad. Captain Muhammad began his career with OCCD in 1999 as a certified correctional officer. He has worked in various capacities for the agency, including security operations as well as specialty housing units such as the maximum security main facility. Most notable in his OCCD career is his assistance in establishing the military service’s dorm, which houses those honorably discharged from the military who are now incarcerated. His vision helped in the creation of a housing dorm for veterans, which led to a partnership with the University of Central Florida to better understand post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans. To date, between 150 and 200 veterans have participated in the Armed Forces dorm.

As a 19-year veteran of the United States Army Reserves, he holds the rank of Sergeant First Class and is assigned to 873rd Quartermaster Company in West Palm Beach, Florida. During his tour in Iraq, Muhammad was nominated for the Bronze Star and received a Meritorious Service Medal from the 319th Transportation Company.

Starring Orange County Corrections (OCCD) Captain Malik Muhammad

If you know someone who would be a star on the Wall of Fame, email your nomination and reason to Carol.Clark@ocfl.net.

August 2014 • 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 SA

ugust service Aw

ards

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 kelly.mcmann@ocfl.net. We reserve the right to edit submissions for length and clarity.

s T A F F

June Promotions

5 YearsCourt AdministrationMichel Rodriguez

Corrections Health Servicestina Louise Scott

Health ServicesSally Sawah Ayash

10 YearsConvention CenterLisa Chambless Wilkinson

Community, Environmental & Development ServicesLance David Huber

CorrectionsDavid M. FlowerRocky J. HydenChristopher Arthur SimmonsKaryn Melissa SteinbergRobert James Vance

Family ServicesSunitha KoorathotaInalbis Mayor Martin

Fire RescueJohn C. AndersonShawn Kirkland AndersonGian Carlo ArismendiBrenny Huff Bohne

Paul M. ChartierGabriel Phillip CorreiaSarah Elizabeth EdsonGregory S. HubbardMartis Merrell MackBethany Marie PerezChadwick Lee ShindollAlex F. tamayo SolisShannon Marie teamerMarco Antonio Vaccari, Jr.thomas Brian Wykle

Health ServicesOlga Alicia Colon

Office of AccountabilityBrandy Lawrence DavisDorothy Jean Jackson

Public WorksSandra Adaly Lezcano

UtilitiesAndrew Leon Lampkintroy Edward LaytonSusanna LittellKen thomas RhodesMark W. Rollman

15 YearsConvention CenterModiles JeanLinda Diana Smith

Community, Environmental & Development Services David Clay BakerLora Ann BryantJoe S. ChossNigel Anthony ClaxtonHarry A. LakeyJohn Eli Robb

CorrectionsJerry Lynn BaconVernon Lamar HooksYoshay Lashun JonesFrederick J. Kaminethai Quoc LeOscar Henry Pendleton, Jr.

Family ServicesSonja A. AustinRackel Lashawn Beckett

Fire RescueAnthony Rios

Office of AccountabilityGlenn D. Floyd

Public WorksJames thomas Howard

UtilitiesAndrew A. AltmanLinda Lea Peralta

20 YearsAdministrative ServicesJohnny Milton Richardson

Community, Environmental & Development ServicesIrfan Khan

CorrectionsJacquelin Lavon Daniels- Herman

Fire RescueDavid L. Freeman

UtilitiesEsteban Lopez Jr.Alexander Schnaudigel

25 YearsAdministrative ServicesVictor M. Velez

Community, Environmental & Development ServicesLinda Lorentz Ramsey

CorrectionsMichael J. AdkinsHarold L. Gaines, Jr.Denise Marie SilasYoulette thomas

Family ServicesDawn C. Sweet

Karen Sue Wittman

Fire RescueRaymond D. AlligoodMiles W. CarpenterJose P. Gainza, Jr.Daniel J. HoranDavid Lamar JordanMark J. KrupaSteven E. MansfieldWilliam H. MattoxJames Paul PirinoDavid A. RathbunLaurita L. Sweeney

Office of AccountabilityGary Snow

Public WorksChing Sheng Yang

UtilitiesKlell D. HollarRichard Charles Krapf

30 YearsUtilitiesJohn C. Groen

35 YearsAdministrative ServicesAlfred F. tumin, Jr.

Fire RescueLucye V. Poole

AdmINISTRATIvE SERvICES Lawrence Lewis Operations technician

Mickie Robbins title Examiner II

COmmuNITY, ENvIRONmENTAL ANd dEvELOPmENT SERvICES Norma Ali Senior Environmental Specialist

Deomattie Mudalier Fiscal Officer

Wanda Space Code Enforcement Inspector

CORRECTIONS Jerome Fowler Correctional Captain

FAmILY SERvICES Marilyn Lipsey Project Coordinator

Donna Welch Administrative Assistant

FIRE RESCuE Angela Arnold Firefighter Paramedic 40

Willie Hawkins Jr. Firefighter 40

Damas Rabel Jr. Firefighter 40

Scott Workman Assistant Fire Marshall

hEALTh SERvICES Crystal Ford Regulatory Compliance Specialist

PubLIC WORKS Timotheus Byrd Equipment Operator I

Carlos Escobar Equipment Operator III

Andre Henry Equipment Operator I

Israel Quinones Mestre Equipment Operator I

Phillip Simmons Engineering Inspector II

uTILITIES William Becker Plant Specialist II

Kim Davies Fiscal Coordinator

Maranda Johnson Environmental Coordinator

Daniel Pineiro Utilities Services Specialist

Lindon Rampersadsingh Plant Specialist II

Tammy Ross Senior Utilities Maintenance Coordinator

EDITORS Kelly McMann Lisa Damerst

GRAPHIC DESIGnER Lisa Damerst

COnTRIBuTORS Anna Ajwani

Claudine Tomlinson-Burney Danielle Cooper

Tiana Davis Christina Grover

Mary Sue Kennington Mandy Kimmer Sally Lassalle

John Mulhall Tracy Newsome Linda Richard Nancy Rodlun

Diane Summers Nadia Vanderhoof

Gwen Wilson

PHOTOGRAPHERS Justin Braun Mike Davies

Chris De Jesus

ADMInISTRATIVE ADVISORS

Ricardo Daye Ann Marie Varga

16 National Homeless Animals’ Day: Reflect and remember homeless animals that do

not make it to shelters and do not find a warm, loving home. To find out ways you can help, call Animal Services at 407-254-9140.

17 Streetscape Adopt-A-Tree Program: Receive two

7-gallon trees per household on a first-come, first-served basis. Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Dr., 8 a.m.–noon (or when all the trees are gone). Call 407-254-9200 for more information.

august Calendar

16 Gone With The Wind Reel to Real: Celebrate the 75th anniversary of this iconic

movie and see the largest collection of Gone With the Wind memorabilia in the world! Relive the romance of the movie through costumes, scripts, set elements, movie posters, and more! At the Orange County History Center through Nov. 23.

1-15 History Center Summer Discount Days: Hot days,

cool deals! Enjoy discounts on admission throughout the entire summer. Special deals for kids, active duty military personnel, and two-for-one admission. Visit thehistorycenter.org for more information.

Counsel for Caregivers Seminar: Vitamins and Holistic Remedies, Navigating Family Dynamics, Protecting Your Credit. To register or get more information on times and locations, email officeonaging@ocfl.net or call 407-836-7446.

5,13, 21

9Mayor’s Health Summit: The Summit will focus on healthy living and preventative

care, and will offer screenings and information on topics ranging from autism to diabetes. Enjoy healthy cooking demos and more! From 9 a.m. to noon at the Renaissance Senior Center, 3800 S. Econlockhatchee Tr., Orlando. Visit www.ocfl.net to register.

26 Primary Election: Have a voice. Vote!18 Orange County

Public Schools: First day of school. 18 FRS Workshops: Get a jump on retire-

ment and attend one of these FRS work-shops: Aug. 18 at Family Services, 9 a.m-

noon, “Using the FRS to Plan For Your Retirement.” Aug. 19 at Utilities, 9-11 a.m., “Nearing Retirement in the FRS.” Aug. 20 at H.R, 2-4 p.m, “Using the FRS to Plan For Your Retirement.” Aug. 21 at Public Works, 8-10 a.m., “The Investment Plan: Understanding Your Benefits” and “Nearing Retirement in the FRS,” from 1-3 p.m. Email benefits@ocfl.net to register and for more information.

14 Kicks 4 Guns: No questions asked and no ID required.

Anyone turning in a real firearm will receive a $50 gift card. When dropping off a gun, please make sure it’s unloaded and stored in a plastic bag inside your car for deputy removal . 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Call 407-254-7390 or email Noel.Beary@ocfl.net for locations and more information.

8national night Out: Get to know your neighbors and help build a safer community. Enjoy

the following activities: touch-a-truck with fire and police dept., police horses, food trucks, bounce house, instagram art show, sidewalk chalk art contest and more. First United Methodist Church of Orlando, 142 E. Jackson St., Orlando. From 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.firstchurchorlando.org or call 407-840-6080.