(Wampsville, NY – Jan. 2012) The Madison County Department of Personnel/Civil Service will hold a civil service examination for the position of Mental Health Crisis Worker. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 1 for the March 17 test. There is a $15 non-refundable, non-transferable processing fee payable to the Madison County Treasurer by money order only.

The eligible list established as a result of this examination will be used to fill present and future vacancies as they Occur in the Madison County Mental Health Department. There are no residency requirements for this examination. Preference in certification may be given to successful candidates who have been legal residents of Madison County for at least one month prior to the date of certification.

The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination; however, candidates may find information contained in the publication “How to Take a Written Test” helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available at cs.ny.gov/testing/localtestguides.cfm.

Applications may be obtained and must be filed in the Madison County Personnel/Civil Service Department, County Office Building, P.O. Box 636, Wampsville, N.Y. 13163. Phone (315) 366-2341. Applications may be downloaded from the Personnel Department’s website at madisoncounty.org.

Applications must be received or postmarked no later than 5 p.m. on the last filing date.

(Wampsville – Dec. 21, 2011) The Madison County Buildings and Grounds crew recently held its annual Christmas luncheon. The seven-member day crew staff has been together since 1995, nearly 17 years. Those pictured represent 201-plus years of service to Madison County.

Pictured (with years of service in parentheses following their names and titles) from left in the front row are Christopher Baker, head cleaner (8); Kevin Loveless, building maintenance supervisor (30); and Dan Klahs, maintenance worker (17). In the back row from left are Ken Tyler, maintenance worker (18); Paul Jenkins, senior building maintenance (33); Charles Shetler, retired maintenance worker (30); John Henderson, maintenance worker (18); Kyle Marshall, cleaner (seven months); David Reiss, maintenance worker (17); and Craig L. North, maintenance worker (30).

(Cazenovia, Chittenango, DeRuyter, New Hartford, NY) The Skeele Agency wishes to congratulate Betty Lutz on her retirement from the Skeele-Morehouse Agency at our New Hartford office after 17 years of faithful service.

Betty and her husband, Rich, are looking forward to spending more time with their children and grandchildren, some of whom are conveniently located in warmer weather during the winter months.

Our office manager, Amy, will be looking after things for the interim as we look for Betty’s replacement to be announced in the next week or so.

We wish Betty and Rich many blessings as they embark upon a new chapter in life.

(Oneida, NY – Nov. 2011) Job Corps, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, offers free career training for 16- to 24-year-olds in auto mechanics, auto body repair, medical and business office operations, certified nurse’s aide, licensed practical nursing, construction trades, culinary arts, security guard and more.

The program includes up to two years’ education and training, campus housing, meals and many other services.

There is no cost to eligible students; high school graduates and non-graduates may apply.

If needed, a student may earn a GED or high school diploma while training for a career at Job Corps. Orientation and application interviews will be held Friday, Nov. 4, at 10 a.m. at Working Solutions, 1006 Oneida Plaza Drive, Oneida.

Interested students must call (315) 478-5529 ext. 103 to see if they are eligible for the program and to find out what documents to bring.

(Oneida, NY – Oct. 2011) For many people, graduating from high school or college and obtaining employment is typically thought of as a natural step in life.

However, for a person with a developmental disability, finding a rewarding career can be challenging. They may need to strengthen necessary skills, or there may be a communication barrier between the job-seeker and prospective employer.

Employers can receive state and federal tax credit incentives for hiring a person with a disability as well as on-site job coaching support for their employee. With proper assistance and guidance, people with developmental disabilities can find rewarding employment in the community and employers can be proud to have skilled, dependable staff.

Through the hard work of agencies such as Alternatives Vocational Services (AVS) at Madison Cortland ARC, businesses are tapping into the potential of a labor pool that was previously overlooked. With assistance from AVS, people have obtained jobs at local retail stores, restaurants, hotels and colleges.

To celebrate this achievement, AVS is proud to observe October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month by participating in Disability Mentoring Day activities. On Friday Oct. 21, Madison Cortland ARC and Madison-Oneida BOCES will jointly host a job fair for people with developmental disabilities. The fair will feature information on ACCES-VR services (formerly called VESID), money management tips for job seekers, mock interview activities, and more.

“Some of the many obstacles people with disabilities have when it comes to obtaining employment comes down to things such as transportation and the type of diploma they receive,” explains Renee MacDonald, Transitional Advocate at AVS, “We work with job –seekers to find ways they can maximize their potential through training and special events like Disability Mentoring Day.”

“This is just one more rung on the ladder to full inclusion in the community for people with developmental disabilities,” continues MacDonald, “One hundred percent of our focus is on preparing adults for the job market, and assisting high school students with putting together a solid plan for what they would like to accomplish after graduation. This event is the perfect opportunity to connect potential employees with enthusiastic employers.”

Some of the area businesses and agencies that will be on hand at the 5th Annual Disability Mentoring Day include: Oneida Savings Bank, the Turning Stone Resort, Morrisville Auxiliary Corp., Manpower, Madison Cortland ARC and Oneida Healthcare.

If your business is interested in participating in job placement programs at AVS or Disability Mentoring Day call Alternatives Vocational Services at 315-363-3315 ext. 5170.

Madison County Literacy Coalition

By Michael R. Drahos

(Madison County, NY – Oct. 2011) On Wednesday, the Madison County Literacy Coalition met to review its work from the past three years and launch its search for an executive director.  The executive director will be responsible for providing leadership in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the projects within the scope of the Coalition.

Over the course of the past three years, the MCLC has gathered broad-based support and commitment among colleagues in public, civic, philanthropic and faith communities. In particular, the MCLC has developed our five-year strategic plan for addressing challenges in improving reading achievement, among other literacy-related issues across the lifespan in Madison County.

The network of partners includes 11 public school districts, the Board of Cooperative Educational Services, nine public libraries, more than 20 not-for-profit organizations, three higher learning institutions, two providers of early childhood programs, the Child Care Coordinating Council, numerous faith-based institutions, businesses, the Madison County Board of Supervisors and local, state, and federal elected officials.

More information about the coalition can be found at madisoncountyliteracycoalition.org/.

The new executive director will help lead the coalition as it addresses the myriad literacy needs in Madison County, including assisting the estimated 5,520 individuals in the county who need adult literacy services (currently only 250 adults are served); responding to the reality that 79 percent of the children under 5 years of age in Madison County are not enrolled in early education programs and trying to create a system to improve outreach efforts of providers that are currently fragmented and insufficient to respond to county literacy needs.

Individuals can find out more about the position by contacting Carolyn Gerakopoulos at the Oneida Public Library (cgerakopoulos@midyork.org ).  Candidates who are interested should submit a cover letter and resume by Oct. 21 to the Oneida Public Library, which is the fiscal agent for the Coalition.

Michael Drahos, superintendent of Madison-Eaton Central Schools, is chairman of the Managing Partners Committee, the chief executive committee of the Coalition.

(Wampsville, NY – Oct. 2011) Every year, Madison County recognizes its long-term employees for their years of dedicated service to its citizens. Two receptions will be held honoring a total of 61 employees with 910 years of combined service in 14 different departments.

The programs will be held as follows:

On Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 1:30 p.m. in the Supervisors’ Chambers, long-term employees from management, the New York State Nurses Association, the Teamsters Local 182, the Madison County Deputy Sheriff’s Police Benevolent Association, the CSEA Blue (except for Highway employees) and the CSEA White Collar Unit will be recognized.

On Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 8 a.m. at the VFW – Canastota, CSEA Blue Collar Unit Highway employees will be recognized.

Madison County Board of Supervisors Chairman John M. Becker will present the awards to the honorees on behalf of the county. Other Madison County Supervisors will also be in attendance.

The Madison County Board of Supervisors wishes to express their sincere appreciation to those employees with 35, 30, 25, 20, 15 and 10 years’ of continuous service.

35 Years of Service

Cindy L. Urtz, Board of Supervisors

30 Years of Service

Craig L. North, County Buildings

25 Years of Service

Rebecca L. Brothers, Social Services; Bradley A. Coye, Social Services; Janet M. Gillette, Social Services; Robert F. Kirley, Highway; Jill S. Moore, Probation; June M. Smith, Social Services; Paula M. Tayntor, Treasurer’s Office; Debra A. Whiting, Social Services; Dr. James A. Yonai, Mental Health

20 Years of Service

Patricia A. Baldwin, Sheriff’s Office; Michael A. Fitzgerald, Social Services; Kelly J. Golley, Public Health; Daris G. Kosinski, Social Services; Patricia G. Middleton, Social Services

15 Years of Service

Joseph A. Barres, Highway; Laura P. Costello, Elections; Carl E. Cramphin, Highway; Diane E. Cromp, Social Services; Sandra A. Eaton, Social Services; Walter A. Eaton, Highway; Henry R. Havener, Highway; Walter A. Hoffman, Social Services; Sandra M. Jordan, Treasurer’s; Joseph A. Karhnak, Sheriff’s Office; Rebecca S. Marsala, Treasurer’s Office; Patricia A. Platt, Social Services; Mary Ellen Rose, Planning; Douglas E. Winn, Highway

10 Years of Service

Lynda M. Anderson, Public Health; Roy A. Augustine, Employment & Training; Shannon L. Augustine, Sheriff’s Office; Jamie L. Badgley, Sheriff’s Office; Tayah A. Beebe, Social Services; Emily M. Cameron, Social Services; Tiffany A. Canning, Social Services; Karen M. Cary, Public Health; Doreen E. Cunningham, Public Health; Ralph L. DeForest, Sheriff’s Office; Lorrie A. Disbrow, Social Services; Cindy J. Edick, Treasurer’s Office; Barnard G. Freeborn, Jr., Highway; Roxanne R. Holdridge, Social Services; Christopher L. Jones, Sheriff’s Office; Julie A. Jones, Social Services; Darren J. Ladd, Sheriff’s Office; Joseph W. Loosman, Jr., Highway; Sally G. Makarchuk, Treasurer’s Office; Michael T. March, Solid Waste; Jonathan R. Marshall, Sheriff’s Office; Heather A. Orsino, Social Services; Wayne S. Perkins, Social Services; Jesica L. Prievo, Social Services; Gina L. Relyea, Public Health; Theresa M. Sgarlata, County Clerk’s; Sondra M. Shantel, Social Services; Susan E. Soule, Mental Health; Robin L. Warner, Public Health; Gwendalyn F. Williamson, Planning; Carolyn M. Wilsch, Social Services

Pictured are Dr. Jennifer Dechert from the Madison County Mental Health Department and Kayleigh Ackerman during a job shadow experience.

Madison County Youth Bureau News

(Wampsville, NY) The Madison County Youth Bureau has been working for a number of years to increase opportunities for high school youth to explore their futures. From January 2008 to May 2011, the Youth Bureau has coordinated internship and job shadowing experiences for 92 high school students from eight Madison County school districts.

These experiences were planned in cooperation with 12 Madison County departments with a total of 50 different career tracks being explored.

Short-term exposure to career opportunities at the county level illustrates how local government functions and how the county’s systems relate across departments and into the community. Staff provide insight on the duties and skills of their positions, information on related career tracks and hands-on exposure.

Job shadowing can be completed in one day. Depending on a department’s needs, an internship may be available to students over a longer period. Internships address a need within a department that can be met through the activities of the student, providing a mutually beneficial experience.

“Many high school students have a preconceived notion of what a job is like,” said Tina Louis, MCYB youth development specialist. “They leave their shadow or intern experience with a new perception and are thankful they now understand the specific skills and responsibilities involved in a position.”

“I have found students tend to believe what they see on television, like CSI and NCIS,” said Deputy Jay Pokorny of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. “Constant exposure to these types of shows leads people to believe that evidence can be located, collected and tested in the laboratory resulting in an arrest in an hour. I realize science has made great advances in the world of DNA collection and analysis; however, this takes time, sometimes weeks or months, to get identification results back from the lab.”

Louis said students in past job-shadowing experiences have shared that they benefitted from the experience. Some students, undecided about their futures, said the experience helped clarify the field and gave insight into the mindset and education needed to be successful.

Kayleigh Ackerman, a graduate of Canastota High School, will be a junior at LeMoyne College majoring in psychology with a concentration in childhood and special education. Ackerman completed a job shadow with Mental Health in spring 2009.

“It was a great opportunity,” Ackerman said. “It opened my eyes to the spectrum of what I could do and helped me firm up my decisions for college.”

“The best part about setting up the experience for youth is the great variety of fields there are to choose from on the county campus,” Louis said, adding career tracks range in education and skill level, allowing students to learn about jobs requiring a diploma and training, certification, two-year, four-year or advanced degrees.

The county recently adopted a policy to support county departments in facilitating job shadowing and internship opportunities for high school students. Departments interested in offering these activities now have a format to support their efforts to ensure meaningful opportunities are provided.

Shadows and internships are dependent on staff availability, and students must complete an application to be considered for participation. Students can check with their school if credit is offered for the experience and whether the school will consider the experience an excused absence.

For more information, call Louis at 366-2895.

(Oneida, NY – Sept. 2011) Job Corps, administered by the U.S. Dept. of Labor, offers free career training for 16 to 24 year olds in auto mechanics, auto body repair, medical and business office, C.N.A., L.P.N, construction trades, culinary arts, security guard and more.

The program includes up to two years education and training, campus housing, meals and many other services. There is no cost to eligible students.

Both high school graduates and non-graduates may apply.  If needed, a student can also get a GED or high school diploma – at the same time they train for a career at Job Corps.

Orientation and Application Interviews will be held on Friday Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. at Working Solutions, 1006 Oneida Plaza Dr. in Oneida.

Interested students must call (315) 478-5529 ext. 103 to see if they are eligible for the program and to find out what documents to bring.

(Cazenovia, NY – Sept. 2011) Cazenovia College’s 11th Annual Paul J. Schupf Lecture, on Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m., in McDonald Lecture Hall, Eckel Hall, on Lincklaen St. in Cazenovia, features James Simon Kunen, an active participant in one of the most important moments in the student movement of the 1960s: the 1968 uprising at Columbia University.

He is best known for his 1968 memoir of that protest, The Strawberry Statement: Notes of a College Revolutionary.

Kunen was a student at Columbia University during the 1968 student protests. The Strawberry Statement documents Columbia University’s controversial involvement with the government’s Institute for Defense Analyses, Kunen’s experiences during the antiwar student strike, and his generation’s efforts to change the world.

“I will focus on the subject of my current book, Diary of a Company Man, which is the need to find meaning in your work while at the same time achieving some degree of economic security – and how the economic downturn has actually spurred some people in new directions,” Kunen said. “This topic is also illustrated by my own journey, and thus comprises some reference to The Strawberry Statement – who I thought I was then, who I think I am now, and the relation between the two.”

Experiences as a field journalist from Vietnam for True magazine after his graduation from Columbia led to Kunen’s writing of Standard Operating Procedure: Notes of a Draft-Age American (1971). After this, he earned his juris doctorate degree from the New York University School of Law and became a public defender in Washington, D.C.

Kunen now teaches English as a second language at LaGuardia Community College in Queens. He served as senior editor for corporate communications at Time Warner Inc. in New York City; senior editor for non-celebrity news for People magazine; was a contributing writer for Timemagazine, and assistant op-ed editor for Newsday, in addition to other roles in education, law and in human services.

For more information contact Dr. John Robert Greene, Paul J. Schupf Professor, History and Humanities, and college archivist at 315-655-7229, or by email at rgreene@cazenovia.edu.