THE LOOP - Rowan County Intranet, NC
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Issue 75 | January 2021 THE LOOP from the County Manager’s Office In This Issue 2 Birthdays 3 Employee Spotlight Sheriff’s Office Receives Grant 4 TechTalk 5 Cleaning Up in 2020 6 Rowan Originals 7 Voices From the Past 8 Voices From the Past Rowan Originals On the cover: Rowan Originals Talent Show’s acts were unique and talented. View performances as well as heartfelt messages of appreciation from directors and County leadership by visiting intranet.rowancounty nc.gov/talentshow.
January Birthdays 1 Joe Allen 13 Carrie Cameron Kenneth Thomas Tracy Coble Glorie Hartsell Jerry Upright Allen Cress Stephanie Mishak Andrew Walker Ashley Duncan Christina Tiffany Devan Eagle Emma Zelaya 25 Gary Arrowood Yamilette Torres Shawn Hill 14 Linda Gaylor David Lamanno 2 Clai Martin Ed Muire Sandra Oglesby John Noble 26 John Resino Shane Stewart Joshua Starnes 15 Kevin Dennis 3 Allen Coar Tyler Garner 27 Latoya Arnold Autumn Davis Karen Reynolds Don Bringle Matthew Todd Michael Gilbert 4 John Lombard David Heilig Richard Shuping 16 Catherine Burgess Lauren Hensley Brooke Taylor Steven Keels David Prevette Selina Rodriguez 5 Daina Frederick 28 William Conrad Jaselyn Hogue 17 Janet Brawley Debra Rookard 29 Melody Battle 18 Charles Drake Rob Howle 6 Brian Benfield Matthew Enlow Samuel Gregory Sonya Phillips 30 Janet Dyrholm Andrea Kirk Erin Smith Andrew King Christie Ryerson 7 Hannah Chambers 19 Jonathan Bishop Scott Flowers 31 Steven Bard Karen Kesler 20 Patricia Bishop Sandra Gaither Margaret Love Heidi Hatley Julia Rustin Amanda Leiner Dorothy Setzer 8 Ashlyn Campbell Bobby Lippard Justin Crabtree Velvet White Lyshet Valencia 21 Ashley Goins 9 Dalton Burleson David Earnhardt 22 Ashley Adams Vickie File Niko Cosgriff BIRTHDAY CREDIT Paulette Nicholas Ashley Overcash All full-time and part-time 10 Michele Bailey 23 Michael Barringer employees are eligible for a Brittany Fortin Laura Chavez Shannon Morgan Jacob Mcintyre $25 credit to be redeemed Melissa Oleen during the their birthday 12 John Berger Christopher Hudson 24 Xochitl Calabro month. LEARN MORE Casey Padgett Beverly Griffith James Haupt THE LOOP | ISSUE 75 | JANUARY 2021 2
Employee Spotlight NAME Brent Carlton TIME OF SERVICE 20 years DEPARTMENT Environmental Management TITLE Recycling Supervisor FAVORITE ACTIVITIES / Hunting, fishing, competing in Team Roping events HOBBIES / THINGS FAVORITE FOOD Steak, crab legs FAVORITE MOVIE/TV SHOW Cool Hand Luke, The Outlaw Josey Wales TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT I live in Mocksville, NC, and have been married to my wonderful wife, YOURSELF Janna Carlton, for 15 years. I was raised in Woodleaf, NC, on a horse farm where my dad trains horses for a living. I have ridden and helped train horses my whole life. I competed in the rodeo circuit for 15 years and now my wife and I travel the US competing in Team Roping events. I have competed in Las Vegas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Wyoming and Florida, to name a few. I also like going to our old homeplace in Galax, VA, to camp and fish the New River for smallmouth bass. I also enjoy going duck hunting in Arkansas when I have time. I have enjoyed working for the Department of Environmental Management for the past 20 years. SHERIFF’S OFFICE RECEIVES GRANT Congratulations to the Rowan County Sheriff ’s Office for their recent grant award of bullet and stab protective vests for K9s Kantor, Echo, Junior, Fanta, and Rex. The grant was awarded by the non-profit Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. : (Top L to R) Master Deputy Basinger with K9 Kantor, Master Deputy Holshouser with K9 Echo, and Sergeant Smith with K9 Junior; (Bottom L) Adam Lovingood with K9 Fanta; (Bottom R) Deputy Matthew Efird with K9 Rex. THE LOOP | ISSUE 75 | JANUARY 2021 3
TECHTALK Tips and tricks worth sharing HOW TO USE MY NEW DESK PHONE Rowan County IT will be switching out your Mitel • Choose the phone option on the left menu, phones with new Polycom phones (a.k.a. “Zoom” make sure settings is selected at the top. phones). • Scroll down towards the bottom of the screen and look for Pin/Passcode. Click FEATURES AND RESOURCES FOR THE show. NEW PHONES • Change your code here or leave it. Make note of your passcode. • Polycom Phone Quick Tips (PDF) Q: How do I call people who do not have new • Polycom VVX 250, 350, and 450 Quick Reference phones yet? Guide (PDF) - Warm transferring calls A: You will need to dial people that do not have - Blind transferring calls these phones yet by dialing the full number - Accessing call history (704-216-xxxx) rather than just the extension. - Checking voicemail • Polycom VVX-450 Series Quick Reference (PDF) Q: How do I check my voicemails? - Answer incoming call - Place outbound call A: When you get a voicemail, you will get an email - Transfer call from Zoom that allows you to play the message. - Check voicemail You can also check the voicemail from your phone - Call hold by selecting: - Redial • the House icon - Missed, placed, and received calls • arrowing down to messages - Handset volume and ringing volume • the OK button (between the arrows) - Initiating local conference call • Select - Do not disturb • Connect - Forwarding calls on an extension It will ask for your pin code. This is also where you can check messages and record your voicemail. • Rowan County IT Service Desk Resources FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: How do I change my passcode? A: All phones come with a generic passcode to check your messages. • Sign into your Zoom account on your computer. THE LOOP | ISSUE 75 | JANUARY 2021 4
CLEANING UP IN 2020 Despite the challenges and changes that the 2020 calendar year has presented, Rowan County has doubled down on our commitment to preserving public health and protecting our environment. During the 2020 period, the Rowan County Department of Environmental Management (DEM) in concert with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office established an Environmental Crimes Enforcement Program which focuses law enforcement efforts to mitigate illegal dumping and litter throughout our County. Since the program’s inception, our Environmental Crimes Enforcement Officer issued 39 citations and facilitated the clean-up of 48 dumpsites. In addition to our increased enforcement efforts, the Rowan County’s Litter Mitigation crew removed approximately 240,000 pounds of litter and debris from Rowan County roadsides! Throughout this pandemic-impacted year, DEM staff have continued to provide seamless solid waste and recycling services and have represented Rowan County Government with resiliency, professionalism, and tact. In 2020, the US Department of Homeland Security deemed solid waste services as an “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce”. Rowan County DEM recognizes that all local government employees are essential and wishes to acknowledge all units of local government by offering our thanks to those who continue to provide their respective services to the citizens of Rowan County as we navigate this pandemic. We have been and will continue to be “in this together” and we at Rowan County DEM are grateful to be in this with you! From our division to yours, thank you for your commitment to our community and for the support that is extended across our internal “divisions” as we dispense our collective duties. May the new year be filled with good health and happier times! THE LOOP | ISSUE 75 | JANUARY 2021 5
R WAN ORIGINALS PHIL YORK has been selected to be the 9-1-1 Section Chief for Rowan County Emergency Services. Chief York has 24 years of experience in public safety. He has served 19 years as a full-time employee with Rowan County 9-1-1 with the last 13 years as a Battalion Chief. The Section Chief for 9-1-1 will oversee the day to day operations of the 9-1-1 center and assist the Division Chiefs of the Emergency Services Department in their daily operations as needed. During York’s tenure in the 9-1-1 Telecommunications Department, he assisted in transforming the Rowan County 9-1-1 center into one of the most advanced centers in the state. York began his public service career in 1997 with Rockwell Rural Fire Department where he currently serves as Captain as well as a member of the Board of Directors. He has volunteered at several county Fire and Rescue agencies and currently serves as Deputy Chief of the Rowan County Rescue Squad. York is nationally certified as an ENP (Emergency Number Professional). York holds several other certifications related to public safety and the 9-1-1 industry including the North Carolina PSAP Manager certification which he earned in 2018. Chief York stated “I look forward to working with the Emergency Services department moving forward, while continuing to serve the 9-1-1 Division as Section Chief.” Chief York is a Past Master of Keller Memorial Masonic Lodge, a member of the Oasis Shriners, and Second Vice President of Rowan Shrine Club. He and his wife, Melissa, have been married since 2006. The Planning and Development Department welcomed RYAN MICKEY to its staff on December 7th, 2020. Ryan is the Ordinance Enforcement Officer and replaces retiring employee Lloyd Pace. Ryan transferred to the Planning Department from the Sheriff Department’s Detention Center facility. Rowan County Emergency Services EMS Division Lieutenant CRYSTAL LINKER retired December 26, 2020, after 24 years of service. EMS Division Chief Lennie Cooper said, “Crystal has been a steadfast and dedicated employee/team member and most important, a valued EMS family member.” Please join us in wishing Lieutenant Linker the very best in her much-deserved retirement. continued on Page 8 THE LOOP | ISSUE 75 | JANUARY 2021 6
VOICES FROM THE PAST Richard Johnson worked for Rowan County for two decades before retiring on October 1, 2012. Johnson served in the Child Support - Interstate Unit of Rowan County Department of Social Services (DSS), which involved enforcing cases in which the custodial parent lived out of state and the non-custodial parent lived in Rowan County. Johnson retired from the US Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) after 20 years and worked for the State of Florida for 4 years in their Child Protective Services legal office prior to moving to North Carolina. Johnson’s wife, Kathy, was from Lexington, and they moved to Davidson County when her mother became ill. “I’ve always wanted to work in state or local government,” Johnson said. “I loved going to Court; collecting money, giving Robert (Lester), Ms. Rivers, and Ms. Berry a hard time. That made my day,” he quipped. Johnson’s former colleagues describe him as a person of impeccable character and extremely knowledgable. During his time with Rowan County DSS, Johnson became known as the “Interstate Guru” for his expertise and guidance in such cases. “Even now, this many years after his retirement - when something comes up that we have a question about - those of us that worked with Richard will think back and ask ourselves, ‘What would Richard do in this situation?’,” said Child Support Supervisor Elizabeth Berry. “Richard may think he gave us a ‘hard time’, but I disagree. He gave 110% every day to get his work completed, but was never too busy to add something funny (or sarcastic) to lighten the day. He was a valued colleague…he left his mark, and it was a positive one,” she added. Attorney Robert Lester agrees. “We considered Richard the best or certainly one of the top two Interstate child support agents in North Carolina. He learned law and policy and applied both flawlessly to a very wide variety of often complex fact patterns that came to us from every state and a number of foreign countries. When he posed the rare question to his supervisor or the attorney, it was quickly clear he had already used his analytical skills to develop at least two potential solutions that he could explain in considerable detail—one was almost always right.” Johnson was a man of few - but wise - words. Telephone calls to agents THE LOOP | ISSUE 75 | JANUARY 2021 7
in other states were classic examples of brevity and accuracy. None ever lasted longer than a minute or two because Johnson had already worked out all the significant issues before dialing. “If we had to pay by the minute for every interstate telephone call Richard made, no one would have believed how little we were spending,” Attorney Robert Lester quipped. “We miss Richard’s intellectual gifts that he freely shared with us and we remain grateful for the integrity he brought to his work every day,” he continued. Up until COVID-19, Johnson and his wife enjoyed traveling, mostly within the US. One of the couple’s favorite destinations was Cocoa Beach, Florida, a location rich in surf history. Although he lost Kathy in May 2020, Johnson keeps himself busy reading, doing yard work, and enjoying football. “Once COVID-19 is under control, I will begin to travel again,” Johnson said. His career in the Army has taken him all over the world, so he would like to see more of the US. To those getting ready to retire, Johnson reminds you that “this is just another chapter…do the things you love, and be with the people you love.” Do you have a “voice from the past” you’d like to nominate? Send to loop@rowancountync.gov. R WAN ORIGINALS continued from Page 6 Rowan County Emergency Services Chief Allen Cress and EMS Division Chief Lennie Cooper recently announced the promotion of Paramedic Preceptor LONNIE ELLIS to EMS Division Lieutenant. Lieutenant Ellis is a 14-year Paramedic who holds numerous Emergency Services credentials in EMS including Tactical Emergency Medical Specialist. The “Cards for a Cause” campaign has become a holiday season tradition at Rowan Public Library (RPL). Since the program began in 2015, the number of cards delivered to service members and veterans of the US Armed Forces has steadily increased and this year, 4,444 cards were sent, more than double last year’s total of 2,165 cards. RPL Children’s Associate and “Cards for a Cause” coordinator TAMMIE FOSTER is credited with the program’s growing outreach. “Tammie works so hard year-round to grow this program and its reach,” Interim South Branch Supervisor Brooke Taylor said. Congratulations to Foster and library staff for leading such a heartwarming program to honor our service members. THE LOOP | ISSUE 75 | JANUARY 2021 8
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