News, Vol. 8 [i.e. 11], no. 3 (Mar. 1998)

GA A320
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March 1998
Employees of the Year Honored

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at Supervisors' Luncheon

John Bullock (Police and Security), Jim Hicks (MTSouth) and Dwayne

Robinson (Food Service) were honored as GBA 1997 Employees of the Year at a

January 22 luncheon for GBA supervisors held in the Blue Room. Selected from a

group of nine Employees of the Quarter, Bullock, Hicks and Robinson were praised

by Luther Lewis as employees with outstanding performance records. Each will

receive a five percent salary increase, eight hours of administrative leave and a personalized plaque.

John Bullock, a police officer on the 11:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. shift, has worked for GBA since

1993. He began at GBA as a building monitor but always had aspirations of being a police

officer. He left GBA to enter the U.S. Army and became a POST certified officer

during his service at Fort Benning. He was rehired as a police officer in March

of 1997. While considered new among the ranks of police officers, John has

quickly developed a reputation for good work, compassion and dedication to

his responsibilities. His supervisor, Officer Jack Cliett, believes John has a

skill in knowing how to weigh the difference between compassion for people

and his responsibility to enforce the law. John received numerous commen-

dations during the year, specifically, for assistance rendered to a victim of a

head injury as well as several arrests on Capitol Hill.

Jim Hicks began his career at GBA in 1987 in Operations and last year

transferred to Maintenance Team South as a facilities HVAC technician

when Operations reorganized. He received several commendations for going

above and beyond to finish a job, especially during a

water pipe break at the DOT building last year. His

supervisor, Joe Chapman, describes Jim as extremely self-motivated. "I can always count on him to work on weekends or overtime when we're in a bind, and I don't

OHR Vacates Brook Run

ever have to worry whether he's working or not," notes

Brook Run, a 100+ acre complex which is owned by

Chapman.

the GBA (Hospitals), has recently been vacated by the

Dwayne Robinson, a 1994 Employee of the Year,

Department of Human Resources. Georgia Building

exemplifies what is good about GBA. Employed in the

Authority personnel continue to keep the property and

Food Service Section of GBA since 1990, Dwayne is

maintenance systems in order in anticipation of an

considered by his supervisor, Phil Thornberry, to be one

eventual sale to DeKalb County.

of the most "get-the-job-done" employees he has ever

Located on North Peachtree Road, this facility once

worked with. No nonsense and respectful of all his

served as home to approximately 200 individuals with

employees, Dwayne goes above and beyond with every

special needs. Budget constraints compelled DHR to close

event or function he works and doesn't mind who gets

the facility in the fall of 1997 and move residents to other

the credit as long as the job gets done. He received

facilities within the state. GBA took back control of the

commendations for work during the NASFA Conference

property on January 31.

last June as well as the many weekend and holiday

DeKalb County plans to create a community park

hours spent working at events held in GBA facilities.

with the existing property.

"He's loyal, dependable, remains focused on his job and

is very deserving of this achievement," notes Thornberry.

Gongratulations to:
Bill Davenport (Motor Pool) and his wife, Roselyn, who will celebrate their ninth wedding anniversary on March 3.
Ruth and Patrick O'Donnell (Security and Operations) who will celebrate 34 years of marriage on March 8.
Alma Palacios (Security) and her husband, Juan, who will celebrate their first wedding anniversary on March 20.
Ben Reese (Security) and his wife, Cynthia, who are the proud parents of a son, Christian, born February 2.
Tommy Cobb (MTPeachtree) and his wife, Sharlon, who will celebrate 30 years of marriage on March 31.
Brett Jones (MTSouth) and his wife, Robyn, who will celebrate their eighth wedding anniversary on March 24.
Robert Gardner (MTNorth) and his wife, Ernestine, who will celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary on March 29.
Sympathy to:
Thomas Boyd (Motor Pool) on the recent deaths of his father-inlaw, Herbert Fox, on January 19, and his sister, Carolyn Crew, on January 20.
Linda Smith (Human Relations) on the loss of her uncle, Reverend Jesse Biggs, in December, and her grandmother, Eldora Thomas, in January.
Jimmy Cotton (Police) whose nephew, Anthony Gentry, was killed in an automobile accident in Michigan on February 4.
Cosmos Lee (Security) whose father, Robert Lee, passed away on January 28.
Darrell Martin (Police) on the loss of his mother, Clora Martin, on February 2.

From the Director...
1997 was yet another year of big changes within the Georgia Building Authority. As always, we made it through these transitions and are, hopefully, better off for it. This year promises more
changes, but we'll get to that later. The Operations Section has completed
its reorganization, and I am extremely pleased with the success of the maintenance team concept as well as the specialized sections that provide support to these teams. One of the main goals of the maintenance team concept was to get a better handle on preventative maintenance and provide a way to assign responsibility to our staff. I believe we are making progress in these two areas. At least once a week I receive a letter of commendation from our tenants praising the efforts of our employees, and believe me, on a bad day, that can really lift my spirits to know, in spite of all the problems of that moment, we're doing something above what is expected. At a recent Supervisor's Luncheon, I outlined the FY99 budget that has been proposed for GBA. Under Governor Miller's directive, we are in our third year of redirection. That is, redirecting five percent of our budget or roughly $1.6 million for other projects and programs. For FY99, we achieved this redirection by cutting positions that had been vacant, eliminating some positions during the Operations reorganization, and reducing our utilities expenses. I am pleased to say that these redirection efforts did not result in loss of jobs for GBA employees. What it has done is, hopefully, create more opportunities for GBA. The Facilities Planning Section will move toward a "one-stop" shop for construction plan review and approval and fire code field inspections. This involves review of any contract drawings for fire code and ADA compliance, and hopefully, we will be able to add health and environmental reviews. Additional staff will be added for preparing roof specifications and field inspections. If these concepts seem familiar, they should. What we're trying to do is provide statewide services to agencies and departments, a strategic planning objective that you, the employees, believed was important to GBA. It's exciting to see these objectives, first conceived almost five years ago, coming to fruition. It shows we're setting good strategies. Staying on the right track is vital to our success. With 1998 an election year, there will once again be a lot of changes on Capitol Hill. As facilities manager, GBA is here to serve our tenants. That's our goal. That's what we should strive for every day. It's important to remember our responsibilities yet remain flexible to these changes that are coming. As I walk Capitol Hill every day, I am extremely proud of you and all that you do to make GBA a better organization. Thank you for your help in keeping Capitol Hill running and keep up the good work!

Employees of the Month
January 1998
Congratulations to John Meadows (Motor Pool}, Donald Brooks (Police and Security), Deotha Harvey (Police and Security), Trent Ozburn (Landscape Services) and Christie Pace (Parking) who were selected as Employees of the Month for January 1998.
Changes to Employee Recognition Program
According to a January 1998 memorandum, several changes have been implemented in the GBA Employee Recognition Program.
+ Five monthly recipients (no more than one per section) will be
selected from a pool of 10 sections. Sections include Police/ Security, Landscape/Recycle, #2 Peachtree, Shared Services, Parking/Motor Pool, MTNorth, MTSouth, Administration, Food Services and the Central Energy Plant.
+ Attaboys and letters of commendation should be submitted to the
secretary in Human Relations by the 25th of every month.
+ Recipients will be selected based on the number of commenda-
tions received and the significance of the commendations.
Note: In the event there are no clear statistical winners, Gale Whitworth advises that Human Relations will appoint a committee of three individuals to make selections.
Editor's Note: The Employee Recognition Program is administered by the Human Relations Section. All questions regarding this program should be directed to Human Relations.
Supervisors' Conference Unicoi Lodge - Unicoi State Park
May 21-22 and 26-27, 1998

March Birthdays
Marlon Pollard .................. 1st Tim Walker ...................... 2nd James Carlson ................... 3rd Steve Johnson ................... 3rd Ronald Kern ...................... 3rd Nekeisha Stein .................. 3rd Gloria Banks ..................... 4th Walter Pfirman ................. 5th Russell Collins ................... 6th Erwin Smith ...................... 6th Marvin Spiller ................... 6th Stanley Cunningham ....... 7th Ricky Cline ........................ 8th Larry Maddox ................... 8th Michael Nantz ................ 10th Ken Slaughter ................. 13th Patrick O'Donnell ........... 14th Robert Johnston .............. 15th Geneva Hart ................... 16th Beth Maner ..................... 16th John Sojka ....................... 16th Palmer Strozier ............... 16th Brian Hobbs .................... 17th Chester West ................... 17th Betty Gilley ..................... 19th Johnny Green ................. 19th Ryan Scott ....................... 19th Trent Ozburn .................. 20th Amanda Peek .................. 21st Lorenzo Combs .............. 22nd Eddie Sampson .............. 22nd Randy Prater ................... 23rd John Reid ........................ 24th Emmett White ................. 25th Helbert Jimenez .............. 26th Herbert Tucker ................ 26th Ronald Whitehead ......... 28th Rachel Robinson ............. 30th

SPEED BUMP

by Dave Caverly

GBAAdopts Equipment/Key/ CardKey Policy
At the recent Supervisors' luncheon, Executive Director Luther Lrwis informed supervisors that GBA will withhold the last paycheck of a GBA employee who has resigned or been terminated if the employee fails to return all GBA owned equipment, keys and cardkeys.
Other cardkey policies and procedures have been outlined in a Police and Security memorandum dated May 18, 1997. Copies of this memorandum are available by contacting Leonard Deluca at 404656-4088.
ALittle Humor...
Double entendre? The following are signs that actually appeared:
...in a laundromat: Automatic washing machines:
Please remove all your clothes when the light goes out.
...in a department store: Bargain basement upstairs.
...in an office: Would the person who took the
step ladder yesterday please bring it back, or further steps will be taken.
...in an office: After tea break staff should
empty the teapot and stand upside down on the draining board.
...outside a secondhand shop: We exchange anything--
bicycles, washing machines, etc. Why not bring your wife along and get a wonderful bargain?
...outside a photographer's studio: Out to lunch: If not back by
five, out for dinner also.
...in a dry cleaner's window: Anyone leaving their garments
here for more than 30 days will be disposed of.
...in a safari park: Elephants please stay in your car.
...on a repair shop door: We can repair anything (Please
knock hard on the door--the bell doesn't work).

Anniversaries

Holsey Jackson .................. 15 years Clarence Walker ............... 14 years Agnes Brinson .................. 14 years Ansley Padgett .................. 13 years Leslie Robinson ................. 13 years John Reid .......................... 13 years Willie Horton .................... 13 years Steven Walker ................... 12 years Brian Hobbs ...................... 11 years Bessie Brown ..................... 10 years James Daniel .................... 10 years Nancy Negris .................... 10 years

Willie Key 26years
Lester Babb 22years

Tom Nantz Bids Farewell to
GBA with 34 Years Service
Tom Nantz was just 16 years old when he started working summers at GBA in 1964 making $280 per month. His duties included changing filters and elevator relief (state buildings had elevator operators back in those days). In 1966, at 18 years of age, he was called to service for the United States Army and spent 15
months stateside before being shipped to Germany. Tom left the service in 1969 and, with only a week's vacation, began working full-time for GBA as an apprentice electrician.
Tom's tenure at GBA has allowed him, over the years, to see GBA evolve from a small, somewhat unorganized operation into a diverse organization that works as a team to accomplish most any task that presents itself. He recalls with pride the events and projects he has been involved in from building Georgia Plaza Park, restoring the Freight Depot, starting the New Georgia Railroad, building Zero Mile Post Station to being a part of Super Bowl and Olympic efforts in our city. He also recalls working to prepare for Presidential visits to the Governor's Mansion. Looking back, he seriously concedes he probably could have applied himself more but wouldn't change for a minute the special friendships formed with people who have crossed his path. Life after GBA will include spending time with his family, especially his granddaughter, Danielle, working on some home improvement projects, and helping his son-in-law with some projects at their church, Praise Mill Baptist. As he prepares to close the book on this chapter of his career, Tom encourages his friends at GBA to keep looking on the bright side and remember that all things seem to work out no matter what the circumstances.

FrankHead Retires with 1OYears Se1Vice
Frank Head retired January 31 from the GBA with 10 years of service in the Operations Section. Prior to his work with GBA, Frank had worked at Hubbard Pants Company in Bremen, Georgia, for 32 years. His plans for retirement include enjoying some leisure time with his family and probably working at a part-time job.

Tales of the Unusual
Several months ago, an AFROHM truck assigned to work
, crews at #2 Peachtree was stolen from the #2 Peachtree loading dock. Police reports were filed; however, after several weeks, no truck had been located.
Gary Heath, formerly with the Agency for the Removal of HazardOlJ.S Materials and presently working for National Labor Group and assigned to #2 Peachtree, went to Home Depot in east Atlanta for some materials. While there, he spotted a truck that looked vaguely familiar, the stolen AFROHM truck. He had watched two men get out of the truck and enter Home Depot. Pretty sure that this was the truck, Gary knew he needed to contact the authorities but did not want to leave the area for fear the two men in the store would come out and leave.
In a moment's decision, Gary lifted the hood of the truck and disengaged the spark plugs. By this time, Gary had determined it was the stolen AFROHM vehicle by its bumper. After all, it was a pretty beat up truck to begin with and the AFROHM decals had been painted over. He went and called authorities who arrived at the scene. When asked if Gary could identify the two men who arrived in the truck, Gary said he could. Gary and the police officer entered the store and began looking for the two suspects. When they found the two men (I bet it was on the paint and refurbishing aisle), the two men, before the officer could speak, blurted out, "We didn't steal any truck!" Protesting too much for the likes of the police officer, the two men were taken into custody and charged with vehicle theft. And, the AFROHM truck is back in its official capacity assigned to #2 Peachtree. Those state trucks...they take a lickin but keep on tickin.
Voter Registration Important for Election Year
If you're not already registered to vote, don't forget] You can't vote unless your registered! Mail-in voter registration applications are available at your local library, city hall or drivers' licence office. It's easy! Don't delay!

1998 Election Dates and Deadlines for Voter Registration

June 22
July 21 August 11 October 5
November3 November 24

Last day to register and be eligible to vote in the General and Nonpartisan Primary and Runoff General and Nonpartisan Primary
General and Nonpartisan Primary Runoff Last day to register and be eligible to vote in the General and Nonpartisan Election Runoff General and Nonpartisan Election
General and Nonpartisan Election Runoff

Tips to Protect Yourself Against Credit Card Fraud
If you have good credit, any credit at all, it can be ruined by opportunistic criminals in a matter of hours. The following are some good common sense tips to protect yourself and your credit from fraud:
t/ If your card is lost or stolen, report the loss immediately to your card issuer.
t/ Sign new credit cards as soon as they arrive. A criminal who is able to sign your card in his/ her handwriting will have no trouble using it.
t/ Keep your charge receipts so that you can compare them with your monthly statement. Carefully discard receipts by using a paper shredder or tearing up in a manner that makes it difficult to obtain account numbers.
t/ Never give your account number, expiration date, or personal information over the phone until you have verified the caller's identity. Be very careful about giving credit information to individuals who are soliciting you over the phone.
t/ Review your monthly statement as soon as you receive it, and report any charges that you do not recognize.
t/ If using an ATM or Debit Card, memorize your PIN. Do NOT carry it in your wallet or write it on your card.
t/ When merchant returns card to you, always check to be sure that it is indeed yours.
V" Don't sign blank charge receipts. Always insist that the exact amount be entered on the receipt before you sign.

From the Chef's Corner
Recipes provided by John Decicco, Manager of the Floyd Building Cafeteria
With the winds of a cold winter upon us, what could be a better "comfort" food than a good dessert? Here are two gourmet, but easy, desserts to enjoy as we anxiously await some warm weather!

Peaches Surprise

6 stewed peach halves vanilla ice cream apricot jam

6 rounds of Genoise or Sponge Cake Kirsch or Cointreau (optional) slivered almonds

Drain peaches and pat dry with paper towels. Fill cavity of each peach half with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, rounding it high enough to make the peach look whole. Coat the ice cream and sides of peach with apricot jam. Sprinkle cake rounds with Kirsch or Cointreau and top each with an ice cream stuffed peach. Scatter slivered almonds over the top. Serve immediately. Makes six servings.

Helpful Hints: Boil peach halves until soft but not mushy. Rounds are small (biscuit) size portions of cake. Genoise cake can usually be found in most local grocery stores.

Flambeed Peaches
6 large or 9 medium whole peaches 1/2 cup crushed strawberries sweetened to taste 1/4 cup Kirsch (optional)
Poach peaches until tender not mushy. Heat strawberries and place in a serving dish. Pour hot poached peaches over strawberries. Optional: Heat Kirsch, ignite, and pour over peach and strawberries. Bring to table flaming. Serves six.

What's Going On In March?

MARCH

s M
1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30

T wT Fs
3 4567 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 31

March 13 Friday, the 13th!
March 17 St. Patrick's Day
March 17 commemorates Bishop Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
March 20 First Day of Spring
The vernal equinox takes place in the northern hemisphere on March 20 at 2:55 p.m. EST.

Notes of Interest, continued
from inside
Thinking of:
Steve Dawson (Police) as he recovers from knee surgery.
Jill Holdren, former GBA parttime employee and daughter of Melissa Jones (Facilities Planning) as she recovers from a serious automobile accident.
Farewell to:
Fatamia Stephens (Shared Services) who resigned to take a position with the Department of Natural Resources.
Transfers:
Larry Stewart (MTSouth) transferred from a Facilities Painter to a Facilities Maintenance Mechanic.
Beverly Shambray transfers from Landscape Services to Shared Services.
Braggin Rights
Jonathan Weaver, son of Johnny Weaver (Security), made the Dean's List at Berry College for the Fall 1997 semester.
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