News, Vol. 8 [i.e. 11], no. 4 (Apr. 1998)

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April 1998

VOLiNO 4

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Budget Redirection Allows for Expansion of Services

The FY 99 budget, House Bill 1250 , passed the General Assembly on March 19 and, as of press time, awaits the Governor's signature. The $12.5 billion budget includes several appropriations for the sale of general obligation bonds for continued renovations of the State Capitol and #2 Peachtree as well as a five to seven percent increase for state employees based on their GeorgiaGain evaluation. Redirection of funds, the third in a five year process, provides funds for the expansion of services to state agencies by GBA's Facilities Planning Section. GBA's FY 99 budget of almost $38 million is only a one percent increase from the FY 98 budget. Included in the budget are redirection of funds to allow for the Facilities Planning Section to expand services provided to state agencies. Funding includes the addition of seven positions to the Roof Management Group. This will allow the section to increase, as needed, its capability of providing assistance to agencies who are requesting contract specifications, roof inpsections and monitoring of roof installations. Funds are also provided for two positions for Program and Plan Review to implement a "onestop" procedure for project review and the development of
Celebrate Earth Day April 22
Drop by the Plaza Level of the Floyd Building at lunchtime and register to win a magnolia tree, a recycle can crusher or some mulch for your garden!
In celebration of Earth Day, GBA will be distributing ribbons, brochures and 14-quart recycle containers to promote awareness for the State's Recycling Program!
1
Stop by and lend your support!

state standards for contsruction projects. Facilities

Planning is also authorized to add three positions to staff

a Fire Safety Group which would review construction

documents for life safety and ADA code compliance. Five

GBA employees have already been deputized by the State

Fire Marshal's Office to review plans and issue construc-

tion permits. This authority is

only for state-owned buildings. The State Fire Marshal's

GBA's FY99

Office will continue to inspect

budget...is only a

new construction. The State Capitol Renova-
tion Project received approxi-

one percent increase from the

mately $13.1 million for

FY 98 budget.

continued renovation of the

State Capitol. Phase I of the

renovation is all but complete with the exception of some

minor projects. This most recent appropriation will fund

Phase II that includes restoration of the House and Senate

Chambers and restoration of the Appropriations Room.

The Appropriations Room, located on the third floor of

the Capitol, originally housed the Georgia Supreme

Court. Completion of the House and Senate Chambers is

scheduled for 2000 with the Appropriations Room sched-

uled for the following year. Plans also call for the comple-

. tion of public space restorations including furnishings,

decorative lighting, a new HVAC system, and communi-

cation and technology improvements. The historic flag

displays will also be restored.

Ten million dollars in bonds was approved to con-

tinue renovation of the #2 Peachtree Building. Since

1992, over $71 million has been appropriated to renovate

this 41 story building. To date, floors 24-41 have been

renovated, including removal of asbestos materials, and

are occupied. Floors 22 and 23 are scheduled for occu-

pancy by the Department of Human Resources in May.

Floors 10-16 are also occupied as well as floors six

through eight. Renovations to the loading dock and

basements should be complete by early summer. Georgia

State University plans to occupy the annex portion of the

building with the School of Policy Studies. #2 Peachtree

currently houses the Department of Human Resources,

Department of Medical Assistance and Department of

See, Budget, inside

Congratulations to:
Johnny Weaver (Security) and his wife, LeAnn, who will celebrate two years of marriage on April 6.
Leonard Deluca (Security) and his wife, Mary, who will celebrate their 4lst wedding anniversary on April 13.
Larry Payton (Security) and his wife, Carolyn, who will celebrate their 4lst wedding anniversary on April 19.
Valeria Thomas (MTSouth) and her husband, Jerry, who will celebrate 26 years of marriage on April 18.
Kim Bradford (Food Service) and Keith Bradford (Operations) who will celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary on April 29.
Bob Allen (Operations) and his wife, Star, who will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary on April 9.
Carolyn Williams (Food Service) and her husband, Jeff, who celebrated three years of marriage on March 3. Carolyn also has a new grandson, DeAuris Boykins, born January 28.
Evelyn Fife (MTSouth) and her husband, Fred, who will celebrate 35 years of marriage on April 24.
Sympathy to:
Ben Ramsey (Security) on the death of his father-in-law, Howard Walker, on February 4.
Chris Walker (Administration) and Tim Walker (Purchasing) on the death of their grandmother, Christine Griffin, on February 27.
Mark Mashburn (Shared Services) on the death of his uncle, Don Asbell, on March 1.
Thinking of:
Rodney Morrow (Police) who is recuperating after recent surgery.
See, Notes of Interest, back page

What's Going On ...
Facilities Planning
+ Welcome to Tim Bromley who joins Facilities Planning as an
ADA architect.
Operations
+ Chad Jacobs joins MTSouth as a facilities painter. Bobby
Hopson and William Caldwell join Shared Services as Construction Specialists.
+ Charles Chaney (Shared Services) has been promoted to Senior
Cad Operator.
+ Evening custodial services for the Floyd Building are scheduled to
be contracted out as of April 1.
GBA Lends Assistance with Statewide Elevator Seminar
The Georgia Association of State Facility Administrators (GASFA), a statewide organization formed to encourage better communication between state facility administrators, is hosting "Taking Control of Your Elevators," a comprehensive look at effective maintenance and administration of elevators in state owned buildings.
The seminar will be held May 14 in the Floyd Building from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Registration is $25 per person and is open to all facility managers, building engineers and contract administrators of state owned properties. Sessions include Elevator 101: The Basics of Elevator Operations, Knowing Your Maintenance Contract, the What, When and Why of Modernization and Rules, Regulations and Requirements, an in-depth review of new Department of Labor regulations implemented March 1998.
Georgia Building Authority personnel are handling registration as well as conference logistics. Lamar Holland, Assistant Director of Contract, will participate in the program and John Butler, Director of GSFIC, will serve as the moderator.
Budget, continued from front page
Juvenile Justice as well as several private vendors. For several years, GBA has coordinated the disbursement of
funds for ADA modifications to state owned buildings. Great improvements have been made in assisting state agencies in better accommodating individuals with special needs that visit or work in their facilities. The FY 99 budget appropriates another six million for these modifications. Since 1995, $11.5 million has been funded for ADA modifications. $31 million remains to be funded to complete all the modifications identified by state agencies.
The budget also allows for existing bond funds to be shifted to permit renovations to 330 Ponce de Leon Avenue (Clark Harrison Building), the Floyd Building and Judicial Building. Funds would also be allocated for the planning and programming of renovations and re-occupancy of the Health Building. . The FY 98 supplemental budget includes $4.2 million in appropriations for several moves by state agencies on Capitol Hill. The additional appropriations bring GBA's FY 98 budget to approximately $42 million.

Anniversaries
Johnny Smith .................... 18 years Cecelia Satterfield ............. 16 years Emmett White ................... 16 years Larry Greer ....................... 16 years Larry Foster ....................... 16 years Barbara Patton ................. 15 years Clarence Johnson ............. 14 years Michael Thomas ............... 14 years Sam Bunn ......................... 13 years Walt Jones ......................... 13 years Ronnie Whitehead ............ 13 years Patricia Woodard .............. 13 years Norman Sims .................... 13 years Regina Ector ...................... 13 years Angel Garcia .................... 12 years Russell Collins ................... 12 years Randy Hicks ...................... 11 years Phil Thornberry ................ 11 years Newell Lee ......................... 11 years Lewis Thorp ...................... 11 years Mildred Reid ..................... 11 years Chester West ..................... 10 years Tommy Harrell ................. 10 years Larry Dyer ......................... 10 years

Luther Lewis 29years
Birdie Daniel 27years , - - - - - - -

Anderson Hart 25years

Annie Jones 20years

Ken Johnson 25years

Bennie Hall Retires To Travel
and Enjoy Grandchildren
Little league ball is now on the future agenda of Bennie Hall who retired from GBA in January 1998. Two grandchildren, Lauren and Avery Hall, are the apple of their grandfather's eye and the reason he
looks forward to more time to spend with them. He's also planning to do some traveling with his wife, Jan, and tackle some of those "honey-do" jobs around the house. His wife retired last year from the Department of Administrative Services. A native of Georgia, Bennie moved with Jan to Covington approximately two years ago.
Bennie began his career with GBA in 1987 in the Police and Security Section as a building monitor. In late 1996, he transferred to Administration when the Parking Section was reorganized and placed under Administration. Prior to his years with GBA, he worked for Waffle House, Inc. overseeing loading at their warehouse. Thanks to Bennie for his years of service and best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement.

April Birthdays
Valerie Outlaw ........................... 1st Damita Stubbs ........................... 1st Larry Mulkey ............................ 2nd Ansley Padgett .......................... 2nd Tim Thomas ............................. 2nd Roy Wright ................................ 2nd Donald Brooks ........................... 3rd Larry Payton .............................. 3rd Birdie Daniel ............................. 5th Lisa Marshall ............................ 5th Robert Mitchell ......................... 5th Henry Deener ........................... 6th Brett Jones ................................. 6th Jerry Nicholson ......................... 6th Jerry Jarrett ............................... 7th Michael Sowell.......................... 7th Wylie Stephens ......................... 7th Scott Thomas ............................ 7th Smitty McKinnon ...................... 8th Maple Jean Steele ..................... 8th Cindy Harden ......................... 11th Tracy Webb ............................. 11th Bruce Cunningham ................ 12th Clarence Blackshear............... 13th Jack Kitchens .......................... 13th Lynda Murphy ........................ 13th John Burkett ........................... 14th Reginald Lopez ....................... 15th Robert Hudson ........................ 16th Montre Muwannatut .............. 16th John DeCicco .......................... 17th Laura Case .............................. 18th Ron Ghani .............................. 18th John Gladney .......................... 19th Betty Quay.............................. 19th Moe Perron ............................. 20th Benson Bell .............................. 21st Eva Owens ............................... 21st Robbie Prasad .......................... 21st Joey Claville ............................. 23rd Betty Combs ............................ 23rd Donald Evans ......................... 24th Larry Hanie ............................ 25th Eddie Flannagan .................... 27th Thomas Shelton ...................... 28th Dallas Day .............................. 29th Cathy Gillum .......................... 29th Jim Hyde ................................. 29th Bill Davenport ........................ 30th Evelyn Fife ............................... 30th Wayne Walker ........................ 30th
Let us be thankful for
fools. But for them the
rest of us could not
succeed.
-Mark Twain

GBA Police Officer Goes Back to School
Continuing education is a routine part of any police officer's training. However, Jack Cliett reversed the role and went back to school to teach a group of
young people that police officers are their friends.
Jack recently visited Church Street Elementary School in Clayton County and spoke to three special education classes on the role of a police officer. He stressed the importance of not being afraid of police officers and that police officers can help out when in trouble. Jack was impressed with the many questions that the children asked of him and was pleased that they seemed more comfortable at the end of his visit talking to a police officer. Jack made this special appearance on his own time but feels his role as a police officer requires a commitment to community service. He volunteers with Boy Scout Pack #354 of Rockdale County and helps out with the Child Identification Program in the Rockdale County School System. He also teaches Security and Private Investigation at DeKalb Technical School.

SPEED BUMP

by Dave Caverly

Employees of the Month
February 1998
Congratulations to Sandy Smith (Police), Debbie Fernandes (Food SeNice}, Cindy Harden (Administration) and Robert Pitts (MTNorth) who were selected as Employees of the Month for February 1998. Not pictured is Mark Mashburn (Shared Services).
Take Steps to Alleviate Stress
Stress can play a major role in poor physical and mental health. Yet with the rapid changes occurring in most places of business, stress seems to be an inevitable part of the workday. Just in time for National Stress Awareness Day, April 16, 1998, experts offer some suggestions to better cope with job pressure. V Prepare yourself for change. Consider possible scenarios and
imagine how best to cope with changes in the company or in your job description. V Recognize any increased expectations or workloads and congratulate yourself for successfully meeting the demands--even if no one else will. V Look for ways to become more efficient by elminating redundant or unnecessary tasks for streamlining processes. V Seek support from colleagues or family members. Don't try to handle problems alone. V Avoid turning to alcohol or drugs in times of crisis.
v Don't allow yourself to be taken
advantage of. If the demands made on you are excessive or unreasonable, let your superiors know before you're forced to disappoint them. V Reserve time for yourself and your family. Everyone needs some leisure time or burn-out is inevitable.

WAYNE SHACKELFORD COMMtsSIONER (404)6565206
FRANK L. DANCHETZ CHIEF ENGINEER !40416565277

'

;

'";;'

Department of Transportation

State of Georgm

#2 Capito{Square, S.W.

Atfunta, Georgm 30334-1002

March 5, 1998

STEVEN L. PARKS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
(404)6565212
BILLY F. SHARP TREASURER
(404)6565224

Mr. Tray Poll< Facilities Manager Georgia Building Authority I Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Dear Mr.Poll<:
The Tenant's Committee of the Georgia Deparnnent of Transportation located at 276 Memorial Drive, SW, Atlanta, Georgia would like to let you know how appreciative we are with the prompt and courteous service we have experienced since the Authority took over the maintenance and janitorial service of our building.
Your employee, Stan Phillips was assigned to this building and we want to especially thank him for his concern and conscientiousness in the way he has performed his duties. Mr. Phillips is always courteous and gracious and helpful in assisting our employees with their needs for service/maintenance of this building.
It is a pleasure working within the system to obtain a common goal of quality of service and cooperation.
Thank you again.

-~ -
From the Chef's Corner
With summer approaching, who wants to be in a hot kitchen? Try this new salad that's not only easy but delicious!
1 cup olive oil, extra virgin Juice from two limes Juice from one lemon 1 oz. wine vinegar 2 tbs. peppercorns, pink/cracked 3 tbs. shallots, minced salt to taste pepper to taste 2 cups Chardonnay wine (optional) 1/2 cup chives, chopped 2 oz. salmon filet, thinly sliced (per portion)
Combine all ingredients. Marinate the salmon under refrigeration for 15 minutes before seNing.

Last Minute Tax Tips
ti Use the correct taxpayer identification numbers for every person claimed and, if claiming child care credit, the day care provider.
ti To have a refund sent directly to a bank account, put your direct deposit account number on the tax return next to the refund amount.
ti If you or your child used form 1040EZ last year, you can probably file by telephone this April. Follow the instructions in the tele-file package sent by the Internal Revenue Service.
ti Those with a computer can receive assistance from the IRS web site at www.irs.ustreas.gov. or dial directly into the Internal Revenue Information Services computer at (703) 3218020.
Help Available for Those Who Owe
If you are one of the unlucky taxpayers who owes a check to
Uncle Sam on the 15th, and are not quite sure how to pay him, take heart. Con-
sumer Credit Counseling Service offers these tips for consumers who owe taxes:
ti Calculate your taxes as soon as possible so that you have enough time to figure how to make the payment.
ti Check your deductions and make certain that you have taken all those for which you are eligible.
ti Decide how to pay--whether you will tap into any savings you may have or take out a loan.
ti Cut expenses now.
ti Always file, even if you can't afford to pay, to avoid additional penalties.
ti Investigate payment installment plans.

What's So SpecialAboutApril?

Easter April 12
Easter, celebrated this year on April 12, is the most joyous of Christian holidays, commemorating the Resurrection of Christ. The date on which Easter falls fluctuates from year to year, falling on the first Sunday following the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox--always between March 22 and April 25.
Earth Day April 22
April 22, 1998, marks the 28th annual observance ofEarth Day, an international celebration of the environment. Earth Day was the brainchild of former Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, who spent years pondering the best way to bring the state of the environment to the forefront of American politics. An estimated 20 million people participated in peaceful demonstrations across the country on April 22, 1970. The
celebration helped spawn the modem environmental movement and resulted in the first environmental legislation ever passed--the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act.

Arbor Day

April 24

Arbor Day is a nationally recognized observance that encourages tree planting and care. National Arbor Day in the U.S. officially falls on the last Friday in April of each year. The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska in 1872, in response to a state proclamation urging shelters and homesteaders in that state to plant
trees to provide shade, shelter, fruit, fuel and beauty for residents of the largely treeless plains.

Other Dates in April to Remember...
April Fools Day ....... 1 Daylight Savings Time ........................ 5 World Health Day .... 7 Passover ................. 11 Tax Deadline ........... 15 Secretaries Day ...... 22

Confederate Memorial Day April 27
Confederate Memorial Day, observed this year on April 27, was first observed in March of 1866 in Columbus, Georgia. The General Assembly of Georgia designated the 26th day of April of each year to honor those who fought on behalf of Georgia. State offices will be closed on Monday, April 27.

Notes of Interest, continued
from inside
James Woodruff (Security) who is also recuperating after recent surgery.
Tom Shelton (Security) as he battles cancer.
Mary DeCicco, wife of John DeCicco (Food Service) as she recovers from heart surgery.
Bob Douglas, a GBA consultant with FRM, as he recovers from heart surgery.
Welcome Back to:
Steve Dawson (Police) who is back at work after knee surgery.
Braggin Rights:
Deion Sims, son of Norman Sims (MTNorth), was a member of the championship basketball team (9/10 year olds) in the Carroll County Recreational Basketball Tournament.
Other News:
Best wishes to Greg Taylor (MTNorth) who travels with his church, Center Hill Baptist Church, to Nome, Alaska, March 27-April 3 for a missionary seminar.