News, policies and trends for all state government VOLUME 8, NO. 3 employees and agencies, published quarterly by the Georgia Merit System. FALL 2005 Selling Georgia to the World by Craig Lesser, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Economic Development As state employees, we see every day the incredible spirit and determination of Georgia's citizens. From our positions on the front lines dealing with Georgians in a variety of ways, it is easy for us to see how our continued growth and progress are a direct result of our ample resources and the strong character of our people. Today, Georgia is one of the nation's fastest growing states. We are home to 17 Fortune 500 companies, attract more than 48 million visitors each year and maintain a quality of life that helps drive millions of new residents to our state every year. The time is right for us to tell the rest of the world what we have to offer. Because competition is intensifying for business and tourism dollars, the state must marshal all of our resources - our proud heritage, past successes and extraordinary people - to build a new and stronger future for our citizens. Towards this end, Governor Sonny Perdue has directed the Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) to recharge our global marketing strategy and plan. He has a vision to make Georgia an even better place - a leading global business center and a top travel destination for visitors from all over the world. To accomplish this, the marketing team at GDEcD has completed a comprehensive branding initiative to give Georgia a new brand that strongly symbolizes the rare combination of tools, resources and support that we can offer everyone from business leaders and entrepreneurs to travelers and families. We have worked tirelessly over the last few months examining how we sell the state to business leaders and tourists. We conducted extensive research to examine the state's assets, competition and customer perceptions, and determined where Georgia is today and where we need to go tomorrow to remain on top of the competition. This research provided valuable insights into how to better sell Georgia's assets. From this, we have crafted a new brand and marketing strategy that will more effectively and efficiently communicate our business and tourism advantages as compared with other states. With these tools, we will all benefit from increased job creation, economic growth and opportunities for personal enrichment. The new Georgia brand was introduced in September, and over the past few months has See Selling Georgia next page Governor Perdue's recent appointees INSIDE appointed by Perdue on November 4, 2005. Dr. Medows, a family physician, served as the secretary of the agency for health care administration for the state of Florida. The Department of Com- munity Health manages approximately $9.3 billion in state and federal dollars to administer health care programs to more than two million citizens under the Robert Braswell Dr. Rhonda Medows Wayne St. Claire Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids programs and the State Health Benefit Plan. In August, Governor Perdue Governor Sonny Perdue recently appointed appointed Wayne St. Claire as the new Robert Braswell as commissioner of the Georgia commissioner of the Georgia Merit System (GMS) Department of Banking and Finance. Braswell has of State Personnel Administration. Prior to joining worked for the agency since 2003 as deputy the Merit System, St. Claire worked in Houston, commissioner for mortgage. Banking and Finance Texas as a senior human resources executive for regulates and examines banks, credit unions and CenterPoint Energy. He has over 30 years of trust companies that are chartered by the state. The experience in human resources and a strong record department also has regulatory and/or licensing of executing workforce planning, process authority over mortgage brokers and lenders, check improvement, diversity management and other cashers, sale of check companies, money change management initiatives. GMS sets the human transmitters, international banking organizations, resource and personnel management policies for and bank holding companies conducting business in Georgia's 101,000 state employees as well as Georgia. administers employee programs such as the Flexible Dr. Rhonda Medows is the new commissioner Benefits and Work Away programs, and most for the Department of Community Health (DCH), recently, Governor Perdue's leadership initiative. Safety classes ............................2 DNR celebrates 75 years ........2 How to boost your productivity ..............................3 New self-service PeopleSoft Module ......................................3 GFC forester receives national award ..........................3 Seminars to plan for your financial future ........................4 Restoration of divested sick leave....................................4 Test your vocabulary ..............4 A healthy lifestyle for a healthier you ............................5 Save money on your commute ..................................6 In honor and memory of Ray Crawford ..........................7 Financial Management seminar ......................................7 Technology Tips ......................7 Retirees ................................8-13 Do you qualify for EIC? ......13 College classes at twin towers ......................................14 Government Spotlight: Department of Driver Services....................................15 The Georgia Capitol Ornament Page 16 Commission for A New Georgia Update Page 16 Georgia Leadership Institute Page 16 Visit the Team Georgia Connection Intranet site, www.team.georgia.gov., state government employees' single point of entry for the latest news and events, inclement weather updates and office closings, career and retirement planning resources, current traffic conditions, and other useful information to support you in your job, both professionally and personally. Page 2 Fall 2005 Selling Georgia continued from page 1 seen gradual implementation through other state agencies. The marketing team at GDEcD has met with agency heads and the marketing professionals from other departments to fully explain the new brand. As always, our first responsibility is to spend tax dollars wisely. We expect that elements of this new initiative will be around for many years, so a measured adoption schedule is appropriate. Many agencies will likely exhaust their current resources of business cards and stationery before wholesale implementation of the new logo. In addition to the new logo, we have developed parallel marketing strategies that invite prospective businesses and visitors to explore what Georgia has to offer, and show our appreciation to old friends. The theme for Georgia's motivational campaign to encourage businesses and visitors to experience the state for the first time is "put your dreams in motion." The theme speaks to our customers who can find in Georgia all the ingredients they need to transform their dreams into reality more easily and quickly than anywhere else. To express our appreciation for those who have vacationed in our state and to nurture an ongoing relationship with them, we will be launching a "thanks for keeping Georgia on your mind" campaign. This campaign is vital to our tourism industry as a primary opportunity for connecting with and encouraging consumers to visit Georgia again and again. It's important to point out that Georgia's new brand is more than just a logo and slogan. It is a new voice and attitude that will have a lasting impact on how the state does business, how we talk to visitors, how we interact with our partners and market to the world. It will allow us to inspire and involve our partners and allies to establish the state as the best possible location for business and vacations. We are counting on help and cooperation from across state government to ensure the success of our new brand, which will in turn improve the quality of life for all Georgians. By virtue of your position as a state employee, you are one of our brand ambassadors, helping to spread the word about Georgia to everyone with whom you interact. The Georgia Statement Volume 8, Number 3 State Personnel Board Geri P. Thomas, Chair M. David Alalof, Vice Chair Claybon J. Edwards, Member Melinda Langston, Member Robert R. Joseph, Member Georgia Merit System Wayne St. Claire, Commissioner Office of Communications and Marketing Deborah Williams, Managing Editor Carletta Henderson-Youngs, Editor Cleveland Clements, Copy Editor Contributing Writers Tracey Paden, Clean Air Campaign Fonda Semerjian, State Employees Credit Union Harry Stumpf, Dept. of Veterans Service Susan Sports, Dept. of Driver Services Michele Jurkiewicz, Carl Vinson Institute Julie Harnage, Department of Corrections Kim Hatcher, Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites Nadara L. Wade, Georgia Regional Transportation Authority Lauren Goschke, Society of American Foresters The Georgia Statement is published quarterly for state employees by the Commissioner's Office of the Georgia Merit System. If you wish to submit comments or need to correct a distribution problem/address, contact Editor, The Georgia Statement, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Suite 504 West Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334, call 404-657-0375, or Commissioner's Office at www.gms.state.ga.us/contact. If you have a disability and need this material in an alternative format, notify the Editor at the above address, or for TDD Relay Service only: 1-800-255-0056 (text telephone) or 1-800-255-0135 (voice). This publication is accessible on our website: www.gms.state.ga.us. The Georgia Merit System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Safety Classes To help ensure state employees work in a safe and secure environment, the Georgia State Patrol Capitol Police offers on-site 1.5 hour personal and workplace safety classes to state entities. Classes are free, and provide security tips and information in various categories, including parking, driving, ATM, workplace and personal safety. According to the US Department of Justice, 99 percent of the population will be a victim of theft at least once in their lifetime. Eighty-seven percent will have property stolen from them more than once, and 83 percent will be a victim of a violent crime at least once. The good news is that most crimes are preventable. But many people don't know how to be safe. To help state employees at work and at home, Sgt. Terry Payne of Sgt. Terry Payne Capitol Police offers helpful information to be safe and secure. Payne, who has more than 15 years with the state of Georgia, encourages people to follow their instinct. "Follow the voice in the back of your head," he says. "Many times your gut feeling is right." Payne also encourages employees to stay aware of your surroundings, which is one of the most important factors to ensuring your safety. Crime on Capitol Hill has declined due to increased police patrolling, more presence of officers, and unmarked patrol cars. State employees on the hill have been effective in helping to reduce crime, through awareness of suspicious activity or persons. In fact, many of the employees' calls have resulted in many of the recent crime breakthroughs or stops. On Capitol Hill, just dial 404-656-3281 to report a crime. Safety Tips 1. Know your surroundings. 2. Do not leave valuables in sight at your office, in parked cars, or near windows at home. 3. When it is dark, travel in groups of two or more. 4. Do not allow strangers to invade your personal space or walk up to you. 5. Create a personal safety strategy for yourself and family. Mail Pickup State employees can call Capitol Police to request a mail pick-up when wanting to alert the station of an immediate need for assistance due to a threat by someone or something in the work area. DNR celebrates 75 years In celebration of its 75th anniversary, the Department of Natural Resources State Parks and Historic Sites Division has partnered with Georgia Public Broadcasting to create a documentary to tell a textured tale of the history, scenery and personality of the state parks system. Georgia's State Park System, one of the oldest in the nation, was founded in 1931 with the establishment of Indian Springs and Vogel State Parks. Stories are being collected as part of a documentary that GPB will unveil in 2006. To help with both the celebration and documentary, Georgia residents and visitors are asked to share their memories and photographs from previous decades. Georgia Public Broadcasting has set up a website where people can submit their stories of visiting state parks, as well as read other people's tales. To share stories or photos, contact Georgia Public Broadcasting at 800-549-4558 or log onto www.gpb.org/stateparks. For more information about Georgia's 63 state parks and historic sites, visit www.gastateparks.org. Fall 2005 Page 3 WORK TIP How to boost your productivity and still have a life Did you know that it wasn't until 1926 when Henry Ford first introduced the five-day work week? In fact, the average factory worker put in about 60 hours a week, six days a week until processes became more efficient and productivity rose. And it wasn't until 1970 when the 40-hour workweek became normal for low wage employees who had to work long hours to take home a decent pay check. Now the opposite is true. According to new research by Peter Kuhn of the University of California at Santa Barbara and Fernando A. Lozano of Pomona College, the well-educated and well-paid employees are putting in the long hours. This may be surprising since technology has boosted productivity by close to 70 percent. Forty-four percent of workers claim access to the Internet has helped them do a better job. Yet college educated workers, on average, are working more than 50 hours a week. So what can you do to stop working so hard? Multitask. Multitasking, if done correctly, can make you more efficient. Consider the following tips to help you work smarter, not harder. As you become more efficient, you will begin freeing up more time to still have a personal life. Control your time. Set timeliness within your work hours for each task you have to complete. Designate times to check emails, voice messages and your tangible inbox. Identify your peak energy time and save routine work for the low energy times of day. Prioritize tasks to create a road map of how and where to put your effort. Ask yourself `Can this wait?' If it can, don't include it. Don't get distracted leaving multiple projects half done while you handle something else. The best multitaskers are able to focus 100% of their energy on any one task before moving on to the next one. Minimize unnecessary interruptions during your work day Create and follow an agenda to keep meetings on track Stay Organized. Being disorganized will impede your work. To increase efficiency and effectiveness, create order in your office daily Transform technology from an oppressor to a liberator. Allow technology to free up your time, not tie you down. BlackBerrys, cell phones and the Internet provide endless communication and networking possibilities while providing opportunities for increased family time. Ensure work-and-life balance; both are equally important. Find time to fuel yourself with family, laughter and exercise. A happier you is a more productive employee. State employees can benefit EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT from the new self-service GFC forester receives PeopleSoft Module national award State employees will have online access to a new self-service PeopleSoft module through a service offered by the new State Accounting Office (SAO). Five agencies participated in a pilot that began September of this year. Beginning in December, the SAO will be using a phased-in approach to roll out the service to state entities. By June 2006, all state employees will have access to Employee Self Service. Listed below are some of the features that will be offered: Employees with direct deposit will access their pay stubs on-line instead of receiving a printed copy. Employees can view and print payroll and pay check information. Employees can change and update personal information such as mailing addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and emergency contact information. Employees can request a re-issue of a W-2 for the years 1999 through the latest issue date. The W-2 will be forwarded to the state entity, not the employee, where the employees worked during the time period of the requested W-2. Employees can view federal tax information, direct deposit information, voluntary deductions, compensation history, and leave balances. Access to the SAO self service center is on the Team Georgia Connection internet site. Access is only available from a state work computer. The site is ID and password protected. If you have questions, contact the State Accounting Office at 404-656-2133. Nathan McClure, a forester with the Georgia Forestry Commission, received the Society of American Foresters' (SAF) Presidential Field Forester Award. The award, presented to McClure at a special ceremony on October 21, 2005 at the SAF National Convention, National Assembly in Fort Worth, Texas, recognizes foresters who display uncommon talent and innovative methods to achieve a record of excellence in the application of forest management. McClure, who began working with the Commission in 1983, currently focuses on forest products utilization, marketing and development. For more information about the award winners, visit the SAF website at http://www.safnet.org/who/fieldforesterawards.cfm. ? Did You Know? Revenue collections for Georgia increased for the last five months through October. The percentage increase year-to-date for FY06 compared to FY05 is 9.4 percent. Page 4 Fall 2005 Seminars to plan for your financial future Remember when you were a kid and didn't have to worry about money? And, all of your needs seemed to be taken care of magically? And now that you're a grown-up, reality is that in order to achieve financial security, you often need help in planning and taking action. The Employees' Retirement System (ERS) can help. ERS has one and two-day seminars designed to help you plan for your financial future. Our one-day seminar is an overview of your benefits as a state employee, and is suitable for new and mid-career members. Topics include: ERS retirement benefits, Peach State Reserves - 401(k) & 457, Flexible Benefits, Financial Planning, Wills and Estates, and Social Security. Our two-day seminar provides more comprehensive, practical information for late-career employees. The emphasis is on coordinating all of your state benefits and preparing for life during retirement. To register for the seminar, simply return the completed registration form below to our office. A couple of months before the next available seminar, you'll receive an invitation. Mailing in your registration fee at that time will reserve your seat. It's that simple. Then you, too, can look forward to a happy and prosperous retirement. Employees' Retirement System of Georgia Seminar Registration Form Full Name: ______________________________________________Date:_____________ Last 4 Digits of SS#: ______________ Date of Birth: _________________ Office Phone: (_______) ______________ Home Phone: (_______) _______________ Home Address: ___________________________________________________________ Street _________________________________________________________________________ City State Zip Department or Agency: ___________________________ yrs of state service: ________ E-mail address: ____________________________________________________________ Your preference for a one-day or two-day seminar. _____One-day ______Two-day Location preference with number 1 being your highest preference. _____ Atlanta _____ Northeast Georgia _____ Southeast Georgia _____ Central Georgia _____ Northwest Georgia _____ Southwest Georgia Please indicate any range of dates you CANNOT attend a seminar or any special needs. I cannot attend a seminar during these dates _____________________________________ Special needs: _______________________________________________________________ EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM Two Northside 75, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30318-7778 FAX (404) 350-8306 Please fill out the registration form completely and either mail or fax to our office. Once your application is received, you will be placed on a list with other applicants wanting the same area of the state for a seminar. When a decision has been reached on location and dates, an invitation will be sent to registered employees on a first-come, first-serve basis. A non-refundable $10.00 fee (to cover the cost of materials) is then required to reserve your place. Two to three weeks prior to the seminar, a confirmation including location and directions will be sent. Please do not send payment now. Thank you for your interest in our program! Restoration of divested sick leave During the 2003 Legislative Session, the general assembly passed House Bill 289, O.C.G.A. 4520-16 (f), changing a longstanding practice related to divested sick leave. Divested leave is the portion of employees' sick leave balance that remains unused when employees leave state employment. In the past, employees could never use or recoup divested leave except to increase service time upon retirement. While employees who are rehired are still not paid for divested sick leave, O.C.G.A. 45-20-16 (f) provides that upon returning to state employment and remaining employed for a period of two consecutive years, non-temporary employees who were re-employed on or after July 1, 2003, are entitled to regain accrued sick leave divested when their previous period of service ended. Employees rehired prior to July 1, 2003 are not eligible to have their divested leave restored for use. Divested sick leave does not include any leave forfeited prior to the employee's separation. Forfeited sick leave can still only be used for retirement purposes and can never be restored for use. Divested leave does not apply to annual or personal leave, because both are divested by payment to the employee. The maximum amount of sick leave employees can accumulate is 720 hours. When employees have sick leave restored, the total of sick leave accumulated during the current period of employment and the restored sick leave can be no more than 720 hours. Any excess amount will go to forfeited leave. To obtain restoration of divested sick leave, employees must apply in writing to their current employing agency. The request must include documentation satisfactory to their appointing authority of the amount of divested sick leave. Documentation may be in the form of a memo from the previous employer, a printout from the record-keeping system, a final pay stub listing the ending balance, or other documents acceptable to the employer. State Personnel Board Rule Paragraph 18.103.1 was developed to administer provisions of O.C.G.A. 45-20-16 (f). Any questions relating to restoration of divested leave can be sent to Sam Clonts at (404) 656-2660 or by e-mail at sclonts@gms.state.ga.us. TEST YOUR VOCABULARY (See answers on page 13) 1. A state or atmosphere of harmony or mutual civility and respect. 2. An excessive desire of gain; greediness after wealth; covetousness; cupidity. 3. Transitive: to make better; to improve 4. To proceed without interruption; to make a smooth transition. 5. To speak or write at some length; to be copious in argument or discussion; to enlarge. 6 To make gestures or motions, especially while speaking or instead of speaking. 7. Rapidity of motion; quickness; swiftness. 8. To clear from alleged fault or guilt; to prove to be guiltless; to relieve of blame; to acquit. 9. Understood by only a few; esoteric. 10. Active goodness, kindness, or charity. ___ exculpate \EK-skuhl-payt; ikSKUL-payt\transitive verb ___ comity\KAHM-uh-tee\noun ___ ameliorate\uh-MEEL-yuh-rayt\ verb ___ expatiate\ik-SPAY-shee-ayt\ verb ___ gesticulate\juh-STIK-yuh-layt\ intransitive verb ___ celerity \suh-LEHR-uh-tee\ noun ___ arcane\ahr-KAYN\adjective ___ segue\SEG-way; SAYG-way\ verb ___ beneficence \buh-NEFF-i-suhns noun ___ avarice\AV-uh-ris\noun Fall 2005 Page 5 A healthy lifestyle for a healthier you Flu season is here! When people suffer from influenza, or the flu, they commonly contend with symptoms like fever, headaches, fatigue, body aches, an upset stomach and other symptoms that seem to make life miserable for days. The typical flu season starts around Thanksgiving and peaks around Christmas, though it can be earlier or later. Annually, as many as 30 percent of the population gets the flu. The affects of the flu are far reaching. Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a New York outplacement firm, predict that up to 70 million work days will be missed by American workers this flu season, resulting in a loss of almost $8 billion in sick leave for employers. While an annual flu shot remains the best way to avoid the flu, simple hygiene is also a major preventer. During flu season, wash hands frequently to minimize contact with the disease. Keep hands away from your face, especially try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth because it is giving germs an easier route into the body. Use anti-bacterial hand soap and lotion to help kill germs. Remember to drink a lot of water. Use a humidifier indoors. Viruses survive better in dry air. Keep areas around you clean. Don't share close contact with people who are sick. Stay at home, in bed if possible, when sick to prevent sharing the virus with others. Cover the nose and mouth when sneezing Don't stress this holiday season The holiday season is upon us. Although many consider this time of year a season of cheer, for some people, the holidays are difficult, characterized with loneliness, stress and depression. Even people who don't ordinarily feel stressed can break under the pressure of events or deadlines. Before being a humbug, consider the following practical tips to help minimize the stress and depression that often accompany the holidays. You may even end up enjoying the holidays more than you ever imagined. 1. Recognize the stressors that often lead to holiday depression. Three common stressors include finances, love, and scheduling. 2. Set realistic holiday expectations. 3. Keep your routine as normal as possible. 4. Continue to eat healthy and exercise regularly. 5. Don't forget to get plenty of rest. Sleep 8 hours nightly if possible. 6. Don't over shop. Prepare a budget and stick to it. Don't spend more than you can afford. 7. Don't over extend yourself. You may not be able to do everything. Learn to say no without feeling guilty. 8. Share responsibilities of holiday tasks. Cooking and decorating can be more fun if more than one person shares the burden. 9. Prioritize holiday activities. Plan, plan and plan some more. 10. Make time for yourself. This will serve to refresh and energize you. 11. Indulge just a little. Over indulgence can lead to guilt. 12. Be around others. The loss of a love one can be especially difficult during the holidays. 13. For entertainment, balance activities that cost with free holiday offerings. 14. Limit alcohol. 15. Seek support if you find yourself overcome with the holiday blues. Organizations who help their employees get fit often improve their bottom line According to Mercer Human Resource Consulting, health care coverage cost continues to outpace general inflation. Let's face it, rising health related costs have a significant impact on the purse strings of both the employer and employees. Today, employers are recognizing the benefit of helping employees lead healthier lives. Not only does productivity increase when employees are happier and healthier, but results have also been realized in a healthy bottom line. Many preventable diseases occur when employees choose to live unhealthy lifestyles. Many of these conditions cost businesses billions of dollars each year in health care premiums, sick leave, and life and disability insurance. Unhealthy and absent employees affect business productivity. Take obesity for instance. Although it is a preventable disease, obesity affects more than 59 million Americans. Obesity affects the health care and productivity costs of businesses by close to $13 billion annually. Experts estimate that stress is even costlier in medical bills. In fact, lifestyle choices contribute 50 percent to 70 percent of all diseases. As a result, more and more employers are getting involved in promoting the health and wellness of their workforce. A new study by Brigham Young University offers a good reason for companies to offer and support wellness programs. The study found that health promotion in the workplace has a positive impact not only on the employees' health, but positively affected the employer's bottom line as well. From day one of taking office, Governor Sonny Perdue challenged state employees to get fit. Many participating employees set goals to lose weight, exercise more and to eat a healthier diet. Currently, a few state agencies, such as the Department of Corrections (DOC), encourage employee fitness by offering onsite exercise programs. DOC provides a fitness instructor who teaches aerobic classes in the Twin Towers. The Clean Air Campaign assists agencies by sponsoring walk challenges for state employees. And the Georgia Merit System, in partnership with the Department of Community Health, sponsors wellness fairs that provide various health checks such as blood pressure checks, vision screenings, and bone density tests, plus health and nutrition informational materials and smoking cessation resources. Even little lifestyle changes can make a difference. According to BlueCross and BlueShield Insurance Company, walking 10,000 steps a day can help employees lose weight, lower their cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack. These are all preventable diseases, saving the healthcare system up to $40 billion a year. So, why is it so difficult to engage employees in living healthier lifestyles? If decreasing health related cost is a benefit to living healthier, why is cost cited as one of the reasons employees can't make a healthier lifestyle change when no cost or low cost options are available to promote better health? That is why employer sponsored wellness programs are a win-win for both employer and employee. No cost/low cost healthier lifestyle options Increase the number of steps you take during the day. Park further away from the entrance Walk to a colleague's office or desk instead of making a phone call or sending email Take the stairs instead of the elevator Consume a healthier diet Eat smaller meals Hydrate yourself with water throughout the day and before meals Eat healthier snacks such as raw fruit, vegetables and nuts Reduce your sugar intake Eat only lean meats Exercise Try to include at least three days of aerobic exercise a week Stretch after long periods of sitting Page 6 Fall 2005 Save money on your commute In the wake of recent hurricanes Katrina and Rita, gasoline prices continued to rise, putting a strain on most state employee's household budgets. In September, to help ease increasing commute cost, Governor Sonny Perdue issued an executive order for State agencies and departments to eliminate all nonessential travel where appropriate, and maximize their use of the alternative work week and other Work Away options such as telework and the compressed work week. Governor Perdue's order received resounding support from many state employees wondering how to stretch their budgets. The benefit of Georgia's commute options varies, but all options offer state employees ways to save money. 1. Public Transit This is an excellent time to give public transit a chance. MARTA, Cobb Community Transit (CCT), Gwinnett County Transit (GCT),and Xpress (see below) all provide clean, convenient service for commuters. For questions regarding CCT, contact their Customer Service Center, 770-427-4444 or check their web-site, www.cobbdot.org/cct.htm. For GCT questions, contact their Customer Service Center, 770-822-5010 or check their web-site, www.gctransit.com. MARTA schedules and maps are available at www.itsmarta.com, or by calling MARTA's Customer Service Center, 404848-4800. Currently, state employees can purchase discounted MARTA passes through GRTA for $48.30. In January this rate will go up to $49.80. 3. Xpress -Commuting Made Easy! Xpress is metropolitan Atlanta's newest public transportation service. Operated as a partnership between the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) and 11 counties in the region, Xpress provides a relaxing, easy-to-use connection between home and work for the region's commuters. Clean, comfortable and convenient, Xpress began operation in June 2004 with routes to downtown Atlanta from Hampton, Jonesboro and Conyers. Additional routes have been added from Douglasville, Newnan, Hiram Powder Springs and McDonough to downtown Atlanta and from Cumming to the North Springs MARTA station. More routes will be added over the next several years, taking into account the availability of park-and-ride lots, transit connections and customer interest. Current plans envision a network of 27 Xpress routes serving the region by the end of the decade. Xpress 31-day ($80), 20-day-ride ($45), and 40 day-ride ($85), fare cards may be purchased through their website, www.xpressga.com, at selected Park-andRide locations, at the MARTA Five Points, Sandy Springs and North Springs stations, and at the GRTA offices. One way ($3) and round-trip ($5) fares may be "My wife says I am not as grumpy when I ride the Xpress bus compared to driving in rush-hour traffic. And, what I'm saving on fuel and wear and tear on my truck, I can almost buy a new bass boat." Donnie Griffin of Douglasville. purchased, using exact change please, on the coaches. Xpress service is provided Monday through Friday beginning at approximately 5:30 a.m. and ending at approximately 9:30 p.m. Check individual routes at www.expressga.com or call 404-463-4782 for more information. 2. Vanpool Sharing the ride to work is one of the easiest ways to cut your expenses and conserve fuel. GRTA currently has over 55 vanpools operating throughout the Metro Atlanta region including some outlying areas such as Rome and Newnan. All that's needed to start a vanpool is six paying passengers and a driver. The driver rides for free. It's easy. GRTA provides the vehicle, insurance and maintenance to keep your van running in tip-top shape and will help to get you going. Additionally, GRTA works closely with the Clean Air Campaign, and the eight regional Transportation Management Associations (TMAS) to help provide other cost-saving commute alternatives. "The round trip commute from my house to the parking lot across the street from my job is 78 miles," said Kendell Turner, Budget Analyst II, Dept. of Corrections/Budget Services. "I started vanpooling in October of 2002 as a passenger. "I am now the main vanpool driver. I have more responsibility but I take pride in knowing that I am contributing to reducing smog and traffic in Metro Atlanta and there are 13 less cars on Interstate 85 in the mornings and evenings because a group of state employees ride in together from Gwinnett County. I would encourage anyone else to try it." If you, or someone you know, are interested in riding or starting a new vanpool, call Donald Evans at 404-4632433 or Nadara Wade at 404-463-3053 for availability, cost and other information. Metro Vanpool and Douglas County Rideshare are two additional vanpool service providers in the region. Metro Vanpool can be reached at 800.826.7433, and Douglas County Ride share is at 770.949.7665. Metro Vanpool operates vanpools throughout the metro Atlanta region, while Douglas County serves Douglas County commuters who commute throughout the region. Vanpooling avoids the hassle of parking and downtown driving and reduces wear and tear on your vehicle, saving you from rising gas prices, as well as costly maintenance. You might also want to phone 1-87RIDEFIND or visit their website at www.187ridefind.com. This regional ridematching service maintains a database of individuals who work or live in the region and have expressed an interest in carpooling or vanpooling to work. The database uses commuters' home addresses, work addresses and work hours to find other commuters who live and work near them and have similar schedules. Contact information is then provided for individuals to follow up and find a commute partner. This is a completely free service. 4. Travel By Two Wheels Instead Of Four Shaun Green, a Transportation Engineer with GRTA, bikes to work almost daily and appreciates the many benefits of riding his bike. "I've been a bike-commuter in Atlanta since 1995," said Green. "My wife and I bought our house in Home Park with a conscious decision to locate within no more than three miles of downtown Atlanta, thereby making significant commuting choices available to us. "Bike-commuting forces exercise into my commute, something I might not otherwise allow time for. It gets me to weekly meetings in downtown or midtown a lot quicker than walking, transit (consider the time spent waiting for the bus/train) or driving. "The choice to bike-commute allows my wife, kids and I to have the expense of just one car. It eliminates monthly commuting expenses such as parking or transit passes, wear & tear, etc. " If you can't or don't want to bike all the way to work, combine your bike commute with transit. Bikes are allowed on MARTA, CCT, C-Tran and Gwinnett County Transit at any time of day. The Xpress system will accommodate bikes beginning next month. Riders should call ahead for more information. Bicycling commuters are eligible for the Fall 2005 Page 7 Commute continued from previous page Guaranteed Ride Home program when their employer is enrolled. GRH provides up to five (5) free taxi rides home within any 12-month period in the event of an emergency or unexpected overtime. The program is free to employers too. There are many resources available to help you get started safely with bike commuting: Area bike maps are available from the Atlanta Regional Commission or from TMAs in the Perimeter business district and Emory University/Clifton Corridor area. Take to the road safely by reading our bike brochure, with information about cycling rules, lane positioning, benefits of cycling and safety tips. It includes tips for transitioning from driving to cycling for commuting or day-to-day errands. Effective Cycling courses are offered by the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign and through many local TMAs. These classes teach safe methods of riding on the road and in traffic, giving you the confidence to ride in any traffic conditions anywhere. In many cases, the class cost can be subsidized by a TMA. Reprinted with permission: Clean Air Campaign 5. Other Tips a. Find 2-3 other co-workers to carpool. A carpool is a smaller group than a vanpool but still allow participants to save money on their commute. b. If you must drive avoid idling. If you are going to be stopped for 10 seconds or more, except in traffic, turn your car engine off. c. Try driving less, especially during peak traffic periods or on hot sunny days, by combining errands into one journey rather than making separate trips. d. Also, be sure to properly maintain your vehicle which will reduce your gasoline costs and reduce smog emissions. e. Drive at the posted speed limit. ? Did You Know? Increasing your highway cruising speed from 62 mph to 75 mph increases fuel consumption by about 20%. Tips for the Teleworker Managers: Discuss the Telework Agreement with your employee before signing. Agree on expectations for your teleworker-- anticipated results, work products, etc. Trust that your employees will perform their duties on telework days. Agree on communication with the office. Discuss office protocol for emergencies. Discuss appropriate telephone etiquette with all staff. Discuss with teleworker his/her success-- results achieved, work products completed, etc. Agree on the expectations for future teleworking. Employees Teleworking works best for those who want to telework telework days are work days. Attend and participate in training. Read the Telework Agreement carefully before signing. Plan your telework day. Make sure that you have the materials and support at home. Take stretch breaks and include lunch in your workday. Discuss your completed telework day with your supervisor. .Look forward to your next telework day. To learn more about the Work Away program, contact your agency Work Away coordinator or Dorothy Gordon, state telework coordinator, at www.gms.state.ga.us or 404-656-2705. In Honor and Memory of J. Ray Crawford April 11, 1943 - November 23, 2005 Mr. J. Ray Crawford served the state of Georgia in many capacities, including executive director of the State Properties Commission and the Georgia Building Authority. Crawford was also appointed the state's first property officer in December 2004 by Governor Sonny Perdue. His public service with the state of Georgia spanned more than 32 years. Financial Management graduation The 13th annual graduation ceremony for the State Financial Management Primary Accounting Series was held at the Capitol Education Center in Atlanta on August 18th. One hundred six graduates completed the Primary Accounting Series during fiscal year 2005. Graduates total 1,538 since the first graduation of the Primary Accounting Series held in 1993. The graduates and guests attending were addressed by Tommy Hills, Chief Financial Officer; Russell Hinton, State Auditor; Gary McElroy, Pardons and Paroles, Chairman of the State Financial Management Training Committee; Shelley Nickel, Director of Office of Planning and Budget; and Jim Stephens, Executive Director of the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Certificates were presented by Myra Byrd and Patti Lee of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. The ceremony was followed up by a reception was held in the Carl E. Sanders Fireplace Room to honor the graduates and their guests. The Primary Accounting Series consists of four classes; two introductory and two intermediate governmental accounting courses. Individuals who attend and successfully complete all four classes receive a certificate and are honored in the graduation ceremony. For further information or for courses offered through the State Financial Management Certificate Program, please visit www.vinsoninstitute.org. TECHNOLOGY TIPS State Employee Security Alert Recently, Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) discovered that in 2002, a GTA computer programmer accessed and downloaded some State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) members and their dependent's information, along with extracts of driver's license files. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is investigating the incident. The employee downloaded the confidential information of about 465,000 people to his home computers, which were seized by the GBI in April 2005 after the employee was logged on to a computer system that he did not have authorization to access. SHBP confidential information includes member names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, gender, and the names and Social Security numbers of covered dependents. The driver's license files contained names, dates of birth and driver's license numbers. None of the driver's files contained financial information. SHBP provides health care coverage to state employees, teachers and retirees. Every member whose files were involved was notified by a personal letter in November 2005. Employees receiving a notification letter should monitor their personal accounts and credit reports for suspicious activity. Several recommendations to assist employees are located on the back of the incident notification. Currently, no identity thefts have been reported to GTA, SHBP, or the GBI and GTA knows of no instances of information from either database being used or shared in any way. To obtain your free credit report by mail, call each agency directly or visit v Equifax (800-685-1111) v Experian (888-397-3742) v TransUnion (800-916-8800) Have you ever sat waiting in an airport or in a park and noticed someone connected to the Internet without a wire or cable? Well pretty soon, if you haven't already, you're bound to hear about Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is short for wireless fidelity. It was developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) to be used generically when referring of any type of over-the-air access to the Internet. Wi-Fi allows you to connect to the Internet from virtually anywhere, within the range of a base station (hot spots), at speeds faster than DSL or cable. To submit a Technology Tip for publication, please email to chenderson@gms.state.ga.us. Please include the name of the agency where you are employed. Page 8 Fall 2005 Congratulations to these dedicated state retirees Submitted by Employees' Retirement System June 2005 Name Years of Service Department Adams, Donna W Adams, Peggy J Alligood, Loretta M Ames, Linda F Andrews, Annette Chason Anthony, Phyllis C Baker, Elizabeth M Ballard, Archie L Banister, Nadean N Barton, Ansley B Bassett, Lenward Bennett, Carroll M Bishop, George R Bloom, Linda B Bordeaux, Alexandra L Bostic, Angela K Branch, Gloretta B Briggs, Lynda H Brooks, Shelba G Brookshire, Barbara G Buhler, Arnold L Bullard, Johnny E Bush, Rosemary S Callaway, Penny C Carr, Avanell Carr, Timothy S Carter, Derita B Cash III, Calvin Castleberry, Beth T Chapman, Lynn S Chiles, Samuel W Chisholm, Annie Ruth Chisolm, Bobby J Clayton, Patsy S Clegg, Thomas Scott Cole, Judith A Collier, Katherine P Collins, Carolyn Cook, Elaine G Cooper, Annie L Copeland, Sandra S Coughlin, Lynne F Coursey, Susan R Cox, Jean G Daniel, William L Danner III, Hampton E Davis, Preston Sterling Davis, Jerry C Dean, James Roswell Delahanty, Janet E Douglas, Vernell W Doyle Jr, Richard M Durden, William W Durden, Inez Dye, Harriet R Elliott, Wayne Eugene English, Preston L Evans, Bertha Ruth Fennell, Josie B Fleming, Michael M Fleming, Benjamin Terry Fleming, Connie M Forest, Joyce L Foster, Gloria Jean 34 yrs 00 mths 20 yrs 03 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 24 yrs 04 mths 30 yrs 00 mths 10 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 02 mths 30 yrs 08 mths 30 yrs 01 mths 27 yrs 06 mths 20 yrs 08 mths 35 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 00 mths 20 yrs 01 mths 15 yrs 09 mths 10 yrs 05 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 32 yrs 04 mths 19 yrs 07 mths 22 yrs 09 mths 22 yrs 06 mths 25 yrs 01 mths 30 yrs 10 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 01 mths 28 yrs 06 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 19 yrs 09 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 25 yrs 03 mths 12 yrs 03 mths 30 yrs 01 mths 18 yrs 03 mths 30 yrs 10 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 22 yrs 08 mths 25 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 18 yrs 06 mths 17 yrs 07 mths 26 yrs 06 mths 10 yrs 08 mths 30 yrs 00 mths 10 yrs 02 mths 21 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 01 mths 31 yrs 00 mths 16 yrs 02 mths 31 yrs 01 mths 13 yrs 04 mths 27 yrs 01 mths 22 yrs 04 mths 31 yrs 04 mths 34 yrs 03 mths 11 yrs 10 mths 11 yrs 07 mths 22 yrs 11 mths 17 yrs 01 mths DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Agriculture DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Labor Georgia Forestry Commission DHR - DFACS Kennesaw State University Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Agriculture Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety CSB-Coastal CSB-Gwinnett/Rockdale/Newton DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Labor Office of Planning and Budget DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources West Central Technical College Superior Courts of Georgia CSB-GA Mountains Georgia Technology Authority Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources CSB-DeKalb County Ga.Dept of Community Health DHR - DFACS DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Agriculture Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga.Dept of Community Health Ga. Dept. of Transportation CSB-Coastal CSB-Middle Georgia Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources State Board Pardons & Paroles Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Bureau of Investigation Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga.Dept of Community Health Frady, Sallye G 30 yrs 03 mths Galloway, Nelda Maxine 34 yrs 02 mths Gamble, Nancy Jo 32 yrs 02 mths Gaynor, Joanne C 30 yrs 00 mths Godwin, Anita Schafer 30 yrs 02 mths Gordon, Susie W 34 yrs 01 mths Gosnell, Ronald Lee 25 yrs 00 mths Griffin, Clara P 34 yrs 00 mths Haklin, Josephine 10 yrs 00 mths Hansen, Linda W 32 yrs 07 mths Harrell, Robert J 30 yrs 06 mths Harrell, Diane Z 17 yrs 04 mths Harris, Clinton Fitzgerald 14 yrs 00 mths Harvey, Jan M 32 yrs 05 mths Hayes, Dorothy Marie 33 yrs 00 mths Hearn, Cathy C 30 yrs 05 mths Heaton Sr, Roy K 16 yrs 10 mths Hellwig, David C 34 yrs 00 mths Hill, Gary W 36 yrs 05 mths Hill, Connie D 21 yrs 09 mths Hill, Roy Lee 17 yrs 10 mths Hooks Jr., Winfred L 34 yrs 05 mths Howard, Arnold Dewayne 34 yrs 01 mths Huckans, Robert B 14 yrs 02 mths Hutto, Terry Edward 16 yrs 09 mths Hyatt, Phyllis W 10 yrs 00 mths Irion, John G 34 yrs 00 mths Jenkins, Lizzie L 30 yrs 11 mths Johnson, Ronald K 29 yrs 10 mths Johnson, Ethel A 24 yrs 04 mths Jones, Charles B 34 yrs 00 mths Jones, Virginia G 20 yrs 03 mths Jones, Janice 19 yrs 02 mths Jones, Andrew Thomas 13 yrs 06 mths Jones Jr, Kenneth W 30 yrs 06 mths Jordan, Arthur Joseph 18 yrs 10 mths Jorge, Linda F 25 yrs 00 mths Josey, Tommy B 34 yrs 00 mths Kammermeyer, Kent Edward 34 yrs 01 mths Kennedy, Dorothy E 34 yrs 00 mths Kilpatrick, Sharon B 34 yrs 01 mths King, Barbara R 34 yrs 09 mths Knox, Sandra A 16 yrs 08 mths Lane, Mae Frances 32 yrs 04 mths Laster Jr, Robert L 20 yrs 03 mths Lebovic, Steven Charles 16 yrs 01 mths Lewis, Jerry V 27 yrs 06 mths Liggins, Eddie F 34 yrs 01 mths Lloyd, Terry J 34 yrs 00 mths Lodge, Diane Ashley 27 yrs 10 mths Lonkani, Jairam 10 yrs 11 mths Lucas, Shirley B 36 yrs 01 mths Mapp, Calvin 34 yrs 00 mths Martin, Robert E 34 yrs 00 mths May Jr, Allen S 20 yrs 08 mths Mayweather, Brenda S 30 yrs 02 mths McElroy, Darrell L 34 yrs 00 mths Metzinger, Norman A 17 yrs 06 mths Miller, Lisa P 25 yrs 00 mths Miller, Selena G 13 yrs 08 mths Miller, Oliver L 10 yrs 00 mths Moore, Gloria D 34 yrs 00 mths Moore, Verna L 27 yrs 01 mths Moore, Lillie Belle 21 yrs 04 mths Morris, Myrna Joyce 20 yrs 11 mths Morrison, Linda A 34 yrs 00 mths Mosgovoy Jr, Nicholas M 34 yrs 00 mths Moss, Larry D 34 yrs 01 mths CSB-GA Mountains Ga. Dept. of Corrections CSB-DeKalb County DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Agriculture Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources GA Federal-State Inspection Se Ga. Correctional Industries DHR - Public Health DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety DHR - Public Health Georgia Forestry Commission DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Superior Courts of Georgia Department of Revenue Georgia Technology Authority Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Supreme Court DHR - DFACS Ga.Dept of Community Health Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Education Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga. Student Finance Commission DHR - DFACS Georgia Forestry Commission Ga. Dept. of Transportation CSB-GA Highlands DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Corrections Fall 2005 Page 9 Congratulations to these dedicated state retirees Submitted by Employees' Retirement System Moye, Jena G Mulling, David T Mullis, William E Nail, John Herty Nation, Harvey E Nation, Anita L Nunn, Wesley Edward Oakley, Karol L O'Hern, Betty M Owens, Michelle F Parham, Charlie A Perry, David M Pontes, Regina G Pratt, Robert D Prozonic, Linda A Pruett, Mildred C Reeves, Linda W Rice, Elizabeth Jean Richards, Robert D Rivera, Adalberto C Rogers, Julian T Roney, Harry R Rountree, Estella Rowland, Gregory C Royall, Jane Ruddell, W Ralph Ruzycki, Frank C Sanders, Marcus J Sculley, Hilda T Sellars, Annette A Shahlaee, Abdolkarim Shavers, Alice Thompson Sheffield, Mary Sue Shell, Jane Elizabeth Simmons, Lillie M Simpkins, James T Smith, Robert W Smith, Barbara B Smith Jr, Leonard Sorrells, Timothy A Stell III, Louis Scott Stokes, Latimer Stovall, Jane Gae Taluyo, Lutgarda Tatum, Evelyn R Thomas, Evelyn M Thomas, Linda B Thomas, Mary Preal Todd, Luther H Tolbert, Thea A Tompkins, Helen D Turner, Shirley C Tyson, Tommy J Upchurch, Linda A Vaughan, Earl McDuffie Vincent, Dale Michelle Wade, Trudy T Walker, Michael A Ware, Alice B Welborn, Glenda P Whitener, Janice Wilkerson, Roy Williams, James L Williams, Lancelot O Williams, Arthur James Wilson, Willie Winn, William M Womble, Gayle S 29 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 21 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 18 yrs 05 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 27 yrs 01 mths 22 yrs 02 mths 15 yrs 08 mths 30 yrs 01 mths 39 yrs 00 mths 18 yrs 09 mths 23 yrs 06 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 05 mths 23 yrs 03 mths 26 yrs 06 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 10 yrs 08 mths 22 yrs 01 mths 16 yrs 08 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 28 yrs 01 mths 10 yrs 04 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 01 mths 28 yrs 06 mths 10 yrs 07 mths 33 yrs 11 mths 14 yrs 11 mths 12 yrs 00 mths 10 yrs 10 mths 18 yrs 07 mths 32 yrs 01 mths 18 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 04 mths 28 yrs 04 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 25 yrs 00 mths 32 yrs 03 mths 28 yrs 06 mths 25 yrs 07 mths 30 yrs 05 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 27 yrs 05 mths 24 yrs 07 mths 17 yrs 01 mths 12 yrs 03 mths 25 yrs 06 mths 30 yrs 05 mths 14 yrs 04 mths 29 yrs 07 mths 17 yrs 10 mths 10 yrs 00 mths 17 yrs 10 mths 19 yrs 05 mths 15 yrs 09 mths 34 yrs 09 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 03 mths 30 yrs 10 mths 30 yrs 11 mths 30 yrs 09 mths 27 yrs 11 mths 30 yrs 04 mths 34 yrs 03 mths 27 yrs 08 mths DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Bureau of Investigation Ga. Dept. of Transportation DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources CSB-GA Mountains Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Labor DHR - DFACS DHR - Public Health Ga.Dept of Community Health Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Veterans Service Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga. Dept. of Education Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections DHR - Public Health Soil & Water Commission Ga. Dept. of Transportation DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources General Assembly of Georgia Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Dept of Administrative Service CSB-Coastal CSB-New Horizons DHR - BOCOP Department of Revenue Ga. Dept. of Agriculture Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Transportation Georgia Technology Authority Ga. Dept. of Veterans Service Georgia Technology Authority Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources DHR - Public Health Woolfork, Marvin E Wray, James B Wright, Jesse A Yelverton, Meriam J Young, Robert M Zambie, Joseph Edward 27 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 02 mths 13 yrs 03 mths 20 yrs 11 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 12 yrs 01 mths Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - Public Health Georgia Forestry Commission Ga. Dept. of Human Resources July 2005 Name Years of Service Department Aiken, Jon S 34 yrs 01 mths Arrington, Martha J 34 yrs 05 mths Arrington, Joseph 18 yrs 02 mths Astin, Timothy W 34 yrs 00 mths Austin, Alberta 28 yrs 06 mths Auten, Betty L 30 yrs 03 mths Aycock, Cindy J 27 yrs 03 mths Baeszler, Suzanne S 11 yrs 03 mths Baggett, Johnny Oscar 12 yrs 04 mths Bailey, Annie S 10 yrs 01 mths Baker, Essie M 17 yrs 10 mths Barber, James Clifford 23 yrs 02 mths Barner, Esther Mae 22 yrs 04 mths Barnes, Regina S 23 yrs 11 mths Battiste, Shirley A 31 yrs 00 mths Beard, Stephen B 13 yrs 11 mths Bell, Deborah R 34 yrs 00 mths Bell, Judy O 19 yrs 10 mths Biddy, Julia D 18 yrs 03 mths Black, Patricia Elizabeth 11 yrs 10 mths Blake, Paul Ayres 10 yrs 00 mths Borders, Shirley P 16 yrs 04 mths Brewton, Charlene Carter 16 yrs 00 mths Brogdon, Connie E 33 yrs 01 mths Brooks, Michael D 20 yrs 11 mths Brookshaw, Carol Ann 34 yrs 00 mths Brown, Janice C 32 yrs 00 mths Brown, Lucille T 31 yrs 01 mths Brown, Johnny M 21 yrs 04 mths Bryant, Elizabeth Ann 10 yrs 04 mths Bullard, Judy E 35 yrs 09 mths Burnett, Nelson Eugene 30 yrs 08 mths Burns III, John C 27 yrs 01 mths Byeson, Luther 20 yrs 01 mths Cabral, Bruce Dennis 16 yrs 11 mths Candalino, James John 16 yrs 04 mths Chambers, Wanda H 34 yrs 00 mths Chisholm, Terry Jean 31 yrs 04 mths Clark, Sylvia S 30 yrs 01 mths Clark, Almeta 12 yrs 11 mths Cockrum, Evanell 10 yrs 01 mths Collins, Janice Purcell 10 yrs 00 mths Comer, Christine L 26 yrs 00 mths Connell, Robert E 34 yrs 00 mths Cook, John M 34 yrs 01 mths Copeland, Margaret Louise 34 yrs 03 mths Corbett, Wilton Ray 34 yrs 00 mths Cothron, Karen Bland 14 yrs 11 mths Cowart, William John 16 yrs 06 mths Crawford, Paul D 30 yrs 01 mths Crumbley, Arthur L 14 yrs 01 mths Cuendet III, Louis A 34 yrs 00 mths Curry, Helen V 26 yrs 02 mths Czito, June Mathis 19 yrs 11 mths D'allen, Anthony H Frederick 10 yrs 05 mths Georgia Technology Authority South Ga Technical College Ga. Dept. of Labor Department of Revenue DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Labor DHR - DFACS DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Transportation Superior Courts of Georgia George L. Smith II - GWCCA Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Admin. Services Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Bureau of Investigation CSB - Oconee Ga. Dept. of Human Resources CSB-Georgia Pines Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Corrections CSB-Georgia Pines Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources CSB-Gwinnett/Rockdale/Newton Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Southwest Georgia Tech College CSB-Albany Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Dept. of Technical & Adult Ed. Ga. Bureau of Investigation Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Agriculture Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Bureau of Investigation Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Agriculture Page 10 Fall 2005 Congratulations to these dedicated state retirees Submitted by Employees' Retirement System Davis, Catherine H Day, Juliette W Dean, Willie Diggs, Julia Dobbins, Ronnie Freeman Dupree, William J Ellington, Linda Elliott, Luther H Erwin, Sharon J Eunice, Alice Joyce Evans, Randall Paul Everett, Johnette S Farmer, John F Ferrell, Yvonne E Finney, Sheila F Fletcher, Eunice Fletcher, Norman S Forrest, Rosa C Fountain, Carol Fowler, Michael S Fowler, Phillip Wayne Frank Sr, Kevin Gapuzan, Ofelia B Gates, Bobbie A Gay, Melton Ronald Gilbertson, Brenda O Glisson, Michael Larry Graham, Melba H Grahl Jr, Daniel K Green, Alice W Griffin Jr, James C Grovner, Ire G Guion, Thomas Edgar Gurvin Jr, Joseph Hall, Charlie M Hanson, Zelda Rae Hardy, Ann E Harper, Linda Garner Harris, Linda E Harvey, Jimmy Rex Henwood, William S Hewitt, Ronald J Hiatt, Florence Ellen Holcomb, Billie Janet Holt, Jean R Hopkins, Amelia P Hornsby, Jefferson C Howard, Judy J Howard, Julia Melin Howsare, John Terry Hunter, Frances Marie Hyde, Patricia G Jackson, James M Jagers, Terry James, Annie Jarrell, Curtis W Jarrell, Glenda E Johnson, Edgar C Johnson, Fred J Johnson, Evelyn R Johnston, Cynthia K Jones, Brenda W Jones, Janice M Jones, Robert Glenn Jones, James E Joyner, Peggy F Keener, Kenneth L Keigans, Annie M 16 yrs 00 mths 12 yrs 04 mths 34 yrs 02 mths 19 yrs 11 mths 22 yrs 10 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 14 yrs 06 mths 10 yrs 04 mths 10 yrs 05 mths 16 yrs 00 mths 22 yrs 09 mths 10 yrs 00 mths 13 yrs 06 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 25 yrs 06 mths 22 yrs 00 mths 15 yrs 06 mths 10 yrs 00 mths 14 yrs 03 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 14 yrs 03 mths 16 yrs 10 mths 16 yrs 09 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 12 yrs 00 mths 10 yrs 06 mths 27 yrs 06 mths 19 yrs 10 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 14 yrs 11 mths 30 yrs 09 mths 26 yrs 04 mths 11 yrs 08 mths 14 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 12 yrs 00 mths 36 yrs 00 mths 31 yrs 05 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 26 yrs 06 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 21 yrs 06 mths 16 yrs 06 mths 17 yrs 04 mths 18 yrs 04 mths 30 yrs 09 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 22 yrs 11 mths 21 yrs 08 mths 17 yrs 11 mths 35 yrs 10 mths 27 yrs 09 mths 34 yrs 06 mths 16 yrs 02 mths 32 yrs 01 mths 30 yrs 01 mths 25 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 18 yrs 04 mths 30 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 32 yrs 00 mths 16 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 18 yrs 05 mths Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Office of Comm. of Insurance Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Tax Officials Ga. Dept. of Transportation DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Supreme Court Ga. Dept. of Corrections Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga. Dept. of Human Resources State Board Pardons & Paroles Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Department of Revenue Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor CSB-Albany Ga. Bureau of Investigation Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources CSB-Albany Supreme Court Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety State Board of Workers' Comp Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Secretary of State Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Bibb Co. DFCS CSB-GA Mountains CSB-GA Mountains Ga. Dept. of Human Resources CSB-McIntosh Trail Ga. Dept. of Labor Georgia Technology Authority Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Kelley, Dwight M Kilgore Jr, James C Killingsworth, Emily S King, Rebecca T Lam, Dan Hong Leake, Martha J Lewis, Richard L Lindsey, Bruce Alan Lingo, Alfred L Lynn Jr, Lawrence E Malone, James R Manning, Anne F Martin, Larry Gene Maxwell, Sylvia B Maynard, Mary R McClelland, James Farrell McClure, Toni Bryson McCracken, William D McCraney, Opal M McDaniel, Susan E McGonigle, M. Luann Miller, Arletha J Miller, Lynda J Miller, Charlotte Miller, Wanda Jean Milner, Annie L Mitchell, Sharon B Momon, Judy A Mosley, Charles M Mummey, Daniel R Myers, Barbara C Nelson, Anthony Alvar Owens, Mary C Pace III, William E Parker, Jean S Pate, Linda D Payne, Hazel B Ploeg, Thomas A Pounds, James Ronnie Powell, Linda J Price, David G Prince, Samuel E Pulliam, Regeanol H Rabon, Lee F Jr Reed, Diane E Rice Jr, Walter D Richardson, Alice Jean Rivers, Barbara J Roberts, Claude J Scott, L G Scott, Marie P Shelton, Billy Joe Shirah, Jane P Silas, Victoria Simpson, James Ronald Singleton, Doris M Sivell, Debra D Smith, Bertha W Smith, Vickie Speed, Billy Spell Jr, Joseph Lloyd Steiner, Carol C Bogan Stevens, Stuart A Stewart, Dozell Sutton, Samuel W Sword, Danny Eugene Thames, Sherrie W Theisen, Gary G 31 yrs 10 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 23 yrs 08 mths 11 yrs 05 mths 21 yrs 05 mths 27 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 10 yrs 06 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 36 yrs 04 mths 18 yrs 09 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 25 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 10 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 12 yrs 09 mths 27 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 32 yrs 10 mths 32 yrs 03 mths 23 yrs 07 mths 19 yrs 07 mths 33 yrs 05 mths 31 yrs 04 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 21 yrs 03 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 32 yrs 04 mths 17 yrs 06 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 27 yrs 01 mths 12 yrs 00 mths 26 yrs 02 mths 32 yrs 01 mths 15 yrs 05 mths 12 yrs 00 mths 26 yrs 00 mths 36 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 26 yrs 05 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 16 yrs 06 mths 18 yrs 02 mths 10 yrs 00 mths 26 yrs 05 mths 11 yrs 03 mths 18 yrs 05 mths 21 yrs 09 mths 32 yrs 02 mths 12 yrs 00 mths 17 yrs 06 mths 30 yrs 01 mths 18 yrs 10 mths 18 yrs 09 mths 10 yrs 00 mths 29 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 26 yrs 07 mths 24 yrs 07 mths 21 yrs 04 mths 14 yrs 06 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation General Assembly of Georgia CSB-Ogeechee DHR - Public Health Department of Revenue DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources CSB-South Georgia Dept. of Juvenile Justice DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. World Congress Center DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Agriculture Dept. of Juvenile Justice DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Regents Central Office Ga. Dept. of Corrections State Board Pardons & Paroles Ga. Dept. of Agriculture Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor DHR - Public Health North Ga Technical College Georgia Forestry Commission CSB-GA Highlands Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Labor State Board of Workers' Comp CSB-Coastal DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Transportation GA State Fin. & Invest. Comm. Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections DHR - DFACS Ga. Bureau of Investigation Fall 2005 Page 11 Congratulations to these dedicated state retirees Submitted by Employees' Retirement System Thomas, Charlotte Z Tiernan, John P Tomme Sr, John Michael Trammell, Earline Lafaye Turner, Gloria I Turner, Elinor S Turner-Horton, Jeanne M Tyler Sr, Thomas P Vickery, Marcia M Walker, Beverly Aaron Watson, Winston A Weaver, Tony West, Helen Rebecca West, Donna P Whang, Mike Dae Whitaker, Imogene White, William Williams, Karen L Williams, Emma A Williams, Mary Laverne Williams Sr, Ulysses Willis, Linda Kay Wilson, Paulette Worley, Patricia M Worthen, Georgia T Wright, Sonja Yarbrough, Mary H 34 yrs 04 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 07 mths 22 yrs 01 mths 23 yrs 05 mths 18 yrs 00 mths 16 yrs 04 mths 14 yrs 10 mths 30 yrs 02 mths 24 yrs 02 mths 21 yrs 11 mths 18 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 03 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 10 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 02 mths 12 yrs 01 mths 32 yrs 00 mths 24 yrs 10 mths 10 yrs 00 mths 25 yrs 07 mths 16 yrs 06 mths 28 yrs 03 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 31 yrs 11 mths 31 yrs 01 mths 26 yrs 01 mths Ga. Dept. of Education Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Admin. Services Dept. of Juvenile Justice DHR - DFACS General Assembly of Georgia Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Georgia Technology Authority Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Education Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - Public Health Soil & Water Commission Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Fulton Co. DFCS DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources State Board Pardons & Paroles Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Dept. of Community Health Ga. Dept. of Labor Name Albritton, Wayne Allen, Carroll H Beacham, Beverly Q Bearden Jr, Archie D Blackford, Penny A Boddie, Brenda S Bonner, Bennie S Brown, Sybil S Brown, Yvonne Bryan, Paul C Butler, Martha Y Carroll, Kenneth Wayne Carter, Douglas Roy Caruthers, Linda Kay Chancey, Emily A Chandler, Dona E Clark, Danny W Cliette, Barbara Ford Cody, James Edward Coleman, Stephen D Conner, Lydia Anne Cook, Glenda Anne Cosby, Sandra B Cromartie, Hattie W Crosby, Rita D Crumbley, Robert D Daniels, Roberta Davis, Cynthia A Deloach, Francis Austin Doctor, Gloria D Downey, Barbara M Drinnon, James R Dupree, William L August 2005 Years of Service Department 34 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 16 yrs 05 mths 34 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 10 yrs 05 mths 35 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 29 yrs 07 mths 13 yrs 07 mths 20 yrs 09 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 10 yrs 06 mths 18 yrs 02 mths 18 yrs 09 mths 11 yrs 07 mths 10 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 03 mths 30 yrs 05 mths 25 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 05 mths 10 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 01 mths 30 yrs 01 mths 35 yrs 00 mths 25 yrs 09 mths Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Department of Revenue Ga. Dept. of Admin. Services Ga. Dept. of Human Resources CSB-DeKalb County Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Transportation DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources State Board Pardons & Paroles Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Corrections DHR - Public Health CSB-Albany DHR - Public Health DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Okefenokee Technical College Ga. Dept. of Labor Murray Co. PH Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation Dykes, Andy D Farr, Teresa L Farris-Hall, Lula Fong, Janet Lorraine Ford, Judy G Ford, Mary L Fountain, Joey B Fountain, Tommy Fowler, Karen P Frazer, Anderson Byrd Funderburk, Gail Parker Gibson, Sandra N Gilbert, Roosevelt Gonzalez-Vigo Jr, Tomas Goolsby, Robert M Gordon, Dixie M Greenway, Charles H Gresham, Mildred Groover, Tony O Hagen, Daniel L Hanks, Larry Dean Harrell, Glenn E Hickox Jr, Ralph Austin Higginbotham, John R Hill, Marcus Jerome Hill Jr, Joe Hilton, Mark P Hitson, Benjamin C Holloway, Betty L Hood, Richard L Horne, Gail E Horton, Hansel Robert Howell, Linda W Hylton, George A Irvin, Betty B Jackson, Gary L Jackson, Carl Parker Jackson, Arleen James, Judith U Jordan, Oscar H Jordan, Christine B Jordan, James Jackson Justice, Sammie L Karl, Antoinette King, Jim R King, Virginia Norman Kirkland, Shirley Dianne Lee, Cathy Marie Lewis Jr, Allen Lewis-Bradley, Sabrina C Linton, Barbara R Luke, Willie R Martin, Joan C Martin, Emily Louise Mason, Pamela P Mays, Patricia B McDonald, Valray H McKim, Robert L McMahan, Lucinda Ann Michael, Randolph Rose Miles, Mildred J Miller, Faye R Mims, Agnes M Moon, Jo Anne Morris, Jerry G Morrison, Denise G Moss, Thomas Lawrence Mullens, Mary M 25 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 22 yrs 06 mths 30 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 31 yrs 04 mths 25 yrs 01 mths 10 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 21 yrs 10 mths 31 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 21 yrs 04 mths 17 yrs 08 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 10 yrs 00 mths 10 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 19 yrs 11 mths 27 yrs 09 mths 15 yrs 02 mths 26 yrs 01 mths 14 yrs 10 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 25 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 12 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 29 yrs 05 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 02 mths 19 yrs 10 mths 30 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 32 yrs 09 mths 23 yrs 04 mths 46 yrs 04 mths 20 yrs 04 mths 18 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 18 yrs 09 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 25 yrs 05 mths 15 yrs 02 mths 30 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 23 yrs 11 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 28 yrs 08 mths 21 yrs 08 mths 31 yrs 02 mths 12 yrs 03 mths 22 yrs 10 mths 26 yrs 00 mths 16 yrs 00 mths 25 yrs 11 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 23 yrs 03 mths 30 yrs 11 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 32 yrs 03 mths 11 yrs 01 mths DHR - Public Health Ga. Bureau of Investigation Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Corrections Department of Revenue Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Defense Dept. of Juvenile Justice CSB-Pineland Area MH Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Agriculture Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Human Resources CSB - E. Central Georgia Ga. Dept. of Veterans Service Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Georgia Forestry Commission Gwinnett Technical College Ga. Dept. of Corrections DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Public Safety DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Human Resources State Board Pardons & Paroles Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga Dept of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Transportation DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Transportation CSB-GA Mountains CSB-Lookout Mountain Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections State Board Pardons & Paroles Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Page 12 Fall 2005 Congratulations to these dedicated state retirees Submitted by Employees' Retirement System Mullis, Raymond Frank 28 yrs 00 mths Mungin Jr, Joseph R 15 yrs 08 mths Norton, Donald M 11 yrs 08 mths Oliver, Gwendolyn B 34 yrs 00 mths Pinkston, Dianne 16 yrs 10 mths Polk, Larry M 28 yrs 04 mths Pounders, Charles S 34 yrs 00 mths Powell, Ellen M 19 yrs 06 mths Prinsen, Marianne R 25 yrs 08 mths Pruitt, L.C 24 yrs 00 mths Pullings, Willie J 32 yrs 05 mths Purvis, Charles W 34 yrs 05 mths Reed, Ralph Edward 34 yrs 08 mths Reeves, C. Ann 31 yrs 08 mths Rennels, Hal Everett 11 yrs 11 mths Rhodes, Dianne A 16 yrs 02 mths Rich, Glenn Edward 34 yrs 00 mths Richardson, Mildred M 10 yrs 01 mths Rickerson, Viola W 25 yrs 02 mths Roberson, Roosevelt 21 yrs 02 mths Roberts, Miles L 35 yrs 00 mths Roberts, Belfred A 16 yrs 04 mths Robinson, Georgia 34 yrs 04 mths Robinson, Alice H 25 yrs 00 mths Rogers, Carolyn S 27 yrs 09 mths Ross, Bertha 34 yrs 03 mths Saffold, Olivia W 19 yrs 00 mths Sanders, William Kent 32 yrs 04 mths Shah, Jane G 33 yrs 04 mths Shaw, Christine Ginn 31 yrs 10 mths Simpson, Alice V 34 yrs 00 mths Smith, Virginia S 20 yrs 07 mths Smith, Joseph Gregory 18 yrs 05 mths Snead, Eric L 26 yrs 06 mths Sowell, Mitchell W 30 yrs 06 mths Steinmeyer, Mary E 34 yrs 01 mths Stribling, Gail W 26 yrs 04 mths Strickland, Louis G Jr 34 yrs 00 mths Swamy, Vijaya L R 18 yrs 11 mths Swindell, Johnnie I 34 yrs 01 mths Taylor, Annie L 34 yrs 00 mths Taylor, Juanita 15 yrs 00 mths Thompson, Michael Alan 20 yrs 00 mths Townsend, Charlaine S 10 yrs 01 mths Turner, Georgia Ann 27 yrs 06 mths Walker, Helen A 34 yrs 02 mths Warren, Jennifer E 29 yrs 01 mths Waymon, Jean G 36 yrs 01 mths Weathers, Charles 34 yrs 00 mths Webb, Sandra Fletcher 30 yrs 01 mths Wells, Willie C 34 yrs 04 mths Wells Jr, Roscoe F 34 yrs 01 mths Wesbey, Barbara Ann 31 yrs 05 mths West, Bobbie Jean 11 yrs 00 mths Westbrooks, Evelyn Annette 24 yrs 00 mths Westfall, Hannelore Kampf 22 yrs 07 mths White, Marty J 34 yrs 01 mths Williams, Pansy B 14 yrs 10 mths Wright, Carla M 13 yrs 07 mths Young, Brenda Clarke 18 yrs 07 mths Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Office of Comm. of Insurance Ga. Dept. of Agriculture Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga Dept of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Corrections DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Corrections DHR - Public Health DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Transportation CSB-Middle Flint Ga. Correctional Industries Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Education DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources George L. Smith II - GWCCA Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Transportation CSB-Georgia Pines Ga. Dept. of Labor CSB - E. Central Georgia Name Adams, John Hilliard Allred, Barbara Jewell September 2005 Years of Service Department 10 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 01 mths Secretary of State Ga. Dept. of Education Anderson, Thomas A 21 yrs 11 mths Anderson, Joan S 19 yrs 02 mths Anderson, James Charles 14 yrs 09 mths Anderson, Roger H 13 yrs 06 mths Baggett, Donald Clark 15 yrs 09 mths Barfield, Berry R 34 yrs 00 mths Barnes, Larry Kenneth 21 yrs 01 mths Baron, Emily Scott 11 yrs 02 mths Bass, Shirley B 34 yrs 00 mths Beasley-Patterson, Charlesetta 34 yrs 01 mths Blaylock, Mary 25 yrs 10 mths Boole, Ralph Preston 13 yrs 02 mths Bowens, Mary F 11 yrs 00 mths Brewer, Ruth F 31 yrs 00 mths Christine Vernice 24 yrs 01 mths Brown, Gwennie U 26 yrs 03 mths Brown, Franky A. 20 yrs 05 mths Brown, Rosie Corine 10 yrs 06 mths Buffington, Robert H 19 yrs 08 mths Butts-Durden, Eula 29 yrs 02 mths Byrd, Cynthia C 34 yrs 00 mths Cannon, Geraldine 26 yrs 06 mths Carter, Beverly W 30 yrs 00 mths Cason, Terry 23 yrs 05 mths Chu, Linda C 34 yrs 00 mths Elizabeth Ann 30 yrs 02 mths Coley, Quinces B 34 yrs 00 mths Collins, Barbara Ann 15 yrs 11 mths Corley, Steven Lee 34 yrs 01 mths Couch, Peggy D 30 yrs 00 mths Curtis, Annette 33 yrs 03 mths Darrisaw, Willie R 34 yrs 01 mths Davis, Hattie C 34 yrs 03 mths Davis, Sherry D 13 yrs 07 mths Deal, Rebecca S 11 yrs 05 mths Dorsett, Ruth H. Reed 21 yrs 01 mths Douglas, Betty J 34 yrs 00 mths Duggan, John T 13 yrs 10 mths Duke, Steven E 23 yrs 00 mths Ealy, Joyce L 34 yrs 04 mths Eckles, Faith R 29 yrs 05 mths Ellen, Joyce E 15 yrs 05 mths Enous, Sundra S 27 yrs 06 mths Evans, Jacqueline Laverne 25 yrs 11 mths Finney, Gwendolyn Young 34 yrs 07 mths Flury, Marvin D 18 yrs 07 mths Goodrum, Ricky 26 yrs 07 mths Gordon, Elizabeth Ann 12 yrs 00 mths Grizzle, William H 34 yrs 06 mths Groth, John W 32 yrs 07 mths Grubbs, Emma 34 yrs 01 mths Hamby, Roy E 23 yrs 03 mths Harrell, Anne B 34 yrs 00 mths Haselden, Joe D 11 yrs 07 mths Henderson, Esther P 28 yrs 00 mths Holton, Lenard 21 yrs 10 mths Holton, Margaret Spivey 17 yrs 06 mths Horton, Beverly F 30 yrs 00 mths Houze, Linda B 10 yrs 11 mths Jeffers, Gary R 28 yrs 10 mths Johnson, Steven Dale 34 yrs 00 mths Jones, Delories N 28 yrs 11 mths Jones, Sylvester 12 yrs 05 mths Kimbrel, Danny 19 yrs 00 mths King, Patricia W 22 yrs 07 mths Kitchens, Sandra T 25 yrs 01 mths Kline, Mary K. Hall 27 yrs 03 mths Ladd, Debra Lynn 30 yrs 01 mths Ga. Dept. of Corrections Office of Planning and Budget Georgia Technology Authority Superior Courts of Georgia Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections CSB-Georgia Pines CSB-Ogeechee DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor Brock, Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Bureau of Investigation Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources CSB-GA Mountains Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Labor Church, DHR - DFACS DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Agriculture DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation Georgia Building Authority Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections CSB-New Horizons Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Education DHR - Public Health CSB-GA Highlands Department of Revenue Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Corrections CSB-Coastal Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Education DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Veterans Service DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Labor CSB-Clayton County Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources RiverEdge Behavioral Hlth Cntr Georgia Forestry Commission Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources CSB-New Horizons Ga. Dept. of Public Safety CSB-Satilla Ga Dept of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Defense Georgia Technology Authority Fall 2005 Page 13 Congratulations to these dedicated state retirees Submitted by Employees' Retirement System Lawrence, Shirley G 36 yrs 04 mths Lee Jr, Fred Jackson 12 yrs 05 mths Lewis, Ada B 34 yrs 01 mths Liggins, Leroy 18 yrs 04 mths Louis, Henry J 29 yrs 07 mths Lyday, Judy W 29 yrs 03 mths Mains, Jeanette L 34 yrs 00 mths Mallory, Eleanor M 20 yrs 00 mths Martin, Linda T 15 yrs 08 mths Mash, Willa M 28 yrs 08 mths Maynor, Willard 10 yrs 07 mths McHan, Margaret C 13 yrs 07 mths McLemore, William H 28 yrs 08 mths Meeks, Marvin H 24 yrs 02 mths Metcalf, Hubert 34 yrs 00 mths Metts, Carl 27 yrs 09 mths Miller Jr, John W 16 yrs 08 mths Mock, Carla M 30 yrs 08 mths Moore, Johnny E 34 yrs 00 mths Morris, Betty Lou 11 yrs 11 mths Mosley-Tuggle, Sandra D 27 yrs 01 mths Moultrie-Mathis, Beverley A 14 yrs 05 mths Mullinax, Diane 27 yrs 05 mths Murray, Randal 23 yrs 03 mths Mygrant, Robin L 19 yrs 03 mths Norman, Theresa B 34 yrs 00 mths Olszeski, Barbara S 12 yrs 02 mths Ortiz, Brenda Y 21 yrs 11 mths Palmer, Riley F 22 yrs 03 mths Parker, Deborah T 34 yrs 00 mths Parks, Saundra E 34 yrs 00 mths Phillips, Martha S 34 yrs 00 mths Phillips, Ronnie 14 yrs 00 mths Pilcher, Mary J 12 yrs 07 mths Powell, Cheryl L 34 yrs 00 mths Presley, William H 29 yrs 07 mths Pullins, Velma L 34 yrs 00 mths Purser, Clara C 34 yrs 00 mths Rankin, Carlton 34 yrs 04 mths Rashied, A John 11 yrs 08 mths Richardson, David O 15 yrs 09 mths Ricks, Larry T 34 yrs 00 mths Roberts, Deloris A 29 yrs 04 mths Rogers, Jesse 18 yrs 09 mths Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Georgia Forestry Commission DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation CSB-GA Mountains Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Department of Revenue Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Agriculture Office of School Readiness Admin. Office of the Courts Ga Dept of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Agriculture Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Department of Revenue Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga Aviation & Technical Colleg Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Labor DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Corrections Rush, Karen Glenn Ruzycki, Judith R Sands, Brenda Shierling, Paula B Shuren, Ardythe J Skillern, Sheila W Slaughter, Henry L Smith, Margaret K Smith, Jessie E Snelgrove, Larris Milton Spearman, Cornell P Spradlin, Thomas Michael Stamey, Donald E Stancil, Melody Ann Steptoe, Charlie M Stewart, Carolyn White Stone, Carrie H Stuart, Joseph Baird Tardy, Anita A Taylor, Ernest K3 Thomas, Christine B Thomas, Marion Thompson, John Paul Thorne, Judy Carol Trask, Patricia S Tucker, Juanita D Turner, Sharon M Turner, Karen R Tye, Frankie T Walker, Mary K Washington, Pam Haygood Weems, Remonia H Weilbaker, Alan V White, David White, Phillip W Whitney, Lee G Williams, Nellie C Williams, Carolyn J Williams, Arena L Winkles, Dennis L York, Lynne A York, Pattye Little Young, Steve D Zittrouer, Theresa J 31 yrs 05 mths 25 yrs 00 mths 17 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 13 yrs 05 mths 35 yrs 05 mths 26 yrs 04 mths 21 yrs 03 mths 10 yrs 09 mths 16 yrs 03 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 31 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 27 yrs 09 mths 12 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 06 mths 31 yrs 08 mths 20 yrs 04 mths 20 yrs 06 mths 4 yrs 00 mths 25 yrs 11 mths 16 yrs 05 mths 25 yrs 00 mths 17 yrs 11 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 31 yrs 11 mths 12 yrs 01 mths 14 yrs 01 mths 13 yrs 05 mths 29 yrs 02 mths 21 yrs 11 mths 34 yrs 02 mths 21 yrs 04 mths 37 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 28 yrs 04 mths 27 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 36 yrs 04 mths 23 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 27 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources CSB-South Georgia Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Education Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Office of Planning and Budget Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Corrections CSB-GA Mountains CSB-Lookout Mountain Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Corrections CSB-Gwinnett/Rockdale/Newton Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Office of School Readiness Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Phoenix Cntr Behavrl Hlth Svcs Department of Revenue Georgia Building Authority Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Corrections CSB-Albany Fulton Co. DFCS DHR - DFACS DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources DHR - DFACS VOCABULARY (from page 4) (answers) 1. comity \KAHM-uh-tee\, noun: a state or atmosphere of harmony or mutual civility and respect. 2. avarice \AV-uh-ris\, noun: an excessive desire of gain; greediness after wealth; covetousness; cupidity. 3. ameliorate \uh-MEEL-yuh-rayt\, verb: to make better; to improve 4. segue \SEG-way; SAYG-way\, verb: To proceed without interruption; to make a smooth transition. 5. expatiate \ik-SPAY-shee-ayt\, verb: To speak or write at some length; to be copious in argument or discussion; to enlarge. 6. gesticulate \juh-STIK-yuh-layt\, intransitive verb: To make gestures or motions, especially while speaking or instead of speaking. 7. celerity \suh-LEHR-uh-tee\, noun: Rapidity of motion; quickness; swiftness. 8. exculpate \EK-skuhl-payt; ik-SKUL-payt\, transitive verb: To clear from allege fault or guilt; to prove to be guiltless; to relieve of blame; to acquit. 9. arcane \ahr-KAYN\, adjective: Understood by only a few. 10. beneficence \buh-NEFF-i-suhns\, noun: Active goodness, kindness, or charity. Do you qualify for EIC? The First Lady's Children's Cabinet is leading a statewide effort to inform you of two tax credits that may affect your upcoming tax return. Whether you owe income tax or not, you could qualify for Earned Income Credit (EIC). EIC is a special tax benefit for people who work full- or part-time. If you qualify for EIC, you may owe less in taxes or get cash back on your return. Last year, First Lady Mary Perdue wrote a letter to state entities, encouraging full support and participation in promoting EIC to their customers. Perdue said she promoted the federal EIC to improve the lives of Georgia's children and families. Working parents can use the money to invest in a home or vehicle, purchase computers or other educational resources, or to help pay off bills. Last year, more than 21 million taxpayers collected more than $36 billion in EITC payments. For more information concerning the federal EIC, visit www.irs.gov/eitc or call 1-800-Tax1040. Page 14 Fall 2005 College Classes at Twin Towers TENTATIVE COURSES The Georgia Department of Corrections (DOC) is one step closer to offering academic core classes at the James H."Sloppy" Floyd Building (Twin Towers). Faculty at Georgia Perimeter College have agreed to provide academic core college classes at the Towers starting in January 2006 if DOC and other agencies have enough employees to participate. The classes would be held Tuesdays and Thursdays evenings beginning in January. If you are indeed interested in participating in classes, please call or email Fran Mohr (678-891-3016 or fmohr@gpc.edu) or call or email Julie Harnage (404-244-5857 or harnaj00@dcor.state.ga.us) as soon as possible. Great Information to Assist in Furthering Your Education or the Education of Your Children or Grandchildren! If you are looking into going back to school (either for yourself or a family member) and are in need of financial aid to offset the costs, go on-line to fill out the "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" (otherwise referred to as "FAFSA") at www.fafsa.ed.gov. This document is not only used by the Federal Government to determine financial aid, but also by many other institutions to determine if you can qualify for financial aid. You may also want to look at the following websites to gather more information (that may assist you in your educational endeavors and finding additional avenues for financial aid or assistance:) www.gsfc.org (HOPE Grant and Scholarship programs) www.finaid.org (Financial Assistance information) www.Gacollegesavings.com (Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan) www.sdvs.georgia.gov (Veteran's Services) www.gsu.edu/eoc (Educational Opportunities Center) www.gacollege411.org (Information to assist getting back into college) In addition to filling out your FAFSA, most colleges will require you to submit the following documents to be accepted for admission: 1) immunization form 2) high school transcripts 3) college transcripts 4) social security card Unfortunately, acquiring these required forms may take some time. It is a good idea to start collecting needed documents right away. English 1101 - This course focuses on skills required for effective writing in a variety of contexts, with emphasis on exposition, analysis, and argumentation, and also including introductory use of a variety of research skills. Credits: 3. English 1102 - This course develops writing skills beyond the levels of proficiency required by ENGL 1101, emphasizes interpretation and evaluation, and incorporates more advanced research methods. A research paper is required. Credits: 3. Math 1101 - This course uses graphical, numerical, symbolic, and verbal techniques to describe and explore real-world data and phenomena. Emphasis is on the use of elementary functions (linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic) to investigate and analyze applied problems and questions, supported by the use of appropriate technology, and on the effective communication of quantitative concepts and results. Functions introduced through applications are the main focus of the course. Credits: 3 Political Science - American Government Covering the essential facts of national government in the United States, with some attention given to state government, including the State of Georgia, this course satisfies state law, requiring examination on United States and Georgia Constitutions.. Credits: 3 American History - This course is a survey of the intellectual, social, cultural, political, economic and diplomatic history of the United States, 1492-1865, with an emphasis on the evolution of American institutions and values. Credits: 3. World History - This course focuses on the key political, intellectual, scientific, social, economic, and cultural changes that occurred in world civilization from 1500 to the present. Credits: 3. The following classes may be offered depending on the results of the placement ex am. Math 97 - Beginning Algebra - This course is designed to help students learn the basic algebra necessary for college-level mathematics. Topics include real-number concepts, selected geometry concepts, linear equations and inequalities in one variable, problem solving involving linear or factorable quadratic equations as models, operations on polynomials, factoring polynomials, integral exponents, and graphing linear equations in two variables. Additional topics include the study of rational expressions and the use of the scientific calculator. Credits: 4. Math 98 - Intermediate Algebra - This course is designed to prepare students for college-level mathematics. Topics include graphing lines and parabolas; function notation; integar and rational exponents; solving absolute value and quadratic equations and inequalities; solving radical equations; problem solving involving linear equations, quadratic equations, and systems of equations in two variables; and writing equations of lines. Additional topics include operations with radicals and complex numbers, geometric concepts, and calculator usage. Credits: 4. Math 99 - Pre-college Algebra - This course is designed to be a bridge between Learning Support mathematics and college-level mathematics. It is divided into two components. Component 1 is individualized, self-paced instruction on selected topics as determined by results from a diagnostic test covering topics from Math 0097 and MATH 0098. Component 2 introduces new topics including graphing calculator usage; concepts of functions and their graphs; equations and graphs of circles and parabolas; solving systems of equations in two variables; and rational, polynomial, and absolute value inequalities. Credits: 4. English 98 - Basic Composition - This course is an introductory study of the essay, emphasizing idea generation, paragraph development, and effective sentence construction. The course includes a one-hourper-week laboratory component for more individualized instruction. Credits: 4. English 99 - Pre-college Composition This is a course in the writing of essays, with particular attention given to expanding the paragraph into the essay, ordering ideas, and using transitional devices. Emphasis is given to grammar and usage within the composition. This course includes a one-hour-per-week laboratory component for more individualized instruction. Credits: 4. ? Did You Know? Effective January 2006, new ethics legislation prohibiting public officers (agency heads, Boards, etc.) from advocating, causing the hiring and/or advancement of any family member whose salary is $10k or greater. While most of the details already exist in the current executive order signed by Governor Perdue, policy regarding nepotism is stressed in the law. Agency heads have been instructed to insure that a "good" nepotism policy exists in each agency. Fall 2005 Page 15 GOVERNMENT SPOTLIGHT Department of Driver Services Have you noticed a difference in customer service and timeliness in getting your driver's license? Maybe its because of the recent change Georgia experienced when Governor Sonny Perdue created the new Department of Driver Services (DDS). Unlike any other in the nation, DDS was created after House Bill 501 dismantled the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety (DMVS). In its five months of existence, the agency has begun to establish itself as more customer friendly and efficient through its singular focus of driver services which, includes the administration and monitoring of the Alcohol and Drug Awareness program, DUI/Risk Reduction Programs, the motorcycle safety program, driver training schools and commercial driving schools, ignition interlock provider certification and the permitting of limousine chauffeurs. Families no longer have to wait 15 weeks for an appointment for drivers under 18. New hours and service centers that are now open on Mondays have added an additional 400 test per week, reducing the 15 week wait length across the board and impacting services everywhere. Timely service is important since the Department sees about 250 thousand people a month. The new customerfriendly focus has also made receiving services easier. Now, in more than 20 locations, customers have the option to pay with credit card or check for driver license services. Previously the department would only take cash payments. To serve Georgia better, DDS has maximized space in centers with the highest demand by expanding counters and adding workspace. In Locust Grove, DDS is collaboratively working with Georgia Tech on how to service customers, simplify the process, and increase the process flow without the current up and down scenarios. The center is piloting such processes as a renewal only line and earlier operation hours to help eliminate customer back log. DDS plans to take what works statewide after the pilot's completion. The Department continues to improve and develop their website to make it easier and more convenient for customers. Several licensing transactions are available online including driver's license renewal and address changes. Already since July 1st, over 200,000 DDS customers have accessed the web site for information and almost 80,000 have changed their address online. A practice test was recently added to the web site for first time applicants for Georgia driver permits and licenses. And soon, you may see new enhancements. Plans are underway for accessing vital information online, safely and securely, using a pin number the customer will create-similar to online banking. The State of Georgia has 6,936,026 registered drivers. In June 2005, Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Greg Dozier to lead DDS. Dozier received his master's degree in business administration and his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Georgia State University. Under his leadership, DDS immediately started tying performance and culture to the operation, customer service and homeland security. The Department began customer service training with the C.A.R.E. theme - (Communicate, Attitude, Respect and Empathy). DDS has 757 employees. Department of Driver Services adds practice test to web site In an effort to support first time applicants for Georgia driver permits and licenses, the Department of Driver Services (DDS) has added a Practice Test on the agency's website: www.dds.ga.gov . This practice knowledge test will help new drivers prepare for the road rules and road signs testing portion of the Georgia driver's licensing application process. "The mission of this new Agency is to provide excellent customer service. The addition of this web-based tool to help Georgians become safer drivers will serve the entire driving public well," said Greg Dozier, DDS Commissioner. All information to pass the test is contained in the current Georgia Driver's Manual which is also available on the agency's website. The test questions require comprehension and critical judgment -- rather than simply memorizing facts. It will give students an idea of twenty actual test questions that they may be presented at the customer service center and should serve as a useful guide as they prepare. A better prepared student will be a safer, courteous driver. In addition, a better prepared student will likely pass the exam on the first attempt eliminating the need for returning to the center for a retest. The Road Rules Test consists of a set of multiple choice questions about driver responsibility, knowledge of laws and safe driving practices. The practice test generates 15 random questions. To pass the actual test, the applicants must answer at least 15 out of 20 questions correctly. The Road Sign Test consists of a set of multiple choice questions on the meaning of standard highway signs. The practice test includes five questions. The applicants must meet 15 out of 20 correct answers to pass the actual test. The online test is scored after completion, and any incorrect answers are identified. The student must then determine the correct answer. The test is static, so students can not access the full exam. Questions at the center are randomly selected from a bank of 50 questions. DDS continues to revise and expand the website making it easier for customers to access vital information in an effective and efficient manner. A section at the bottom of each posted article allows customers to rate the information contained and also submit customer comments. The rating information is monitored, and the online content is edited and revised as warranted. Since July 1st, over 200,000 DDS customers, an average of 3,500 each day, have accessed the website for information. Several licensing transactions are available online including driver's license renewal and address changes. The department is committed to improving customer service by developing additional online transactions which will be offered in the future. Invest in a career, not just a job. Do you know someone who seeks a career that is both rewarding and exciting? Have your friends and family members consider the Department of Driver Services as their employer of choice and join our dedicated employees in serving Georgia's citizens in a polite, courteous, and expedient manner. We are currently recruiting for Driver Examiners. If interested, call (678) 413-8404 to find out how to apply. Page 16 Fall 2005 Enhance your skills to meet the demands of a changing workforce. Principle-Centered, Customer-Focused, and ResultsDriven leadership forms the foundation of the Georgia Leadership Institute. Our goal is to develop current and future generations of Georgia State Government leaders, who are positioned to meet the global challenges of today and tomorrow. Program Component 2006 CALENDAR Jan. Feb. Mar. Program Component Jan. Feb. Mar. New Georgia Forums (TBA) PCL FOR MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS 4 Roles of Leadership 17 15 4 Discipline of Execution 18 16 7 Habits of Highly Effective People 7-8 www.gms.state.ga.us/leadershipinstitute MIDDLE MANAGER DEVELOPMENT Series 1 (Decatur) Series 2 (Macon) Series 3 (Decatur) Series 4 (Tifton) 11-12 15-16 11-12 14-15 8-9 7-8 SUPERVISOR DEVELOPMENT Series 1 (Decatur) Series 2 (Macon) Series 3 (Decatur) Series 4 (Tifton) 18-19 22-23 18-19 15-16 15-16 8-9 PRE-SUPERVISORY DEVELOPMENT Series 1 (Decatur) Series 2 (Macon) Series 3 (Decatur) Series 4 (Tifton) 25-26 29-30 25-26 22-23 22-23 22-23 The Executive Leadership Program is an interactive and challenging learning environment designed for agency heads and their direct reports. Participants focus on personal leadership, creating high performing organizations, ethics and public values. Middle Manager Development Program provides valuable tools, practices, and techniques for enhancing organization effectiveness, conducting successful negotiations, managing organizational conflicts, handling ethical dilemmas, and leading organizational changes. The Supervisory Development Program supports current and/or newly promoted supervisors. Participants will focus on customer service, career development, communications, conflict resolution, and delegating strategies. The Pre-Supervisory Development Program targets individuals identified as potential supervisory candidates. This program provides an overview of supervisory concepts designed to prepare you for the transition into your new role. Theories and concepts covered can be readily translated into practice. The Principle-Centered Leadership Program is a core foundational piece that will guide you through a common approach to successfully executing Georgia's highest strategic priorities. There are two tracks available: Senior Management PCL and PCL for Managers and Supervisors. The New Georgia Forums provide opportunities for agency heads and senior officials to interact and learn best practices, leading edge thinking, and powerful new tools of leadership and organizational development. Recognized experts and public officials, who are renowned for their achievements, will lead these half-day and one-day sessions. For more information about the program, log onto www.gms.state.ga.us/leadershipinstitute THE 2005 GEORGIA CAPITOL ORNAMENT Commission for A New Georgia Update: Customer service rules in a new culture of 'faster, easier, friendlier' If good customer service seems to be the exception in most governments, Governor Perdue wants to make it the rule in Georgia. Achieving that will take a change in culture as well as the processes of state government, said Joe Doyle, the administrator of the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs, and chair of the CNG Task Force on Customer Service. Task Force findings agreed with the public's major complaints about poor service difficulty connecting with the right office or even a real person, long lines and wait times, inefficient processes, employees who are not too helpful. The State's first-ever study of its call handling showed that a machine answers about half of the 50 million calls that come into various agencies. Hold times range from a second to nearly an hour; in some agencies 6 out of 10 callers finally hang up. Over 2.5 million calls are misdirected or not answered. The following actions were recommended to reach a new standard of "faster, easier, friendly" service: 1. Create a culture and set expectations for how state entities serve customers. 2. Pilot process improvement and cultural development methods in several agencies. 3. Improve call handling services. Process improvement projects will start in pilot agencies that have high levels of public interaction and dissatisfaction. A Customer Service Summit to showcase bestpractices will be held on January 25 and 26 at the University of Georgia Terry College of Business' Executive Education Center in Atlanta. The Summit will highlight the Governor's vision for invited agencies and begin laying the foundation for improving customer service statewide.