The Georgia statement, Georgia. Merit System, Vol. 9, no. 1 (Winter 2006)

News, policies and trends for state government employees.
Statement

VOLUME 9, NO. 1 / WINTER 2006

Published quarterly by the Georgia Merit System

Customer Service in Georgia State Government: Faster, Friendlier, Easier

"Our goal is to provide tools and techniques and to facilitate sharing of ideas and progress."
Joe Doyle

Governor Sonny Perdue launched a campaign to put new emphasis on service to customers throughout state government. In remarks at the first-ever Customer Service Summit, held in January, Governor Perdue urged a renewed focus on service that is "faster, friendlier and easier."
"I want Georgia state government to view each person who walks through our door as an opportunity," said Perdue. "Georgia customers are empowered with high expectations of their interactions with state government, and I intend to meet and exceed the high expectations."
Invited agency heads and deputies from more than 40 executive agencies representing 60% of the state's programs and employees pledged to listen to both their customers and the employees who deal directly with them in reaching the goal of Georgia providing "the Best Customer Service of any State in the Nation." Leaders recognized that their own personal commitment and participation are required to move their agencies forward.

See Customer Service next page

Governor Perdue's recent appointee

Governor Sonny Perdue recently appointed Gena Abraham, Ph.D. as the state property officer. In this capacity, she will serve as executive director of the State Properties Commission, Georgia Building Authority

and the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission, Construction Division. Before her appointment, Abraham served as the executive secretary and director of the construction division of the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC) since June 24, 2003.

Upcoming State Holidays
Confederate Memorial Day April 26 - observed April 24
Memorial Day - May 29

New state employee orientation video available on-line.
www.team.georgia.gov

INSIDE

Increasing Employment Opportunities

for People with Disabilities

Despite progress made since the passage of the

ADA in 1990, people with disabilities still experience

unemployment at a rate far above the national and

state average.

Page 3

The Procurement Transformation

Initiative

"The prevailing reason to transform procurement is

because it can save millions of tax dollars spent on

purchasing cost in state government."

Page 4

Scholarship and Continuing Education Grant Opportunities

The GRA Scholarship of

$500.00 will be awarded to

one Georgia resident with a

disability.

Page 5

TAX TIME

VA Benefits are Tax

Exempt

Page 4

Reap the rewards of

Earned Income Tax

Credit

Earned Income Tax Credit

can put money in your

pocket.

Page 5

DEPARTMENTS

3 Government

5 Tech Tip

Spotlight

6 Work Place Tip

4 Money Matters 7 Retirees

4 Vocabulary

11 Wellness

Help Team Georgia shine the "Smart Government" spotlight on a State Employee whose idea started a better way for Georgia's government to save money or serve people. Nominating an employee is a simple process you can do on-line.
www.team.georgia.gov

Page 2
Customer Service continued from front page

The Georgia Statement

Eighteen employees who provide exemplary customer service within the invited agencies participated in and were recognized at the Summit.
Nationally-recognized customer service models, like Starbucks and the Los Angeles Office of the Department of Veterans Affairs, were featured. In addition, success stories here at home

"Georgia customers are empowered with high expectations of their interactions with state government, and I intend to meet and exceed the high expectations."
-- Governor Perdue

Employees recognized for exemplary customer service
Front Row: Lonice Barrett, Commission for a New Georgia; John Roach, Georgia Merit System; Shalandra Robertson, State Board of Pardons and Paroles; Charlene Anderson, Department of Defense; Dorothy Miles, Department of Transportation; Carmen Cureton, Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission; Cindy Moss, Department of Human Resources; Jerris Robinson, State Road and Tollway Authority; Kim Yawn, Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority.

were recognized. Commissioner Greg Dozier of the Department of Driver Services described the rapid process improvement approach used at the

Back Row: Joe Doyle, Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs; Tommy Hills, Governor's Office; Vernon Davis, Board of Regents; Steve Ekin, Department of Administrative Services; Brian Cox, Department of Driver Services; Jeff Mellin, Georgia World Congress Center; Steve Carey, Georgia Technology Authority; Bill Tatum, Georgia Bureau of Investigation; Yolanda Fanning, Department of Natural Resources; Jim Lientz, Governor's Office.

department.

In a panel discussion, Paul Burks, Executive Director, Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority; Lois Oakley, Chief Judge, Office of Administrative Hearings; and B. J. Walker, Commissioner, Department of Human Resources, described improvements each has made in achieving a customer focus. The panel offered advice to state agency participants who are beginning the improvement journey.
Governor's Office of Customer Service Created As a first step in supporting state agencies' customer
service efforts, Governor Perdue signed an Executive

Order creating the Governor's Office of Customer Service for the purpose of coordinating, managing and implementing a statewide plan to elevate the level of customer service experienced by citizens.
The Office of Customer Service is tasked with imbedding process improvement and cultural development methodologies within state entities and developing a system for measuring results statewide. The Office will be working with agencies to better understand and improve their customer service whether they provide it in person, by telephone, or through the internet. The Office of Customer Service is led by Joe

Doyle, who retains his current position as Administrator of the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs and as the Chair of the Commission for a New Georgia Customer Service Task Force. "Our goal is to provide tools and techniques and to facilitate sharing of ideas and progress," said Doyle. "Ultimately, our success depends on each of the 100,000 state employees."
For more information visit the Team Georgia
Connection http://team.georgia.gov/portal/site and
follow the link to "Customer Service."

The Georgia Statement
State Personnel Board Geri P. Thomas, Chair Melinda Langston, Vice Chair Claybon J. Edwards, Member Robert R. Joseph, Member Hal Roach, Jr., Member
Georgia Merit System Wayne St. Claire, Commissioner
Communications Division Deborah Williams, Managing Editor Carletta Henderson-Youngs, Editor Cleveland Clements, Copy Editor

Volume 9, Number 1
Contributing Writers Fonda Semerjian, State Employees Credit Union Mike Galifianikis, State ADA Coordinator's Office Kim Edwards Bennett, Dept. of Labor Natalie Strong, Governor's Office Cheryl Jordan, DHR, Dept. of Family and Children Services Jerri Cloud, Governor's Office of Customer Service Candace McCaffery, on behalf of The Clean Air Campaign Carol G. Schwinne, Dept. of Audits and Accounts Brian J. Zeringue, Dept. of Veterans Service
Article submissions for the Spring 2006 issue directly to
chenderson@gms.state.ga.us no later than April 7th.

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.

New Year...New Services...New Ways to Save at SECU!!!
Now that the holiday hustle and bustle is over and 2006 is underway, we wanted to bring to your attention new services available to you at State Employees Credit Union.
Take a look at SECU's new products and services...designed to save you time AND money!
www.secuga.org - New & improved website with enhanced functionality eStatements - Access financial statements and check images online 24/7 Car Solutions - Quick and easy car buying service VISA Debit/Check Cards - Available to members with checking accounts Financial Advisor - Consultative advice on investments, retirement planning, tax
planning, estate planning and more And don't forget the oldie, but goody! Open a Christmas Club Account and start
saving for this year's holiday spending early!!! Not a SECU member yet? Call 1-800-659-7328 or visit www.secuga.org to learn more about what membership has to offer!
New Look
The new look of the Georgia Statement is designed to incorporate the new State Branding, as well as enhance reader friendliness. The publication will continue to provide agency news and updates of interest to state employees.

The Georgia Statement

Page 3

Increasing Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities

Despite progress made since the passage of the ADA in 1990, people with disabilities still experience unemployment at a rate far above the national and state average. With more than 94,000 workers statewide, Georgia state government can play a significant role in enhancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Top-level leadership and commitment are essential in developing an environment where access to employment opportunities is not only a requirement but an expectation for all citizens. "Agencies should consider incorporating training about the ADA and individuals with disabilities into their strategic plans and diversity initiatives," says Mike Galifianakis, ADA coordinator with the Georgia State Finance and Investment Commission. "A well-developed plan sets goals and clearly defined objectives to recruit and hire disabled workers, and also establishes full integration of the disabled worker into the workplace."
Galifianakis suggests the following strategies and tips for the recruitment, hiring and retention of people with disabilities for state jobs.
Recruiting and Hiring Conduct targeted recruitment and
outreach activities to increase the pool of qualified applicants with disabilities through cultivating relationships with disability groups and disseminating job bulletins to disability-related organizations; Ensure that job announcements and job applications do not inadvertently exclude qualified individuals with disabilities from the applicant pool; Provide information about the availability of reasonable accommodations for the application process and/or for performance of the job in vacancy announcements; Provide all job applicants who take employment tests with information about how to request accommodations for the tests; Ensure that applicants with disabilities are evaluated solely on the basis of their qualifications; Review interviewing courtesies for job applicants with specific kinds of disabilities, including information on the ADA, interviewing techniques and etiquette, suggestions on interacting with individuals with specific disabilities and resources.
Providing Reasonable Accommodations
The ADA requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to the known physical and mental limitations of qualified individuals with disabilities. Supervisors and managers should carefully evaluate requests for accommodation made by people with disabilities. Although the agency makes the final decision regarding the most appropriate accommodation for each particular situation, employers should

allow the employee to educate the organization about their disabilities. The individuals have experience regarding their disabilities and are usually able to provide helpful information to suggest the best way to accommodate their needs.
One way that an employer can promote compliance with this legal obligation is to develop and implement a Reasonable Accommodation Procedure that enables tracking and prompt resolution of accommodation requests. An effective reasonable accommodation protocol and procedure: Provides training to all supervisors
(and other responsible persons) to ensure their familiarity with the procedure; Makes the procedure readily available to all employees; Encourages discussion between the individual requesting an accommodation and the employer; Evaluates cases and circumstances on an individualized, case-by-case basis; Demonstrates flexibility and eliminates unnecessary levels of review; Ensures that an employer's record keeping system keeps track of all accommodation requests; Identifies strategies that emphasize the universal aspects of the problems faced by people with disabilities, rather than their uniqueness; Acknowledges that, often, there are costs associated with accommodations some costs are continual (budgetary considerations); and Utilizes information resources (including Job Accommodation Network, State ADA Coordinator's Office, Southeast Disability & Business Technical Assistance Center, and disability-specific organizations) for support.
Promoting Retention and Advancement discuss career expectations with each
employee; evaluate the employee's interests,
talents, and skills, and developing appropriate goals; encourage lateral movements, job rotations, and team assignments that will give employees problem-solving skills and leadership opportunities; facilitate networking by including individuals with disabilities in formal workgroups and informal employee gatherings; encourage mentoring; ensure training opportunities, and emphasize an employee's responsibility for self-development.
Establishing an environment where access to employment opportunities by persons with disabilities should not only be a requirement but a primary goal in Georgia State government. The hiring, retention, advancement and the probability of reasonable accommodations will enable Georgia to establish a wellqualified, diverse workforce.

National Disability Employment

Awareness Month

Governor Sonny Perdue issued a

proclamation on October 11, 2005 in

honor of the National Disability

Employment Awareness Month. On

Thursday, October 27, 2005, the state of

Georgia celebrated National Disability

Employment

Awareness Month

with a public sector

job fair, skill building

seminars and a round

table discussion on

recruiting, retaining

and promoting

qualified people with

disabilities. The

Georgia State Financing and

Scott Bale

Investment

Commission-State ADA Coordinator's

Office, Georgia Department of Labor,

Georgia Merit System and Tools for Life

sponsored the event,

held at the James H.

"Sloppy" Floyd

Memorial Building,

Twin Towers. State

and county agencies

participated in the job

fair. The skill

seminars offered

valuable information

in areas such as

Mike Galifianakis

resume writing and

when to disclose a disability to potential

employers. Two state employees, Scott

Bale, a Scientist with Department of

Natural Resources and Galifianakis were

among the distinguished professionals

who participated in the round table

discussion. "Not fully tapping into and

leveraging existing personnel resources is

not only inefficient but fiscally

irresponsible", says Bale. Do not allow

presumptions about disability to drive

decision-making.

Government Spotlight
State ADA Coordinator's Office

The State ADA Coordinator's office provides comprehensive educational and technical support for State agencies on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) so that those programs, services and activities operated by the State of Georgia are usable and accessible to everyone, to the greatest extent feasible. In addition to operating the statewide ADA facility improvements program, the office also serves as a technical resource to state entities for the ADA's Title II general nondiscrimination requirements, program accessibility communications and employment. The ADA sets minimum standards for accessibility and accommodations. ADA was designed to protect the civil rights of people with disabilities. Under the ADA, an individual with a disability is a person who: 1. has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; 2. has a "record of" such an impairment; or is 3. "regarded as" having such an impairment.
As a resource to agencies, the Office provides training on ADA topics and assists in ensuring compliance with ADA mandates. It further informs the general public about the ADA and works together with local ADA support systems. The State ADA Coordinator's Office is a section of the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission. Mike Galifianakis serves as State ADA Coordinator.

From left to right: Tim Bromley, Mariela Flores, Mike Galifianakis, Stacey Valrie Peace, Marc Wilkerson
State ADA Coordinator's Office
Mike Galifianakis State ADA Coordinator
Stacey Valrie Peace Assistant State ADA Coordinator
Tim Bromley, Architect Marc Wilkerson
Training and Technical Support Coordinator Mariella Flores
ADA Information and Referral Specialist
Address: Floor 2, 270 Washington Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Phone: 404-657-7313 or TTY: 404-657-9993 Fax: 404-463-5650
Website: www.ganet.org/gsfic/ada

Page 4

The Georgia Statement

The Procurement Transformation Initiative

Acting on the recommendation of the Commission for A New Georgia (CNG), the State of Georgia has launched an initiative to change the way it purchases goods and services. The Procurement Transformation Initiative positions the state as a volume buyer and allows greater flexibility for contract negotiations. Lonice Barrett, Director of the Governor's Office of Implementation, says the savings that would result from the initiative was the reason for CNG's recommendation.
"The prevailing reason to transform procurement is because it can save millions upon millions of tax dollars spent on purchasing cost in state government. That was the bottom line in the initiative recommended by the Commission for A New Georgia," states Lonice Barrett, director of the Governor's Office of Implementation.
It incorporates a strategic sourcing approach to save the state millions of dollars by purchasing the best products and services for the best value. Strategic sourcing is different from the usual process of purchasing. Current procurement processes are decentralized; often hindering the state's ability to obtain the best cost for its purchases, especially in large spending areas like technology and construction. Strategic sourcing uses thorough analysis of what

Georgia buys, from whom, at what price, and at what volume. Innovative procurement techniques together with web technology enable the state to leverage its consolidated purchasing power to lower costs.
Strategic sourcing has been utilized to generate tremendous savings in private sector businesses for many years. State governments in California, Texas, Illinois, Virginia, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania have also been successful with similar programs. As a result, strategic sourcing has become a best practice in procurement management. Its success in reducing procurement cost in other states has been a catalyst for the state of Georgia.
A Procurement Transformation Governance Council, composed of executive leadership from 11 state agencies, the Board of Regents, and the private sector is expected to guide and provide critical support for the initiative. Governor Sonny Perdue's administration has made procurement transformation a priority for the state of Georgia. Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) issued a request for proposal (RFP) in 2005 for a Procurement Transformation partner and awarded the contract to Team A.T. Kearney, a global leader in procurement reform through strategic sourcing.

"This initiative will bring better customer service and savings," says DOAS Commissioner Dana Russell. "DOAS will work side by side with state agencies and institutions of higher education to make this process work for everyone."
The Procurement Transformation Initiative has two phases. Phase I, which is near end, identified key gaps between state of Georgia procurement capabilities and established best practices. Accordingly, recommendations were developed to enhance the capabilities and

efficiencies of Georgia's state purchasing. Phase II, which has been recently launched, covers a period of 18 months and includes the actual strategic sourcing of the identified goods and services from phase I. As part of the Transformation Initiative, areas such as organizational structure, processes and procedures, training curricula, and procurement technology will be reviewed and enhanced. By September 2009, the state expects to have in place contracts that reduce purchasing costs by an annual amount of near $135 million.

Procurement Transformation Governance Council Members
CNG, Office of Implementation Director, Lonice Barrett Office of the Governor, Chief Operating Officer, Jim Lientz Office of the Governor, Chief Financial Officer, Tommy Hills Department of Administrative Services, Commissioner, Dana Russell
Office of Planning and Budget, Director, Shelley Nickel Office of the Governor, Deputy Executive Counsel, Jud Turner
Board of Regents, Chancellor, Errol B. Davis Department of Corrections, Commissioner, James Donald Department of Natural Resources, Commissioners, Rick Harrison Department of Transportation, Commissioner, Harold Linnenkohl Department of Community Health, Commissioner, Rhonda Medows Department of Technical and Adult Education, Commissioner, Mike Vollmer Department of Human Resources, Commissioner, B.J. Walker Georgia State University, Professor, Katherine Willoughby GE Power Systems, Private Sector Representative, John Rice Southern Company, Private Sector Representative, Rick Harrison Accuity Brands, Private Sector Representative, Jim Balloun
State Accounting Office, Director, Lynn Vellinga

Money Matters
Saving Change
Ever see a penny and walked by it without picking it up for your piggy bank? Chances are, the pennies you felt were not worth picking up could have bought you lunch or dinner by now. In fact, keeping loose change could be an innovative way to save some money.
First, specify a period of time for saving i.e. monthly, annually, until the summer.
Second, determine the purpose of the savings (a trip to the spa, vacation spending money, etc.)
Third, make saving convenient. Grab a can, a jar, or a basket to keep at home and work. Without counting how much, just throw the change in the container.
Discipline yourself never to remove any of the change from the container. Also, commit to saving all of your change whether ninety-nine cents or a single penny. When full, have a larger container to empty the change from the smaller containers. Try not to count the change until after you have reached your specified period of time or the event for which you were saving. Saving change can be done as an individual, as a work group or as a family. Even children can use this method of savings to purchase a special outfit, electronic device, or CD (or gas money for the older child). It is a lesson that can teach the benefit of savings from a very young age.
And don't forget to look down sometimes -- you just may find a penny.

VA Benefits are Tax Exempt
As the tax deadline approaches, Veterans Affairs Commissioner Pete Wheeler wants to remind all veterans and their dependents that benefits paid under any law administered by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs are tax exempt.
"This is especially helpful for those veterans and their dependents living on fixed incomes," Commissioner Wheeler comments.
Veterans with questions relating to these tax issues or any other tax matter should consult with a tax advisor. Taxpayers can also receive tax assistance by contacting the IRS weekdays at 1-800-829-1040 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. or at www.irs.gov <http://www.irs.gov> .
IRS Publication 525, "Taxable and Nontaxable Income" has a section devoted to veteran's income. To order the publication call 1-800-829-3676.

TEST YOUR VOCABULARY

(See answers on page 5)

1. Assurance of manner or of action; self-possession; confidence; coolness.
2. Being of striking appropriateness and relevance; very applicable; apt.
3. Giving promise of success, prosperity, or happiness; predicting good; as, "an auspicious beginning."
4. Excessive talkativeness or wordiness. 5. Customs; habits; ways. 6. A profit or benefit in addition to a
salary or wages. 7. Living again; brought back to life;
revived; restored. 8. Marked by a strong tendency in
favor of a particular point of view. 9. Excessive pride in one's achieve-
ments, abilities, qualities, etc. 10. Characterized by a ready flow of
speech.

____ tendentious \ten-DEN-shuhs\ adjective
____ redivivus \red-uh-VY-vuhs;VEE-\ adjective
____ perquisite \PUR-kwuh-zit\ noun
____ auspicious \aw-SPISH-uhs\ adjective
____ mores \MOR-ayz; -eez\ plural noun
____ aplomb \uh-PLOM\ noun
____ apposite \AP-uh-zit\ adjective
____ vainglory \VAYN-glor-ee; vaynGLOR-ee\ noun
____ voluble \VOL-yuh-buhl\ adjective
____ logorrhea \law-guh-REE-uh\ noun

The Georgia Statement

Page 5

Scholarship and Continuing Education Grant Opportunities

Georgia Rehabilitation Association (GRA) is one of the largest state chapters of the National Rehabilitation Association (NRA), a nonprofit professional organization committed to the empowerment of all persons with disabilities and to ethical and excellent practice in rehabilitation. The NRA and GRA websites,www.nationalrehab.org and www.georgiarehab.com, are excellent resources for information on matters concerning persons with disabilities. Once a year, GRA is pleased to award a scholarship and a continuing education grant; applicants do not have to be members of GRA to be considered.
The GRA Scholarship of $500.00 will be awarded to one Georgia resident with a disability, who is enrolled in or has been accepted into post secondary education (as of Fall 2006) and has demonstrated academic excellence, advocacy for persons with disabilities, community

involvement and leadership. The Paula Dooley McIntosh Continuing
Education Grant of $750.00 will be awarded to a Georgia resident who is employed in the field of vocational rehabilitation services (either public or private sector) and has demonstrated advocacy for
Georgians with disabilities. The recipient must agree to use the grant to further their education in the field of vocational rehabilitation service delivery or administrative support services to this field within 12 months of receipt of the grant.
The winners will be announced at the annual GRA Training Conference to be held in Augusta, Georgia from 8/1618/2006. Please contact Kim Bennett, Scholarship Committee Chair, at kim.bennett@dol.state.ga.us for applications; the deadline for receipt of applications is July 1, 2006.

DocuAnalyzer Training
Sponsored by The Carl Vinson Institute of Government with the support of the Fiscal Management Council

Tuesday, June 14, 2006 9:00am - 4:00pm
Floyd Veterans Memorial Building
Room 1402 West Tower

Technology Tip

What is the best way to send a message?

Do you ever question how email travels from one computer to another, or for that matter, reaches someone in your mailbox who is located somewhere in another, state, country or even across the world? This article will provide a general overview of emails while future articles will provide more detail of how emails actually work. E-mail is quite popular and has become one of the most utilized forms of messaging both personally and professionally. In its simplest form, e-mail is an electronic message sent from one device to another. Although the most common mechanism may be a computer, messages can now be sent from cellular

phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants). With e-mail, you can send or receive basic text messages or messages with attachments, such as photos or formatted documents. You can also send music, video clips and software programs. It won't surprise you that e-mail will have some of the basic similarities to sending a letter through regular postal service processes. But unlike postal mail where you must be at your home or PO Box site to retrieve mail, you can usually receive email from any location. In the next issue, we will take a look at how your email is forwarded from one address to another.

Reap the rewards of Earned Income Tax Credit

Many Georgians get the equivalent of a $4,000 bonus every year when they file their taxes. More than twenty thousand eligible individuals, including state employees, don't claim all their benefits and give up approximately $100 million every year. The First Lady's Children's Cabinet wants to make sure you know about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and reap the rewards from it this year.
"The refund available through the Earned Income Tax Credit is money that deserves to go in the pockets of Georgia's citizens," said First Lady Mary Perdue. "We want to do everything we can to ensure that families get to keep their hard earned money."
The EITC is essentially a tax credit for employees who meet certain qualifications, which usually means more money in their pockets. If you qualify, you could pay less federal income tax, pay no tax, or receive a refund. The rules can be complicated, and you may need to seek to understand all the eligibility requirements.

Claimants must have a valid Social Security number. In addition, one must meet certain residency and filing criteria, including following guidelines for a qualifying child. The following are income requirements for 2005:
A taxpayer's total earned income must be at least $1 and their earned income and adjusted gross income (AGI) must both be less than:
$11,750 with no qualifying child ($13,750 if married, filing jointly)
$31,030 with one qualifying child ($33,030 if married, filing jointly)
$35,263 with more than one qualifying child ($37,263 if married, filing jointly)
Investment income cannot be more than $2,700.
Claiming the EITC on this year's tax form could result in a tax credit up to $4,400. If you think you might qualify for EITC and would like assistance, you can call 1-800-829-1040 or go to www.irs.gov/eitc and select "EITC Assistant."

Vocabulary
1. aplomb \uh-PLOM\, noun: Assurance of manner or of action; self-possession; confidence; coolness.
2. apposite \AP-uh-zit\, adjective: Being of striking appropriateness and relevance; very applicable; apt.
3. auspicious \aw-SPISH-uhs\, adjective: Giving promise of success, prosperity, or happiness; predicting good; as, "an auspicious beginning."
4. logorrhea \law-guh-REE-uh\, noun: Excessive talkativeness or wordiness. 5. mores \MOR-ayz; -eez\, plural noun: Customs; habits; ways. 6. perquisite \PUR-kwuh-zit\, noun: A profit or benefit in addition to a salary or wages. 7. redivivus \red-uh-VY-vuhs; -VEE-\, adjective: Living again; brought back to life;
revived; restored. 8. tendentious \ten-DEN-shuhs\, adjective: Marked by a strong tendency in favor of a
particular point of view. 9. vainglory \VAYN-glor-ee; vayn-GLOR-ee\, noun: Excessive pride in one's achievements,
abilities, qualities, etc. 10. voluble \VOL-yuh-buhl\, adjective: Characterized by a ready flow of speech.

This is a hands-on computer application class. Participants will learn how to pull data out of reports,
build summary tables and create templates.
Seating is limited to 18 For questions regarding cost and registration, please contact
Michele Jurkiewicz at 404-463-6804 or via e-mail at jurkiewicz@cviog.uga.edu .

Page 6

The Georgia Statement

Work Place Tip

What is a manager's role in the workplace?

Depending on who you are and where you work, a common question that you may find yourself asking over and over is "what is my manager's role?" Of course, if the manager is doing his or her job correctly, you may never have to ponder the question so many employees in the workplace often ask themselves. Maybe you already have a manager that motivates you. Their feedback concerning your work duties, weather positive or negative, helps to build desired job competencies for improved efficiency and greater productivity.
One major aspect of a manager's role is to foster high employee morale and positive employee motivation. A manager's influence on employees is immeasurable. They should serve as a direct source to their employees for guidance, help and/or resources. The character and skill of managers, who know how to coach and inspire employee

motivation, performance, and morale never leaves to question, "what is my manager's role?"

Most Georgia Veterans

Eligible for Free Driver's

License

Georgia veterans, who served on active duty or active duty in a reserve component (including the National Guard) during wartime, or any conflict when personnel were committed by the President, may be eligible to receive a free Georgia driver's license.
"More than 75 percent of the some 760,000 veterans living in Georgia served during wartime and the vast majority of them are eligible to receive a free driver's license," says Pete Wheeler, Commissioner of Veterans Affairs.
A driver's license or state ID card is issued free to veterans who were Georgia residents when they entered active duty status, and at the time of application or who have been residents of Georgia for at least two years immediately preceding the date of application for the license. a recent change to Georgia law would make the veteran's free drivers license

good until age 65. State law requires all drivers age 64 and older to pass an eye exam at a licensing facility every five years. This new veteran benefit comes as the state's Department of Driver Services finalizes procedures to increase the expiration date for all Georgia drivers to either five or ten years. Georgia drivers now have the option to choose a 5-year license or ID for $20 or a 10-year license or ID for $35.
Any member or former member of the National Guard or reserve forces who has 20 or more years of creditable service is also eligible for a free license. Veterans and surviving spouses who believe they might be eligible for a free driver's license should visit one of the Department's veteran service offices or check online for additional information at www.sdvs.georgia.gov <http://www.sdvs.georgia.gov> .

Georgia Department of Transportation Selected for 2006 Telework Leadership Initiative
TLI participants to receive up to $20,000 each to start or expand telework programs

The Clean Air Campaign has selected the Georgia Department of Transportation to participate in its 2006 Telework Leadership Initiative (TLI). GDOT joins eight other employers in receiving this incentive program, which provides up to $20,000 in professional consulting services and cash reimbursement to start or significantly expand a telework program.
The first TLI program, launched in late 2003 with the help of Governor Sonny Perdue, was highly successful, creating or training more than 2,300 new teleworkers in the region to date, with many of those programs still expanding. State agencies that participated in the first TLI include the Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Department of Human Resources, Georgia Technology Authority and the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. Each is a participating agency in the Work Away Program, coordinated by the Georgia Merit System.
"The great success of the first Telework Leadership Initiative demonstrates that with the right tools and knowledge, teleworking can flourish, even in industries where you wouldn't expect it, like healthcare, state corrections and more," said Ellen Macht, executive director of The Clean Air Campaign. "We anticipate that TLI 2006 participants will reap the same benefits as our inaugural participants and are pleased that this program is being utilized by state agencies in their efforts to meet the state's Work Away goals."
In addition to GDOT, TLI 2006 participants are Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc., Atlanta Community Food Bank, The Coca-Cola Company Call Center, Crawford & Company, Georgia Parent Support Network, Grady Health System, Perrie & Cole, LLC and USDA Forest Service.
The TLI 2006 participants were selected based on their levels of commitment to teleworking, readiness to implement a teleworking program and the potential for growth in the number of teleworkers. Participants were also selected to represent both public and private sectors, a broad

range of industries and employ-ment sizes. All employers commit to designate a minimum of 10 employees who will telework for a minimum of six months.
As a sponsor and employer Partner of The Clean Air Campaign, GDOT is actively involved in efforts to improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion and already offers a comprehensive commute options program for its employees. In an effort to maintain employee job satisfaction and attract talented professionals to its work force, GDOT plans to expand its telework program by 25 percent in 2006.
Teleworking is on the rise across the country. In fact, a 2005 survey conducted on behalf of ITAC, the Telework Advisory Group for WorldatWork, shows a 30 percent increase in employee teleworkers during the past year.
"There are a number of factors driving the increase in teleworkers," said Macht. "Technology to provide fast, secure, remote access is now widely available for employers of all sizes. That technology has been broadly implemented, with the end result being a growing number of people who have the ability to work from home, increasing their productivity and reducing the amount of time and money they spend on commuting."
Even if your agency isn't part of the Telework Leadership Initiative, it can still benefit from the expert consulting services available through The Clean Air Campaign. Contact them at 1-877CLEANAIR or online at cleanaircampaign.com.
The Clean Air Campaign and Georgia Merit System's State Telework Coordinator work together (partner) on this and other projects to promote teleworking. Even if your agency isn't part of TLI, it can benefit from services available through GMS and The Clean Air Campaign. Contact Work Away Program, State
Telework Coordinator at 404-463-6723 or online at www.gms.state.ga.us The Clean Air Campaign at 1-877CLEANAIR, or online at www.cleanaircampaign.com

Department of Audits and Accounts Receives Highest Rating During Peer Review

In November 2005, the National Association of State Auditors completed its external peer review of the Department of Audits and Accounts. The peer review team concluded that the Department has successfully designed procedures to ensure that audits are performed in accordance with government auditing standards and that the auditors and management complied with the established procedures. The peer review team also concluded that the professional staff has the professional proficiency to perform the various types of audits issued by the Department of Audits and Accounts. The opinion issued by the National Association of State Auditors is

the highest rating awarded. Government auditing organizations receive an external
peer review every three years to ensure that audits are completed in accordance with applicable government auditing standards. The peer review team is comprised of experienced auditors from other states, as well as from the federal government.
The types of audits covered under the peer review process include the Department's audits of state and local entities, operational audits of state entities, and Medicaid audits of healthcare providers. In total, approximately 450 audits completed by the Department from July 1,

2003 until June 30, 2004 were subject to the peer review process.
"We are very pleased with the results of our peer review," says Russell W. Hinton, State Auditor. "One of the Department's missions is to be a credible source of information for State government and its citizens. By knowing that we are adhering to audit standards, we provide the State with assurance that the financial and operational information they receive from our office is accurate and can be used to make appropriate business decisions."

The Georgia Statement

Page 7

Retirement Tidbits

Congratulations to these dedicated state retirees

Submitted by Employees' Retirement

In the state of Georgia, 1,248 employees or two percent of the state's workforce, has over 30 years of service.

October 2005

Name

Years of Service Department

Allen, Faye W Alligood, Charles Douglas Anderson, Carolyn W Anderson, John E Anderson, Gilda M Ashley, Levy Jackson Avery, S. Lamar Ayers, Jimmy L Babb, Marian Ruth Bacon, Andrew J Barnette, Nan H Bedgood, Robert Harris Belcher, Carolyn Diane Boynton, Ronald Bernard Brantley, Elsie Brock, George Milton Brown, Gwendolyn L Brown, Tyrone Butler, Betty J Caldwell, Doris Harris Campbell, Douglas M Cheatham, Deloris M Cheeks, Benny J Childress, Rebecca Clifton, Ella B Cline Jr, Joseph W Cochran, Harold Eugene Cochran, Robert Y Connington, Michael W Cook, Dennis G Cook, Sherry Jeannette Cooper, Marzet Cothran, Joyce W Cowart, Linda W Cowart, Reba Nell Cox, George D Cox, Conrad Keith Crawford, Mary Coleen Crist, Dean E Curry, Mamie Daniels, Pamela H Davis Jr, Huey P Denman, Andrew J Dixon, Barbara A Downs, Emily D Dozier, Ralph Wayne Eaves, Edna D Ellis Sr, David L Emeott Jr., Thomas K Eubanks, Wilmer Edward Forbes, Ruth R Ford, Sammie Friedman, Marita S Futch, Jean H Gaines, Jennifer Faye Gates, Marsha A Gay, Donna K Gibson, Eula Mae Gillespie, Brenda H Goldson, Betty Jean Goss, Kelley M Gresham, Emma H Griffin, Barbara L Gulley, John R Hambrick, Vivian A Haning, Anita B Harris, George S Herndon, Sandra G Hicks, James R Hicks Sr, Roger D

19 yrs 10 mths 17 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 23 yrs 02 mths 19 yrs 05 mths 18 yrs 06 mths 29 yrs 10 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 28 yrs 09 mths 35 yrs 05 mths 10 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 26 yrs 11 mths 30 yrs 10 mths 14 yrs 00 mths 40 yrs 02 mths 15 yrs 08 mths 11 yrs 02 mths 25 yrs 10 mths 24 yrs 10 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 26 yrs 04 mths 11 yrs 02 mths 31 yrs 00 mths 26 yrs 04 mths 30 yrs 08 mths 28 yrs 08 mths 21 yrs 11 mths 19 yrs 05 mths 14 yrs 05 mths 28 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 27 yrs 06 mths 10 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 31 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 03 mths 13 yrs 04 mths 18 yrs 05 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 06 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 29 yrs 10 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 25 yrs 01 mths 13 yrs 09 mths 30 yrs 06 mths 15 yrs 02 mths 32 yrs 06 mths 22 yrs 00 mths 19 yrs 06 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 32 yrs 06 mths 17 yrs 08 mths 30 yrs 00 mths 15 yrs 06 mths 27 yrs 10 mths 25 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 03 mths 13 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 20 yrs 06 mths 13 yrs 04 mths

Georgia Forestry Commission Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Education Ga. Dept. of Agriculture CSB-Lookout Mountain Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Transportation DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Public Safety DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Corrections CSB-DeKalb County Ga. Dept. of Human Resources CSB-Middle Georgia Ga. Dept. of Corrections Fulton Co. DFCS Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources CSB-DeKalb County Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Corrections DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga. Dept. of Labor Georgia Forestry Commission Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Corrections DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources DHR - Public Health Pineland Area CSB General Assembly of Georgia Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Defense DHR - DFACS Ga. Correctional Industries DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Dept. of Juvenile Justice Department of Revenue Ga. Dept. of Transportation CSB - E. Central Georgia DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Transportation DHR - DFACS Conversion Company Default Ga. Dept. of Transportation

Hollingsworth, JV Holt, David Allen Hulsey, Dennis L Humphrey, William A Jackson, Joyce C Johns, Eugene Johnson, James Malvin Johnson, Geraldine S Johnson, Clara Mae Johnson, Shirley S Johnson, Beatrice M Jones, Sara E Jones, Thomas J Jones, Byron Wayne Jones, Judy H Jordan, Julia P King, Elaine W Lamb, Leona Y Lapinski, Johnny B Lavoie, Michael R Leggett, Debra K Letman, Alma Jean Lueders, Carolyn G Luster, Charles E Madyun, Nassar Maney, Sally B Martin Jr, Charlie Roscoe Mason, Elizabeth W Mathews, Dorothy L Matthews, Larry W Matthews, Cheryl D Maxwell, Henry Newton McElhannon, Julia L McFry, Linda F McGrath, Martha V McLendon, Joann McMillan, Joseph M Mealer, Phyllis J Merritt, Randy Glynn Miller, Sandra B Miller, Donna Fox Mills, Martha Dianne Mitchell, Catherine L Moore, Vonda J Morgan, Gazette Lavada Morris, Thomas Lyvon Mosley-Peebles, June T Moye, Clinton Eugene Mullis, Cheryl M Murphy, Diane Marie Mustafa, Alma Darlene Mutimer, George C Nelson, Jacquelynn Odom, Lucille P Parham, Joseph Leon Parker, Susan Parker, F.Wilkins Parker, Willie Bell Parks, Linda E Parmer, Judy E Parrett, Stephen A Pearman, Gordon C Perdomo, Juan A Peters, Carman C Peters, Glenda R Phillips, Mary Margaret Pouncey, Janice Marie Powell, Charles M Prichard, Dorothy A Rhetta, Emma Frances Rhino, Rita M Rhoden Sr, Perry A Robinson, Gary E Rogers, Gennie M

18 yrs 03 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 18 yrs 07 mths 16 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 26 yrs 02 mths 17 yrs 02 mths 10 yrs 03 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 13 yrs 08 mths 11 yrs 02 mths 31 yrs 11 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 29 yrs 04 mths 10 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 04 mths 16 yrs 05 mths 14 yrs 09 mths 21 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 04 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 18 yrs 10 mths 13 yrs 04 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 32 yrs 04 mths 10 yrs 11 mths 28 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 16 yrs 11 mths 14 yrs 10 mths 16 yrs 05 mths 11 yrs 03 mths 17 yrs 06 mths 11 yrs 02 mths 30 yrs 01 mths 21 yrs 04 mths 21 yrs 00 mths 27 yrs 07 mths 33 yrs 00 mths 17 yrs 09 mths 17 yrs 08 mths 22 yrs 07 mths 22 yrs 03 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 32 yrs 07 mths 15 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 28 yrs 02 mths 27 yrs 03 mths 22 yrs 10 mths 25 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 10 yrs 00 mths 13 yrs 04 mths 35 yrs 03 mths 32 yrs 00 mths 13 yrs 08 mths 19 yrs 08 mths 34 yrs 10 mths 32 yrs 02 mths 12 yrs 09 mths 20 yrs 05 mths 20 yrs 09 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 29 yrs 10 mths

Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Georgia Forestry Commission Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Corrections DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Student Finance Commission Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources South Ga Technical College Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Habersham Co. PH Ga Dept of Motor Veh. Safety DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Transportation DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Labor DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor CSB-Northeast GA Center Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation DHR - DFACS Conversion Company Default Ga. Dept. of Education Conversion Company Default DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Agriculture Ga. Dept. of Corrections Pineland Area CSB Ga. Dept. of Agriculture Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Human Resources State Board Pardons & Paroles Department of Revenue DHR - Public Health Pineland Area CSB Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources CSB-Douglas County Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Labor GA Agrirama Development Author Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Labor DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources CSB-Coastal Dept. of Technical & Adult Ed. Conversion Company Default Jekyll Island State Park Found Department of Revenue DHR - BOCOP

Page 8

The Georgia Statement

Congratulations to these dedicated state retirees
Submitted by Employees' Retirement

Retirement Tidbits

Rose, Darrell Maloye

Rowell, Charles Clinton

Segars, Joe Henry

Seigler, Michael J

Self, Maretta Gail

Shaw, Gladys C

Shults, Judith K

Sikes, Eustace M

Skipper, Donnie L

Smith, Robert C

Smith, Linda

Smith, Wilhemena Jones

Spivey, Bernard

Sprayberry, Mary J

Strawn, Patricia Ann

Sturgis, Dianne K

Swafford, Jan G

Tarrer, Brenda S

Taylor, Ray Elmer

Tench, Ronald C

Thomas, Daniel M

Thomas, Gloria L

Thomas, W. Wailes

Thompson, Nathan L

Towler, Reba J

Tribble, Joseph Angelo

Tucker, William H

Turner, Willie L

In the

Van Dyke, Carol A

state of Georgia, five percent of

Walton, Roger A Ware, Audrey Smith Washington Jr, George Watkins, Doretha S West, Patricia C

state

West, Hubert Stewart

employees has more than 25

Whitfield, Michael P Williams, Laverne Williams, Faye T Williams, Johnny

years of Willix, Georgette W

service. Wilson, Joan H

Name
Allen, Larry D Allmond, Danny Q Almon, Fred Andrews, Lawrence R Azimi, Sandra L Bailey, Laura A Bass Jr, Carl H Bennifield, Phyllis H Benton, Patricia S Bertram, Susan L Blackmon, Clate N Blanchard, Gwendolyn L Bone, Ann G Boston, Kathryn A Boyer, Yvonne A Bragg, Joseph L Brantley, Wanda R Bridges, Charles J Brook, Carol M Buffington, Nancy L Bulloch, Pamela O Butler, Melody Jan Butterworth, Sarah E

16 yrs 01 mths Ga. Dept. of Corrections

Butts, Michael L

15 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 18 yrs 09 mths 17 yrs 02 mths 27 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 04 mths 25 yrs 06 mths

Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Education Ga. Bureau of Investigation DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Conversion Company Default Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Community Affairs Ga. Dept. of Human Resources

Callahan, Robert Timothy Carter, Betty J Carter, Vivian L Chapman, Michael R Chatman, Linda C Civers, Rosie Y Clifton, Carole W Cloud, Sandra K Coleman, Donald J

16 yrs 04 mths Ga. Dept. of Corrections

Collins, Bonnie Faye

19 yrs 03 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 10 yrs 09 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 13 yrs 11 mths 16 yrs 11 mths 13 yrs 08 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 01 mths

Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Bureau of Investigation Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Conversion Company Default Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources

Combs, Sally N Craft, Anita B Crowder, Dollie M Cummings, Oscar Daniels, Robert J Davis, Robert B Davis, Marguerite C Davis, Judy P Davis Jr, George R

23 yrs 00 mths Secretary of State

Deloach, Gail M

17 yrs 04 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 13 yrs 02 mths 20 yrs 11 mths 25 yrs 11 mths 22 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 25 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 07 mths

Jekyll Island State Park Found Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Secretary of State Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Veterans Service Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS

Deloach, Rose T Donnahoo, Judy Jo Dyal, Curtis Evans Dyess, Charles H Edge, Virgil Eldridge, Louis Edward Engelbird, Don Edward Faucett, Robert Edward Fenichel, Susan S

34 yrs 00 mths Georgia Technology Authority Fenichel, Richard H

30 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 18 yrs 09 mths 12 yrs 05 mths 18 yrs 08 mths 13 yrs 09 mths

Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Transportation Georgia Department of Law Ga. Public Service Commission

Fields, Louis P Finch, Rebecca A Gaines, John M Gaskins, Renee B Gay, Virginia E Gibson, Florence L Gillenwater, Dianne C

Gray, Deborah T

Hall, Ellen C

Hall, Patricia J

November 2005

Harbison, Jimmy

Harden, Cynthia A

Years of Service Department

Harris, Diane B

Harvill Jr, Daniel O

16 yrs 09 mths Ga. Dept. of Corrections

Haywood, Flossie L

34 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Corrections

Hensley, Gerald F

34 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Hester, Rose Mary

26 yrs 10 mths Ga. Dept. of Transportation

Highsmith, Virginia C

30 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Howard, Anthony

30 yrs 00 mths CSB-Gwinnett/Rockdale/Newton Howell, Michael D

30 yrs 02 mths Department of Revenue

Hulsey, Carol C

29 yrs 10 mths Ga. Dept. of Labor

Hunt, Helen

19 yrs 10 mths Ga. Dept. of Corrections

Jeter, Shelby L

34 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Labor

Johnson, Ronald D

32 yrs 07 mths Dept. of Juvenile Justice

Johnson, Annie B

10 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Labor

Johnston, John R

10 yrs 09 mths Department of Revenue

Jones, Sarah Mae

34 yrs 04 mths Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Joyce, Ann E

34 yrs 00 mths CSB - Oconee

Kent, Donald C

34 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Kirk, Marie J

30 yrs 02 mths DHR - Public Health

Knight, Joan Evelyn

32 yrs 00 mths Georgia Forestry Commission

Kreimborg, Anthony D

29 yrs 05 mths Georgia Technology Authority Lanier, Janice E

34 yrs 03 mths Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Laughlin, Lynn A

34 yrs 00 mths DHR - DFACS

Liester, Linda S

34 yrs 00 mths Ga.Dept of Community Health Lindsey, Jan Gavin

28 yrs 04 mths Department of Revenue

Maddox, Willie A

34 yrs 00 mths 10 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 21 yrs 11 mths 18 yrs 03 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 29 yrs 08 mths 11 yrs 02 mths 28 yrs 01 mths 32 yrs 10 mths 13 yrs 00 mths 29 yrs 6 mo. 34 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 13 yrs 10 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 31 yrs 00 mths 25 yrs 09 mths 13 yrs 08 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 02 mths 15 yrs 03 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 16 yrs 04 mths 26 yrs 10 mths 14 yrs 01 mths 24 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 01 mths 30 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 31 yrs 08 mths 23 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 13 yrs 00 mths 26 yrs 04 mths 21 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 03 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 16 yrs 03 mths 10 yrs 11 mths 34 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 16 yrs 06 mths 28 yrs 03 mths 22 yrs 03 mths 16 yrs 02 mths 15 yrs 02 mths 18 yrs 01 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 19 yrs 01 mths 17 yrs 01 mths 31 yrs 02 mths 30 yrs 09 mths 30 yrs 03 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 18 yrs 10 mths 32 yrs 04 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 22 yrs 03 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 22 yrs 00 mths 32 yrs 11 mths 27 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths

Ga. Dept. of Agriculture Department of Revenue Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Three Rivers Behavrl Hlth Cntr Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Education DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Jekyll Island State Park Found Ga. Dept. of Transportation CSB-Northeast GA Center Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation Georgia Forestry Commission Secretary of State DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Thomas Tech Institute Ga. Dept. of Corrections Office of Planning and Budget Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Audits Ga. Dept. of Labor Georgia Technology Authority Georgia Technology Authority Oglethorpe Co. PH CSB-Clayton County CSB-South Georgia DHR - BOCOP Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor CSB-Ogeechee Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Court of Appeals DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Corrections CSB-DeKalb County Department of Revenue Secretary of State Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Transportation CSB-GA Mountains DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Defense Department of Revenue CSB-Clayton County Ga. Dept. of Education Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Agriculture CSB-DeKalb County Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources DHR - Public Health DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety CSB-DeKalb County Dept. of Juvenile Justice DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources

The Georgia Statement

Page 9

Congratulations to these dedicated state retirees
Submitted by Employees' Retirement System

Retirement Tidbits

Men who reached the age of 65 in the year 2000 are expected to live, on average, an additional 15.8 years.

Mahaffey, Vicky V McJunkin, Mickie Ann McKinnon Sr, Gene A McLeod, Carol A Meeks Jr, Paul D Merritt, Nancy J Metz, Carol M Mitcham, Michael P Mitchell, Penney Y Montgomery, John W Moore, Betty J Mullis, Jim Ray Mullis, Gerald Mungin, Sandra M Murphy, Jean L Myles, Flossie B Nelson, P Susanne Nicholson, Brenda R O'kelley, Johnny Lea Penn, Harold M Pharr, Beverly C Poole, Dennis Powell, Mary J Pruett, Michael E Queen, Nena Kaye Reid, Lurene Roberson, Samuel L Roberts, Oscar E Robinson-Ellis, Lucile Safford, Frances H Sanford, Wanda L Scruggs, Virginia Simmons, W.J Smalls, Mozella F Smith, Micki S Smith, Lois J Smith, Richard A Smith, William D Spear, Rickey M Steele, Charles R Stephens, Katie R Strickland, Lula L Strong, Robert Swaim, Betty C Swain, Robert Garston Swint III, John Q Thompson, Debra J Watts, Elizabeth Marie Wheeler, Larry W White, Louise S Wintle, Carole H Wood, Carole B Woodard, Roseann Woody, Betty G Woodyard, William H

Name
Addison, Brenda Payne Austin, Jimmy R Averett, Bertha K Baker, Virginia Bedsole, Jackie Merrell

30 yrs 07 mths Ga. Dept. of Labor

Bennett, Kenneth S

34 yrs 00 mths

34 yrs 08 mths Ga. Dept. of Transportation

Bennett, William

34 yrs 00 mths

15 yrs 01 mths Ga. Dept. of Transportation

Burnsed, Beth G

21 yrs 08 mths

15 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Cagle, Patricia Gale

34 yrs 00 mths

34 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Cantrell, Mark D

30 yrs 00 mths

24 yrs 06 mths Ga. Dept. of Labor

Carpenter-Thomas, Veronica 14 yrs 04 mths

12 yrs 00 mths Ga. Public Service Commission Carter, Nadine L.

27 yrs 01 mths

34 yrs 00 mths Ga.Dept of Community Health Casper, Sandra U

28 yrs 11 mths

19 yrs 03 mths DHR - DFACS

Castleberry, Jerry V

34 yrs 00 mths

17 yrs 01 mths Office of Comm. of Insurance Christian, Eileen M

10 yrs 06 mths

14 yrs 04 mths Ga.Dept of Community Health Cinar, Alp

29 yrs 10 mths

32 yrs 09 mths Ga. Dept. of Agriculture

Clark, Yvette R

25 yrs 01 mths

18 yrs 07 mths Ga. Dept. of Corrections

Clark, Edgar J

19 yrs 01 mths

33 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Labor

Clark, Clinton

14 yrs 05 mths

20 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Defense

Clements, Byron Lee

25 yrs 05 mths

18 yrs 10 mths DHR - Public Health

Clemmons, Larry Reuben 30 yrs 03 mths

34 yrs 00 mths Department of Revenue

Cline, Phyllis W

19 yrs 03 mths

34 yrs 00 mths CSB-GA Mountains

Cofer, Linda F

30 yrs 11 mths

14 yrs 01 mths Ga. Dept. of Transportation

Coker, Samuel W

28 yrs 10 mths

34 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Transportation

Colclough, Richard L

18 yrs 00 mths

34 yrs 00 mths DHR - Public Health

Coleman Jr, Robert A

34 yrs 00 mths

13 yrs 05 mths Ga. Dept. of Corrections

Combes, Ben L

35 yrs 00 mths

33 yrs 00 mths State Courts

Cook, Connie A

30 yrs 04 mths

34 yrs 11 mths Ga. Dept. of Labor

Cooper III, Eddie

18 yrs 09 mths

30 yrs 06 mths Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Copeland, Cynthia L

34 yrs 00 mths

31 yrs 07 mths Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Cowart, Angela H

34 yrs 00 mths

34 yrs 01 mths CSB-Albany

Crowe, Derrek A

29 yrs 05 mths

34 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Transportation

Curlee Jr, Joseph F

34 yrs 00 mths

27 yrs 00 mths Ga.Dept of Community Health Davis, Melbourne

11 yrs 01 mths

16 yrs 10 mths Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Dees, Mary E

12 yrs 09 mths

25 yrs 11 mths Ga. Student Finance Commission Donaldson, Patricia A

30 yrs 01 mths

28 yrs 09 mths Ga. Dept. of Labor

Donalson, Jinnie M

25 yrs 00 mths

13 yrs 04 mths Ga. Dept. of Corrections

Doran, Steve Lyndell

34 yrs 00 mths

31 yrs 03 mths Liberty Co. PH

Dover, William J

00 yrs 00 mths

34 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Labor

Duncan, Jerri W

22 yrs 00 mths

30 yrs 00 mths CSB-GA Highlands

Dunn, William O

27 yrs 10 mths

14 yrs 10 mths CSB-GA Mountains

Easley, Jeanette Q

24 yrs 09 mths

11 yrs 05 mths Ga. Dept. of Transportation

Eisner, Eva

11 yrs 00 mths

28 yrs 03 mths Ga. Dept. of Corrections

English, Donna B

34 yrs 00 mths

29 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Public Safety

Fain, Denise A

32 yrs 03 mths

20 yrs 03 mths Thomas Co. DFCS

Ford, Joann L

34 yrs 09 mths

34 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Ford, Jan H

32 yrs 06 mths

16 yrs 06 mths Ga. Dept. of Corrections

Forrester, Don O

23 yrs 02 mths

34 yrs 05 mths General Assembly of Georgia Fowler, Patricia D

30 yrs 01 mths

34 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Geoffrey, Susan S

20 yrs 05 mths

34 yrs 00 mths CSB - Oconee

George, Wanda S

17 yrs 00 mths

13 yrs 10 mths DHR - DFACS

Grimes, Mary P

31 yrs 00 mths

25 yrs 00 mths DHR - Public Health

Harden, Larry R

20 yrs 00 mths

34 yrs 01 mths Ga. Bureau of Investigation

Harper Jr, George

34 yrs 00 mths

34 yrs 00 mths Ga. Dept. of Transportation

Harris, Bonnie C

31 yrs 10 mths

15 yrs 04 mths Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Havior, David Lee

20 yrs 03 mths

27 yrs 04 mths Ga. Dept. of Corrections

Haymons, Carolyn J

27 yrs 06 mths

10 yrs 03 mths Gwinnett Co. DFCS

Heerde, Marsha T

34 yrs 00 mths

27 yrs 07 mths DHR - DFACS

Herrington Jr, Robert

17 yrs 01 mths

34 yrs 00 mths Georgia Forestry Commission Heslop, Gwynn M

34 yrs 00 mths

Hollis, Patty A

30 yrs 00 mths

Hortman, Donna

25 yrs 02 mths

Ingle Jr, Ray S

13 yrs 06 mths

Jackson, Delores B

34 yrs 06 mths

December 2005

Johnson, Willie Mae

35 yrs 03 mths

Johnson, Deborah C

34 yrs 00 mths

Years of Service Department

Johnson, Barbara E

20 yrs 07 mths

Jones, Mary Hudson

16 yrs 01 mths

14 yrs 06 mths Banks Co. PH

Jones, Wesley Bernard

14 yrs 03 mths

18 yrs 11 mths DHR - DFACS

Kaufman, Lucy M

30 yrs 05 mths

31 yrs 07 mths Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Kemmerick, Dale J

34 yrs 00 mths

37 yrs 04 mths Agriculture Commodity Com. King, Kenneth Edward

18 yrs 07 mths

18 yrs 04 mths Ga. Dept. of Corrections

Kirkland, Diane M

25 yrs 00 mths

Ga. Dept. of Corrections Soil & Water Commission DHR - DFACS Department of Revenue Department of Revenue Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Corrections Georgia Technology Authority Department of Revenue Ga. Correctional Industries Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Education Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Public Safety CSB - E. Central Georgia Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Corrections DHR - BOCOP Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections State Board Pardons & Paroles DHR - Public Health Ga. Merit System of Pers. Adm. Ga. Dept. of Corrections Altamaha Tech Institute Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Labor DHR - DFACS Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Agriculture Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Office of Planning and Budget Ga.Dept of Community Health Ga. Dept. of Transportation Office of Planning and Budget Georgia Technology Authority Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Corrections DHR - Public Health CSB-New Horizons DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Dept of Economic Development

Page 10

The Georgia Statement

Congratulations to these dedicated state retirees

Submitted by Employees' Retirement System

Retirement Tidbits

Three of the most cited enjoyments of retirement include travel, relaxation and recreation.

Kirkland, Diane M
Lane, Vicki V
Lee, Glenda D
Loucks, James Paul
Maddox Jr, Melvin
McAlpin, Carrie Mae
McCard, Nancy S
McKellar, Yvonne M
Morris, Patricia R
Moss, Willie Mae
Nichols Jr., Everett C
Oldham, Michael C
Ormond, Ruth Jones
Oxford, Jan G
Pack, Brenda T
Penny, Linda E
Peppas, George Charles
Perry, Ronnie F
Porter, Phillip D
Powell, Emma W
Prewitt, Otis J
Purvis, Janice D
Raburn, Sherry S
Reaves, Clifford
Rhodes, Becky W
Rich, Juanita
Richie, Brenda W
Robinson, Hestena
Rubin, Barbara A
Sansom Jr, Albert E
Saunders Jr, William B
Schroder, Kathleen A
Shelnutt, Hervin R
Shepard, William L
Shepard, Sloane C
Sherrod, Dorothy J
Shy, John W
Sims, Janie J
Smith, Gerald C
Smith, David M
Smith, Victoria J
Smith Jr, James E
Sorrell, David G
Spain, Mary A
Speer, Michael E
Spitsnogle, Barbara
Spivey, Ophelia P
Stewart, Calvin E
Stewart, Roy L
Stoltzfus, Susanna M
Strange, Mary D
Styles, Addie Priscilla Thomas, Rose Mary Thompson, Sandra Hayes Timmerman, Barry L Upshaw, Edna O Veal, Earlean S Waddell, Sandra E Walden, John C Wallace, Clara Louise Wasdin, Sally Lou Washington Jr, Henry H Watkins, Patricia Ann Webb, John Patten Welch, Tillie K Whipple, Doretha Williams, Robert W Williams, Rosa M Williams, Freddie L Williams, Ludella

25 yrs 00 mths
32 yrs 00 mths
34 yrs 00 mths
11 yrs 00 mths
30 yrs 00 mths
28 yrs 07 mths
28 yrs 00 mths
25 yrs 02 mths
34 yrs 00 mths
11 yrs 08 mths
12 yrs 11 mths
34 yrs 00 mths
27 yrs 01 mths
30 yrs 02 mths
34 yrs 00 mths
27 yrs 02 mths
32 yrs 11 mths
21 yrs 11 mths
34 yrs 00 mths
31 yrs 05 mths
34 yrs 00 mths
30 yrs 01 mths
30 yrs 00 mths
15 yrs 02 mths
23 yrs 11 mths
34 yrs 00 mths
28 yrs 06 mths
10 yrs 10 mths
28 yrs 00 mths
34 yrs 00 mths
34 yrs 01 mths
14 yrs 09 mths
25 yrs 01 mths
34 yrs 00 mths
29 yrs 05 mths
20 yrs 01 mths
25 yrs 04 mths
34 yrs 00 mths
29 yrs 01 mths
25 yrs 02 mths
25 yrs 01 mths
34 yrs 00 mths
34 yrs 01 mths
10 yrs 04 mths
34 yrs 00 mths
31 yrs 05 mths
16 yrs 07 mths
34 yrs 09 mths
28 yrs 02 mths
31 yrs 02 mths
20 yrs 00 mths
15 yrs 08 mths 31 yrs 01 mths 18 yrs 05 mths 32 yrs 00 mths 35 yrs 03 mths 26 yrs 09 mths 21 yrs 00 mths 32 yrs 04 mths 21 yrs 10 mths 20 yrs 02 mths 16 yrs 05 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 18 yrs 08 mths 14 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 11 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 26 yrs 10 mths 15 yrs 07 mths

Dept of Economic Development Willis, Harolene M

Ga Dept of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Veterans Service Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Labor DHR - DFACS

Wingo, Taryn Woods, Ella V Wright, Marjie L Zehl, Joyce G Zittrouer, Judy T

Ga. Dept. of Public Safety

DHR - Public Health

DHR - Public Health

CSB-Cobb County

Middle Georgia Tech College Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources

Name

Office of Planning and Budget DHR - DFACS DHR - DFACS

Ackerson, John D Adams, Nathaniel Allen, Wanda B

Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Angel, Eduardo

Ga. Dept. of Human Resources State Board Pardons & Paroles Georgia Forestry Commission Ga. Dept. of Education Ga. Dept. of Human Resources CSB-DeKalb County DHR - Public Health Altamaha Technical College Ga. Dept. of Corrections

Arp, Korynn C Ashmore III, Richard H Barfield, Susan H Barron, Laura A Battles, William M Baxter, Linda K Berman, Sheila Blackwell, Elizabeth K Bowen, Tresha Von Brannon, John S

Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga.Dept of Community Health DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Transportation Department of Revenue Ga. Dept. of Labor

Brodie, Clarice A Brown, Charles D Brown, Annie A Brown, Robert C Browne, Stella M Burke III, Roy C Burson, Kenneth A Byrd, John H Cadogan, Leonie Caldwell, Ruthie L Chambers, Joseph L

Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Cobb, Sandra W

Georgia Building Authority Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Corrections CSB-Cobb County Ga. Dept. of Corrections Georgia Forestry Commission GA Dept of Banking & Finance DHR - Public Health

Coker, Robert M Cook, Albert J Daniels, Bobby Glenn Davis, Herman F Davis, Mollie B Dean, William Morris Dorman Jr, Thomas A Dozier, Dannie L Edwards, Annie M

State Board Pardons & Paroles Ellison Jr, Wilbur J

CSB-Cobb County

Eskew, Rosalind H

CSB-GA Mountains

Farmer, David A

Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Fitch, Diane H

Ga. Dept. of Transportation
CSB-Cobb County
Ga. Dept. of Human Resources
Cobb Co DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Pathways Cntr Behav Devel Grwt Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources GA Agric Exposition Authority Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Department of Revenue Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources

Foster, Vernell Fraas, Erwin Fridell, Patrick A Fulmer, Runae C Gentry, Carolyn S Gibby, Omie D Greenway, Alvia J Gregory, Rhonda R Grimes, Diane Harden, Bernard A Harrell, Patricia G Harris, Mattie T Henderson, Ruby Hendrix, Robert Carlton Herren, Drayne L Hill, Donald L Hogsed, Janice N Horton, Betty Horton, Gene Richard Ingram, Regina Irion, Lynne F Jackson, Willie C

13 yrs 02 mths 19 yrs 09 mths 14 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 26 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 00 mths

Ga. Dept. of Corrections Georgia Building Authority DHR - Public Health Georgia Building Authority DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Corrections

January 2006

Years of Service Department

34 yrs 00 mths 22 yrs 00 mths 31 yrs 11 mths 19 yrs 10 mths 10 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 01 mths 23 yrs 11 mths 14 yrs 05 mths 15 yrs 01 mths 10 yrs 00 mths 32 yrs 00 mths 18 yrs 09 mths 17 yrs 05 mths 22 yrs 05 mths 16 yrs 06 mths 15 yrs 05 mths 10 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 11 mths 25 yrs 03 mths 24 yrs 04 mths 30 yrs 10 mths 27 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 02 mths 12 yrs 03 mths 29 yrs 01 mths 16 yrs 03 mths 10 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 07 mths 25 yrs 04 mths 18 yrs 07 mths 17 yrs 07 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 33 yrs 09 mths 15 yrs 07 mths 28 yrs 05 mths 13 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 30 yrs 08 mths 19 yrs 08 mths 10 yrs 09 mths 39 yrs 02 mths 23 yrs 06 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 15 yrs 00 mths 15 yrs 04 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 31 yrs 03 mths 14 yrs 02 mths 26 yrs 03 mths 30 yrs 01 mths 27 yrs 05 mths 27 yrs 00 mths 32 yrs 10 mths 27 yrs 09 mths 21 yrs 06 mths 19 yrs 01 mths 16 yrs 08 mths 16 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 05 mths

DHR - Public Health Secretary of State Ga Dept of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga. Dept. of Education Ga. Dept. of Corrections CSB-South Georgia Ga. Dept. of Transportation Superior Courts of Georgia Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Agriculture CSB-McIntosh Trail State Board Pardons & Paroles Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Agriculture Mitchell-Baker Svc. Ctr. Superior Courts of Georgia Ga. Dept. of Corrections Superior Courts of Georgia Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Public Safety Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Defense DHR - DFACS CSB-New Horizons Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Georgia Technology Authority Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Transportation Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor CSB-Gwinnett/Rockdale/Newton CSB-Ogeechee DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Tattnall Co. PH Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Georgia Technology Authority DHR - Public Health DeKalb Co. DFCS Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga Dept of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections CSB-South Georgia

Retirement

The Georgia Statement

Page 11

Congratulations to these dedicated state retirees

Submitted by Employees' Retirement System

Visit the ERS website, www.ersga. org to check your retirement forecast.

Jackson, Jacquelyn Jacobs Jr, William H James, Carl V Jeter, Ray Johnson, Sue Lynn Johnson, Lewis A Jordan, Brenda T Kent, Jeraldine Knight, Laura G Lesher, James W Loggins, Douglas W Mack, Raymond A Martin, Thomas Ryan Mason, Elizabeth Matthews, Ann J McKenna, Carlton McKinzey, Joan Marie Mitchell Jr, Edward E Moore, Arthur E Morris Jr, Richmond B Morrow, Billie Lee Mosley, Carl Mullinax, Jerry Barton Mummey, Bernard A Niemeier, Sam R Oglesby, Cheryl Y Paris, Joseph Edward Perry, Kristen Sue Priester, Gary D Raby, Kenneth Alan Ramsey, Carolyn B Ray, Dorothy H Raymond, Catherine E Reeves, Gladys Powell Reeves, David J Reid, Sherrie Ann Reynolds, Nell Mobley Richards, Margaret F

19 yrs 03 mths 20 yrs 02 mths 32 yrs 10 mths 22 yrs 01 mths 20 yrs 07 mths 16 yrs 03 mths 25 yrs 00 mths 28 yrs 01 mths 19 yrs 05 mths 18 yrs 08 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 15 yrs 10 mths 15 yrs 10 mths 14 yrs 07 mths 10 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 00 mths 17 yrs 02 mths 11 yrs 11 mths 26 yrs 05 mths 37 yrs 10 mths 14 yrs 00 mths 19 yrs 01 mths 19 yrs 10 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 29 yrs 03 mths 26 yrs 04 mths 10 yrs 11 mths 31 yrs 01 mths 33 yrs 07 mths 19 yrs 03 mths 15 yrs 09 mths 14 yrs 05 mths 21 yrs 11 mths 36 yrs 06 mths 19 yrs 03 mths 30 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 19 yrs 08 mths

Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Defense Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources George L. Smith II - GWCCA Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Columbus Technical College Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Transportation Dept. of Juvenile Justice Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Pineland CSB Ga. Dept. of Education Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Education Ga. Dept. of Corrections DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Labor Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Education DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Court of Appeals DHR - Public Health Georgia Technology Authority DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Education George L. Smith II - GWCCA Ga. Dept. of Motor Veh. Safety Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Labor

Rollins, Hilliary Harris Rucker, Martha A Sammons, Linda V Simpson, Mary E Simpson, Vicki W Smith, Ann F Snider, George B Springfield, Randall D St.Clair, Richard V Stokes, Janice J Swicord, Lillian W Thomas, Mildred H Thompson, Marietta Smith Thorne, Vickie Lee Thornton, Inez Thurman, Jerry L Tolbert, Christine M Tucker, Vivian P Turner, Judy G Turner Sr, Joe L Urheim, Nancy L Walker, Linda M White, Lynda L White, Sheila A White, Barbara J Williams, Phyllis C Williams, Barbara Smith Williams, Lloyd Cecil Williamson, Rosa M Wilson, Peggy M Woodward, Delores A Wright, Ernestine B Wynne, Suzanne Denise Yarbrough, Rebecca T Yarbrough, Robert M Yarbrough, Margaret F Zehner, Velva I

25 yrs 05 mths 30 yrs 06 mths 25 yrs 00 mths 30 yrs 07 mths 25 yrs 05 mths 26 yrs 11 mths 32 yrs 07 mths 23 yrs 06 mths 23 yrs 01 mths 23 yrs 06 mths 21 yrs 04 mths 34 yrs 05 mths 26 yrs 02 mths 29 yrs 07 mths 15 yrs 02 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 01 mths 33 yrs 01 mths 28 yrs 00 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 28 yrs 03 mths 19 yrs 04 mths 34 yrs 00 mths 18 yrs 03 mths 11 yrs 03 mths 26 yrs 09 mths 18 yrs 02 mths 35 yrs 01 mths 27 yrs 05 mths 14 yrs 09 mths 30 yrs 00 mths 27 yrs 02 mths 19 yrs 00 mths 24 yrs 08 mths

DHR - DFACS Dept. of Juvenile Justice General Assembly of Georgia Ga. Dept. of Human Resources DHR - DFACS Admin. Office of the Courts Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Corrections Ga. Dept. of Corrections DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Dept. of Juvenile Justice George L. Smith II - GWCCA Ga. Dept. of Transportation Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Bureau of Investigation Georgia Department of Law Ga Dept of Motor Veh. Safety Department of Revenue Georgia Technology Authority DHR - DFACS Pineland CSB Ga. Dept. of Corrections Department of Revenue DHR - Public Health Ga. Dept. of Corrections DHR - DFACS DHR - DFACS DHR - DFACS Ga. Dept. of Human Resources Ga. Dept. of Corrections Georgia Technology Authority Ga. Dept. of Defense DHR - Public Health DHR - DFACS

Wellness

MONITOR Approximately two feet in front of the user..

Part I of III
Creating a healthy work

EYES Slightly higher than the computer screen.

environment
Having the proper tools in the workplace is only part of the solution to avoiding worker stress and injuries, carpal-tunnel and lower back problems. Employers and employees together should make sure that the work space is ergonomically correct. The total cost of an ergonomically correct work environment will be more than offset by the productivity gained and the avoided medical costs and fewer worker's compensation claims. Ergonomics is the science (and art) of fitting the work environment to the employee to improve employee comfort, while reducing chances for occupational injuries. Chair design, screen location, lighting, work stations, etc., contribute to the comfort and productivity of all employees.
Starting at the top, consider where you are placing the computer monitor. Improper monitor placement is a source of many complaints of neck and shoulder discomfort. As a rule of thumb, the user's eye level should be slightly higher than the computer screen. Ideally, the user won't have to raise or lower his or her neck to see the first line of text at eye level. The monitor should be approximately two feet in front of the user. Tilt the monitor back so that the top is slightly farther away

ELBOWS Forearm should be closely parallel to the floor or close to a 90-degree elbow angle. Wrists should be straight while typing.

from the eyes than the bottom. One study

showed that tilting the monitor downward led to increased visual and postural

CHAIR A properly adjusted chair

discomfort when compared to a monitor tilted back.

should have the seat just below the kneecaps of the user.

Another prime consideration in the

ergonomically correct workstation is

keyboard location. The user's forearm should be closely parallel to the floor or close to a 90degree elbow angle. Wrists should be straight while typing. The use of a wrist rest may be

FEET Keep feet planted firmly on the floor during the workday to help maintain proper posture.

helpful in keeping the wrists from being held

in an awkward angle or unnatural position.

workday to help maintain proper posture. This may

The properly designed workspace should also have a require a behavior modification, but in the end, it will be

good location for the mouse so that it also rests at the

well worth it.

proper height, approximately the same height as the

Finally, make sure that the lighting is proper in your

keyboard. The presence of a wrist rest is also important work area. Without adequate amounts of light, the user

using a mouse. Workstation design should recognize that may face eyestrain and neck pain to see the work to be

some workers are left handed and therefore may need a done. Too much light can be just as much of a problem

different mouse placement.

as too little light. It may take some experimentation to

A properly adjusted chair should have the seat just

find the right amount of light but it is an issue that has to

below the kneecaps of the user. Experts recommend

be considered.

keeping your feet planted firmly on the floor during the

Page 12

Statewide HR Initiatives

Today, the state of Georgia is taking a big-picture approach to Human Resource related issues. With input from Governor Sonny Perdue, the Commission for A New Georgia, leadership in the HR community within and outside of state government and stakeholders, the Georgia Merit System has examined the state's HR processes through a strategic lens and developed nine statewide strategic initiatives. In the planning stage of the three-phase process, each initiative was defined in its present and desired future state by selected team members from various state agencies. In the second and current phase, the design stage, teams have begun to address identified gaps to drive each initiative from its existing state to the desired future condition. The nine initiatives are:
1 Absence Management
Focuses on implementing a time and attendance system for tracking and managing employee absences.
2 Leadership Institute
Develops methods for delivering training and development programs to ensure the right people are receiving the right training more efficiently, and at lower costs.
3 PeopleSoft
Expands system capabilities to enable state agencies, through integration and technology, to capture data that will assist them in managing, developing and training state personnel.
4 Performance Management
Creates a statewide competency-based performance management program that develops employees, rewards excellence, and is aligned with the vision of the state.

5 Recruiting Develops statewide technologybased processes to recruit, hire and deploy a highly qualified workforce to meet the business needs of the state, while addressing the unique needs of some agencies.
6 Statewide HR Policy Develops simplified Rules/Policies applicable to all employees and extends best practice solutions that support the state's business needs, meet legal requirements, and provide consistent practices to protect state interests.
7 Succession Planning Addresses current and future business gaps and needed competencies that are agency specific instead of enterprise-wide.
8 Team Georgia Connection Develops a fully-functional information resource center (one-stop shop) through leveraged web-based communications and functionality of employee selfservice (ESS), providing managers and employees access to answers on the spot with the click of a few buttons.
9 Workforce Planning Establishes a statewide competency based workforce planning program for processes that are strategic in meeting agencies' current and future workforce needs.
This collaborative approach between state agencies to develop enterprisewide HR best-practice solutions will bring about economies of scale and uniformity in policies, procedures and processes. It is also a critical component to making Georgia the best-managed state in the country by 2007.

For more information about the HR Initiatives, contact Lorie Flacker at lflacker@gms.state.ga.us

The Georgia Statement