Friday, July 6, 2007
After
29 years with Public Utilities - the last 15 as utilities director - Mark
Crisson plans to retire later this year. He will join the American
Public Power Association as its new president/CEO. APPA provides service to and
represents the interests of more than 1,400 public power member utilities and is
headquartered in Washington, D.C. "As I reflect on my career with Public
Utilities, I am filled with pride at the many things we have accomplished
while maintaining competitive rates, strong finances and high levels of
reliability and customer service. But I am most proud of the culture of
teamwork, innovation and customer service that we have created here," Mark said.
"While I am sad to leave Tacoma and Public Utilities, I look forward to the new
challenges ahead. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. I am thankful to
have had the opportunity to work with you and will miss my many friends here."
The Public Utility Board will begin a recruitment process immediately to
appoint his successor. Watch Newsline and other news sources for more
information on Mark's actual retirement date and reports on the board's hiring
progress.
Mark in the media: The News Tribune
will feature a Q&A with Mark Crisson in the Monday, July 9, Business
section. Also, the full text of employees' questions and Mark's answers from the
May 15 employee meetings is available through a link on the front page of
CityWeb. Watch for a related article in the July Utilibits.
Today,
Friday, July 6, is the last day of work for
Amy Garrigan,
Community/Media Services, who is moving to Wisconsin after nearly two years as
the volunteer services coordinator. Although she leaves her duties, including
coordination of Community Connection, in the capable hands of
Erika Tucci,
Amy's enthusiasm, friendliness and superior organizational skills will be
missed. You can say goodbye from
1 to 2 p.m. in the Third Floor Conference Room.
Graduation issue correction:
RoseMarie Works, daughter of Rutha Mitchell,
Transmission & Distribution, serves in the Air Force, not the Army.
Apologies for the branch mix-up.
SAP's Shadow system will not be available July 9
through August 3: Each fall the IT/SAP Department applies patches to the SAP
system to ensure critical year-end processes such as tax reporting for W2 and
1099R forms remain current. This year testing begins earlier and will use the
Shadow system to do an analysis of potential changes. During this time, the
Shadow system will not be available for other uses from July 9 through August 3.
Because Shadow is a critical part of the back-up system, access after August
3 will be assigned only as needed. If you have questions or need access,
contact any of the following: Dan Hilleren, 382-2730; Lorraine Stargel,
382-2701; Eric Pugmire, 382-2722; Kathy Everett, 382-2770; Debbie Tainer,
382-2656; Mary Rhine, 382-2629.
The
National Arts Program visual art exhibit is here! Stop by the elevator
lobby on the second floor, the west end hallway on the main floor and the ground
floor hallway of the Public Utilities Administration Building. This exhibit
features art created by City of Tacoma employees and their families. Work will
be displayed through August 21. A reception and awards presentation will be held
Thursday, July 26, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Pantages Theater lobby, 901
Broadway. This event is free and open to the public. Contact Naomi Strom-Avila,
nstrom-avila@cityoftacoma.org
or 591-5191.
Tacoma Power, in coordination with the Tacoma
Arts Commission, is seeking artists to provide hanging art and create wall
murals and/or a series of wall panels for Public Utilities' Administration
Building. This call to artists also includes hanging metal, plastic and/or glass
artwork for the enclosed pedestrian sky bridge that connects to the
Administration Building South. Artwork will be purchased and will be wholly
owned by Tacoma Power. Artists must be Washington state residents age 18 or
older. The deadline to submit art is 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 24. For information,
contact Amy McBride, Tacoma arts administrator, 591-5192, or Sarah Hahn,
Generation, 502-8209.
Saturday
Night Live's Dan Aykroyd might have put on the Julia Child disguise and
admonished us to "Save the liver!", but if you plan to give blood at Public
Utilities, the battle cry is "Eat the liver!" . . . and raisins and spinach and
other iron-rich foods. The next blood donation date is Thursday, July 19,
from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Auditorium Conference Room.
You may drop in or make an appointment with Viv
Leach, 591-5539.
Julie LaVergne, Water Supply;
Sherilyn Christian,
Field Operations; Cinda Johnson, Cushman Project; and Ken Kurtz,
Energy Services, are eligible to receive donated PTO or sick leave. To
donate, contact your timekeeper or the Public Utilities Human Resources Office,
502‑8158, for a PTO/sick leave donation form. You also can download the form
from the Human Resources section of CityWeb.
Human
Resources
July
is Vision Awareness Month: Take care of
your eyes by reading and acting on this information from the National Safety
Council. Any changes in the appearance of your eyes or vision should be
investigated by a doctor. Some examples include:
-
Unusual trouble adjusting to dark rooms
-
Difficulty focusing on near or distant objects
-
Squinting or blinking due to unusual sensitivity
to light or glare
-
Change in iris color
-
Red-rimmed, encrusted or swollen lids
-
Recurrent pain in or around eyes
-
Double vision
-
Dark spot at the center of viewing, or seeing
spots or ghost-like images
-
Lines and edges appear distorted or wavy
-
Excess tearing or watery eyes
-
Dry eyes with itching or burning
In addition, the
following could indicate potentially serious problems requiring emergency
medical attention: sudden loss of vision in one eye, sudden hazy or blurred
vision, flashes of light or black spots, halos or rainbows around light,
curtain-like blotting out of vision, or loss of peripheral (side) vision. If you
notice any signs of potential eye problems, see an eye doctor for a complete eye
exam. Regular eye exams are recommended for everyone - especially for those with
some chronic health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Early
detection and treatment can be the key to preventing sight loss.
Community
Connection
Haul out the kibble and stack up the cans
- it's time for Community Connection's pet food drive! The Seniors with
Pets Assistance Program is dedicated to helping the many senior citizens on
fixed incomes who currently have a pet, or would like to have a pet, but can not
afford all of the associated costs. The program provides pet food and supplies
at no charge to qualified program participants and even delivers it free. A
donation bin will be in the Cafeteria from Monday, July 9, through
Monday, July 23. To learn more, visit
www.seniorswithpets.org
or contact Cindy Farmer, Human Resources, 502-8158.
Community
Event
There is only a month to go before the
18th Annual Team Tacoma Charity Golf Tournament, scheduled to start at 1
p.m. on Friday, August 10, at the Oakbrook Golf & Country Club. To sign
up or for more information, contact Jim Curley, Power Management,
502-8352, or visit
www.teamtacoma.org.
Sign up by Friday, July 13, to guarantee your team's spot; all remaining spots
will be offered to corporate sponsors. For information about the course, visit
www.oakbrookgcc.com.
Calendar
·
Employees who have
personal cellular telephone accounts through Verizon
Wireless might have Tacoma Public
Utilities listed incorrectly as the account owner rather than the individual
employee. All accounts must be transferred before July 18, or they will be
disconnected and the number lost. Contact Rick Herrmann, Generation,
502-8226, if you have questions.
·
The
2007 Dog-A-Thon to benefit homeless pets is Saturday, July 21, at
Fort Steilacoom Park, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact Lee Root, 502-8148,
with questions.
·
The Motorcycle Dam Run to the
Cushman Project is Saturday, July 21. The suggested donation to ride is $25
single, $35 two-up. Registration forms are available in Community/Media Services
and in the Energy Control Center, or by e-mail from Ron Koecke, Dave
Palmer or Frank Weite, all Transmission & Distribution. The ride
benefits Community Connection's fund for low-income seniors.
-
Soup & Sandwich: Clam Chowder, Fishwich
-
Salad: Turkey & Avocado
-
Hot Special: Shredded Beef Quesadilla, Spanish
Rice, Salad