Employee Announcements

There are times in our lives that we are faced with changes that are beyond our control, and when these changes occur there are things that we just don’t think about. One of those things is your beneficiary paperwork. When a “life event” occurs (i.e., marriage, divorce, birth of a child, etc.) we tend to forget to change that information listed on each of these cards.

Beneficiary paperwork is usually filled out at the time you are hired on with the Sheriff’s Office, and it tells us whom you would like for your benefits to go to should something happen to you. You should have at least 3 beneficiary cards in your personnel file: (1) The County’s Policy – Employee Benefits, (2) The Sheriff’s Policy – Standard Life, and (3) Federal benefits card.

Please take a moment to review the information in your file. You can change it as often as you like, and if you have any questions at all, please feel free to call me directly at 292-7092 or via e-mail at tsnider@keysso.net.

The Animal Farm will be hosting our annual Christmas on the Farm event on Sunday, December 14th, from 1pm to 3pm. Santa will be here with gifts for the children. We will also have games, coloring, reading of holiday stories, photos with Santa, face painting, the HOB jazz band, and more. Everyone is welcome to attend!

If you are interested in being a VOLUNTEER to help out with the festivities, please call or email me!

On Sunday, December 14^th there will be a Bowlathon to raise money and collect toys for kids this Christmas. The event will be held at the Fish Bowl in Islamorada from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Cost is $20 per person and an unwrapped new gift. This includes shoes and unlimited bowling. For information, contact Sgt. Dennis Coleman at 797-0884 or Peggy Bryan at 853-3211.

Nancy Alvarez is asking for donations of vacation time to assist her with issues arising from her current illness. Anyone who wants to donate time can send an email to yrodriguez@keysso.net letting her know how many hours.

The Girl Scouts are taking pre-orders for cookies. They're $3.50 a box and I understand that the boxes are smaller this year. Contact Tamara Snider (tsnider@keysso.net) or Michelle Quad (mquad@keysso.net) to order.

The cookies arrive on January 10th and will be delivery sometime after that date.

In my job our company strives to build affordable homes for hard working people and families in Key West, and I believe we succeed. However, there are always people that we cannot help, and this is why I am on the board of Habitat for Humanity. It is my pleasure to give my time, money, and knowledge to help rehabilitate and build homes for families that otherwise could not afford to own a home in out wonderful city.

I am e-mailing you today to ask if you would consider making a donation to this incredibly important organization in Key West.

I know that times are tough and it is difficult at the holiday season, however there is a great reason for you to give now!

Habitat for Humanity of Key West & Lower Florida has been given the opportunity to gain significant financial support in the form of a matching grant. We have not directly solicited funds since 2006, but we are coming to you now and asking for your help in meeting our goal of creating affordable housing opportunities in the Lower Keys. We request that you give what you can today, keeping in mind your gift received by December 31, 2008 will be doubled, thanks to our challenge grant.

Any donation is wonderful $10… 20… 50... or whatever you can give will be appreciated and will be used to help rehabilitate and build homes right here in Key West and the Lower Keys.

Habitat has made great strides over the past few years. Our local organization was recently recognized as one of the TOP 50 U.S. affiliates by serving the most families domestically and internationally in 2006. Recently we have:

We, and the many local families who are depending on us, need your help today to keep moving forward in our mission to help create affordable housing opportunities. There is no better time than NOW to make a contribution, because your gift is doubled between now and the end of 2008.

If you would like to make a donation please let me know via e-mail and I will come and pick up the donation, or simply write a check to Habitat for Humanity and mail it to: 402 Applerouth Lane Suite 3 Key West, Fl 33040

Please let me know if you have any questions about Habitat or the work that we do. I am more than happy to talk with you about this wonderful organization.

Debbie Swift Batty
Project Manager
cell: 305 509-1958
office: 305 293-3255
fax: 305 295-7384

Everyone is invited to participate in the Bureau of Correction's annual Holiday Potluck that will be held on the Major's Terrace on Stock Island - weather permitting - if not, in the Muster Room on Thursday, December 18th at 1130 hours.

If you want to attend the Holiday Potluck on December 18th, please contact Mary Cohen BY DECEMBER 12th concerning which dish you will be bringing. All participants of the Holiday Potluck must bring something.

Ted and Mary Jo Migala will be having their annual Christmas Party Friday, December 12^th at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come, There will be great food and great company at 766 Dolphin Avenue in Key Largo, mm103.8 Oceanside. For more information or directions, call 453-3365.

Since Christmas and New Years falls on a Thursday this year, all non-sworn full time employees who normally get holidays off will get the Friday after Christmas and the Friday after New Years off this year in addition to the normally scheduled holidays on December 25^th and January 1^st. This will be noted on your time sheets as “Admin w/Pay”. This also applies to those full time, sworn employees who get holidays off. All non-sworn full time employees who are required to work holidays will get 16 hours credited to their vacation bank effective the December 21^st pay date.

All sworn employees who work shifts will have an additional 16 hours added to their Annual Leave (vacation time) with the approval of the FOP and Teamsters Unions.

With Supervisor’s approval. Shift employees may use the extra 16 hours when wanted. (Time sheets should be recorded as vacation time).

If you have a retirement plan serviced by The Hartford, you need to know the Dreyfus Lifetime Income investment option will be closing effective January 9, 2009. Thus, The Hartford must stop taking contributions or transfers after January 8, 2009. If you have future contribution allocations to this investment option, you must re-direct them to other investments prior to that date. If you have an existing balance in this investment option, you must redirect your existing balance into another option. To make these changes, visit their web site at http://retire.hartfordlife.com or call their voice response unit at 800-528-9009.

The list below is the Monroe County Domestic Abuse Shelter wish list for the holidays.

The first grouping of items are things that would be ideal for the women and children for gifts during the holiday season or really anytime of the year. The second group of items are things the shelter spends grant money on that, if DAS were to receive enough of these items, then DAS could take the money normally spent on such items and use it toward something else like paying the electric bills, helping toward paying rent on our outreach offices, or assuring that the children can enjoy an occasional field trip.

Items that are always needed that are purchased by DAS. Receipt of items will help position DAS to use money used for items below to go towards other expenses like the electric bill, telephone bill, and food.

Sheriff’s Office employees are beginning their yearly effort to collect toys for needy kids in the Keys this Christmas season.

They have named their effort “Toyz for Keyz Kidz”, and they are collecting unwrapped new toys and monetary donations. The donations and toys can be dropped off at Sheriff’s Substations on Cudjoe Key, in Marathon, Islamorada and Plantation Key as well as at the Sheriff’s Headquarters building on Stock Island. All proceeds will benefit needy Monroe County kids age 0 – 17 this Christmas.

Toys and donations should be dropped off prior to Monday, December 15^th. Last Christmas season, hundreds of families benefited this toy drive.

The Sheriff's Office will be holding its annual Christmas Party on the Animal Farm in December. The event is free of charge and kids and adults alike will love visiting with the animals, talking to Santa and celebrating the holiday season.

The Christmas party is scheduled for Sunday, December 14th from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. The farm will be decorated for the season and Santa will be on hand, available for photos. He'd love to hear whether you've been naughty or nice and what you want him to bring for Christmas.

Visit with all the animals, including Tina the Key Deer, Piglet, Wilbur, Eeyore the donkey, Albert the African spurred tortoise, all the residents of the ferret house, Bucky the Llama, our tropical birds, snakes, goats, sheep, horses and much, much more.

December 14th will be the only open house for the animal farm for the month. To schedule private visits or to find out more about the Children's Animal Farm, contact Farm Supervisor Jeanne Selander at 305-293-7331.

I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support during my campaign and for all the hard work and dedication exhibited during past months. The hard work paid off and now we can concentrate on the business at hand – law enforcement and protecting and serving the people of Monroe County.

I look forward to working with everyone in the future. I’m excited about everything we have to look forward to and I know everyone will pitch in and work hard as we move into the new year. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is about teamwork, and about working together both inside the office, and working together with the community to make this the best agency, and the best community it can be.

KEY WEST -- Easter Seals Florida / Keys Region has issued a gorgeous new ornament. The 17th ornament in this collectors' series is "The Conch Republic Flag".

Produced by the prestigious Charleston Mint, the limited edition COLOR ornament is 24 karat gold-over-brass. Only 750 are being made available for public sale, beginning November 1st. They are available at Easter Seals, 5220 College Road on Stock Island and all First State Bank and CVS locations from Key West to Key Largo. Easter Seals will also ship ornaments to your friends and family for a small fee.

The COLOR ornaments are $25 plus 7.5% tax. Proceeds stay in Monroe County and help provide funding for the Therapy Center's outpatient services to children and adults, early intervention services for special needs infants and toddlers, and the inclusive Child Development Center.

For credit card orders call 294-1089 and ask for Tracy Leslie. Checks may be made payable to Easter Seals Florida, Inc., 5220 College Rd., Key West, FL 33040.

Save the Date!
Seventh Annual Mayor's Ball & Auction
Saturday, December 13, 2008

This year the event will be held at the Casa Marina and the Honorary Host will be Mayor Morgan McPherson. Keep watching for more exciting details!

If you would like to be a sponsor or donate an item to the auction please contact Kelli Brower at 305.731.3943 or via e-mail at fkcsdream@yahoo.com.

Upcoming Events

Next year's Black & White Ball will be on March 28, 2009 and it will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Florida Keys Children's Shelter. If you are interested in being a sponsor, committee member or running for King or Queen of the Ball please contact Kelli Brower, 305.731.3943 or at fkcsdream@yahoo.com

For more information about any of our special events please contact Kelli Brower at 305.731.3943 or visit fkcs.org

Cape Air as a code share carrier for Continental Airlines will soon begin scheduled air service consisting of three round-trip flights daily between Florida Keys Marathon Airport (MTH) and Southwest Florida International Airport, Fort Myers, FL (RSW) starting on December 19, 2008.

If Keys residents have friends, relatives, or business contacts on Florida’s West Coast, Cape Air from Marathon is by far the most inexpensive air service in Monroe County. Cape Air fares with no connection to another Continental flight are expected to run about $90 to $100 each way. And remember, parking at the Florida Keys Marathon Airport is always free.

Also, Florida Keys Marathon Airport (MTH) provides a gateway to the Florida Keys through Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), as well as from the Florida Keys through RSW to numerous other destinations nationally.

Residents of the Florida Keys have long become too used to driving and flying from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Similarly, the “fly-drive” segment of visitors to the Florida Keys – those that fly into Miami or Fort Lauderdale and drive the rest of the way, face the natural constriction of a mostly two-lane highway that accommodates almost 3 million visitors each year. Clearly, additional access must be developed for residents and to maintain and expand the tourist industry on which the Keys depends. That new gateway is the Florida Keys Marathon Airport through RSW.

Hunt Insurance Group has sent us an informational package offering our employees “Term Life” Insurance. You will find the package in public folders in the Announcements folder.

This coverage is "term life" not whole life, and is a payroll deduction. If you are interested in obtaining additional information on such a policy, please contact Tamara Snider at tsnider@keysso.net no later than FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17TH. We need to schedule dates and times for a representative to come in a meet with those who want additional information and/or want to sign up.

I have also attached another flyer from Hunt Insurance regarding "voluntary accident". Once again it's very affordable and is a payroll deduction. If you are interested in obtaining this coverage, please contact Human Resources, they'll have the forms that need to be filled out.

As a side note, there are several other insurance companies that we work with regarding accidental coverage, cancer and disability policies, etc. (payroll deduction). Please feel free to contact Human Resources for additional information.

A lengthy legal update on search and seizure is available in the Announcement’s folder in public folders. Jon Ellsworth highly recommends it if you are interested in learning about the law in this area.

My son is a new Kindergartener at Sugarloaf Elementary School. And as you know, our school system isn’t as wealthy as we’d like. Classrooms and special classes (Art, P.E., etc) all need to be sponsored and teachers accept all donations. Well, both Box Tops for Education and Labels for Education (Campbell’s products) say that if you save their little box tops and labels and your school submits them, General Mills and Campbell’s will give money and products to the schools. If you need to check this out to verify it's not a scam... www.boxtops4education.com and www.labelsforeducation.com will answer your questions.

If you don’t already save these box tops and labels for your own child or children, please cut them out and send them through the courier to Michelle Rabinowitz, in Communications. This is an ongoing program and I will accept either the box tops or the labels at any time. Thank you all for your help.

Rural Health Network of Monroe County FL, Inc. now has two county-wide locations to serve the community’s oral health care needs, providing a total of 90 hours of service each week. Currently we have four dentists, a hygienist, four dental assistants and a complement of support staff in our dental clinics. We are anticipating opening on Saturdays in the near future. Our goal is to provide a high level of service to affordable care, with greater access.

The original clinic is located in Marathon, at 2901, Unit 2, Overseas Highway. For information or appointments to the Middle Keys clinic, call 305-289-8915. Its hours of operation are: 8am-6pm Monday-Friday, providing 45 hour access each week.

The new clinic is located in Key West, at 1010 Kennedy Drive, Suite 307. Its hours of operation are: 8am-6pm Monday-Friday. It will provide 45 hours access each week to the Key West and Lower Keys community. It consists of a full staff, state-of-the-art digital x-ray equipment, and electronic medical records. For information call; 305-394-4984 or 305-289-8917. For appointments call 305-394-4984.

Both clinics operate on a sliding fee scale, requiring a verification of combined household income, either in the form of Income Tax Returns, W2 forms, or the past four employment pay stubs. To qualify for the sliding fee scale these forms must be provided. Anyone can make an appointment at either clinic. Without proof of household income our standard rates apply (which are still affordable).

The new clinic takes Care Credit and insurance from a multitude of dental providers. Care Credit, available to those that apply, allows for dental work to be applied to a credit card providing interest free service for a 12 month term (or less). After the 12 months, a low interest rate applies. Dental insurance, from an assortment of providers, is available to the non-profit community and local government employees.

Rural Health Network is still here to serve our community, as we have been since 1993. We hope that you will support our efforts by supporting our two dental clinics with your referrals and with a chance to serve you and your agency or group. We welcome the Non-Profit administrators, as well as County and City officials to stop by and visit our new Key West location.

In Outlook there is the Address Book which can be quite useful if the information if it is kept up to date. We have a tool that all members can use to update their own entry in the address book. On our internal black web page (www.mcso.net) there is a link in the left column that is labeled “Directory Update”. Once the user signs on, they can update their (and only their own) information in the global Outlook address book.

Please take a few minutes to update your information. This would make the address book a truly useful tool for everyone in the agency.

Increase your earning power as you take your career to the next level with a Certificate, Associates, Bachelors or Masters Degree in Criminal Justice, 100% online.

Kaplan University offers fully accredited Criminal Justice Degrees that are 100% online with no campus visits required. Our programs are some of the highest ranked programs in the world and designed specifically for YOU - the law enforcement professional. - view programs here

Online Certificate and Degree Programs are available in the following disciplines:

Bachelors - Computer Crime, Corrections, Crime Analysis, Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Psychology, Fraud Examination and Investigation, Homeland Security and Counterterrorism,

Masters - Corrections, Global Issues in Criminal Justice, Law, Leadership and Executive Management, Policing

For more information including; criminal justice scholarships (up to $5400), free books and course materials, potential transfer credit for academy and in-service training, and other questions, please visit www.cweiss-kaplan.com. Select the program you are interested in, fill in the form, and an admissions counselor will contact you to answer all of your questions.

In addition to available scholarship money, there is also a $1000 tuition credit to law enforcement professionals and family members. To receive this credit, simply reply to me by email and request it. I will mail the tuition credit document to you. This document needs to be submitted with your application paperwork.

Sprint is offering comprehensive wireless products and services to
The Florida Keys Government and United States Postal Service employees. These products and services are available with substantial discounts through this website: https://flkeysgov.sprnext.com/cs/447/

Employee’s: Please remember that it is very important to approve your timecard before your supervisor does. Timecards not approved by an employee will no longer be processed.

Supervisor's: Please ensure that before you approve the timecard the employee has already approved it. Timecards that are missing a supervisor or employee approval will no longer be processed.

I understand that there may be circumstances beyond your control when an employee is unable to approve their timecard. When this occurs, please contact Payroll prior to the timecards being due.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me. I am available to assist you every day except on the Tuesday and Wednesday of the payroll week. On these days you can send me an email and I will try to respond to you as quickly as possible.

We currently have a recycle bin marked "Dan's Cans" placed in the common break room (1st floor) in which you may place your empty aluminum soda cans to be recycled.

Dan’s Cans is a worthy effort by a resident of the Marc House. We encourage everybody to participate in protecting our environment by recycling and contributing towards a good cause. Another such recycling container will be placed at the main jail facility.

Each office should determine how they wish to separate cans from their regular waste. The trusty can then pick the cans up as he makes his rounds each day. Feel free to bring in aluminum cans from home as well….bring them in on Monday mornings, the day of pick up, so we don’t have bags of cans sitting around all week.

The Sheriff's Office does plan to expand this effort to include the recycling of paper and plastics once final arrangements have been made with Monroe County Waste Management. Stand by for more information.

The Trumbo Palms restaurant, located in the Fly Navy Building on Trumbo Point (AKA the BOQ) is now offering Sunday brunch from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost of the brunch is $10.50 for adults, $5.00 for children ages 5 – 12 and under five, it is free of charge.

The brunch offers an omelet station, eggs made to order, bacon, sausage, biscuits, pancakes, French toast, grits, hash browns, coffee, juice along with a selection of lunch items. For more information, call 293-4205/

We hope that this information is helpful to you. Please feel free to forward this e-mail to your employees. Nexium is one of the most prescribed prescription drugs currently on the market. Fortunately, there may be a little financial relief for some in the way of the Purple Plus Savings Card. Nexium users that do have prescription coverage as well as those who do not have prescription coverage may be eligible to use the card to save money on their refills. Card holders will receive a variety of information by mail and by e-mail. They will also have access to online tools that may be very helpful to those living with acid reflux disease. Please copy and paste the link below in your browser to go to the site where you can register and read more about the card. Please note that there is also an FAQ section in the site that can help answer any questions you may have.

If you visit our intranet, at www.mcso.net (only accessible when you are logged on to our network), you will see a link to “local offenders”. I have started taking photos of all the sex offenders in the county, along with information about their homes and vehicles. I will be updating this information on a regular basis and will continue to post the information in this location.

I wanted everyone to have a quick and easy way to find this information. If anyone wants me to add anything to this, call me at 305-797-0089.

It has become apparent that the code used to access the Marathon gym has been shared with people who are not authorized to have it. Because of this, the code will be changed soon and a liaison is being appointed to keep a closer eye on the facility and those who use it.

Sgt. Trish Dally will be the liaison. As a reminder, only those who are authorized by access the gym. Authorized people may take a guest with them, but must be there in person when the guest is working out. There will now be a sign up log in the gym where the authorized person must sign in, and list who their guest is if they have one. Dispatch will be given a complete list of authorized gym users and road patrol deputies will be doing spot checks to make sure no unauthorized users are there by themselves. People found in the gym who are not authorized to be there will be issued a trespass warning.

As a reminder: Persons that have been convicted of a felony may not use the gym. Persons using the gym must also clean the equipment after use and place the weights back on the shelves. Those wishing to use the gym should call Sgt. Dally at 289-2410 or email her at pdally@keysso.net with a contact phone number so she can call and give you the new code to get in. Anyone who notices any equipment not working properly or items needing repair or replacement in the gym should contact her as well.

We have started a “library” at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters Building. It is on the first floor in the break room. Donate your old books, and help yourself to some new ones. There is no charge for this, but we are accepting donations for the Animal Farm for those who want to give a dollar or two. Drop your dollar donations off with Val Marinello, Rene Kulick or Becky Herrin. And please try to keep the library neat. Thanks.

Fingerprint scanning for building entry

Effective immediately all personnel requiring access to the MCSO Headquarters Building must have their fingerprint scanned and/or on file at Information Systems on the first floor or the headquarters building. Their office hours are Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. thru 5:00 p.m. No Fingerprint - No Entry! Please encourage your staff to accomplish this process as soon as possible.

Hodges University is offering a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management (BSM) at Florida Keys Community College in Key West. The Management Program is delivered in an accelerated “wheel” format where students attend class one night per week

A total of up to 84 credits may be transferable toward a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Hodges University offers a $100.00 per credit hour tuition discount to employees who work for corporate partners. Hodges has a corporate agreement with your organization.

Hodges University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associate, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

Hodges University offers the following Bachelor’s (B) and Master’s (M) degrees totally online:

For those of you who like to look at press releases from various agencies around the county including ours, I have renamed the “Office of Public Information” folder in Public Folders. It is now called “Community Relations”, but the same information is included in it as before.

The iPay statements are now in effect for all employees. Today’s paper statement will be the last pay stub that you will receive.

If you have not already done so, please register at the iPay website in order to access your pay stub on the next pay date 2/22/08.

Employees will no longer be getting paper pay stubs on payday Fridays. Instead, those pay stubs will be available on the internet.

Anyone looking for Tractor, Backhoe work and Carpentry (Custom Cabinets and furniture made to order), call Deputy David Chavka at 747-0200.

Detective Jason Madnick and his wife own a home day care at the 103 mile marker. She is licensed and insured through the state, and excepts WESLEY house. There are full/part time positions available and they are available on nights and weekends. The total number of children at any one time is 10 children depending on age. For more information, contact Debbie at: Miss Debbie's Building Blocks, 744 Canal Street, Key Largo, Fl 33037, (305) 522-6930

Please send your old Nickel Cadmium (Ni-CAD) or Lithium ION (L-ion) batteries to I.S. We have the proper containers to send them off to a recycling facility. The batteries can be from your radios, computers, cameras, digital recorders, etc. Thank you.

There is a new one stop web page designed to specifically assist you in processing Uniform Traffic Citations through the Traffic Citation Accounting and Transmission System and to more easily locate driver record reference information.

You can access the web page at http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/courts. Please take this opportunity to review the useful tools on this web page.

Several officers have been asking about the possibility of purchasing and carrying their own patrol rifles. A draft policy and request was completed by Lt. Brazil and Sgt. McGee with help and input from others.

I have reviewed it and, based upon recent events in law enforcement around the country, I felt that it was a good thing. I discussed it with the Sheriff, who agreed. The policy will be approved and is currently being fine tuned for implementation. I will give you the basics right now so that you may act upon it if so desired.

First of all you will need approval from your sector commander to carry the weapon. If approved by your commander you may purchase one of two approved rifles, which are the Colt and Rock River Arms .223 cal. rifles. You may also purchase an E.O. Tech sight or a non magnification aim point, no other sighting systems are authorized unless you are assigned to SWAT. If you attach an authorized sight on your weapon, you must have a rear flip up sight so that you can use iron sights in the event of a sight system failure.

No class three weapons will be authorized i.e. short barreled rifles, full automatic rifles or suppressed rifles. You will have to attend and complete an approved rifle course and qualify every six months as outlined for current issued agency Colt M16 rifles. You will have to carry only approved ammunition and no unauthorized ammunition can be in your issued vehicle.

If you plan on purchasing your own weapon for on duty purposes, please notify your commanders, who will keep track so that we can obtain the proper amount of ammunition required to attend the course, qualify and be issued duty ammunition.

Thank you for your time in this matter. Two local shops that may be able to help you with weapons are Kiffney's in the upper Keys and Carbone's in the lower Key's.

Changes in Check Runs - Finance Division

Due to changes occurring with FY08 budgets, finance had to make some changes. One of those changes will be to our weekly check runs. In order for finance to remain efficient and maintain same level of service, it has become necessary to only produce checks every other week (on Wednesdays of each non-payroll week). This change will occur this week.

This will become important for those employees who may have travel/training requests. Please notify all your employees that it is their responsibility to turn in such requests to the necessary supervisor/commander for approval and allow time to forward the requests to finance. Finance needs a minimum of two-week lead time in order to process travel/training requests.

Employee Assistance Program:

The Employee Assistance Program has teamed up with Legal Access Plans, LLC to provide a complete Legal Protection and Financial Services Package for you and your family members. This is an extended service and a free benefit through your Employee Assistance Program (EAP). For more details please read the newsletter posted under “Announcements” in Outlook.

Special Auto Insurance Rates for Florida Sheriffs Association Members and Sheriff’s Office Personnel:

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If you don’ have a local agent, please call: 1-866-556-SAVE (7283) Media Code: 8755

Emergency Contact Information

Information courtesy of Investigator Janine Gedmin

The State of Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles has a website that allows drivers to enter two "Emergency Contacts" into their database which will then be connected to your driver's license. This will eliminate lost time contacting loved ones if you are ever in an accident and are rendered unconscious.

Go to www.hsmv.state.fl.us click on "Emergency Contacts", put in your driver's license and birth date. It will then ask for the name, address, and phone number of the two people you want to have contacted, click the save button and you’re done.

Easter Seals of Florida / Key Region is happy to announce Hear 4 Kidz, Inc. will be providing audiology/hearing services to clients in Key West:

5220 College Road
Key West, FL 33040

We all know how important it is to have good hearing, especially for the children. We now provide accessible, quality hearing care to the families in Southern Monroe County. These services will be available for any individual in need of an audiological assessment (including adults). All that is required is a prescription for the assessment from the individual’s physician.

To schedule an appointment, please call or have the client or client parent/guardian call the Hear 4 Kidz Homestead office to schedule an appointment during the next scheduled day in Key West.

Michelle A. Couture-Souvenir, Au.D., CCC-A, M.S.
Health Services Administration Clinical Doctor of Audiology
305-247-8227 or via e-mail: info@hear4kidz.com

Our next office hours in Key West will be on
Wednesday, July 25, 2007

State Heroes Mortgage Program

Offered by Mortgage Architects, Inc., it offers low closing costs for Florida Law Enforcement Officers. Call Jeff Brown at 407-737-3552, 407-366-8347 or email him at jeff@stateheroes.com

Reminder about equipment

By Tamara Snider

Just a reminder that anytime a member damages, misplaces, and/or steals Sheriff's Office equipment a report, statement and pictures, and at times estimates will need to be obtained, and I will need a copy of such so that I can try to seek reimbursement or restitution. In the matters of stolen property IA will be involved in the process. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Great News! January 1, 2007, new "Well Adult Care" benefits were added to the Employee Health Plan

Well Adult Care and Routine Well Care *(age 18 and over)

Limited to a maximum payable of $400.00 per year for Covered Services (see below) every 24 months under age 40.
Limited to a maximum payable of $400.00 per year for Covered Services (see below) every 12 months age 40 and over.
* Must have a "Routine" diagnosis to be covered under Well Care. Maximum payable of $400.00 is not subject to the Deductible or the regular Co-payment percentage of the Plan.

Covered Services – Covered routine Physician and Laboratory services are limited to the following:

Physical Exam
Laboratory tests and x-rays deemed appropriate by the examining physician during the course of a routine physical examination.
Immunization
Gynecological Exam (including pap smear and related lab fees)
Mammograms

Important Florida Retirement information

From Donna Moore, Human Resources Executive Director

The Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP), implemented on July 1, 1998, is a program that allows you to retire without terminating your employment for up to five (5) years while your retirement benefits accumulate and earn interest compounded monthly.

Members registered in the Special Rick Class (Deputy Sheriff, Detention Deputies), 55 years old with six (6) years of service may participate in the FRS Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP).

Members registered in the Regular Risk Class (Support Staff), 62 years old with six (6) years of service may participate in the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP).

For additional information, please contact Donna Moore, at (305) 292-7044, or you may contact the Florida Retirement System directly at (850) 488-6491 option #3, or visit the wed site at www.myflorida.com/frs

New Intranet Site

Sheriff's Office employees now have a new way to view information previously only available in Microsoft Outlook Public Folders. You can now browse everything on the Sheriff's new Intranet web site. You'll find a link to it at www.mcso.net. Take a look - there is lots of great information and it is user friendly and easy to get to. And, best of all, as soon as something is posted in public folders, it is automatically available on the intranet. The internal site was designed by Steve Heitman so take a look, then let him know what you think. You can email him at s9231@mcso.net or call him at the Information Technology office at 292-7027. Rest assured, the intranet site is secure and can only be accessed by people who are inside the Sheriff's Office firewall. Note: this means you will not be able to visit this site from home unless you have a secure connection into the Sheriff's Office system.

Free Manure

The Children's Animal Park is giving away bags of manure from the farm - great for plants, trees, yards, etc. Stop by or call the farm and Farmer Selander will have it bagged up for you.

Keysso.net for Mobile Users

If you have a mobile device used to access the internet, you can now view the Monroe County Sheriff's Office Web Site. Simply go to www.keysso.net and click on the link just below the picture to access a menu designed for mobile devices. Happy browsing!