May is " Mental Health Awareness Month"
June is " Alzheimer's Awareness Month"
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Columbus Consolidated Government Quick Links
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CCG Insight Newsletter Staff
Sheila Risper
Aron Torbert
Vickie Hughes
Carmen D. Hood
Shane Walker
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Mental Health Month raises awareness of trauma and the impact it can have on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children, families, and communities.
Mental Health Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans' lives, and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. Mental health is essential for a person's overall health.
Prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can recover from mental disorders and live full and productive lives.
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Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia are reaching worldwide epidemic proportions. There are currently 47 million people worldwide living with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. If no cure is found, that number is expected to grow to 76 million by 2030.
In the United States alone, there are 5.7 million people living with Alzheimer's. It's the 6th leading cause of the death and is the only cause among the top 10 that cannot be prevented, cured, or slowed.The color purple has been chosen to help raise Alzheimer's awareness as The Alzheimer's Association encourages people to "Go Purple with a Purpose" throughout the month.
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Welcome and Congrats to Our
New Hires, Promotions, & Retirees
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Public Works Department receives APWA Accreditation
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Read about the exceptional work that Pat Biegler and her team have done, by receiving this prestigious award.
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Employee Recognition Program
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CCG Employee Recognition Program (ERP)
CCG Employee Recognition Program recognizes employees who make consistent contributions to the CCG through outstanding job performance via two categories: PEER Award & Individual Excellence Award.
PEER Award (Promoting Employee Excellence through Recognition)
- Employees are nominated by their peers and winners are selected by past recipients of this award.
Individual Excellence Award
- Nominations must originate from a person in a supervisory relationship to the nominee and have approval of their department head.
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Employee Spotlight
on
2018 PEER of the Year
Francesca Dye
Finance Department
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Read about the connection that Francesca has made with the Columbus Consolidated Government
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Francesca Dye, recipient of the 2018 Peer of the Year Award, initially was employed with the Department of Parks of Recreation in 2007. She transitioned to the Finance Department as Accounts Payable Technician in 2011, and was promoted to Payroll Coordinator in 2013. As Payroll Coordinator, her primary duties consist of processing and coordinating data entry for various payrolls; assisting in preparation, balancing, and processing of time and attendance records for employees; and other assigned duties. Converting from one payroll system to another has by far been her most challenging experience in this position. It was necessary that she prepare herself for the changes that came with conversion to a new system, and was heavily involved in helping timekeepers and personnel coordinators adjust.
Francesca possesses a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science and Master of Business Administration Degree. She is married to Andre’ Dye, who is well-known in the community for teaching and coaching sports. They are parents of three smart children: Lechel, Andre’, and Kobe. She was born in Oklahoma, and is what some people refer to as a “military brat.” Her father retired in Fort Hood, Texas, but the family eventually moved to Columbus, GA where one of her uncles serving in the Army during that time resided.
Her most rewarding experience has been the honor of “2018 Peer of the Year” because she was selected by her peers. She must provide customer service to the city employees and former city employees on a daily basis. This award is confirmation that she is doing something right. She describes the Finance Department as family, and it has been a joy to work with such a great group of people. However, she is also excited to embark on a new career as Finance Manager with the Trade Center at the end of April.
Her philosophy is “Success is not for the weak. You must be confident enough to take risks. Not every risk will be rewarding, but you must be strong enough to get back up when you fall because there are times you will fail. Also, know that big risks reap big rewards.”
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Employee Spotlight
on
2018 Individual Excellence of the Year Winner
Captain Paula Carter
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Read about the connection that Captain Carter has made with the Columbus Consolidated Government
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Paula Carter, recipient of the 2018 Individual Excellence of the Year Award, was hired in 1987 as an EMT with Columbus Emergency Medical Services (EMS). She received paramedic certification in 1989 and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1996. She obtained a Training Lieutenant position within the newly formed department of Columbus Fire and EMS in 2001 when the EMS department merged with the Fire Department. She was promoted to Training Captain in 2004.
To date, as Training Captain and EMS Program Director, she is primarily responsible for coordinating and teaching the in-house paramedic program, the only paramedic program in the area. The requirements to be a paramedic consist of several steps. First, the individual must obtain emergency medical technician (EMT) certification, which is approximately 300 hours of training. Next, the individual completes advanced emergency medical training (AEMT), which is another 216 hours of education. If the person wants to increase their knowledge and level of responsibility, they take a paramedic training course. This is a year to 18 months in length and consists of about 1500 hours of classroom, clinical, and field training. The duties of a paramedic include treatment of life threatening conditions and transportation to the hospital. The accreditation process of the paramedic program was a huge undertaking, and the paramedic program is now accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Paula currently has a 100% pass rate for the National Registry exam for the paramedic students that she has trained. She considers their success her greatest reward.
Paula received EMT and paramedic certification 1987 and 1989, Associate Degree in Applied Science 1994, and Bachelor of Science Degree in Management 2005. In addition, she possesses instructor credentials in many EMS & Fire disciplines. Her philosophy is “Learning is never complete. We should always strive to learn more!”
Paula is married with four children. She has resided in Columbus since she was a 9
th
grade student, when her family relocated from North Carolina. She describes Columbus as her home, and has never considered going anywhere else.
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2019 Public Service Recognition Week
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2019 2nd Annual CCG Barbecue Cook-off Competition
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Infused Water Recipes that will make you forget about Soft Drinks
Apple of My Eye
Apple, Lemon and Mint Leaves
Summer Squeeze
Strawberries, Lemon and Mint Leaves
Apricot and Berries
Apricots, Raspberries and Mint Leaves
Citrus Burst
Oranges and Limes
Pink Hawaiian
Strawberries and Pineapples
Fuzzy Fruit Cooler
Plums, Peaches and Mint Leaves
Strawberry Cooler
Strawberries , Cucumber slices and Basil
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Summer Love Smoothie
Ingredients
2 Cups Kale
1 cup frozen raspberries
1 1/2 Cups of Water or non Dairy Milk
1/2 Banana
1 Teaspoon Coconut Oil
3 Brazil Nuts
Instructions
Place all items in a Blender and mix until smooth
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Non- Alcoholic Raspberry Mint Julep
Ingredients
2 Teaspoons simple syrup
6 Large Raspberries
3 Mint Leaves
2 Ounces Ginger Ale
Crushed Ice
Mint Leaf for garnish
Instructions
Begin by adding simple syrup to Raspberries.
Next add Mint leaves and muddle to bruise them lightly
Add 2 ounces of Ginger Ale
Fill with crushed ice and add a straw and mint leaf for garnish.
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Ingredients
4 ears fresh corn
5 Oz Louisiana Crawfish, Crab and Shrimp Boil
1 Tbsp salt
2 Lb red potatoes, cut in half
2 sweet onion, peeled
2/3 Lb large shrimp
Instructions
Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in an 8-quart pot.
Meanwhile, remove husks and silk from corn. Break ears in half.
Add seasoning and salt to boiling water. Add potatoes and onions. Boil 20 to 30 minutes over medium heat until tender. Remove potatoes and onions from pot with a slotted spoon and set aside. Cut into quarters before serving.
Bring water back to a boil. Add shrimp and corn. Cook 2-3 minutes, until shrimp turn from clear to opaque (white) and form the letter "C". Corn should be crisp-tender.
Serve shrimp in the shell (peel 'em-as-you-eat 'em!) with corn, potatoes and onions.
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Ingredients
8 chicken thighs
Fresh pineapple - sliced
Marinade:
2 large cloves of garlic - finely chopped
1 inch piece of fresh ginger - grated
¼ cup fresh basil - chopped
Juice of 1 orange
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon brown sugar
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. black pepper
1 tablespoon dried curry
2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
Instructions
Combine all of the above ingredients for the marinade in a large bowl. Add the chicken thighs and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to over night.
Preheat Oven 350 degrees:
Remove the chicken from the marinade and place in a baking pan. Bake for 50 - 55 minutes or until the juices run clear and the skin is a nice golden color. Plate the chicken and serve with fresh pineapple.
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Volunteer Together-
Consider it time well spent. By spending time with your family, you also will be engaging in helping others. When choosing your activity, take a cue from certain things that your kids love. It may be nature cleanups or starting a food drive. In all making a small difference impacts many people.
Make a Time Capsule-
Preserving your family artifacts can be well worth the time. Include big and small items that will be significant and that are sure to pass on instant smile upon retrieval. Keep in mind certain items or materials may corrode or fade with time. By adding silica gel packs to your capsule, you can eliminate all moisture from causing damage.
Plant Something-
Keep it simple. Grow what your family is comfortable with harvesting. Use a one- by-two foot self watering planter. Showing your family the healthier aspects of growing their own veggies is a definite treat. It's sow worth it.
Get Cooking-
Teach your kids and old family recipe, or start a brand new one. If your kids can make mud pies, then they can cook. The same hands on fun quotient will be the same. Find Fool-proof recipes for the whole family to engage and have fun in the kitchen.
Create Self Portraits-
Drawing Self- Portraits captures the present in a more revealing way. Preserve the results for posterity by placing your masterpieces gallery-style on a wall. Transfer your artwork to life by adding it to postage stamps, totes or water bottles. Leave a lasting impression that will always be visible.
Go Camping-
Camping does not mean that you have to go in to the wilderness. Pitch up a tent in your back yard. By simply starting a back yard tradition, incorporate a camp fire or roasting marshmallows into the mix. Don't forget to brush up on the ghost stories.
Go on a Scavenger Hunt-
Limit the territory to your backyard or inside the house. Many family members will start to notice items that they normally overlook. Set a time limit, and supply each family member with a bag. Provide a list of clues to spark the imagination. The more intriguing the clue the less confusion and chaos that you will have, because their will be so many minds at work.When time is up, see who has found the most items. Aside from bragging rights, come up with a cool family friendly prize to keep this tradition ongoing.
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