Linda Dahlquist wins

County employees shine with diversity displays

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I.T. analyst becomes American citizen

Page 4

Firefighter fundraisers

Page 5

March/April 2012

Fit-friendly company Page 3

Talking the talk, and walking the walk... reThink style! Page 3

In the spotlight: Sandy O'Connell

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Retirees Page 6

Sheriff's Office Page 7

Movers and shakers Page 8

Paralegal earns kudos from

baseball league Page 8

Linda Dahlquist wins

"My mom rocks!" Kristen

national award

Dahlquist recently wrote on the

Library Journal's comments page.

"I always knew she was awesome,

and now the whole world knows too!"

Indeed they do. The Library

Journal, an international publication

for the library community, named

her mother, Linda Dahlquist,

Paralibrarian of the Year.

Not familiar with the term? Para-

librarians are assistants who help

librarians manage materials and

assist library users in finding

resources.

And nobody does it better,

according to the journal, which

selected Dahlquist for the singular

honor because of "the range of

her duties, her creative initiatives

to improve library service, her

teamwork, and her model efforts

to help library users."

A self-confessed bookworm,

Dahlquist joined the Volusia

County Public Library's staff in

1995 after owning an inde-

pendent book store in New

Smyrna Beach for 10 years.

In just three years, she worked

her way up from part-time assistant

to reference associate. (See Award, page 6)

ON THE FRONT LINE ? Linda Dahlquist brings reference to the people with her roving reference desk.

Straight talk

County employees shine with diversity displays

The 2010 Census confirms what most of us already knew. America is becoming more diverse every day. Hispanics are the fastest growing segment of our country's population; the same is true for Volusia County. Ethnicity is just one facet of the diversification that's taking place in communities across the United States.

When you think about it, each one of Jim Dinneen us is different. We come from different

backgrounds, cultures, religions, value systems and interests. We all see the world with a unique perspective.

Our individualism was celebrated and highlighted with this year's expanded diversity awareness program. In years past, county employees had observed Black Heritage Month with a diversity lunch at our administration center in DeLand. This was a nice effort, but one that pretty much was confined to employees who work in DeLand.

This year I wanted to kick it up a notch ? to make this a true countywide celebration. So I challenged all county departments and divisions to create diversity displays in their own areas. It was a friendly competition with awards going to the top three displays as judged by our Volusia County Council and others.

I was blown away. The response exceeded my expectations and those of the county council. The creativity and ingenuity of the individual displays was astounding. And, you know what? The different approaches taken by departments and divisions to this challenge clearly highlight the diversity that exists in our workforce.

As a government that serves the entire community, our organization should reflect the people we serve. The variety of the diversity displays reflected the diversity of our workforce. It's true. We all do come from different walks of life and so do our citizen customers.

But there's something more to think about with this very successful diversity initiative this year. The way county employees came together in an attempt to "outdo" one another is a sign of a healthy workplace where workers at all levels in the organization can pull together for a common challenge. You don't see teamwork and camaraderie in workplaces where the employees aren't happy and productive.

I am very proud of the diversity event this year, not just because of the themes of the displays, but also for the leadership and the enthusiasm that rang so loudly. I congratu-

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late and thank you all for the jobs you do every day. Volusia County Government is a great team. A special thanks to the coordinators of this event.

For the top three displays ? Growth and Resource Management, Information Technology and Library Services ? Wow! -- Jim Dinneen, County Manager

DIVERSITY CHAMPS ? The Growth and Resource Management Department took top honors for its creative diversity display.

COUNTY COUNCIL

Frank T. Bruno Jr. -- County Chair Joyce M. Cusack -- Vice Chair, At-large

Andy Kelly -- District 1 Joshua J. Wagner -- District 2 Joie Alexander -- District 3

Carl G. Persis -- District 4 Pat Northey -- District 5 James T. Dinneen, County Manager

David F. Byron, Editor Pat Kuehn, Co-editor Paul Radetsky, Graphic Designer Jeff M. Crumbley, Photographer

The County Line, published bimonthly by Volusia County Government, an EEO/AA employer, is dedicated to county employees and things that affect county employees. News items or correspondence should be addressed to: The County Line, Community Information, Volusia County Government, 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand, FL 32720-4612.

Printed on recycled paper

Talking the talk, and walking the walk... reThink style!

Eighty-two percent of people in Central Florida drive to work alone every day. When you commute with others or use a method of transportation other than your car, you are helping to reduce the 1.3 million single-occupancy vehicles driven daily at peak times on Florida roads. In turn, this improves air quality, clears up traffic congestion, conserves natural resources, and enables you to save money. These are only a few of the benefits that accompany the use of alternative transportation methods.

I recently began to change my own transportation behaviors by registering with the Florida Department of Transportation reThink program ? a commuter assistance program that is dedicated to promoting environmental health by encouraging healthy alternative modes of transportation such as walking, carpooling and transit.

After registering with reThink, I decided to try walking to work. My focus was on living more sustainably, but when I finally began my first walk to work, my focus shifted to noticing all the little things I had missed by just driving by. I was introduced to the wildlife and many of the people who live in that space between work and home. I finally know the names of some of my neighbors! After so many walks to and from work, I began noticing how much healthier I started to feel, both physically and mentally. Having a breath of fresh air is a wonderful way to start and end your day.

Carpooling and transit allow you to commute more sustainably while enjoying the company of others who are doing the same.

I now walk to work almost every day, but occasionally I carpool. I've found that this mode of transportation is most effective before and after a day of projects and planning, simply because it allows you to bounce ideas off the other people in the vehicle, even if they are not in your line of work. A fresh perspective is always useful!

Another way to gain fresh perspective is by transit ? another reliable, inexpensive way to travel. I found that riding a Votran bus can be an exciting opportunity to meet new people, to network, and to get to where you need to be in a timely fashion.

Using alternative modes of transportation reduces the number of vehicles on the road, improves our environment, and helps us to improve our health and our everyday lives.

Based on the wonderful experiences I've had through walking, carpooling and using the transit system, I recommend registering with the reThink program. You could experience amazing opportunities as well; all you have to do is reThink your commute! If you are interested in free registration or simply want more information, visit . -- Brooke Deak, Environmental Management

For your benefit

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR ? Environmental Specialist Brooke Deak has discovered the joys of walking to work.

FIT-FRIENDLY COMPANY ? The American Heart

Association recently presented a "Start! Gold Level Fit-

Friendly Company" award to Volusia County, honoring

its efforts to promote a healthy workplace. Wellness

Coordinator Celene Cone, pictured, presented the

award to the Volusia County Council. Congratulations

to our employees who

have made a difference

in their health!

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Around the County

After studying American history and government, Deneau aced the test and took his naturalization oath and recited the plege of allegiance in Orlando last November, swearing, in part, to "support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

Property Appraiser Morgan Gilreath, along with other friends and coworkers, were at his side.

"It was a very moving experience for all of us," Deneau said.

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN ? Murray Deneau poses in front of the American flag after earning his U.S. citizenship.

I.T. analyst becomes American citizen

Many of us take being an American citizen for granted, but for Murray Deneau, who waited years and worked hard to earn the honor, it's a source of great pride.

Deneau, an information technology anaylst in the Property Appraiser's Office, was born and raised in Canada and moved to the United States in 1998. He worked as a network administrator for Florida Water Services in Maitland before joining the county's staff in 2002.

He threw himself into his job, supporting workstations, laptops, smart phones, peripherals and servers.

Deneau was a legal resident of the United States, but he wanted more. In July 2011, he decided to go for it.

"My biggest drive to achieve citizenship was so I could actively participate in the electoral process and show my loyalty to this country," he said. "America has become my home, and it was time to make it official."

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IN MEMORIAM ? More than two dozen of Capt. Jay McDonough's friends, relatives and coworkers honored his memory Feb. 16 by running the same course he ran when he passed away while running on duty one year ago. McDonough was a member of the Beach Patrol for 16 years. Runners included his sister, Carol Stair; his brother, Volusia County firefighter Tom McDonough; his son, Darryl McDonough; and Beach Safety Director Kevin Sweat.

Around the County

FUNDRAISING FIREFIGHTERS ? Volusia County's firefighters recently raised $2,000 for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and $1,000 for MuckRuckus MS, a fundraiser for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Pictured above is the relay team, from left to right, Jason Fosterling, Fire Chief Mark Piland, Lt. Bill Whalen, Ryan Thompson and Chris McNary. Pictured at right are our mud runners, from left to right, Brett Pittman, Ryan Thompson, Capt. Mark Edgil, Matt Monk, Ryan Paiva, Mike Sypian, Shane Goebel, Jason Fosterling (hidden behind Goebel), Doug Willis and Aaron Macauley.

Name: Sandy O'Connell Job: Staff Assistant II in Fire Services Number of years with the county: 13 Hometown: Chester, W.V., which is 30 miles from the Pittsburgh Steelers stadium What you might not know: She's a diehard Steelers fan and motorcycle enthusiast. After painting one of her two Harleys in Pittsburgh's colors, she won four trophies during Biketoberfest 2011 and Bike Week 2012. How she spends her spare time: She rides her motorcycles every chance she gets ? rain or shine! She's heading to North Carolina to ride the "Tail of the Dragon," a mountain road that has 318 curves in 11 miles. This summer, she's riding to the Steelers training camp in Pennsylvania to get her bike autographed.

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