First Lady Kicks-off "Go Green Expo" during Earth Week
On April 20, First Lady Jane Beshear joined Finance and Administration Cabinet Secretary Jonathan Miller, Personnel Cabinet Deputy Secretary Tim Longmeyer, and Department of Revenue Commissioner Tom Miller to commence the State Office Building “Go Green Expo” 2010 in Frankfort.
The Personnel Cabinet and the Kentucky Department of Revenue merged their green teams, comprised of employees who work in the State Office Building, to help address consumption and savings strategies for the entire building. The team organized the expo to celebrate Earth Day as well as to inform and educate state employees about the key environmental components of reducing, reusing and recycling.
“Through their creativity and dedication to sustainability, these Commonwealth employees are setting an impressive example,” said First Lady Jane Beshear. “This expo shows how a few individuals can work together to create innovative solutions and dynamic opportunities for greener living at work and at home.”
Hundreds of employees visited the expo, which featured a variety of exhibitors including: the Division of Water, the Division for Air Quality, Kentucky Excel from the Division of Compliance Assistance, the Frankfort Electric and Water Plant Board, the Division of Waste Management, Bluegrass Pride, Water Watch and Watershed Watch and the Frankfort Climate Action Network. Exhibitors shared information on ways people can lessen their negative impact on the environment and be more energy efficient.
Employees gained practical knowledge they can apply at work and at home. “As a result of the First Lady’s speech, I no longer leave my phone charger plugged into the wall when it is no longer charging. This saves on my electric bill and helps the environment,” said Holly Studler of the Personnel Cabinet.
For more tips on energy efficiency, go to http://www.greenteam.ky.gov/tips.htm. To view the photo gallery of the event, click here.
Travel Department Promoting World Equestrian Games and The Kentucky Experience
The Kentucky Department of Travel & Tourism has shifted into high gear to promote the biggest equestrian event ever staged in the U.S. - the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
The Games are set for Sept. 25 to Oct. 10 at the Kentucky Horse Park. In conjunction with the competition, the travel department, the state’s nine travel regions and several private sponsors will mount an Epcot-like exhibition of Kentucky’s attractions and culture called The Kentucky Experience at the Horse Park.
The Department of Travel & Tourism is working with the Kentucky Horse Park, the World Games 2010 Foundation, Alltech and other organizations to raise public awareness of the equestrian games, which will provide a major economic stimulus for Kentucky. Tens of thousands of visitors from other states and abroad will descend on Kentucky for the games, which are staged every four years and are being held outside Europe for the first time.
Grounds pass tickets to the games, which went on sale April 16, 2010, will also provide admission to all the main Horse Park attractions, the Alltech International Village, daily demonstrations and to The Kentucky Experience. Visitors to The Kentucky Experience can enjoy live entertainment, regional displays and product samplings. Grounds pass tickets cost $25 each, but from April 16 through May 31, a special price of $20 will apply. A limited quantity of “flex” grounds pass tickets will be available for $30 and will provide entry on any one day of choice, without selecting a specific date of attendance at the time of purchase. Children under 12 will be admitted free with a paying adult.
Tickets are available through www.alltechfeigames.com/tickets, or www.ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet and via Ticketmaster hotline at 800-745-3000.
Personnel Board Elections to be Held
The Kentucky Personnel Board will hold an election for the purpose of electing two (2) classified employee members to the Kentucky Personnel Board. The current employee members' terms will expire on July 1, 2010. The last day to vote or mail in ballots is June 15. Watch for ballots in the mail. For more information, visit the Personnel Board's website or call Andy Crocker, General Counsel, at 502-564-7830.
Recently, the Commonwealth of Kentucky had a change in life insurance carriers from Prudential to Nationwide. The employer rate for basic coverage of all participants changed from $1.86 to $1.28. Dana Pitcock, an employee of the Personnel Cabinet, suggested using the new employee booklet as notification as required by KRS 304.16-180. The booklet contains a certificate of coverage, explains coverage, and who is eligible for this coverage in great detail. These booklets were delivered to each agency/location for all employees and the expense paid by Nationwide per the contract agreement.The booklets thoroughly explain all the changes to the coverage for employees since the main change affecting employees and their cost was a carrier change.
Dana Pitcock’s suggestion saves employee time, materials and postage costs. The suggestion was diligently pursued and an agreement was coordinated with the Kentucky Department of Insurance. This suggestion resulted in a savings of $80,000 in printing and mailing costs. Pitcock’s suggestion is an example of the goal of the Governor’s Smart Government Initiative — employees helping to find savings and new, efficient ways of performing their jobs.
To read the related ESS article in this issue of the Personnel Connection, click here.