Hats Off toDistrict Four's Mike Atkins page 4

Did You Know?page 8

PreventingIdentity Theftpage 10 & 11

Creating Quality Time on Commuter Rail

Creating Quality Time on Commuter Rail

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EDITOR'S NOTE

CAPTURE IT

EditorTait MartinWriterKimberly KitchenGraphic Design Deborah GreenJerry HansenPrintingBoyd Brothers, Inc.CirculationCentral Mail CenterCover ArtScott R. HayesParsons Brinckerhoff

Vol. 39 No. 4 • July/August �006

Governor Jeb BushSecretaryDenver J. Stutler, Jr.

This bimonthly newsletter is produced to inform DOT employees of department plans, policies, programs and personnel. It is produced by the Central Public Information Office under the supervision of Dick Kane, Communications Director.

For news or deadline information, please call the editor at Suncom 994-4590 or (850) 414-4590.

DOT's Internet address is www.dot.state.fl.us

DOT's Intranet address is infonet.dot.state.fl.us

Printed on recycled paper

Taking it to the tracks

This picture from 1973 shows Lamar Hargrove, FDOT’s railroad coordinator-liaison, posing beside a “high rail” car. These sedans, specially equipped with rail wheels to permit operation on road or

railroad track, traveled every mile of Florida’s rail system to complete a visual inventory of the tracks. Presently, more sophisticated “high rail” vehicles are used. Although today’s high tech rail inspection equipment can run detailed tests to check track geometry, the fundamentals of rail safety are still the same. Even to this day, FDOT’s rail inspectors still visually inspect tracks to ensure safe transport of passengers and freight.

Thanks to the State Archives of Florida for providing this photo. If you have a unique or interesting photograph that you would like to submit to “Capture It,” send it to tait.martin@dot.state.fl.us.

Great things are happening in the Florida Department of Transportation…things we should all take pride in. This issue highlights some of the major activities that continue to make the FDOT a premiere state agency.

Since our last issue, we negotiated a $491 million agreement in principle with CSX Transportation to bring commuter rail to the heavily congested Central Florida region. Our cover story highlights the announce-ment and gives some insight on what it took to make the partnership happen.

“Did you know?” highlights over $6 million of capital improvements the FDOT is making to allow for more efficient hurricane evacuations. As National Hurricane Center Director May Mayfield told the de-partment’s public information officers in a recent meeting, “You should feel proud to work in a proactive state like Florida.” These improvements further support Director Mayfield’s comments.

Finally, we recently found out through our annual safety belt observational survey that nearly 81 percent of Floridians are buckling up – the largest number ever on record in the state. This could have only been accomplished with the dedication of FDOT employees, Community Traffic Safety Team members, law en-forcement agencies and traffic safety partners throughout Florida. Although we will highlight this program more in future issues, I wanted to share the good news now.

We hope you enjoy this issue of TNews. Stay Safe,

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ImpressionsBy Secretary Denver J. Stutler, Jr.

(Picture One) Secretary Stutler discussed the plans for Central Florida commuter rail to the crowd of transportation partners, citizens and media at the LYNX station in downtown Orlando. (Picture Two) Secretary Stutler and Governor Bush listen as presentations are made during the press confer-ence. (Picture Three) Secretary Stutler being interviewed by Orlando Sentinel transportation reporter, Jay Hamburg, about the future transportation plans in Central Florida.

Recently, Governor Bush announced an agreement in principle with CSX Transportation (CSXT) and FDOT which establishes a framework to invest in rail infrastructure to achieve significant transportation

objectives for Florida’s future. These objectives include com-muter rail in Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties; operational control for Tri-Rail in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties; development of an intermodal center in Polk County; and grade separations in Alachua, Marion and Sumter counties. These investments will provide mobility options for our citizens and improve the efficiency of getting goods to market.

There are a few impressions of the agreement in principle that I would like share.

First, mobility options along the I-4 and I-95 corridors are necessary for many reasons. As congestion increases, we find it more and more difficult to “lane mile” our way out of conges-tion. With the costs of right of way and construction increasing dramatically, coupled with the other projects around the state, constructing more lane miles of highway would be difficult at best. These circumstances make cost effective choices, like commuter rail, a good investment. Utilizing existing rail cor-ridors to accomplish this transportation option in Central Florida is more cost effective when compared to purchasing right of way and developing a new corridor.

Second, getting goods to market is critical to our economy. Equally critical is the ability to meet the demands for those goods from our citizens and visitors. These demands, paired with the growing need of getting people where they want to go, make the safe and efficient movement of goods a necessary challenge. The agreement in principle provides for increased capacity of rail freight and the separation of rail and vehicular traffic using grade separations.

As the Department of Transportation, we must continue

to view transportation from a comprehensive perspective that considers both connectivity and mobility. Our ability to respond to future challenges is going to force FDOT to rely more and more on our transportation partners such as local governments, port and airport authorities, expressway authorities and rail companies.

As the governor and legislature look to the FDOT as their transportation authority, we must be constantly thinking about new ways to respond to the needs of getting people where they want to go and moving goods to market. And to that end, I want to thank the many FDOT employees and transportation partners who responded with an agreement in principle that creates op-tions for an exciting and complex transportation future.

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HHHMike has been with FDOT for 37 years.

In his nomination for the District Award, Mel Pollock, West Palm Beach Operations Engineer, recognized Mike for his leader-ship, process improvement and decision making abilities. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award than Mike At-kins, Pollock wrote. “He is dedicated, cus-tomer driven, ethical, knowledgeable, posi-tive, highly skilled, respected, encouraging, effective, superior and sustained.”

James Wolfe, District Four Secretary concurs with The Secretary’s Award. “Each time I have announced Mike’s award to FDOT groups the response was enthusias-tic and heartfelt, a standing ovation. This is a popular individual and a well-deserved award.”

As the manager responsible for hurri-cane response and restoration efforts, Mike is very active in the annual review and implementation of the West Palm Beach Operations (WPB Ops.) Center’s response plans. During the very busy �004 and �005 hurricane seasons, Mike coordinated with our partner agencies at FDLE, local mu-nicipalities, FEMA and others, particularly in response to Charlie, Frances, Jeanne and Wilma, to provide the best response possi-ble for our customers, even when his own home was damaged and without power for extended periods of time.

Mike also handles customer concerns and complaints related to roadway maintenance. According to Pollock, he has received may thank-you letters, calls and e-mails from private citizens, lo-cal officials and other state agencies complimenting Mike and his staff’s exemplary customer service. “He is an excellent problem solver and exhibits a ‘can-do’ attitude which permeates throughout this staff. He understands the value and need of being responsive to individuals from all backgrounds,” Pollock says.

Another area under Mike’s responsibility is the automotive shop, which continually achieves high rankings from Motor Carrier Compliance inspections of our truck fleet, with zero deficiencies being the norm. This unit also received a Davis Productivity Award this past year for its efforts.

Secretary's Award Goes to Mike AtkinsBy Barbara Kelleher

The fruits of Mike’s efforts are exhibited in the Leadership and Human Resources Practices Survey results where Mike’s units are in the 1st or �nd quartile, among the few maintenance units in the state to rank so highly.

Mike is seen as a good mentor for the tomorrow’s leaders, tak-ing interest in staff training and exposing his staff to new situa-tions and challenges. Because he recognizes that he won’t be here forever, he is taking steps to ensure that WPB Ops. will be in good hands when his career comes to conclusion.

Please join District Four in congratulating our colleague, Mike Atkins, on an award well deserved.

Congratulations to Mike Atkins, District Four’s West Palm Beach Maintenance Manager, this year’s recipient of The Secretary’s Award for Sustained Superior Achievement. The recipient of The Secretary’s Award must have received a District Sustained Superior Achievement Award for Managers or Non-Managers.

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? OmbudsmanBy Donna Millay

Helpful Hint for Successfully Navigating People First

Q. Why do I occasionally have difficulty getting the People First System to except my login to allow me to work on my timesheet?

A. One reason you may not be able to occasionally log on is because the system is running payroll files. Preliminary and regular payroll files are usually run from approximately 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. several times a month. Also, depending on what kind of maintenance is being run, downtimes may occur.

Another reason may have something to do with the �1�,000 (plus) state employees and retirees using the People First System. The system runs much slower during “peak” hours like Friday mornings when timesheets are due.

Be patient and try again later.

SPECIAL NOTICE: A great source for updates to the People First system is The People First! E-Newsletter. This news-letter is a bimonthly publication for all State of Florida employees published by the Department of Management Services People First! Team.

The People First! E-Newsletter is posted on-line at:http://dms.myflorida.com/dms/work-force/people_first_initiative/related_documents/people_first_e_newsletters

Q. Am I covered by Workers’ Comp if I get injured while mentoring during work hours?

A. No, you are not covered by Workers’ Comp because you are on administra-tive leave. The use of administrative leave (whether it’s used for mentoring, jury duty, being a witness, death in the family, etc.) is no different than if you were on any other type of leave (sick, annual, special comp, etc.)

Q. I have noticed that on several documents in my Personnel file it states, “employee not available for signature.” How is that a true and accurate statement when I was at work the day the document was prepared or in to work the next day? Is this falsifying a State document?

A. While it shouldn’t be used often, it is acceptable for a supervisor/manager to note “employee not available for signature,” when that is the case. In some cases, it’s used when there is a specific deadline and the employee is out of the office for whatever reason (i.e. out sick, in travel status, annual leave, etc.) If you were available to sign the document, you should have been given the opportunity to do so.

As to the falsification of a document, it would depend on the specific circumstances. If you feel this is the case, you may wish to talk to a higher level manager or your District Person-nel Manager.

Q. Can you please add a Q&A in an issue of T-News about comp time, special and regular? When you have to use it, when you lose it, how much can you accumulate, etc.?

A. Let’s deal with regular comp first. Ad-ministrative Rule 60L-34.0043 Regular Compensatory Leave, allows eligible em-ployees to earn regular compensatory leave

credits on an hour-for-hour basis not to exceed �40 hours. Any unused regular comp hours will be forfeited when an employee separates from state government. Therefore, supervi-sors and managers should make reasonable efforts to allow employees to use regular compensatory leave credits.

That brings us to special comp. According to Administrative Rule 60L-34.0044 Special Compensatory Leave, “when an employee separates from an agency, the agency shall pay the employee for all unused special com-pensatory leave credits at the employee’s cur-rent regular hourly rate of pay.”

According to Procedure �50-010-005, Excess Work Hours/Overtime, requested use of any accrued personal leave with pay (other than sick leave, mandatory administrative leave or personal holiday) “generally will not be ap-proved so long as the employee has accrued special compensatory leave credits. When an employee who has special compensatory leave credits requests use of annual, regular compensatory leave, or discretionary admin-istrative leave, the supervisor shall advise the employee that he or she will authorize the employee’s absence from work. However, all or part of the leave will be authorized leave without pay. The employee can then choose to take authorized leave without pay or use special compensatory leave credits to receive pay for the absence.”

When special compensatory leave credits have been exhausted, other leaves with pay may be approved in accordance with Person-nel Management System Rules.

Note: “At the time of entry into the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP), an em-ployee electing to participate in the program may request payment of any unused special compensatory leave that was earned within eleven months before entry into the DROP.”

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Agreement in Principle to Bring Commuter Rail to Central Florida

On Wednesday, August �, Governor Jeb Bush announced a comprehensive plan to improve freight service and bring commuter rail to Central Florida. Under the agreement in principle between the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and CSX Transportation Inc. (CSXT), Florida will invest $491 million to improve infrastructure and expand capacity on two existing rail lines, one of which will be used to establish commuter rail service through a multi-county stretch in region.

“Establishing commuter rail will ease congestion, which will improve the quality of life of people both on and off the road,” said Governor Bush. “Improving the exist-ing railways will enhance the safety and mobility of both goods and people, which will generate new economic opportunity for millions of Floridians.”

(Pictured left to right) Transportation Commissioner Marcos R. Marchena (behind easel), Secretary Denver Stutler, CSXT Chairman and CEO Michael Ward, US Congressman John Mica and US Congresswoman Corrine Brown listen as Governor Jeb Bush discusses the details of the Agreement in Principle between FDOT and CSXT to bring commuter rail to the citizens and visitors of Central Florida.

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In partnership with CSXT, Florida will invest $318 million to im-prove the infrastructure and expand capacity on existing train tracks, including:

• $198 million for projects on the CSXT rail line between Baldwin to Plant City, referred to as the “S” line,

• $59 million to build five road overpasses in Alachua, Sumter and Marion counties on this line,

• $5� million on other CSXT rail lines around the state, and• $9 million to build access roads to the new Integrated Logistics

Center in Winter Haven– the mother of all rail yards – which will be built by CSXT.

The state will also purchase 61 miles of existing CSXT tracks be-tween DeLand in Volusia County and Poinciana in Osceola County for $150 million. Another $�3 million will be spent to relocate operations from Taft Yard in Orlando to the new Integrated Logistics Center. State planners are developing a plan to use the track during peak morning and evening periods, as well as some limited service during off-peak hours, to provide commuter service to region.

“Today, our local, state and federal leaders have recognized that we can meet future freight transportation needs in a region that is growing by leaps and bounds while also addressing the urgent need for commuter service in and around Central Florida,” said Michael Ward, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CSX Corporation. “The plan announced today is good for commuters, good for freight custom-ers and compatible with the long-term goals of CSX Transportation.”

“This historic agreement by the State of Florida and CSXT opens an exciting new era in transportation not only for Central Florida but for our entire state. I am committed to working with the Federal Transit Administration to secure approval of the commuter rail project,” said U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-7th District). “The leadership of Governor Bush and CSX Chairman and CEO Michael Ward has helped to make commuter rail and other new rail corridors a reality for the future. I am committed to working with the Federal Transit Administration to secure approval of this vital transportation project.”

A portion of rail freight through-traffic will be relocated to an alternate corridor which would be expanded in a joint public-private partnership between the state and CSXT. In coordination with the state and local partners, limited freight traffic will remain in opera-tion on the proposed commuter line. Relocation of the freight traffic will begin upon completion of CSXT’s Integrated Logistics Center in Winter Haven.

“Thanks to the locally driven leadership, the reality of commuter rail in the I-4 corridor will bring greater mobility options to Central Florida’s citizens, visitors and business,” said FDOT Secretary Denver Stutler. The initial operating segment will run from DeBary to the Orlando Amtrak Station in downtown Orlando, providing at least five trips during peak morning and afternoon rush hours with a 30-minute frequency. During non-peak hours, the commuter rail will operate with a two-hour frequency with the exception of midnight to 5 a.m. when freight trains will operate.

This commuter rail car was on display for the announcement. The Governor, Secretary and distinguished guests rode in on the train to announce the upcom-ing commuter rail plan. Attendees of the press conference got the opportunity to view all of the amenities that the cars would offer.

Secretary Stutler and Governor Bush discuss the commuter rail agreement at the press conference on August 2.

“Citizens deserve more options,” said Marcos Marchena, a member of the Florida Transportation Commission. “Our Central Florida com-munity is developing to a point where wasting hours in traffic gridlock is a reality that doesn’t make sense. Especially for people with longer commutes, rail is the way to go. It saves on gas and aggravation. It adds to our community’s quality of life.”

Planners expect to have the first phase operational in �009, ahead of the start of the $�.3 billion reconstruction of I-4 between Kirkman Road and State Road 434. The commuter rail system is expected to carry as many passengers during peak hours as a single lane of I-4.

For more information on commuter rail, visit www.cfrail.com.

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Did you

know

Transportation System Hurricane Improvements

Did you know FDOT spent over $6 million implementing highway information systems and safety im-provements for the �006 hurricane season? While many of us have a family hurricane emergency plan, the department’s Traffic Operations Offices and Emergency Management Offices have been preparing to make our roadways safer in the event of a storm. Many of the additions to the system are in preparation for evacuations, specifically contraflow (one-way evacuations). Next time you are driving through Florida, you may notice a few of the additions made to our roadways in preparation for a busy storm season:

Median crossoversTwo-lane median crossovers will permit the shifting of traffic

between the regular-flow and contraflow lanes on an Interstate. The exact location of these crossovers is to be determined by the FDOT and Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). Permanent, paved crossovers permit the safe funneling of traffic from one side of a divided highway to the other and will aid the planned contraflow operations by providing a means to load the contraflow side of a highway or to move traffic back to the regular-flow side at the end of a contraflow route.

Drop gates A total of �36 drop gates are to be installed at interchanges to

prevent the wrong-way entry of vehicles on ramps to serve contra-flow lanes during an evacuation. These gates extend across the ramp lane and the paved shoulder. They lock in the drop position and are better devices to use than typical barricades, cones or barrels. Use of the gates also reduces the number of FDOT or FHP personnel to staff each ramp during a contraflow operation.

Contraflow Web siteIn an effort to explain the contraflow process to Florida’s

citizens, visitors and media, the department created the Web site, www.onewayflorida.com, to discuss contraflow routes and the one way evacuation process. This site is a public information tool that presents route maps, frequently asked questions about the contraflow process and links to other state disaster preparation Web resources.

Pavement exit numbers The placement of preformed thermoplastic exit numbers on the

pavement is being done at a total of 596 interchanges. This place-ment, done on the paved shoulder, will allow pilots flying aerial contraflow route checks to verify their aircraft’s location, thereby providing more precise reports of conditions along the highway. The exit numbers also help hurricane response teams, maintenance crews and other relief personnel avoid the problem of damaged or missing hurricane signs after a hurricane. The numbers will enable emergency responders to reach their destinations without delay.

Flip-down signs A total of 198 locations on the state’s contraflow routes are to

have flip-down signs installed. These signs are intended for use by motorists traveling on the contraflow side of a highway, where the installed signs are facing the wrong direction. To be placed on exist-ing poles, flip-down signs provide a temporary means of marking exit numbers and locations, directional guidance and detours.

Highway advisory radio A critical need during hurricane evacuations and contraflow

operations is the ability to communicate information directly to mo-torists on the highway. Through a combination of fixed and mobile installations, highway advisory radio (HAR) enables the department to broadcast vital route information and other details to evacuees. HAR is planned for a total of 13 locations and will give emergency managers the ability to broadcast messages at the beginning, middle and end of an evacuation route.

Several other improvements, including closed circuit television cameras to monitor traffic flow and a new stop sign deployment plan, are in the works to be completed before the end of this season.

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By Larry FergusonWorking Smarter

The other day, the U.S. Mint re-ported that for the first time ever it cost more than a penny to make

a penny. There is considerable discus-sion underway towards the idea of

doing away with the penny coin. Now, this raises a lot of ques-tions…some a lot more impor-tant than others.

What’s to become of some of your famous quotes if there is no penny?

“A penny for your thoughts,” or “a penny saved is a penny earned,” lose

a lot of their punch if the person you say them to asks, “What’s a penny?”.

And then there’s the issue of what no penny means to

prices you pay and the change you receive when making a pur-chase. If you owe $�.03 will you be expected to pay $�.05 or just $�? If you are owed 97 cents in change will you get 95 cents or a full dollar? I have read some articles lately that suggest that if the govern-ment does away with the penny coin our entire economic system will be thrown into chaos just over the issue of giving change and rounding up or down. I wonder if these folks realize that we have done away with coins in the U.S. before without collapsing our system. From 1793 until 1857 we had half-cent pieces. From 1864 to 1873 we had two-cent coins. And, from 1851 to 1889 we had two different kinds of three-cent coins. Could it be it’s time for two- and three-cent pieces to reappear? Finally, and maybe most interestingly, it turns out one of the reasons the mint has to make so many pennies is because people horde them. At first pennies were horded because people saw them as largely worthless, taking up room in pocket or purse for no real value. Now, they are horded because the metal in them is

worth more than the face value of the coin. A lot of folks may be breaking into piggy banks, old socks, coffee cans, or wherever they’ve been putting away their pennies and cashing them in for their metal value. Whatever your feelings about the penny and its future as a coin, it’s this last issue about the penny that presents our manage-ment lesson for today. Have you ever seen an employee who has been put away or cast aside as we’ve been doing with pennies? For some reason the employee has lost his or her luster or is seen as having less value and is more-or-less tossed aside…the manager is unsure of just what to do with them. The truth is, with pennies and with employees, it takes very little effort to shine them back up and return them to value or even increase their value. A penny that is spent rather than horded is worth far more than a single cent during its time in circulation. It’s worth a penny to each person who spends it and it can turn over hundreds or even thousands of times before it “retires.” Left in the jar or in the sock or on the dresser it’s not even worth a penny, much less reaching its potential of multiplying its value as it circulates (works). Perhaps the employee needs new challenges…or updated training…or some simple motivation…or maybe just some rec-ognition that they can do what needs to be done. Just as the luster of a penny can be easily restored and its value multiplied by put-ting it back to work, so it is with an employee who has been left behind. Have you been tossing some of your employees aside think-ing they don’t have any value? Have you checked lately to see what they are really worth? Have you made the effort to do what it takes to restore their shine and put them back into circulation? You might be surprised to find out just how valuable they really are when you put them to work instead of hording them away.

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

Protecting your identity is serious business. According to the FBI, identity theft happens to an estimated

700,000 Americans each year. On average, victims spend over 175 hours to clear their names and re-establish good credit. Here are some of the common ways thieves get your personal information:

Inappropriately accessing or hacking into computer databases.

Stealing mail that includes bank and credit card statements, credit card offers, new checks and tax information.

Obtaining your credit reports by posing as a landlord, employer or someone else who may have a legal right to access your report.

Capturing your credit card information in a data storage device in a practice known as "skimming." Thieves swipe your card for an actual purchase, or attach the device to an ATM machine where you may swipe your card, as a means of taking your information.

Stealing your wallet or purse or stealing personal information they find in your home.

Completing a "change of address form" to divert your mail to another location.

Stealing personal information from you through e-mail or phone by posing as legitimate companies and claiming that you have a problem with your account. This practice is known as “phishing” online or “pretexting” by phone.

If you think your identity has been stolen, contact the fraud departments of any one of the three consumer reporting companies (Experian, Equifax, or Trans Union) and place a fraud alert on your credit report. The fraud alert tells creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts. Close any accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently, and then contact local law enforcement.

When buying on-line, use sites that have URLs that begin with “https” – this shows that the site is secure. Other suggestions include: use on-line banking, pick up checks instead of having them mailed, hold mail when you’re out of town, read credit card statements care-fully and don’t carry your social security number with you.

Preventing Identity TheftBy Diane Flowers

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While helping FDOT employees get signed up for

the People First credit protection program, I’ve learned a thing or two about identity theft, credit reports and privacy issues.

The main thing I’ve learned is to be proactive!

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Lights, Camera…Action

(Pictured left to right) Tait Martin, Governor Bush, James Wright and Jerry Hansen

FDOT’s Central Public Information Office was tapped to produce this year’s Florida State Employees’ Charitable Campaign (FSECC) video as part of the annual fundraising effort. The video will be built around the campaign theme, “A Future of Hope and Opportunity.”

“It’s an honor to be chosen to do this,” said Jerry Hansen, Multimedia Specialist. “We appreciate the opportunity to get involved in this state-wide effort.”

A highlight of the production was working with the �006 FSECC Chair-man, Governor Jeb Bush. In addition to featuring the governor, the video highlights many of the charitable organizations participating in the cam-paign and a personal story of appreciation from Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles employee Mary Ann Thorner.

The video premiered on August 17 at the statewide kickoff of the cam-paign. It can be viewed at www.uwbb.org.

Maintain a healthy credit history. Creditors use credit scores ranging from 300 - 850 to determine

whether or not they are going to grant you credit and at what interest rates. Insurance companies use these scores to determine whether or not they are going to write homeowner and automobile policies. Credit scores are affected by: payment performance history (35%), your current level of indebtedness (30%), the age of your credit history (15%), your pursuit of new credit (10%), and the type of accounts in your credit report (10%). Account information, including late or non-payments, is kept on your credit report for no longer than seven years (except for bankruptcy or unpaid tax liens). Be sure to run a free credit report each year at www.annualcreditreport.com. This is the only federally authorized free credit report. Other “free” sites aren’t free - they are trying to sell you monitoring services.

Protect your privacy by taking a few easy steps. Buy a shredder and use it.

Opt out of pre-approved credit card offers at the Federal Trade Commission’s 1-888-5-OPTOUT line.

Register with the national Do Not Call Registry at https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx and tell every solicitor who phones you to “take me off your call list.” By law, they are not allowed to call you back.

Don’t respond or “unsubscribe” to spam e-mails. If you do, spam-mers know they have reached a good e-mail address which will be sold to even more spammers. You can report these unwanted e-mail messages to spam@uce.gov.

Don’t fall for phish e-mails that scare you into revealing per-sonal information like passwords or account numbers – even if the e-mail “looks legitimate.” Legitimate companies will never ask to you verify account information in an e-mail link.

Don’t fall for e-mail hoaxes. Visit http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org for more information on fraudulent email chain letters, warnings, of-fers, pleas for help and computer viruses.

Make sure you have up-to-date virus, firewall and spyware software protecting your computer. Check with your computer manufacturer to find the best software for your personal computer system.

Please visit the Federal Trade Commission’s comprehensive Web site at:

http://www.ftc.gov to learn more about these topics.

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JULY

AUGUST

MilepostJuly/August �006

35PLUS

July

August

John D.Osteen35 YearsDistrict �

Oscar S. Fowler35 YearsDistrict 3

William A.Hanstine35 YearsDistrict 5

Henry C. Yates

35 YearsDistrict 5

John L. Garner35 YearsCentral

Ernest H. Ogden

40 YearsDistrict �

PaulJenkins35 YearsDistrict 5

Judy M. Harrison35 YearsCentral

William O. Hill

35 YearsCentral

Donald J. Keen

35 YearsCentral

Robert W. Shepard35 YearsCentral

5 Years Teresa F. Eidson .................... D-3Lajuana M. Johnson ............. D-4Sabrina K. Thomas ............... D-4Edward W. Sieczka .............MCCFrank B. Jelonek .................MCCHank E. Skinner..................MCCMadelyn D. Hill ..................MCCRobert A. Whitacre .............MCCWayne R. Kennedy .............MCCKumarie Hakh ........................ TpGerald E. Hocking ....................CKevin N. Campbell ...................C

10 Years Jessica A. Reese .................... D-�Robert L. Rogers .................. D-�Robert G. Pollard .................. D-3Teresa E. Barfield ................. D-3Jacqueline A. Williamson ..... D-4Richard Belizaire .................. D-4Javed Y. Mayet ...................... D-5Michael R. McCammon ....... D-5Michael R. Register .............. D-5Georgina M. Shaw ................ D-6John D. Cummings ............... D-7Ruth L. Bagby ....................MCCAaron L. Martin ...................... Tp

15 Years John R. Previte ...................... D-1Keith A. West ........................ D-1Lizzie R. Wilson ................... D-1Alton D. Miller ..................... D-�Gregory T. Dutton................. D-�Karen Kohoutek-Luckin ....... D-�Yongman Roberts ................. D-�Charles M. Heffinger ............ D-5Edwin R. Barfield ................. D-5Marie L. Rak ......................... D-5Natalie A. Roggio ................. D-5Sheila K. White..................... D-5Jerry L. Jackson .................... D-6Daniel L. Hunter ................... D-7Mirna Arce ............................ D-7Bryant K. Gay .....................MCCMarilyn J. Tabanelli ............MCCRoger W. Craft ....................MCCRoger J. Doherty .......................C

20 Years Teresa N. Puckett .................. D-1Dale L. Cray ......................... D-�Catherine L. Walker .............. D-3Charles J. Washington .......... D-3Hiram T. Woodruff ............... D-3Paula A. Roberts ................... D-3Charles A. Parks ................... D-4Dora M. McMillan .............. D-5Jenice S. Hall ........................ D-5Robert F. Montgomery ......... D-5Barbara Espino-Perez ........... D-6Harold A. Desdunes .............. D-6Ronald A. Chin ..................... D-7David J. Horhota ................M&RJohn Kanjirathumkal .............. TpKeith F. Roach ........................ TpAllison Ivey ..............................CBonnie J. Kirchgessner .............CDoris L. Parker .........................CFrances G. Williams .................C

25 Years Gary J. Burnett ...................... D-1Jennie S. Richard .................. D-1Joseph O. Smothers .............. D-1Harry Bessent ....................... D-�Daniel C. Bostic .................... D-3Donald J. Archibald .............. D-4George H. Benton ................. D-4Jesse Worthen ....................... D-5Pamela S. Murray ................. D-5Josefa H. Falcon ................... D-6Martha E. Nunez ................... D-6George L. Wheeler ............... D-7Myra M. Hicks..........................C

30 Years Harris E. Giddens ................. D-1Daniel A. Burch .................... D-3Early F. Britt ......................... D-5Carey Daniels ....................... D-7James C. Copechal ............... D-7Diana A. Sellers ........................C

5 Years Paulette D. Mustacchia ......... D-1Christopher Q. Dicks ............ D-�Daniel L. Cobb ..................... D-�Asem A. Al-Turk .................. D-4Erin K. McDonald ................ D-4Fernando Ascanio ................. D-4Jose Theiler ........................... D-4Joan D. Carter ....................... D-5Michelle J. Wilson ................ D-5Luis A. Tellechea .................. D-6Carolyn E. Flowers ............... D-7Robert M. Solomon .............. D-7Sharlena K. Korman ............. D-7Olen C. Hunter ...................M&RMark S. Franklin ..................... TpReinaldo Ortiz ........................ TpEmerson L. Darst ......................C

10 Years Arthur A. Hall ....................... D-1Edward J. Gonzalez .............. D-1Frank W. Fulmer ................... D-1Melvin E. Winn .................... D-1David Gomez ........................ D-�John W. Thrasher .................. D-�Priscilla D. Moore ................ D-�Terry P. Daigle ...................... D-�Charles H. Townsend ........... D-3Phillip E. Griffith .................. D-3Erik Padron ........................... D-4Gaetano J. Francese .............. D-4Jeffrey D. Smith .................... D-4James L. Clark ...................... D-5Norma I. Mejias .................... D-5Isabel G. Sotolongo .............. D-6Lanford C. Brown ................. D-6Roussel St Fleur .................... D-6William P. Sullivan ............... D-7Zenia M. Gallo ...................... D-7Annie L. Parker ..................MCCJanyres Vazquez ..................MCCDevin J. Kirkpatrick ............... TpFederico E. Santiago ............... Tp

Manuel Maldonado ................ TpRonald W. Wester ................... TpThomas Thielen ...................... TpGertrude S. Gaines ...................CLucille MacWhite .....................CLynn A. Robinson .....................C

15 Years Conrad C. Campbell ............. D-1Delores L. Dabney ................ D-�Folie L. Matthews ................. D-�Sharon L. Griffiths ................ D-�Joseph D. Deal ...................... D-3Tommie H. Bowers............... D-4Anthony B. Walters .............. D-5James A. Reininger ............... D-5John C. Gilbert ...................... D-5Morris M. Scott .................... D-5Vincent E. Vacchiano ........... D-5Alicia Trujillo ....................... D-6Antonio Soto ......................... D-6Mauricio A. Gomez .............. D-6Edmund J. Hentkowski ........ D-7Michael G. McClurg............. D-7Philip L. Alex ........................ D-7William G. Melton ................ D-7Karen D. Mackey ................... TpCathy A. Kirkendall ................ TpBernice J. Inman .......................CWilliam J. Bryan .......................C

20 Years Alfred W. Roberson .............. D-1Jose S. Garcia ....................... D-1Dale C. Johns ........................ D-�James T. Barfield .................. D-3Darlene Williams .................. D-4Reginald A. Cherry ............... D-4Richard C. Fowler ................ D-5Vickie L. Wyche ................... D-5Vinh V. Quach ....................... D-5Darryl K. Dukes.................... D-6Maribel Ortiz-Lena ............... D-6Alvin R. Stewart ................... D-7Laura L. Valdes ..................... D-7Vincent L. Timmons ...........MCCRobert A. Daniels ..............M&RAnthony D. Smith................... TpAnthony B. Williams ................CCarlos K. Mistry .......................C

25 Years Larry D. Lyon ....................... D-1Eddie D. Johns ...................... D-3Leon Moore .......................... D-3Michael H. Rausch ............... D-4Charles L. Johnson ............... D-5Lorenzo Williams ................. D-6Richard A. Kenny ................. D-6Lisa A. Page ........................MCCGregory J. Rudzik .....................CStephen R. Diffenderfer ...........C

30 Years Kenneth C. Roberts .............. D-1Brenda W. Haygood ............. D-�Rodney E. Tompkins ............ D-�Steven O. Brown .................. D-�Edward B. Freeman .............. D-4Michael S. Spillman ............... TpLap T. Hoang ............................C