Blog

The Department of Administration was proud to join the ranks of responders this weekend when multiple tornados cut a wide swath of destruction across North Carolina. Several of our divisions responded, with most efforts focused locally in the State Capitol.

As usual, employees of Facility Management were among the first on the scene to clear fallen trees and inspect state-owned facilities for damage. They were racing all day to address power outages at chillers and respond to building alarms, some of which were the result of power surges, but all of which needed to be inspected and reset.

While power was out at some locations, affecting service at the visitor parking lot near State Archives and the Executive Mansion, the only building to sustain serious damage was the Division of Motor Vehicles headquarters on New Bern Ave.

The State Construction Office partnered with Facility Management to expedite repairs to the facility, which focused largely on the roof. Public services were suspended there on Monday but scheduled to reopen today. They also worked together to ensure public safety and arrange for removal of a large tree felled at State Archives.

Additionally, the State Property Office provided emergency response over the weekend to assist workers and users of an Employment Security Commission office in hard-hit Roanoke Rapids. The office was located in leased spaced that was heavily damaged. Thanks to Gov. Perdue’s State of Emergency declaration, Property Office specialists were able to quickly identify and secure alternate office space to allow ESC workers to continue providing needed services to citizens.

The Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses also has been engaged in the recovery process, with certification specialists assisting local governments in affected areas to expedite contracting services. And our Communications Office has provided assistance to colleagues at the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, which has provided a steady stream of information to citizens and media regarding the state’s role in supporting the activities of local emergency responders.

I also would like to thank our Facility Management team for getting out early this morning to lower flags to half-staff at all state-owned facilities in the Downtown State Government Complex. Gov. Perdue yesterday called for all United States and North Carolina flags to be lowered in tribute to both storm victims and the countless responders who have saved lives and prevented additional injury. Flags will remain lowered through dusk Thursday, returning to full staff on Good Friday.

Below: DOA workers remove a downed tree.

The Department of Administration bid a fond farewell this morning to Charlie Smith, longtime Director of the N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs, who is retiring after 40 years of service to the state.

A veteran who saw active duty in the Vietnam War, Charlie has dedicated his life to ensuring that North Carolina veterans receive the services they have earned, not to mention the grateful appreciation  of our state and nation.

Charlie’s service has spanned the administrations of eight North Carolina governors, each of whom has acknowledged the special role he played in providing quality services and leadership through District Offices serving all 100 counties. Gov. Bev Perdue, who described him as a “terrific friend and advisor,” surprised Charlie at his reception to express her appreciation.

“I have known Charlie for 20 years, and he has always asked what he can do to make things better for veterans,” said Perdue, who presented him with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. “There is no greater way that we can recognize all of the people he has helped. Charlie is the epitome of someone who should receive this award.”

Several top military leaders sent their good wishes in writing, including Tammy Duckworth, Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who Charlie called his “hero.”

“You are a treasure,” Duckworth wrote. “Your unwavering commitment to Veterans and their families is apparent to all and North Carolina Veterans have been truly lucky to have had you as one of their strongest advocates.”

Gen. Shinseki himself, who gave Charlie the Secretary Award’s in September 2009, wrote that Charlie’s “achievements on behalf of North Carolina Veterans … set a high standard for concerned and compassionate leadership.” 

Charlie also was surprised by a presentation from Rep. Grier Martin, a veteran and member of the Homeland Security, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, who presented a Certificate of Appreciation of behalf of the General Assembly as well as a military challenge coin. 

Gen. Barry McCaffery, former US Director of National Drug Policy, stood with Charlie last August when they participated in the “Recovery Takes Flight” event at the Wilmington Treatment Center, a facility that focuses on the mental health needs of veterans. “I would once more like to thank you for the part you played in drawing attention to the need to veterans to seek and obtain help,” McCaffery wrote. “I was proud to work with you.”

Even Miss North Carolina, Adrienne Core, who made an appearance with Charlie and Gen. McCaffery in Wilmington – and reportedly charmed our retiree – send an autographed photo with her best wishes. On behalf of everyone at DOA, we also send our best wishes and sincere thanks.

The Indian Cultural Center in Pembroke was once a proud tribal icon in North Carolina. Families and visitors gathered on its expansive lawns and swam in its pool and pond. For decades, its annual homecoming Powwow and outdoor production of “Strike at the Wind” were popular tourist attractions.

Likewise, the Riverside Golf Course, once the only course in the state open to American Indian players, was the pride of the community. Both, however, have fallen on hard times.
Owned by the state but managed locally, some of the facilities on the 400-acre property have decayed to the point that they cannot be used safely.  Indeed, the golf course will close until further notice, effective Friday.

Before any decisions about the property are made, the NC Commission of Indian Affairs and the NC Department of Administration is seeking input from those affected by the condition of the property.

A Listening and Learning Session regarding the use and purpose of the NC Indian Cultural Center and Riverside Golf Course has been scheduled to provide an opportunity for tribal and community leaders, citizens, local and state officials and other interested parties to provide comments regarding the property.

The session will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 3; speaker registration will begin at 6 p.m. The session will be held at Carolina Commerce & Technology Center (ComTech Center Park), 115 Livermore Drive, Pembroke. I’ll be there to hear what folks have to say.

Written remarks also may be submitted for the record either at the meeting or by email to Indian.Affairs@doa.nc.gov.  Comments on this topic will be accepted through 5 p.m. March 25. For additional information, please contact Kimberly Hammonds at 919-807-4440 or kimberly.hammonds@doa.nc.gov.

Shortly after we notified more than 1,500 members of the North Carolina Flag Alert listserv of the Governor’s call to lower flags to half-staff at all state facilities through sunset Friday, Jan. 14, we heard from a member that one of the victims of the Tucson tragedy has a North Carolina connection.

Kevin Reid of Greensboro wrote to state his support for the Governor’s order and to note that John Green, father of 9-year-old victim Christina Taylor Green, pitched for the Winston-Salem Spirits in the Carolina League in 1987. He is now a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Her grandfather, Dallas Green, pitched for the Reidsville Luckies, a Carolina League team in the mid-1950s. He later coached or managed several major league teams, including taking the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series Championship in 1980.

E-mail and social media make the world a great deal smaller, and it is heartbreaking to realize that the citizens of North Carolina share a special bond with the Green family. We send our sincere condolences to them, and to all affected by this senseless event.

Please show your solidarity and patriotism by flying your flag at half-staff this week. If you would like to be notified when the Governor orders flags to be lowered at state facilities, please register at http://lists.ncmail.net/mailman/listinfo/flag.alerts.

Antonio Yellock and Walter Kimble lower lower the flag in front of the Administration Building

On Wednesday afternoon, I got to enjoy one of the great perks of my job:  surprising a deserving, career state employee with the honor of being named 2010 DOA Employee of the Year.
Joined by Chief of Staff Britt Cobb, I presented the award to Jennifer Norton, Office Manager at Facility Management, who humbly accepted it before a crowd of colleagues – as well as her husband, mother and two sisters, all state employees – during the Annual Holiday Reception.

Leadership is nothing new to Jennifer, whose modest title belies the range of tasks that are listed in her job description. I shared with those gathered some of the things that co-workers said in her nominations:

• Jennifer demonstrates a work ethic which is second to none.
• No matter how difficult the task may be, or how much work is involved, she dives in and completes each task with speed and efficiency.
• She is exceptionally knowledgeable about the Department’s unique services delivered to other state agencies and the public.
• Jennifer never complains but delivers options for continuing the highest level of service possible with the resources allowed in the budget.
• No employee’s question or need is too small or too large for Jennifer to treat it as a priority.

It is my pleasure to make sure those outside of the DOA family also how much her work is valued and to thank her again for all she does to make DOA successful.

While some folks are making lists of gifts they’d like to receive this holiday season, I am proud to say that the employees of the Department of Administration are focusing their attention on helping people they may never meet:  schoolchildren who receive BackPack Buddies provisions from the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, a nonprofit agency that that provides nutritious weekend meals.

Administration COO Anne Bander and I asked our employees to support this worthy program during the holiday season, and donations of canned goods, milk and juice boxes and other shelf-stable foods are being collected in designated barrels located in the Secretary’s Office as well as the rear entrance of the Administration Building. We invite other colleagues who work here, and those who visit, to join us by donating appropriate food items by December 15.

Countless studies show that children who regularly consume a nutritionally-balanced diet are healthier and more successful in school. These weekend meals, which come with kid-friendly snacks, benefit at-risk youth and lessen stress on the family budget caused by the economic downturn.

Please join us in this effort, or lend your support to another group that seeks to serve the less fortunate in our community. There is no greater gift this time of year than knowing you have done your share to help those who need it most.

When you picture in your mind New York’s Twin Towers engulfed in flames, or even fake smoke pouring from a fictionalized movie high-rise, the thought of at-risk workers exiting safely from a multi-story office building is a very real concern. It’s one we develop plans for through our Facility Management Division, but the unpredictable nature of such events make real-time drills vitally important in saving lives and property.

That is why the Department of Administration did not hesitate when we were approached by the Raleigh Fire Department with a request to conduct a high-rise training drill in a state office building. Such an exercise will be held all day Saturday at the Archdale Building, 512 N. Salisbury St., which houses the Departments of Crime Control and Public Safety, and Environment and Natural Resources.

The drill will be repeated three times during the day to allow numerous fire departments and emergency medical response teams an opportunity to participate. Responders will stage their equipment in the parking lot behind the Administration Building.

Fire department officials are planning to train in a highly realistic, dark and smoke-filled environment. While responders will practice locating teams and hooking trucks into hydrant systems, they will not spray water during the drills.

While the exercise is bound to have an impact of those who live and work in the area – nearby streets will be closed and access to some state buildings and parking lots restricted – the impact of not training for potential crises could be far more devastating. We wish our colleagues success in this endeavor and thank them for their selfless efforts to protect our safety, and we thank our neighbors for their patience during this important activity.

I just couldn’t wait. The statewide drive to collect non-perishable food for the N.C. Association of Feeding America Food Banks doesn’t officially begin until Friday, but I was pleased to be among the first to deliver goods this morning to the collection boxes located here in the Administration Building.

Gov. Perdue has asked all state employees to support their neighbors by participating in this effort, which is part of the National Day of Service to commemorate the 9/11 terror attacks. Collection boxes are located in many offices in the Downtown State Government Complex and will remain in place through 12 noon Monday, Sept. 13.

Donating a bag of groceries may seem like a small thing to do, but together we can make a significant contribution and help put healthy food on the tables of needy North Carolina families.

Every quarter, the Department of Administration selects an employee who truly goes above and beyond the call of duty to receive the ADMINISTRATOR AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE. We’ve recognized folks in different divisions for extraordinary teamwork and individual achievement, as well as good works on personal time that improve their community.

One of the things that make this award great is that the recipient is nominated by his or her peers. We typically present these before co-workers at a called meeting, ideally one that gives the impression that someone will be called to task. When the awardee is named and everyone realizes the gathering’s purpose, well, suffice it to say it’s one of the most enjoyable parts of my job.

Wednesday morning, for the first time, we honored an employee whose work station is outside of the Downtown State Government Complex. An “urgent teleconference” was arranged at the N.C. Council for Women, where I surprised Western Region Coordinator Kathleen Balogh with the commendation amid the cheers of her co-workers.

Kathleen’s region covers 20 sprawling counties, where she coordinates services and outreach for survivors of domestic abuse and women in transition. She also serves as chair of the influential N.C. League of Women Voters, a role that allows her to foster increased awareness of and participation by women in the political process. Her full story is featured in the new, summer issue of our employee newsletter, THE ADMINISTRATOR.

I firmly believe in the importance of recognizing outstanding achievement as a way to inspire others to do the same. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of state employees, who do so much to serve our citizens and make our state a great place to live, work and prosper. 

Several weeks ago, we made a small change to the Department of Administration website that has turned out to be a big hit. Actually, it’s been more than 10,000 hits.

On April 27, as part of an ongoing effort to improve our website, we added a Google custom search feature with the hope that it would make it easier for users to find the DOA information they seek. The no-cost resource seemed a natural step in enhancing access to our data and our people.

As of today, a total of 10,028 inquiries have been made through this search feature, including 9,271 distinct queries. Among the most commonly entered topics were education, jobs and internships, each of which have historic connections to divisions within our Department. We also heard from people who needed to obtain standardized tests for home school administration; folks who were looking for bargains among surplus state vehicles; and others who browsed a wide range of bid opportunities, including the new NC Preference, which provides a price-match opportunity for North Carolina vendors.

Another bit of evidence that the search feature is useful to our visitors is a drop in the volume of “Contact Us” general inquiries received since it was launched. We’ve not only seen fewer emails each month, but also note an ever bigger reduction comparing to the same time periods in 2009 and 2008.

Which is not to say we don’t want to hear for you. We encourage our web visitors to let us know how we can continue to improve to deliver the services they want and need.