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Conner, Jeff, Andrea & McKenzie Derouen
Before our friend and co-worker, Andrea Derouen (D24) retired on July 30, 2021, I had a chance to interview her about her time with Louisville Metro Government.
Q. What department did you begin your career with local government in?
A. I worked in the summer as an intern at the Department of Labor’s Special Fund Office. My real tenure began in 1992 at the Labor Cabinet in Frankfort as an Assistant in the Office of Labor-Management Relations.
Q. What was your first job with the city?
A. I worked with Joan Riehm on a Program called MetroSolutions. It brought all Metro employees who worked hands on a specific issues together to find better and more efficient ways to tackle problems.
Q. What year did you begin working with Metro Government?
A. I began working for Metro in 2004.
Q. What have you enjoyed most about working for Metro?
A. I really have enjoyed working with extremely knowledgeable and professional staff who have gone beyond the expected to help solve problems. A lot of people think government workers don’t care but that has not been my experience.
Q. What have you enjoyed least?
A. The caller who doesn’t want to take part in a solution. The people who want to complain but don’t want to participate in making things better.
Q. If you could change anything about Metro Government, what would it be?
A. I wish we would have had more social time in the last few years. When I first came to the Council, we did lunches, outings, pot lucks, etc. Getting to know people makes working together easier.
Q. What has been the funniest thing you've experienced doing your tenure with Metro?
A. Not sure what was the funniest, but I enjoyed the Council picnics, Christmas and special events that we had. In District 24, I loved Doing Our Part From The Heart. Collecting items to make care packages for the men and women serving overseas. Getting letters from those that received the packages was very heartwarming.
Q. What advice would you give to a new Metro Government employee?
A. Do it all—take all the opportunities you get to meet new people and have new experiences.
Q. What are you going to miss the most about your job?
A. The people—from strangers to my co-workers. I enjoy people, and I will miss everyone.
Q. What are your plans for retirement
A. Find something fun to do-volunteer, work part-time, travel and spend time with family. Keep busy and find new adventures!
Q. Is there anything else you'd like to share with your co-workers?
A. Thanks to all of you who have been a part of this journey. And don’t forget to invite me to all the pot lucks!
Say goodbye to tension and hello to your pension! We wish you a happy retirement, Andrea.
THERE ARE NO WORK ANNIVERSARIES IN AUGUST.
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly is a new series to the Council Chronicle that offers a glimpse at unusual stories in the news around in the world. They are intended to provoke thought, inform and elicit a range of emotions from happiness, outrage, amusement, hope or anger. These are a summarization of stories worth knowing. Each month we will feature a story of the Good, the Bad or the Ugly around the globe. If you come across a news item that falls into either of these categories, please email it to me for possible inclusion in the monthly e-newsletter.
THE BAD
24 vaccinated friends had a blowout vacation on Cape Cod. Though their symptoms were mild, 14 of them caught COVID-19, report says.
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24 fully vaccinated friends had a week-long July 4 getaway in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
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14 of those caught COVID-19, in spite of being fully vaccinated.
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The cases are part of a bigger study that prompted the CDC to change its indoor masking guide.
Fourteen of 24 vaccinated friends who visited the Cape Cod town of Provincetown, Massachusetts in July caught COVID-19.
The group went to the beachside town for a weeklong getaway around July 4.
Provincetown was home to a large outbreak among vaccinated people
The friends were not the only ones to be infected. About 60,000 people visited the town around the July 4 weekend.
The Provincetown outbreak prompted the city to reinstate indoor mask mandates and prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to update its guidance for vaccinated people. The CDC tracked 469 cases among Massachusetts residents who visited the town. They found that 74% of those were fully vaccinated. An overwhelming majority of the cases were caused by the Delta variant, the study reported.
Infection among vaccinated could be a breeding ground for mutations
Last week, the CDC recommended that all people wear masks indoors as the Delta variant spreads through the country, including those fully vaccinated.
"Some vaccinated people infected with the Delta variant after vaccination may be contagious and spread the virus to others," said Dr Rochelle Walensky, the CDC Director. The guidance is aimed at protecting those who are not vaccinated, NIH Chief Francis Collins said.
But it has another purpose: it limits widespread infection among vaccinated people, which could lead to the virus developing mutations against the vaccine, as reported by Insider’s Aylin Woodward and Hilary Brueck.
Walensky said, “The virus is just a few mutations potentially away from evading vaccines totally.
While vaccines greatly reduce the risk of severe illness from the virus, the fully vaccinated can still contract and spread the virus. It probably won’t kill the fully vaccinated person, but it could cause the death of an unvaccinated loved one. I don’t know about you, but that’s not a chance I’m willing to take.
Roscoe Shanklin modeling his plaid jacket
From Homelessness to a King
This dapper dog is Roscoe Shanklin. He came to live at Barbara Shanklin’s house as a stray two years ago while it was being renovated and vacant. She was told by neighbors that he wandered around all day and returned to her house to sleep each night. “Just like a man,” says Barbara with a chuckle.
Barbara and her granddaughter, Chesslyn moved back into their home after a long absence when the renovations were completed and were greeted by Roscoe. He was a spitfire and would bite anyone coming close to the house.
“We convinced him to let us stay. And he wiggled his way into my heart,” she said.
A veterinarian told Barbara that he believed Roscoe was part German Shepherd and part Chihuahua. What a mix!
He went from homelessness to be king of his castle. His wardrobe consists of four sweaters which he won’t go outside without. Roscoe also has a plaid coat (see above picture) with pockets for his treats. He has three beds and they never know which bed he’s in at any given time.
“I wish I were as lucky as Roscoe,” Barbara says with a smile.
Thank you, Barbara for sharing Roscoe’s Rags to Riches story with us. He’s a lucky boy indeed to have picked your house to make his home. Now, he can enjoy the life of a beloved and pampered pet.
August 1st International Friendship Day
DOGust 1st Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs
August 11th JCPS Students First Day of School
August 19th World Humanitarian Day
August 29th Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
DID YOU KNOW THAT EVERY COUNTRY HAS A NATIONAL ANIMAL? PART III
Canadian horse
1. Canada's national animal is the majestic Canadian horse.
2. The national butterfly of Denmark is the Small tortoiseshell.
3. Portugal's national animal is the Iberian Wolf..
4. The Western Chimpanzee is the national animal of Sierra Leone.
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5. The Ocelot is
the
national feline of
Mexico.
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6. Thailand's national animal is the Elephant.
7. Togo's national animal is the Lion.
8. The fierce Gray wolf is Turkey's national animal.
9. New Zealand's national animal is the Kiwi bird.
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10. Romania's
national
animal
is the
elusive
Lynx.
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Mango Italian Summer Salad
Mango Italian Summer Salad
Ingredients
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2 fresh mangoes, peeled and chopped (or thaw packaged pre-chopped mangoes)
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1 avocado, diced
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1/2 English cucumber, chopped
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1/3 cup red onion, diced small
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2 Tbsp. olive oil
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1/2 fresh lime, juiced
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3/4 tsp dried oregano
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Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
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Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Combine mangoes, tomatoes, avocado, cucumber and onion in a medium-size mixing bowl
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Drizzle over olive oil and lime juice. Sprinkle with oregano and red pepper flakes. Add salt and pepper to taste. This salad is excellent by itself, or served as a side with chicken, fish or BBQ. Enjoy.
Aleyah & Mya Bentley
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
What makes you happy? Is it a person, place or thing? A group of people, a pet, a home, a beautiful sunset, a favorite flower, favorite color, favorite song, etc. What one thing never fails to put a smile on your face and happiness in your heart? What makes you feel grateful and blessed?
Denise Bentley says that what makes her happy are her granddaughters, Aleyah and Mya.
Aleyah, 12 and Mya, 8, both attend St Athanasius School. Aleyah is a 7th grade Honor student who's a member of the YMCA Black Achiever's program, the Debate Club and the Robotics Club at her school. She loves traveling, making tie dye clothing, talking on the phone and game night with her family.
Her favorite subject is Social Studies and her favorite color is pink. Aleyah wants to be an OB/GYN when she grows up. She learned the importance of giving back early in life and lends her time to support worthy causes. She volunteers with the Darrell Griffith Foundation to feed the homeless, participates in fundraisers for St. Athanasius School and various political campaigns.
Aleyah has traveled extensively, especially for someone so young. She recently visited Egypt with her grandmother, Denise, father, Marcus and step-mother, Juliette. Aleyah has also traveled to Las Vegas, Florida, Colorado, Pennsylvania and New York. Whoa! She's a little globe-trotter.
Aleyah riding a camel in Cairo, Egypt
Aleyah posing in front of the Egyptian Pyramids
"Aleyah is my first born grandchild and we've been connected at the hip since day one. I am thankful for the bond we share. Both Aleyah and Mya keep me youthful and involved," Denise said.
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Mya is a 2nd grader and her favorite subject is Art. Her hobbies include collecting all types of rocks and stones and making slime. She is a nature lover who loves bugs. Mya's favorite color is purple.
She also volunteers with the Darrell Griffith Foundation feed the homeless program and participates in her school fundraising events.
Denise says, "Mya is known as "mini-me". She is a kindhearted kid that is afraid of nothing. She loves all things nature and will probably be a veterinarian when she grows up. Mya is at the age where she is full of energy and keeps me jumping. She is truly a blessing."
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"This summer, the family vacationed in Egypt, and I was amazed and proud of all the history Aleyah knew about a country so far away," Denise said.
Juliette, Marcus, Denise & Aleyah in Egypt
Thank you for allowing us to feature your beautiful and accomplished granddaughters, Aleyah and Mya in this edition of the Council Chronicle, Denise. Thanks also for sharing some of your awesome Egypt vacation photos. We are expecting big things from these young ladies in the future.
"My co-worker got mad because I went downstairs to the laundry room without her, so she peed on the rug." FYI, my co-worker's name is Sadie Mae. :o)
Please send me a few sentences telling us what interesting or funny thing your co-worker (family member) has done while you've been working from home. This will be a fun exercise, especially if we get a lot of people to participate. Responses will be published in the next Council Chronicle.
TONY HYATT AUGUST 12TH
EDWIN ERNEST AUGUST 22ND
STUART BENSON AUGUST 24TH
ERICA E. TURNER AUGUST 24TH
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
'WOULD YOU RATHER' QUESTIONS ARE GREAT CONVERSATION STARTERS AND JUST PLAIN FUN.
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Would you rather be in debt for $100,000 or never be able to make more than $3,500 a month?
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Would you rather walk around work or school for the whole day without realizing there is a giant brown stain on the back of your pants or realize the deadline for that important paper/project was yesterday, and you are nowhere near done?
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Would you rather be so afraid of heights that you can’t go to the second floor of a building or be so afraid of the sun that you can only leave the house on rainy days?
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Would you rather get tipsy from just one sip of alcohol and ridiculously drunk from just one alcoholic drink or never get drunk no matter how much alcohol you drank?
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Would you rather be hired for a well-paying job that you lied to get and have no idea how to do or be about to give the most important presentation of your life but you can’t remember any of the material you prepared?
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Would you rather be feared by all or loved by all?
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Would you rather sell all of your possessions or sell one of your organs?
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Would you rather be infamous in history books or be 149?
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Would you rather be reincarnated as a fly or just cease to exist after you die?
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Would you rather live a comfortable and peaceful life in the woods in a small cabin without much human interaction or a life full of conflict and entertainment in a mansion in a city?
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A Peaceful Cabin in the Woods
PRAYER FOR EQUALITY, PEACE & UNITY
I pray for equality, unity and peace in every city in our country. Equality for all people in every country. I pray for justice for all those who have lost their lives needlessly and unjustly. I pray that all people, regardless of race, religion or socioeconomic status be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. I pray for change so that healing can begin in this country and around the world.
Amen.
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