From City Manager
Larry D. Groth
As good stewards of our tax dollars, the City must constantly focus
attention on keeping health care costs down while at the same time
negotiating affordable premium costs for employees to insure their
family members.
To achieve these goals, employee wellness, which involves employee
awareness and involvement, is crucial.
One of the biggest health care costs that can be managed is related
to Metabolic Syndrome. This is a collection of risk factors that
increases an individual’s chance of developing heart disease, diabetes
or having a stroke.
The blood work offered at open enrollment last year measured the
five components (blood pressure, HDL or good cholesterol, fasting
blood glucose, triglycerides, and waistline) of Metabolic Syndrome.
An individual with three or more of these measures outside the normal
range has Metabolic Syndrome and has a significantly higher chance
of developing a number of serious health problems
I would like to personally thank the 449 City employees that completed
the blood work last year. I hope you found the process easy and
the information helpful. Knowing this information is the first step
to managing and improving your health.
We are planning to offer blood work again this year. To the employees
that did not participate last year, I encourage you to take advantage
of this opportunity to receive valuable information about your health
at no cost.
Administrating health insurance involves much more than just selecting
and funding the health plan. I also believe our role includes assisting
employees to achieve better health.
Wellness is defined as physical well-being, and a good diet and
regular exercise are key components of wellness. Worksite wellness
programs will help support these healthy behaviors.
Because employee health is a major priority, I have authorized
the creation of a Wellness Committee with representation from each
department. Members of this committee will communicate with employees
in their departments about the programs and resources available,
encourage employees to take advantage of these services, and promote
a healthy workplace environment.
Staying healthy and improving our health status will play an important
role in keeping our growing $9 million health fund budget under
control. I appreciate your participation in our wellness efforts.
Beasts ‘N Blooms
Come get a jump on spring and attend the 5th Annual Beasts ‘N Blooms
& Earth Day Too! Festival April 18 and 19.
Shop for plants, gardening supplies, lawn ornaments and natural
gemstone jewelry. Children’s activities include arts & crafts, games,
face painting, and Junior Master Gardeners activities.
Earth Day activities include composting demonstrations, recycling
information, habitat restoration, wellness activities, and animal
enrichment and wildlife conservation. The schedule follows: Saturday
April 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, April 19 - 11 a.m. to
5 p.m.
Admission is included with the Zoo’s regular admission rates which
are $7 Adults (13+); $6 Seniors (60+); $5 Children (4-12 years)
and free admission for children 3 and under.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
The cities of Waco, Hewitt, Robinson, Lorena, Lacy Lakeview and
Woodway will host a household hazardous waste disposal event on
Saturday, May 9.
Residents of these cities may bring their waste to the City of
Waco Solid Waste Operations Center, 501 Schroeder Drive, from 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. Schroeder Drive is accessible from the 5500 block
of Franklin Avenue’s frontage road.
Participants may bring automotive, cleaning, gardening and paint
products to this free event. Please bring a current water bill and
driver’s license as proof of residency of one of the sponsoring
cities.
Items such as business, industrial, medical, biological or radioactive
waste; ammunition, explosives, fireworks, compressed gas cylinders,
gasoline tanks, smoke detectors, industrial dioxins; electronics
(such as computers); or containers larger than five gallons will
not be accepted.
For more information, please call City of Waco Solid Waste Services
at 299-2612.
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Join the City Employee
Weight Watchers Program
In January, 24 City employees started Weight Watchers at work
and the results are amazing!
he first 17-week session offered at the City started on Jan.
15 and will end on May 7. As of March 19, the employees in Weight
Watchers have lost a total of 398.5 pounds, and you can join this
team!
Human Resources is now enrolling employees for the next 17-week
session, which will start May 14 and end Sept. 3.
For the second session, the City is offering an incentive to
support employee wellness. The City will pay for half ($93.00)
of the $186 registration fee. As a result, employees can join
Weight Watchers for $93.00.
The only requirement to receiving City assistance is the employee
must attend at least 15 of the 17 weekly meetings.
Weight Watchers offers a multifaceted way to learn how to achieve
and then maintain a healthy body weight for the long term.
It incorporates healthful eating, physical activity, behavior
modification and group support. It is designed to meet your individual
needs, and you can take advantage of it at work. Each program
lasts 17 weeks.
If you are interested in signing up or you would like more information,
please contact Sherry Martin in HR at 750-5742.
Walk Across Texas
Walk Across Texas is a fun, free, fitness program that encourages
the habit of physical exercise. Teams of eight will be challenged
to complete 800 miles across Texas in eight weeks.
Kick-Off will be held on April 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the Bledsoe
Miller Recreation Center. Come register to be on a team, have
a great time, and walk your first mile with other walkers from
other City Departments and throughout McLennan County. For more
information on how to register, call Crystal Smedley at 750-5481.
The City of Waco’s annual Brazos Nights concert series begins
Friday, April 3 with a great lineup of Texas music. The free concert
will begin at 7 p.m. and will take place at Indian Spring Park.
Texas artists Stoney LaRue, Hayes Carll and Modern Day Drifters
are scheduled to perform.
Stoney LaRue is one of the most popular singers in Texas. Playing
close to 300 dates a year, he has headlined top festivals across
the state and played at venues around the world. His music combines
the rootsy, emotionally honest sound of country with the swagger
of heartland rock and a dash of the moody undercurrents of the
blues.
With the release of his 2008 album Trouble in Mind, Hayes Carll
has received praise from the likes of SPIN, New York Times and
Washington Post, and the Americana Music Association awarded him
with the Song of the Year honors. Mixing folk, country, rock and
great song-writing, Hayes Carll is now selling out clubs across
the nation.
Modern Day Drifters is one of Waco’s most promising bands. The
band’s music stems from the roots of soul and southern rock, to
the front porch of the country. The band was recently nominated
for Gruene with Envy’s Texas New Artist of the Year.
The good times and great music continue on May 1 with the Cinco
de Mayo celebration. Presented by La Ley 104.1 FM, the concert
will feature Waco blues rockers Pride and Joy.
Upcoming concerts will also take place June 5 and July 4. Along
with live music, Brazos Nights includes food and drink concessions,
children’s arts and games and scenic views from the Suspension
Bridge. For information and a complete schedule, visit www.brazosnightswaco.com.
Easter Egg Hunts
The City of Waco Parks and Recreation Department will host three
Easter egg hunts this April at neighborhood recreation centers.
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April 4: Bledsoe-Miller, 300 Martin Luther King,
Jr. Blvd., 11 a.m to 2 p.m.
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April 11: South Waco, 2815 Speight, 10:30 a.m.
to 11:30 a.m.
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April 11: Dewey, 925 N. Ninth St., 11 a.m. to
1 p.m.
Each center will have egg hunts for children a variety of family
activities and concessions. For information, contact the City
of Waco Parks and Recreation Department at 750-5980.
Waco Receives Award for Health Initiatives
The Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke has recognized
the City of Waco with a Bronze Level award for promoting heart
and brain health. Waco is the highest rated mid-size city in Texas.
The council’s Texas Heart and Stroke Healthy City Recognition
Program honors cities that advance identified best practices for
preventing and controlling heart disease and stroke.
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