ITD reaches out to public through Facebook, Twitter ITD joined the world of social media in the summer and early fall of 2009 with the launch of the department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. Since then, there have been nearly 4,500 Twitter and nearly 4,000 Facebook posts, along with hundreds of "likes," "shares," "re-tweets," and other indications that other people are indeed engaged with ITD's site. The four years have shown a hotbed of activity, becoming more interactive every month. As 2013 closes, it is a good time to review the top individual posts and subjects of the year. The top five ITD Facebook posts of the year, in terms of consumer response, were about the legal dates for studded tires in Idaho, the relocation of Osprey in Eastern Idaho, response to Amber Alerts, and notice of a project on the Memorial Bridge in Lewiston. Overall, there were 128 online comments and responses to ITD posts through early December. Here are a few samples:
“Hi. I just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful job you did with snow removal. I am a correctional officer at ICC and just wanted to say how much I appreciated what a wonderful job you all did. Many officers work 12- to 16-hour shifts ... so it was so nice to have a clean, clear road to drive on! I'm sure you don't hear it often enough, so I wanted to make sure you did! Thank you to the road crews and support staff that make it safe! We do appreciate all that you do!”
“I want to tell you and your teams “Thank You” for taking such good care of our highways! I’m very lucky that I only have a 10-minute commute from my home to work…BUT, my daughter, Stephanie now has a job in Nampa and has to travel the interstate from Curtis to Exit 33A. Needless to say, I was pretty darned nervous about Stephanie driving out to Nampa yesterday! I assumed that all the roads would be like the roads in town. I was so relieved when she called to tell me she made it to work ok. I asked how the highway was and she said it was great – completely clear, no snow, no ice! Your teams had to have been out all day and all night to get the interstate cleared, and I wanted you to know how much we, the traveling public, appreciate what you do. Thank you for keeping my family safe!” - Barb Conklin, Jan. 9
Kyle Wright was recognized for his efforts at the Meridian Public Work Expo June 7. The ITD Vegetation Crew (Connie Marshall, Shawn Strong) also received kudos in May 29 for the goat-mowing work to remove noxious weeds. One comment said, “This is absolutely brilliant! I applaud the ITD folks for trying this.” The other comment was, “I have eight goats on my property for this exact reason. About 95 percent of the seeds they ingest are rendered non-viable, unlike with the use of motorized trimmers. They're ‘green’ wildfire preventers!”
Richard Peryer’s Boise Maintenance crew was singled out for praise for a June 6 sinkhole repair on Eagle Road. “Thank you to all who repaired the sinkhole! That could have been lethal to unaware drivers.”
Commenting on the all-night struggle to get Idaho 55 reopened north of Banks: “Thanks, ITD for all the hard work to get Hwy 55 back open quickly!” – Stephanie McCurdy, Sept. 7
Many thanks for all you do to keep our roadways safe. Your work is under appreciated and I know from personal experience the sacrifices you may be asked to make, especially this time of year. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! :) – Penny Alley Hershberger, Dec. 2 Published 12-13-13 |