February 18, 2011
Lynn Rhodes and representatives of ITD's Division of Motor Vehicles took the opportunity at the state capitol Wednesday to explain Idaho's move to central-issue driver's licenses. The presentations were part of "Buy Idaho"
day at the capitol that introduces Idaho products and services to statehouse visitors and legislators.
Highway safety
Traffic fatalities appear to be at 47-year low in 2010
Efforts to improve safety for motorists on Idaho roads could be paying off big with motor vehicle fatalities continuing to decline. Early numbers from ITD show 210 motor vehicle fatalities occurred in Idaho during 2010. This is down from 226 fatalities in 2009 and 232 fatalities in 2008. The lowest number of traffic deaths on record, going back to 1962, was in 1963 when there were 207 fatalities. The state’s population has more than doubled since the 1960s.
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Highways
ITD, Corrections, taxpayers benefit from 'clean' partnership
State budgets are tight, and any cost savings are significant. Partnerships are one way to achieve those savings. That’s why a report of another 6,200 lbs. of trash sitting in the landfill is good news for Treasure Valley residents. Generally, more garbage along the highway – or anywhere else – is never good news.
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ITD issues ExxonMobil permits, initiates hearing process
This week ITD issued a permit for Imperial Oil/ExxonMobil to transport an over sized test load on U.S. 12 beginning Feb. 22. The department also began a contested case hearing process to allow opponents of the shipments to present evidence and testimony on the estimated 200 additional loads proposed to travel U.S. 12 from Lewiston to Alberta, Canada.
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Education
Budding engineers to descend on Headquarters
A group of young women you might meet at ITD on Friday, Feb. 25, could harbor some of the department’s future engineers. Thirty eighth-graders and five instructors from the Nampa School District will participate in Engineering Girls Day at ITD where department personnel will introduce the group to the advantages of choosing engineering as a career path..
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Middle school students show future city to transportation board
Students from Lake Hazel Middle School had a captive audience this week when they pitched the virtues of a city 150 years into the future. The middle school students presented their award-winning design to board members during the business meeting at ITD Headquarters.
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Farewell
Cheryl Rost says 'good-bye' after more than 31 years
Headquarters was her official workstation, but Cheryl Rost’s influence and personal touch extended to all six ITD districts and most of the maintenance facilities. As manager of Employee Safety and Risk Management, Rost was responsible for ensuring that employees operate in the safest environment possible, using the safest equipment available. It wasn’t just her job – it was a professional passion.
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Technology
Conversion to Internet-based phones to be done this weekend
ITD’s conversion to an Internet-based telephone system should be completed by Tuesday with upgrades to all telephones at Headquarters. Installation of the new HQ phones will begin tonight and continue through the weekend to ensure that all are functioning when employees return to work Tuesday.
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ITD Mailbox
• Grand & artistic entry to Sandpoint
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Encore
Published February 11, 2011
Wildlife
National Geographic to film District 6 moose project
Ongoing wildlife research conducted in the Island Park area of District 6 will be part of a documentary filmed by National Geographic Television. David Hamlin, the Emmy Award-winning producer of the National Geographic Explorer series is working on a new documentary that focuses on America’s “Big 5. “
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Performance
Governing magazine acknowledges ITD dashboard
ITD’s new web-based dashboard that tracks progress in nine transportation performance areas caught the attention of Governing magazine, a nationwide publication for state and local government leaders. Managing Editor Elizabeth Daigneau described ITD's use of technology in the magazine's Jan. 27 online edition as part of the "Idea Center" column.
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Telephones
Headquarters phone replacements begin Feb. 18
A new telephone system and new phones will be installed throughout Headquarters buildings beginning at 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 18, and continuing through Monday, Feb. 21. A large group of people will be involved with the deployment, going into each office and cubicle, rapidly changing out the phones.
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Highway safety
Meridian officers urge drivers to turn off cell phones
Take attention away from driving long enough to scan a text message or search for a contact and you may find that your motor vehicle has traveled more than three city blocks with no one looking at the road ahead. Sgt. John Gonzales and officer Will Stoy, with the Meridian Police Department, recently talked about the dangers of texting while driving at a Headquarters presentation sponsored by the ITD Safety Committee.
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Employees
Credit union offers tips on tax process
Mandy Wood, Icon Credit Union
It is that time again that we all should be thinking about taxes! Get ahead of the game by doing your taxes early and be one of the first to get your money back. Icon Credit Union provides some helpful tips on preparing your tax return -- gather all your info; watch for W-2 and 1099s; use free file or a hire a professional; consider e-file and direct deposit.
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