12/28/2012

Prosperous new year
Governor, First Lady offer best wishes for holidays
This will be my last e-newsletter of the year, so the First Lady and I want to take a moment to reflect on the blessings we have received and to thank you all for your support this past year. We'll be facing a number of challenges in 2013, but I'm optimistic.
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Best of the best
2012 — The year in Transporter headlines
By nearly every standard, 2012 was a highly successful year at ITD. It began with the formal introduction of Jerry Whitehead as chairman of the Idaho Transportation Board and praise for outgoing chairman Darrell V Manning by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter in his State of the State address.
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Highway safety
ITD encourages safe, sober travel during year-end festivities
Start the new year with a resolution to not drive impaired and to arrive home safely from parties and other holiday activities. ITD joins Idaho law enforcement agencies statewide to make Idaho’s highways safer by funding education campaigns and high-visibility impaired driving patrols through New Year's Day.
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Employees
Department-wide workshop focuses on a respectful workplace
Achieving a goal of being the best transportation department in the country requires that ITD employees work together to create a respectful workplace that encourages the best from everybody. Human Resource Services will deliver “Leading a Respectful Workplace” classes for all department employees and supervisors beginning in 2013.
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Highway safety
U of I research applies technology to highway safety
The Lewiston Tribune - The University of Idaho's transportation institute is where research quite literally meets the road. Since it was founded 20 years ago, the National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology has put a premium on turning its research into real-world applications ...
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Office of Transportation Investment
Please welcome OTIS to the department
A trio of employees – Nathan Hesterman, Patty Harris and Christine Lambing – pooled their talents to forward OTIS as part of a “recent name that program” contest.
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Highway maintenance
D-5 brine mix an efficient winter maintenance tool
Phil Campbell - Another winter storm has arrived in eastern Idaho and that means the roads can be treacherous. ITD does their best to keep up during these trying times and they are doing it more efficiently than ever before. Salt from the Great Salt Lake, fresh water from the eastern Idaho mountains, together they form a defense that is making our roads safer than ever.
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Employees
Program sheds light on rehabilitation services
During a recent diversity brown-bag lunch program at Headquarters, Nanna Hanchett talked about how the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (IDVR) helps individuals with disabilities to return to work or obtain employment. The presentation was part of a series that explores how each of us is different and how much we are alike.
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Chobani opens
Economic impacts to be felt beyond Magic Valley
ITD Director and other department representatives were on hand for the formal opening of the new yogurt production facility near Twin Falls on Dec. 17. ITD and the state's transportation system will be instrumental in helping Chobani move its products to national markets. Enhancing economic opportunity is one of ITD's strategic plan goals.
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Highways
Encore (12-21-12): Rotary snowplowing captured on video
Stuart Wilson enjoyed a routine winter drive on Idaho 21 recently under mostly blue skies with only occasional traffic. He owned the highway, except for boss Dan Bryant who followed from a distance capturing drive on video.
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Outstanding customer service
Encore (12-21-12): Cherry receives commendation for helping motorist
After more than 11 years on the D-3 Incident Response service, Jim Cherry has witnessed 100,000-plus incidents on Treasure Valley highways. Yet he treats each one as if it was his first. For him, the service is more than just a job. That’s one of the reasons he is regularly singled out for praise by the stranded motorists he helps.
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Farewell
Encore (12-21-12): Friday will be turning point for Bud Henson
The date 12-21-12 has only two digits, but a lot of meaning. It is supposed to be the harbinger of doom – the day the world’s clock will finally wind down and tick no more. Earth's grand finale, if you believe prognosticators who study the Mayan calendar.
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Maintenance
Encore (12-21-12): Maintenance-shed shuffle to improves service
ITD has maintenance sheds throughout Idaho that serve as hubs for highway safety and enables the department to better serve motorists -- major components of the department's Strategic Plan. They represent ITD’s commitment to highway safety, mobility and enhancing economic opportunities.
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