1/4/2013

Districts
Replacement of old bridge in Cascade progresses
The replacement of the North Fork Payette River Bridge in downtown Cascade is well under way. It’s a bit too snowy in this photo, taken Dec. 17, to really see the extent of the work – but believe us – it is slated to finish in late fall 2013.
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Aeronautics
Aero's Mike Pape helps Boy Scouts earn merit badge
The faces of aviation looked younger last week when eight Boy Scouts set about earning an aviation merit badge at ITD’s Division of Aeronautics. Mike Pape, division administrator and a Scout leader, gave the young flying enthusiasts a look at typical cockpit controls and explained how the controls worked. Each Scout then assembled a glider aircraft using a Styrofoam plate, a penny and a cutting template.
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Maintenance
ITD holiday highway clearing praised
ITD highway crews statewide were able to keep the roads open and passable during the holiday season despite several snowy and icy days, occasional bitterly cold temps and the dreaded melting-refreezing cycle. A few routes were closed for a matter of only hours during that time period, earning the department several kudos from citizens via email, Facebook and Twitter.
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Employees
PERSI performance for 2012 is positive
The year 2012 was a mixed bag for many, with the negatives and positives competing on a daily basis. There was a bit of good news as the year ended, thanks to our PERSI fund. As we’re all contributors to the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho, here’s the latest performance report, through Nov. 30, 2012:
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End of temporary Social Security tax relief plans means less in paycheck
In a world of point and counterpoint, here’s a little less-than-glowing news to counteract the good news regarding the PERSI return. Today’s paycheck, the first since the Social Security tax rate increased due to the expiration of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, will be a little lighter than we’re used to – about $2 less per every $100 of the check amount.
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Prosperous new year
Encore (12-28-12): 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
Encore (12-28-12): 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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Employees
Encore (12-28-12): 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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Office of Transportation Investment
Encore (12-28-12): 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
Encore (12-28-12): 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
Encore (12-28-12): 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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