12/2/2011

State government
Leaner, more focused government must be our new normal
Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter How can a largely rural western state of roughly 1.5 million people – a state whose Republican credentials are matched only by its almost contrarian sense of independence – possibly set an example of responsible governance for the rest of America?
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Planning
ITD introduces new five-year transportation plan
Idaho’s five-year transportation plan, which includes highway construction schedules and transportation projects, is available in an improved format that makes it easier to understand and track projects.
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Freight summit
Summit to explore movement of freight throughout Idaho
A few corridors are used regularly to ship everything from crop harvests to computer chips through terrain that climbs from 738 feet to more than two miles above sea level. Moving freight through Idaho will be the focus of a Freight Summit jointly sponsored by ITD, the Idaho Department of Agriculture and Boise State University Dec. 13 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at BSU.
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Highway safety
Does your personality dictate how you drive?
A new study by a Temple University Fox School of Business professor finds those who view their car as an extension of themselves have stronger aggressive driving tendencies. The study, “Aggressive Driving: A Consumption Experience,” is thought to be the first to comprehensively examine how personality, attitude and values contribute to aggressive driving behaviors.
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Employees
Farming accident claims D-6 maintenance worker Rick Davis
ITD lost a friend and valued employee when Rick Davis died in a tragic farming accident Monday near Lewisville. Davis, 47, was feeding livestock around 6 p.m. at 3500 East and 430 North when two one-ton bales of hay fell on him, according to a Jefferson County spokeswoman.
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Highway safety
Clearing crashed vehicles even more important in winter
Idaho's Quick Clearance law, adopted in 2005, requires drivers to move obstructions off the road quickly and safely in the event of a crash. Unless the crash results in death or injury, a damaged vehicle must be moved if it is not disabled, does not require towing, can operate under its own power and can be safely driven.
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Ports of Entry
Transported boat stopped for harboring unwanted mussels
A commercial hauler was transporting the boat from Michigan to Umatilla, Ore., when trained ITD inspectors discovered prohibited mussels, according to a memo from Amy Ferriter of the Idaho Department of Agriculture.
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Technology / employees
Holiday shoppers advised to use caution with online buys
ITD reminds employees that Internet use should be limited to work-related activities. Online shopping is one of several categories that is being tracked and reported to management. Personal use of ITD resources, including Internet usage and e-mail messages, should be carefully considered and limited.
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Technology
Encore (11-18-11): Computer systems to go offline Dec. 3, 4
Enterprise Technology Services will take ITD’s computer network offline for an extended period Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 3, 4)) to replace an “Uninterruptable Power Supply.” To take advantage of the down time, Building Services also will make improvements to the cooling system to prevent shutdowns because of overheating from power failures.
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Environment
Encore (11-23-11): New bridge, channel to improve fish passage
In mid-June, a $1.2 million Forest Service-funded project began with ITD oversight and construction. A culvert has been removed and replaced with a short-span bridge that also has the side benefit of providing wildlife in the area safe passage across the highway ...
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Diversity
Encore (11-18-11): Kituku to train spear on cultural diversity
Understanding and managing a buffalo in the workplace like cultural diversity can prove challenging without the necessary spears. Learn about those spears from Vincent Kituku, author of “Overcoming Buffalos At Work & In Life,” at ITD’s third brown-bag lunch program Dec. 6 at noon in the Headquarters auditorium.
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