5/4/2012

Employees
Governor Otter: Thanks for service to Idaho
To all state employees I appreciate your service throughout the year, and as we approach Public Employee Recognition Week, I especially want to thank you for the work that you do for the people of Idaho.  Please see the attached proclamation.
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Employees
ITD plans Employee Appreciation Week activities
As a way of saying thanks to many dedicated employees, the Idaho Transportation Department and will hold its Public Employee Appreciation Week May 7–11. Throughout the week, employees may guess the identity of fellow workers by matching baby pictures with more current photographs posted at Headquarters in the “Mighty Results from Small Beginnings” contest.
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Highway safety
ITD asks drivers to 'THINK Outside the Car'
May brings flowers to Idaho’s landscape and more bicycle and pedestrian traffic to state highways and local roads. As a result, ITD is kicking off a campaign to get drivers to “THINK Outside the Car.” The campaign reminds drivers that more bicyclists and pedestrians are sharing the road and that all road users need to be responsible for their personal safety, whether they choose to drive, walk or bike.
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Accolades
ITD Communications staff claim six press club awards
The Office of Communications won six awards at the Idaho Press Club’s Best of 2011 awards competition and another at the Capital City Communicators competition. The awards were announced Saturday evening (April 28) at the annual dinners in Boise.
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Employees
Training specialist receives ISU 'Community Partner' award
Idaho State University presented the College of Technology Outstanding Community Partner Award for 2012 to ITD’s Joe Tamasco this week in Pocatello. Tamasco is a training specialist in Human Resource Development, assigned to D-5. A 21-year ITD employee, he was recognized as a “volunteer who dedicates time and resources to help the college fulfill its mission.”
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Collaboration
ITD collaborates to produce Air National Guard video
Office of Communications staff members joined the Idaho Air National Guard in producing a video to promote a new program for at-risk youth. When the Guard conceived the idea of a video to generate support for a proposed educational center in northern Idaho, Cpt. Chris Borders contacted ITD for assistance.
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Commuting
Leave the solo commutes in the garage this month
If you want to make an impact on your health and that of your community, you might consider taking a major step – literally. Put your feet to work by walking or bicycling to work if you live within a reasonable distance.
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Research
Online research catalog available to ITD users
ITD’s Resource Center announces the online availability of the ITD Research Library Catalog. The link to the online catalog is http://207.67.203.81/I90013Staff/OPAC/. The Research Library has deployed the EOS Web Express, a state-of-the-art, internet-based library software system.
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Technology
ITD reaches social media milestone in outreach efforts
One of the many tools ITD uses to communicate with various, often divergent, segments of the population and connect with reporters and the public alike recently reached a milestone. A few years ago, ITD added social media to its outreach toolbox. The department’s Twitter account (@IdahoITD) recently registered its 2,000th follower.
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Employees
Open enrollment available on website
The Plan Renewal and Open Enrollment information is posted at ogi.idaho.gov/employees/. Please review carefully about: Premium rates, FSA waiting period and medical reimbursement account maximum, vision benefit enhancements and principal supplemental life.
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Public transportation
Spotlight on Transportation
There are so many great stories about transportation in and around Idaho that we think it’s time to recognize some great organizations, some amazing people and share ideas! Each month we are going to spotlight an Idaho success story.
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Employees
D-5's Harelson, daughter create winning dummy for launch
With inspiration from the Engineering Manager, Brian Poole, and an empty from the Project Development Engineer, Mark Snyder, Materials Engineer Dan Harelson helped his daughter Nina win first place in the Pebble Creek Dummy Race with the “Monster Smoker.”
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ITD Mailbox
Best customer service ever experienced
ITD Division of Motor Vehicles: Thank you for your help on my replacement driver’s license.
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Accolades
Encore (4-27-12): Project garners ARTBA Globe award for Environmental stewardship
The US 30 Corridor Improvement project from McCammon to Lava Hot Springs in Eastern Idaho recently won the ARTBA (American Road & Transportation Builder’s Association) Globe award for Environmental Protection & Mitigation. It is the second ARTBA award won by ITD projects this spring, following the community relations award for the Sand Creek Byway project. Both awards will be presented in Washington, D.C. on May 30.
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Human Resources
Encore (4-27-12): Workforce outreach efforts gain attention and support
Workforce outreach by the Idaho Transportation Department has garnered national attention with three papers detailing ITD’s efforts selected for the National Transportation Workforce Summit in Washington, D.C. The papers were assembled and submitted by ITD’s Human Resources Equal Employment Opportunities Office.
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Employees
Encore (4-27-12): Partner with a “Buddy” for the London Bridge to Fitness exercise challenge
Have tea with the queen and see Big Ben with a traveling companion while improving your physical fitness during the London Bridge to Fitness. From April 29 to July 7, ITD staff can track and monitor their physical activity on a challenge log sheet that vicariously takes them through the streets of London and see sites like the Tower Bridge and Big Ben.
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Organ donor
Encore (4-27-12): Floragraph of daughter presented to Haye family at ITD ceremony
Lacey Haye’s decision selfless decision to become an organ donor was honored last week (April 20) during a special presentation held at ITD as part of National Donate Life Month. Representatives of Intermountain Donor Services presented the Haye family with a floragraph of their daughter that adorned the Donate Life parade float in the Rose Parade Jan. 2 in Pasadena, Calif.
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District 3
Encore (4-27-12): Camaraderie helps D-3 staff shed pounds during Capitol Mall Fitness Challenge
Daily walks, discipline during the weekends, debriefings each Monday morning and the Emmett High School track team helped the District 3 “Bootie Busters” take second place in the Capitol Mall Fitness Challenge. The captain of “Bootie Busters,” Judy St. Germain, said team members Jeff Brothers, Kelly Byrne, Julie Schwendiman and Zane Smith encouraged and motivated each other during the 10-week fitness event that started Jan. 30.
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