March 12, 2010
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Legislature
JFAC approves, recommends passage of ITD budget
The Joint Appropriation-Finance Committee (JFAC) last week approved and forwarded with a “do pass” recommendation an ITD budget of $483,657,200 million for the coming fiscal year. That amount is nearly $20 million less than what Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter proposed as part of the state budget in his January message to the Legislature. Most of the reduction ($18,550,800) came from contract construction to reflect intent of HB 457.
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Transportation board
Results of Customer Satisfaction survey to be presented
The Idaho Transportation Board will consider a final draft of the 2009 ITD Customer Satisfaction Survey when it meets for a regular business meeting in Boise Wednesday. The Customer Service Council initiated the satisfaction survey as part of the department’s strategic planning efforts.
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DMV
New software helps simplify vehicle dealer data reports
The Motor Vehicles Division wanted a database – driven solution to track public requests about automobile dealers. What it got was a software solution that far exceeded expectations. A coalition of DMV and Enterprise Technology Services representatives gathered this week to put the finishing touches on a three-month project that streamlines interaction between ITD and auto dealers.
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Human resources
Federal grant will help train wounded veterans
ITD and the Idaho Department of Labor are collaborating in a project that will help veterans injured in Iraq and Afghanistan find meaningful employment in the transportation field. Michelle George of ITD’s Human Resource Services office, and Chris Ramos of the Department of Labor wrote the application that resulted in a $99,300 grant from the Federal Highway Administration. Michael Caliendo, a program analyst and civil rights specialist for the FHWA office in Idaho, assisted with the grant application.
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Highways
Pilfered sign returned to its home
Idaho has been rediscovered. Or least a welcome sign greeting travelers from Montana has been. The large sign greeting travelers on U.S. 93 headed into Idaho was returned Feb. 23 in much the same way it was removed late last month. Thieves swiped the large reflective sign under the cloak of darkness. Three individuals pulled to the side of the road, removed four bolts holding it to 4-x-4 posts, put it in the back of a pickup truck and drove away.
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Technology
Classes on horizon for GIS program
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide an ability to combine collections of data -- datasets -- in an infinite number of ways. Knowledge of GIS technology helps people manage data in ways that everything can be seen, added to, manipulated or overlaid, typically on maps. ITD’s GIS Section is working with Kessler GIS to develop PC-based GIS training courses for department personnel. The courses are designed so that participants may attend from any desktop PC.
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Alternative transportation
New Rideshare Web site improves 'pooling' rides
More than 1,230 Idahoans take advantage of Idaho’s free rideshare program – RideshareOnline.com. This week, the ride-matching experience just got better, thanks to the launch of a new Web site. Both individuals seeking ride matches and organizations managing regional or internal employee programs will be better able to personalize, track and manage their Rideshare matches through the new system.
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Construction
Women in Construction plans Friday banquet
A banquet Friday (March 19) will formally conclude this week’s observance of Women in Construction. The dinner, to be held at the Owyhee Plaza, is sponsored by the Boise chapter of the national organization, whose mission is to enhance the success of women in the construction industry.
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Technology
Avoid using cell phones connected to outlets
Recently, a person was recharging his mobile (cell) phone at home. Just at that time a call came in and he answered it with the charging unit still connected to the outlet. After a few seconds, electricity flowed into the cell phone unrestrained and the young man was thrown to the floor with a heavy thud. The phone actually exploded.
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Accolades
Outstanding PSA product
Brian Ness,
I would like to thank the Idaho Transportation Department for the ongoing support they have provided to the Idaho National Guard over the past several years. In particular, thanks to the Office of Communications for their generous donation of time and talent in again producing several outstanding public service announcements for the Idaho Guard and Reserve Family Relief Fund.
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March 5, 2010
Highway safety
Enforcement campaign nabs variety of violators
Ensuring safe travel on Idaho’s highways is a prime motivation for impaired driving high visibility enforcement campaigns, but a recent Christmas/New Year’s traffic safety effort shows that more people than just impaired drivers are caught breaking laws and displaying dangerous driving behaviors.
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Employees
D-1's Stensland shows passion for learning
District 1 Training Specialist Lori Stensland has always enjoyed expanding her world through a lifelong joy of learning. New ideas and new skills were like buried treasure, just waiting to be discovered. It’s no surprise this passion for learning remains a driving force in her life.
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Accolades
Excellent example of customer service
Division of Motor Vehicles,
I am writing on behalf of my wife Patricia Potter. Patricia's purse was stolen in California by a repairman doing remodel work on our home in California. When I called the Idaho Transportation Department I got Debra in the license area. I wanted to let you know about the customer service I received...
Driver’s license process was a pleasure
Division of Motor Vehicles,
I was at your Benjamin office on Friday (Feb. 5) at 8:45 a.m. I had moved from Pocatello two years ago and wanted to update my license. I took a ticket and was called at once. Beth was the clerk who helped me. I wanted you to know that the service I received from Beth (and the person who took my picture) was exceptional...
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Preparedness
Be prepared if the creek rises
Many people enjoy exploring the foothills or the backcountry of Idaho. Spring is a great time to get out in nature. However, with the beauty of the season comes the increased risk of flash flooding. March 15-19 is Flood Safety Awareness Week. Now is the time to learn what to do if the creek does rise.
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Employee health
Cold medications, work not always compatible
Cold and flu season is still here, even though it is starting to get warmer. It is always a good time to remember to use caution when taking over-the-counter cold and flu medications during work hours. Sometimes, cold remedies and work are not a good mix. The most common side effect of over-the- counter cold and flu medicine is drowsiness, which lowers one's alertness and reaction time.
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News to Share
 Employee's son named Adobe professional
Dan Robertson (District 5) announced that his son Joshua Cyr was asked last month to join the Adobe Community Professionals. Cry, chief technology officer for Savvy Software in Portsmouth, N.H., was invited into the program membership for 2010. Adobe is one of the world’s leading producers of imaging, Web authoring and graphics software programs, including Photoshop, Acrobat, Flash, Illustrator, InDesign and ColdFusion
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Please share information about your accomplishments or those of your colleagues with the ITD community. Send contributions to the e-mail link above.
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Views to Share
Do you have a question related to ITD processes, policies or projects? Has something been puzzling you about why we do what we do? Share your questions using the e-mail link above and let us find the answers.
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Submit your News/Views to Share
News to Share
D5's Bezayiff mentors young robotics students
What does an IT Technician Senior and robots have in common. Well, if you’re Matthew Bezayiff in District 5 quite a lot. Bezayiff mentors high school robotics students in electronics, electrical engineering and computer programming during the winter months helping them prepare for the FIRST Robotics Regional Competitions.
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Please share information about your accomplishments or those of your colleagues with the ITD community. Send contributions to the e-mail link above.
|
Views to Share
Do you have a question related to ITD processes, policies or projects? Has something been puzzling you about why we do what we do? Share your questions using the e-mail link above and let us find the answers.
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