October 23, 2009
Employee health
Headquarters flu vaccination clinic postponed
The flu shot vendor for ITD is experiencing “seasonal” flu vaccine shortages so the flu vaccination clinic scheduled for Headquarters next week (Oct. 28) has been postponed. “Seasonal” flu vaccine is traditionally given later in the fall (in November and December) to protect people for January through March when the largest number influenza A and B strains usually occurs.
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Transportation board
Reports on Research, Strategic Plan presented
ITD Research Program Manager Ned Parrish provided the annual report on the department’s research program to the Idaho Transportation Board during its Oct. 15 business meeting in Boise. The budget for research activities in FY10 is $1.4 million.
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Accolades
Stratten, ITD video receive profession honors
ITD earned a national award for a bicycle safety public service announcement and Public Information Officer Jeff Stratten received the Founder’s Award at the National Transportation Public Affairs Workshop (NTPAW) last week in St. Louis. The organization for public relations professionals in the transportation industry honored Stratten during an awards luncheon.
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Employees
Insurance premium deduction change starts with first pay check in November
During open enrollment in May, ITD was notified that insurance premiums would be deducted in two installments per month starting later in the year. That time has arrived. Oct. 30 will be the November 2009 premium, as normal. Then on Nov. 13, half of the December premium will be deducted. On Nov. 27, the other half will be deducted. (Link included for premium changes.)
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Retirement options to be explained in 'Beach' presentations
PERSI’s Mike Mitchell of the state Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) will conduct the popular “Planning for the Beach” and “Cruisin’ to the Beach” workshops at ITD Headquarters. Planning for the Beach” is intended for newer employees and those who require a better understanding of what our retirement system is about. “Cruisin’ to the Beach” focuses on how to make smart investing decisions that will help employees meet their goals for their future retirement.
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Employees still have time to support United We Care
ITD and other state agencies are in the midst of an annual campaign – United We Care – that provides resources for United Way. Employees at Headquarters have a number of ways to participate in the charitable campaign. Do you plan on donating?
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Highway safety
Children turn art into life-saving messages
Young artists across Idaho trained their crayons, markers and pencils on important highway safety messages for ITD’s 2010 Highway Safety Kids Calendar. ITD’s Office of Highway Operations and Safety produces the full-color calendar each year. It features drawings related to highway safety that are submitted by teachers of kindergarten through sixth grade statewide.
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Public transportation
CTAI discusses mobility with task force members
Heather Wheeler, Executive Director of the Community Transportation Association of Idaho (CTAI) gave a presentation to the Gubernatorial Taskforce on Modernizing Transportation Funding in Idaho Oct. 8 in Boise. The presentation focused on the value of improved mobility to individuals, communities, and the entire state.
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Health
CDHD suspends vaccinations for school children
The Central District Health Department (CDHD) this week suspended its school-based H1N1 (swine) flu vaccination program in the Boise and Meridian school districts. Deliveries of additional doses of nasal spray and ingestible vaccine did not arrive as expected this week, forcing planners to suspend the program until additional vaccine arrives. CDHD, like all other health agencies around the country, must adjust its plans for distributing the vaccine because of a smaller supply than what was originally projected.
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ITD Mailbox
• Backcountry trip produced smooth landing
• DMV created calm during stormy time
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Submit your News/Views to Share
News to Share
 Adopted District 5 puppy succumbs to medication
It is with a heavy heart that I tell you this will be the last “Uber update.” Uber has died. The District 5 McCammon Maintenance guys and I buried him near the guardrail where we found him. With him lay his toys, his blankie and his state ID badge.
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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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GARVEE
Board recommends $45 million request
The Idaho Transportation Board Thursday recommended requesting $45 million in bonding authority next year to finance reconstruction and expansion of the states highways and bridges. The bond request is part of the GARVEE Transportation Program approved by the Idaho Legislature. The recommendation will be forwarded to Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter and must be approved by the Legislature.
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Highway safety
Incident response crews keep traffic flowing
Ever had a flat tire, need a tow, run out of gas, have your engine overheat, been involved in or found ourselves on the scene of a fender-bender? We all have. District 3’s Incident Response was formed in 1997 to help motorists on Interstate 84 cope with such unexpected travel interruptions.
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President orders limits on federal cell phone, texting
President Obama has banned federal employees from text messaging when they are behind the wheel of government vehicles and from texting in their own cars if they use government-issued phones or are on official business. The ban, in the form of an executive order signed Wednesday night, was announced Thursday by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood at the culmination of a two-day meeting on the issue of distracted driving.
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Employees
Best 60-second investment in workplace
Let's all get back to the basics. We are busy in this turbulent economy, but all it takes to make someone's day, using on-the-spot recognition, is 60 seconds. The next time you notice an employee doing something right ...
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Stimulus
Boise car dealer praises 'Clunkers' program
One of the most visible programs in the federal stimulus package Congress approved early this year was the Cars Allowance Rebate System (CARS), better known nationally as the Cash for Clunkers program. How significant was the influx of stimulus money to car dealers and buyers? Grant L. Petersen, President and CEO of Bronco Motors in Boise provided an assessment for members of Idaho's Congressional delegation.
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Aeronautics
Crowd celebrates completion of Emmett airport project
Local economic development officials joined pilots and community leaders Wednesday (Oct. 14) in Emmett to celebrate completion of a runway reconstruction project at Chuck Sawyer Field, the city's airport. The $600,000 project is a culmination of about five years of work that has significantly improved the airport as an economic centerpiece for the community.
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