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ITD Mail

Retirement will bring loss
Jim Ross,

What a loss for our state. You have served our state with distinction.

Before I was involved in politics, every person that I [encountered] who worked in and out of ITD said if you had a problem or a question, “Call Jimmy.”

My legislative experience was the same. Idaho owes you for your good service. Congratulations on your retirement.

Brad Little
District 11 Representative
(Gem and Canyon counties)

Roadside assistance
Dave Ekern,

I’m taking the time on Thanksgiving Day to write this letter because it’s the first thing on my list of thanks.

On Tuesday (Nov. 23) at 9 p.m. my truck broke down a mile west before crossing Lookout Pass by Mullan, Idaho. I was heading back home to Nebraska for Thanksgiving.

It was my first time driving in the mountains and it was dark, raining and starting to snow, and was getting cold. I was there for about a half hour before a state employee named Bruce VanBroeke showed up. No one else stopped, because of the snow it would have been almost impossible for another truck to get started back up over the hill.

Bruce showed me the way down to the state yard and let me use the tools I needed to get my truck fixed. Not only that, but he called a friend of his (Dave) to ask a question about the problem I was having. Dave also came to help. While we were working on the problem, a fellow employee showed up and helped. His name is Jay Hebert.

When we were finished they wouldn’t take anything for helping me out, not even a soda. Then, sensing my apprehension about the conditions of the hill, they led me to the top to get me on my way. I was back on the road by 10:30 p.m. A problem that would have had a truck sitting on that hill, blocking traffic all night, took less than 1 1/2 hours to fix, and I made it home for the holiday.

Please let these two employees know how much my wife and I appreciate their kindness. They were definitely the answer to my prayer. Again, thanks.

Lathan & Kamala Asbra
Laurel, Nebraska

License extension saves trip
Driver’s License Unit,

This letter is being sent to commend the employees of the Driver’s License Unit, especially Dave (Gjesdal) and Naomi (Rawls).

On Nov. 16, I flew from Phoenix, Arizona, to Hartford, Connecticut. Upon check-in at the airport, I discovered my license had expired in July. This caused me much grief at the airport, and I knew it would be a problem when I went to pick up my rental car. I arrived at the Dollar Rental place at 5:38 and got on the phone.

As I live in Stanley, Idaho, in the summer months, I called the Custer County Sheriff’s Department. They told me I had to call the transportation department and provided me with the phone number. A woman at the transportation department transferred me to Dave who said he would fax me an application for an extension.

Within minutes I had the application, filled it out and faxed it back to Naomi. Again, within minutes I had my certificate of extension in hand and was able to be on my way. This entire process took exactly 47 minutes from the time I walked into the Dollar Rent-a-Car to the time I had my extension in hand.

For this, you are to be commended.

Dave and Naomi certainly aspire to the fact that your department should be, and obviously is, a service-oriented department. I thank you sincerely for acting as quickly as you did and for turning a very unpleasant and fretful experience into a day with a happy ending. You can be sure I will be checking the expiration date on my driver’s license quite closely from now on.

Judy Funderburg
Stanley