Untitled Document

ITD Mailbox

Working hard to ensure interrupted service

Pam/Jerry,
Maj. Gen. Lafrenz, Mark Compton, and I toured four declared counties in northern Idaho this week. We visited with numerous county commissioners, mayors, sheriffs, police chiefs, fire chiefs, EMTs, as well as many others working hard to ensure uninterrupted government services to the citizens of the affected areas.

Everyone we talked to at all levels of government are singing the praises of the employees of the Idaho Transportation Department and the Idaho State Police. Your folks are truly doing amazing work under arduous conditions. On behalf of Maj. Gen. Lafrenz and all of us in the Bureau of Homeland Security, thank you!

Bill Shawver, Col.
Director, Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security

Outstanding winter maintenance on Idaho 55

Dave Jones, District 3,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and the maintenance crews from New Meadows and Council on their outstanding winter maintenance effort. I worked for ITD for 10 years plowing S.H. 55, and I know first-hand how difficult a job the maintenance crews face each winter.

Due to the professional and tireless effort, our job has been made much easier this winter. The many hours of snow removal along with the needed application of sand and deicing agents have made a vast difference on the amount of vehicle accidents we had handled so far this year.

I know full well that fiscal constraints play a factor in the level of maintenance that road receives, however a few more dollars spent in prevention always pays off in the end. The countless thousands of dollars saved by reducing accidents and keeping our commerce traveling up and down the roads are well worth the cost.

Maj. Scot Kump
Adams County Sheriff’s Office

Generosity of the heart

Headquarters employees,
Last week’s donation gathering for Dorothy Short from Western Building Maintenance went way over the top. When I started this I was hoping to get enough for a nice bouquet. Well, that idea was changed when it was decided she could probably use the money much more that flowers. I never realized I would be delivering her $1,160. That doesn't even count the money Motor Vehicles ($463) and HR has raised and will be delivering separately.

I have never worked anyplace that has employees with such big hearts. I was proud to represent you. To say the least, Dorothy was stunned. She sat there with her mouth open and a blank look on her face while it sunk in. She could not believe anyone would do that for her. I told her that we wanted her to know how much her hard work is appreciated, and we all hoped that she would be able to come back soon. She said she didn't know how to thank everyone for the kindness.

It is unclear whether Western Building Maintenance will let her work part-time or arrange it so she doesn't have to do heavy lifting, but we sure hope they will.

Thank you again for your extreme amount of generosity for someone in need. You are the best.

Tammie Jauregui,
Management Assistant

(Note: Dorothy Short works for Western Building Maintenance and provided daytime custodial service at Headquarters. She was injured after falling several weeks ago and still is recovering.)