January 2010

New license plate options benefit earth/science education, Freemasons
Two new specialty license plates go on sale throughout Idaho beginning Friday (Jan. 1) to promote the charitable activities of Freemasons and earth science, lapidary education. The Idaho Gem Club will use proceeds to provide classes for children in kindergarten through sixth grade to promote understanding about earth sciences and lapidary. Proceeds from the Freemason plate go to the Grand Lodge of Idaho Charitable Fund for use by the Grand Lodge of Idaho to support its charitable activities.
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Nezperce throws party for reconstructed highway
A road opening ceremony was held Monday (Dec. 14) afternoon to officially recognize the work completed on the downtown revitalization project. A slide show was presented in the Nezperce Community Center, showing the highway, sidewalk, sewer and lagoon project work as it was done this past summer and fall. Special recognition was given to each organization that participated in the project and a plaque was presented to Jim Carpenter of the Idaho Transportation Department, tanking him and his crew.
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Direct from the Director
I am excited about the opportunity to lead the Idaho Transportation Department – a department that accomplishes great things. I come to you from Michigan where I have 30 years of experience in the transportation field. I have been employed in district offices and headquarters, with experience in multiple transportation modes. Being involved in development, construction, maintenance, operations and numerous administrative functions, it is likely I have at one time or another during my career touched an area that you work in.
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Governor, legislators work on solving budget shortfall
During an annual legislative preview hosted by The Associated Press, the governor and Republican leaders from the House and Senate agreed that the state’s current revenue situation for fiscal 2010 will require another budget holdback, which will be detailed in Monday’s State of the State address to the Legislature. Legislative majority also agreed with the governor that the fiscal 2011 budget should be no larger than this year’s.
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Thanks for helping drive down traffic fatalities
ITD’s commitment to safe travel on our highways is producing tangible results. Your efforts, and those of our many highway safety partners, have played a part in helping to reduce serious crashes. Even more important, you’re doing a great job in helping to save lives.
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Signs remind motorists of wildlife danger
Idaho's first wildlife/vehicle collision "tally signs" were installed along Idaho 21 between Lucky Peak Reservoir and Robie Creek at mileposts 10 and 21 this week to encourage motorists to slow down and attempt to avoid vehicle/wildlife collisions. The tally signs - featuring the message "Give Deer & Elk a Brake" - will be updated regularly to inform the public about the number of known vehicle-wildlife collisions.
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Transportation remains key to recovery;
ITD presents to transportation committees

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter welcomed Legislators back to the refurbished Capitol and the opening of the decade’s first legislative session Monday. But his combined State of the State and budget address also included a monumental challenge. Gov. Otter emphasized the need to cut an additional $40 million from state spending before the end of this fiscal year and the need to carry that austere approach into the next fiscal year – without raising taxes.
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Idaho moving to centrally issued driver's licenses
Idaho driver licenses and identity cards will have a new look and state-of-the-art security features to help protect against identity theft and fraud. Later this year, the transportation department will move to a central issuance system that means a change in licenses and the way they are issued.  Under central issuance, customers will receive a temporary license or identification card.
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Flying a family affair for retiring advisory board member
For someone whose roots are firmly planted in eastern Idaho soil, Bob Hoff has spent a lot of time in the clouds. A 50-year veteran of flying, Hoff was honored Thursday for his contributions to ITD’s Aeronautics Advisory Board and his commitment to aviation in Idaho. He joined the advisory board in 1995, but after 14 years Hoff decided to step down and hand the controls to Chip Kemper.
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Korean visitor learning American procurement processes
Idaho was Soon Jae Yoo’s second visit to the United States, but the flight from Seattle to Idaho’s capitol city in a propeller-driven aircraft raised one nagging question, “Just how big is Boise?” Pretty small, compared to Yoo’s home of Daejeon, Korea, where that city’s population is about 1.4 million – about the number of people who live in Idaho. But as first impressions go, the Gem State made a good one in 2008. .
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ITD submits first report to governor, Legislature
ITD delivered copies of the 2009 Annual Accountability Report to Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and legislators this week. The 24-page report reviews progress the department is making to address the Office of Performance Evaluation audit and the governor’s executive order on accountability. The report includes a timeline that tracks progress on the audit and executive order, beginning early last year and projecting activity through 2012.
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ITD partners with Mexico Consulate to promote safety
ITD’s on-going efforts to reduce motor vehicle fatalities on Idaho highways got a boost recently thanks to a new partnership of the department and the Mexican Consulate in Boise. Mexican Consul Ricardo Pineda and Deputy Consul Ana Mercedes Hernandez offered ITD the use of consulate airtime on three Spanish radio stations in the Treasure Valley to help communicate the department’s commitment to safe travel and “Towards Zero Deaths” goal for Idaho highways.
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Texting ban includes ITD employees with CDLs
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced this week an immediate federal ban on text messaging by all commercial truck drivers while behind the wheel. That ban also extends to all ITD employees operating vehicles with a commercial driver’s license, announced Cheryl Rost, manager of risk management.
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Published 12-23-2010