February 19, 2010
Administration
Director commends employee for help with fraud case
ITD Director Brian Ness recently sent his personal thanks to Carolyn Watts for her assistance in helping prosecutors with a complex Division of Motor Vehicles fraud investigation. Director Ness commended her for helping the investigative team gather evidence for the case.
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Highways
Three I-84 interchanges changing landscape
Construction continues to reshape portions of Interstate 84 in the Treasure Valley. Two should be completed this year, and one is scheduled for completion in 2011. Accompanying photos show progress on the Orchard Interchange.
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Bridge inspectors surprises by 'squatter'
Bridges sometimes become unauthorized shelter for the homeless. But inspectors in District encountered an unexpected squatter while checking the Goff Bridge north of Riggins recently.
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Motor Vehicles
'Central issue' process explained at Capitol
Information about Idaho's move later this year to centralized issuance of driver's licenses and identification cards reached a new audience this week. Division of Motor Vehicles representatives joined other vendors at the state Capitol Wednesday for "Buy Idaho Day." The special day is set aside during each Legislative session as a visual forum for Idaho products and services
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Public transportation
Interagency Working group presents to legislators
Marilyn Sword, Interagency Working Group (IWG) Committee Chair, reported the progress of the IWG (Interagency Working Group) and Public Transportation Advisory Council (PTAC) to the Senate and House Transportation Committees on Feb. 16. She provided an update for legislators on activities that have taken place to improve mobility in Idaho the past year.
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Employees
February focuses on hearth health
With a focus on educating all of us on how to be heart healthy, preventing heart disease and stroke, there have also been several messages circulating with a link showing the state of Arizona’s promotional materials on “Compression-Only CPR.” “This technique is an approved method of saving lives, and I encourage your employees to watch the video posted by the American Heart Association.
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Simple steps to improve employee morale
Here are two things that can change your world…
That might be a bold claim, but it may be true. Here is what they are: 1. Show more appreciation. It is one of the simplest things we can all do to bring more happiness and goodwill into the world. 2. Consider 18 "Morale Mantras." It's simply a list of guiding principles that managers at all levels can use to keep morale high...
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Preparedness
Cash best way to contribute to disaster relief
From Ada City-County Emergency Management
In response to the tragic earthquakes in Haiti, the United States and its citizens have reached out to help those in need. People have wanted to contribute whatever they could to aid those who have suffered greatly from these events. However, the desire to help must be balanced with the wisdom of effective donations. During recent catastrophic events, mountains of unusable donated goods created additional burdens on those who were trying to respond to the disaster.
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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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Thanks for support during detainment in Haiti
The Jan. 12 earthquake that devastated Haiti sent shockwaves across the world and has rocked homes in southern Idaho. Including ours. As many of you know, our 24-year-old daughter Charisa was among the 10 Americans who detained and held in a Haitian jail on Jan. 30. Eight were released Wednesday and have returned to Idaho, Texas and Kansas. Our daughter and one other member of the group remain in jail for further testimony.
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Views to Share
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February 12, 2010
Direct from the Director
ITD employees,
Last month, I introduced myself to you. Now, I would like to outline my leadership style and management philosophy.
I believe in setting high goals and positioning employees to achieve them. I hold employees accountable for attaining those goals. Organizational success and individual performance must be based on goals that are defined and measurable. Anyone can say how he or she is doing, but in the end it is results that count. Actions speak louder than words.
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Budget
Director, administrators present budget request to JFAC
ITD Director Brian Ness and administrators made the department's annual budget presentation to the Legislature’s Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee Thursday morning, requesting an FY11 budget of $579 million. Director Ness made the 30-minute presentation. Deputy Director Scott Stokes, Chief Engineer Tom Cole, DMV Administrator Alan Frew and Division of Administration Administrator Dave Tolman also attended to help answer questions.
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Highways
Anniversary report shows project success, job creation
From AASHTO
As the Senate debates the merits of a Jobs Bill, a new report --"Projects and Paychecks: a One-Year Report on State Transportation Successes under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" – finds that more than 280,000 jobs were created and more than 12,250 transportation projects were launched as a result of the jobs bill signed into law one year ago.
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Nominations sought for Excellence awards
Transportation projects from throughout the state will be formally recognized during ITD’s 2010 Excellence in Transportation Awards ceremony April 28 at 2 p.m. in the Headquarters Auditorium. Individuals may submit a nomination for one of three personnel categories – Engineer of the Year, Professional of the Year and Career Achievement. Any firm or agency engaged in transportation-related projects in Idaho is eligible to enter project categories, but submitted projects must be located in Idaho.
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Public Transportation
Governor's task force creates PT subcommittee
As the Governor’s Task Force for Modernizing Transportation Funding works to build a clear picture of transportation needs across Idaho, public transportation will now have the opportunity to be a main topic of discussion. On February 8th, Lt. Governor Little announced the Governor’s task force for Modernizing Transportation Funding is creating a Public Transportation Subcommittee.
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New bicycle/pedestrian coordinator named
The Division of Public Transportation announced this week the selection of Maureen Gresham as ITD's bicycle/pedestrian coordinator. She also will coordinate the Transportation Enhancement programs along with other duties as assigned, explains John J. Krause of the Public Transportation division.
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