State Government
ITD Workers Apparently Broke Secret Rules
March 4, 2010 
Despite the best efforts of the GUARDIAN, the alleged violations on the part of 22 Idaho Transportation Dept. workers for “misuse of equipment” remains a secret. The Daily Paper broke the story earlier this week.
We were initially impressed with news that Brian Ness jumped on allegations of “misuse of equipment” and apparently is holding the violators responsible for their actions. Now, we have doubts. We have secret people breaking secret rules by doing secret actions at secret places.
The department won’t tell the citizens who pay the bills–or even the employees who are bound by the same rules–anything about the violations. We don’t want the names of the players, but we do feel there is an obligation on the part of this new department head from Michigan to tell us if we are looking at workers surfing porn on the state’s computer or drivers of snowplows and loaders doing private construction.
Without some explanation, every worker at ITD is suspect. In fairness to honest state workers and citizens, we think ITD should tell us the general geographic area(s) where the violations occurred, the nature of the violations, and how long it had been going on. Imagine if a police chief said, “we have 22 crooked coppers,” but refused to tell what they did, where they work, or what rule was violated.
Eventually we should also be informed of these details that do not conflict with the “personnel” policies.
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Comments & Discussion
Comments are closed for this post.
Mar 4, 2010, 2:42 pm
What about a public records request?
EDITOR NOTE– Personnel records are properly exempt from scrutiny. We think they are hiding behind “personnel” on info that is not covered, but it takes a civil lawsuit to get it–as we did with the “strip hockey” video.
Mar 4, 2010, 2:45 pm
I’m guessing the workers were disciplined for looking at documents on topics prohibited by ITD .
These prohibited topics would include:
1. Methods of modern roadway design, construction and financing.
2. How to address urban transportation problems with urban transportation solutions.
3. Proper design and building of pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
4. Effective ways to improve Eagle Road.
5. Supporting female leadership.
6. How to recruit youthful and knowledgeable Board members.
Mar 4, 2010, 2:59 pm
I think it LOGICAL to judge Speckled Hen to be a bit of a wet hen as in “mad as a wet hen.”
Mar 4, 2010, 4:19 pm
I can’t even imagine a local police chief saying we have 22 crooked coppers. It just would never happen, they won’t even admit when they have one.
Mar 4, 2010, 10:37 pm
I wonder who got their private road put in at state expense for the labor and equipment? Twenty-two people…wow.
It must have been a really big job and lots of equipment.
Mr. BG I hope you can shine the light of day on this one. It has to be really big.
Mar 5, 2010, 12:19 pm
Some big wig got a new pond or a road to the cabin. Probably a Republican. If it was a Democrat it would be on the front page as an example of corruption. We won’t know until after mid term elections.
This is Idaho ya know.
Any wagers on this?
Mar 5, 2010, 2:39 pm
The charges were serious enough 20 employees were suspended; but it’s been reported no criminal charges will be filed. I’d be curious to know whether they were suspended with or without pay; for how many days total; and whether ITD will be seeking any restitution.
Supposedly it was employees around the state, so I don’t think it was a “group” construction project. Best guess is misuse of computers.
EDITOR NOTE–We shouldn’t have to speculate while aspersions are cast upon all ITD workers. Perhaps an “ombudsman” is in order to represent we citizens who are ignored by our government.
Mar 5, 2010, 5:07 pm
dog- Your political emotion shines through in every post. This is usually not very effective in getting your point across.
Mar 5, 2010, 5:38 pm
We shouldn’t have to speculate on any of the details, including the names of the offenders.
Mar 8, 2010, 11:18 am
Gee Clancy , thanks for the compassionate conservative trickle down emotions tip. We need more guys like you in charge.