Doug Weiszhaar exchanges farewells with Larry Moser, Management Operations Group, and other Mn/DOT employees after serving as deputy commissioner and acting commissioner. Photo by David Gonzalez

Citing the highs and lows of the past four years, former acting Commissioner Doug Weiszhaar bid farewell to Mn/DOT during a brief but emotional address to employees on Monday, Jan. 6.

Weiszhaar began by citing Mn/DOT’s accomplishments including the Hiawatha light rail transit project and delivering an accelerated highway construction program that exceeded the normal program by $450 million in projects.

"It’s been an exciting time," he said, "and the most challenging three and a half years in my history. I told Dick Stehr they don’t make rollercoaster rides at Valleyfair as exciting as this."

Weiszhaar referred to the year 2001 as a most difficult one given the near-shutdown of state agencies, the terrorist attacks and the two-week long strike by AFSCME and MAPE employees.

"It’s been a great time and really exciting time. It’s been a wonderful opportunity. Thank you for your great work. Yes, we face difficult times, but I know if anybody can handle it, you can," he said.

Weiszhaar, the former deputy commissioner, served as acting commissioner since October when Elwyn Tinklenberg, the former commissioner, resigned. As did Tinklenberg, Weiszhhar will join a private consulting firm.

"Give your best and good things will happen," he said. "Good luck; it’s been a wonderful four years."

By Craig Wilkins

For information about and photos of Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, Mn/DOT’s new commissioner, and Doug Differt, the new deputy commissioner, go to:

http://www.governor.state.mn.us/Tpaw_View_Article.asp?artid=14

www.dot.state.mn.us/mediaroom/commissioner_photos.html

To read the memo sent by former acting Commissioner Doug Weiszhaar introducing the commissioner, go to:

http://ihub/commissioner/1231molnau.html

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Minnesota’s absence of typical winter weather so far— much warmer than usual temperatures and a general lack of snow—provides an opening for maintenance crews to catch up on many other needed tasks.

Mark Wikelius, state maintenance engineer, estimates that snow and ice removal costs are $3 million lower than at this time last year. The figure is for labor, equipment and materials for Oct. 15 through Dec. 31.

The lack of snow, he said, allows maintenance crews to perform work that would normally be deferred until spring such as repairing guardrails, mowing, removing brush, filling potholes and maintaining equipment.

Snow and ice operations usually comprise about 25 percent of Mn/DOT’s total $200 million annual maintenance budget, he said.

Minnesota receives an average of 59 inches of snow each winter. So far this year, only five inches of snow have fallen in the Twin Cities metro area.

"In these tight budget times, we are fortunate to be able to divert more of our resources from snow and ice operations to activities that normally have to wait until warmer weather," Wikelius said.

Wikelius notes that the state had a similar weather pattern last year, but that a significant amount of snow fell in March and April. Last year’s snowfall of 65 inches was higher than average.

The warm, dry winter has created strong media interest with newspaper, radio and television station inquiries running high about potential savings by Mn/DOT, county, city and other government agencies.

By Pat Lund

To read about this and other items released to the news media recently, visit the News and Views page on the Mn/DOT Web site. Some of the most recent news releases include:

Mn/DOT outlines impact of dry winter Crews continue highway maintenance projects (Jan. 3, 2003)

The Transportation Tipster (Dec., 2002)

Weather Reports Now Available on 511 (Dec. 11, 2002)

Mn/DOT Showcases Money-Saving Programs for Governor-elect (Dec, 6, 2002)

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Mukhtar Thakur Photo by Terri Betsch

Mukhtar Thakur was appointed as director of the Office of Research Services. Before his appointment, Thakur served as director of the Office of Passenger Rail Transit. He succeeds Dave Johnson who had served as acting director.

Thakur’s 15 years experience with Mn/DOT includes work on the I-35E and I-94 bridge projects, the Hiawatha light rail transit project as well as maintenance and business planning activities. Before joining Mn/DOT, Thakur had experience in oil production, township facility development and small building construction.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Wales and a master’s degree in the management of technology from the University of Minnesota.

Thakur’s office is located on the first floor of the Central Office; he may be reached at 651/284-3993.

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The causes are varied, but the responses are the same. Whether it’s for a children’s cancer hospital, a homeless shelter, a hospice, food shelves, toys for children or blood drives, Mn/DOT employees around the state raised more in charitable donations last month than the year before to make the holiday season warmer for people in need.

Cash donations exceeded $2,300. Employees also donated 187 pounds of food, five barrels of toys plus hats and mittens that covered two Christmas trees.

Bemidji/District 2, which raised donations for the homeless, named its donation drive "the Mn/DOT Family Giving Tree." Staci Cann, Pre-Design, said that more than half the people seeking shelter at the "Ours to Serve" shelter had been turned away because it was full. She urged that her coworkers "provide them (the homeless) with some form of warmth."

In response, employees covered the tree with mittens, hats, scarves and gloves. They collected blankets, coats and non-perishable food items as well.

In Brainerd/District 3, the Baxter Hiwayan Club raised $656 via a pie social fundraiser, said Mike Travis, District 3 Public Affairs Office. This money went to the Baxter "Toys for Kids" drive run by the Marine Corps League’s Heartland Detachment in Brainerd, along with several boxes of toys. In addition, the Baxter 3A Wellness Committee donated $100 to a local food shelf, he said.

Employees at Detroit Lakes employees joined forces with employees from the Department of Public Safety to raise $870 for the Detroit Lakes hospice, said Pam McLeod, public affairs coordinator.

"This was our eighth annual potluck and gift drawing," added Shirley Rislund, an event organizer. "Every year it seems to get bigger and better."

In mid-December, Morris headquarters employees donated canned goods and money to an area food shelf. They raised the money by selling coffee and pastries.

"District 6 employees filled more than five barrels with toys for this year’s ‘Toys for Tots’ campaign," said Brian Jergenson, public affairs coordinator. Paul Bissen, Rochester Construction, organized the campaign. Donated toys went to children in southeastern Minnesota.

"Office of Aeronautics staff collected more than $400 and used that money to purchase several dozen toys for the Tree of Hope program," said Dan McDowell, public affairs coordinator, adding, "This was the largest amount of money ever collected in Aeronautics." The Tree of Hope program donates toys to patients at the University of Minnesota/Fairview Cancer Hospital for Children.

Metro Division went for the personal approach, focusing one gift collection drive on a particular family, reported Kent Barnard, Metro Communications.

"Sharon Anderson knew a family that was very needy and we had a little informal Christmas drive here on the north wing," Barnard said.

Two Twin Cities Metro area foodshelves received money and food donations this year from Central Office employees. The Office of Communications and Public Relations raised $267 for "Second Harvest" via a silent auction, said Sue Stein, the event’s organizer.

The offices of Financial Management and Financial Planning and Analysis "collected 187 pounds of food and $25 for the Neighbor to Neighbor food shelf," reported Bobbi Iverson-Roesler. "The Hiway Federal Credit Union will match our donations."

The same two offices also sponsored a "mitten tree" to collect hats, gloves, scarves and mittens for residents at St. Joseph’s Home for Children, a shelter for homeless children and children with special needs. Iverson-Roesler estimated the cash value of these items between $400 and $500.

"Both ‘Neighbor to Neighbor’ and St. Joseph’s Home were very grateful," she said, "and we are very grateful for the generosity of our employees. Thank you all."

By Marsha Storck

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Troy Schmidt, radio maintenance supervisor, Rochester, talks about a new tower that broadcasts weather information for the Winona area. Photo by Mary-Beth Schreck, National Weather Service.

Pilots, emergency service providers, anyone, in fact, who needs current weather information in the Winona area now receives better service, thanks to joint efforts by Winona County, the Department of Public Safety and Mn/DOT.

Mn/DOT’s Office of Electronic Communications, the county and DPS’ Emergency Management Division combined a grant from the National Weather Service and a mix of state funds to build a new tower and install a transmitter in Wisconsin.

Bob Prudhomme, a radio engineer with Electronic Communications, said the site was chosen because of the initiative from Winona County and the need to improve service in the hilly area where high bluffs along the Mississippi River can often make transmission difficult.

Weather conditions and terrain often prevented area listeners from getting reports from either Rochester or LaCrosse, Wis., he said, adding that the new transmitter tower in Wisconsin extends coverage by as much as 20 miles into Minnesota.

The NWS broadcasts continual voice reports on weather conditions. Pilots, police and sheriffs’ departments and service providers such Mn/DOT comprise the service’s main users. The new transmitter broadcasts at 162.425 Megahertz; its call sign is KGG95.

Working with the other agencies, Mn/DOT installed the transmitter that serves the Winona area. Troy Schmidt, radio maintenance supervisor at Rochester/District 6, directed the installation.

By the end of 2003, Prudhomme said, a network of 30 transmitters will be operating around the state.

By Craig Wilkins

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Mike Mauren, Traffic Management Center; Mary Meinert, OCPR, and Gabriel Guevara, Metro, record a work zone safety message in Spanish. Photo by Craig Wilkins

An effort to bring Mn/DOT’s message about winter driving safety to the state’s Hispanic communities begins this month when a public service announcement in Spanish will be offered for broadcast to radio stations statewide.

The Office of Communications and Public Relations produced the PSA which was narrated by Gabriel Guevara, principal engineer with the Metro Division’s Design Section.

Mary Meinert, work zone safety communications coordinator, OCPR, said the PSA was created to reach the increasing the growing number of Spanish-speaking Minnesota residents.

The PSAs will be distributed to radio stations in the Twin Cities and in Greater Minnesota whose audiences include growing numbers of Hispanic people.

Meinert said the PSA was made to reach out to Hispanic community by conveying the work zone safety message in Spanish. OCPR plans to create additional announcements in the Hmong and Somali languages to reach those communities as well, she said.

By Craig Wilkins

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Joe Pignato, Government Relations Photo by Marsha Storck

Joe Pignato, right of way program manager, Office of Land Management, was appointed as legislative liaison with Mn/DOT’s Government Relations Office.

As legislative liaison, Pignato will help track proposed bills in the 2003 State Legislature, assist Mn/DOT staff in preparations for subcommittee appearances and reports, and file weekly reports with management and employees via GroupWise and the Government Relations Web site, among other duties.

Pignato began working for Mn/DOT in 1997. Since then, he has been an agreements administrator for the Office of Consultant Services, state utility engineer for the Pre-letting Section of the Office of Technical Support; and right of way program manager with Land Management’s Project Coordination and Finance Unit.

He has also worked on consultant services and right-of-way streamlining efforts for the Project Delivery Streamlining Team as well as change management options for the Land Management Office.

Before joining Mn/DOT, Pignato worked for a consulting firm for more than nine years. He holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University.

Pignato can be reached at 651/284-3227.

Note: The 2003 Legislative session began on Jan. 7. Check out the legislative updates site at

http://www2.dot.state.mn.us/ocpr/legislative

The site includes weekly updates on informational hearings, the status of budget proposals, summaries of official testimony and presentations, and votes on issues that affect Mn/DOT and related transportation issues.

By Marsha Storck

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Jon Soder,Aeronautics. Photo by Dan McDowell

Jon Soder, management information systems supervisor with the Office of Aeronautics, received recognition for planning and moderating the annual sessions of the Minnesota Government Information Technology Symposium.

The annual conference provides a forum for state, county, city and other government agency practitioners to review changes in information management technology. Soder has served the conference as a planner, moderator, facilitator and presenter for more than 15 years.

Soder has worked in the computer and information technology field for 16 of his 20 years with Mn/DOT. He was appointed MIS supervisor with Aeronautics in 1997.

By Craig Wilkins

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