CALTRANS NEWS

News

CTF’s Recognition Opportunities
and Current Activities

By Heinz Heckeroth

Photo by Jon Hirtz, HQ The 19th Annual Tranny Awards luncheon will be at the Sacramento Convention Center on June 4, 2008.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming TRANNY awards and Transportation Forum:

• Now is the time to submit your nominations of California transportation individuals, projects, or programs that should be recognized for excellence. Nomination forms must be submitted to the California Transportation Foundation (CTF) by March 3.
  
  This is your opportunity to let us know about last year’s special achievements. Forms and submittal information may be found on the Foundation’s Web site (www.transportationfoundation.org). Be sure to mark your calendar for the 19th Annual TRANNY Awards luncheon to be held at the Sacramento Convention Center on June 4, 2008.
• Put in your reservation now for the upcoming March 19 Transportation Forum if you are interested in hearing first-hand what transportation policy makers are planning. You’ll hear from legislators what their goals are for transportation and learn how the budget crisis impacts transportation (especially TCIF, SLPP and other Prop 1B programs). Take this opportunity to give your comments to the policy makers. Reservations may be made by calling CTF at 916-489-1629 or by emailing your request to: swest@westdirections.com.

CTF staff have been busy providing grants made possible by the thoughtfulness and generosity of caring Caltrans employees through the Memorial and Assistance Program (supplemented by some CTF undesignated funds). During January $5,000 in grants helped the family of District 4’s Djuan Bush with expenses after his untimely death. An assistance grant for medical expenses was given to “Mo” Rodriquez, a District 8 Right of Way Agent. An initial memorial grant of $4,300 was provided to former District 3 Maintenance Worker Matt White’s widow. Contributions continue to be made to assist the families of John Knabenbauer and Michael Churkin who both died recently. A fund was also established in memory of former District 12 engineer Ahmad Pazeky after his unexpected death. Nearly $5,000 is allocated for two District 11 employees who lost their homes in last year’s southland fires.

Five students majoring in surveying at California State University at Fresno were given initial grants from surveyors through the Foundation’s 2008 Scholarship Program. This program provides $6,000 annually in memory of Calle Buser, a District 7 Surveyor killed in a roadside accident. Each of the six $1,000 awards is supported with $250 from CTF’s undesignated funding. This year’s Scholarship Program is expected to award about $50,000 including a new $5,000 CTF Scholarship given to a student who attended the recent education symposium.

The Foundation provided financial assistance in support of the recent Caltrans Transportation Planning Conference held in Long Beach. CTF will also financially manage the July AASHTO Maintenance Subcommittee Meeting in Monterey.

Caltrans, the Quarter Century Club and CTF cosponsored the second Caltrans Headquarters Employee 25/40 Year Recognition event held in February 2008. These recognition ceremonies, recognizing those who have reached service milestones, will be held quarterly for headquarters recipients and semi-annually or annually for district honorees.

Finally, if you have not yet had a chance to read CTF’s newsletter “HEADWAYS,” you can visit CTF’s Web site and click on the “HEADWAYS” link.

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