MoDOT Employee and Family Receive Keys to Home

Four years ago James Ponder and Pamela St. John were both unemployed, homeless and living in a shelter with their children. Today, amidst a bitterly cold winter, they are employed full time, enjoying the warmth and security of their new home and feeling so grateful that they worked diligently to get through what seemed like insurmountable adversity. On Dec. 16, the couple, their two sons, 15-years old Jaaron and 9-year-old Josiah, and their 4-year-old granddaughter Ra-nyah walked through the door of their new home in Kansas City’s Ivanhoe Neighborhood, thanks to a Jackson County government program and the couple’s strong determination. James, now a full-time maintenance worker with MoDOT’s Kansas City District, said the journey home was one step at a time. He credits reStart, a Kansas City interfaith ministry that works with homeless persons transition to a more stable and productive life, for helping him and his family. At first, reStart provided temporary shelter for Ponder’s family, eventually getting them a rent-assisted apartment and teaching him and St. John valuable life skills. ReStart guided Ponder toward MoDOT through part-time employment for two summers, then encouraged him to apply for a seasonal position in late 2012 through MoDOT’s Boots On The Ground recruitment program. He came on board MoDOT as a part-time worker in late October 2012, and was hired full time by April 2013. By then, St. John also had gotten a full-time job at Truman Medical Center. Life was improving. And then their life got even better. “A case worker from reStart put us in the drawing” for the Constructing Futures program, Ponder said. Jackson County acquires abandoned or forfeited properties, works with groups like Habitat for Humanity to rehabilitate the houses, and then donates them to needy families. The recipients must pay property taxes and keep it insured for seven years, then it becomes theirs free and clear. Ponder’s new home came with new appliances, play equipment in the yard and other donated materials. A Christmas tree was waiting in the living room when Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders handed Ponder and St. John the house keys. “I don’t cry, but I cried. It was overwhelming,” he said when he learned they would get their new home. “It’s great to be in our own place, pay our own bills, stay afloat,” Ponder said. He looks back on where he was, and where he has come, thankful for so much. “Without reStart, I never would have known about MoDOT's temporary hiring,” he said. “ReStart classes helped me learn how to be a productive citizen.” MoDOT is more than a job to him. He sees the opportunity for a career. “I’m learning so many new things,” Ponder said. “That’s my favorite part of the job. “My advice is, never give up. Keep on trying. Life’s getting better.”

KC Scout Taps New Manager to Helm Award-Winning Bi-State Traffic Management System

The Missouri and Kansas departments of transportation, along with the Mid-America Regional Council, recently announced that Randy Johnson has been selected to lead the Kansas City Scout bi-state traffic management system.

Johnson has worked for the MoDOT for more than 14 years. He has experience in Traffic Operations, Highway Safety, Transportation Planning and Construction. He also served as a Project Manager for several large projects including an expanded Route 45 in Platte County, and the recently opened diverging diamond interchange at Tiffany Springs Parkway and I-29.

“I’ve had the privilege of working in many areas of the department, which has given me a great perspective on our transportation system,” said Johnson. “I look forward to this new challenge and collaborating across state lines on one of the highest-regarded traffic management systems in the country.”

Johnson’s first day in this role was Jan. 5, and he replaces E. Jason Sims, who accepted a national level ITS leadership position.

Kansas City Scout is Kansas City's bi-state traffic management system, designed to reduce traffic congestion by improving rush-hour speeds, and increasing traffic safety by decreasing the number of rush-hour accidents and improving emergency response to traffic situations by clearing incidents quickly and safely. Scout manages traffic on more than 125 miles of continuous freeways in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.

Learn more about KC Scout at www.kcscout.net. Follow KC Scout on twitter at twitter.com/kansascityscout.

Kansas City News Network Launches

Over the past year, the Customer Relations Department has been working on an easy‐to‐access, visual communication tool that provides timely information updated on a weekly basis to better communicate with more Kansas City District employees.

On Monday, Jan. 12, we launch the Kansas City News Network, an informative PowerPoint that is sent directly to large televisions in every maintenance facility and the district office lobby.

The goal is for maintenance teams to incorporate the information tool into their Monday morning meetings. This easy option eliminates the need for individuals to log into computers to access news.

The show will include not only district news, photos, kudos, open job positions and calendar but statewide updates, surrounding district news and national transportation topics. It also provides short safety tips and alerts staff to new safety tools/videos, which in turn helps disseminate safety information across the district.

This new tool was pilot tested in the district last spring and optioned to go statewide this winter. It's also a district entry for the Innovations Challenge Showcase.