Crash Car shows how seatbelts save lives

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety wants to reduce the number of fatalities on Missouri roads.

In 2021 there have been 1,001 fatalities, a 3 percent increase from last year. Of those fatalities, 66 percent were not wearing a seatbelt.

The Coalition uses a Crash Car to spread awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and the importance of wearing your seatbelts. The driver of this truck wore a seatbelt and survived the collision.

MoDOT and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety park the crash truck at schools and area businesses to show how life-saving seat belts can be. The truck is currently on display at Belton High School. If you know of a location that would like to park the Crash Car please contact Debra Huwar at debra.huwar@modot.mo.gov or (816) 207-7379.

MoDOT KC’s Mark Fisher takes part in Northland Chamber panel discussion

The Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted a panel discussion, which featured MoDOT’s very own Area Engineer Mark Fisher.

The event took place Thursday, Dec. 16 at the KCI Expo Center on the campus of KCI Airport and focused on transportation and infrastructure.

 Prior to the panel discussion, each panelist was asked to give a five-minute presentation on its organization’s efforts, especially those initiatives occurring in the Northland.

Fisher’s presentation centered around ways on how to interact with MoDOT, issues MoDOT faces, current and future projects and unfunded projects.

Fisher highlighted how citizens can report a concern, as well as the importance of the STIP, and its five-year rolling Capital Improvements efforts.

The goal of the panelist discussion was to help attendees better understand the process as it relates to identifying development, projects or needs in the Northland.

Fisher says it was good for MoDOT to be in attendance and his experience as a presenter was very helpful.  

Emergency Responders Light Up the Night for Children’s Mercy

Emergency responders from around the metro area worked together Tuesday, Dec. 14, to light up the darkness with a vehicle light display for everyone at Children’s Mercy Hospital. 

The Missouri Department of Transportation’s Emergency Response truck was just one of many including police cars, fire trucks, motorcycles, tow truck drivers and others who circled Children’s Mercy Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House bringing extra holiday joy to the children and staff.

“It was my pleasure and a privilege to be a part of something so positive. It was amazing!!!” said MODOT Emergency Response Operator Mike Maynard. “Everyone came together for this small but significant event to show support.”

The idea originated with KCPD K-9 Officer Scott Nelson, who grew up in upstate New York. There, a similar event takes place at the Golisano Children’s Hospital.

“I wanted to bring it here to make it a part of Kansas City,” Nelson said. “For all the kids inside, we show them our support.”

As seen on the hospital’s social media site, “Tonight, we received some fun and bright holiday cheer from the Kansas City Missouri Police Department. KCPD also invited other local first responders to bring a night of lights for all our kids and staff to enjoy. Thank you for lighting up the night sky this holiday season!”

 

UPDATE: 2021 Holiday Party has been canceled

Update: Due to an increase in Covid-19 cases the holiday party has been canceled for this year. We look forward to celebrating together again when it is safe to do so. 

The annual holiday sweater contest and will be on Dec. 21. The party will include the following:

12:00 p.m.: CLUSTER Game in Room 136 

12:30 p.m.: Kick-off to MoDOT Trivia-Scavenger Hunt in MoDOT Lobby 

1:00 p.m.: Ugly Sweater Contest Registration in room 136 and Cookie Competition Drop Off (in MoDOT Lobby) 

1:30 p.m.: Holiday Cookie Competition in MoDOT Lobby 

2:30 p.m.: Ugly Sweater Contest in District Office Lunch Room (where the vending machines are located) 

***A holiday movie and yard games will be set up and available all day in room 136. A photo booth will also be set up in the lunchroom.  

A bittersweet goodbye for MoDOT KC’s HR Manager

Human Resources Manager Deborah Hogan will retire from MoDOT at the end of the month and she says she only has one regret. 

 

“The only regret I have is that I didn’t start here,” Hogan said. 

Hogan started at MoDOT in July 2013 and has more than four decades of experience in human resources. 

 

“I tell people I’ve saved the best for last,” Hogan said. “This is the best place to be.” 

 

When asked what makes MoDOT the best Hogan doesn’t hesitate in her response.

 

“What I like the most about MoDOT is the people,” she said. “It is a family environment.” 

 

As HR Manager Hogan’s position touches every employee in some way. But perhaps the biggest impacts she has made are the ones with her own staff. 

 

“When Deborah hired me in 2015, I remember her telling me that she wanted to mentor me and that’s truly what she has done from day one,” Senior Human Resource Specialist Angela Norman. “She has poured into me what no other previous manager has done in my career. She believed in me when many times, I didn’t even believe in myself. She has truly been a blessing and inspiration in both my professional and personal life.”

 

Hogan’s staff used the word welcoming to describe her. 

 

“From my first day in the HR department, she immediately made me feel like I had been here since her first day,” Senior Human Resource Specialist Andrea Ricklefs said. “She wasted no time making me feel like I was a part of the HR team.”

 

Hogan treats her staff like family because she sees all MoDOT employees as family. 

 

“It’s not like you are just another number,” she said. “At MoDOT, it’s more than just a flexible work schedule. You can flex because we care about what’s going on with you.”

 

Hogan changed the date of her retirement several times this year. It went from Dec. 15 to Dec. 22, to Dec. 26. And now Hogan will be retiring on Dec. 31.

 

“It’s so bittersweet,” Hogan said. “I want to make sure that I’m leaving MoDOT and my staff in the best position.”

 

Hogan doesn’t know what retirement will look like for her but she said she wants to use her gifts and talents in some way. 

 

Her staff agrees that she has a lot to offer.

 

“I’ve realized that it takes someone special to be a leader,” Senior Human Resource Specialist Tanese Booze said. “Deborah’s ideas and guidance have always inspired us to do better. She has been an asset to our department, and I am going to miss an amazing, hardworking, and friendly supervisor like her.”

 

Ricklefs agrees.

 

“She’s grown into more than a boss. She is a leader, a mentor, and when you need it most, a friend,” Ricklefs said. 

 

Even though Hogan describes her retirement as bittersweet, she says she also knows the time is right. She looks forward to seeing her team continue to shine. 

 

“I have an awesome team and I know what they can do,” Hogan said. “This is an opportunity for them to grow.”