TxDOT honored Smith County on Transit Drivers Appreciation Day in March for the county’s transportation program, carried out by Jamal Moharar and NDMJ Transportation. The county was highlighted for its work during Winter Storm Uri.
“Kudos for above-and-beyond performance are due not only to drivers, whose work requires them to put their lives on the line every day on Texas roadways and in every kind of weather,” TxDOT stated. “They are also well deserved by transit maintenance staff, dispatchers, office staff, and top administrators. During the freeze, all these people worked together to coordinate vital services.”
Report from NDMJ Maintenance Engineer/Driver Jalal Moharar: “This is the road leading to the home of Mr. Freddie Wallace. He resides in Gladewater, and even 4x4s couldn’t get to him to go to dialysis. I went there myself with the car you see in the picture, with snow chains. We made it up there, and the total trip lasted almost four hours. After I saw the hill, I noticed a neighbor who had access to a dozer. I called Freddie’s daughter and asked her if she knew the people down the hill. She did, and she asked them to clear the hill so cars could get to her father. Teamwork does work.”
