sellis@journalnet.com

POCATELLO - Ed Bala has wanted to be a civil engineer for as long as he can remember.

"Do you remember those kids in high school that had a calculator in their back pocket and glasses held together by duct tape?" he says. "That was me."

Bala, 50, has been a civil engineer ever since graduating from the University of Idaho in 1981.

Born and raised in Idaho Falls, Bala moved to Pocatello 11 years ago to take over as the Idaho Transportation Department's district engineer for District Five, which encompasses all of Southeast Idaho.

He's responsible for planning, designing, building and maintaining the network of state highways in Southeast Idaho, which includes 1,830 lane miles of road and 170 bridges. He says the 170 employees working for him make his job a whole lot easier.

"They're the greatest people on earth to work with," he says.

He's been with ITD since 1984 and says District Five gets few complaints about road problems, which was not the case at his previous location.

"That's kind of a rarity down here," he says.

Bala has grown to love the area, and he and his wife Janet have no plans to leave. When the times comes to retire, "I'm going nowhere but here," he says. "This area has the nicest people I've run into anywhere on earth."

Plus, he adds, in 20 minutes, you can be skiing at Pebble Creek, you can be hiking Gibson Jack in 15 minutes and you can ride the City Creek trails after work.

"You don't get that in many other places," he adds.

Bala is an avid downhill and cross-country skier and enjoys whitewater rafting. He plays guitar and sings for the local band "Bender," which plays about anywhere, including at bars, fundraisers and Idaho State University.

Bala is also vice president of the Portneuf Greenway Foundation and encourages people to use that "really neat" system's eight miles of trails. The goal, he says, is to increase it to 23 miles.

To raise money to help meet that goal, the Greenway Foundation will hold a fundraiser Sept. 22 at the Rosewood Reception Center, located at 1499 Bannock Highway near Taysom Park. The fundraiser will run from 6-9 p.m. and include wine tasting and appetizers from three local restaurants.

"People ought to come out and support the Greenway," he says.

ISJ: What's your favorite food?

Bala: Mexican, at El Jacalito. If you haven't been there yet, put down the paper and go right now.

ISJ: If you could have dinner with one famous person, who would it be?

Bala: Stephen Hawking, since I really admire how his mind can understand and explain complex concepts.

ISJ: Who inspires you the most?

Bala: Lately I've been pretty inspired by a lot of things, but most of all by my mother-in-law, Margene. She's showing us every day the value of optimism in the face of challenge, and how to overcome adversity. Secondly, it would have to be our dogs, Cricket and Nelly. They don't carry a grudge, and are happy even if all they have is a water-logged stick.

ISJ: Who's your ideal next-door neighbor?

Bala: Pretty much all the neighbors we have now. I think we have the greatest neighborhood on the planet, since we like to get together from time to time, and everyone is so helpful, and genuinely likes each other.

ISJ: If you could return to any age, what age would you be and why?

Bala: Eighteen. Instead of going straight to college, I'd drop out for awhile and either be a ski bum, a river guide, or a musician. I'm too old for any of those now.

ISJ: If you could choose a new career, what would it be?

Bala: Rock star for sure. Playing in big-arena stadiums, only getting the brown M&Ms, and having a personal jet would be soooo cool.

ISJ: What's the heaviest piece of furniture in your house?

Bala: An antique piano from Janet's family that I wish I could play.

ISJ: What was the last good book you read?

Bala: "Merle's Door" by Ted Kerasote.

ISJ: What's your favorite sport?

Bala: Hmm, I can't exactly decide, so can I say two? Any kind of skiing in the winter, and whitewater rafting in the summer.

ISJ: What was your favorite vacation?

Bala: Without doubt, a week on the Middle Fork is the best vacation anyone could ever aspire to. I think I've had the great fortune to float it a dozen times or so.

ISJ: What was the best day of your life?

Bala: The day I met Janet. She opened up this remarkable new life for me that I hadn't known existed. I'm eternally grateful to know her, and to be married to her. She is one cool chick!

ISJ: What's in your refrigerator?

Bala: Pretty much the four food groups; bacon, cheese, mayo, and Pabst Blue Ribbon.

ISJ: What was the best piece of advice you ever received?

Bala: My dad always says it's harder to think about doing something than it is to actually start the project, so just get started. I've come to understand lately that he's right.

ISJ: Who is (was) your mentor?

Bala: Professionally, a great engineer named Clyde Gillespie, who taught me to not take business decisions personally. On a personal level, my mom was the greatest mentor. She taught me that you really can't judge a book by its cover.

ISJ: What was the first album you ever owned?

Bala: "Catch a Fire" by Bob Marley and the Wailers.

ISJ: Favorite musical era?

Bala: I think some really great stuff was written in the early '90s, when bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains were just getting started. I also think there is some great musicianship and writing happening right now, with people like Derek Trucks and Government Mule.

ISJ: What's your worst personal trait?

Bala: Janet would like to report the answer to this one is lack of patience, and being kind of fidgety.

ISJ: What's your biggest pet peeve?

Bala: Lately I've been getting aggravated at tailgating. So, all of you out there remember the 2-second rule, and turn off your cell phones while you're driving.

ISJ: What can't you do that you wish you could?

Bala: To be as great a musician, singer, and songwriter as my bandmates. And, while I've got the chance, here's a shout-out for them: Ken Aho, Dave Jones , TJ Latour, Dan Lauer, Will Peterson, and Rick Williams. The greatest bunch of guys to be friends with and play music with that you could ask for.

ISJ: Where would you most like to live?

Bala: Right here in Pocatello. I wake up most days feeling pretty lucky to be here. The people are friendlier here than anywhere I've been, and the recreational opportunities are limitless and close to home.