Reader comments
'Happy Flagger' brightens up orange barrel-lined roads

You go, girl | 6:07 a.m. May 5, 2009

....and take care of yourself!

ahhhhh.. | 6:22 a.m. May 5, 2009

I just love stories like these. They give us such an insight into how we can live our lives no matter what hardships are thrown at us.

Awesome | 6:43 a.m. May 5, 2009

My wife and I drive the construction nightmare every morning and we always look forward to seeing Jullyn. She certainly is a big reason to smile when things seem bleak. Hang in there Jullyn. And kudos to the D News for bringing us her story.

Comments continue below

Thank You | 6:48 a.m. May 5, 2009

Thank you to Sageland Services for not writing off someone who actually wants to work for a living despite a not-so-perfect past.

I have no problem whatsoever helping to provide food stamps to someone like Jullyn Doyle, she's a great example for many others to follow.

You GO grrrrl!!!

Anonymous | 8:26 a.m. May 5, 2009

props to her for cheering so many in tough times and props to Sageland for hiring her. You go girl; stay safe.

Kenneth in Texas | 8:29 a.m. May 5, 2009

I totally agree with everything else others have expressed. This is an excellent, motivational story for at least two reasons.

First, Jullyn is obviously an example of someone who has made bad decisions in the past, but is obviously willing to do whatever is necessary to turn her life around. Too many people, I suspect, let despair take over when they get into a situation like Jullyn has been in.

Second, I have a hard time imagining anyone working as a highway flagger because it is their life's chosen dream career. It seems thankless, boring, difficult work conditions, and dangerous. But, Jullyn is turning it into a positive, somewhat refreshing experience for herself, her co-workers, and the general public who would otherwise have a less than positive attitude about highway flaggers.

Keep it going, Jullyn, and best wishes for you and your children.

MR MR | 8:36 a.m. May 5, 2009

Its about time the HARD working American gets some limelight!!!!! Congrats to you Jullyn!!!!! Lots can learn from this fine person!!!!! Even tho I don't need to travel that route to work I will be going that way JUST to see her and give her something special from my heart!!!!!!!!!

Why Not? | 9:27 a.m. May 5, 2009

It is possible to come back from a slip-up in life and add meaning to others!

What did he say? | 10:06 a.m. May 5, 2009

What does it mean when somebody says "She's so dope," said flagger Nick Record. That phrase tells me absolutely nothing as a reader, and I'm kind of suprised that the DesNews would use it verbatim like that. Please use your editing pen to make sure we all know what people are talking about when they use this kind of jargon.

tvb | 10:24 a.m. May 5, 2009

Way to go Sageland, for helping this Mother of 6 feel good about herself. All it takes for someone sometimes is just for someone to put there trust in another human being.

@ What did he say? | 10:43 a.m. May 5, 2009

"She's so dope" or she is awesome, or she is cool. these are called expressions. Maybe google it to find out more. I would have to agree that she is dope!

CONGRATS! | 11:23 a.m. May 5, 2009

I used to drive for a wholesale floral company in North Salt Lake years ago and delivered flowers and plants from Lehi to Payson and Brigham City to Smithfield, Idaho. I'd often see these flagmen out on the highways and wonder how in the world these men and women could keep their sanity working such a boring, mind-numbing job.

I think I'm pretty strong in a lot of ways but I literally don't think I could do this woman's job. I'd go nuts!

Anyway, it's nice to see someone spreading joy to others. Like they say, "attitude equals altitude"!

Keep smiling, Jullyn, and stay safe! :-)

kenz | 11:45 a.m. May 5, 2009

haha =] thats so cool, that would put a smile on my face if i was having a bad day, I would love to drive down the road and see this.

Camp Williams soldier | 11:49 a.m. May 5, 2009

The construction along Redwood/Camp Williams Road can be maddening, but many times I've had the pleasure of passing Jullyn and I always appreciate her positive energy. Thanks to the DNews for bringing us her story!

THEeyepatch | 11:56 a.m. May 5, 2009

Just shows you, construction companies make millions to tens of millions with bonuses and cannot pay a living wage. The rich get richer and the middle class get to flip the bill.

Sauron | 12:08 p.m. May 5, 2009

Hooray for happy people!

Dark Side of the Moon | 2:44 p.m. May 5, 2009

"The lunatics are in the grass.
Remembering games and daisy chains and laughs,
got to keep the lunies on the path."

I think those lyrics sums up this story.

jullyn doyle | 6:08 p.m. May 5, 2009

I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE AND FOR THE JOY YOU BRING TO MY JOB!!! I LOVE BEING ME AND I COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT MY EMPLOYER,AND MY SUPERVISOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY! OR WITHOUT ALL OF YOU NOTICING AND CARING ENOUGH TO BE APART OF ME MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!!
IF I CAN GET A FAMILY HOME SAFELY, MAKE ONE AUNRY PERSON SMILE,MAKE SURE THERE IS NO ACCIDENTS AND EVERYONE IS SAFE,THEN I CAN BE POSITIVE ABOUT WHERE MY LIFE HAS BEEN AND WHERE MY LIFE IS GOING!
THANK YOU ALL FOR CARING AND MOST OF ALL NOTICING

EM to SLC commuter | 9:12 p.m. May 5, 2009

I see you every morning. Your smiles and waves brighten my day. Next time I'll honk 3 times..... thanks and may God bless your efforts

mommy too! | 9:42 p.m. May 5, 2009

My 2 daughters and I see you almost everyday....Your energy is contagious!! It is incredible to know a little more about the beautiful person behind the beautiful smile! Keep on keepin' on and don't ever forget that God too is smiling down on you!

Kim from Eagle Mtn. | 10:46 p.m. May 5, 2009

Jullyn, Every single day I pass you 4 to 6 times on my way up and back to Salt Lake...and you have brightened that horrible trip every single time! Thank you, thank you! My son and I think you are wonderful and we are thrilled that you are getting some recognition! I will be waving back again tomorrow! Thanks!

Anonymous | 10:25 p.m. May 7, 2009

Jullyn When will we ever meet? I have heard so many wonderful things about you! This just confirms it! What a great story.

Cary Collins
Riverton 20th Ward

ryan | 9:25 a.m. May 9, 2009

i love being a fllager were the best set of flagger's up on redwood rd thank's jullyn your friend ryan

Anonymous | 2:40 p.m. May 11, 2009

Sometimes I drive OUT OF MY WAY...to get into the slow construction traffic...just to see Jullyn waving and smiling!

Well done, and keep up the great work, Jullyn! You are an example of what I wrote about in my book titled, "Love & Grow Rich: How to love your way to life's riches." There is so much more to being rich than having money. When we love what we do, we are rich!(www.LoveAndGrowRich.com) You Jullyn, are RICH!

All the best,

Tim Paulson

Kerri | 7:39 a.m. May 17, 2009

Jullyn....it is so awesome to read a story like this about you! I'm so proud of you! We need to catch up, my dear friend!

Dallas Madrigal | 1:25 a.m. Oct. 1, 2009

Hey everybody fyi her name is spelled {July w/h a n} Julyn ! and yes i agreee she is a great asset to udot traffic control team. Thanks Julyn your a awsome flagger & to u & the rest of my team sorry i had to leave u but i had enough of sageland services & the way they treat their people.U will all see me again dont know where or when. U dont mess with the best cause the best dont mess. We are the best. see ya girl friend Dallas!

FYI | 1:47 a.m. Oct. 1, 2009

fyi i read these comments about sageland doing great ! i feel we need to set it right. sageland actualy gave her a warning for these actions of talking to the media & threatened julyn's job if it ever happened again. sageland's traffic boss elorie continued to move her from job to job, cutting her hours. why u ask because she was to cheerful in sagelands eyes. julyn your a great flagger & well deserve a raise & a promotion thanx julyn

Susan Gailey | 12:36 a.m. Oct. 9, 2009

Hi Julyn,
I think it is so cool when somebody takes an ordinary job and makes it extraordinary. Too many of us would be to embarrassed to stand out like you do.
I admire your courage and self confidence. I know there was a cute old lady on 134th so, by the church that was a school traffic guard and she would always smile and wave. I enjoyed seeing her, she doesn't do it now, I miss her. It's to bad Sageland has to get jealous of all your positive attention. Keep up your Happy attitute, it is contagious.................

ryan clyde | 2:56 p.m. Nov. 20, 2009

hey you still working on 114 s

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

6 photos

Michael Brandy, Deseret News

Flagger Jullyn Doyle and her shadow smile, wave, sing and dance while managing traffic in the construction zone at 16000 South and Redwood Road in Bluffdale Thursday.

Gallery (6 photos)