craigdailypress.com

One fatality is too many.

That was the word handed down earlier this month by Capt. Brett Williams of the Colorado State Patrol's district 4B, which covers five counties including Moffat County.

Williams' statement came while addressing across-the-board reductions in 2006 in areas such as injury and fatal accidents and accidents caused by motorists under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In fact, only one category increased for the State Patrol last year -- auto theft recoveries.

The State Patrol took a tougher stand last year on aggressive driving, ensuring motorists adhered to traffic laws and conduct, resulting in the reductions indicated above and in the patrol's year-end report.

The editorial board commends our area's State Patrol for the actions it took, including lowering the nighttime speed limit for a 111-mile stretch of roadway by 10 miles per hour.

District 4B's jurisdiction covers more than 5,000 miles of state highways and county roads, and there are less than 20 troopers to patrol the area. Translation: These troopers are, as Williams said, working the roads and working them hard.

Williams deflected praise for the reductions and instead credited the philosophy instilled by superior officers to decreases in accidents and fatalities.

While the editorial board recognizes that positive change usually occurs only when an organization takes a stand as a whole, we believe Williams and his staff served as an extension of their superior officers and carried out their wishes wonderfully.

The editorial board also commends motorists for being more attentive to highway safety.

Next on the State Patrol's list of goals is reducing accidents by 5 percent each year, or until those incidents are completely eliminated.

We agree with Williams when he said, "one fatality is too many." A traffic death is a senseless death, a tragic yet avoidable occurrence.

The editorial board wishes our State Patrol division all the best on attaining its ambitious next goal and thanks the district 4B troopers for their admirable service thus far.

Board commends Boys & Girls Club director

In January, the Boys & Girls Club of Craig announced Jonathan Godes, the club's first executive director, would be stepping down from his post, effective March 1.

The editorial board would like to thank Godes for helping usher in the effective and worthwhile program that the Boys & Girls Club has become. Godes, the club's director since 2004, helped the club grow from 70 members in 2003 to more than 700 today.

The Boys & Girls Club has become a staple of the community and a valuable tool in helping steer children away from pitfalls like substance abuse.

We believe Godes' service was invaluable to the club and the community and thank him for his efforts.