Support the heros who keep our roads safe

I was invited to go to the third shift briefing last night, November 30th, as the Lincoln Police Department kicked-off their annual holiday campaign enforcing our laws that protect us from impaired drivers.  First off, I want to thank State Senator Tony Fulton for coming along with MADD and talking about important legislation fast approaching the Unicameral in January.

Second, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the work all law enforcement officers do daily to ensure the public is safe, convictions are made and offenders are held accountable – especially when it comes to drunk driving.  Drunk driving is a  crime that is violent and randomly impacts friends, family and our community.  Driving drunk is not a mistake - drunk driving is a choice and I for one appreciate our law enforcement officers for making sure those who make the choice to drive drunk are apprehended.

Here at MADD, all of us want to support the heroes who keep our roads safe. Through research, high-visibility law enforcement has proven to be effective in catching drunk drivers and acts as a deterrent by discouraging  others from driving drunk.  MADD applauds the work done in Lancaster County with 2,939 arrests for DUI, in 2009, and an astounding 2,221 made by the Lincoln Police Department. That is an average of 6 arrests for DUI a day – every day of the year!

As the holiday season fast approaches, I want to remind everyone to make a personal pledge to designate a sober driver for the evening, always wear your seatbelt and never provide alcohol to those under 21 – it’s the law!

Last, a special thanks to all law enforcement officers across the state for the work they accomplish and for ensuring our roads are safe to travel. Be it shopping for gifts, bringing home that special tree or just meeting up with friends and family – thank those heroes who keep us safe!

Nominations for Outstanding Law Enforcement Awards

Outstanding DWI Team 2008

It is that time of year again!  MADD Nebraska is requesting nominations for outstanding work done, in our state, in the area of DWI, MIP, traffic mobilization, education on underage drinking, prosecution and probation in 2009.  All of these areas represent work that is essential to MADD’s mission to eliminate drunk driving. Just follow the link to get the nomination form: http://www.maddnebraska.org/lea/awards

Law enforcement is the front line to eliminating drunk driving on our roads across the state.   Arrests made, in relation to impaired driving, save lives.  Lives of our family members, neighbors and community friends.

 

Last year alone, there were more than 13,000 DWI arrests made statewide. That is equivalent to 36 arrests each and every day of the year – 36!

 

I would also like to take a moment and reflect on the families of law enforcement personnel and thank them for all that they give up – often law enforcement is called away from traditional family settings (birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, vacations) to testify, work late shifts, reconstruct accident scenes.  MADD knows and appreciates the hours law enforcement agencies commit to – to ensure our roads are safe to drive day or night.

 

I want to encourage law enforcement to utilize the MADD webpage designed for them: http://www.madd.org/Professionals/Law-Enforcement.aspx  This is a resource we are proud to share and also MADD would encourage all of you to view www.stopimpaireddriving.org provided by the National Transportation Safety Administration.

 

Make sure your agency, outstanding officer, elected official gets the recognition they deserve for the hard work accomplished, lives saved and a community that enjoys a safe drive home to be with family another day!

 

Nominations due to the State Office April 7, 2010.

MADD Nebraska Building Capacity

Here at MADD we are preparing to add a Volunteer Coordinator position to offer support to our volunteers across the state.  We have had a tremendous response to our website and blog.  More than 2,000 hits in January alone, whew!

I am so pleased that we have the opportunity to hire an individual to help us build capacity, support our current volunteers and build a strong base across the state for our volunteers to carry out MADD’s Mission: to stop drunk driving, support victims impacted by this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.

The MADD Nebraska State Office is anxious to add a new member to our team.  I am fortunate to work with a team of dedicated and loyal employees.

From Court Monitoring to Victim Service to Underage Drinking Prevention: we all step up to the plate and do important work to meet our mission daily, ensure good use of the donor’s dollar and grow MADD Nebraska steady and strong.

Thanks to all who volunteer, financially support MADD Nebraska and work to make our state a safer place by working to reduce alcohol-related incidents. 

If you are interested in working for MADD follow the link: http://www.madd.org/About-Us/About-Us/Careers/Midwestern-Chapter-Job-Opportunities/Job-Opportinities/Coordinator-of-Volunteer-Resources.aspx

Simera Reynolds, M.Ed.

State Executive Director

Partnerships help to put “the brakes on drunk driving”

On behalf of MADD and our many members, I want to take a moment to highlight the fantastic work that Cooper Racing has done in 2009.  Gary and Donna Cooper have been solid supporters/volunteers and activists for almost 10 years. 

Last year, like each prior Gary & Donna feature the MADD racecar project and their Race Against Drugs.  During 2009 Cooper Racing had a record 3,156 youth visit their booth and sign a drug free pledge.  Their total pledge count now stands at 11,562! Thanks to the communities for inviting the MADD Racecar to their community to highlight the dangers of underage drinking and drinking and driving.  More importantly a BIG thanks goes to the Cooper’s for making a psoitve impact in 2009 and for the past ten years by reaching our youth through a creative and positive approach.

The Copper Racing Team has an alcohol free pit during the racing season.

You can find out more about the MADD racecar project go to: www.gwcooperracing.com

All I know is that this year I am getting to the racetracks and I am grateful for the hard work and support Gary & Donna show MADD and our communities across the state – here’s to 2010! 

Fred Zwonechek, NOHS and First Lady Sally Ganem

 To read more about the Cooper racing see the article on page 10.         http://www.nppd.com/EnergyInsight/july_august08.pdf

Record Arrests = Lives Saved

Lincoln Police Department released their numbers for DUI arrests and they hit an all time high. http://www.journalstar.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_d172fa24-f986-11de-9cfa-001cc4c03286.html On behalf of MADD, we applaud LPD and the efforts of all the officers as they ensured that our roads were safe to travel. 

Thankfully the Lincoln Police Department is not unique and many agencies across the state have had record arrests.  There is a concerted effort by many highway safety advocates (including MADD) to support the Nebraska Highway Safety Plan http://www.dor.state.ne.us/highway-safety/docs/strat-hwy-sfty-plan.pdf .  You will want to look at Appendix II and see High Priority areas and it should come as no surprise that enforcing DUI laws ranks HIGH.  As Nebraskans we should care about the fact that:  one person dies every five days due to an alcohol-related crash in our state. A 100% preventable crime and thanks to enforcement we have seen lives saved! 

Nebraska ranked among the top for the least amount a fatalities due to alcohol-related crashes in 2008.  I am proud that we have 30 more individuals with families and friends still intact.

Checkpoints and heavy enforcement during high traffic times have worked to save lives  and not just in our state but in almost all 50 states.  It is an easy message “if you drink and drive you will get caught.”  http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-12-07-drunk-driving_N.htm 

Bringing me back to the Lincoln Police Department’s, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department and  the Nebraska State Patrol holiday enforcement resulted in zero alcohol-related deaths in December in Lancaster County in 2009.  Thanks to all for your hard work and keeping us safe as we navigate our way to and from our everyday activities: work, kids, movies, family, errands, grandparents, and the grocery store.

MADD is on the Ribbon but Saving Lives is on Our Minds.

www.maddnebraska.org

Tie One On For Safety

MADD Nebraska would like to take this opportunity to let you know that MADD is holding our 23rd annual “Tie One On For Safety” kick-off and  Governor Dave Heineman and First Lady Sally Ganem will be hosting an open house after the press conference, Tuesday, December 22nd at 9:30. 

It is such a treat to partner with First Lady Sally Ganem, MADD National Board member, and Governor Heineman as we all work to encourage the public to be mindful of the holiday season.  Next week we want to remind everyone to drive safe, sober and always wear your seatbelt throughout the holiday season and the entire year – 2010! 

A few tips for the season: 

Always Designate a Sober Driver 

Never serve alcohol to anyone under 21  

Allow plenty of time between trips as you travel  

Your seatbelt is your best defense against drunk driving 

Make a pledge to drive safe, sober and buckled up in 2010 – for your family! 

  

 

Tis the season.......Happy Holidays from MADD.

MADD Victim Impact Panel Canceled

 

  

Boy oh boy have the phones here at the office been ringing like crazy.  I think in the ten years I have worked with MADD we have only canceled the victim impact panel twice.  MADD has a pretty tough line on this we are pretty much like the mailman “come rain or shine” but we are a traffic safety non-profit and we certainly do not want to put individuals at risk by driving in inclement weather.

 

 There is not a MADD victim impact panel tonight on Tuesday, December 8th, 2009.  The church closes when the school closes but even so MADD still would have canceled because we would not ask our volunteers to be out in this weather, our volunteer speakers or those that need to attend – asking individuals to travel in this weather would pose a public safety hazard and MADD is ALL for safe driving.

 

You can find the next MADD victim impact panel at our website: http://www.maddnebraska.org/vips/vip_schedule.  

Drive safe, sober and buckled up!

 

To each a happy holiday, safe driving and always remember to wear your seatbelt, designate a sober driver and never serve to anyone under 21. 

MADD with Pride for Lt. Col. Dana McCown

Squadron commander receives Nebraska Admiralship

by 2nd Lt. Ken Scholz
55th Wing Public Affairs

First Lady Sally Ganem presents Admiralship

12/1/2009 - OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (AFNS) – A special ceremony for Maj. Dana McCown’s promotion to lieutenant colonel Nov. 24 became much more as Nebraska first lady Sally Ganem took to the podium during the ceremony..

The wife of Nebraska governor Dave Heineman bestowed Colonel McCown with an Admiralship in the Great Navy of Nebraska for the colonel’s personal commitment to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization.

“It is truly an honor and a privilege to present this award to Dana McCown,” said Ms. Ganem.

The award, Nebraska’s highest honor, carries with it no real military title, pay or duties, but is an honorary title bestowed by the governor to those who have benefitted the state.  The award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to help the citizens of Nebraska, said Ms. Ganem.

Sim Reynolds, executive director of MADD Nebraska, said Colonel McCown attended a MADD training program about a year ago. Since then, Ms. Reynolds said, the colonel has brought passion, leadership and spirit to the organization and her talks have helped educate thousands about the dangers of drunk driving.

In June 2007, Colonel McCown and her sister, Michele Pennington, lost their mother and father in a drunk driving accident in Florida.

“It was a year plus, when I later joined MADD,” the colonel said. “MADD Nebraska took us in as family, hey were sincere in their empathy and caring.”

“Dana McCown is success,” said the colonel’s long-time mentor and friend Maj. Gen. Polly Peyer, commander of Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. “She’s sincere, understanding, caring; she communicates, has experience, sets the standard and shares.”

Colonel McCown has participated in numerous victim impact panels, fundraisers and family events, as well as shared her experience through locally televised public service announcements.

“Sometimes volunteers don’t get the recognition they deserve,” Ms. Ganem said, “but because of the impact Dana’s had on the citizens of Nebraska with her involvement with MADD, we wanted to make sure she was recognized.”

The new lieutenant colonel, a Bowling Green, Ky., native, entered the Air Force more than 22 years ago as an enlisted Airman. She was recently appointed chairwoman of the executive state operations council of MADD Nebraska and now has joined the prestigious ranks of the Nebraska Admiralty as well.

“I feel like I’ve gotten so much more out of MADD than what I’ve given,” Colonel McCown said.

You can count on routine

Well, back to work after five days at home.  I truly enjoyed my time off, entertaining my family for the holiday and watching Husker Football. However, by Sunday afternoon, I have to tell you I was looking forward to the office door, the messy desk, the phone ringing, and I welcomed a cyber mailbox full of notes and messages.  Ahh, the welcome of office routine.  Getting down to business at hand, responding to mail both snail and cyber forms!  I have to tell you as much as I like the holidays and the joy of family life, likewise, I truly like my job and those that I work with on a day-to-day basis and across the state. 

Today I even enjoyed looking at the bills and reviewing the budget. I know hard to believe but true!  Well we are six months into our budget and so far so good – knock on wood!  I have worked harder this year than any other year to raise money but I have to tell you it has been rewarding and it is paying off.  Also, I want to tell you I have not had to do it alone.  That is the best news and again why I am so glad to be back at work.  MADD is one BIG family and that is something I can hang my hat on.  Speaking of our MADD family I have pictures to share of a very important event and I will share those later this week.  We can all stand proud of MADD Nebraska and the many fine leaders on the Nebraska State Operations Council.  Another reason to come to work!

Horse Found Dead After DUI

There are a variety of items that come across the wires that seem unbelievable.  Drunk driving not only does not discriminate - the crime takes place in a multitude of forms.

However, sadly today I read about a drunk driving conviction in Buffalo County  where a young man, more than twice the legal limit, was stopped while dragging a horse behind a stock trailer near Sumner.  The offender, Troy Brockmann, 22, left the rodeo July 4th. Brockman failed to untie the horse, then made the choice to drink and drive and eventually he was apprehended and arrested. 

 http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/local/article_c33f58ba-c986-11de-92eb-001cc4c03286.html

Tyler Brockman pleaded no contest to DUI

 Brockman was stopped after dragging the horse for about a mile. The horse was then put into the trailer.  The horse was found dead July 6th in Phelps’ County.

As a victim advocate for our members across the state, we support victims and ensure they understand how to provide their victim impact statement to the courts so the victim’s voice is heard.  However, with this how will we all ensure that what happened to this horse, as a result of being dragged behind a vehicle while the offender drove well over the legal limit, is voiced for the victim (the horse). In this case a dead horse.

We should all take time to send in our victim impact statement http://www.madd.org/Files/Victim-Impact-Statement-Workbook.aspxto Dawson County Court http://www.dawsoncountyne.net/offices/index.html where there is a felony charge of cruel neglect of an animal resulting in death – pending.

We may not have been impacted personally by this event but we have a duty to ensure the offender is held accountable for his actions.  Speaking out is the right thing to do – if we don’t who will?  Drunk drivers must be held accountable.  For the horse  -voice your concern.