Pioneer Editorial: Cheers and Jeers

Cheer: Providing safe transportation

Collaboration among the Beltrami Area Beverage Association, the Drug Free Coalition, 1st City Taxi and Beltrami State University has developed Safe Ride, an option for people to get home safely after they have been partying. Beginning July 1, Safe Ride provides a sober cab after 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Bill Smith, owner of 1st City Taxi, operates the service as a nonprofit during those hours.

Cheer: Median cable

The Minnesota Department of Transportation's U.S. Highway 2 construction will make the section west of Bemidji over the abandoned railroad right-of-way safer by lowering the grade by 8 feet and eliminating the bridges. A median cable barrier to be installed from the east junction of state Highway 89 to the exit ramp of Highway 2 and U.S. Highway 71 South will be another safety measure to prevent crossover crashes. Highway construction causes temporary inconvenience, but improved conditions in the long run.

Jeer: Senseless mishap

The report of a boating accident on Cass Lake north of Star Island last week is a reminder that inattention can lead to dangerous conditions on the water. A boat operated by an Eden Prairie man struck another boat occupied by eight people, all of whom were thrown into the water. Fortunately, they were wearing life jackets and were rescued by people who responded to the scene. Everyone needs to pay attention, yield to traffic and stay alert and sober.

Cheer: Fun for funds

Congratulations to the golfers who contributed to Security BankUSA Bemidji High School activities by their participation in the 15th annual Lumberjack Scramble at the Bemidji Town & Country Club on Friday. With ever-tightening school budgets and the acknowledged value to students and the community of extracurricular activities pulling against each other, special events to raise money are necessary. It's a good thing when they can be a source of fun as well.