BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) — The Jefferson County Commissioners were busy with proclamations at Tuesday morning’s meeting.
Child Abuse Prevention Month
The most noteworthy was April being proclaimed Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Jefferson County District Attorney Jeff Burkett, Pat Berger of Western Pa Cares for Kid’s, and Shannon Kelly of the Children’s Aid Society were recognized for their efforts.
Some of the points made included:
– About three million children are reported abused and neglected in the U.S. each year.
– Child abuse is a community problem and finding solutions depends on involvement among people throughout the community.
Effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships created among social service agencies, schools, religious and civic organizations, law enforcement agencies, and the business community.
Pennsylvania 8-1-1 Safe Digging Month
The commissioners also proclaimed April as “Pennsylvania 8-1-1 Safe Digging Month.”
The state’s One Call System is celebrating its 46th anniversary and is the clearinghouse for contractors, excavators, engineers, designers, and homeowners to check with before they dig in order to prevent injuries and damage that could arise from a project.
Rural Roads Safety Week
Also, the Pa. Farm Bureau has slated the week of April 8-14 as Rural Roads Safety Week and the Jefferson County Farm Bureau is encouraging all drivers to be aware of farmers who are driving their equipment in rural areas this spring.
“Rural road safety is an important issue year-round, but it is especially important at this time of year,” said Todd Thompson, a Jefferson County Farm Bureau Board member. “Farmers will be out planting and motorists must remain alert for large and often slow-moving equipment.”
Here are some safety tips for driving around large farm equipment:
- Anticipate encountering farm equipment between April and November.
- Watch out for and slow down when you see the slow-moving vehicle emblem, which is an orange triangle. It is attached to vehicles moving at speeds of 25 miles per hour or slower.
- Use caution when passing farm vehicles.
- Don’t assume the farmer knows you are behind them. Before you attempt to pass, blow the horn to let him know you are there.
- Don’t pass if there are curves or hills ahead that can block your view.
- Never assume a farm vehicle that pulls to the right side of the road is going to turn right or let a vehicle pass. Due to the size of some equipment, the farmer must move to the right before making a wide left turn.
- A farm vehicle moving to one side of the road or the other may indicate the driver is attempting to see what may be behind large wagons or equipment that is being pulled. Staying at a safe distance allows the farmer to see you behind him and then find a safe place to pass.
Additionally, Jefferson County Farm Bureau has designated Tuesday, April 10 as Rural Roads Safety Day. Farm Bureau directors, PennDOT, and State Police representatives will be available to meet the public from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of Mike’s Comet market in Brookville.
National Library Week
The week of April 8-14 was also proclaimed “National Library Week” in the county.
Offices Closed, Next Meeting
All county offices will be closed March 30 in observance of Good Friday.
The next commissioners meeting will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 11.