Article by DK Knight
Executive Editor/Co-Publisher
TEAM Safe Trucking (TST), a broad-based, non-profit volunteer group seeking to elevate the standard and performance of the challenging forest industry transportation sector, is slowly moving ahead with its meritorious program, according to organizers, who met in late September to review the progress of TST and adjust some priorities.
By far the most important work of the organization continues to be the series of awareness presentations initiated in September of last year by Jimmie Locklear of Forestry Mutual Insurance Co. He has crisscrossed the nation, proclaiming the TST core message a total of 23 times to logging and forestry associations, reaching thousands in the process. Mike Macedo of International Paper and TST president Rick Quagliaroli have delivered the message as well.
In October TST launched a web site, teamsafetrucking.com, that ultimately will be loaded with information and tools designed to help stabilize and strengthen the log/chip hauling sector. Its emerging safety-focused program embraces awareness and education; driver training, skillset improvement, motivation and recruitment; fleet best management practices; and public image enhancement.
The organization expects to expand its program nationwide as it secures additional funding through donations from stakeholders and through grants. At least 10 companies and associations have contributed funds to TST. As well, Virginia Tech University has committed funds and a graduate student to conduct log/chip truck accident research, which is just beginning. The study will help guide TST’s work going forward.
Organizers consist of logging companies, log trucking entities, wood fiber suppliers, paper/wood products manufacturers, insurance companies, and logging and forestry association representatives.
According to TST president Rick Quagliaroli, “Our objective is to help make the forest industry’s trucking segment safer, more accountable, more efficient, and more acceptable to the public. This will take some time. For the good of the industry as a whole, we’re asking for all connected parties to ‘buy in’ with their ideas, enthusiasm, and support.”
Here is the contact information for both Quagliaroli and Locklear: rick@swampfoxagency.com, 843-761-3999; jlocklear@forestrymutual.com, 910-733-3300.
Deborah Smith
Earlier this year I attended the annual meeting/biennial static equipment show staged by the Southeastern Wood Producers Assn. in Valdosta, Ga. That’s where I crossed paths with northwestern Georgia logger Travis Smith and his wife, Deborah, who have been married for 34 years and have 10 children—seven they created and three adopted from Africa—and two grandchildren. They have home-schooled their kids since 1991.
Deborah says she earned an English degree from Shorter College because Travis wouldn’t let her quit. She loves her family, encourages others to keep the faith, to keep taking the next right step, no matter how hard life gets. I encourage you to check out her blog at buttercupsbloomhere.blogspot.com. What follows is one example of her writing talent:
We were together, in his work truck, headed to a place about 40 miles away where a mom and pop tire business treats people with respect. His tool truck needed a set of “new feet,” as he calls them, and last week he asked me to save the morning for him, for us. So I did. We are learning this new thing, saving time for each other, in our 50s, and after three decades of marriage.
We realized that the plans of our children can, not in any bad way, fill up the time we need to have together as a couple. The kids aren’t bad. They aren’t planning to sabotage their parents’ marriage—there’s just always lots to do and places for them to go. So, Travis and I have started making dates and keeping them. I feel like I’m 17 again when he asks me when we can we go out.
This date was two-fold, but that was OK. The diesel motor roar and hydraulic oil smell comforted me. He stopped at his favorite fuel station and bought us a delicious breakfast, then we were on our way. We talked about small things and big things, important things and nothing. It was just time, together. That simple morning was refreshing and the sweetest time we had had in long time.
On the way home, I thought about how easy it would have been to have refused the offer; to say that I was busy. He would not have argued the point. He would have just walked away, accustomed to the refusal. I’m always busy.
Now, as I look back and thank Holy God for holding us together, I realize how important time is. I take more pictures of the two of us than ever. I cherish his time. I have learned to stop at stop signs in our marriage: the weary look, the tired walk, the invitation, the effort to reach into my world and help, to need to be listened to after a hard day. Whatever is swirling around in my head or in the kitchen can wait. Stopping to really see him and hear him is way more rewarding than finishing some never ending chore. Stopping gives our marriage the fuel it needs to carry on.