The safety of our communities should never take a back seat to progress. That’s why I want to extend sincere gratitude to the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office for their recent efforts along McLaws Road in Holbrook and Obed Road in Joseph City.
Reports of recent early morning arrests for criminal speeding serve as an important reminder that growth and development come with responsibility. While it has not been officially stated who the individuals worked for, the timing and location would suggest a connection to the workforce traveling to local renewable energy development sites now operating in our region.
There is no doubt these projects have brought welcome jobs and economic opportunity to northeastern Arizona. But with that opportunity comes an obligation to respect the people and communities being directly impacted by these large-scale changes. These roads are not racetracks. They are roadways traveled daily by local residents, families, school buses, ranchers and workers simply trying to get safely from one place to another.
Law enforcement stepping in to address these issues is not an attack on industry or workforce growth. It is simply a necessary effort to protect public safety and maintain respect for the communities these projects now operate within. Economic development and community wellbeing should go hand in hand. One should never come at the expense of the other. As our region continues to evolve, hopefully this serves as a reminder to companies, contractors and workers alike that being a good neighbor matters.
Respect the roads. Respect the communities. Respect the people who call this region home. And once again, thank you to the deputies working to keep our citizens safe.
