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More people using Sober Driver program, but funding starting to run short
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By Kris Hilgedick
News Tribune
As a long-time supporter of Jefferson City's Sober Driver program, Bernie Fechtel said the organization is looking for a little financial help right now.
The program, which covers the cost of taxi rides for area residents who've been drinking and know they shouldn't drive, needs funding help for one simple reason.
“More people are calling for rides,” Fechtel said.
More than 1,500 people cashed in tickets in 2006; a year later, the number rose to 2,162.
And preliminary 2008 numbers show plenty of people plan to call for a sober taxi driver this year as well.
“The problem is, the program has grown so much,” said Fechtel. “But until now, it's always had enough money.”
When the program first started in the 1980s it ran from Thanksgiving to New Years Day.
When he got involved about nine years ago, Fechtel - the latest family member to run Fechtel Beverage and Sales Inc., a local beer distributorship - thought it would be a good program to provide all year.
“It's always struck me, it's as important to save a life in May as in December,” he said last week while going over the program's numbers with Jefferson City police Capt. Doug Shoemaker.
Fechtel hasn't been involved with the Sober Driver program - which originally was called Sober Chauffeur - since its inception. But he has spent a good amount of time keeping it going in recent years.
“It's part of the responsibility we take on when we sell a regulated product,” he said.
And he thinks having the program in town reduces the cost of insurance for small business owners.
The program is funded by grants. Originally, Miller Brewing Company provided assistance; when that source went by the wayside, Heineken USA stepped in with a program to help small communities. (Both beers are distributed by Fechtel).
Fechtel is confident the community will receive another grant from Heineken USA. But he's not sure it's enough the cover the program's expenses.
“The taxi company has been great. But if we want to keep it up, we're going to have to look to the community for help,” said Fechtel.
The program, which covers the cost of taxi rides for area residents who've been drinking and know they shouldn't drive, needs funding help for one simple reason.
“More people are calling for rides,” Fechtel said.
More than 1,500 people cashed in tickets in 2006; a year later, the number rose to 2,162.
And preliminary 2008 numbers show plenty of people plan to call for a sober taxi driver this year as well.
“The problem is, the program has grown so much,” said Fechtel. “But until now, it's always had enough money.”
When the program first started in the 1980s it ran from Thanksgiving to New Years Day.
When he got involved about nine years ago, Fechtel - the latest family member to run Fechtel Beverage and Sales Inc., a local beer distributorship - thought it would be a good program to provide all year.
“It's always struck me, it's as important to save a life in May as in December,” he said last week while going over the program's numbers with Jefferson City police Capt. Doug Shoemaker.
Fechtel hasn't been involved with the Sober Driver program - which originally was called Sober Chauffeur - since its inception. But he has spent a good amount of time keeping it going in recent years.
“It's part of the responsibility we take on when we sell a regulated product,” he said.
And he thinks having the program in town reduces the cost of insurance for small business owners.
The program is funded by grants. Originally, Miller Brewing Company provided assistance; when that source went by the wayside, Heineken USA stepped in with a program to help small communities. (Both beers are distributed by Fechtel).
Fechtel is confident the community will receive another grant from Heineken USA. But he's not sure it's enough the cover the program's expenses.
“The taxi company has been great. But if we want to keep it up, we're going to have to look to the community for help,” said Fechtel.
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nospinzone wrote on Dec 24, 2008 3:43 PM: