Page 3 - Arkansas 811 Magazine 2021 Issue 1

Publisher’s Perspective
Thanks for taking a glance at the 811 Magazine in Arkansas. Our goal is to provide stakeholders with a unique opportunity to share your perspective on a statewide and/or a regional stage. We not only welcome your ideas and articles, but we encourage you
to share them with us and other damage prevention professionals interested in keeping Arkansas a safer place to live and work. It’s ok that not everyone agrees with you. If you have something that impacts underground safety in Arkansas, this may just be the publication for you. We are committed to keeping all stakeholders informed about newsworthy events in damage prevention regardless of your utility type.
For example, you need to know there is a legislative effort going on
now to provide for enforcement for violations of the Arkansas Dig
Law regardless of the utility type. In other words, failing to call
before you dig near a water line would have the same enforcement response as if you were digging near a gas line. We all understand the immediate consequence of hitting a gas line often is much more dangerous, but not from an enforcement standpoint should this legislation pass.
Many surrounding states have already passed such legislation respecting all utilities and others are now looking to move in this direction. They are doing that not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary. Enforcement boards and the Public Service Commissions have found common ground and work through their differences for the good of the program. It may or may not be what Arkansas needs or wants, but you surely need to be informed and additionally, need to provide your feedback to the leaders of the movement. You can do that by sharing your thoughts and perspectives to digsafely@arkansas811.com.
Having worked with other states almost 15 years in developing specific legislation and building relationships, I’ve learned:
1. There is no substitute for building or repairing mutual trust and respect for one another’s perspectives. It is critical to building the kinds of relationships necessary for success.
2. Effective legislation is not about showing the bad guys who is in charge. There are no bad guys. There are stakeholders who’ve develop some bad habits and in part because there was no mechanism to change their behaviors.
3. It’s easier to look over the fence than it is to look in the mirror. That’s why we must learn to trust one another and build a system of accountability that is fair to all. That has been achieved in other areas with less talent, simply because they didn’t know it couldn’t be done. The concept is “you hold me accountable and I’ll hold you accountable until we can hold ourselves accountable.”
811 Magazines will follow the trail wherever it leads, and our goal is to share with you the progress being made in creating a stronger and more effective enforcement program within our state.
Whether this piece of legislation passes or not will not define was the effort successful. It was successful because the discussion has started. There are stakeholders who are not satisfied with the status quo and that always brings about change. Admittedly, we see things differently however, the diversity of needs and ideas should make a stronger partnership rather than create an atmosphere of division. We must be willing to work together to achieve the higher and common goal of damage prevention.
To share your ideas or thoughts about fairer and effective enforcement, send your thoughts to digsafely@ arkansas811.com. They’ll appreciate it.
If you want to become part of the 811 Magazine family, call me at 501-269-1000, or go to www. arkansas.811magazines.com and click on subscriptions. All magazines are mailed quarterly at no cost to U.S. addresses only.
Got a good story? Call me. Let’s get stronger together!
Roger Cox President ACTS Now, Inc.
2021, Issue 1 Arkansas 811 Magazine • 1