by Karina Hunter

This holiday season, these signs will be a painful reminder of the tragic results of drinking and driving - let it not be in vain!

Billboards went up in Manitouwadge last week, matching those originally installed in Valley East and Capreol (City of Greater Sudbury, ON) 5 months ago, to drive home a sobering message about the gruesome realities of drinking and driving. Coinciding with the beginning of the holiday season, one of the most dangerous times for people to be on the road because of increased incidents of drunken driving, it is hoped that they will be a constant reminder to those celebrating this Christmas that any alcohol consumption is too much if you are driving a motorized vehicle of ANY kind.  The billboards, one in the community’s traffic circle and the other on Manitouwadge High School’s front lawn on Manitou Road (unique entrance ending Hwy 614) feature large photos of three teens, Caitlin Jelley (15), Steven Philippe (16) and Jazmine Houle (15) who were tragically killed, struck down by a drunk driver while walking on the side of Municipal Road 80 in Hanmer July 21^st of this year.

Steven was the type of teen all parents who knew him appreciated having as their child's friend.

The sign was designed by Eva Lanctot Realty, a Hanmer based business having permission from Jelley, Philippe and Houle’s families to use the children’s names and photos on them though they will have to see the painful reminder of their children’s lives having been so unnecessary cut short regularly in Sudbury where they reside and even, for the Philippe family, when away should they be visiting Manitouwadge. Lanctot who footed the cost of installation of the thirteen signs, eleven in Greater Sudbury area and two more in Manitouwadge told writer Harold Carmicheal of The Sudbury Star that “I want to make sure everybody sees them…Take a taxi. Take a bus. It’s (drinking and driving) not worthwhile”. Lanctot told The Sudbury Star one of the reasons for doing the sign campaign is because she personally knows the Houle and Philippe families. Lanctot worked with Houle’s mother 30 years ago and added that “Steven… had been in my car with his brother shopping for houses”.

13 & 14 years old Steven & some friends, all of whom still enjoyed fun as kids.

The signs were added in Manitouwadge because of Phillipe who, having resided in Manitouwadge for years was well known as a friend to anyone having had, even briefly, the good fortune to make his acquaintance.  Philippe was well liked, and loved by many close friends, because of his easy going nature and kind demeanor, his soft spoken and polite disposition, his great sense of humour, his incredible work ethic, his sportsmanship and athletic ability, and many more endearing qualities. When he passed earlier this year, though 2^nd semester final exams had begun at MHS, special allowances were made for student and staff absenteeism, as many were mourning loss of a son, a brother, a nephew, a friend, a mentor, a student privately or by traveling to Sudbury for funeral services.

The billboards include the messages DRINKING + DRIVING = LOOSING, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH and YOUR CHILD? and are hoped, to make an impact during the holiday season as revelers head to and from seasonal festivities that they may re-think plans for arriving safely to and from their destinations.  Steven’s
mother, Jocelyne Philippe, used the opportunity to caution other parents that even if they only drive sober, others may not, “We never thought something like this could happen to us, it was [Steven’s] first time walking, he always had a ride, if not from myself or his father then from his sister of brother” she added “It just took that one time, one irresponsible driver who chose to get in his car after drinking and three innocent children lost their lives in the blink of an eye”.  Phillipe hopes that the sign will encourage people to think twice before getting behind the wheel “People need to plan ahead about how they’ll be getting home from parties because driving themselves is NOT an option” she added “the myth that it’s just a couple beers is why innocent lives are lost and families are destroyed, that is why we agreed to the use of Steven’s photo and name on the billboards”.

 Phillipe and the other parents who lost their children in this tragic accident paid a very high price for the education of those who will see these signs, it should not be in vain; please remember this holiday season to have a plan, make arrangements for a designated driver, call a cab, stay the night and if you suspect someone is driving under the influence call 911, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) or your local police department – you could be saving a life!

Submitted to The Echo & the Chronicle Journal, 12.19.09