Suffolk News-Herald

As of Wednesday morning, the Suffolk Pilot Club tree outside the Health Department on Main Street was full of green lights. Hopefully, it will stay that way until the new year arrives.

The tree, first erected at the corner of Main and Constance Blvd back in 1978, is designed to spread public awareness about traffic safety during the holidays. Should a traffic fatality occur in the city, one of the green lights will be replaced with a red one.

&uot;The tree stresses safety issues during the holidays,&uot; said club projects co-chairman Angie Twiford. &uot;With the rush of Christmas shopping, people get busy going here and there. The holiday season is a horrible time to lose a loved one.&uot;

The club last had to place a red light on the tree during the 2002 season.

After leaving its original location, the tree was moved to the corner of Constance and Western, then back to the corner of Constance and Main. When the Hilton Garden Inn began construction two years ago, the tree moved to the Health Department.

&uot;It exemplifies true communication and community spirit between a civic league, in this case the Pilot Club, and the city,&uot; said Mayor Bobby L. Ralph.

&uot;It raises the level of public awareness in a time when public safety is placed at the highest level. It makes people more careful, more cautious and more considerate when attending functions. It’s grown to something that is looked forward to every year.&uot;