An article on page three of this week’s paper gives the facts as they relate to Babylon High School Principal Bob Visbal’s DWI charges. What the story does not outline, however, is the impact that this story has had on his life, and will have on the school community.

That is something we recognize. For that reason, we took time and great responsibility in ensuring that it was fair and accurate. We also held publication of the story once it was completed to provide Visbal and the school district with the opportunity to deal with the issue internally.

What the story also does not outline is how Visbal assumed full responsibility for his actions following his arrest and how he was profoundly sorry for them. In our discussions with him, however, his concern was not for himself, but for the students in the district. He was concerned about his work as an educator and strong proponent of the anti-drug and anti-alcohol programs that are an integral part of the curriculum in Babylon.

Visbal was fortunate in that neither he nor anyone one else was injured as a result of his actions. While he must address the legal, personal and professional consequences of what he did, he does not have to live with the knowledge that he hurt an innocent person and for that he is grateful.

We are all human and we all make mistakes. What separates us is the manner in which we move on from those mistakes. He acknowledges that, and has said he is committed to ensuring that he uses this experience as a lesson for students, showing how even the consumption of a beer can make the difference between legal sobriety and DWI. His experience will obviously give added weight to his lesson.

That’s a positive approach that is not easy, but one we give him tremendous credit for adopting. We would hope the community does too.