Springtime Roadside
By Margie Weathers

This time of year, Clay County is like a magical place. The wooded hills are misted with the freshest greens, dogwood abounds, daffodils nod in the spring breeze, wonderful!

and, along the roads and creek banks, on main highways and back roads, every kind of trash known to man piles up to pollute the landscape: plastic bags, beer cans, McDonald's debris, candy wrappers- and, over it all a fine layer of cigarette butts.

Civic groups, church organizations, and residents wage an ongoing battle, pickup trash year round in winter's cold and summer's heat. Despite their best efforts, litterers throw it down faster than good citizens can pick it up.

As more and more residents are repulsed by the desecration of the area's beauty, people ask,; "What Can I Do?" Here are some suggestions.

1.Swat-A-Litterbug. see someone throwing trash? Report them by phoning 1-877- DOT4YOU (1-877-368-4968), giving the NC License plate number, type of littering, date, time and location. Sheriff Shook says you can also report these lawbreakers to his office at 389- 6354.

2.Secure your cargo. In North Carolina , 50% of litter is thrown, not blown, according to Mecklenburg County Solid Waste and Recycling (8/29/06). Put a tarp over objects in your truck.

3.Adopt-A-Highway. Adopt a two-mile stretch of roadway, and agree to clean it four times a year. NC DOT provides trash bags, safety vests and gloves. Contact Terry Woody, Clay County DOT, 389-8532.

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