Letter writer: Law needed for trash problem

Graphic by Lori Deaton

It warms my heart to have read the two recent letter submissions from Michael Harney [“Welcome to TrAsheville?” Jan. 18, Xpress] and Carol and Michael More [Trash Into Cash,” Feb. 1, Xpress] on the amount of trash that litters our streets. I hope this creates the needed momentum to address this issue so one day we can live in a cleaner community.

Commuting by bicycle to work gives me an unflattering view of the roadside, sidewalks and adjacent properties. It’s frustrating to watch as the litter continuously gathers, creating an unsightly mess. I have attempted on numerous occasions to reach out to the city, county and state governments with disappointing results. My visceral reaction to this problem causes me to spend a lot of free time picking up trash in my neighborhood.

I feel the best solution is for the city, county or state government to impose and enforce a law on property, home and business owners to routinely clean up around their property, including the sidewalk and street. While it would be better if participation was voluntary, there doesn’t seem to be too many citizens clamoring for a solution to the problem, and so a legal requirement seems necessary.

— Jay Reese
Arden

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3 thoughts on “Letter writer: Law needed for trash problem

  1. Austin Hill

    I agree with you that there is a lot of trash about. I pick up my neighborhood as well. But the police don’t even stop people running red lights right in front of them, so I doubt trash policing will get done.

    • Jay Reese

      Funny you mention traffic enforcement. I can’t decide which issue irritates me more, litter or negligent drivers! Commuting to work by bicycle I am affected by both the trash along side the road and the idiots I see running red lights, speeding, failing to yield the right of way, ect. What’s really comical is when I pull up beside them and call them out for their behavior and they get indignant. They either offer some lame excuse or want to fight.

  2. Deplorable Infidel

    It’s a sign of the delinquent, ignorant population that show their contempt for everyone else. Litterers are simply trashy people NOT to be tolerated. We are especially inundated with this level of nastiness in AVL. It’s a trashy place.

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