Straight from the Mike…A Little Bitter About Litter

Now as our thoughts can officially turn towards spring, it should heighten our visual expectations of nature, its eye-catching colors of the flowers and the sunlight brilliance through the trees. It would be a joy for me if we really marked this 2024 Earth Day by declaring a line of demarcation in this county regarding our litter and illegal dumping. Let’s declare every day an earth day and express our gratitude for Mother Nature.

It was the German philosopher, Goethe who said, “ If everyone just cleaned in front of their door, the whole world would be clean.” Moreover, it seems to me that the memorable advertisement featuring a Native American Indian Chief showing a tear from his eye is remembered, by too many, for the wrong reason. You may remember the ad, but the important message was let’s keep America beautiful. It begins within the boundaries of your community. I almost shed a tear myself each time I see the results of continuous litter and worst yet, illegal dumping.

My question to such recalcitrants is what makes you think that it was the right thing to do. I am the first to admit that I am not a neatnik. The second person to confirm that would be my wife. If neatness was a required merit badge during my Boy Scout days, I don’t think I would be a proud Eagle Scout today. However, let me be clear, one does not have to be neat to be clean. For instance, a road way does not have to be well manicured, mowed on the regular to be clean. Natural beauty can offer elements of mixed growth, and uneven growth, and yet be pleasing to the eyes. It should not include discarded cups; take out packaging, bottles and worst of the lot, plastics  and other non-biodegradable materials. It is a distraction for me, triggering a frown and eventual disgust. A community with constant litter is a community with an  unappealing scar that is unbecoming to the residents that deserve a better environment and quality of life.

Cobb County is very fortunate to have a government Infrastructure, headed by CDOT and in conjunction with Keep Cobb Beautiful, which is responsive, accessible and supportive. They share the commitment and responsibility for a clean environment and are down in the riverbed  shouldering the rising tide of indolence that can cause even Adopt A Mile subscribers to feel like they are on a merry go round. Hey, it is good exercise when you get rolling with the safety vest, several orange bags, and the latest style picker and get down on it. The interesting  phenomenon I always experience is how quickly you fill a bag and yet have so much more ground to cover. The real aggressive offenders are not just litterbugs themselves, but the dumpers who think used tires beautify the edges of a wooded area, or the back of a business’ dumpster is a suitable deposit area. The culprit that feels free to dump a mattress or box springs on the side of the road or off into the woods, seemingly does so without any scruples at all.

A recent visit to Orange Beach, Alabama was pleasurable. It was a special treat for me to observe a sign on the beach that read, “Leave nothing here but the sand.” The thought that came to my mind was ‘right on’. If you have had the opportunity to visit cities like Montreal or cities of the nation of Japan, you should catch my drift.

It is clear to me that deterrents are needed. No, I am not in favor of the back east solution or that of west coast areas, a Litter Tax. However, I do support well-placed signage. A consequence, such as the City of Smyrna has in place with a Fine, saying litter can cost you. Yes, litter should cost you and you will likely get the message quickly.

In addition to making our county beautiful, we are sending a message to our offspring. A good turn daily is a benefit to everyone. It is so much better to dispose of trash, debris, and cast offs properly than to rely on someone else to do it for you. You are likely to feel better, as will the rest of the community. Also, you will be making at least one individual a little less bitter.

Every day is Earth Day. 

I am Michael Murphy…