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Photo: Time for spring cleaning downtown

By Howard B. Owens

As the snow melts, months worth of trash is being revealed in some of the flower beds on Main Street.

Don Burkel, executive director of the Business Improvement District sent out a timely reminder to downtown business owners to do a little clean up in front of their establishments.

Burkel said that if everyone would pick up trash, debris and cigarette butts in front of their stores or offices, it would have a big impact on the impression customers get when visiting downtown.

George Richardson

I walk around my subdivision twice a month and pick up the little non biodegrable garbage like stray styrofoam pellets, cigarette filters, candy wrappers, bread ties and a thousand other types of tiny crap that is invisible to most people. There is always a half a grocery bag full and no one seems to notice except me. Perhaps Ms. Opensex Buffet Shoplifter could do a bit of Community Service? Hell no, that would make too much sense.

Mar 16, 2011, 11:25am Permalink
Thomas Mooney

I pick up from 10 to 50 butts every day out of my lawn( when visible) and the picture looks like the front yards of the rentals around me at any given time of the year . What a shame that this much garbage is being thrown on the ground .

Mar 16, 2011, 1:05pm Permalink
Dave McCarthy

Cigarette smokers are the most inconsiderate of all the drug addicts. After they get their fix most of them throw their butt on the ground without a second thought. Environmental pollution from cigarette butt littering is a major problem world wide.

Mar 16, 2011, 2:47pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

@C.M., one merchant mentioned to me this morning ... he's always picking up trash next to the garbage can outside his shop. He said, "A lot of people think 'close enough.'"

Mar 16, 2011, 3:30pm Permalink
Bob Price

Merchants pick up trash??? Most of them can't even cut a path through the snowbanks when they were there....talk about inconsiderate.The few times I went to pick up take out,had to climb the banks to get to sidewalk,then walking back out w/food,had to worry on where edge of curb was(buried),and try to avoid the water/slush that was a few inches deep....there are trash receptacles up and down Main St-most of paper is probably being blown there from parking lots,etc.....

Mar 16, 2011, 3:43pm Permalink
George Richardson

"Oh really?" Well Tom, not really a major problem compared to recent world events. More like a pain in the ass. Stick your butts in a Skoal can and stick the can in your butt pocket, minor problem solved. Easier than getting rid of the gulls who have probably already caught on to the fake owl. Real Falcons are the answer. How about a Springtime Falconering Festival on Jackson Street? Nature at its finest and totally organic.

Mar 16, 2011, 5:59pm Permalink
Tom Gilliatt

Your right George butts on ground is a small problem, For me I always pinch off the cherry when I'm done and either take the cig butt home and throw it out or if there is a trash can around I throw it there and as for the Falcons well LOL yea need to do that before those gulls start laying eggs cause I don't think 1 or 2 Falcons will be a match for 60+ pissed off mother gulls protecting there nests but its an idea I would like to see.

Mar 17, 2011, 9:08am Permalink

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