Letter to the Editor
Keep it clean
Published Monday, April 28, 2008
April 22, 2008
To the editor:
As winter steps aside to let spring arrive, trash noticeably rears its ugly head. Sadly, roadside litter is present year-round. Each time it snows it is covered up waiting for spring thaw to bloom forth. What is the mind-set of those who contribute to this eyesore and health issue either through carelessness, inattention, or deliberately and purposefully litter?
As examples, trash appears courtesy of uncovered loads, garbage tossed loosely into truck beds to blow out and about, fast food leftovers and containers dropped from vehicles or while walking down the street, tossed dirty diapers, cigarette smokers carelessly throwing butts, usually live, up, out and away. These practices provide the blooming varieties alongside our roadsides — nosewipus, buttwipus and a myriad of cartonalia so plentiful it is shameful.
The countdown begins to our annual rite of trash passage: Clean Up Day in early May. Throughout summer you see community helpers in bright vests picking up the continuous rain of trash contributed by unconscious people. Shame on you who continue this practice. To keep our planet green, we are charged with keeping it clean. I congratulate those that work to do so and appreciate any individual effort made to dispose of litter and trash properly.
I won’t get on my soapbox about dog owners who don’t pick up after their pets when exercising them or leaving them to roam in neighboring yards, parking lots and roadsides. Dog poop is a whole other issue that burns my innards. Please respect public property and that of your neighbors. Life is about choices. Please choose to control litter by picking up after yourself and your pet. That choice is a neighborly thing to do. Keep God’s living room clean while you live in it.
Community Discussion
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cigarette butts.
there should be a 10 cent tax on each one and then they could be returned for a refund. i am so sick of seeing these all over the place.
and for those people letting their dog go near my mailbox.... ugh...
As the spring clean up begins I think that we can all say we agree. Nobody enjoys living in squalor, unless they are Oscar the grouch. I would like to do something about a fall clean up also but that is not what gets me going, it is the dog poop!
People that haul there own trash are bound to lose something every once in awhile, I cant even make it out to the trash can at the house without dropping something once in a while. At twenty, thirty, or forty below I can honestly say that turning around on the highway and going back for that one item that flew out is not going to be my top priority. I know, I know, that is a bad attitude but it is real. For those type of things I can get out and pick up trash for the beautification of our community, but to have someone who walks there dog over to my property down town and has there dog take a dump so they can walk them straight back to there home or apartment is, well, crap! People should clean up after there animals, not because of a law but out of respect for the people around you.
Remember the biggest Myth going: Someone else is taking care of "it", you can fill "it" with just about anything you want and it is still true.
Ms. Brechan,
You had better be careful or there will be all kinds of people telling you it is their God-given right to pollute, and that it is not for you to tell them what to do. Never mind the fact there is a $1000 fine for littering, and that is is illegal not to secure a load in the back of a truck.
Fairbanks has a lot of inconsiderate people, and the trash is just another example of that. I do not buy into the idea that people can't make a dump run without losing trash out of their truck, unless they do not take the time to tie down their trash with a tarp or something similar. Laziness equates to being inconsiderate in this case. As an example, one time I was behind a truck going to the transfer station and garbage flew out of the back. I let the driver know he had lost garbage, and his response was, "was it much?" And then all of those inconsiderate people know there will be scores of people out there in the Spring picking up after them. I NEVER lose garbage out of my truck (I have a topper on mine), and I refuse to pick up after all of the slobs that do.
Alaska is by far the most littered state that I have been in. I get to travel all over the lower 48 on a regular basis and have not seen a state that even comes close to Alaska. Just because we have a long cold winter is no excuse to not turn around and pick up your litter. We aren't just talking about a few pieces of paper that fly out of the back of pick ups, we are talking about bags of garbage, furniture, campers, and other large items. How do other states control littering? Could it be enforcement of the current laws? Or is it the type of people that we have living up here?
What is wrong with the Interior? I've been to the other little cities and towns of Valdez, Wasilla, Eagle River, Seward, etc. None of these communities are the complete slobs that Fairbanks is. What is it about snow that makes us throw our garbage all over? It's pretty ridiculous. I say do away with "Clean-Up Day", let us live in the filth. See if we like to throw our trash out the window by mid-August. Disgusting... this is supposed to be Alaska.
Has anyone had the pleasure of following the sanitation trucks down the highway as their daily pick of rubble and trash is spewing from all corners of their said vehicle. I am guessing 80% of the filth and disgust that we all see along our roadsides and medians is from these vehicles.
You know what really disgusts me, if you look in the little stand of trees over by Fred Meyers East there are plastic bags hanging ALL over the place. Hundreds and Hundreds of them. I would like to get my family over there to start picking those out of the trees. I've started using reuseable bags because I HATE seeing plastic bags blowing around in the wind.
I think I will pick up a piece of trash today and place it in a trash can. Thanks Fairbanks!
AMEN! We wait so LONG for the breakup and when it finally comes, the ground is covered in trash. How hard is it to save your McDonald's trash and throw it away when you get to work or to the gas station?
I never mind picking up trash on public streets. I do it, in small amounts, year round. And I've participated in cleanup day, when work permits, over the past many years. I love Fairbanks.
But my question is why dont we have some "chain gangs" out on the roads year round? These guys got nothing better to do. We could even pay them the prevailing prison wage. Maybe eliminate violent flight risk prisoners, and use DUIs, dopers, and petty thieves.
Just a thought.
I know that this has been tried in the past. Did it lead to bad results?
The trash is disgusting, but the dog poop really upsets me. Yesterday I tried to take my daughter to a playground. It was covered in dog poop. I would never like to think that my friends and neighbors are letting their dogs poop *in a playground* but obviously, some are (perhaps the same people who let their dogs poop in my driveway and my yard!) Fairbanks is such a dog-friendly town - why does that translate to being tolerant of dog poop everywhere?
What can be done?
They are doing it right now in Palmer Glacierles. Not sure if I may attach this, but will try. If it doesn't work, scroll down on the Anchorage Daily News website & click on the MatSu section, the story is partially down the page.
http://www.adn.com/matsu/story/386421.ht...
News-Miner Staff, if this isn't kosher, I apologize!
Okay-Please don't take this like I am defending litter bugs. We have pretty harsh winters up here. Places in the lower 48 and Anchorage have cold weather, but they usually have days where it warms up enough to melt things throughout their winters. We don't, so are these inmates going to be chipping away the ice to get garabage. Granted I don't care what tasks the inmates are given-they need to give back to the community in some way, but this might be the reason the inmates are not being used in this fashion.
It does feel like people count on the fact that the litter will be cleaned up at the end of the year, so they just willy-nilly throw trash out. I don't think we need to do away with the clean-up day, because looking at the way a lot of people live in Fairbanks, I don't think they would care if the trash was there through the summer or not.
Want to see litter? Come to Wyoming. I'm beginning the think that plastic Wal-mart bags are the "State Flower" because they're everywhere--hanging off trees, tangled with tumble weeds in fences, so much garbage, it's amazing (and they don't have the BreakUp excuse, either). I'd give my eye teeth to be picking up trash along Farmer's Loop right now....
I have lived in Fairbanks & North Pole for 28 years and every year my friend, family and self get out and clean up, I understand that some people don't get out and do there part but I have one thing to say after reading some of your comments IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE PEOPLE IN FAIRBANKS GET OUT AND GO BACK TO WHERE EVER YOU CAME FROM
Speaking of litter and sorry if this offends anyone, but does anyone know what that monstrosity is being built behind the Napa on Geist Rd? Talk about an eye sore!
Wow some people are pretty defensive when they don't need to be. Are you defending the litter bugs of Fairbanks, because they possibly were born and raised in Fairbanks? There is a neat assumption. Where did you come from? Did you defend the litter bugs in your home state?
What is sad, is those of us who DO make an effort to go pick up are the ones who don't throw our trash out in the first place.
What are you referring to Lagirl? I'm hardly ever on Geist.
Nice article akprincess72. There could be some local fine tuning.
lagirl---I dont think chiseling garbage out of the ice is necessary. But then again, I've worked outdoors in Fairbanks every day, for 30 plus years, and it's yet to kill me. I do get days off and vacations, and I get paid. On the other hand I've never been in jail, so maybe there are logistics that I have no idea of.
The 2 excellent young people that pick up garbage downtown, and clear snow off sidewalks are out there every day of the year.
Just saying that that wouldn't bother me, prisoners picking up trash, even in our cold weather. And it appears as though there is precedent, in Palmer.
You missed the point of my comment about the inmates. I don't care how cold it is outside for the inmates. I was just wondering if the constant ice and snow that we have 8 months out of the year would prohibit the garbage from being picked up.
Haddison-the weird mauve looking homemade church behind the Napa on Geist. I think the road that intersects Geist is Thompson Dr, the new way to get onto the University.
The building looks like it is being assembled by materials out of the dump and it has a bunch of old beat up travel trailers that have been pulled in there.
We could use a DUI checkpoint where all vehicles are stopped. Then all pickup trucks should have the bed inspected for trash as well. Unsecured trash, (fast food bags, empty plastic bottles, plastic store bags, etc...) would be cause for a citation. So, in one fell swoop we would bag the drunks and the litterbugs. With fines as high as they are it would bring money into the coffiers of the city and borough!
LAGIRL- the eyesore on geist is actually going to be an apt building believe it or not... sad, i wouldn't pay to live in that! It actually is compiled of old parts from businesses and from the dump so at least they are recycling right?
As for the trash if anybodys kids need a summer job the borough actually hires a trash clean up crew made up of young teens, they pay pretty good, well over minimum wage... i did it for my first job. I loved it because i was able to be outside and found lots of money!! as long as people keep throwing 20's 50's and 100's out the window i'm okay with picking up their trash!
lagirl---
Constant ice and snow for 8 months of the year? I live in East Fairbanks. We must get better weather than you.
I'm sorry, sometimes I cant help being a smartaleck. The serious answer is no, it would not prevent one from picking up trash on the streets and ditches. Definitely not. People do it now.
Okay-forgive me. 6 months out of the year. Do you get better weather there, maybe I should move over there! :)
I spend a lot of time jogging and so I get a first-hand look at the trash. Did you ever notice that almost all the beer empties alongside the road are cheap domestics? Only rarely does one see a good microbrew or import. That in itself says something about the moral superiority of those of us who drink good beer.
A few weeks ago I was up on Ester Dome the morning after a fresh dumping of beer cans. Miller Lite. Not only did the guys who left them behind trash our landscape, they proved by their choice of beverage that they are nothing but girly-men.
My solution for this problem? A five dollar surcharge on every six-pack of lousy domestic beer (I'll be glad to be the judge of what's good and what isn't). Donate the money to any organization willing to devote time to cleaning up after these worthless, cheap beer guzzling, lowlife slobs.
While we're at it, let's charge double for any alcohol sold to guys with their baseball hats on backwards. They deserve this on principle alone.
Lynn_Allen1,
1) It is not my part to pick up others trash. I do my part by not polluting in the first place.
2) I knew it was only a matter of time before someone would suggest that someone else pick up and leave the state because they don't see the world as you do.
alaska curmudgeon- you are hilarious! I wanted to point out one thing that I noticed readin everyones coments, down south. Did you find the liter bug where you are from, the Wisconsin state flower being a walmart bag, beer bottles and cans on the side of the road; what do they all have in common? WELL down south there are recycling centers where vagrants or homeless can scavange the liter (becuase it is there too) and recycle some things for cash, we dont have this 'service' up here, so we need to pick up after ourselves.
Warning: this statement is purely satirical, no actual thought was used in the making of the views.
Why can't the prisoners pick up trash?
Chain gang man!
then give them time off for actually doing something instead on sitting around all day.
What we have here is a failure to communicate.
Scotch drinkers are even more environmentally responsible.
Mcgrumpy you touched a nerve. Perhaps you should move to the Old Soviet Union, or China or any other Communistic Government, Maybe a war torn state like Iraq. Maybe join the Gestapo, skin heads or some big city gang. Stop Here. Show me your papers, without probable cause, or I'll shoot.
I am offended just as much as anyone else RE: the spring litter, and agree with most comments posted but, in my opinion you are way out of line.
Glacierles: LOL, though I prefer bourbon.
Folks, I'm sorry for my outburst. I can't fix the city, but when I leave a campsite I go out of my way to make sure that my area is clean including picking up after others. Karma. I believe in the "Constitution" Hold it against me.
We should have a fall clean up day too.
I love the chain gang idea. But we have corrections not prisons its just not in the charter. Are where is the money for the guards, buses administration. I know it sounds like a great idea but not a realistic one. Just everyone try to be part of your community and care about how it looks. I pick up litter on all my walks, and all the extension cords on the road in the winter. Buy some reusable grocery bags they hold more and don’t break anyway. Oh and drink good beer.
Okay, okay, I'm sorry! I will, from now on, endeavor to always pick up my dog's poop. I've kinda been slacking over the winter - first winter, ya know. Yes, I know it was warm compared to "days of yore". I considered myself dedicated and virtuous walking at -45, though. It's a lot easier to pick it up right away than later, anyhoo.
Lash thyself, coffeediva. You have sinned.
The environmental lords must find you lacking in humanity.
I jokes, but that is where this is headed to. Already, non-believers in man made global warming are castigated, and branded "flat earthers". The brain washing will never cease...
It all boils down to laziness from bad parenting.
All pickup trucks should have a topper on them. That way my brother ravens will not be tempted to be worse than flying dogs spreading trash and litter in search of a meal. Cover your loads! Don't be flying pigs!
Or just keep you truck bed empty, except for a spare tire. Works for me.
Scotch drinkers are even more environmentally responsible.
Thanks Glacierles we do our best. Hell you wouldn't cast out a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue label empty or not at $240.00 a pop.
"While we're at it, let's charge double for any alcohol sold to guys with their baseball hats on backwards. They deserve this on principle alone."
...and *triple* if they're on sideways or the bill is flat.
"I considered myself dedicated and virtuous walking at -45, though. It's a lot easier to pick it up right away than later, anyhoo."
Really? I would think it would be easier, and less yucky, once frozen solid....
Do the litter laws get enforced?
How about in addition to a fine, the offenders are required to do community service, at least one full day of picking up trash.