WATAUGA
MOUNTAIN TIMES
September 5, 2002
Breakfast Begins "Stop The Litter" Initiative
Local Leaders Look To Lower Litter Levels
By Mike Shands
Dozens of High Country residents attended an early morning brainstorming
session Sept. 4. Their goal was to stomp out litterbugs.
About 40 to 50 community leaders and citizens participated in the 7 a.m.
"Stop the Litter" breakfast at Boone's Agricultural Conference Center.
Their hope was to launch a sustained drive to rid Watauga County of
mounting roadside trash.
The breakfast was timed to coincide with preparations for the annual Fall
Litter Sweep conducted by the North Carolina Department of Transportation,
which runs from Sept. 16 to 29.
The breakfast's primary sponsor was the MountainKeepers, an alliance of
individuals and groups committed to preserving the heritage, culture and
natural resources of the region as well as enhancing the quality of life
for all its citizens.
"This is just awesome - look at all the people here," said Nancy
Reigel, a
MountainKeepers representative. "We all surely agree we have an issue
around trash.
"This month there are a couple of annual cleanups like Litter Sweep and
Big
Sweep, but what we'd really like to do today is start something different,
and that is to change the culture. Because it's really about stopping
(littering) from happening.
"What we'd like to do is start a process of continuous change, of
continuous improvement so that someday Litter Sweep and Big Sweep won't be
needed."
Those working on ways to start that process at the breakfast included a
variety of elected officials, educators, business owners, religious
leaders, public safety personnel, university students and concerned
citizens.
The breakfast's purpose was to have guests think of answers to four
litter-related questions and then discuss their ideas. Ron Redmon served as
the discussion's facilitator. His questions for attendees included:
*What do we think about this problem, and what's behind it?
*What are some possibilities for making a difference in the problem?
*What are some commitments we can make to get us on a path toward
continuous improvement?
*What are some next steps we as a community here in this room are ready to
take to keep this momentum going?
"The breakfast will hopefully start a process of concerted citizen action
taken through every possible means, not only to clean up Watauga roadsides
and streams, but also to create a community culture where littering is not
tolerated," Redmon said.
"We're here to talk about a process for getting us from where we are
to the
kind of place we'd all like to be."
Discussion participants answered the four questions with a wide variety of
responses. Some suggested enforcing existing laws more strictly and
creating more severe penalties for those who litter. Others suggested an
enhanced reward system for those who recycle, such as a bottle and can
deposit law that several other states use.
Some said schools and churches could be useful tools in spreading the word
about fighting litter while others suggested an awareness campaign with
signs, T-shirts, stickers and a recognizable mascot.
At the discussion's conclusion several of the participants pledged to step
up their efforts to fight litter in a number ways ranging from researching
other states' bottle and can deposit laws to working together with other
businesses to stress reducing, re-using and recycling.
Mike Evans, MountainKeepers president, said litter impacts the High
Country's economy and environment negatively.
"Litter undermines the pride we feel for our community and our
surroundings," he said. "Wouldn't it be great if, in addition to
everything
else we have to celebrate about Watauga County, within the next year or so
we can turn it into a pacesetter of cleanliness for the entire state?"
For information about MountainKeepers call (828) 268-0637 or look online at
www.mountainkeepers.org.