Why Do People Litter? How Do We Stop it?

Research points to several factors that may impact on littering behavior:

• Lack of knowledge of the environmental effects of littering.
• Litter has already accumulated. The more litter present the more people are inclined to litter.
• Lack of social pressure to do the right thing.
• Absence of penalties or consistent enforcement.
• Number, placement and appearance of disposal containers at or near the site.
• People who litter often feel no sense of pride in the areas they are littering.
• They do not view the item as litter. That is often the case with cigarette butts.

Huntington's voters must demand that our political leaders allocate the necessary resources to provide for litter receptacles and cigarette butt disposal equipment on every street corner in every city neighborhood. The members of Huntington City Council and the City Administration must ensure that this equipment is serviced on a daily basis by a designated crew of city workers. Finally, the council and administration must implement the necessary operational procedures needed to enforce existing city ordinances related to litter and the proper disposal of household trash and household items by each resident, whether they are an owner or tenant. The enforcement should be announced and begun on a publicly announced date certain! The ordinances are in place - enforce them!

Only our leaders can initiate the required actions - and Huntington residents choose the leaders! We must elect people who are willing to take the required action to get our city cleaned up and kept clean!

What do you think?

The Morning After - What Now?

It's the morning after the mid-term election, and the citizens of Huntington and Cabell County have made a decision not to fund our financially troubled park system. The city's voters rejected the levy that would have funded the paving and repair of our streets. What now?

No one wants to pay more taxes and/or fees, including me. But I voted for the park levy and the street paving levy, because without the necessary funding the parks and streets will continue to deteriorate. It's that simple. What now?

The folks who are responsible for our parks are going to have to consider getting out of the cemetery business and tightening up their expansion of additional park sites. The City of Huntington's inability to keep the streets repaired and free of litter and trash will continue to dramatically effect its ability to lure new businesses and industries to our area. Both the parks and the condition of our streets and highways are a major quality of life issue for any business looking for a city in which to locate. What now?

But, alas, the citizens have spoken. Sacrifice? What's that? Progress? What's that?

It's the morning after, and I am wondering ... what now? Anybody care to enlighten me?