Bank of Holly Springs

Fielder’s Choice

Attacking litter problem

I continue to be appalled by the litter problem in Marshall County.

It makes no sense – never will.

Of the roads I ride along, some are worse than others, but they’re all bad.

The Marshall County Board of Supervisors has focused on the issue,  which is a detriment to our county’s appearance, growth and properity. They continue to try to take a bite out of the problem, and that’s appre­ciated. Here’s hoping they keep the problem at the top of their concern list and in the headlines.

The Holly Springs Board of Aldermen adopted a Litter Management Plan for a three-year period of 2017 to 2020.

One recommendation from the study is an anti-littering message – “Team Up to Clean Up.” You may have seen some of those signs in place around the city.

Other recommendations include educating citizens about the part they can play in keeping the city and county clean (including litter wardens in schools to edu­cate children on the im­por­tance of not littering); conducting Commu­nity Pride Days throughout the year and encouraging groups to adopt streets for cleanup; getting the police involved more with issuing fines for littering; involving food restaurants by asking them to pass out small trash bags; and developing bro­chures and advertising to get the community involved in litter prevention.

Keeping it clean in Holly Springs is the main focus of the plan, which was developed after consulting with resi­dents, community groups, businesses and others.

 The plan can be viewed in full on the county’s website, www.hollyspringsmsus.com. Look under Streets, Buildings & Grounds.

If you are reading this and thinking litter is a small problem in the overall scheme of things, I would argue it is a huge problem in the overall scheme of things.

Litter makes our city and county ugly. Litter is expensive and many times hard to clean up. Litter is harmful to people, plants and animals. And perhaps most of all, littering is illegal.

Keep America Beautiful Inc. addresses, “Why do people litter?”

Eighty-one percent of littering is intentional. It is a personal choice.

Litter begets litter. Individuals are much more likely to litter into a littered environment. By contrast, a clean community dis­courages littering and improves overall community quality of life.

People take the attitude that “it’s not my respon­sibility.” Some people feel no sense of ownership for streets, parks, walkways and other public spaces. They believe someone else will pick up after them.

Research shows that individuals under 30 are more likely to litter than those who are older. In fact, age and not gender, is a significant predictor of littering behavior.

Here’s hoping the push toward a cleaner county will keep on keeping on.

As we continue to work together toward moving our county forward, putting a dent in litter is a significant key to our success.

Holly Springs South Reporter

P.O. Box 278
Holly Springs, MS 38635
PH: (662) 252-4261
FAX: (662) 252-3388
www.southreporter.com