Trash talk
Dennis A. Taylor
2008-05-13 18:56:44
Trash talkI’m writing today relative to a growing concern by many of us in Fauquier County and the Town of Warrenton who respect beauty and despise garbage and ugliness.
Recently, I invested some time chatting with representatives of the Virginia State Police and Town of Warrenton Police Department (I left e-mail and voice messages for but have not heard back yet from the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office), and they are in complete agreement that the litter issue (along with graffiti and illegal roadside signs) is getting out of control.
These entities have agreed in concept to continue and/or step up their enforcement efforts by citing and/or arresting offenders if we, the residents of Fauquier County, launch public-awareness and education campaigns.
Many people, believe it or not, just don’t know that it is illegal to litter or, worse yet, they simply don’t care.
Frankly, I’m sick and tired of picking up after other people and have decided to muster some support from the public to see if we can’t get some things accomplished via education, awareness and citizen’s arrests, if required (the public can act as the eyes and ears of law enforcement agencies by reporting offenders and appearing in court to testify on behalf of the law enforcement community).
We need to solve this issue at “root cause,” and stop band-aiding it by spending countless volunteer hours picking up garbage along the roadside.
We must educate, then fine and arrest offenders when they violate the law — period.
Issuing citations against a long-standing law will help solve the problem, and it also creates significant revenue.
Section 33.3-346 of the Code of Virginia makes littering or dumping trash a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine up to $2,500.
What are we waiting for? Let’s earn some money and solve a growing problem now before it overtakes our county. We can do this.
I have written an article on this subject and posted it on the Times-Democrat Web site, www.fauquier.com under “News by you.”
I have also included the topic in my business blog at the same site.
Many people have read the articles and several have made contact with me via e-mail and phone and are interested in getting behind a solution to this issue.
We would like to get this subject on your collective agendas — it may not be the most pressing or burning issue our county faces, but at a minimum we need your help to engage and educate town and county employees and department heads, and to help us get the word out to our citizens and the folks who drive through our lovely county every day on their way to or from work.
I’m hopeful that the Fauquier Chamber of Commerce, The Partnership for Warrenton and the Southern Fauquier Business Owners Association will also get involved in supporting the communication process by forwarding this information to their members.
I welcome any guidance you can provide — it’s been a long time since I tried to head up an initiative like this and want to do things professionally, properly and successfully.
We could also use some progressive, committed support from our local press and suggest a meeting between a handful of concerned citizens, The Fauquier Times-Democrat, Warrenton Lifestyle magazine, and the local law enforcement entities.
Let’s have a forum, brainstorm some solutions, and feature the outcome in the Times-Democrat, Warrenton Lifestyle, Town Crier and the many local Web sites that are operated by organizations.
We can make a difference with your help. We need to get the word out now and reinforce the message by repeating it over and over again going forward.
Thank you in advance for your consideration, input and assistance.
Dennis A. Taylor
Catlett