Everyone really needs to pitch in to clean up roadside trash
Q
I enjoy your normally positive attitude, but
I assume you may have some postholiday blahs so allow me to lighten your load and respond to letters from two women upset about the litter on our roads. I agree with both women and you about the terrible trash situation that exists, but I strongly suspect that our feelings will not make the junk disappear. So let’s be part of a solution.
— Lura Halbert,
Los Gatos
A
We are all ears.
Q
When you go for a walk, take two plastic bags with you. Put one over your hand and pick up trash to deposit in the other. Set a personal goal. Mine is 25 items per outing.
When you are out and observe someone putting trash into an appropriate container, smile and call out: “Thank you. I wish everyone would follow your example.” And if you are out and see someone toss some trash, smile and call out, “Oh, would you like me to pick that up for you?”
I am elderly and my comments surprise many people.
Happy 2019 to you and your wife.
— Lura Halbert
A
If folks follow your terrific example, this could be a very good year.
Q
Remember the ads years ago that showed an Indian chief with tears in his eye begging folks to keep this country clean? We need him back.
— Marilyn Dorsa,
Los Gatos
A
Yes, we do. Nearly five decades ago, Keep America Beautiful created a powerful visual image that dramatized how litter and other forms of pollution were hurting the environment. The ad featured Native American actor Iron Eyes Cody, “The Crying Indian,” first aired on Earth Day in 1971. The spot was named one of the top 100 advertising campaigns of the 20th century by Ad Age magazine.
Q
I love California, even with all its blemishes. We moved here from the Pacific Northwest fully intending to move back after five years. But after six months of our glorious weather, I said, “Not moving back.” A big thing that I miss is clean roads. They have offender crews out cleaning up the messes making it nice for everyone else. Why doesn’t California follow this model of our neighbors to the north?
— Sandy Pollack,
San Jose
A
We do, but those folks are given the option of performing other community work such as picking up trash at local parks. Safer and effective.
Q
My daughter pointed out two huge “weeds” to me as we were getting on the 85 Freeway at Cottle Road. She told me that these two plants are marijuana. Can you alert someone to get rid of them if they are indeed marijuana?
— Carin Hmieleski,
San Jose
A Done.