Last month was the annual Trash Off sponsored by the Shangri La Botanical Gardens in Orange. Two ladies that have been actively involved each Spring in picking up litter are Sandra Cash and Sandra Hoke.
The “Trashy Ladies” as they call themselves are part of the Keep Orange County Beautiful program. The two Sandras state without hesitation that there is too much litter in Orange County.
They both spoke at a recent City Council meeting in West Orange, and Hoke pointed out people throwing litter on the ground is an everyday problem and the amount of litter picked up has increased every year during the Trash Off. The trash picked up is just the tip of the iceberg. “I saw the area I picked up the very next day, and I counted this year there were twelve pieces of trash just from overnight, so it happens daily,” Hoke professed.
Getting people to have a change of attitude about throwing their drink cups or take out bags of fast food from their vehicles is a must. Cash emphasized litter ordinances in some municipalities should be more strictly enforced and with stiffer fines, suggesting as much as $500 per offense. She believes the West Orange litter ordinance written in 1976 is antiquated. Cash added, “I don’t think it’s enforced.”
West Orange Mayor Roy McDonald agreed people throwing litter on the road is a problem and adds his city is working to stop it. He cited South Street and other major thoroughfares in the city as being difficult to keep clear of trash and rubbish. “We do have an ordinance and we do have sizable penalties for doing that, however, we have to absolutely see the person throwing the rubbish out the window in order to get him for littering,” McDonald explained.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
Carol hahn says
I walked out of Krogers and someone threw out two disgusting pieces of trash right in front of the store! I asked her why didn’t she get out and pick it up as the trash can was right behind her car. She replied “because I don’t have to”! I said I thought you might have a little more pride in your community than that. To her credit after I walked off, she got out of the car and did pick it up.
Charles says
Problem with enforcing laws is that there is no followup. Thousands of people are on the cities and county’s web sites of people breaking laws. There you will find that there is no follow up by the courts and judges as to collecting fines.
Yvonne Lenhard says
I totally agree that fines should be imposed if people are caught littering. Orange is becoming one big garbage dump.
gwen mathis says
We live on HWY 105 right off 87, continually picking up the trash in my ditches, never ending chore!!
Jarvis A.Buckley Jr. says
The City employees are working hard.
Mike Hickey says
All about enforcement. Western Avenue speed limit comes to mind as an example.
Most all know going faster than 30 mph is not a good idea. Why is that?
Leslie E Barras says
Sandra C and Sandra H – thank you for your continued diligence on this issue.