Happy Earth Day – 4/22/2009

Posted by Bob on April 22, 2009 under Daily Blogs | Read the First Comment

“I recognize the right and duty of this generation to develop and use our natural resources, but I do not recognize their right to waste them, or rob by wasteful use, the generations that come after us.“           —-   President Theodore Roosevelt

As we celebrate Earth Day this April 22, 2009, let us remember these wise words by one of America’s first environmentalists.  While we face large challenges to protect our planet, we all can make a difference by performing the simplest of acts.  Disposing of trash appropriately, recycling when possible and conserving energy and water requires personal responsibility, but costs nothing.  We celebrate Earth Day one day per year, but need to act upon the spirit of the day all year long.

Our campaign recently participated in an Earth Day Clean-Up of Breen/Rotary Field North and South.  While most of our campaign events have been and continue to be a lot of fun, I have to say that the clean-up was quite difficult and sometimes disturbing.

Some of the trash removed from the bank behind the backstops and along the river appeared as if it had been there for years.  Empty liquor bottles, styrofoam cups, plastic containers and bags and discarded signs were just a few of the items found.  Pricker bushes made getting to some of the trash quite dangerous.  Much of the trash was likely thrown over the years from passing cars entering Route 8 South.  We even found a Christmas tree, several strings of lights attached, along the riverbank.

Many residents have commented to me regarding the amount of trash, debris and litter throughout the Borough, much of which is left at our gateways in and out of town.  I realize that it is difficult to enforce our existing blight ordinances given our limited resources, but more effort needs to be made to deter irresponsible people from littering our community.

We need to work closely with our police officers to refine a system to catch and penalize people who leave or dump their trash throughout the Borough.  There are several responsible ways to dispose of trash and debris, and there is no excuse for those who flagrantly ignore the law.

Unsightly garbage has economic consequences as well.  Failure to keep our community clean reduces property values and decreases are ability to attract new business to the Borough.

Naugatuck is a great, beautiful community.  After years of neglecting and/or abusing our natural resources, much has been accomplished to make Naugatuck a more environmentally-friendly place.   We now need to work together to ensure that illegal dumping and littering will not be tolerated in the Borough.

Thank you to all individuals and groups that are doing their part to celebrate Earth Day by organizing and participating in clean-ups, plantings and educational endeavors.