Too much litter along roads
I am 13 years-old, a home-educated eighth grader from West Finley. My family and I have enjoyed strolling our beautiful backroads until recently. We have been concerned about the amount of garbage lying on the side of many roads. For example, along West Finley Road, approximately 300 feet from the Majorsville Road intersection, the grass was covered with beer and water bottles, pop cans and even pizza boxes. On Good Intent Road, we found over a dozen pornographic videos. Other community members have found spoons and needles, presumably used by drug abusers. Children and animals can be injured by rubbish discarded on the side of the road.
Windy Gap Evangelical Presbyterian Church organized a clean-up of our local roads. Along with 30 neighbors and West Finley firemen, our family joined in bagging waste. As our family packed garbage bags full, a highly competitive game started between my brother and I. We endeavored to see who could find the most tires. I was disappointed when I was told that tires were not removed by the state. In fact, Pennsylvania is one of only two states where there is no requirement to pick up street litter. We can, however, call the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at 724-223-4480 to request that specific roads be cleaned.
The church’s organizer encouraged us to call and request portions of Route 231 in Claysville to be cleaned, which is well-traveled, curvy and a danger to volunteers. We called and state workers cleaned this stretch by the end of the week.
All Pennsylvanians can do the same for their communities.
Gabrielle Acor
West Finley