Anyone else noticed how trashy Corvallis is looking?

[Dan Crall]

Hi neighbors,

Along with a few others, I have focused a fair amount of effort in the last year at cleaning up cigarette butt litter, in addition to other trash I see around the neighborhood or in town.  This has generated some interest from the local paper in covering, specifically, the effort aimed at OSU's outlandish cigarette litter problem and finding solutions.  Solutions are in the works as I type, and the effort continues...

I've noticed though, even on simple evening walks in my neck of the woods, I can't help but start picking up all the litter I see around the neighborhood.  Or walking my son to school a few blocks away, gathering up several handfuls of plastic, paper, and cigarette trash that lines the streets and curbs regularly.  And biking thru downtown or toward campus, there are parts of town that look like a trash pit.

Even though it's not paid, I feel the need to give volunteer effort toward this problem.  If nothing else, I just can't ignore it any longer.  And perhaps my focus on the litter has amplified what I notice, but it seems to be especially trashed lately, in most or all of the city.  Notably, cigarette litter is a large enough problem that it needs attention from the city.  Currently, enforcing the offensive litter law is a low priority for the police, as discussed with both the Sergeant and Lieutenant.  It carries a max. fine of $1,250, again, rarely, if ever enforced.   

I'm always open to suggestions or assistance, and the purpose of this email is to encourage you, dear neighbor, to notice and perhaps help alleviate this problem with whatever is in your power.  Maybe take a rubber glove and small bag on your next walk... or keep necessary materials for cleanup in your bike saddle for when you have a moment of free time and inspiration.  It's a mess out there!  And much of it just ends up in the river.  Be bold enough to say something when you spot a litter-bug.  Shame for dumb behavior is often a positive catalyst.  It was for me when I was a teenager or 20-something, and still today.  

Please and thanks.  It's not our job, but it IS our community.  Feel free to discuss or send ideas.

Have a great rest of the day.

--

Dan Crall - 

SE Powell PL
541-609-8949

[The LaFevres]

Dan, thank you for calling attention to this increasing issue. It saddens me when I see the disregard for our neighborhoods and our beautiful city as a whole. The amount of discarded items, that with minimal effort could have been appropriately placed in a receptacle, continues to increase with the number of visitors and residents. I routinely pick up as I go as well, and on one occasion quickly filled a large bag of trash as well as recyclable items.

 

I was raised with the belief that if everyone did their part, there wouldn’t be a problem…  Sadly, not everyone shares that belief. That said, I believe it is an education issue. This is a city (and state) wide issue so would ask that our city council representatives be made aware of growing concerns and make it a priority to develop a city wide plan to address.  

 

Below is an example from an online search for programs aimed at addressing the issue. There are many more, with many examples by simply searching how to stop littering in your community…     

 

http://www.kab.org/site/PageServer?pagename=litterprevention_what_you_can_do

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[Miriam Edell]

How about a fun day of clean up this spring, with a potluck at the end?

Miriam

[The LaFevres]

Sounds like a great start!

[Dan Crall]

I'm all for that.  I've been thinking of a bicycle-powered massive cleanup of cigarettes, but a full-on day of pickup sounds great as well.

--

Dan Crall - Owner/Operator, Corvallis Pedicab
www.corvallispedicab.com
541-609-8949

[Miriam Edell]

How about a 2 hour clean up date, Mar 13, it's also daylight savings day.

11-1pm with a potluck to follow.

We can reserve the Willamette Park shelter for $100.  Any other ideas of where we can gather for free after a few hours of picking up trash.

Miriam

[Beeara Edmonds]

I wonder if this event, which is a benefit tot he beautification of our park, could get the fee waived for renting?

Beeara

[Miriam Edell]

I asked.  They said no.

Miriam

[Miriam Edell]

Seems likely we can get the shelter for free.

Does Mar 13 work for most people?

Should we go ahead and schedule that, 11-1 (It will feel like 10-12, as our bodies will not have adjusted from the day before).

We could make it later too.

Miriam

On Thu, Jan 28, 2016 at 8:45 AM, John Ame <led...@peak.org> wrote:

I’ll ask.

I think it’s unlikely the shelter will be reserved at that day and time and so I would just plan on using it without a reservation.  You can call the Friday before and double check.

John

On Jan 27, 2016, at 4:22 PM, Miriam <miria...@gmail.com> wrote:

Any chance you can sway parks and rec to donate the shelter for a clean up day in S Town?

Mar 13

Miriam 

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: Sally Shaw <sh...@peak.org>
Date: January 27, 2016 at 2:33:31 PM PST
To: "Miria...@gmail.com" <Miria...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [south-corvallis] Anyone else noticed how trashy Corvallis is looking?

Miriam,  Ask John Ame's assistance with PandR since he works there.

Sent from my iPhone

[Beeara Edmonds]

I'm up for it... Thanks for stepping up with an idea.

Beeara

[mark willhoit]

I got that pickup load of homeless crap out of willamatte park last week. I have a waterheater located on the edge of crystal lake, there is also an old heating oil tank but I cant find it with the water level where it is, unless someone else got it.  mark w

[Leela]

[nancy bee]

I have a pocket in my backpack that I reserve for trash that I pick up into. I also use the back pocket of my pants to put small scraps of litter. And yes I do target cigarette butts. As far as I know they will never decompose. I pick up whatever I find. It feels good to do. 

Better to light one candle than to curse the darkness. 

Nancy

Big fingers small screen. 

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[Linda Hessel]

Great idea, I'm in. Thanks for organizing it!

[R. Weinsteiger]

I have spoke with Parks and Recreation.  Steve McGettigan from PR will provide shovels, gloves, trash bags etc for a Willamette Park Clean-up.  He said he will block out the shelter for our use as well. Sunday 3/13 11-1pm - Potluck afterwards. He would like to meet with an organizer a week or two before the clean-up.

Rebecka Weinsteiger