09/20/2006: "An Open Letter to Litterers"

Hey! Listen up! If I came to your home and started throwing trash in your driveway or yard, or in your house, how would you feel? I bet you wouldn't like it.

When I drive along an island road, or walk a sidewalk in town, or visit a beach, where somebody has carelessly tossed trash, or, worse, deliberately dumped litter, I get mad.

Most people who live on San Juan Island decide to make a home here because the place is beautiful and because island residents value their community and the lifestyle we are able to enjoy here.

So, who is tossing plastic bottles, soft drink and beer cans, chip bags, candy wrappers, styrofoam food containers, cigarette butts, cigarette boxes, construction debris, etc., along our roadways?

I really don't think there is a group of people who deliberately want to "diss" community values and uglify our environment. I think it's an awareness issue, and I think everybody in the community has a responsibility to raise awareness about the litter problem. If you see a tourist tossing something on the ground, suggest he/she pick it up. If you are a parent, tell your kid not to litter. If you are a business owner, provide receptacles for trash. And, if someone drops litter in front of your property, pick it up so it doesn't attract more trash.

This island is our home. Let's take care of it together!

Susan Dehlendorf
San Juan Island