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Litter Issues Discussed at Meeting
By Cathy Patton
They’re not the official litter getters who are coming to the county later in the month, but the group of local officials and volunteers who gathered at the County Commission Thursday evening are all on the same page and of the same mindset. They all have joined together to combat all litter In McDowell County. Zero tolerance is their battle cry in the war against the absence of Solid Waste President Harold McBride; Solid Waste Board member Randall Patton chaired the meeting.
Patton asked for input from the group, who had plenty to say about their efforts. Jimmy Poore, a local truck driver, expressed an interest in a recycling program for the county.
As the newest member of the Solid Waste Board, Patton said it is his goal to try to establish some type of recycling program for the county before his term expires. Patton, Welch Mayor Martha Moore and DEP’s Phyllis Farley promised to assist Poore in any way they can, should he decide to pursue establishing a program. The problem with establishing a recycling program is that it’s generally not profitable in rural areas. The ones in Raleigh and Wyoming counties are subsidized, Farley said.
John Turner, War, questioned the officials about the liability of landlords when tenants move and leave a mess. War businesswoman Jessica “Mama Jessie” Harmon advised Turner to charge the tenant a deposit fee and to include the garbage bill in the rental fee. That way, the problem is addressed properly.
When a tenant moves and leaves a mess, the landlord will still be responsible for the clean up, Chief Magistrate Martin West added. However, he stressed that the point of the litter laws is to get citizens to clean up their property, not to punish them. Only they refuse to do so in a timely manner are they fined and forced to do so anyway.
Solid Waste Authority Office Manager announced that the metal crusher will be in Welch May 8th through 10th and will accept old refrigerators and 10 tires per individual. More details will be announced later, she said.
On another note, Blevins said that the county clean up is slated for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 10th and 11th and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 12th.
Commissioner Lambert noted that he and Commissioner Urps would try to get the landfill to extend the Saturday hours until 3 p.m. during the clean up.
For additional information on the county clean up, phone Blevins or Litter Control Officer Wendell Hatfield at 436-6608.
Dorothy Horne announced that the Elkhorn Creek Clean up is scheduled for April 26. Volunteers are needed and should meet at the Elkhorn Post Office at 9 a.m. About 40 members of the Kanawha Chapter of Trout Unlimited will assist with the effort, Horne said.
Patton added that he and McBride will be there to lend a hand and encouraged others to join the effort.
County Commission PR Director Cathy Patton noted that the County Commission’s Clean it/Green it Program is continuing. Around 5000 structures need to be razed in the county Thus far, she said about 10 or more have been torn down because he process takes time and is expensive. Patton said the applications to get a structure razed are available at the County Commission Office.
Another public meeting on the ongoing county clean up is scheduled for Thursday May 1, 5 p.m. at the County Commission.
“We’re not going to let up after the clean up is done and the litter getters leave,” Patton said. “We’re going to stick with it. People need to know that we’re serious about getting the county cleaned up and keeping that way.”
DISCUSSING THE LITTER PROBLEM - Those pictured here gathered at the County Commission Thursday evening to discuss litter eradication in McDowell County. Shown are SWA Board Member Randall Patton, County Commissioner Carl Urps, James Poore, SWA Office Manager Patricia Blevins, Welch Mayor Martha Moore, John Turner, Jessica “Mama Jessie” Harmon, Chief Magistrate Martin West, Kimball Mayor Randall DeLoach, DEP’s Carroll Vestal, Litter Control Officer Wendell Hatfield, J.J. Rose, McDowell Health Dept.; Bradshaw Mayor Lawrence Crigger, Randy Osborne, Eric Atwell, Dorothy Horne and County Commissioner Gordon Lambert. (Photo by Cathy Patton)
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