Residents Urge Cleanup Along County Roads
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Bill and Carol Huffer would like the trash picked up along county roads, calling the litter in ditches and along wetlands appalling.
"I remember my parents saying, when they went to Montana 15 years ago, that they knew they were back in Kosciusko County because of all the trash on the highways," Bill Huffer said at the Kosciusko County Commissioners' meeting Tuesday.
"We would like to start a program of highway cleanup. We imagine a committee will have to be formed, letters sent to the editor, have talks with the township trustees ... It's a big project."
Carol Huffer reminded the commissioners of the national "Every Litter Bit Hurts" campaign of the 1970s. She said her kids wouldn't dream of throwing anything out of the car, which she believes is the root of the problem now.
She noted that most of the trash along their road is bags and wrappings from "fast food" restaurants.
Bill asked about Superior Court II Judge James Jarrette sentencing people convicted of underage drinking to road cleanup crews.
Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine said Jarrette discontinued that particular program.
Reserve officers also have supervised cleanup along CR 350W near U.S. 30, along the railroads and in cemeteries for many years.
"The sheriff's department is more than willing to help," Rovenstine said.
"We don't know where to begin outside our own road," Carol Huffer said.
Audience member Joni Truex of the Kosciusko County Builder's Association said the Kiwanis Club had an annual adopt-a-highway day, she wasn't sure about other service clubs.
Sue Studebaker, Solid Waste Management District director, said to make sure everyone involved wore safety vests and gloves.
Studebaker was asked by commissioner Ron Truex to contact the Packerton landfill management to see if they'd accept the roadway trash at the landfill for free.
County highway superintendent Dennis Pletcher said his department would help, too.
The board also:
• Heard when work begins on the Welch Ditch bridge, traffic will be detoured off Ind. 19. The route will be from Ind. 19 to CR 200S to 950W to CR 100S, back to Ind. 19.
• Approved a change order for the North Webster South Street bridge in the amount of $2,133 bringing the project total to $269,092.
• Approved a stop sign ordinance change at the "T" intersection of CR 550E and CR 725E. The sign will be moved to the southwest corner of CR 725E at CR 550E. Traffic on CR 725E will stop at CR 550E.
• Reminded the commissioners Emergency Management Director Ed Rock will perform two songs, "Back Home Again In Indiana" and "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the state basketball finals this weekend.
• Approved an inter-local agreement with the solid waste district to have county auditor act as the district's finance controller. [[In-content Ad]]
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Bill and Carol Huffer would like the trash picked up along county roads, calling the litter in ditches and along wetlands appalling.
"I remember my parents saying, when they went to Montana 15 years ago, that they knew they were back in Kosciusko County because of all the trash on the highways," Bill Huffer said at the Kosciusko County Commissioners' meeting Tuesday.
"We would like to start a program of highway cleanup. We imagine a committee will have to be formed, letters sent to the editor, have talks with the township trustees ... It's a big project."
Carol Huffer reminded the commissioners of the national "Every Litter Bit Hurts" campaign of the 1970s. She said her kids wouldn't dream of throwing anything out of the car, which she believes is the root of the problem now.
She noted that most of the trash along their road is bags and wrappings from "fast food" restaurants.
Bill asked about Superior Court II Judge James Jarrette sentencing people convicted of underage drinking to road cleanup crews.
Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine said Jarrette discontinued that particular program.
Reserve officers also have supervised cleanup along CR 350W near U.S. 30, along the railroads and in cemeteries for many years.
"The sheriff's department is more than willing to help," Rovenstine said.
"We don't know where to begin outside our own road," Carol Huffer said.
Audience member Joni Truex of the Kosciusko County Builder's Association said the Kiwanis Club had an annual adopt-a-highway day, she wasn't sure about other service clubs.
Sue Studebaker, Solid Waste Management District director, said to make sure everyone involved wore safety vests and gloves.
Studebaker was asked by commissioner Ron Truex to contact the Packerton landfill management to see if they'd accept the roadway trash at the landfill for free.
County highway superintendent Dennis Pletcher said his department would help, too.
The board also:
• Heard when work begins on the Welch Ditch bridge, traffic will be detoured off Ind. 19. The route will be from Ind. 19 to CR 200S to 950W to CR 100S, back to Ind. 19.
• Approved a change order for the North Webster South Street bridge in the amount of $2,133 bringing the project total to $269,092.
• Approved a stop sign ordinance change at the "T" intersection of CR 550E and CR 725E. The sign will be moved to the southwest corner of CR 725E at CR 550E. Traffic on CR 725E will stop at CR 550E.
• Reminded the commissioners Emergency Management Director Ed Rock will perform two songs, "Back Home Again In Indiana" and "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the state basketball finals this weekend.
• Approved an inter-local agreement with the solid waste district to have county auditor act as the district's finance controller. [[In-content Ad]]