Editor:
I just wanted to say thank you to all the property owners and tenants, both residents and businesses, who make the effort to keep their road frontages free and clear of litter.
Your pride in both your property and our community does not go unnoticed. If more of us did the same, our roadways would look a lot better cared for, and those who insist on throwing a growing number of coffee cups, water bottles, beer cans and cigarette butts out the window might start to think twice about indulging in their lazy and overtly selfish behaviour.
Littering is a fineable offence for a reason - it's ugly, and it's expensive for the highways contractor and municipalities to do regular litter collection (if it ever does get cleaned up).
Consequently, it makes sense for the rest of us to ensure as little litter as possible makes it out of our vehicles and to share the responsibility of cleaning up what lands on our property perimeters. How? Make sure open loads of garbage are properly secured for highway travel, ensure passengers aren't throwing garbage out the window, secure garbage in cans (not just bags - too easy for animals to spread it everywhere) on collection day, do a regular pick-up of any litter around your property, and for all our sakes, keep garbage in your car (or on your person if you're walking) until you get to a garbage can.
Your neighbours, visitors who come here to experience our stunning Coast and those of us who end up picking up after you will thank you. You might feel better too.
Victoria Gazeley
Gibsons
