Pushing trash under the rug.....SPEAK UP AND RAISE YOUR VOICES!

According to Shelby County today: "In the discussion which involved the possible closing of a portion of CR 1000 also known as Roughrider Drive. Commissioner Pct 1, Roscoe McSwain, stated a letter was received from the City of Center to the affect that the Council had voted to close their portion of the road. McSwain re-interated that he still considered this road a county maintained road and made a motion to deny the closing. With a second from Bradley Allen, it was voted by all to Deny the Closing. (The City of Center wants to close this road primarily to take care of a problem with trash dumping in the area.)

Citizen of Center, Bob Evans, who owns land which is adjacent to Roughrider Drive, was allowed to address the court with concerns over the trash situation. He questioned if there was any consideration taking place over the issue. If the problem couldn’t be addressed by closing the road, then what would be the courts' suggestions? Judge Campbell said that he is continuing to talk with Center's City Manager about Regional Transfer Stations or other solutions. Mr. Evans suggestion was to set up something like this transfer system in each precinct saying that citizens need a place to take their trash on a consistent basis. Several of the commissioners, as well as Judge Campbell, stated that they are continuing to work on a solution to the problem. "

I feel for Mr. Evans for sure. I mean really, just because the land, or part of it, belongs to him that does not make it his problem alone. I also do not think closing the road is a solution but rather a band-aid. I am glad to see that the commissioners voted against that. Now perhaps someone will have to be held accountable for the real issue at hand rather than turn the other cheek. According to the paperwork and reports I received from TCEQ, this mess was supposed to be cleaned by the end of November or fines were to be issued. I think it might be time for me to follow up on this. I wonder if TCEQ knows that it has yet to be cleaned?

As far as my ravine, it is still trash free.....but the sides of my road are littered with beer cans, boxes, and just general litter that people are tossing out the window. I guess beggars can't be choosers but I will say that the idea of writing that tax check out this year with the way my road looks just burns me up! When will my money work for me?

I will also say that it saddens me that this page has not received more of a response. Do you guys realize that we really created a stir and for a while, at least everyone was discussing the issue which is more than what was happening and more than what is happening now? If we go away and stop talking, the problem does not go away...it just gets pushed under the rug with the rest of the dirt.....come on guys....use your voice. That is what being an American is all about.