that the dumpster sites will stay. But if the present mess

that the dumpster sites will stay. But if the present mess continues, it’s perhaps only a question of time before their removal will be proposed again. It would, after all, be the one sure solution to the problem.

And, as Mr. McCarthy pointed out, the mess costs everyone money. If the money spent on heavy equipment to clean it up is doubled from $300 to $600 per month, in one year that’s $3,600 wasted — money which could have been put to better use elsewhere.

But if for no other reason, shouldn’t pride in the beauty of our county cause everyone to think twice before heaving that bag without regard for whether it lands in the dumpster? Those sites, as much as our mountains, are part of the scenic “beauty” of Rappahannock which visitors to the county carry home with them.

And for those stubborn few who still don’t get the point, perhaps they will heed Mr. McCarthy’s last suggestion: that witnesses to their slovenly behavior report them to the Sheriffs Department. Maybe the only remedy which will get their attention is a citation for illegal dumping.

With the cooperation of Commonwealth’s Attorney Peter Luke and General District Court Judge Charles Foley, the stiffest possible fines and some community service hours (preferably spent cleaning up the sites) may lead even the slobs who make the dumpsters so unpleasant to understand that the county is serious about getting this problem under control.

RALLY ’round the clean-up

Speaking of cleaning up messes around the county, this Saturday marks the Rappahannock Anti-Litter League and You’s second foray into the field to battle the winter’s litter accumulation.

The organizers are hoping for a turnout larger than last. year’s. We hope they’re right.

It’s a worthwhile effort, though sometimes the scope of the litter problem makes it seem insurmountable. It just never seems to disappear. On week, a stretch of highway is cleaned and the next week someone thoughtlessly dumps a bag of garbage.

The beautiful job is undone in one careless act.

In one sense, that’s quite true. As long as some people feel that the world outside their car window, or campsite, or property is their trash can, there will always be a litter problem.

But on the other hand, the more involved people get with cleaning up the litter, the less likely they will be to add to the problem. And perhaps, if those watching see their friends and neighbors spending their Saturday picking up other people’s garbage, they will think twice before adding their litter

It’s going to take a long time to erase the bad habits built up through years of thoughtlessness. But RALLY, with the cooperation of a number of individuals, groups and businesses, is making an effort. That’s important.