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DEL.ICIO.USDo Peachtree City kids need a cleanup lesson?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The idea of a “Peachtree City Cleanup” almost seems like an oxymoron. After growing up in New Orleans—even pre-Katrina—my husband and I still marvel at the pristine surroundings we now call home. We feel fortunate to live in a city where the majority of residents take pride in their surroundings and do their part to keep our main roads and neighborhood streets litter-free.
Nonetheless, Peachtree City will participate April 7 in the Great American Cleanup, a nationwide community improvement program sponsored by Keep America Beautiful Inc. Volunteers will be asked to pick up litter along roadways, cartpaths and in parks from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Anyone interested in participating in this effort should call 770-487-5183 to sign up.
It’s important, I think, for cities to engage in such initiatives if, for no other reason, than to instill in our next generation of citizens a sense of responsibility for their environment. I am often at soccer and baseball games and practices where the kids walk away from the field or the dugout leaving their empty drink bottles and snack trash behind. Parents, including myself, who were raised with a sense of civic duty, end up clearing away the mess. But it’s really the kids’ responsibility, and we need to teach them that because they are the keepers of our environment’s future.
Have you noticed a declining sense of responsibility among our youth when it comes to picking up after themselves? Will you participate in the city’s cleanup? What areas are in most need of attention?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Donna Soper
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By geralyn
March 29, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
Yes, my children and I will be participating in the event with Boy Scout Troop 181. I have had the opposite encounter and have seen many PTC youth stop and pick up their trash after leaving sporting events or at the movie theater. I have also been to many band festivals where the bleachers around the Spirit of McIntosh High School Marching Band is completely clean, while other participating schools areas are completely rubbished (photos are available). I think it has a lot to do with parents and teachers letting the youth know what is expected and holding them accountable for their own mess.
By Battery Way Resident
March 29, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
My Son (14) and I often take a small trash bag when we go on our golf cart rides and use it to pick up trash. I get the strangest looks. But I feel I can keep the area around my home/subdivision much cleaner this way. Lead by example.
By Keep PTC beautiful
March 29, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this
Many paths especially near the McDonald’s are littered with fast-food debris. There is a huge littering problem. Haven’t you seen volunteers on weekend mornings along Peachtree parkway picking up trash? Littering, along with the grafitti that is starting to take over on private properety or tunnels along the paths are but symptoms of changes for the worse. I am with the lady who takes her son with her and picks up trash while driving on her golf cart, “lead by example.” Parents need to monitor who the children’s friends are also.