Though county officials say the problem isn’t too widespread yet, illegal garbage dumping is beginning to put a strain on finances.

People too lazy to dump their garbage &045; including a couple hundred tires, appliances and mattresses &045; in appropriate receptacles or as the item dictates, should be the ones to pay a hefty fine. Law-abiding residents should not be charged through an increase in fees.

Another problem which solid waste staff encounter is garbage dumped into recycling containers. To ask our county workers to sort through these bins to sort the trash is asking for an increase in rates &045; these folks should be spending their time doing more important work for us, not sorting our garbage because we are too lazy to sort it ourselves.

It’s sad to drive along and see litter lining the roadway or along a fence line. It’s even worse to see it in our parks, and yet we do.

Thousands of visitors come through our county daily and likely wonder what sort of people live here who have so little pride in their community they dump their trash any where it is convenient.

Beautification of our county and city begins with individuals who care enough to do their part to keep trash off roads, ditches and other public areas.