1/10/2002

Thoughts on Life and Litter from the Bag Lady

by Betsey Wright

Just finished a three-bagger. Right off the garbage trail, I’m tired, a little frustrated and cranky. I was picking up on the city line by the railroad bridge at Merwin Ave. It has woods and tracks alongside; plus it’s the intersection of three towns, so what better place for people to toss trash? Orange people toss with a “Here’s to you, Milford!” West Haveners do a “Take this, Orange and West Haven!” Maybe Milfordites wait until the Orange side. Anyway, this place is where I’m frequently seen dragging a garbage bag along the road, gathering beer cans, coffee cups, liquor bottles, and assorted other packaging. The bad news is that so many folks in Milford drink alcohol; the good news is that they have safe sex. The neighbors have given up and turn a blind eye to the debris. I can’t. I believe complainers have a duty to Pick Up or Shut Up. I complain, so picking up is what I do.

Gulf Beach is another of my territories. The city empties the barrels every Tuesday, but they always overflow. (Public Works says new barrels are on order. Good.) Recently, a gentleman on the beach told me the litter was dropped by “aliens.” I figured he meant “immigrants”, which I pointed out were all sides of my family roots: after that, our remarks got heated. Shouting matches and poison ivy are two of the down sides to doing good deeds. By the way—I am not the only local shero. Many fishermen and a woman named Ms. Foran pick up regularly; in fact, lots of people do.

 The area near Foran H.S. is my regular route. Interesting, how the lovely intersection of Yale Ave. at Edgefield is a prime garbage-throwing attraction. Empty the car of beer cans before entering the high school lot—or after leaving—and ditch those Dunkin’ Donuts cups. Only the local wildlife get the pleasure of watching it all hit the bushes.

We should tax establishments selling throw-away refreshment containers. Use the money to hire a roving litter-lifter. How about an ordinance requiring take-out businesses to clean up within a 500’ radius? Better still, ban all take-outs. Let’s get off our butts and go out to dinner. Let’s wash all dishes, including ones in the school café. That would set an example. Bring your freshly-rinsed cup into a coffee-shop for a refill, or your plate and fork into Macdonald’s. Give prizes for cars that are loaded to the brim with garbage, meaning the stuff goes home, not out the window.

 Hey…before I go…listen to this! I have in my possession a great find! Car-bagged litter launched into a ditch, with personal paperwork inside! Oh, dear. Huge mistake. Name written all over the stuff. It came from folks on Oxford Lane and Warner St. Think I should call the MPD? Or turn them in for the huge fine? What to do, what to...