Clean Up Your Mess!

To the Editor:

I just got home from my morning walk with my dog Licorice as I sit in front of my computer to write. Usually I am in a good mood and ready to take on the day, but unfortunately I am preoccupied. I am amazed at how others behave. During my walks this week I am disgusted by the amount of garbage left behind by those who watched the parade. The corner of Glover Avenue and Main Street appeared to be hit the worst with large piles of cups, napkins, wrappers, etc, you name it, it was there. I even saw a plastic shopping bag with a roll of unused toilet paper.

What are people thinking? Are you all so entitled that you can’t clean up after yourselves? It’s bad enough that on a daily basis I am finding dog poop on the sidewalk on Main Street and surrounding roads, but do the paradegoers need to add to that mess. The homeowners may not own the curb, but they are surely responsible for maintaining it. All because they live in the center of town with sidewalks along a parade route does not give us the right to litter and leave our dog’s droppings wherever they lay.

I can’t believe that I am writing this! I feel as though I am talking to my kids when I say “Please clean up after yourselves.” No one wants to clean up after you! I even picked up someone else’s dog poop off the sidewalk the other day only to find a new pile the very next day in the same exact spot of the sidewalk. Are you kidding me?

I don’t know about you but I feel so lucky to live in such a beautiful town where I can walk and see friends along the way. Unfortunately, I’m realizing, not everyone feels that way. Respect the homeowners and walkers along these roads and clean up after yourselves and your dogs.

Jennifer Peterson

25 The Boulevard, Newtown                                September 10, 2009