Should there be a fine for those discovered littering? Councillor Brian Thompson thinks there ought to be. He brought the issue forward at the May 24 Council meeting.
Thompson said he’s received complaints from two residents in the Melissa area. “I know one of the residents has access to some machinery… and actually pulled, last year, a mattress from the side of the road.” Thompson said the mattress was in a low-lying area and had to be pulled out with a backhoe.
This year, he said complaints were made by two of his constituents who participated in community cleanups around Earth Day. During their separate cleanups, both of them came across garbage that had been left with prescription bottles and an individual’s name on them. He told Council many people who take the time to clean up garbage from their neighbourhoods get frustrated when they see it littered again and again. “I’m just wondering if maybe it’s time, for instance, that we have a significant fine for this kind of thing,” he said.
Thompson said people might think twice about dumping their garbage if they know they could be seen and be hit with a $2,000 fine, as an example.
This is not just somebody throwing a paper wrap. These are like full bags of garbage.Huntsville Councillor Brian Thompson
He also noted municipal cleanup programs in previous years involving Town staff and members of the community, and suggested those could be brought back. Councillor Jonathan Wiebe said he’s also been contacted about community cleanup initiatives. “I think the spirit is out there. People care about the community they live in and they want to see it clean,” said Wiebe who added that he supports more education and municipal or community-led cleanups.
A staff report is expected to be brought back to Council on the issue.
Sue Barnetson says
We have the same issue on the street we live on….some of the garbage comes from weekly recycling….if it’s windy….the wind blows it around…..it also comes from the recycling bins when the drivers pick up the bins and empty them….stuff falls out and no one picks it up. Because we live in a community that welcomes tourists….why aren’t there programs to keep the entire community clean?
Sandra Rae says
Litter especially plastic bottles and dog poop wrapped in plastic, is my pet peeve. In Hidden Valley we have a clean-up every Spring, and my husband and I pick up litter on the Stubb’s Falls trail at Arrowhead every week. One person can not change the world, but everyone can do something. Not throwing plastic in our park, lakes and rivers would be a good place to start. Since we have Earth Day now in the schools, I am assuming every child has been educated about throwing garbage, so I just don’t understand how there can be such a disconnect when it comes to littering.
Jody Cecile says
I agree with Councillor Thompson’s solution and would also request we go one step further. I believe our municipality has a “Clean Yards Act”. I would like to see that this is enforced. In our neighbourhood there are a few properties which are scattered with litter and debris. This is not only an eyesore, but it devalues other properties in the area. Why are these owners not told to clean up or they will be fined? Let’s solve the whole issue, not just one part of it!
Thomas R. Spivak says
In our area much of the litter blows out of the side of the recycling truck. I’ve called to complain and they say is not their problem.
Debbie Bradley says
Our wonderful events held now in Muskoka like the cycle races and triathlons also bring debris thrown on our streets and highways. After one race, along our short stretch of highway I counted (stopped and picked up) 8 plastic water and Gatorade type bottles, some half full. It disturbs me as the cyclists are obviously persons of health promotion and they should be privileged to enjoy the beauty of our natural surroundings as they ride. Please carry it with you to the end of the race! Otherwise you are not a winner in my eyes.
Brian tapley says
When you can identify the culprit, don’t fine them, that is such a common reaction. No have them clean up a mile of road, This will have a more lasting effect.
Mary McCulley says
As the found prescription bottles suggest, litter can also pose a threat to the environment.
The Huntsville Nature Club does an annual clean up of highway 60 east from Muskoka Rd. 3 (for what can seem like many times the number of kilometres we actually do). We have given up on (toxic) cigarette butts as there are too many 1,000nds of these but find other items best taken to a hazardous waste depot such as batteries and opened containers of various household chemicals – some without caps. I once found a plastic grocery bag full of used diapers (not toxic in themselves but with enough plastic to kill many a tiny flora or fauna).
Having an open car window is such a convenient thing! Until we bury paradise and our economy suffers.
dorothy green says
What an awesome idea from Mr. Tapley! Is this possible?
Tom Stehr says
Totally agree, they used to do this in the States for offenders of drunkedness that had to spend the night in jail. The next day they did “road work” ALL day with supervision as the payback for the cost of keeping them overnight.
Tom Stehr says
Councillor Thompson you are 100% correct, something needs to be done. An education program for adults is a must. Maybe some kind of signage on the roads with penalties posted as well, to make people more aware of the problem. I’m very tired and disgusted with drivers using the roadside as a dumping ground because they are either too lazy to have a small garbage bag in their vehicle. This small garbage bag is easily disposed of the next time one goes to a gas station. It shows utter disrespect for nature and those that are proud to live in their communities by littering the countryside.
Local citizens should be allowed to report a vehicles license number and location if spotted dumping garbage to the proper authorities providing they will personally attest to the infraction.
The greatest asset of any of the communities in the District of Muskoka is it’s natural beauty which surrounds them. We should be honouring and protecting this beauty by doing our part in keeping it clean.