Spring is here, and the roadside weeds will soon cover our shame.

Nature has given Richmond County a beautiful land. Yet, many people are spoiling it.

Travel many back roads in the county and you will see what looks like a Third World country littered with trash.

Many people who litter probably are the same ones who complain about a lack of opportunities in the county.

When investors see the sea of trash beside our roads, the impression is we don’t have a good sense of community, we have an attitude that indicates sloppiness of character which may include work habits, and no respect for others - not exactly a formula for success.

Unfortunately, North Carolina laws prompt littering. It is understandable why people throw alcohol beverage containers out of vehicles. With state law forbidding open containers in vehicles, it is necessary to throw them out. This destructive law does not serve to curb drunk driving, is useless and rarely prosecuted.

Threatening fines for littering is a “feel good” law which is mostly unenforceable. We don’t need to waste judicial system time prosecuting cases when serious crimes await action.

What trash isn’t thrown out seems to blow out from open-bed trucks.

Frankly, we need more people riding motorcycles. Motorcyclists don’t litter if they value their safety.

Litter hurts everyone. It devalues property. It devalues our humanity. It is an affront to nature. It discourages development.

Our county is awash with branches, streams and creeks providing us with life-giving water which is being threatened with pollution from litter.

If we want the good life here in Richmond County, many attitudes have got to change or we will be trashing our future.

Hopefully we can recover from our shame.

Tom MacCallum

Rockingham