Legislation could soon be on the way to combat littering in Carter County.
In an update from Carter County Proud, co-founder Ed Jordan thanked the efforts of Carter County Commissioner Timothy Holdren, who recently made a proposal to help combat litter.
Jordan provided an excerpt from Holdren during the meeting, who stated, “Gentlemen, in the Carter County Health and Welfare Committee meeting last night, we discussed the possibility of getting legislation passed to ‘ticket’ anyone with a fine similar to the one for not wearing a seat belt to anyone who throws a cigarette out of a car window. With the current emphasis and effort being placed on keeping our county clean, this would be an excellent time to evaluate the proposed fine. The monies received can be earmarked for cleanup and education efforts. Please consider the possibility and let me know if I can help any way.”
Jordan stressed the importance of helping the measure passed in the future.
“I encourage all Carter County Proud members to contact their City Council members, city mayor, county commissioners, Carter County mayor and state legislators in support of Commissioner Holdren’s suggestion to help clean Carter County,” he said. “I will be doing the same.”
Jordan also provided an update on Carter County Proud becoming an affiliate with Keep America Beautiful. The co-founder stated he developed a three-year plan and is awaiting a meeting with the Chamber of Commerce and Elizabethton City Planner Jon Hartman and encouraged Carter County Proud members to contact officials to show support for joining the organization.
Along with the updates, Jordan announced another cleanup for Milligan Highway, the group’s adopted highway via the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s “Adopt-A-Highway” program, set for Saturday, Oct. 8, at 9 a.m. The group will meet at the parking lot at Happy Valley Elementary School.
“Thanks to all that are getting the word out, educating and picking up litter in support of our efforts of cleaning up Carter County,” Jordan stated as a message to the community. “Please keep up the great work. We can see results in some areas, but we still have a long way to go.”
For more information on Carter County Proud, visit their Facebook page online.