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LETTER: Giveaway items becoming an eyesore

From readers Ron and Diane Baerg
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Last month, the Nelson Star published a letter concerning the unsightly condition of the Nelson welcoming signs. Sadly, we feel that this is not the only unattractive eyesore our city now displays.

We are referring to all of the discarded, unwanted, and used “stuff” now appearing on numerous boulevards, streets, and corners, all throughout the city. Almost daily we see people unloading their vehicles and “stuff” on our busy corner. We appreciate that the likely intention is generosity, however, we have seen very few individuals coming back to retrieve their unwanted or untaken items.

A city truck was by late afternoon a few weeks ago and thankfully cleaned up the garbage, including a bed frame that had been there for almost two weeks. Unfortunately, less than 24 hours later, someone was ready to dump their “stuff” again. Last weekend when we asked a man not to leave his stuff there, we were told “this is the place” and he proceeded to unload his things anyway.

To those deciding it is somehow their right to drop their giveaways anywhere they choose, doing so is littering and illegal. It does not matter if your things might be useful elsewhere. You should know that there are immediate health and safety hazards resulting from your actions.

These include possible physical injury to people, children, and animals, especially when coming into contact with hazardous debris such as nails, sharp metals, woods, and nets. Other adverse health risks include chemicals (refrigerators), and tires, which we have also seen disposed of. The chemicals leach into the soil and area waterways causing damage to plants, wildlife, and worsening water quality.

It is time for the City of Nelson and its citizens to get involved and stop this behaviour. Some cities are even offering rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to a conviction of illegal dumpers. Your friends, neighbours, fellow citizens and humans, the animals and plants, nature, our beautiful city and the planet will all appreciate if you dispose of your things responsibly and not leave it by the curb.

Ron and Diane Baerg

Nelson