Pigpen------Sacola?

A constituent repurposed a piece of junk mail to send me ideas on how to stop the local litterbugs from turning our community into "Pigpen-sacola"  Interesting, creative  approach....

The package was nondescript.  Actually it was something I almost tossed into the trash receptacle--because it looked like junk mail.  Well, it actually was a junk mail envelope sent to someone else who subsequently repurposed it.

It was apparently one of those life insurance solicitation envelopes we all get.  This one was taped together with masking tape, clear tape, and staples and upon which someone subsequntly plopped 3 first class and one 2cent  postage stamp(s).  I wonder how the postage amount was worked out precisely? Did they weigh the envelope with a postage scale, or just guesstimate?

Oh well.  

Maybe I should have looked for wires or put it to my ear to listen for the ticking before I opened it.  but I didn't and it turned out okay.  

Except for the puff of powedery substance that eminated from the package as I openend it.  (okay, that didn't happen.....)  Maybe it did and was clear?  Nah....

Anyway....

It, this envelope, was repurposed to send me multiple "ideas" ----in stream of consciousness fashion.  some doodles, some drawings, some hand drawn posters, and four note cards with slogan ideas and smiley faces.

All in a AAA Autoclub mass mailer that was opened, had the contents taken out, and stuffed with these works of art and words of wisdom and cobbled back together McGuyver-style.  The only thing they didn't work into the compilation was rubber bands.....

No, the contents of the "Pigpen-sacola" package were not an elementary school class project....so far as I have been able to ascertain from the clues.....probably.  I think.

In what would have been the return envelope location, the following was handwritten:

"Info inside  SAMPLE POSTERS, IDEAS CONCERN re-littering discussion in 'pigpen---sacola?' (from some senior saint ladies)"

Although not the way I normally receive litter complaints--it was definitely eye-catching.

And the good news is our inmate labor crews are out on our county roadways, once again collecting trash. tons of it.

Another constituent, on Facebook, also contacted me this week. She suggested the installation of signs as well---- to (hopefully) appeal to the collective consciences of the local litterbugs.  

So perhaps it is time for some signage.  Something needs to be done about the littering.  We've discussed it, we have neighborhood cleanups, and we encourage folks NOT to litter.  It's not working.

Meanwhile--the bags full of Whataburger wrappers, paper plates being flung like frisbees out of cars, and junk falling out of the back of pickups, trailers, and trash trucks are making our community look like a dump. And plastic bottles with or without suspicious yellow liquid are also a frequent sight on the roads.  It's disgusting.   I certainly hope folks reconsider chucking their loaded trashbags out the back of their trucks all over our roads, too, --but thus far I've seen no evidence of this behavior change locally.  

Regardless-----we need to get this litter issue under control before this new nickname "Pigpen-sacola" sticks faster than an empty, run-over natty-lite suitcase melted onto a stretch of Michigan Avenue on a hot summer day...... 

We don't want to be "Pigpen---sacola."