Help out in keeping Cheney clean

I am amazed at the growth of Cheney since my family and I moved to Ferry County many years ago. Following the death of my husband and scattering of my now adult children, I moved back to Cheney to be close to my son, his children and my grandchildren. As has been my long-time habit, I began walking daily for exercise and to pick up litter.

I am dumbfounded at the amount and variety of litter I encounter as I walk along State Route 904 and Presley and Salnave. I started carrying a single grocery bag to fill the litter, and quickly graduated to two bags as the norm. At 90 years old, I dare not risk a fall by leaving the sidewalks. However, on more than one occasion, drivers have stopped to check my welfare and on occasion ventured off the sidewalk to pick up litter that I cannot reach.

Today (June 28), I walked a longer route that took me almost downtown. The owner of one business shook my hand while thanking me, and at another business a man came out to help me retrieve a piece of plastic sheeting that I was struggling to reach.

The point of this letter is to encourage people who smoke, eat fast food or drink from bottles, cans and even cartons to hold on to their waste until they can put it in a garbage can at their residence or into one of the many city-provided waste receptacles along the street. With the arrival of fire season, cigarette butts become a real threat to the community.

I invite everyone to join me in picking up litter in Cheney, even if it’s just in your immediate neighborhood. And please refrain from tossing your waste along city streets and parks. Honk or wave as you pass me by (I’m the one using a walker) and I’ll know you have joined me to help clean up this wonderful city.

And remember, Earth Day can be every day if you make it so.

Pat Reagan

Cheney