New state bill pays deputies to clean roads
Cherokee County officials are seeking volunteers who will continue the effort to keep communities clean championed by the late Gary Chamberlain.
“His passion for picking up the litter in our county for the past several years was unbounded, and I don’t think we’ll ever, ever have anybody to replace him,” Commissioner Jan Griggs said at the board’s Feb. 15 meeting.
Commissioners want to find two representatives from each voting district to form a committee that will oversee the Anti-Litter in Action Coalition. The committee will work with area businesses, schools, churches and communities to coordinate regular litter pickup events.
Officials hope the committee continues in perpetuity, electing new members when needed, without further intervention from county commissioners.
“It’s going to be their committee, not ours,” Griggs said while explaining her proposal. “They’ll elect a chairman and a vice chairman, so that they can continue the work that Gary began.”
Interestingly, less than 24 hours after Griggs proposed the committee, state lawmakers introduced a bill that would increase fines for littering, appropriate funds to raise awareness and participation in certain anti-litter programs, plus provide money to pay deputies to pick up trash along rural roads.
House Bill 100, also known as the Highway Cleanup Act of 2021, would direct the use of $500,000 in transportation funds to establish the Cops Clean NC program to award anti-litter grants to sheriffs’ offices in counties with less than 150,000 residents. Grants would be capped at $10,000, and the money would be used to provide officers overtime pay for participating in litter cleanup efforts. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation.
“One of the greatest things we can do for our county right now is keep it clean,” Commissioner Dan Eichenbaum said at the meeting.
Griggs initially wanted to name the coalition after Chamberlain, a military veteran who relentlessly led anti-litter efforts before passing away from esophageal cancer at age 74 last month. However, “That’s not what Gary would’ve wanted,” she said.
While coalition leaders can recruit as many people as needed to accomplish its goals, commissioners want to keep the committee limited to 10 people, who will then coordinate efforts with communities and additional volunteers. Anyone interested in being on the committee is asked to contact their district commissioner or email Griggs at jan.griggs@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.
“Gary meant a lot to so many, I just want to see this thrive,” Griggs said.
Both the Andrews Chamber of Commerce and Cherokee County Schools have also expressed a desire to continue the legacy of Gary Chamberlain, founder of the N.C. Litter-free Coalition.
* The Andrews chamber has purchased a bench made out of recyclable materials that will eventually be placed in front of the office at 955 Main St. downtown with a memorial plaque. A dedication day will be announced soon, perhaps during the annual Spring Fling set for Saturday, April 24.
* Dr. Jeana Conley, superintendent of schools, said during the Feb. 11 board meeting that to honor Chamberlain, officials are planning an annual cleanup day with schools. She is also meeting with principals to coordinate an appropriate day so his memory can live on “by doing the things he always encouraged us to do.”