Dear Editor:

Do you, of a certain age, remember the anti-littering campaign of the 1960s and 1970s? There were the billboards along highways (Keep Maine Green, Don't be a litterbug!). There were warning signs announcing fines. There were school programs to educate children. I don't advocate that we bring back billboards but I do think it's time to re-educate the public and to reinstate signage for fines.

Littering is still against the law, though walking along our roads one wouldn't think so. Over the past few years I have noticed an increase in the trash littering our lovely towns. Take a stroll now along West Street down Western Avenue. The roadsides are covered in cans and bottles, paper cups and plastic bags. Walk the loop around Southport and there are full trash bags and all manner of garbage in the ditches.

What is causing this lack of civic concern and what can we do about it? Certainly we could have volunteer clean-up days. We could put up signage stating that litterers will be fined. Something should be done. We live in a most beautiful location. Let's try to keep it that way.

Michele Valliere

Boothbay Harbor