Kudos to Kennett's Mayor John Wheeler for declaring a "war on rubbish." There could be various other "wars" declared in the city, but one on trash is as good a place to start as any.

Beginning on March 15, city officials began warning residents and businesses with trashy yards and areas to clean things up. In one day alone, city officials issued more than 300 notices of violation.

I wish, as part of the city's war on trash, the city would include those folks who drive down city streets or highways throwing trash out their automobile windows.

I live on a busily traveled highway within the city limits, and at any given time I guess I might be cited for violating the city's trash ordinance because people who drive by throw their trash out the windows of their cars and it lands in the right-of-way in front of my house.

I would have to stand near my front yard 24-7 to keep the trash picked up that does NOT belong to me but to those who litter.

Wait! Should MoDOT be cited for that trash or me? I am not making light of this matter. I think making an effort to stop litter and those who litter is a good idea. Regardless, I am the one who has to pick up the trash. I'll do my part and I am pleased that city officials are doing more in an attempt to clean up the city.

I have picked up broken beer bottles by the dozens, hypodermic needles by the half-dozens, panties, shirts, brooms, insulation, pornographic magazines, etc. from the right-of-way in front of my house. All this comes from people driving down the highway who can't wait until they get home to a trash container to throw away their trash so they throw it alongside the highway.

And, who are smokers to think that the cigarette butts they throw on the ground is not trash? If anything is trash, that is.

The city council has designated its meeting on April 1, 2008, as the date for a public hearing regarding trash along Independence Ave. in Kennett. Residents with a concern should attend that meeting.

In the mean time, thanks, Mayor, for wanting to clean up trash from within the City of Kennett!

Jack Rollins is the managing editor of the Daily Dunklin Democrat.