CROSSVILLE CHRONICLE Opinion   Dorothy Copus Brush "Random Thoughts" It's your country, too -- keep it clean Some problems just never go away. Littering the roadways falls in that category. Why are occupants of cars such slobs? It is so easy to carry a small litter bag inside the car to dispose of trash. Early in May the results of a statewide survey showed that Tennesseans considered littering their top pollution concern. Last week the Chronicle published a front page article on Cumberland County's efforts to control the eyesore. Sheriff Butch Burgess said, "We're just not going to put up with people who litter." New road signs are being posted across the county warning "No Littering $500.00 Fine." An anonymous donor purchased 200 of these signs as a gift to the county. Those hardy groups who have taken on the project of periodically cleaning up the messes of those who violate the beauty of the landscape must gag at some of the litter they find and pick up. Sadly, this has been a problem for years. In June, 1965 the Chronicle carried a poem written by Patricia Guion Wichman called Our Country. My country, 'tis of thee, Land of the sloven free of thee I sing. Roads littered as we pass, with papers, garbage, glass, Beer cans, bottles, trash, We freely fling No scenery do we see; the billboards hide the tree And mountain view. But spread before our eyes the auto graveyard lies, A blot, beneath the skies for all to see. For this is freedom's way, No laws our hand to stay; Our roads are "free." Free each of us to spoil The beauty of our soil. No more do we recoil from sights like these. So fling your garbage out, Strew it along the route, And let it be. Or throw it as you pass on sidewalks, Lawns and grass, Deface God's gift, alas For WE are "free"! *** Last weekend we traveled through Kentucky on our way to Ohio. They have a new set of humorous signs that alert travelers to construction zones ahead. They read, "Whoa, baby, whoa! Leave the racin' to horses!" Other signs in these areas are not funny when they warn double fine for exceeding the speed limit. A friend in our car was reminded of the very serious signs used in Georgia. They carry the number of deaths of highway workers in construction areas. * * * If you have lived around Crossville for many years you may have some answers I need. I have the questions but hard as I have looked, no answers. The first question came by e-mail in May. It came from the daughter of a couple who spent their wedding night in June, 1936 at the Gentry Tourist Camp. All she knew was that it was located off the road to Monterey and alongside a river. There are many phone listings for the Gentry name but those I called knew nothing about the camp. Last week I received another question from a person trying to find information on the Coal Creek Mining Company. Coal Creek lies off route 68, near the Alloway community. If any of you readers have answers to either of these questions please call me at 484-7801. Use your browser's back button to return to the previous page