We’ve railed against the litter problem in Robeson County before, and will again today because the problem persists despite organized and determined efforts by the county government to enlist volunteers in this dirty war.

The next evidence of that effort will be April 19, when the local government is sponsoring a countywide cleanup. April 19, by the way, is a Friday, which explains in part today’s Our View. We aren’t sure why a Friday was selected, but we do know that for many people that is a workday, and if they are to help with the cleanup effort, then plans are in order.

County Commissioner David Edge got a head start on the effort this past week when he got volunteers to join firefighters from the Northwoods and Saddletree volunteer fire departments to clear Meadow Road and U.S. 301 of litter between exits 22 and 25 on Interstate 95. He also plans another cleanup on April 18, this one targeting 11 miles of Barker Ten Mile Road, and another effort on April 19.

But all the commissioners are doing their part, and today’s Our View will conclude with information on how you can help in your district.

But we pen this today mostly to encourage efforts on April 19 by civic groups, churches, schools if possible, and businesses — especially businesses since it’s a workday. While it would be great for folks to join their county commissioners in the cleanup effort, a lot could be accomplished if businesses just encouraged their employees to spend 20 minutes cleaning up the area where they are located. The same with churches and schools.

In fact, if everybody kept clean their homes, neighborhoods and places of business, then this county’s litter problem would be reduced by a significant percentage.

It does make a difference, as there is only one chance to make a good first impression. If you don’t think that industry officials and professionals such as doctors and teachers are turned off when they see the mess that we have made, then you are wrong. The blight can have real consequences by inhibiting this county’s economic development.

The fun part about keeping the county clean is that, at its root, it requires nothing on the part of each of us, except to toss the litter into a trash can and not a roadside ditch. Also, litter-free ditches and canals will promote better drainage the next time Mother Nature decides to dump a couple of feet of rain on us.

So we hope you will consider organizing your own effort on April 19, and if not, then perhaps join your county commissioners as they try to make this county a nicer place to live. Following is information on where to go to help out on April 19.

— District 1, Commissioner Jerry Stephens, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., South Lumberton Resource Center.

— District 2, Commissioner Pauline Campbell, 9 a.m. to noon, Gaddy Fire Department, Whitehouse Fire Department, Fairmont Rural Fire Department, Queheel 1 and 2 fire departments.

— District 3, Commissioner Roger Oxendine, 9 a.m., Evans Cross Road/James Dial Park and Gaddys Park.

— District 4, Commissioner Faline Dial, 9 a.m to noon, Prospect UMC parking lot.

— District 5, Commissioner Raymond Cummings, 9 a.m. to noon at Smith Fire Department, Burnt Swamp Philadelphus Fire Department, and Raft Fire Department,Union Chapel Community Building, Shannon Fire Dept.

— District 6, Commissioner David Edge, Image Supply at Exit 22 on Interstate 95, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

— District 7, Commissioner Tom Taylor, 9 a.m., East Howellsville Fire Department, Sterlings Fire Department, Allentown Fire Department, Britts Fire Department, Orrum Fire Department, Smyrna Fire Department.

— District 8, Commissioner Lance Herndon, Parkton Town Hall and St. Pauls/Robeson County Park.