To the Editor,

I have been following with interest the articles in your paper about the tremendous amount of trash in Robeson County. Commissioner Raymond Cummings seems to be really dedicated to solving this problem. The “Keep Robeson County Clean and Green” sign is real nice. The idea of keeping one’s own property picked up is great. But to say that accomplishments have been made — now that had to be meant as a joke.

Ride up and down the roads in Tolarsville. Since the recent rain has brought all of the garbage to the top of the water in the overflowing ditches, the county looks so much worse than it ever has since I moved here 20 years ago. A litter court is a fine idea but with only 14 littering violations in 2015 by the Highway Patrol, I hardly think funding for Litter Court will find its way into the budget. The sheriff has stated that he does not have the personnel to supervise inmates to pick up the garbage. I do not have access to his budget, so I cannot argue with his statement.

All of the above makes me curious about a few things. Does the Robeson County Court system ever sentence anyone to community service? Surely the county could find the money to pay someone to supervise these workers. Public records show property taxes paid — or not paid — since 2009. There are hundreds of property owners in Robeson County who have not paid one dime of property tax since at least 2009 and maybe before. If residents can’t find 20 dollars per year to pay on their property, do you really think they are going to pay a fine for littering? And since nothing is done to the non or partial taxpayers, who is going to do anything to the non-fine-paying litterbugs?

I think if Robeson County would utilize what resources it has and enforce what rules they have, some of their problems would be solved.

Martha Waldrep

St Pauls