Adopt-A-Highway is a great program
As retired executive director of Camp Arrowhead, I want to comment on the Christine LaForgia letter of Feb. 11. Clearly she is correct about trash and dumping in Sussex. Travel out the western end of Cordrey Road and have a look.
However, I would like to provide some information about Adopt-A-Highway, and folks who do pick up, specifically the section of Camp Arrowhead Road from the Angola intersection to the Angola Neck Preserve road cable, which is the camp’s adopted section. The camp’s history of picking up along this section dates to 1954 when property manager F. Terry Carmine began his 45-year career at the camp. Terry was a fanatic about this section of road. As a summer camper in the late 1960s, the counseling staff taught us to “leave better” and pick up trash and cans as we hiked.
Beginning a first summer job with the camp in 1970 and working with Terry until he retired in 1999, I know firsthand how he modeled picking up on the camp property, the road and anywhere he happened to be. Because our section of road is a dead end, tires, appliances, furniture, etc., are often on the menu. This retrieved mess was, and is, hauled into our dumpster or scrap pile.
After Terry retired, the camp’s staff continued his effort, applying to the Adopt-A-Highway program to affirm what has gone on for years. Arrowhead is required to pick up our section of the road a minimum of three times a year. During the summer, our high school campers are required to do community service hours, and policing the road is a primary activity. The full-time staff addresses the section the remainder of the year.
Picking up can be a frustrating task, because inevitably there will be a fresh can or bottle on your return. It’s important to note that DelDOT is great when the dumped material is not able to be handled by us. A call and they come and take care of it. Frankly, our biggest headaches are the nitwits who dump their yard waste. Often, the tractor has been taken out to remove this material to compost. It’s also important to mention there are individuals from developments such as West Bay, Woods on Herring Creek, Bayfront and others who are routinely seen fishing trash out of the woods and road ditches. Big thanks to all who do take time to pick up and encourage others to do so!
