LITTER PROGRAMS PUT CITY, AREA ON ROAD TO BEAUTY

Missouri's adopt-a-highway program has met with considerable enthusiasm in Southeast Missouri and across the state. It's an example of small groups of people or individuals making a difference to improve their communities.

A group of young men and women in Cape Girardeau are taking the matter a step further. The Derby Knights have "adopted" Broadway, and spend time each week picking up trash along the busy thoroughfare.

We commend members of this car club for their efforts.

More importantly, this could spark development of a city-wide adopt-a-street program, which could go a long way toward helping Cape Girardeau shine.

State-maintained routes in the city have been "adopted" by various groups for litter control. But Broadway is the only city-maintained street where such a cleanup effort has been started.

Cape Girardeau has joined in the effort. The city provides the trash bags. The Derby Knights pick up the trash and leave the filled trash bags at Capaha Park for city crews to haul away.

Although the city cleanup effort is in its infancy, it appears to be cruising in the right direction.

Perhaps if other civic groups would take the initiative, a citywide adopt-a-street program could be implemented, modeled after the state's successful program.

In District 10 alone, which covers much of Southeast Missouri, there are 381 highway "adopters." The roads adopted range from half-mile stretches within city limits to several miles on rural routes.

The highway adopters can sign up for one of three programs: mowing, litter pickup and landscaping. Most choose litter pickup, with about 30 mowing highway stretches, and another dozen or so landscaping the roadways.

Groups agree to a three-year commitment, and must pick up the trash at least four times a year. The state supplies trash bags, and the bags are picked up by state crews.

The growth of new adopters has remained constant in Southeast Missouri, according to a spokesman of the District 10 office. About three or four new adopters sign up each month. As a way to say "thanks," the state posts the adopter's name on a highway sign. The city is planning a similar tribute to the Derby Knights.

Perhaps this city adopt-a-street effort could grow in the same spirit of cooperation. It's a way for citizens to take a hand in bettering our community. It can help put Cape Girardeau on the road to cleaner streets.