We let the illegals stay here by the millions who pay nothing or next to nothing in taxes and lower the wages.

I remember when building metro center in 1973 the construction wages were $22 and hour, today that some job pays $12 an hour. When they say there are jobs Americans won’t do that is because welfare pays more.

In the 40s and 50s there was no such thing as a job an American won’t do. Obama refuses to let us open up our oil supplies with EPA restrictions so get him out of office.

Most folks don’t seem to realize that sometimes the smallest issue stimulates or kills the enthusiasm of tourists coming to a vacation destination and the tourism economy we depend on.

Folksville USA and Keep Sedona Beautiful volunteers give thousands of hours keeping the Verde Valley and Sedona free of highway trash but the battle is endless — due to those who either toss or allow their beverage containers, fast food items and construction debris to end up on the highway for others to see.

I would encourage all residents of this area to personally experience this accusation and stop on the highway some time and see with your own eyes what is there — you will most likely be shocked!

There are many opportunities to help one of the Folksville USA or Keep Sedona Beautiful groups who make every effort to improve the cancer that plagues our areas highways.

If you can’t come help pick up trash then consider a small gift, thank you note or donation to one of the many groups that make our area look good. How about regular education and awareness messages in our papers, churches, schools and in our homes?

What would our highways look like if all of the Adopt-A-Highway groups that continually pick up after those who disgrace our communities, our Armed Forces, and our veterans with their trash, just quit picking it up?

Is this what you want? Think about it! We pick up 1000’s of beverage containers and fast food items and the construction debris is endless.

What if residents and businesses paid our church and school youth groups $10 per bag for every 33 gallon bag of trash they pick up while helping a ADOT Adopt-A-Highway litter groups? Then our community youth would have some skin-in-the-game and they could invite their parents.

Businesses, you give plenty to some of these groups and so is it time to give with conditions like, “Do something for me, go pick up trash”.

I have now been paid over $4,000 and have personally picked up 420 bags of trash in 6 months ….. I’m 65 years old. Sticking our heads in the sand won’t make the trash in your area go away but it might make our ADOT Adopt-A-Highway volunteers go away if they don’t get some help! I know group “S” is ready to quit, are you going to clean their section?

Gary Chamberlain
“Point Man” FVUSA
FolksvilleUSA@gmail.com

So, you would ask that I propose some solutions. It appears that you never read any of my articles when I was writing here in Sedona a year ago. For your information, I have made numerous proposals to City Council for 2 and a half years and was heavily involved in the outcome of the last Council election. Where were you? Finally, the article to which to refer was about facts which is different than “finding fault!”

I have always been prone to try to look at things in a balanced way and never prone to sticking my head in the sand. But I have encountered many individuals, and most probably so have you, whose main focus in life is to find fault with EVERYTHING around them. They are never happy if they can’t criticize some one or something. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world because we are all human. I will grant you that there is a need to fix things in our present lives, just as there have been in generations past.. It’s nice of you to point out the deficiencies, but what do you propose as a solution?

I agree with Nicholas when he states: “I would also ask that you propose some solutions/options as well. If not just tourism, then what would you suggest?”

Apparently you believe we should just all go stick our heads in the sand and it will all go away. My friend, you (euphemistically speaking,of course) are the reason we are where we are! While you cover your head and wait, others of us take concerted action. Nevertheless, thank you for you comments.