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Cincinnati/Hamilton County Could Partner To Reduce Litter

pixabay.com

Cincinnati and Hamilton County leaders are trying to cut down on litter across both communities.  

That could include creating a countywide collaborative to address it and pooling resources to clean it up.  
Litter was the topic during a joint meeting Tuesday at Cincinnati City Hall with six city council members and Hamilton County Commission President Todd Portune.

Cincinnati Public Services Director Maraskeshia Smith said litter is an ongoing issue.

"Litter was down 12 percent this year," Smith said. "So if it's down 12 percent, how much more do we have to continue to clean up? We don't want to ever make excuses for not keeping the city clean or entry and exits ramps, but it's a large problem."

Hamilton County Engineer Ted Hubbard said solving the problem will take a partnership between governments and residents.

"Education is part of it; I think enforcement is going to be part of it too," Hubbard said. "It's disrespectful to throw your trash out. It's that simple and I do believe that we have to be very pointed about and have a very serious discussion about this."

The collaborative effort could include creating a universal telephone number for residents to report litter.  

The city and county will be partnering with the Ohio Department of Transportation and Keep Cincinnati Beautiful.

The parties will be meeting and discussing proposals.  Another joint city/county meeting will be scheduled in the coming months to review those plans.
 

Jay Hanselman brings more than 10 years experience as a news anchor and reporter to 91.7 WVXU. He came to WVXU from WNKU, where he hosted the local broadcast of All Things Considered. Hanselman has been recognized for his reporting by the Kentucky AP Broadcasters Association, the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists, and the Ohio AP Broadcasters.