Let’s applaud Donald Marsh and Tamara Sheffield for their recent letters to the editor and suggestions to help address the growing litter problems in Salisbury and Rowan County.

Donald recommended that we raise the fine for littering to $500 and assign 100 hours of community service to community service to convicted offenders. The 100 hours of community service, he said, could be designated to pick up litter from the roadside.

What a superb idea. Most citizens will agree that his suggestion has a tremendous amount of merit and will not only help clean up our communities but also help prevent future littering.

I would also like to suggest that we not limit the $500 fine and 100 hours of community service to littering, but also let’s impose this requirement on all criminals convicted of certain crimes, including drug offenses, shoplifting, assaults and other misdemeanors and felonies. Authorities could even provide orange vests and bags for litter cleanup.

Why not? It makes good sense and it might even help to restore Rowan County’s reputation as one of the cleanest communities in the entire state. Let’s do it.

— Ronnie Smith

Salisbury