US 165, our highway of shame

It doesn't take long to make a negative impression on a newcomer driving into Monroe from Bastrop on U.S. 165.

You could make a travel game out of "counting the foam cups and plates" that line the roadsides and clog the drainage ditches, but it's so depressing to look at that even gleefully shouting children couldn't make it fun.

Photographer Margaret Croft, given the assignment of photographing trash on the roadside just from CenturyLink Corporate Headquarters south to Forsythe Extension, returned with many dozens of images.

These portrayed not only a society that cares little about presenting a positive image, but also represented a health hazard as the many containers filled with rainwater and became hundreds of mosquito breeding grounds.

It's time to make cleaning up our community a priority. Our natural surroundings are too beautiful to be marred so disgracefully.

The editorials in this column represent the opinions of The News-Star's editorial board, composed of General Manager and Executive Editor Kathy Spurlock, Engagement and Community Content Editor Hope Young, Watchdog and Storytelling Coach Mark Henderson and Business and Politics Reporter Greg Hilburn.