the Snowblower Vs the Dreaded News Print

I live in a small town. But, a town large enough to carry three town newspapers, all of which report the same news on different days. The only difference is in a few advertising spaces. I'm a bit befuddled at the competitive edge we have going here.

Along with these three abominations we, also, subscribe to a pay for newspaper, which most times goes unopened and trashed before reading. I know... kill the deal but one never knows when a Sunday ad will come in handy.

I'm not sure about the rest of you but isn't littering in most States a fineable offensive, unless of-course, as my husbands opts to believe the items are bio-degradable. I have a dear friend that waits until she gets to a secluded area, has no traffic in sight behind or in front of her before she tosses her cigarette out her window. Non use of a vehicles ashtray, in itself, should be a fineable offense. If you smoke, put the damn thing where it belongs by golly. Back to the news prints.

Let's add this up. One pay for print, three free "you have an address" news prints. I'm all for getting something for nothing. I'm sure most of you are as well. What I'm not for is trashing my front lawn, my driveway and my sidewalk, which if not kept clean and safe is another fineable violation, with unsolicited.... News prints. Why am I complaining you ask? Free is free take it and run... Let's talk free.

On any given day I am outside searching for my pay for news print, which by the way, is always neatly enclosed in non bio-degradable plastic. In the course of a week I have an additional 3 not for pay news prints, also enclosed in non bio-degradable plastic strewn somewhere between my mailbox, to my neighbors sidewalk. I put notice in with all three of the negligent parties to quit my job duties to no avail Reason given: You have an address. I think I am being told that a cardboard box and a warm sweater will solve my problem. So here's the deal.

It happens every winter. We get snow. There among the 14 inches is a possible lingering clue of blue plastic indicating a nesting news print. I have questioned the possibility of filing a lawsuit for aggravated insult.

The snow blower vs. the newspaper is an ongoing event in our home. I don't care if you have a 300 hp John Deere with an enclosed heated seating compartment and a kick ass blower chances are your going to encounter print spit.

Print spit (v): the act of shredding and blowing unsolicited newsprint encased in blue plastic in various directions, of which, you are responsible for collecting the aftermath of for fear of town code violation.

I hear by put the Town of Southington, Ct on notice. I don't want the news print freebies. I refuse to pick-up, recycle, dispose of, or otherwise discard unsolicited material that is trashing my property on any given day. I find unsolicited news print to be in violation of the State's anti littering law. Please see as follows:

CONNECTICUT LITTERING LAW

The law prohibits people from throwing, scattering, spilling, placing or causing to be blown, scattered, spilled, thrown or placed, litter upon any public property, private property belonging to another, or any state waters (CGS § 22a-250).

Litter is any discarded, used, or unconsumed substance or waste material, including bottles, cans, jars, and their detachable tops; unlit cigarettes, cigars, and matches; any flaming or glowing material or any garbage, trash, refuse, debris, rubbish, grass clippings, lawn or garden waste, newspapers, magazines, or glass, metal, plastic or paper containers, or other packaging(blue plastic anyone) or construction material (CGS §22a-248(4)).

Papers were added in 1955 to the list of "litter" with a maximum of a $50 fine.

Let's tally this up:

32 yrs at this residence x an average of 2 times a week (based on not all prints being active at any one given time during the course of those 32 yrs) = an average of 3328 prints having littered my property x $50.00 per print fine = $164,400.

Punitive damages: $50,000 +

Snow blower repair: $275.00 +/-

Paper pick stick: $ 18.00 +/-

Litter free property: priceless