In 2016, let's keep Cape beautiful

Arriving from Florida in July of 2007 to begin a new adventure, I was inspired by the unique beauty of Cape Girardeau and surrounding area. From the system of parks to the university (including the then-brand-new River Campus) to the variety of downtown shops, it was clear my new home had much to be proud of.

In talking to town leaders, I came to appreciate all the work that had gone into a once-decaying downtown to restoring the historical charm that citizens and visitors alike had come to know.

Yes, I, along with many others, feel privileged to live in and be a part of Cape Girardeau. However, to paraphrase Voltaire (or Spider-Man), "With great privilege comes great responsibility." All of us are responsible to help keep our city beautiful. I would like to share a few thoughts on how we can accomplish this.

First, I would like to address the general problem of litter. Living and doing business in downtown Cape, it breaks my heart every day to see beer cans, liquor bottles, assorted forms of food trash and cigarette butts (more on that later) strewn across what should be our pristine streets. This does not have to be the case. I urge all of us to take a few minutes each day to pick up trash on whatever block on which we happen to live. And to everyone I ask: Be cognizant of how you dispose of your own trash. Make sure all potential litter goes into proper receptacles before it blows away and becomes a problem. Make sure all your trash cans and dumpster lids are secure and not overflowing. Encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. And don't be afraid to report flagrant violators.

I would like to issue a special plea to smokers. Please be aware of the enormous effect of cigarette butts on the environment. According to the National Oceanic Conservatory, cigarette butts are the most prevalent form of litter in the world, accounting for 176 million pounds in the United States alone. Being a town right on the biggest river in the U.S., this is a particular problem for Cape Girardeau. I dare not even guess how many butts from our town are washed into the river, causing environmental havoc. Every day I see butts being thrown onto our roadways sidewalks, onto public and private property. This does not have to be so. Please consider the consequences and treat your cigarette butts like you would any other form of trash. A little mindfulness can go a long way.

I have touched on a few areas of concern but there are so many things we can all do to maintain the beauty and integrity and majesty of our wonderful Cape Girardeau. I have always been moved by the words attributed to 19th-century Native American chief Seattle: "Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web we do to ourselves. All things are bound together Â… all things connect." We are all fortunate to be a strand in the web that is Cape Girardeau. I implore all of us who call this wonderful town our home to work together to help keep Cape Girardeau beautiful.

Brian Langlois is the chairman of the Keep Cape Beautiful committee.