Letter to the Editor / Newport Daily News
April 28, 2007

The following letter appeared in the Newport Daily News on April 28, 2007.

Volunteers' work left railroad tracks free of garbage

Recently a group of volunteers cleaned up the railroad tracks in Newport of debris and shopping carts. They collected more than 30 carts and much debris.

I would like to commend Stop & Shop for being a good corporate neighbor. Stop & Shop representatives stated to the organizers that they regularly send people near the tracks to collect their carts. As Scott Johnson, a renowned business executive, once said, ‘Caring is a powerful business advantage.’

Unfortunately, the same attitude did not prevail with Wal-Mart's management. This is very disappointing. Perhaps some of the revenue spent on advertising touting their ‘community friendliness’ should be spend on helping to collect carts strewn in the immediate vicinity of their store.

Being a good corporate citizen includes helping to keep your surrounding neighborhood free from debris and litter. Businesses adjacent to the tracks are encouraged to keep their Dumpsters closed and premises clean.

Kudos to the many volunteers, Old Colony Railroad and especially Brooke Stone of the city of Newport's recycling program for their efforts and hard work. It has not gone unnoticed.