MANSFIELD — Zander Washburn on Thursday recalled helping a roadside trash clean-up effort a few years ago.
“I was like 7 or 8. We went down our road and we brought a bunch of bags and we filled up every single bag,” the now 12-year-old Boy Scout said.
What was he thinking as he picked up all of that litter?
“Why did they do this?”
Those continuing environmental concerns led him to recently write a letter to state Rep. Marilyn John, who joined him Thursday morning as the Crestview Middle School student met with Richland County commissioners.
“It concerns me because I see people littering and throwing trash off the side of the road. I believe this is a problem for many reasons,” said Washburn, a soon-to-be Life Scout with the goal of earning Eagle Scout status when he is 13.
“One (concern) is it may get into the water and animals will have to consume that water, therefore getting sick or killing them. I see trash and other items on the side of the road and upsets me because I know it’s not right,” sadi Washburn, a member of local Troop 214.
John, a Shelby resident and former Richland County commissioner, said she is always impressed when she hears from young people, including those who visit the state legislature or take time to attend county commissioner meetings.
“Another colleague (in Columbus) this week said that when a young person speaks out to us, it’s really significant,” John said.
“They’re still growing and learning. And the courage that it takes for them to come to the statehouse or come to the county commissioners office and present their ideas … we pay attention to that,” she said.
“Sometimes I think we get a little discouraged when we look at the world, but when I have someone young like Zander who speaks up and brings ideas forward, it gives me great hope for our future,” John said.
Commissoners asked Washburn about the 36 merit badges he earned and his goals for the future.
“I was a Boy Scout and what (Zander) accomplished in one year took me seven,” Commissioner Darrell Banks said.
Commissioner Cliff Mears, who said Washburn was a great representative for the Boy Scouts, asked the student for his advice in convincing others to share his concerns for the environment.
“I have an idea that there could be a day dedicated to picking up trash,” Washburn said.
“In the spring, we have Earth Day dedicated to cleaning up trash on side of the roads. But mine could be a day in October called, ‘We like green, let’s keep it clean.’
“It could be a friendly competition among schools in Richland County. We could have competition picking up litter and in return they could have like an incentive day,” Washburn said.
Banks also told Washburn the Richland County Solid Waste Management District recently hired an environmental enforcement through the county sheriff’s office, as well as a new educator for the district.
“I would suggest you contact these people and help give them some ideas. That would really be meaningful for all of us,” Banks said.
Also on Thursday, Curt Braden, regional director for Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, attended the meeting and read a message from the AG in honor of former Richland County Prosecutor Gary Bishop, who died on Monday.
“Gary Bishop is synonymous with justice for crime victims in Richland County. That area of Ohio has lost a dedicated prosecutor and compassionate victim advocate, one who will greatly be missed, but most assuredly not forgotten.
“I offer my deepest condolences to his loved ones and the many people he championed of Richland County during his tenure as Richland County prosecutor,” Braden said in reading Yost’s message.
John said Bishop loved doing community events. She recalled campaigning together for county office and serving together as commissioner and prosecutor.
John said one of her favorite memories with Bishop came while competing on a mud volleyball team.
“My favorite part of that today was watching Gary try to coach us from the safe … from the side.
“If you’ve ever played mud volleyball, there’s a pit (and) you’re in the mud. But Gary would stand on the side and go up and down the side trying to coach us.
“Staying clean, mind you, but he coached us from the side,” John said with a smile.
