Letters to the editor for May 5, 2009

To the editor:

I am a local resident who enjoys walking the Leo Adler Parkway with my pet all year round. Because the path is so well maintained, one is able to enjoy viewing our beautiful Elkhorn mountain range, the Wallowas and the Powder River during each and every season. I’m grateful to all who are responsible for the Parkway’s development and year round maintenance and would like to express my appreciation, as I feel it greatly enhances our quality of life here in Baker City. 

However, that being said is not actually my reason for writing this letter. My reason is that I cannot believe how many people walk the Pathway with their dogs yet neglect to clean up after them when they’ve “answered nature’s call.” When I see this I just want to shout: “Hey, you pet owner! Pick up after your dog!!!” Not doing so is, in my opinion, completely irresponsible — not to mention incredibly inconsiderate, disrespectful, rude and lazy. If you plan on taking Fido for a walk, please, stuff a couple bags in your pocket. There’s no excuse not to. We all have plastic grocery bags lying around the house, and a box of a hundred baggies can be purchased for a single buck from our local Dollar store.

There are several city-owned garbage cans stationed along the Pathway for convenience of disposal, and I have yet to be scolded by a homeowner for making a “little deposit” in a residential garbage cart. Come on pet owners — show some responsibility, appreciation and community pride by picking up after your pets! Otherwise, do the rest of us a favor and keep your pets and their poop at home.  

Candia Inloes

Baker City