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CORTLANDT, N.Y. - Earth Day is an annual event that brings attention to the importance of protecting the environment and cleaning up roadside trash.
For Tonja Inlaw of Cortlandt, keeping roadways free of litter is something she practices every day.
"I do it because it's where I live. The neighborhood looks so much nicer when it's clean," said Inlaw, who has lived in the Continental Village section of town for 13 years.
Twice a day, in the morning and evening, Inlaw is on alert in her neighborhood for garbage that has been tossed out of car windows or dumped in nearby Sprout Brook Park. Three weeks ago, she said, someone dumped living room and dining room furniture in the park.
"I called the town and they came right out and removed it," she said, noting that Cortlandt officials are very responsive when she notifies them. "People just don't care. You'd be surprised what they throw out."
Inlaw stressed she wasn't looking for any accolades for simply being a concerned resident.
"I never wanted to draw attention to what I was doing. I do it for personal reasons," said Inlaw, a mother of two. "I have a community spirit."
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