FORT MITCHELL — About 40 Northern Kentuckians gathered Tuesday night to talk about Gov. Paul Patton's push to make Kentucky a cleaner state.

        Included were state politicians, representatives from environmental organizations and residents who were concerned with the litter they see along some of Kentucky's prettiest roads.

        “What we're dealing with is our public health (and) our natural heritage — and we're in the year 2000,” said Mary Shinkle, chair of a group, Solid Waste Coordinators of Kentucky.

IF YOU GO

The next public forum will be Tuesday in Somerset. For more information, call the cabinet, (502) 564-3350, or visit its Web site, www.kyenvironment.org.

        The public forum at the Drawbridge Inn is one of several taking place across the state as staff from the Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet readies a plan to be presented to Mr. Patton by Dec. 1.

        The governor has asked them to look at ways to address universal garbage collection and ways to clean up illegal dumps, promote recycling and reduce roadside litter. He has promised to push the General Assembly to enact garbage cleanup and collection laws next year — in a special legislative session if necessary.

        “We're here to get your comments. So if you have input on how to attack this bear (of a problem), please do,” said Richard Thomas, a cabinet representative.

        He played a videotape that showed the problem of illegal dumping. Along rural roads, people were caught tossing out mattresses, 50-gallon drums and other trash.

        Several audience members provided public comment, including Janet Rogers of Covington.

        She was part of a group that cleaned a quarter-mile stretch of Decoursey Pike in Kenton County last spring.

        But Tom Litzler took a skeptical view. Even if politicians discover an inexpensive means of providing universal garbage collection, he doesn't think Kentucky will ever be free of illegally dumped debris.

        “That'll never happen,” he said. “There's just too many irresponsible people.”

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