Vigilance is Making a Difference on Trail [Letter]

To the editor:

My favorite classic rock tune is Bob Seger's "Against the Wind." It is symbolic of my life led by the theory that one must get involved in controversy rather than look the other way. This is why I have waged war against motorized dirt bikes and ATVs defacing the surface of the rail trail. This is why I have waged war against dog crappers abusing the area.

I celebrated Valentine's Day by chasing a dirt bike out of the Hellertown Cinder Banks and taking note of its four lookouts who watch out for police, Weidner and other vigilantes or vigilant citizens who give a damn and refuse to tolerate ordinance offenders.

Afterwards I spent one hour knocking 26 dog poops off or away from the trail users' area with the crappy end of my walking stick and then reporting all to Chief Robert Shupp of the Hellertown Police.

This past Saturday was dogsitting day, so I took my German shepherd pal for a two-hour walk from Bachman Street, the northern trail entrance, to Bingen and back. I observed a total of two dog diamonds between Bachman and Bingen. I was especially happy to see the split rail fence area next to Water Street Park clean of feces. Also, no dog crap encircled any memorial bench as it did on Feb. 14. Other concerned citizens and police can be praised for this action.

I refuse to quit watching for trail abuse, despite some calling me crazy and merciless. To the detractors I say, "Tough darts!" I will not look the other way.

Lee Weidner

Hellertown