State Sen. Arthur Orr headed the Decatur Beautification Board before entering politics and was a staunch advocate for cleaning up the city.

But, like so many other volunteers, he could do just so much.

Now, the freshman senator is in position to change the lax state law that governs open truck beds, which are a major source of litter.

The law only says that privately hauled waste must be loaded in a way that prevents the debris from escaping. The law doesn't specify that truckers must cover waste.

Thus, an uncovered truck headed for the Morgan County - Decatur landfill and traveling 50 mph is going to lose more of its load then one that crawls to the dump entrance gate at a slow rate of speed.

That creates a judgment problem for Rickey Terry, who conscientiously runs the landfill. His workers might surmise a truck littered the roadsides on its way to the dump but they can't prove it.

The professional waste haulers say, of course, that they set the example for covered loads. Yet, citizens say they see these trucks with uncovered waste on Alabama 20. Violations for loose materials falling off trucks carry up to $500 fines. That, of course, might entail going to court and having witnesses testify. So, why not have a state law that requires all trucks hauling waste to be covered, increase the fine and station people at the landfills to hold truckers accountable?

Sen. Orr should be interested in stopping this problem based on his active participation in beautification.

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