Beech Tree News Network

  It's not the Energizer Bunny or Forrest Gump you see each morning going nonstop alongside the sidewalks and streets of Morgantown picking up trash; it's our county's very own Dick Deye. Most people know him as our county attorney; however, the morning routine he has developed has nothing to do with his position; it has to do with his heart.

 Each morning for several months, my daughters and I have seen him walking, decked out in his fluorescent shirt, iconic sweatbands not only on his head but matching his wrists as well is his uniform of intention as he begins his day. Some mornings we honk, other days we roll the window down and yell, never breaking stride, acknowledging the catcalls he briskly throws his arms out wide with peace signs mimicking Nixon. Over the months, his routine has morphed into something new; one day, we noticed he had trash bags.

Every discarded wrapper, bottle, can, cigarette butt, and piece of trash that he comes across, this man dutifully picks it up. So yes, if you are one of the individuals throwing your trash and cigarette butts out the window, you can thank Mr. Deye for cleaning up after you. Several have noticed his deed. Pictures have circulated social media of Dick picking up trash, commenting on how appreciative everyone is of his time, and what he is doing.

When asked why he began picking up trash, Deye stated that in the beginning, his walks each morning was to improve his health and fitness. Then as he noticed the garbage along his path, he felt that since he was walking by, why not clean it up.

Friday, unbeknownst to Mr. Deye, Morgantown City Chief of Police Giles Taylor chose Mr. Deye to be his Citizen of the Year, complete with a trophy, for his unselfish act of keeping our community clean.

Next time you are out walking the strip, as several of you are during the week, why not take a small bag yourself and help Deye and yourself by picking up some of the litter in your community? Thank you, Dick Deye, for your workout routine turned community service and for being a good human.