My name is Charissa Slife and I own a business, Fine Line Auto & Detail, in Richford, Wisconsin. We sell quality used cars and detail vehicles. Over the years, I have seen an increase of Amish families in our community. With that brings the horses defecating on the roads. As a business owner charging $200-$1,000 per vehicle for a detail, our clients leave, drive through horse manure and call us asking why their vehicle smells like poop? Not only does it smell, but the acid from the manure eats away the paint off of our $20,000-$80,000 vehicles. Yes you can dodge and swerve to miss the manure, but now you are putting others at risk for driving in the opposite lane. And with the increase in Amish families, you can't dodge it if you wanted to as it's on both sides of the road.

Not only is this bad for our business, it is also:

1) Road Hazard. Motorcyclists travel down these roads and driving through the manure could result in the bike sliding, etc. This is a safety factor.

2) Unsanitary. Manure has a lot of bacteria and when spread can make itself into the soil, streams, ponds, lakes, etc. with potential source of water pollution.

3) Laziness. There is no excuse for not picking up after yourself and/or your animals. There can be drop catches behind the horse or if that will not suffice, carry a shovel and a bag to remove it.

4) Respect. There needs to be respect for other people's property and the community as well.

This petition is not about the Amish Community or the way they live, but about making this a safe, clean and respectful community. 

I, Charissa Slife, would like the Waushara County Commissioners and Town of Richford Board Members to consider passing an ordinance that would require Amish residents to outfit their buggies with devices to catch the manure or simply clean up the mess with a shovel and a bag. 

This will eliminate damage to others property, road hazards, water pollution, but most of all, a cleaner environment for all businesses and residents in Richford, Wisconsin.

I have spoke with Robert Wedell, Town of Richford President, and he will take this to the Waushara County Commissioners after 100 signatures of just Richford, Wisconsin residents.